Our City

DNC 2016: Day One

Published

7 years ago

January 20, 2018

MC Staff

by Karen Eckstein-Sarkissian

On my train ride into the city, I was so excited. I just couldn’t wait to start. I spent the initial part of the day at the convention center, where caucus and council meetings took place and interest groups set-up tables to talk to passers-by and distribute literature. Anyone could attend. As I’m sure one might expect, most of the interest groups represented what one might describe as liberal causes. Planned Parenthood, One Vote 16 (dedicated to end extreme poverty), J Street (the Political Home for Pre-Israel, Pro-Peace Americans), Defend Our Future (committed to solving climate change), Black Girls Vote (committed to transforming areas where bias has the most profound impact on black women), and the Human Rights Campaign (dedicated to supporting LGBT rights) were just some of the groups present. Other groups included Democrats for Life of America (Democrats who are Pro-Life – no, I did not err – that is correct) and Vietnam Veterans of America.

I then spent the latter part of the day at the Wells Fargo Center. One needed certain passes to go and each pass provided specific access, be it only to the outside of the center, hallway, or into the stage area. My pass only allowed me to wander around the hallways, amongst the clubs and concession stands, but the center placed plenty of television screens along the walls and in the various clubs, so I could see and hear everything. Media stations filled with camera equipment, laptop computers, coffee pots, and haggard appearing personnel filled the main entrance. Most of the main news organizations were present, including BBC and Fox. There were numerous phone charging stations, beside which people pouted and sighed heavily as they frequently checked their phones and sighed yet again. Groups of reporters stood in the few wide spaces and either spoke live or recorded their segments to cameras – many even spoke foreign languages. The few clubs provided the only available places for those of us who did not have a place to sit. Dan Rather was the most famous person I recognized. He was sitting with the Sirius Satellite Radio people. I sneakily snapped a photo of him as I casually strolled past.

Photography by Darryl Cobb Jr

The lines at the concession stands stretched out – people were hungry and eager to taste original Philadelphia cuisine. As one proudly born and raised in Philly, I prayed that the pretzels and cheesesteaks were top notch. I carefully studied them as they were being prepared, as people carried them away from the concession stands, and as some were eating (I’m sure they thought I was nuts – or hungry). Mostly I was satisfied and all seemed pleased. But, I was disappointed that no one was selling hoagies. How can one come to Philadelphia and not sample a hoagie?

Most of the people to whom I spoke were from out-of-town. They were excited to be in Philadelphia and were very much enjoying their experience. Everyone did, however, complain about the heat. Well, it was hot. Excuse my TMI (too much information), but within moments of walking in the center city, I was coated with a layer of sticky, disgusting sweat.

Except for one person, everyone I met, and this means delegate, interest group representative, and others beside press who had permission to be at the Wells Fargo Center, were Bernie Sanders supporters. They wore his buttons, believed that the Democratic National Committee cheated and deceived them, and thought that without their actions, were convinced that he would have been their candidate. The one genuine, original Hillary Clinton supporter I met explained that he supported her because of her centrist principles – $12.00 minimum wage, no free college, no single payer health care. He also said that he did not feel comfortable freely admitting his support amongst all the Bernie Sanders enthusiasts.

I also met two young delegates. They, too, wore Bernie Sanders buttons. I asked if they would protest Hillary Clinton’s nomination. They said that they would not as Hillary Clinton is now the candidate and there is nothing else that can be done about it. I asked them if the recent news about the Democratic National Committee concerned them. They shrugged. Defeating Donald Trump was much more important to them right now. A few others standing close by nodded.

To me, there was not all that much excitement in the hallway. It was mostly quiet and somber. People quietly chatted with one another. Cheers and applause echoed from the stage, but no one ever turned toward the televisions to see why. In one of the lounges, I sat beside a woman giving an interview to a Rolling Stones journalist. Her face was red with emotion. She was upset over Hillary Clinton and repeatedly said that she just could not vote for Ms. Clinton.

On my train ride back home, I felt strange. I could not explain why. Something was making me feel confused and bewildered and I felt alone. Why? I am a passionate democrat and extremely liberal. I had just attended the Democratic National Convention. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. What was wrong with me? Perhaps tomorrow with provide me with some answers. By the way, I must say that I was so proud of my city. It gleamed with beauty, history, and accessibility.

Photography by Darryl Cobb Jr.

Music

The Beat Goes On…In Two Songs?

Tre Prada heard a beat this morning that sounded like one of his song, and it turned out to be Cardi B’s. We take a closer look at the two.

