While I occupied PA…

It always feels good to go home. The familiar faces, sights, sounds, smells. And my favorite part, as always, is seeing my boyfriend: Philadelphia. It’s my longest relationship ever, and since we split in March, it’s been tough.

You may think I’m joking, but I write this in all seriousness. As a perpetually single girl, a city – and for me it’s always been Philly – gives you a small, shimmering ray of hope that it’s O.K. to be single and independent.

Hundreds of tents circle around City Hall in Philadelphia as part of the temporary homes as well as meeting places for working groups for Occupy Philly.

Walking on the uneven sidewalks of South Philly to catch up with some of my old coworkers and friends, I didn’t feel remotely alone. There were people around me, the distant noisy bustle of Center City and the squealing breaks of a SEPTA bus to comfort me.

When you get right down to it, Philly ignites me. While many people cringe at the thought of this particular city, citing the ongoing crime, ‘flash mobs’ and murders as reasons to not live or even visit the city, I embrace the good and the bad. It’s one of the few relationships I’ve been in where I’ve been oh so accepting. And the city and its people didn’t cease to amaze me with it’s dedication to Occupy Philly.

Hundreds of tents surrounded the historic City Hall when I came to visit Tuesday. Shortly after 7 p.m., a large group of over 100 people gathered for a general assembly meeting. I simply wandered around, snapping pictures with my friend, amazed at the size. One of the gentlemen we spoke to said that the population of those who stay overnight regularly is a 50/50 ratio of homeless and those truly camping for the movement.

This doesn’t surprise me. Prior to the Occupy movement gaining foothold in Philly, City Hall was always a sleeping haven for the many homeless people of the city. They would huddle on the cold, stone benches that made up the park surrounding the building. However, what did surprise me about this Occupy location was the groups they’d organized over the weeks.

As the Occupy Philly movement progresses, individuals have come up with different working groups to better organize themselves.

This can only be a sign of what was discussed in a fantastic article written Alan Greenblatt of NPR. While many people scoff this particular movement and how it can be successful, Greenblatt compared this movement with those of the past. They all started out seemingly unorganized and without a plan to attack the issues they’re voicing, but eventually that will come. Occupy Philly protesters forming ‘working groups’ within their city encampment can only be a sign of thinking about organizing and really discussing the issues. I wish I would have had more time to talk with some of these groups to learn more about them, but unfortunately I had very little time in the City of Brotherly Love.

Another impressive aspect of Occupy Philly was the small library the protesters had set up.

While libraries suffer budget cuts by the state because of the economy, this particular movement recognizes the importance of books and education to their cause and to the bettering of its protesters.

Protesters and visitors to the Occupy Philly location at City Hall can peruse a small library set up at the base of the historic building.

Among other aspects I found endearing were tents for education and arts, as well as a community outreach section.

However, right before I left the area I spoke with a protester concerning their contact with other protesters at different occupy locations. As far as he knew, they’d had no direct contact other than following them on Facebook and other social media outlets that many Occupy locations have seized upon. I’m hoping this is only a matter of time because I believe if this movement is to progress and organize in an effective way, the different occupy locations must begin dialogue with one another to bring cohesiveness to the movement.

All in all, the short time spent with my boo was, as always, inspiring and enlightening. There are still the interesting characters wandering the streets and the cab drivers who talk on their Bluetooths, completely disregarding the fact they have passengers. Thankfully, I haven’t lost my sass when in the city nor my angry Philly driver skills necessary to navigate the always backed up highways in and out of the area.

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