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.
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.
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. :)