Published

4 years ago

February 5, 2021

Matthew Maratea

You ever hear a song and think to yourself, wait a minute, that sounds like a beat I’ve heard before? That’s how Philly native Tre Prada started his afternoon.

Here are his thoughts on the new Cardi B song “Up” which dropped at midnight on Friday morning.

When you listen to it his song “Goonies”, a song that dropped back in October of 2020, the notes and the beat seem to be remarkably similar. We’re gonna drop the videos here. In this case, hearing is believing.

Now let’s compare that to Cardi B’s brand new, 13 hours old video.

We want to know what you think about this. Do you hear a similar beat? Do you think the songs are different enough? Do they sound like any other songs you know? Let us know on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram what you hear and what you think about this situation. We’re here to talk about it and other issues in the music industry.

News

Lisa Forrest Makes Philadelphia Fire Department History

Lisa Forrest has always been a pioneer in the Philadelphia fire department. Now she’s becoming the first black woman to become a battalion chief.

Published

4 years ago

September 29, 2020

Matthew Maratea

Lisa Forrest was already the first black woman promoted to captain in the fire department’s history in 2013, and now in 2020, she becomes the first to be made fire battalion chief.

ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / PHOTOGRAPHER

Throughout the Philadelphia fire department, there are 70 battalion chiefs, and now 3 of them are women. Forrest has been defying numbers for a long time, with her authority far outpacing her 4-foot 10-inch frame. When asked about how she was able to overcome some of the physical challenges on the job and in the fire academy she stated “Men rely on strength, but women, we rely on technique,”. It is her unique perspective that will be one of the qualities she brings to her new position. Most recently she was the captain of Ladder 24.

ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / PHOTOGRAPHER

The Mount Airy native was a year into a Penn State nursing program when she left to join the Army. After an honorable discharge due to injury after six months of service, she returned to Philadelphia. She then sat for the firefighter’s test a month after the events of September 11th.

Forrest has preserved thanks to hard work and determination. We are excited to watch her continue to break barriers and blaze a path for the civil servants of tomorrow to follow.

Our City

Why the Sheriff’s Office is important to all Philadelphians

Published

6 years ago

April 15, 2019

MC Staff

by Rochelle Bilal

As a lifelong resident and Democratic voter in Philadelphia, I felt the call to serve – to restart my many years of activism, leadership and management skills – by entering the 2019 Philadelphia Sheriff’s race.

I am a new candidate for this office – but I am not new to public service.

Upon retirement as a 27-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, serving in the roles of patrol and in the special victims unit, where I stood for victims and with their families during unbearable hardship, I thought I would finally take a break from public service and focus on retirement: paint some fruit, play some golf, and do some traveling. Well, I was wrong. My passion for effective government wouldn’t allow me to just relax – I knew I could make a difference in the lives of residents across this city. And so, I put my name on the ballot, knowing full well the pitfalls and politics that would come with that announcement.

The Sheriff’s Office focuses on three critical areas: protection of courts and city officials; transport of prisoners; and, of course, the sheriff sales. These three areas and the budget/leadership that corresponds to their needs are the basis of why many groups and individuals believe it’s time for the office to be dismantled.

This is a bad idea. The Sheriff’s Office’s main function is to remove property from residents, either for delinquent taxes or mortgage defaults. Property ownership is carefully regulated. It’s one of the fundamental rights protected by our Founding Fathers in the Bill of Rights, written and signed in this very city. The Fourth Amendment protects people’s rights against an unreasonable government search and seizure of property.

If that power were to be abused, or recklessly applied, imagine the consequences. Imagine people whose properties are unfairly taken or policies that make it impossible for them to fight back. What would happen then? People deserve to have someone who can be held accountable. Someone who – if residents feel is unfairly or illegally applying their power or acting in a way that is disrespectful to the citizens they are supposed to be serving – can be removed from office by vote. Elections ensure that the sheriff does not have unchecked and unregulated power. That is why we need this to be an elected position.

As sheriff, my first priority will be assessing how the current fiscal year $26M budget is allocated – and where we can exercise better programming and practices to be a more cost-effective office. The first step will be to take a deep dive into the books. We will check for any misuse of public funds and determine the best practices to safeguard taxpayer dollars.

Since starting on the campaign trail, I’ve had the opportunity to listen to citizens’ frustration toward the office as it relates to serving residents. If entrusted by those citizens with the responsibility to lead the Sheriff’s Office, I will act on those concerns and restore the integrity and effectiveness of the office.

We have to do better. If I am elected, we will.