Liberty and Justice for All

Philadelphia was great. I don't care for the football team, but the city itself is beautiful, and everyone I interacted with was friendly.

I spent the day with Vicky, a long time friend who I hadn't seen in person in years. She graciously took the day to show me her city, and she's an excellent tour guide.

For starters, she took me to a neat little market full of food vendors. I do enjoy food. We saw the Rocky statue and climbed the steps, because why not? Vicky complained there are real boxers from Philly and "Rocky" has stolen the show. I can't say I disagree. From there we walked along a neat boulevard where the city has hung flags from every nation. We went to WaWa since I had been to Sheetz in Pittsburgh. My verdict:

Vicky also showed me the SEPTA transportation museum that documents the public transit system in the region. It's small, but they had some neat things. I'd actually ridden a Philadelphia PCC trolley before, at the museum in Saint Louis.

We debated going to the Liberty Bell. Both of us agreed it hit different, but decided to see it anyway. The staff was wonderful and answered a ton of questions. I didn't realize the location of the bell is now across the street from where it originally hung, and the bell in the tower that replaced it is four times bigger.

But when we came out of the building, we were greeted by a crowd of protesters who gathered in front. Everyone was peaceful, carrying signs and chanting. Across the road there was a line of cops.

I'd like to say that I stayed, but Vicky works in an official capacity. (For privacy, I don't want to reveal what she does. It's not bad, just an annoying rule.) Unfortunately, her employer would not take kindly to her attendance, and we chose to walk in the other direction.

I'm upset that in 2025 we're having the same fights we had 100 years ago over who belongs, and who deserves to exist. The forces of hatred haven't gone away, and somehow we forgot to fight them.

I'm on this trip because of my own troubles. Things aren't going the way I'd like them to right now, but that doesn't mean I don't have enormous privilege. I'm a white dude. No one has ever questioned my right to live in the US, or my right to exist. The same can't be said for some of my friends. Vicky is a person of color. Hawk is trans. There are people who think they shouldn't be here, and perhaps that they shouldn't live.

This experience has been about community. My writing friends, old friends, even just checking out bars in the very places I've been. There are pockets of it, but there's so much propaganda telling us to fear people outside our narrow world views. At Horseshoe Curve, I explained to a gentleman what I was doing, and mentioned going to Philly. He commented that I was brave, and he didn't venture into cities at night.

This man is a victim of the machine, telling him that those people are going to attack him, or force him into some new way of life he's not comfortable with. The people who pump this narrative want to destroy community. They know that community breeds empathy, and ultimately a reckoning for the selfish people who tear it down.

When we watch what's happening in Los Angeles, this is what they want: to divide, to tear down community. They know that cities expand horizons, and so they attack them. They know that if people got to know a trans person, or a person of color that the distractions will fade, and people will start to look at the true sources of their problem.

I started writing this before the "No Kings" rallies started. I was feeling down about the state of the US. The rallies present a source of hope. I wish people listened to His Orangeness when he campaigned on the exact things he's doing, but maybe, just maybe, some people are waking up. I sure hope so, we have 3 and a half more years of this B.S.

Apologies for the heavier post. I'll get back with Steamtown in Scranton, PA soon.