Introduction 
A Historical Snapshot - Early Years - Visitors - Diversity
Modern Culture - South Beach - Pop Culture
The Art and Architecture - Art Deco A Tourist's Perspective
Works Cited |
 | This title refers to Gregory Bush's thought that Miami is a (in the words of Wally N'Dow) "global city" where "a new culture is being born" (Bush 169). Cultural clashes in Miami were manifested largely by two ethnic groups joining a primarily Caucasian population. African-Americans were the first of these two groups and was followed by Cuban/Hatian immigrants. The plight of the African-American in Miami was similar to the rest of the country during the decades leading up to the Civil Rights movement. This tension was replaced by an exodus from Cuba and Haiti which became uniquely Miamian. While this may sound as if it were to threaten racial tension, the expansion of the Hispanic culture has been widely praised in Miami's recent history (Croucher 102). This may at first not be obvious because of the well publicized events of racial tension associated with the floods of Cuban immigration to the city. These conflicts and riots of course were publicized on television but were immortalized in photographs. These images are the ones that make it into the annals of history because of their distinct characteristics. As John Berger wrote in his Appearances essay in Another Way of Telling "All photographs are ambiguous. All photographs have been taken out of continuity. If the event is a public event, this continuity is history..." (Berger 91). Without a caption to go along with the photograph this ambiguity can work either for or against the people involved. It then becomes important to take photographs specifically for the medium in which they will be used. Newspaper photographs need to compliment the story, in both the event taking place and the stance/bias of the article. Some photographs are taken with obviously mallicious intent. Racists/Conservative viewpoints can use photography to express the "barbarian" practices of different cultural groups, especially during public conflicts.  Black Archives (Bush 62) Originally known as Colored Town, this primarily black neighborhood (as seen here in the late 1910's) existed because of segregation rules that had been enacted at the founding of the city. "Black residents from all over South Florida considered it their downtown" (Bush 62). Compared to the architecture of the day it may have no been up-to-date, but this picture makes it look like a bustling metropolis of sorts. There's no sense of racism/segregation inherent in the photo. This photo just reveals what exists: a happy community.  Photograph from MN (Bush 107) This photograph was taken following the desegregation of public buses. Without a caption it would be unapparent as to why the photograph was taken. Even with only a timestamp, there's still a chance that the viewer might not recognize that era as the Civil Rights movement. Without prior knowledge or a caption, there would be know way to know that the man riding in front was the lader of the 1956 bus boycott and is enjoying the equality of the lifted restrictions. It is interesting that so many details are needed to describe the photograph. This might make it seems as if what is going on is only natural to the mind. Most people are trained to see the normalcy of the situation and the photograph appears to reveal this as a natural truth about life. The photograph is the great equalizer. "In Miami, for the first time in American history, a ferign culture and a foreign language have come to dominate a major American city. The Miami Hispanics do not intend to join the English-speaking American culture. On the contrary, they have every intention of windening and expanding their sphere of influence..." John Ney, Miami Today (Croucher 61) 50% of the population of Miami is Hispanic. For such a large American city, this number is quite high. It would be impossible for such a large group not to have an important effect on the community. In 1980 over 125,000 Cubans were allowed to leave Cuba in order to pursue life elsewhere. Not all of these were welcomed with open arms. In the group were criminals, mental patients, and other "unwanteds" of Crastro (Bush 170). Miami Herald articles, as chronicled by Alejandro Portes and Alex Stepick seem to be headlines of nothing but conflict (Portes 26). But despite the reports of minor numbers of Cubans causing problems, most Cubans were grateful to be in a safe country.  http://cuban-exile.com/menu1/%21menu.html This photograph of boatlifted Cubans is similar to many taken during the months of exodus from Cuba. Many different ages of many different peoples are gathered together to enjoy the freedom they are hoping for. Their faces appear cautiously optimistic. Many of their heads are turned looking off at something out of the viewer's site. Perhaps this is land or perhaps they see nothing but a dolphin or seagull. Whichever the case, the important aspect is the unity of intent. The photograph creates a anxious feeling. Afterall, these people are on a boat which cannot move in a still photograph. It gives the viewer a sense of concern: "will they make it to shore and will life be better?" Most of the refugees fused into the culture of American, specifically Miami, and brought much of what defines modern day Miami-Dade with them. |
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