This morning, while preparing for the day, I became distracted by a 2-hour long 2006 documentary (directed by Billy Corben) on the Investigation Discovery channel called “Cocaine Cowboys,” which spotlights the violent Miami drug wars of the 1970′s and 1980′s. For bad or for worse, it is a very intriguing study. It charts the shift from marijuana to cocaine (which became the most popular drug in America). The documentary includes top-tier drug runners and hit-men who recalled working for decadent and violent female drug lord, Griselda Blanco (Godmother of the Colombian trade). The most compelling aspect of the documentary outlines how the drug trade went back into Miami’s infrastructure and stimulated its economy making it one of the country’s hottest vacation spots to be and be seen. Which prompted politicians and law enforcement officials to turn a blind eye to the trade, until it started becoming increasingly violent. I believe this fact made the drug trade a dualistic entity in Miami (illicit yet an economic powerhouse during that time)…

This enlightened blogger isn’t offering up a film review or critique of the drug policy of 1970′s/80′s Miami at all… I’m simply waxing philosophic about how aware I’ve become since being commissioned to help work on relaying the behind-the-scenes action of Flipside. I came of age in the 80′s during the height of the Reagan administration’s “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign, so I’ve always had some semblance of knowledge about the War on Drugs campaign and its impact on communities however, until working with  Flipside and having a glimpse into its whole process, it was never something at the forefront of my mind… I probably would’ve glossed right over this documentary in search of something a little more … superficial to bide my time while getting dressed or drinking my coffee.

All of this is just to say… at the very least… Folks should come to catch the last five shows during Flipside‘s run to prompt them into actually paying attention to drug policy. Everyone… in some way, shape, or form has been impacted or know someone who has been, by the drug war and how it affects their respective neighborhoods. HartBeat Ensemble has taken a unique and entertaining approach to encourage us … the audience… to become more aware, sans proselytizing, catechizing, or patronizing us. I never would have considered the magnitude of the system or its policy before seeing the making of and subsequent manifestation of Flipside.  There aren’t very many shows left. Take the opportunity…

For more perspective on Flipside, listen to Julia Rosenblatt on Hartford IMC’s  show, RadioActive