As Mormino states in the introduction of Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams, “Florida remains a state of enchanted reality” (2). The real Florida for visitors is whatever they believe it to be. That statement may seem subjective, but Florida, viewed as this “land of sunshine, state of dreams,” offers people any number of things they come looking for. For many, Florida is a place to bask in the sun, sip cocktails, and avoid the chill of their northern homes—the real Florida for them is Siesta Key in Sarasota. For others, the real Florida is a place where large homes won’t be repossessed in the occurrence of bankruptcy—they find this in any of the clusters of mcmansions and gated communities around the state. For still others, the real Florida is the natural Florida—they wonder at the deepness of Wakulla Springs, the expanse of the Everglades, the majesty of an osprey circling the Gulf. What separates the Florida reality from other such states as California, is that here, reality is affordable and available for massive amounts of people.
1 comment:
You make a good point. The truth is that Florida remains a place where social, political, and economic issue define very difference possibilities. The environment still offers escape, the economy still offers some opportunity (the issue of home being protected from the bank) and the people are still a diverse mix. The question becomes what can we learn from this mix? I think Land of Sunshine, State of Dream reminds us that Florida is constructed by both material opportunity and perceptions of the people coming to the state.
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