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Tolerance

Arts & Culture | Outdoor Life | Nightlife & Recreation | Tolerance

Give Me A “T”...

In “The Rise of the Creative Class,” Richard Florida talks about the importance of what he calls “the three Ts” – talent, technology and tolerance.

Talent means creating, attracting and retaining smart people; technology, building on key strengths by investing in innovation and tolerance – being a community that welcomes new people and ideas, and fosters cultural richness and diversity.

Savannah, shaded by its thick Spanish moss, is often viewed from the surface as a quintessential Southern town. But if you pull back a branch or two for a closer look, you’ll see a city thriving off of its international influences and deep-rooted culture. Through the preservation of communities like the celebrated Gullah and Geechee culture – Africa’s last link to the America’s – to advocates like the L’Alliance de Francaise de Savannah, the Italian, German, and Pulaski Heritage Societies, as well as the Savannah Council on World Affairs, Savannah has been able to cultivate the global roots that run deeper and spread farther than those of our stately oak trees.

Savannah’s progressive acceptance and outlook are not new – Savannah is home to the third oldest Jewish congregation in America and played a significant role in the early civil rights movement throughout the 1950’s and 60’s. Congregation Mickve Israel is located on Monterey Square in the Historic District while the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum is also centrally located downtown. A very diverse group of people have always participated in and contributed to Savannah’s colorful history.

Our community and the festivals and events we host are representative of a wide range of nationalities, religions, cultures and lifestyles. Influences abound form the Greek, Scottish, and Irish families who still call Savannah home. Cultural and community-based activities go on all year long – from our HUGE St. Patrick’s Day Parade, to the Broughton Street International Festival, to the growing annual Savannah Pride Festival.

Hey, even famous ghosts are welcome here! And with our forward thinking local government, progressive business sector and knack for being “just South of ordinary,” you too will find a snug fit in our idiosyncratic town.