Have you read this? Business consultant Gene Marks has written an essay on forbes.com, “If I was a Poor Black Kid,” which has been all over the blogosphere since it was published Monday morning. It’s kind of a “pull yourselves up by the bootstraps” speech about how technology can serve as the great leveler for those unfortunate enough to be born poor and black in Philadelphia (specifically West Philly). At first we ignored it as some ill-informed blogger trolling for page views. But it has elicited so much response that we felt we needed to share it.

Here’s a line from the essay:

“My kids are no smarter than similar kids their age from the inner city.  My kids have it much easier than their counterparts from West Philadelphia.  The world is not fair to those kids mainly because they had the misfortune of being born two miles away into a more difficult part of the world and with a skin color that makes realizing the opportunities that the President spoke about that much harder.  This is a fact.  In 2011.”

And another on what it takes to succeed:

“It takes brains.  It takes hard work.  It takes a little luck.  And a little help from others.  It takes the ability and the know-how to use the resources that are available.  Like technology.  As a person who sells and has worked with technology all my life I also know this.”

His analysis is simplistic and the reaction to his piece has been swift and often unforgiving.

One notable response is on the Angry Black Lady Chronicles:

“… The next time you want to opine about life as a poor black kid, just stop. You know nothing of growing up black. You know nothing of growing up poor. You know nothing of the systemic problems in education that result in many black kids, poor or otherwise, being left behind. It’s not a matter of just ‘trying super hard and really wanting to succeed.’ Your assumptions are faulty, and frankly, you sound like a jackass.  A well-meaning jackass, perhaps, but a jackass all the same.”

Thoughts?

This week’s adoptable dog is Candy who badly needs a home for Christmas. She is just a pup around 45 lbs. and already spayed thanks to her former friends. She is a terrier/pit bull mix, but please don’t hold it against her if you were looking for something else. You will find her to be a very patient companion.

You can teach Candy anything you want with a treat in hand, but she sometimes gets distracted when other dogs are around. She’s still learning how to socialize and may be a little pushy when it comes to play. She also doesn’t like to play with cats, but she will get along with you and all of your friends.

Candy is part of the ACCT Pen Pal Program. She has a volunteer dedicated to helping her find her a home. The volunteer spends time with her on a regular basis, teaches her the basics of being a great dog and helps her stay happy while living at the shelter. She can also provide post-adoption support!

If you are interested in meeting Candy, please email her Pen Pal at: darcy.wilkins [at] gmail.com. For more information on how to adopt/foster Pen Pal dogs go here.

When it rains it pours. Here are three meetings dealing with zoning and development issues coming up today and tomorrow:

• Cedar Park Neighbors will host a community zoning hearing for a proposed ice cream shop to go in the former Philadelphia Federal Credit Union building at 4610 Cedar Ave. Yes, this is the same building that Domino’s Pizza was interested in. Philly Flavors will outline their business and building  renovations plans. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Renewal Presbyterian Church at 4633 Cedar Ave.

• The ongoing conversation about the commercial development of 52nd Street will continue tonight as well. The City of Philadelphia has had its eye on redevelopment projects on the street for a while, sparking protests among some street vendors. To catch up on the issues involved, go here and here. Tonight’s meeting is at 6 p.m. at the White Rock Baptist Church at 5240 Chestnut St.

• The focus will continue to be on 52nd Street on Thursday as Cedar Park Neighbors hosts a meeting to discuss the proposal to convert the empty Apply Storage building at 780-782 S. 52nd St. (near Willows Avenue). The building’s owner, Apple Iron Stone, plans to convert the building into loft apartments with first-floor retail and parking in the rear. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at The Wayland Memorial Baptist Church at 5126 Baltimore Ave.

Firehouse Bicycles has just expanded into a second location in West Philadelphia after purchasing the legendary Wolff Cycles at 4311 Lancaster Ave. Wolff Cycles has been in operation since the 1930s and is possibly the oldest continuously operating bicycle shop in Philadelphia.

The shop has been re-named “Wolf Cycles” – the new owners decided to drop one “f” to make a fresh start, but also to preserve some of the legacy of the old shop. Firehouse Bicycles at 50th and Baltimore continues to operate. Their current staff has been divided to serve customers in two locations.

Wolf Cycles has on tap the same new and used bikes, gear and services that Firehouse offers. The store hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 – 6 p.m. For more information or if you have questions please call 215-222-2171.

• The building that houses the bar Watusi II at 45th and Locust is for sale and it looks like it will be the end of an establishment that has had sometimes tumultuous relations with its neighbors over the past 20 years. According to the Philadelphia Revenue Department, $67,472 in back taxes is owed on the building at 232 S. 45th St. The four-story, 4,600-square-foot building, which includes upstairs apartments, was listed for sale three weeks ago for $635,000. The building is a former boarding house and the sale includes the Watusi II’s liquor license and long u-shaped bar. Serious renovation would be required on the upstairs floors.

The Watusi II reportedly closed several weeks ago after a neighbor complained of code and zoning violations. The building is owned by Noel Karasanyi, who also owns the Watusi I at 46th and Walnut and the New Third World Lounge at 49th and Catherine. Back taxes are owed on all three properties, according to City records. Karasanyi, who fled Uganda in 1973 and whose home address is in Yeadon, also faces several lawsuits from the City. Complaints about excessive noise and trash have been made by many living near all three places for many years.

• Further north on 45th Street, a small pharmacy is opening in the small strip of shops on the 100 block of S. 45th. We don’t know much about this one yet, but it appears that it will be opening soon.

• Many of you will be delighted to know that Guacamole, the Mexican restaurant many have waited a long time for, opened today at 4612 Woodland Ave. The restaurant is a welcome addition to the cluster of shops on that block of Woodland, which includes Four Worlds Bakery and the Whispering Leaves tea shop. The restaurant has about 18 seats and will feature a cooking style from central Mexico. Our trusty reviewer is chomping at the bit to get to this place so look for a story later this week.

• Finally, talk about the Subway opening at the old Pickles and Pies (and many things before that) location at 4533 Baltimore Ave. has heated up in recent days as the Spruce Hill Community Association Zoning Committee prepares its decision for the City zoning authorities (a decision which in the end is not binding). During this discussion, a rumor surfaced that another chain restaurant, Domino’s Pizza, was interested in the old Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Building and small parking lot, which is on the triangular strip of land hemmed in by Baltimore Avenue, Cedar Avenue and 46th Street. We have confirmed that report. Domino’s was interested, but has so far failed to get the required zoning variances.

Paul Robeson, the famed stage and screen actor who spent his later years in West Philly, is back at the corner of 45th and Chestnut keeping a keen eye on eastbound motorists.

Artist Ernel Martinez recently finished a mural of Robeson on the side of an apartment building across Chestnut Street from West Philadelphia Catholic High School that replaced an older mural of Robeson removed this summer.

The new mural is very similar to the original – a full-body portrait of an elegant Robeson in a black suit and tie.

Robeson, who was also an All-American athlete and the son of a former slave, lived in his sister’s row home at 4949 Walnut St. from 1968 to his death in 1976.

The Robeson mural is part of the African American Iconic Images collection, which also includes portraits of Jackie Robinson, Women of Jazz and Malcolm X, among others, and historical scenes of African American life and community.