Finding Mantua

Ahhh, Mantua-- a place often referred to as "the ghetto behind Drexel University"; a place my high school friends went in search of cheap malt liquor and funny cigarettes; a place I hardly know.

My partner and I decided it we be a good idea to get ourselves acquainted with this place, after all, we would be spending all semester there.

As we went driving through the neighborhood on a Saturday afternoon, we did not witness any of the stereotypical scenarios that we expected to find. In fact, we were extremely surprised with what we did find.

This place, Mantua, was not the ghetto. We found no drug dealers on corners, no corner stores advertising 3 for $5 malt liquor 40s and we were not the victims to any crimes. We did not experience fear or distastefulness. Actually, most parts were quite interesting and aesthetically pleasing. We found beauty in the abundance of churches, in the colorful murals and in the unique homes.

What we didn't see: people. No children outside playing, no friends on patios conversing, and barely a passerby. The streets of mantua were empty. It makes you think twice as to if people really live there (we know they do, just saying). On our next adventure to Mantua, we are searching for one thing: human interaction. We want to put a face to this community.

Samantha J. Williams and Emily Freisher

Group 6 - Mantua