It’s hard to explain the Jersey/Philly connection to people who haven’t lived it. Jersey’s a small state, but it has distinct divisions, territories carved out into North, South, and Central (yes, I believe it exists). Beyond geography, there are important metro affiliations: Almost everyone from Jersey talks about “the city,” but which city they mean—New York or Philly—depends heavily on where they live. I grew up in a true sweet spot in the southern part of the state, right between Philly and Atlantic City. And while my love and admiration for the latter (my birth city) continues to deepen, Philly is where I spent my formative years trying to figure out who I was supposed to become.
The city's energy has shaped me deeply since the first time I explored its boundaries alone, wearing my Docs & sundress, armed with my Discman and a Jansport filled with too many CDs. I learned firsthand that “brotherly love” sometimes includes letting someone know when they’re being a son of a bitch while still having their back when it counts, an honest & unpolished "tough love" that's still deeply rooted in care.
That’s probably why I was so excited when I first came across @laborjawn, a podcast that dives into the world of Philly’s labor history. Through their work, I’ve been able to have more context for the “grit” that defines the city, learning about its legacy of activism, & how many movements and moments of collective action took root there. It felt like a revelation, and a reminder that our ability to tap into that collective power is not only possible, but absolutely necessary.
I appreciated having the chance to speak with Gabe Christy and Young Sam James, the duo behind the show, and to delve more into how the lessons from these historical movements apply to the world we’re living in today.
Whether you love Philly or Jersey, or have just been wanting to learn more about organizing, collective care, & grassroots efforts, there’s something in this episode for you. Many thanks to Gabe & Sam for their knowledge, time, and just the right amount of shit-talking. I hope we get to do it again soon. Check out the episode at burymeinnj.com #solidarityforever
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