09/29/2014 Florida Crossroads – Paradise Lost: Florida’s Segregated Beaches and Parks

Not long ago, the signs of the segregated South- “White Only” and “Colored Only” -applied to just about every aspect of life. Florida’s world famous seashores, riverbanks and lakeside properties were not exempt.  While they were never “separate but equal”, the colored beaches and parks throughout the state were scenic and served as an oasis in a world of oppression and racism. These parks beckoned people of color to relax and unite; however, as African Americans began to experience the equalities brought about by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, many say they lost what was uniquely theirs. In Paradise Lost: Florida’s Segregated Beaches and Parks, we explore efforts to rediscover and preserve some of these historic places.