Mural Arts Program founder and executive director Jane Golden addresses the crowd in South Philadelphia.

In an effort to gather input for the city’s first citywide mural, the Mural Arts Program held the first of seven “This We Believe” community forums in South Philadelphia on Tuesday, February 24.  Participants came from all over the city and listened as Mural Arts founder Jane Golden explained the goals of this new project.

From there, participants were divided into several small groups and asked to share their own beliefs about Philadelphia as well as their experiences in their own neighborhoods.  Their conversations were revealing, heartfelt and true expressions of their values and what it means to live in this city.  Some were long time residents, others brought the perspective of a recent arrival with experience in other communities.

WHYY was there and listened in on several of these conversations which we are sharing with you below.  You can use the play buttons below to hear a sampling of what what people learned from each other or about themselves at this first meeting.

In South Philadelphia, people in small groups learn from each other about their neighborhoods.

Duality
One Philadelphia resident describes different “communities” that co-exist in certain neighborhoods, often without much crossover between.

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Gentrification vs. character
A Northern Liberties resident talks about the desire to hold on to a community’s roots even as it undergoes rapid changes.

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The Corner
An immigrant shares why she likes living in corner house and the connection it gives her with the neighborhood.

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Small group moderator takes down the expressed values of her assembled group.

Not in North Jersey anymore
A recent transplant talks about the differences between the suburbs and the city and the power of close contact with one’s neighbors.

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Sweeping the stoop
One woman shares her experience of the day she really felt like a true Philadelphian. (This one is quiet so turn your volume up and listen in!)

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Neighborhood Exchange

Germantown and South Philly meet
Carolyn of Germantown describes what she thinks is important to Joseph of South Philly based on what he told her at the meeting.

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Now it’s Joseph’s turn to describe Carolyn’s description of her new neighborhood Germantown, which happens to be Joseph’s childhood neighborhood.

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Bonus Track!

Parking
Have you ever been in parts of South Philly where double parking is not the exception, but the rule?  This resident explains how the closeness between neighbors makes this possible.

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