Opinion & Essay

Juneteenth is more than a remembrance of the day in 1865 when 2000 Union troops marched into Galveston Texas, and told enslaved blacks they were free.

We are a multiracial city made of monoracial blocks. A city where men delicately penned declarations of independence, a city that hosted slave auctions.

I’m a Black man in North Philadelphia who survived prison and helps people returning to the community. We need to reinvent policing from the ground up.

Mayor Jim Kenney is pushing for incremental and inadequate police reforms, rather than a radically new vision for public safety and racial justice, writes Kris Henderson.

Given Kenney’s past record of deferring to police and FOP leadership, how seriously should Philadelphians take his new police reform plan?

Black children are waiting for Americans to decide that their lives matter, too, writes Aminita Sy, a West Philadelphia parent.

Fifteen people describe their violent encounter with police while protesting police brutality in Philadelphia.

An account from the midst of Philly’s upheaval.

Rev. David W. Brown reflects on power, privilege and community.

Philly’s arts office responds to the cultural and ethnic diversity that makes up our vibrant neighborhoods.

The scream of Black communities has seemingly squelched all other voices in this moment, writes Drexel University graduate student Jarrell Hill.

In truth, broad systemic change is needed to save Black lives from the twin scourges of racism and police brutality. 

When the 2008 financial meltdown happened, we knew we had to move fast. Now, another economic disaster looms and Philly has a chance to lessen its impact.

We need a vaccine for the racial pandemic.

For more than a decade, African Americans called for the removal of the Rizzo statue. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has finally heard them.