by: John Rodriguez
Do you know what Urban Beach Week is? Well, the people of Miami, Florida do. Considered to be one of the largest Urban Festivals in the world, Urban Beach Week is 4 day event which around 300,000 to 350,000 participants travel to South Beach. And according to the event’s website it, “caters toward the Hip Hop Generation from 23 and over.”
The event started 7 years ago as an Urban Fashion Week, it was a small urban fashion show for people who wanted something to do during Memorial Day Weekend in Miami. The event eventually caught the attention of urban clothing companies like FUBU and other brand names who wanted an outlet to show off their latest lines.
Soon the event attracted recording artists and record labels, which eventually turned the small event into a much larger one attracting over 250,000 in 2000. The numbers has risen since then. It is the growing attendance rate that has some of Miami Beach’s residents up in arms.
Mayoral candidate of Miami Beach, Steve Berke has commented on the event and its impact on the community, “Every year, for the last 10 years, Memorial Day weekend has been invaded by thugs and unruly visitors that have caused a number of public safety and financial problems that our current city leaders have been unable to solve,” and Berke isn’t the only one allegedly against the event, he goes on to say that residents of Miami Beach, “routinely lock themselves in their homes or travel to other cities to escape the carnage that is always associated with Urban Beach Week.”
While residents and Berke share a alleged similar feeling against the Urban Beach Week event, the city leaders and the current Mayor Mattie Bower have made public statements that they cannot do anything about the event. Mayor Bower has stated “there is nothing we can do.” But Berke disagrees, “There is plenty that can be done and I intend on making Veterans Beach Week a reality by next year.”
Berke’s plan would have the support of Miami Beach’s Convention Center, restaurants, nightclubs, and hotel to cater to Miami Beach’s Veterans Beach Week which will be an event held throughout the city that supports and promotes Veterans. “My plan includes creating a city oversight committee to supervise, plan and promote each years’ ongoing Veterans Beach Week and help discourage the Urban Beach Week activities as much as possible, while promoting local hotel and merchant discounts for Veterans.”
While the propose plan does promote the importance of Memorial Day by representing and honoring our Veterans, is there some form of prejudice being had against the Urban Beach Week due to the large of gathering of youths. Particular youths who differ in the color of their skin. Yes, the event has drawn some violence but should the actions of some bring an end to an event which is enjoyed by others? The proposed plan doesn’t appear to be one created out of true honorable motive but one to buffer out a “nuisance.” At least, those seeking to bring an end to Urban Beach Week come forth and state their purpose.
