We Built This City On...
One thing our city lacks is history, agreed? I mean when you travel to other American cities you have stories of events from centuries past and buildings which reek of architectural relevance. Well, they're wrong! Miami's foundations go way back - way back. Sometime in the 1970s when the drug trade in South Florida turned from a primarily lush marijuana smuggling ring into a blistering snow storm.
Miami is called the "Magic City" because of it's quick transformation from sleepy Southern vacation spot into a true multi-national metropolis, almost overnight. This rate of development (at least up until the 21st century, in the United States) was unheard of. Most people believe that the Port of Miami really spurred the city's growth - it did. Most people believe the massive waves of immigrants spurred the city's growth - it did. Most people believe that man's desire to wear less clothing (sex or tourism, you decide) helped spurred the city's growth - it did. But, what most people do know, but seem to forget, was that while some city's were built on energy, entertainment, manufacturing, or rock 'n' roll, Miami was was built on Cocaine.
Surprise, not really. I think most folks have an idea. But how much do us twenty-somethings born in the late '70s and early '80s really know about what happened to our city's economy (um, banks!) and skyline (real estate booms!) in this time period? I would guess not much. Well, lucky for you Cocaine Cowboys is now available on DVD. If you love Miami and are interested in it's history, this movie will put together some more pieces of the puzzle.
Also check out Duran's review of the movie in case you need more convincing.
BTW, I was at UM last night and while peeing in the bathroom, I overheard B's ex-girlfriend in the next stall talk about Miami Nights. How funny is that?