Living as an American in Miami: The Cultural Reality Check

Over the years, I have been called a lot of not-so-nice names by people. “Racist,” is a popular one. “Bigot,” comes up a lot. “Ignorant redneck,” also appears frequently. Most of these insults come from people, generally not from Miami, who read my observations on life here and find it offensive. My pointing out that Latin culture dominates the city and makes Americans feel alienated - unlike anywhere else in the country – is taken by some to be somehow racist.

Which it is not.

Sometimes the politically incorrect truth hurts.

My musings are simply an honest portrayal of what life is like here for an American transplant. One who is used to American culture, anyway. Race is not really the issue here, but rather culture. And if you are of a non-Spanish speaking culture, life here is often inherently frustrating for you.

Eventually, They Will Realize I Was Right All Along

This week, one recent transplant started a thread on our forums titled “Miami Culture Shock.” In it, she went on at great lengths about the saturation of Latin culture. And, more importantly, said what so many who read my writing who have never lived here say: That she thought I was just some ranting bigot until she had to experience it for herself. And now she knows.

Now she knows that living in Miami is frustrating. That it is hard and the cultural and language barriers are unrelenting if you are an American. Yes, some of us learn to deal with it as it is something that is never going to change. But we all know that it’s the price you have to pay to live in this city. Few will say it openly, and maybe that’s why I get so often criticized for saying what most Americans who live in Dade feel. That we’re not real cool with the prevalence of Spanish. We just deal with it and for the most part keep our mouths shut around those who might be offended.

Speaking For Those Too Afraid To Speak

See, there was a reason my old blog was as successful as it was. It was called “White Dade,” and chronicled what life is like for, well, a white person in Dade County. And yeah, as it does in the rest of the country “white” means white non-Hispanic. It offended a good number of people, but more than that it struck a chord with a community of people who were afraid to complain at the risk of being labeled racist. Silenced by the forces of political correctness. But it’s not racism. It’s not judging or discriminating based on race. It’s frustration with culture, and that is a completely different thing.

Now before anyone jumps down my throat, Hispanic people, you do not have the same experience as us. So you’ll never fully understand. And a lot of you who don’t leave the South Beach, well, you really don’t get it either. In South Beach the Latin Flavor adds spice. Across the bay it overpowers the dish. And everyone who says “If you don’t like Latin Culture, then leave Miami,” you are missing the point. We understand it’s the price we have to pay to live here, but it doesn’t mean we have to like it.

And everyone who says “If you don’t like it, leave” is basically telling us to shut up and take it. We get it. But pointing out the frustration doesn’t make us bigots—it makes us honest.

Editor’s Note: Originally published November 18, 2009. Updated in 2026 with new photography; Matt Meltzer’s original writing remains unchanged.