Getting Comfortable In Mantua

After visiting Mantua numerous times just to “get a feel for the neighborhood,” it was finally time to dive head first into the community and really get to know the residents. Nervously, we began our search for interviewees regarding transportation in the neighborhood, but quickly found our nervousness was in vain, as long as we were out of there by nightfall.

Most of the people we approached were friendly, and willing to speak on camera with little hesitation, after we announced our intentions. They also warned us to be careful with our camera, because it gets “pretty dangerous after dark.” We knew that knowledge went without saying, because after all we were in “The Bottom.” Putting that handy piece of wisdom in our back pocket, we completed our interviews within the span of two days, making sure to end just as the sun set.

Getting the interviews done quickly wasn’t hard. We found many residents actually approaching us, questioning why we were lugging around a video camera in one of the most dangerous areas of Philadelphia. Many, after realizing they may hit internet stardom on Philadelphianeighborhoods.com, put on their best smile conveyed their transportation routes for the camera. Their willingness put our disparities to rest, and gave us the confidence we need for our next project.

Tiffany Jackson & Dustin Khebzou, Group 8, Mantua/Parkside