Boca Raton Stereotypes
I started writing this blog by discussing how Boca Raton has been maligned as a city of affluent snobs. In the last few weeks, two other Boca Raton stereotypes have been addressed to me. First, that only elderly persons live in Boca and second that everyone in town is originally from New York.
With regard to the issue of age, certainly Boca Raton has its share of older individuals. There are, however, plenty of children populating our ever expanding schools and in fact Boca now has four public high schools and numerous private high schools. All these children have parents who presumably are not among the elderly. Young people continue to move to Boca for the same reasons as everyone else, notably climate and lifestyle. It is disparaging to ignore the young and middle aged and paint Boca only as a community of feeble elderly citizens.
The second stereotype, which is that of the transplanted New Yorker, also has negative connotations. The implication is that New Yorkers are aggressive and obnoxious. I do not think it is appropriate to label individuals and/or an entire town in this fashion. Not only is the stereotype prejudicial but I think the statement is also inaccurate. There are plenty of people in Boca who came from the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic, the Northeast, the South, foreign countries and even some native Floridians like me.
I resent constantly being type cast because of the fact I live in Boca Raton. As I said in my first blog, a broad spectrum of individuals lives in Boca. There are soccer moms, retirees scraping by on Social Security, working professionals, families on welfare, college students, Democrats, Republicans, people of all religious faiths – in short, a true community of people who chose to make their home here. The Boca stereotypes are negative shortcuts made so that people do not have to know the true individuals in our town.
Let's not let people get away with such broad generalizations. Next time you hear one of these comments be sure to remind the speaker that their comments are not flattering and most likely not true. Boca Raton is a great place to live and deserves a stellar, not stereotyped, reputation.
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Comments
You certainly didn't help the stereotype with your blogging about how important it was to YOU that your daughter wear her contacts so she would look good, and do good in "water polo". Hmmm. Important to look good and play well in an upper-class trendy sport ? Now who's a stereotype ?
Posted by: Jeff | March 6, 2008 8:26 AM
Hmmmm.... It is your right, I suppose, and I respect that, but interesting how you don't show comments made on your blogs. Or am I the only one that comments, and I offend you ?
Posted by: Jeff | March 7, 2008 10:01 AM
Lori: I'm a native Floridian, I wnet to High School In Boca, my younger brother went to elementry, Jr. and Sr. Hogh School in Boca. I to resent the sterotype that Boca is full of older aggressive and obnoxious New Yorkers. Because "Boca" really isn't. However,West Boca Is! And these unbelieveable rude, me first at all costs, self centered NY trolls are ruining this town for the rest of us!!!.
Posted by: William | March 9, 2008 9:54 AM
you forgot to mention the illegal immigrants who cannot drive to save their lives or others for that matter
Posted by: zach | March 11, 2008 7:23 PM
Hi,
I would like to get in touch with Lori Berman in regards to the branding of Boca Raton. How can I find her contact information? Thank you!
Posted by: Desiré Salazar | March 17, 2008 11:25 AM
Interesting article. FAU's undergraduate growth has been stymied by this stereotype as well.
We wish Boca Raton would acknowledge and support its substantial college student population (FAU, PBCC, DMAC and Lynn students) because we're here, we're proud and we contribute to the local economy just like everyone else.
Yet there are very few stores or entertainment venues that cater to us; any idea that resembles a concept from a "college town" seems to be immediately shot down as something that would reflect poorly on the community.
There is no main street with bars and clubs for us to walk down and enjoy nightlife. There is no venue for rock concerts. They don't want us to build a football stadium and they won't even let us put FAU banners on the streetlights along Glades on land we own.
Yet FAU provides art galleries, guest speakers, plays, orchestras and Pops shows in the Student Union, lifelong learning classes and a spectacular July 4th fireworks show to the citizens of Boca Raton.
So why do Boca residents continue to disregard the universities and the needs of its students? It's really unfair.
Posted by: Alan, proud FAU student | March 23, 2008 4:08 PM
I have to agree that Boca is a diversified city. But it gets drowned out by the transplanted Northern Women. They are rude and pushy, demanding and cheap. One cannot engage in normal conversation with many Boca women. They force you to be rude and self defensive. I find them condenscending and arrogant. As do most of the people who must deal with them.
Posted by: Dont cross into Boca | June 27, 2008 6:10 PM