Hurricane Beryl to Impact Jamaica Likely as Category 4

Hurricane Beryl has ballooned into a Category 5 Hurricane in the Atlantic as it passed Las Antillas Menores (the Lesser Antilles) affecting islands like Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and much more. As projections come, we expect Hurricane Beryl to weaken into a Category 4 hurricane by tomorrow.

Barbados saw destructive winds and flooding through various coastal towns as Las Antillas Menores continued being bombarded by strong winds. St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada have also been heavily affected. An estimated three people have been tragically killed as a result of the destruction. Estimates record the damage throughout Las Antillas Menores as over $1 billion. Reports suggest the super-majority of residential dwellings in Union Island (St. Vincent and Grenadines) are destroyed.

As we proceed into the midweek, Hurricane Beryl will weaken, and it is expected that Jamaica will be hit by Category 4 winds as it may weaken over the island into Category 3. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness reassured the public to prepare themselves and be ready for Hurricane Beryl. Haiti and the Dominican Republic are on high alert; the Cayman Islands are also preparing as they are next on Beryl's track after Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl has already broken records as the earliest Category 5 hurricane in history!

Gadsden County: The Latinization of the Black-Majority County In Florida

Gadsden County, Florida, shares a unique perspective, unlike most other places in Florida. As the sole black-majority county in the state, its history intertwined with Spanish expansionism and aggressive American colonization. Its population size hasn’t changed much since the 1960s, with a black population percentage of around 62-66% over thirty years. Yet, as immigration policies falter and as Latinos get more status in the United States, this may drastically change the future of Gadsden County’s reputation as the only black-majority county in Florida. Considering floridanophobia promoted by the media, other ethnic groups are moving to Florida.

Latinos have been in the United States for several hundred years due to the colonization of Spain of the Americas and the mixing of different racial and ethnic groups. Although, in the United States, they weren’t always labeled Latinos or Hispanics. In the context of race, it may be difficult to determine someone’s race within the confines of the American racial system. The systems in place remain incapable of adequately defining, characterizing, or registering Latino and Hispano people. With that said, continuing with its current iteration in the eyes of the United States census, the population of Latinos and Hispanos in Gadsden County is increasing dramatically.

From the 2000 Census to the 2020 Census, the population of Latinos or Hispanos in Florida has almost doubled. Latinos represent 11.6% of the population compared to 6.2% in the 2020 Census for Gadsden County. With the population of Latinos increasing and the population of those who identify as Black or African-American decreasing, it is likely that Gadsden County, Florida, will lose its black-majority title in the next census in 2030. It will be a shift and a culture change for the people in Gadsden County. This may be a concern for black American activists who likely react with blackalgia against other minorities with different perspectives on race.

Floridanophobia Unmasked: The Disconnect Between Democrats and Floridanos

By Luis Albert Rosales

OPINION—Democrats have attempted to shame Florida with their floridanophobia, but that will not stop Florida from succeeding as a state. In their attempts to villainize Florida within the Latino community in the United States, Latinos in Florida are speaking out. Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Peruvians are rejecting the narrative that Florida is an unsafe place for Latinos or minority immigrants. Floridanos are taking a stand.

Florida was one of the first regions in the Americas conquered by Spain (known as Spanish Florida or La Florida); there is this historical association that many Latinos have for Florida. Other than Florida's connection to Spain, Latinos from the Caribbean, Caribeños, have also settled here and call this region their home. Ron DeSantis has been open to discussions with the Latino community as he has had many with minority Republicans within the State of Florida. Democrats have used immigration as a fearmongering tactic for decades, but it does reveal something about Democrats.

Democrats are culturally removed from the Latino community when there are cultural jabs at our customs, such as referring to Latinos as Latinx, undermining our stances on the economy, or insulting our catholic faith (most Latinos are Catholic). So disconnected as they are, they affirm that they have our best interests in their hearts. Ideally, we would desire to think so; however, the Democrats only rely on Latinos when it is election season, and if we do vote for them and they succeed, the economic results don't change for us.

Although Florida may have issues, most of them do not stem from corruption, authoritarianism, or police brutality. Florida has a unique perspective on managing the economy and its people. It is the America First mindset; Floridanos have a "Florida First" mindset. As we discussed cultural perspectives, the Floridano perspective differs from most American liberals. Although mainstream political pundits in the Democratic Party would affirm to make Florida more like California, specifically San Francisco, the people here, including Latinos, are taking a stand against Democrats.

When Democrats spread dread about how Florida is a horrible place, saying that Latinos should fear Republicans in Florida and telling Latinos they should reject their faith due to the rejection of conservatism—that is odd. It is unwarranted.

My time experiencing the political struggles and the economic rollercoaster in Florida has been great. In over twenty years in Florida, Ron DeSantis is the best governor I've ever lived under. It is odd for Democrats to lecture me regarding how horrible Florida is as a Latino who lives here. It reminds me that sometimes I need to put my phone down, disregard the ignorant political and racial views of people in some tower in New York City or some progressive newsroom in San Francisco, and enjoy the roller coasters right in front of me or the beaches an hour away.

They fear Latinos who may have an excellent opinion about Florida that contradicts many mainstream news media outlets. From 2000 to 2020, the population of Latinos and Hispanos increased by 3 million, according to the United States Census. The percentage of Latinos by population in Florida has increased for every census that has recorded Latinos and Hispanos. Considering this information, if the notion that Florida is racist and not safe for Latinos is prevalent in some Democrat circles, we may have to ask why Latinos would like to live in the State of Florida.

Two philosophies come to mind. If we are to take the narrative from Democrats seriously, then we can assume Latinos who live here don't care. Yet, the likely answer is that Latinos don't feel this heightened level of fear in the State of Florida because the government and Republicans are not a threat to most Latinos who live here. Both can be true—fair.

Now, we cannot tolerate floridanophobia. It is irrational and manipulative to push propaganda to scare young Latinos about what goes on in Florida. If that is the agenda that Democrats want to assert about my state, then I have no reason to take them earnestly.