Florida's increasing diversity

[Aessotariq]

Posted on Sat, Mar. 05, 2005

BROWARD POLITICS

Will ethnicity be the bellwether in diverse Miramar?

Miramar's Jamaican-American majority is up for reelection on the commission, but some are wondering whether they can hold on.

By NATALIE P. McNEAL

[email protected]

When Miramar voters cast ballots in 2003, the booming southwest Broward community made history: a Jamaican-American majority was elected to a South Florida city commission.

Now, two years later, all eyes are on Miramar to see if that historic moment can be preserved.

All three seats held by Jamaican Americans are up for reelection.

The incumbents -- Winston Barnes, George Pedlar and Fitzroy Salesman -- have drawn a total of 10 challengers.

''It's a pivotal election,'' said Hazelle Rogers, a Lauderdale Lakes commissioner who was one of the first Jamaican Americans elected to Broward political office.

``If they are reelected, it will be a resounding endorsement. We are watching the race very closely.''

When the Miramar three got elected, other immigrant groups and political watchers took notice.

Caribbean-American leaders hoped that one or all of them could be part of a farm team groomed for higher office.

And some Broward's Jamaicans felt, politically speaking, they had arrived -- at least on the local level.

Jamaican-Americans also hold local office -- but not majorities -- in Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill and Southwest Ranches.

In Miramar, a city of 100,000, not one race or ethnic group -- including whites, Hispanics, American black and West Indians -- can claim the majority of the population. West Indians make up about 25 percent of the population, according to the U.S. Census.

BALANCING ACTS

Holding office in a diverse community has been a balancing act for the three Jamaican-American commissioners -- one of opening up City Hall doors to under-represented groups while working to avoid the perception of shunning anyone.

In the two years since the Jamaican majority, vendors and contractors seeking business with Miramar routinely subcontract with minority business.

But the incumbents say they are not running as a slate.

Barnes points out that he and Vice Mayor Marjorie Conlan voted against a commission salary increase in 2003, while Pedlar, Salesman and Mayor Lori Moseley voted for the raise.

Salesman often became agitated over the label 'Jamaican-American majority,' during the last election, saying it was unfair and restrictive.

''I wish people would get off this Jamaican thing,'' said Salesman, who says he represents all of Miramar.

The trio have, however, attended fundraisers together. They are featured on a flier for a Caribbean dance party fundraiser at Club Empire, the old Stingerz Night Club at Miramar Parkway and U. S. 441.

Issues in this year's campaign have included heavy traffic, taxes and growth in western Miramar.

John L. Moore, an African American and one of Salesman's challengers, says in his stump speeches, he will ``represent all of Miramar's residents.''

FEELING LEFT OUT

''Some of my friends . . . who are African American say they feel left out,'' said Moore, a 21-year resident of Miramar.

Salesman contradicts Moore's statements.

''My opponent wants to brand me as someone who only looks out for Jamaicans,'' Salesman said. ``African Americans and Hispanics have benefited from having me on that commission more than any other minority group.''

Salesman says he has appointed a Hispanic, Haitian, white woman, and African American to sit on citywide advisory boards.

''I have done my job,'' Salesman said. ``Regardless of color, creed, nationality or culture.''

Having a Jamaican majority on the commission really isn't that important, said Barnes, the top vote-getter in 2003.

''Jamaicans have lived in South Florida a long time. It was time to be represented at a certain level,'' he said. ``Look at what the Haitians-Americans have done [in Miami-Dade]. We are an ethnic group that has matured.''

The likelihood of Miramar maintaining a Jamaican majority on the commission may come down to voter turnout, political observerssay.

In the past, the city has had notoriously low turnout for local elections, according to Kevin Hill, a political science professor at Florida International University.

VOTER TURNOUT

Hill said the winners would be decided by the candidates who get the most people to the polls.

''I'd be surprised if any of them lose,'' Hill said.

Rovan Locke, publisher of the Caribbean-American Commentary Newspaper, said he has not seen very many pro-incumbent signs out on Miramar Parkway, the city's main thoroughfare.

''I don't see the excitement this campaign,'' he said. ``I don't see the involvement of the middle-income African-American or Caribbean voter.''

If reelected, one of the Jamaican-American commissioners should consider running for mayor, Locke said.

''It will let us know if we can go forward with higher offices,'' he said.

Link to article

[Viper]

If I remember correctly, Jacksonville has the highest Arab population in the state and is in the top 10 in teh US.

Found some numbers.

Approx. 6,000 Arabs making for .8% of the population.

There are more Arabs in Jacksonville than Philidelphia and Boston.

[Hisma]

orlando metro has a pretty high arab population as well.

Most of the shops on international drive are owned and operated by middle easterners.

