The Work Continues
Dear friends,
Almost 250 years ago, events that occurred right here in Philadelphia forever changed the arc of history. With the conclusion of this year’s presidential election, our city and region again played a leading role in showcasing the enduring strength of a simple idea — that every voice deserves an equal say in determining our collective future.
Today, PHILADELPHIA250 writes to mark the election of Joseph R. Biden as our 46th President and celebrate the historic nature of Kamala Harris as our first woman and person of color to serve as our Vice President.
As we continue to process the 2020 election results, our minds turn to the lessons of 1776 and the American Revolution. Like nearly 250 years ago, when the Declaration of Independence was signed, Philadelphia is symbolically the home of a tectonic shift in American history that will shape what our country will be like in the years and decades to come. However, then as now, Philadelphians did not act alone; Americans in battleground states such as Georgia and Wisconsin raised their hands too, and in doing so altered the course of global events.
While the election may be over, PHILADELPHIA250 stands ready to play our part in starting and continuing the sometimes uncomfortable conversations that spark real change. PHILADELPHIA250 is committed to building on the momentum from this election season and to helping all of us raise our voices — that is how we make progress, together. As the birthplace of American democracy, Philadelphians know this well.
As President-elect Biden once said, “Our country was founded on an idea. ‘We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.’ We never lived up to it…. We have a chance now to give the marginalized, the demonized, the isolated, the oppressed a full share of the American dream. We have the chance to rip the roots of systemic racism out of this country. We have a chance to live up to the words that founded this nation. … Let’s not just celebrate the words, let’s celebrate that promise, [and] commit to work. The work we must do to fulfill that promise and remain locked in the battle for the soul of this nation…. It’s a battle we can and will win if we act together.”
To kickstart our work, at the end of this year PHILADELPHIA250 will be hosting feedback sessions with Philadelphia community organizers from all backgrounds and sections of our city to understand how we can most effectively achieve shared goals. These will be the first of many conversations; please keep your eyes peeled for information on virtual events forthcoming in 2021.
Thank you for your support of PHILADELPHIA250. We hope you’ll continue to join us as we work towards a more equitable, just, sustainable and resilient city for all of our people.
In Community,
Danielle DiLeo Kim
