6 thoughts on “New video: South Beach, Paradise”

1. Great video, Scott. I drove on SW 8th street by the AAA Arena on Saturday morning with my mother who was visiting and both of us were shocked to see about 60 homeless people lining the street. It was pretty sad but a hard truth in the land of excess.

2. Interesting video. It certainly presents a side to South Florida, not usually on display.

   But take it from me, who has lived in 8 countries, and travelled all over the world by the time she was 21: homeless people flock to big cities, with temperate weather, and which provide ample free services to feed them. Miami especially, fits all three bills (as I write, it’s a balmy 79F in January — par for the course for us in this gorgeous city).

   Does that mean we shouldn’t take photos of their plight? No. Does that mean we should refuse to give them our sympathy? No. Does that mean we shouldn’t do something to help them? No.

   But it doesn’t conflate to “there is so much poverty here!” and “look, no one cares in SoFla”.

   Try to take these photos in Wyoming in January. Good luck.

3. Blind Mind, thanks. I find the dichotomy interesting.

   Victoria,
   Perhaps a history here might help put my view on this in perspective.
   I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, spending the first half of my life there. My father worked for the largest oil producing company in the world, Saudi Aramco (then, just Aramco). Third world. Yet wealth like I’ve never seen as well. I grew up in that dichotomy. Like you, I had traveled all over the world by the time I was 21. Actually, by the time I was eight. I’ve seen the cities, I’ve seen the metropolises, I’ve seen the countryside, the rural areas, the desert.

   When I moved to Miami over a year ago, I felt entirely at home. And in part, it was due to this mixture of life, this broad spectrum with people on both ends living the patterns they know. This was a life I was familiar with: the extremes of prosperity and poverty.

   I didn’t piece this together as a “there is so much poverty here!” nor a “look, no one cares in SoFla” video. The video’s intent was to show the blend of wealth and poverty in this fantastic city. The experience of living here is personal for me; the video is my view on life here.

   I don’t get to Wyoming much. But thanks.

4. Thanks for the explanation, Scott. I’m originally British, but have lived in several countries in South America (including Brazil, Ipanema to be specific, heh), and in Asia, plus other parts of the world, as mentioned. Even in Paris, one has banlieus where people of all colours live, in which you can see filth and despair, despite an all-encompassing welfare state.

   As an aside, the film “Slumdog Millionaire” held absolutely no surprises for me (neither the blinding, nor the poop dump, etc.) however much the impact of seeing some of the events portrayed still sends a chill down any sentient person’s body. Like you, I could probably write a book on the things I have witnessed throughout my life, which engenders both cynicism as well as a primordial desire to help, keep helping, and don’t stop helping until we can eradicate poverty.

   My way is education and volunteerism, but other people’s way is to shock-shame-point-and-blame.

   This is why my tone might’ve seemed abrupt, for which I apologise. Perhaps it was the site that directed me here, which has a political agenda with inherent slants.

   My best to you, and I will keep your blog in mind in future.

   Cheers,
   Victoria

5. Hey Blind Mind, if you’d like some advice on your city’s
   Homeless situation from a dude in Brooklyn, Lemmie know.
   HA!, Just kidding, I got nothing for ya.
   BKNY love’s ipanemic too!

6. Dear Scott – fantastic video. Have forwarded the link to all Brats I know. You used to live down the block from us in RT (you were really small then) and I remember when your dad was Pres. of the AEA. You have really found your niche. Good luck in going forward. Debbie DH 73