[miamistreets]

I dont know if im right but I think I read somewhere or heard that South Florida has a pretty good number of Jewish people.

And ,correct me if Im wrong,I think Russians too.Besides New York and other places.

Im not sure im correct though,(im just assuming im right).

[Urban_Legend]

^Yes, in fact, Boca Raton is like the largest Jewish population outside of NY and Israel.

[Aessotariq]

And Sunny Isles Beach has a sizable Russian population.

[Brickell]

Mostly russian jews from my experience.

I saw an ad for a new development there, the "kind david" condos.

that was an only in miami moment.

[Viper]

http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=9467

Jacksonville has the most spoken languages in Florida with a total of 72 various tongues spoken. Overall, that is another testament to Floridas diversity.

[Brickell]

According to the article, Jacksonville was behind Broward and Dade counties.

"Among the potluck of languages the U.S. Census Bureau says can be found in metropolitan Jacksonville are Tagalog, Arabic and Serbocroatian -- 72 different tongues in all.

Only Broward and Miami-Dade counties, with 84 and 79 languages, respectively, have more spoken diversity in Florida, an analysis of census information shows."

From an earlier thread in urban discussions: http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.ph...05&hl=languages

top languages in florida bynumber of speakers.

Florida

1 Spanish

2 French Creole

3 French

4 German

5 Italian

6 Portuguese

7 Tagalog

8 Arabic

9 Vietnamese

10 Chinese

And the top 25 for Dade County.

Miami-Dade County

1 Spanish

2 French Creole (Haitians! etc) biggrin.gif

3 French

4 Portuguese

5 Italian

6 German

7 Chinese

8 Russian

9 Arabic

10 Hebrew

==============

11 Tagalog

12 Yiddish

13 Urdu

14 Greek

15 Hindi

16 Vietnamese

17 Dutch

18 Hungarian

19 Polish

20 Japanese

21 Korean

22 Persian

23 Kru, Ibo, Yoruba

24 Thai

25 Patois

[RiversideGator]

What is Patois??

[Brickell]

Patois is a creole of english from Jamaica and other english speaking carribean countries.

[miamistreets]

I didnt know so many languages were spoken in Miami Dade,alone.I didnt even know some of those languages existed.

[Aessotariq]

Here are some of the less obvious places of origin for these languages:

11 Tagalog -- Philippines

12 Yiddish -- spoken by older Ashkenazic Jews from eastern Europe

13 Urdu -- Pakistan

14 Greek

15 Hindi -- India

16 Vietnamese

17 Dutch

18 Hungarian

19 Polish

20 Japanese

21 Korean

22 Persian -- Iran

23 Kru, Ibo, Yoruba -- Nigeria and neighboring West African countries

24 Thai

25 Patois -- Jamaica, Trinidad, and other English-speaking Caribbean countries

[Topher1]

thanks for those explanations You covered all of them that I wanted to ask about!

[miamistreets]

I remember when I used to do deliveries with my dad in Miami Beach, there were a lot of Jewish bakeries and stuff.

I saw a lot of Jews there.

[Aessotariq]

Posted on Sun, May. 01, 2005

EDUCATION

FLUENT IN FRENCH

Haitian-American parents say having their kids learn French at school is a way to keep them connected to their culture

BY DARRAN SIMON

[email protected]

Praise and scoldings in the Duret household were handed down in French.

''Ne fais pas

[Aporkalypse]

In the same study posted that showed Broward having the largest growth in the nation in black population in one decade they found Dade had a significant net decline in black population, as well as Caucasian non-Hispanic population while Hispanic population continued to consume an even greater majority of the population. In a way, Broward seems to be becoming more of a true melting pot and Miami-Dade is completing its Latinization while Palm Beach Co has become a "flight" area. Even the Jewish Miami Beach population seems to be migrating towards Broward and Palm Beach cos. Many native and Caribbean blacks feel targeted in Miami and don't feel the same way in Broward. Fort Lauderdale sure seems to be becoming a diverse, booming city in its own right. FLL is quickly becoming as important an airport as MIA.

[RiversideGator]

In the same study posted that showed Broward having the largest growth in the nation in black population in one decade they found Dade had a significant net decline in black population, as well as Caucasian non-Hispanic population while Hispanic population continued to consume an even greater majority of the population.

So where is the diversity in Dade if everyone but hispanics is leaving. It appears that, in S FL, people are voting with their feet against "diversity".

[Aessotariq]

^You're assuming that "Hispanics" are a monolithic group, which is not the case.

Each nationality has different ethnic groups, races, classes, cultures, customs, dialect, etc. There are white Hispanics, black Hispanics, Asian Hispanics, Indian Hispanics, etc.

