| For those Key Rats outside of the higher and purest order of the Key
Rat community, the term Key Rat still applies yet the higher order will
not recognize those as 'true' Key Rats. They will be known as a bunch
of "mice". "Mice" actually are Key Rats that didn't make the
grade. There is a staggering attrition rate, especially with women and
girls in general due to the grueling brutal demands of the initiation
process. A live action Rat Cam caught these two Key Rats (photo on
right) sweeping a Ratlette (feminine version of Rat) into a waiting Ratmobile
to commence the ceremonial rituals to determine her worthiness. It
should be noted that this particular Ratlette has proven her worthiness
and is currently in the runoffs for the highly coveted Key Rat Excellence
in Rathood and Lifetime Achievement Certification. |
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Historically the term 'Key Rat' as a term to describe a person who
lived on Key Biscayne dates back to the 1950's just a few years after the
bridge was completed. As homes were being built on the Key and people
were moving here, it was soon noticed that after heavy heavy rains, tropical
storms, or hurricanes, Key Biscayne flooded. Since much of Key Biscayne
was a coconut plantation during that time, and Rats like to eat coconuts,
there were alot of drowned dead Rats laying or floating around after these
floods. County workers were sent to the Key to clean up and remove
all of the dead Rats after these storms. Part of their job description
was to remove all of the 'Key' rats. |
In the 1950's when the Mackle Brother's construction company
was trying to sell houses here, they made small affordable homes that most
military veterans could afford especially with VA loan assistance.
The island was at first inhabited by 'working families' whose children
attended very hot classrooms. In 1951, Coral Gables High School was first
integrated with people who did not live in Coral Gables. Coral Gables
was where the 'upper class' lived. Key Biscayne was the first community
to bus their students to Coral Gables High School. Their was some
resentment that the 'upper class' had to mingle with those 'Key Rats'.
Thanks to our fine public education system, today Coral Gables High is
avoided entirely if at all possible as an educational institution. |
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