North Philly doesn't advertise. But Hell does.
I saw a man wearing a T-shirt today with North Philly in bold letters on the front. It stood out to me because you don't normally see that on t-shirts. Philadelphia, Rocky, Philly, yes, but not North Philly. Its a part of the city that is notorious for crime, and, although people talk about it in daily conversation, you don't see it much on t-shirts. North Philly just doesn't advertise. It's not a part of the city that Philadelphia puts forward when it wants to show you its face. They don't hang banners from hotels inviting tourists to come for a visit and sign it "Love, North Philly". There's nothing anyone wants to see on Lehigh, or Girard.
The irony of this? that a place as bad as North Philadelphia is for its reputation, doesn't advertise for visitors, transplants, or new residents. But Hell does.
I know Hell doesn't come with anything as bold as an outright invitation. And they dont prostitute themselves with slogans and jingles, and the last thing Hell wants to do is show you its face. But Hell, certainly does, advertise.
When Hell advertises, its slicker than Madison avenue, and shrewder than Wall Street- because when it advertises, it gets all its publicity, for free.
When Hell wants to show you its fidelity it televises adultery.
When it wants to show you its morality, it pitches 'relativity' because the morality of Hell is 'Do as you want'.
Hell informs you of its values by teaching you to value money and your own happiness above all else because the creed of Hell is eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
And when Hell wants to show you its wholesomeness, it shows you something grotesque. Destruction for the sake of blowing things up. Murder, just to show you some blood. And lust - just about anywhere. And everywhere. Especially on T-shirts.
Hell today has a lie inside a slogan for every wavering conscience to justify and it has an image for every wandering eye. Because Hell today is everywhere and anywhere, selling you its way of life.
All this, untill everything that is outragous has lost its shock affect.
The irony of it is? that a place like North Philadelphia doesn't advertise, because nobody wants to visit.
But Hell is pitching its attractions everywhere. And people are lining up to buy it.