PHILLY-ROOTS-L Archives

From: Roy Haworth <>
Subject: Unidentified subject!
Date: Wed, 02 Apr 1997 07:40:27 -0500

Lynn wrote;
Just had to say my piece here. When I read "Whitetown, USA" my
overall impression was that the author seemed to have a preconceived
bias. Using that bias, he concentrated on trying to prove it. The
author generalized and stereotyped. I took into consideration the
time period in which it was written, but still can find nothing to
recommend it as an honest portrayal. Binzen definitely isn't an
authority that I would cite to try to prove a point - not with his
jaundiced viewpoint. Most of my family was from Kensington and none
of them were like the people portrayed in that book.

A much more honest book was "Voices of Kensington" where both
positive and negative aspects of living in the area were mentioned
through the oral history of area residents. Kensington wasn't a
utopia. It was an industrial town, within a city, with the good and
bad that went with it. The area wasn't pretty, but the people that I
knew were decent and hard working, trying to do the best for their
children within the means they had available.

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I havn't read either of the books mentioned I can only base my opinion on
my experiencies. I was raised in Bensalem, Bucks County and heard all about
how bad Kensington was. My Dad and a few of his brothers were among the
folks that helped the area gain its rough and tumble reputation. In later
years I worked in Kensington
for three different employers, and, I must say the area was rough. During
my short time in Kensington I was able to fit right in. I believe the times
that created the area were tough, rough and tumble. I am sure you've all
heard the old saying,"work hard, play hard". at that time that was the rule
of life for society. I remember working at Keystone Roofing on Howard
street. Beer started flowing at breakfast and continued throughout the day,
the hotter it got on the roof the more beer was consumed. After work it was
"to the bar to relax". One difference I see is how we view the work ethics
today compared to yesteryears. The men of old didn't squak at physical
labor and you could tell a man by his handshake.In old kensington I would
not have had the slightest fear of buying or selling on a handshake, and
have on several occasions. The folks that did not live or work in
Kensington cannot FEEL the atmosphere of the times. Personally I'd like to
see the ethics of the thirtys and fourties return. Yes children were
pattled, some worse but children didn't kill children for something to do.
Later CR:-)

This thread:

• Unidentified subject! by Roy Haworth <>