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Some Thoughts on the “I’m From Philly” Map, and Why Suburbanites Say This in the First Place
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FINALLY something popped in the Facebook algorithm that wasn’t a fake Eagles page run by Vietnamese hackers. It was this post from “Gremlin” at Broad Street Misery, outlining a map that determines who is and isn’t allowed to say they’re from Philadelphia:
We could nitpick this unserious, but entertaining thing for hours. I don’t think anybody from Maryland or Delaware says they’re from Philly, nor should they. And the hinterlands of the western suburbs are closer to Reading and Allentown anyway.
The main thing is the second sentence – “This is the area where you can say to people from other states that you are from Philly.”
That’s key, the recipient of this claim, because there’s always been this fake and one-sided feud kept alive by city dwellers. This one guy used to email me all the time calling me a gentrifying Fishtown yuppie douchebag who can’t claim Philly. I’d respond by telling him I’ve never claimed Philadelphia once in my entire life. It’s like this butthurt “you’re not from Philadelphia” thing aimed at suburbanites who move into the city, then maybe depart back to the suburbs. And half the time the people complaining are jabronies still living in the row house their parents paid off 20 years ago. So if you want to get all pissy about gentrification, go yell at the O.G. neighbors who sold to developers.
But anyway, the only reason we ever told anybody we’re “from Philadelphia” is because the guy from Kentucky has never heard of Conshohocken, or Mullica Hill, or whatever. You’d go off to college or sit on an airplane or go on vacation and somebody asks you where you’re from. “Oh, I’m from Collegeville!” Where’s that? “Oh, it’s near Philadelphia.” You can avoid that whole tired exchange by just saying you’re from Philadelphia, or the Philadelphia region, but you’re not claiming Bridesburg or whatever, or trying to prove some point. It’s just something that makes it easier for people who don’t know local geography.
Thank you.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com