Travel is fatal to prejudice

April 12th, 2010

There is a Mark Twain saying, “Travel is fatal to prejudice.”  I have always liked Mr. Twain’s quote and find much truth in the remark.  This last weekend Mr. Twain’s quote hit me in the face as I traveled and spent time in South Florida.  I travel frequently to Florida and much like other northern weather refugees; I wear blinders and see only the sun, water and the recreation I want to experience.  Before my last visit, I saw Florida as the home of “hanging” chads, Mickey Mouse, retirees, “Girls Gone Wild” (Spring Break Video) and this country’s hurricane magnet.  I have always had great interaction with the residents of Florida but nothing in depth or of the curiosity nature.  I was always focused on vacation and not Florida’s people or culture.  After Saturday night, things changed.  

I had an interesting dinner the other day with the most interesting array of people.  This last weekend I went to Fort Lauderdale to see an old friend.  My long time buddy Bill Stanton who once lived in Indianapolis but now resides in Fort Lauderdale.  On Saturday evening I was Bill’s guest at a private function; Broward Public Library Foundation’s 2010 Literary Feast.  The Literary Feast starts with a private cocktail reception complete with a silent auction, the standard mingling but most interestingly, it had 21 authors on hand to promote and sign their books.   After the cocktail reception, private dinners are hosted by one of 21 benefactors with an author as a guest of honor.

It was a small group of people as I am sure the other 20 private dinner parties were as well.  I sat at the table with an intriguing cast of characters—all were warm, charming and had interesting stories to tell.  But the center of the evening was around our guest, Mr. Russell Banks author of The Reserve, Continental Drift, Cloudsplitter and more.

Mr. Banks sat down at our table and talked about his early years but it was his later years that held us all on the edge of our seats.  He told of his time in Cuba and a one-on-one conversation he had with Fidel Castro.  In thinking to myself, I was only 1 degree of separation from Fidel Castro how cool was that? Russell’s stories were very animated and kept us all captivated.

So as I leave Florida, I also leave my prejudices behind.  No longer will I look at Florida as an escape from harsh northern winters where the residents are all retirees or servants to tourism, but as people who have a deep sense of community and pride in their leaving lasting legacies.

And to Mark Twain, you are right when you say, “Travel is Fatal to Prejudice.” I had a prejudice about Florida prior to my last trip but as of last week, my prejudice transformed into admiration.  Finally, a sincere “thank you” to Bill, George, Barry, Raquel, Danielle, Seth, Robin, Ann, Russell, Judy, Rene, Michael for an awesome eye-opening experience that I will never forget.

Paul Lushin

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