| The
Advocate
March 28, 2000
True colors - Brief Article
by Todd Savage
Since Kurt Conklin's pride flag was tipped down
from his home several times, he might well have given
up on neighborliness in west Philadelphia. But when
neighbors heard of the vandalism, at least 30 of them--most
of them straight--joined Conklin in flying rainbow
flags from their homes. "It really inspired me,"
Conklin said.
But the neighbors' flags were ripped down too. After
suspecting groups of drunk students from neighboring
Drexel University, Conklin and other residents have
worked with fraternities and other student groups
to make peace in the neighborhood. In late February
they were encouraged that progress may finally come
after university president Constantine Papadakis issued
a statement of commitment to diversity and tolerance.
Conklin said he never intended the flag as a political
statement, but the whole experience has taught him
a lot about the flag's symbolic power. "For homophobes,
it's like waving a red shirt in front of a bull, and
for other people, on the left, it really inspires
them," he said. "It means that diversity
is a good thing and a desirable thing for our neighborhood."
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