asians: Philadelphia Metropolis

Philadelphia 2012

On the week of Mayor Nutter's inauguration, Metropolis takes an in-depth look at Nutter's leadership and the prospects for this second term. In Part Two, we examine the larger trends that define the state of the city in 2011. Read on about the good, the bad and the ugly forces at work in Philadelphia. (Comments)

Race and Roommates

By Nita Jalivay» When I was a grad student at Temple, I studied a story, one whose details never left me. In this story, a young black man, Oxford-educated, was living in London and was in need of a new dwelling to call home. He scoured the classifieds until he found a place, desirable for its location and his budget. The man called the owner, a kindly British lady, and after confirming the room's availability, scheduled a time to see it. Then reality struck. The young man, in all his Oxford brilliance, failed to consider one detail that has far-reaching implications and consequences. He forgot he was black. He was highly educated and cultured, and therefore didn't carry his race (that (Comments)

My Asian-American Life

By O.K. Pham» "I don't think of you as Vietnamese anymore-- just as my wife." My husband Shaun stated as he leaned back in his chair, after a thoughtful sip of his Saison. We were savoring a backyard lunch together on one of those perfect Saturday afternoons in late June. I stared at him across the table where a dwindling platter of steamed corn and grilled London broil sat.The kids had already run off after devouring their lunch, treating us to the luxury of an uninterrupted conversation. My gaze fell from my husband's red hair to his grayish blue eyes, before finding the smile that had been the prelude to our many dialogues. (Comments)

Black Exodus: Part One

The number of middle class blacks in Philadelphia has declined significantly in the last 10 years, but the drop cannot be attributed solely to the bad economy. A large number of blacks have lost middle-class status because of layoffs and the turbulent job market. But, thousands of African Americans haven't fallen; they have fled. A new series of stories explores the phenomenon of black flight from the city to the suburbs. Part One provides explains what is up and why. We call the series Black Exodus. (Comments)

Black Exodus: Part Three

By Meldon Jones The largest township in the country has seen enormous change in the last 10 years, the demographic equivalent of pressing down on the fast-forward button. "I remember when Upper Darby was mostly Irish Catholic, white Protestant, Jewish and... (Comments)