The irony resides entirely in the numerous brass elephants which adorn the outer surface of the bar counter. There they rest, worn smooth by the unconscious movement of a thousand forearms, shirt sleeves, jackets, and glass bottles. Despite how absurdly out of place each one is, they remain entirely transparent. Transparent in the sense, that they refuse immediate recognition. Yet, when the moment occurs, interest is undoubtedly perpetuated.
Oh…The broken nature of their appearance, and the irony embedded in the signifiers for which they are associated. Immediately, they embody the animated Republican forefront realized during grade school education. The association is both immediate and overwhelmingly unintentional. Yet, the dissipation of intention propels the interest.
With politics comes the inevitability of fiscal policies. Tax cuts, national debt, war costs, and so on. These peculiar ornaments recall that which is familiar both to economic policy and the city itself…decisions to make welfare cuts during the Bush and Reagan administrations. The New Miami (1977-1980) seemed to respond to these cuts directly. It closed during this time period, after being fire bombed. The owners did not have the economic resources necessary to rebuild it after the fire. One is left wondering if the brass elephants were placed there as a response to this event. Equally as familiar is the absurd racism that errupted from the pronounced failures of political representatives to understand the actuality of the situation. The situation is accentuated by Reagan’s infamously bad decision to address the problem as “welfare queens driving cadillacs.” Here, the mask was pulled away, and the interests of the “White” House identified.
With their trunks, the brass elephants hold the railing around the bar counter. As if to say, this is where you should be, make it there on your own. As if holding the bar up, as a standard for others.
As one stands and moves forward to order another drink, the retaliation pronounces itself. The stand, in both senses has been made. As if the railing was placed at that height in order to subject the elephant, and thus Republican political decisions. Beyond their expectations, we tower like giants and order our drinks.
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