A place for the better educated in Florida.
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12/7/2008
I have lived in Florida, specifically, in Miami-Dade for about 18 years. Having found a glass ceiling up north due to my handicapping name (Guillermo, it could have been Fernando, Carlos, or any other Spanish name), and getting tired of the cold winters, I moved to South Florida to search for a better life. Here in Miami I found many advantages to being Hispanic. Being totally fluent in English and Spanish helped my rise to the upper middle class here in Miami. Yet, this fluency had been a hindrance up in Massachusetts and in Ohio.
Of course, the Latin influence in Dade county has advantages (to a Latin person, at least) and some disadvantages. Whenever there is a big conglomerate of immigrants, there will be many who are uneducated. Since they are uneducated and come from third world countries, they bring many third world habits. These habits include, but are not limited to, discriminating against others, such as blacks, Jews, or other ethnic groups; trashing the streets; disregarding and ignoring other people; completely lacking an understanding of democracy and of the social contract that binds all of us to cooperate and contribute to our society.
This third world influence is easily seen at the end of a crowded day at any park or beach. The garbage could devourer any one. One can often spot used diapers in parking lots. People often cut in from of lines in stores and other places. People stop their cars on the street to chat with another driver, or to make a decision while the cars behind have to wait. Sometimes, it is even possible to hear a Spanish speaking person demand that an English speaking person learn to speak Spanish. It is all summarized as a complete disregard for the welfare of others.
Add to this third world-"ism" that overall, in Florida most people have at best a poor high school education. The result is that Miami really is a cultural wasteland. Museums nearly lack permanent collections, are very small and scarce. The Florida Symphony had to close its doors for lack of funding. Schools tend to be at best mediocre. All in all, we will not get the culture seekers to spend their tourists $$$ in Miami. What we do get is the beach, the sun, night clubs, and partying. People come here to see or wear bikinis.
Coral Gables is a little oasis in this cultural wasteland. Here, about one third of the population have advanced degrees. More than half of the population have college degrees. We have one of the top universities in the south of the United States. There are very good private schools in the area. Three English speaking theater companies and some Spanish speaking theaters, as well as many art galleries, cafes, and restaurants make this a place where educated people can enjoy.
If you like baseball caps, talking about the game, partying or just participating in simple minded but fun sporty or outdoorsy activities, Miami Dade has a lot to offer. But whenever you decide to enjoy in a slightly more complex manner, come to Coral Gables and have a more cultural experience.
Guillermo | Coral Gables, FL