Who's "We"?

“We are Miami.”

Thus, even reputable news stations attempt to understand the societal tensions that comprise a divided city. Apparently, Miami belongs to the Everglades, the gaudy pink of the flamingo (referred to as “locals”), and the flash of Dolphin’s football. Miami once again relies on its main attractions to convey a certain image of the city, the spectacle. The station, however, sees them as forms of environmental awareness, local pride, and familial values. These seem different from the Miami portrayed by competing news stations, vying for a neighborhood shooting for the night’s headlines. NBC’s subtle form of propaganda wants to describe Miami as prospering, transforming into a major economic force comparable to the Northeast’s New York City or the West’s Los Angeles.

But as a source for credible journalism, how can it promote this superficial image of the city? The heart of the city does not lie imbedded in these outward layers. Where are the depictions of Overtown and the highway system that runs through it? Where are the exiles that live outside of the epicenters of Little Havana and Little Haiti? I realize that Miami cannot be disconnected from its associations to vacation and splendor. The main news anchors housed in cars and boats also speak to a local, celebrity elite, symbolizing an unspoken, hierarchical source of economic power.

The suppression of local culture also returns as a major motif. The only appearance of locals remains hidden in helmets. And this commercial reinforces another stereotype, showing the importance of physical aesthetic. Beauty and athleticism cover the real issues. Therefore, NBC Miami’s ironically continues to fall back on iconic images instead of presenting the truth in its advertisements.

So is there answer to what “we” means? It seems that Miami argues for the advancement of one group over others in an effort to define its identity, a middle that exists between truth and fiction.