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Big Girls Don’t Cry
Regarding Joel Mathis’ recent article about being big and beautiful:
Acceptance of different, healthy body types is good and should be encouraged. Cheering on obesity and disgustingly unhealthy lifestyles should not be. I’d bet this woman is 5 feet 5 inches and 300 pounds because of her economic status, not her genes.
The causes of this magnitude of fatness should be addressed rather than just hatching a Plan B that prides itself on framing a person’s death sentence as an aphrodisiac (and yes, I would say the same thing about anorexia or unhealthy thinness). Congrats, PW . Yet another piece you probably didn’t take much time to think through.
ANDREW THOMPSON
City Paper Contributor
Hipster Shifter
Regarding Brian McManus’ recent cover story about anti-hipster rapper Big City Philadelphia:
Good article. I ran with some Italian hip-hoppers back in the day at West Catholic. They were the first generation of Italians to bring hip-hop culture to their Southwest and West Philly neighborhoods.
Vince Monte, Richard Subbio, Vinny Cirillo and others were often teased and mocked by both white and black kids, but they stuck to it. Although, sadly, racial issues will always be with us, I think hip-hop and its attending culture have done more to bridge the racial, economic and social gaps than any other art form.
Also, in this cookie-cutter, mafioso, gangster-paradise world that we live in, I have no problem with somebody being different. Life is based on celebrating differences, not using them as a reason to hate. I have no problems with hipsters as long as their music is good. Would groups like De La Soul, Tribe, Black Sheep or Jungle Brothers even be able to be successful with the regressive and anti-intellectual mind state of today’s fans and rappers?
ERIC BANKS
West Philly
A rapper doesn’t like other rappers. Could be their tight jeans, limp wrists, the fact that they never heard “White Lines,” etc. Important story, yeah. Takes up four pages. Big friggin’ deal! Slow news day, huh?
TED ALLEN
Narberth
Rings of Desire
Regarding Catherine Caperello’s recent story about erotic piercing:
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Savage Love
1. Robert Levin said... on Sep 3, 2009 at 07:54PM
“This is a letter to all Asian students who are bullied in schools , and a follow up on the article about this problem.
First, never hate your enemies. You come from ancient and sophisticated cultures. Your enemies' come from a culture of fear, self-hatred, and despair. This is fueled by negative images and messages from rap videos. This is the root of the problem, but not an excuse!
Second, ask African-American students who are NOT racists to hang out with you. Do not confront bullies alone.
Third, get someone to record any and all incidents on camcorder or cellphone. Send these images to not only police, but all media outlets including tv news,FBI (hate crimes are considered very serious) , Board of Education, Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania if necessary. In other words; have someone to back you up.
Robert Ambrose Levin
Carroll Park”
2. Do not publish. Just read. said... on Oct 11, 2009 at 03:17PM
“For Brendan Skwire:
I rode a bike for a long, long time in Philadelphia and along the River Drives. However, after being run over by a biker while walking on a Center City street, I was done in. He knocked me down from the back, and he didn't stop. Onlookers tried to catch him, but he was fast. In the fall, I broke two ribs, my prescription glasses cracked, and my knees swelled to three times their normal size. It took five months to recover. All hospital bills were paid by me, as the bike maniac got off scot-free.Then, my car's side mirrors have been broken 4 times while parked. Once, I had just parked and looked in the mirror before opening the door. A biker was bearing down in his bike lane, hit the mirror and took off at full speed in his ample bike lane. That was another $500, since I have a $500 deductible, and the biker has no required form of ID, as drivers do.Now, because of the knee damage, I can't walk easily or bike! And you want me to be happy about bikers today?”