Just beyond the confines of University City, there are people who couldn’t be further from the stereotypes that define the Penn student body. A people without UA, or SASgov, or even the oft-impersonated SPEC. They call no government their own, and don’t ask to be taken to their leader, because they don’t have one.
Who is this mysterious tribe? They are the anarchists of West Philadelphia, and there are more of them than you might think.
They have their own newspaper, The Defenestrator, which has been around for more than ten years. That’s a fairly remarkable accomplishment for “a community that’s constantly in flux and doesn’t believe in hierarchy,” PW pointed out.
They have their own community center, A-Space, which is “operated by an all-volunteer anarchist collective.” They’re not a nonprofit; they’re an anti-profit. A-Space has been around since 1991 (long before a malevolent leader convinced everyone that a little anarchy is probably not a bad thing).
Anarchists also have a long and proud history of squatting, and of course two of the most famous Philly squats — Paradise City and Halfway House — are just quick jog west of Penn.
So are those who spend the day talking anarchy at Satellite really so different from you, a stereotypical Penn student sipping sugarfree-nonfat-venti-machiattos at Starbucks? Don’t be so sure.
A recent investigation into the murder of a West Philly anarcho-crusty squatter led to a profile of the tribe:
Police say the squatters are mostly well educated from upper-middle class families, who choose to reject society’s values and live on the fringe.
Sure, Career Services doesn’t keep numbers on Penn alums who’ve taken up careers in revolution, but that doesn’t mean they’re not out there. So keep this little list of local anarchist resources handy. You may be chuckling at the crazies now, but — someday — you might be one of them.
Tags: anarchists, crusties, stereotypes, West Philly
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February 29th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I wonder what the average age of a squatter is? Sure, some make a life out of it, but it seems like so many people try it out for a short time in their “crazy youth” and then return to alife of drinking starbucks. I think you know who I’m talking about.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Oh how funny! I always assumed that West Philly’s anarchist community was a product of the fringe rather than a collection of defectors from the mainstream. It’s amazing how fluid urban communities are these days, especially in the city of brotherly love.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
That’s so interesting. A Philly anarchist community complete with newspaper and community center - I had no idea.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
This was a very good read, nice. Explains why some of the people I see at parties past 43rd street look like high school anarchists…well, because they almost are. Keep up the good writing!
February 29th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
The folks at Firehouse Bikes are friendly.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I still cannot reconcile whether or not such organization is… anti-anarchist. Did your research yield anything that might elucidate this?
February 29th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
FediraFan:
That was my thought exactly. How can anarchists have so many formal organizations?
Places like A-Space identify as anarchist because they are run by a collective, which anyone is free to join, and they make decisions by consensus (not majority rules). So, at least on paper, they stay true to the principles of anarchy. Their brochure says:
“Anarchists believe in community and sharing. In anarchism, benefits and responsibilities are shared equally, and tasks are rotated. No skill, position, gender, ethnicity, job or religion has more power or status than any other.” A-Space operates on those principles; I would imagine The Defenestrator does as well.
-Lauren
March 1st, 2008 at 6:44 pm
seriously the starbucks reference is so 1997. you’re annoying.
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I think the Starbucks reference falls squarely in the category of, “An oldie but a goodie.”
March 6th, 2008 at 10:49 am
[...] me that people still want to attend this university — what with its killer hawks, rampant anarchists and sofa-less male bathrooms. But on the other hand, I sympathize with this brand new batch of Penn [...]