[Aporkalypse]

So where is the diversity in Dade if everyone but hispanics is leaving.  It appears that, in S FL, people are voting with their feet against "diversity".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess that was my point. Broward seems to be become increasingly diverse while Miami is becoming increasingly Hispanic at the expense of other groups. However, it does seem that there is increasing Latin diversity and Cubans are not as dominant as they once were - Miami has become pan-Latino.

[Aessotariq]

In the same study posted that showed Broward having the largest growth in the nation in black population in one decade they found Dade had a significant net decline in black population,

I think this is a reflection of the increasing upward mobility of blacks in South Florida and the nation in general. Anyone who can afford to leave poor neighborhoods will move to where they can. The northward migration to Broward by any ethnic group is not new at all, and is a reflection of the perceived higher quality of life in that county.

as well as Caucasian non-Hispanic population while Hispanic population continued to consume an even greater majority of the population. In a way, Broward seems to be becoming more of a true melting pot and Miami-Dade is completing its Latinization while Palm Beach Co has become a "flight" area.

White flight (and I specifically mean white non-Hispanic) is nothing new and is evident in many, if not all major cities in the country.

In Dade it was accelerated by Hurricane Andrew, where instead of rebuilding their communities, people left with their insurance checks and decided to buy into the new construction that was occurring in western Broward, although many of them still kept their jobs in Dade. They also thought they were leaving behind problems like bad traffic, overcrowded schools, crime, etc. Now it's evident that those problems simply moved with them as well.

What is fascinating about the South Florida population dynamic is that the out-migration of people from Dade did not cause a drop in Dade's population, because they were very quickly replaced by new in-migrants and immigrants.

Even the Jewish Miami Beach population seems to be migrating towards Broward and Palm Beach cos.

There is still a significant and influential Jewish population in North Miami Beach, Aventura, and Sunny Isles Beach. To add to the dynamic, these areas have also seen a lot of immigration of new Jews from South America, especially from Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia.

A lot of the Jewish population in Miami Beach has either died off or moved as the area began to gentrify and cater to a younger, more upscale crowd. This began in the mid-1980s and more entertainment venues were established.

Many native and Caribbean blacks feel targeted in Miami and don't feel the same way in Broward. Fort Lauderdale sure seems to be becoming a diverse, booming city in its own right. FLL is quickly becoming as important an airport as MIA.

Most Caribbean blacks are not moving to Fort Lauderdale proper, but rather to areas such as Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, Hollywood, and Miramar, Pembroke Pines. The attraction to relatively cheap housing stock in the first three older cities has been enormous. Jamaicans are the largest group of English-speaking Caribbean blacks. Haitians are the largest black immigrant group as a whole.

Many Jamaicans still own homes in Kendall and have a significant presence in North Dade, especially in Miami Gardens, North Miami, and North Miami Beach, reflected by the ethnic markets and restaurants in the area. Haitians also make up significant numbers in the Little Haiti neighborhood of northern Miami, El Portal, North Miami, and North Miami Beach.

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport's growth has been spurred by its ability to lure low-cost carriers with its lower landing fees than Miami's. As of late it has also begun to fall victim to NIMBYism, since residents who live south of the airport are fighting FLL's attempts to extend its southern runway. In international flights, Miami is still the dominant airport. MIA is undergoing a major organizational restructuring with the goal of greater efficiency and lower fees. MIA is also building two new terminals that will house American Airlines and Delta's major hub operations, so that may free up space in the existing terminal to accommodate new low-cost carriers.

However, it does seem that there is increasing Latin diversity and Cubans are not as dominant as they once were - Miami has become pan-Latino.

This is correct, and Brazilians have a sizable population here as well (Brazilians are not Hispanic). That doesn't make the community any less diverse. As I said before, there are a myriad of races, ethnic groups, cultures, customs, dialects (each nation's Spanish is as varied as English is in different regions of the USA).

Here's a breakdown of Miami-Dade's Hispanic population by place of origin:

1990 2000 change

Total 953,407 1,291,737 338,330

Cuban 563,979 650,601 86,622

Puerto Rican 72,827 80,327 7,500

Mexican 23,112 38,095 14,983

Dominican 23,475 36,454 12,979

Central American 119,534 128,903 9,369

Nicaraguan 74,244 69,257 -4,987

Honduran 18,102 26,829 8,727

Guatemalan 8,242 9,676 1,434

Salvadoran 7,339 9,115 1,776

Panamanian 6,729 5,863 -866

Costa Rican 4,743 4,706 -37

Other Central American 135 3,457 3,322

South American 108,768 154,348 45,580

Colombian 53,852 70,066 16,214

Peruvian 16,452 23,327 6,875

Venezuelan 9,846 21,593 11,747

Argentinian 8,585 13,341 4,756

Ecuadorian 7,986 10,560 2,574

Chilean 7,929 7,910 -19

Bolivian 2,309 2,418 109

Uruguayan 1,482 1,829 347

Paraguayan 166 434 268

Other South American 161 2,870 2,709

Other Hispanic 44,498 203,009 158,511

Here is a breakdown of Miami-Dade's foreign-born population:

