Bursting the Bubble -- Collectives & Social Enterprises
Dan Clore
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo
http://www.biconews.com/?p=18420
Bursting the Bubble: Collectives and Social Enterprises
September 10, 2009
By Cameron Scherer
Last spring, I introduced this column with the hope that it might
inspire students to venture outside the infamous bi-co bubble.
Generally, each column will tackle a different Philadelphia neighborhood
(Rittenhouse Square was the subject of my first column; future
neighborhoods may include University City or Mt. Airy), highlighting
several especially noteworthy places of interest to students looking to
venture outside the Haverford or Bryn Mawr campuses.
Despite this only being the second edition, however, I�m already
breaking from the usual format. This summer, I had the opportunity to
research a movement known as the �solidarity economy� as it manifests
itself in Philadelphia. Although the concept of the �solidarity economy�
itself is quite complex, it has some very practical applications. It is
very value-based, with businesses and organizations committed to ideas
of democracy and reciprocity all within the framework of building
community. Many of these businesses come in the form of cooperatives,
which are enterprises owned and democratically run by their workers.
Because Haverford and Bryn Mawr share similar commitments to their Honor
Codes and social justice, I thought that instead of profiling a
Philadelphia neighborhood, I would instead introduce as simply as I can
the solidarity economy to the Bi-Co. Although I came across countless
interesting places and groups during my research, the following four I
believe to be most relevant to Haverford and Bryn Mawr students:
Weaver�s Way
To be fair, Mt. Airy is a long way to go for groceries. But in my
opinion, the trek is worth it. Not only does a trip to Mt. Airy grant
you the opportunity to walk around the neighborhood (which is
increasingly committed to green and sustainable business practices), but
it also gives you the chance to shop at Weaver�s Way (559 Carpenter
Lane), a food cooperative dedicated to its members, community and
environment. Because members of the co-op believe that food is
inextricably linked to the community, they purchase from local farmers
whenever possible (Weaver�s Way even runs its own farm), with the
ultimate goal being to transform buyers from passive consumers to active
eaters.
Wooden Shoe Books and Records
Another democratically run cooperative, Wooden Shoe Books & Records
(508 South 5th Street) has sold literature and music of anarchist,
radical and social justice ideologies for 32 years. As a self-proclaimed
�empowering resource for activism, organizing, art, self-education,
dialogue, community-building, and the anti-capitalist struggle,� its
many titles include "Real Utopia: Participatory Society for the 21st
Century," "Getting Free: Creating an Association of Democratic
Autonomous Neighborhood Associations," and "Criminal of Poverty." In
fact, one needs to look no further than the entrance of the store --
with its political posters and marked up walls -- that this bookstore is
not your average Barnes and Noble. This is a business truly dedicated to
its ideals, and a great one to visit at that.
Fiume
I have a confession to make -- with only 20 years to my name, I was
unfortunately not able to visit Fiume (229 South 45th Street), a
worker-owned bar located in University City. Nonetheless, I�ve added it
to my list of must-see-before-graduating places in Philadelphia. Due to
its anarchist origins, Fiume is known for drawing a diverse crowd. One
of its worker/owners was quoted in Philadelphia�s City Paper as saying,
�I�m not happy unless there�s crust punks saying there�s too many Penn
kids here and the Penn kids are saying there�s too many anarcho kids.�
So though it might not be your average Roach�s or Brownies, Fiume
definitely seems to be a worthwhile stop in an already exciting
neighborhood.
White Dog Caf�
I�ve saved the best -- and probably most famous -- for last. Although
not a cooperative, the White Dog Caf� (3420 Samson Street) considers
itself a �social enterprise.� Founded by 2007-2008 Hepburn Fellow Judy
Wicks as a simple takeout coffee and muffin shop in 1983, both its menu
and social activism have expanded in the decades since. The restaurant
is involved in a number of causes, does not pay any of its 100 workers
below the living wage, and runs the White Dog Community Enterprises,
which works to cultivate a local and sustainable economy. Social
activism aside though, the food there alone is worth every penny of
their higher-than-average prices. This past summer, a friend and I split
steak, a cheese plate, and mushroom risotto -- of which I honestly could
not choose a favorite. Each used the exact right (local) ingredients to
create the most savory blend of tastes. And the place itself is fun --
sit outside and watch people walk through University City, or sit inside
and count just how many dog-related decorations you can find, proving
that the restaurant does stay true to its name. (Alternatively, if you
can�t make it out to the restaurant itself, try its farmstand in Reading
Terminal Market. Having tried the produce there myself, I can vouch for
its excellence.)
--
Dan Clore
My collected fiction: _The Unspeakable and Others_
(Wait for the new edition: http://hplmythos.com/ )
Lord We�rdgliffe & Necronomicon Page:
http://tinyurl.com/292yz9
News & Views for Anarchists & Activists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo
"From the point of view of the defense of our society,
there only exists one danger -- that workers succeed in
speaking to each other about their condition and their
aspirations _without intermediaries_."
--Censor (Gianfranco Sanguinetti), _The Real Report on
the Last Chance to Save Capitalism in Italy_