Voices

“These streets are our responsibility…We allowed this gang problem to grow until our streets are not safe and our kids have no future.  Government has no answers.  When neighborhood people get together they have the power to make a difference.  Politicians respond only to organized voters…They are supposed to use tax dollars to solve gang problems or gang problems but soon this mission gets lost…meanwhile our kids are still dying or getting hooked and our streets are still not safe.  That’s why we MUST be responsible as a force for change”
 -Herman Wrice, quoted in Philadelphia New Observer, Feb. 2001 (The Power of Activism)

Landi Draine (Landi Drane Full Text) – Lani was employed by SEPTA for 33 years…he remembers a lot of gang activity in Mantua which started in the 1950s and continued through the 1970s, but now “the old heads have taken over and won’t tolerate the gangs hanging out on the corners anymore.”

Andy Jenkins (Andy Jenkins Full Text) – Andy became an executive member of the West Philadelphia Coalition.  He fought for  a larger percentage of minorities on the board of the West Phildelphia Coalition, which caused tension between him and the other board members.  He “decided to become part of the system and make changes within.” 

C.B. Kimmins - (C.B. Kimmins Full Text) – C.B. is the founder and director of Mantua Against Drugs (MAD), a community based anti-drug coalition and presence in Mantua.  He highlights the importance of communities taking a stand as he says, “The lure of the street is so powerful.  Everybody is available for a price.  There is no price for us.  We are not violent.  No hands, no guns, no bulletproof vests.”

Rick Redding – (Rick Redding Full Text) Rick Redding has worked at the Philadelphia City Planning Commission for over 20 years.  He feels “the problems with Mantua exist because the area is an old and neglected marketplace.” 

Barbara Smith – (Barbara Smith Full Text) Barbara lived in Mantua from 1971 to 1980.  She also led Mantua Against Drugs.  This started a town watch designed to bring the community together to fight drugs.  Barbara said, “Mantua Against Drugs was started and designed to bring traditional and non-traditional players together.”