My reasoning:

  • “While not applicable in all cases, mental health problems often played a role [in Florida Man stories]. Mental health is a huge issue in Florida, which ranks at the bottom of all states for mental health funding, according to the Florida Policy Institute. Lou and Orjoux, CNN 2019
  • Florida has a known track record of intimidating and suppressing voters, particularly voters of color.
  • ”It’s a democracy, we are just making fun of the voters who made it that way.” Except it isn’t. The will of the Floridian people is not represented in the actions of their leaders. One of many examples: 68% of Floridians want the state to do more on climate change, meanwhile “The Florida Legislature not only bypassed proposals to address climate change during the most recent legislative session, but lawmakers also passed a measure (HB 1645) that would strip the term “climate change” from much of state law.” Does that sound like democracy to you?

Instead of addressing these—and other—root problems, Florida Man posts trivialize the hardships of marginalized individuals, perpetuating societal inequities.

  • PugJesus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    473·
    6 months ago

    The real reason Florida Man became a thing:

    The most important reason Florida residents land in the headlines has to do with the state’s Sunshine Law, which makes official records related to state governing agencies accessible to the public. Florida’s position is that the government is a public business, and its leaders have stuck to that belief with this law.

    Established in 1995, the Sunshine Law ensures everyday citizens can easily access public records. This includes any document related to official government agency business, like photos, emails, maps —and of course, arrest reports and mugshots. Of course, some information is redacted or kept private, like victims’ names and residential addresses.

    In Florida, access to these documents and photos is fast — arrest reports are available almost immediately after they are filed, local station WCTV reported in 2019. In other states, reporters often file a request for an arrest record and wait days for its arrival. In Florida, this process is streamlined — journalists have access to daily booking records, so they can get started building their stories almost immediately.

    • spujb@lemmy.cafeOPEnglish
      1510·
      6 months ago

      Definitely a significant part of it, but like everything it’s not 100% of the story of course, low incomes and mental health being other primary factors.

      • PugJesus@lemmy.worldEnglish
        263·
        6 months ago

        I dunno, I mean, anyone who listens to the gossip 'round a medium-sized town has crazy stories to tell. Florida is obviously not in great straits mental-health-services wise, but Florida Man is exceptionally visible above all, rather than exceptionally crazy.

        Also, gators are a fun and unusual addition to any news item.

        • spujb@lemmy.cafeOPEnglish
          123·
          6 months ago

          I agree—but unless I am mistaken Florida is far from the only state to have sunshine laws. Hence why I think it’s important to note that a confluence of factors are involved, not just mental health either but also climate (hot temperatures make people more aggressive), natural disaster, limited access to drug abuse treatment, voter suppression, low income and similar. :)