Philly poet faces backlash over his past; Immigration activists take on big tech | Morning Newsletter
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The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Former Philadelphia poet laureate Frank Sherlock is facing scrutiny as details about his past white nationalist views are coming to light. The news has sent shock waves through the city’s close-knit poetry community. Meanwhile, several Philly communities have fallen prey to house thieves who use forged deeds to steal homes in gentrifying neighborhoods, often from dead owners. The District Attorney’s office says a group of suspects has gotten away — for now.
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— Ray Boyd (@RayBoydDigital, morningnewsletter@philly.com)
In January of 2014, Frank Sherlock shook the hand of then-Mayor Michael Nutter as he was named Philly’s second poet laureate. Decades earlier, he was expressing himself in a very different way.
It came to light last month that Sherlock was once the lead vocalist of a white supremacist band — news that quickly spread through and shook the city’s close-knit poetry community.
Today, Sherlock says that period was a point of great shame for him. Defenders say his work in the poetry community is a sign of his redemption. Still, others argue that his redemption is only the product of privilege.
Immigrations activists plan to march in Philadelphia today against big tech companies whose services can help the government find and deport undocumented migrants.
The protest is taking aim at some companies that you’re probably very familiar with.
The rally, organized by several groups, including Abolish ICE Philadelphia, is set to begin this afternoon outside City Hall — timed to coincide with International Workers Day.
Housing thefts are a growing problem in Philly as thieves target homes in gentrifying neighborhoods and forge bogus deeds transferring the properties to themselves. In many instances, the actual owner has been dead.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office now says three foreign nationals accused of stealing nearly two dozen Philly homes have fled the country with their profits.
Authorities hope the warrants out for the suspects will deter them from returning to Philly or lead to their arrest if they do.
What you need to know today
The Anti-Defamation League’s annual audit reports that Anti-Semitic incidents in Pennsylvania are down, but are still well above the state’s historic average. And only two states had more anti-Semitic incidents in 2018 than New Jersey.
Measles cases have hit their highest U.S. level in decades. Now, a proposed bill in Pennsylvania would require doctors to treat unvaccinated kids and it’s gaining support among anti-immunization activists.
One Philly high school held its status as the region’s best, according to the annual U.S. News and World Report rankings. But when it came to the best of the best across the country, schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey didn’t make the cut.
Three recent pedestrian casualties in Chester County took place over a five-day period. The tragedies have sparked conversations and activism around pedestrian safety among residents.
Meanwhile in Harrisburg, a bill is being considered that would make it possible for Philly and other cities to build one of the safest kinds of bike lanes on state roads.
How about some good news for a change? We just introduced a brand new special section called the UpSide, filled with positive and uplifting stories. Hear from some of the people behind the pages, live in conversation with UpSide editor Ronnie Polaneczky, at The Inquirer’s office on Tuesday, May 7th. Register for free today.
Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly
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That’s Interesting
Even devoted fans of the Jenkintown-based ABC sitcom The Goldbergs (affectionately known as Goldnerds) don’t know everything about the show. TV critic Ellen Grey even learned a few things while researching tonight’s Mother’s Day episode.
If you’re looking for some events to check out with mom, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival is always a crowd pleaser and runs today through June 30. Have you ever wondered how the LED lights and massive displays come together? Reporter Grace Dickinson decided to go behind the scenes.
Director John Singleton, who died this week at age 51, paved the way for black directors including Ava DuVernay, Jordan Peele, and Ryan Coogler. It’s only fitting that they’re paying tribute to his life and legacy.
After a Philadelphia man was shot during a robbery, he laid in his hospital bed writing a letter of forgiveness to his attackers. Now, he’s spreading that message of forgiveness throughout his Hunting Park neighborhood, one letter at a time.
Opinions
“You should know people are rallying on your behalf after two pro teams, the Flyers and Yankees, smeared your name recently. You are getting lots of support, based on the never-ending emails I have received. Some people are vowing not to attend a Flyers game until your good name is restored.” — Flyers beat writer Sam Carchidi in an open letter to the late singer Kate Smith.
Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which allows businesses to help underwrite tuitions to private schools instead of paying taxes to the state, hurts taxpayers who have no knowledge of, or choice in paying for it, writes The Inquirer Editorial Board.
For the sake of the Catholic Church’s future, it is time to allow women to take on leadership roles, write Stephen F. Gambescia and Ernie Sherretta.
What we’re reading
Urban farming has numerous community benefits. Billy Penn takes a look at some benefits you might not have known about: treating addiction and combating homelessness in Philly.
The CDC recently confirmed the first Delaware sighting of a “kissing bug," an insect known to bite humans and spread a dangerous disease. How worried should Philadelphians be? Philadelphia Magazine reports.
According to reports, special counsel Robert Mueller made clear that he was unhappy with Attorney General William Barr’s characterization of the Trump-Russia report. Vox examines what this news means for the Mueller Report and what Barr might do next.
A Daily Dose of | The UpSide
Myra Sack has always been a standout athlete. Now, she’s focusing on nurturing city kids as students, athletes, and citizens. For all that, she was inducted into the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Tuesday.