Absolutes Quote by William Finnegan
“Rich white people show up in a poor country to pursue their leisure-time fun, get served by black and brown people, and live in relative - or absolute - comfort. In the water, that situation can get turned on its head, though. Local kids learn to surf, know the breaks, and take most or all of the best waves, fuming turistas be damned.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Surfing the World”, The New Yorker, 2015
Tourism can invert power dynamics, allowing locals to dominate spaces traditionally dominated by outsiders.
In simple terms: Locals can reclaim spaces from tourists.
Key Takeaway
Respect local expertise and share spaces equitably.
Themes
culture
tourism
power
environment
Mood
critical
empathetic
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- surfing spots
- beach economies
- community events
Key Concepts
postcolonial theory
environmental justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can tourists support local communities responsibly?
- What are the limits of local control?
A Different Perspective
Tourists may still dominate despite local knowledge.
![“Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec3/vladimir-putin-261_absolutes_their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolu_10791.jpg)
