Florida Man

We’re all familiar with location-based stereotypes, constantly witnessing their incarnations: Texan cowboys, Californian “dude bros,” and our very own Coloradan potheads, to name a few.
In recent years, an infamous new character has taken his place in the Internet spotlight: the reckless, brainless “Florida Man,” a culprit for many wild misdeeds. Men (and women!) in Florida always seem to be making the news for actions that defy all common sense. Some examples: stabbing someone with a swordfish, brawling with the Easter Bunny, throwing an alligator through a drive-thru window, and much, much more.
So what’s the deal with this phenomenon? In Blue Oyster Cult’s song about the Florida Man, the classic rock band attributed the caricature’s errant nature to an ancient curse placed on conquistadors. Some cite Florida’s open records as a reason for increased news coverage, causing us to focus on Florida men rather than, say, Georgia or Alabama men. Others say the craziness is a product of Florida’s unique culture and environment.
Whatever the reason, Florida men and women exist and refuse to be ignored – and we, as Americans, must live with them.
We all know about the ongoing cultural war in the Sunshine State. Gender identity has become a forbidden topic, and books are being pulled from school libraries like weeds from a garden. And through it all, Florida Man is not staying silent. Consider the actual Florida man named Chaz Stevens, who recently made headlines by insisting the Bible should also be banned from schools. He challenged the laws around book banning with malicious compliance, highlighting their innate hypocrisy. Young Floridians have also fought back against so-called Don’t Say Gay laws, marching out of schools and waving pride flags in protest despite the threat of suspension or expulsion.
One has to wonder, is that Floridian courage and stubbornness just what we need right now? He might be the world’s worst superhero, but at this moment, Florida Man may actually save the day by battling threats to equal education and free speech.
-
- 08/07/2025
- Summertime slump
- By Jason Blevins / The Colorado Sun
-
Mountain towns see rare drop in visitors as statewide tourism slows
- Read More
-
- 07/31/2025
- Paradise lost
- By Sarena Neyman / PeaveVoice
-
When ordinary people get priced out of extraordinary places
- Read More
-
- 07/31/2025
- 10 years after Gold King
- By Missy Votel
-
Last in ‘Acid Mine’ series takes look at where we’ve been, where we’re going
- Read More
-
- 07/31/2025
- Copper Creek conundrum
- By Sam Brasch / Colorado Public Radio
-
State plans to kill additional wolf due to continued cattle deaths
- Read More
- Lockdown mode
- 08/07/2025
-
You may have already noticed, but bear activity in town is heating up. According to the City of Durango, the “significant uptick” is driven, in part, by a poor acorn crop due to dry conditions. It’s a familiar yet sad scenario where the lack of natural food pushes bears into town in search of a quick and easy meal.
- Beth is back
- 07/31/2025
-
There’s a new familiar face at the Durango Arts Center. This week, the local nonprofit arts organization announced it has hired longtime resident and Jill-of-all-trades Bath Lamberson Warren to take the helm.
- Still having fun
- 07/24/2025
-
If you practically crash your car ogling the 1970s glory of this album cover every time it pops up on your touchscreen, you’ll want to listen up. Not one, but two, ’70s soft rock icons will be appearing at this year’s La Plata County Fair: Firefall and Orleans.
- By the horns
- 07/17/2025
-
One of the newest kids on Durango’s restaurant block, The Tangled Horn, is in a pickle. According to owner Seth Broadhead, the eatery/music venue at 275 E. 8th Ave. (next door to Anarchy Brewing) is in danger of closing its doors.