[u][b]Total: 1,147,765[/b][/u]

Europe: 44,067

Northern Europe: 6,696

United Kingdom 4,958

Ireland 589

Sweden 669

Other Northern Europe 480

Western Europe: 10,069

Austria 919

France 3,037

Germany 4,299

Netherlands 836

Other Western Europe 978

Southern Europe: 13,983

Greece 769

Italy 3,555

Portugal 1,081

Spain 8,546

Other Southern Europe 32

Eastern Europe: 13,256

Czechoslovakia 983

(includes Czech Republic

and Slovakia)

Hungary 1,246

Poland 3,459

Romania 1,190

Belarus 172

Russia 3,053

Ukraine 1,131

Bosnia and Herzegovina 82

Yugoslavia 292

Other Eastern Europe 1,648

Europe, n.e.c. 63

Asia: 28,638

Eastern Asia: 7,031

China: 4,712

China, excluding 3,106

Hong Kong and Taiwan

Hong Kong 752

Taiwan 854

Japan 1,155

Korea 1,127

Other Eastern Asia 37

South Central Asia: 7,638

Afghanistan 16

Bangladesh 466

India 3,838

Iran 1,172

Pakistan 1,908

Other South Central Asia 238

South Eastern Asia: 7,865

Cambodia 79

Indonesia 238

Laos 260

Malaysia 170

Philippines 4,290

Thailand 941

Vietnam 1,635

Other South Eastern Asia 252

Western Asia: 5,801

Iraq 188

Israel 2,361

Jordan 249

Lebanon 1,113

Syria 385

Turkey 753

Armenia 34

Other Western Asia 718

Asia, n.e.c. 303

Africa: 4,851

Eastern Africa: 501

Ethiopia 98

Other Eastern Africa 403

Middle Africa 110

Northern Africa: 1,929

Egypt 772

Other Northern Africa 1,157

Southern Africa: 514

South Africa 475

Other Southern Africa 39

Western Africa: 1,527

Ghana 113

Nigeria 1,161

Sierra Leone 47

Other Western Africa 206

Africa, n.e.c. 270

Oceania: 373

Australia and New Zealand Subregion: 349

Australia 284

Other Aus. and NZ Subregion 65

Melanesia 8

Micronesia 0

Polynesia 16

Oceania, n.e.c. 0

Americas: 1,069,827

Latin America: 1,064,436

Caribbean: 688,760

Barbados 549

Cuba 525,841

Dominican Republic 36,870

Haiti 71,054

Jamaica 34,450

Trinidad and Tobago 6,487

Other Caribbean 13,509

Central America: 179,105

Mexico 20,916

Other Central America: 158,189

Costa Rica 5,718

El Salvador 10,966

Guatemala 11,744

Honduras 34,689

Nicaragua 86,108

Panama 7,860

Other Central America 1,104

South America: 196,571

Argentina 16,596

Bolivia 2,981

Brazil 13,078

Chile 9,470

Colombia 81,377

Ecuador 13,447

Guyana 2,791

Peru 27,823

Venezuela 25,376

Other South America 3,632

Northern America: 5,391

Canada 5,386

Other Northern America 5

Born at sea 9

[Urban_Legend]

^Whoa, how did you post those impressive code thingees? What an interesting break-down of our ethnicities!

[Brickell]

Immigrants changing the course of Jewish population

After years of slow but steady decline, Miami-Dade's Jewish population -- the nation's 10th largest -- is stabilizing in large part to immigration, with a third of Jewish adults born outside the country, according to a study released Thursday by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

Addressing the diversity of Miami-Dade's Jewish population -- including the 31 percent of adults, or some 30,673, who were born outside the United States, compared to 23 percent in 1994 -- should be a major priority for area Jewish leaders, the study said.

''The Miami Jewish community should build on the strength that diversity can offer to enhance the quality of Jewish life in Miami,'' the study said, suggesting that Jewish institutions should consider employing people who can communicate in Spanish.

Mirroring South Florida's diversity, 7 percent of Miami-Dade's Jewish adults were born in South America, and 5 percent each were born in Central America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe....

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/11858827.htm

[Aessotariq]

Pompano Beach has become the hub of South Florida's Brazilian community, 10,000 strong. Nossa! Incr

[Florida]

Well look here people... were gonna need some of those Brizillians up here in Tally... I here those ladies are some nice.