The Miami Experience

A work of fiction based on actual events that occurred, which the author experienced, in 1980, that are relevant in society today. Some of the experienced issues encountered were racism, immigration, drugs, and homelessness, as well as spending time with professional athletes, going to concerts and of course young love. Riots were triggered by the acquittal of five police officers for the murder of a black man. All this happening and being witnessed by four teenagers, from a small town in Pennsylvania, in a short time in the young city, in great turmoil, of Miami. The narrator was led to understand these social issues by what he perceived to be a beautiful older girl. Many, if not all of these social issues remain forty years later. Why?

A work of fiction based on actual events that occurred in Miami in the spring of 1980. The story begins however, a year and a half earlier in Ames, Iowa when the narrator visits his brother, by himself at 15, at Iowa State University. This trip ensures his allowance by his mother to later, with three friends visit his sister in Miami. There he first encounters a Hall of Fame baseball player who, through his career broke race barriers and through conversation raises the narrator's awareness of racism, rioting and the need for change. As the story progresses a beautiful friend of the narrator's sister befriends him and also raises his awareness of homelessness, immigration, drugs, racism and sex. Riots are triggered by the acquittal of five Miami police officers for the murder of a black man. Rioting also erupts due to the immigration of the Cubans. Cocaine was a seven billion dollar industry flooding the financial institutions. The story bounces from 1980 to today questioning why society has not moved forward and quite possibly has retreated.

Born and raised in Milton, Pa. Educated in New York, New Jersey, Nebraska and received a degree in studio art from Bloomsburg Unv. in Pa. This is his first work of fiction.