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FRIDAY, November 6, 2020 VOL. 136, NO. 4
BIDEN LEADING IN SWING STATES,
NEARS 270 ELECTORAL VOTES Sophia M. Gonzalez News Editor As Joe Biden closes in on 270 Electoral College votes, currently leading Georgia, Pennsylvania and Nevada, the U.S. braces itself for the election results. Polls across the board predicted that presidential candidate Joe Biden would easily lead the election across the map with 122 toss up votes on the line, but election night told a different story as current President Donald Trump closed in on the gap for a neck-to-neck race for the White House. “I did not expect how tight this race would be,” vice president of FSC College Democrats Kaitlynn Swanbeck said. “I was much more optimistic about it going into the day yesterday.” Early polls predicted that Florida, Texas, Iowa, Ohio, North Carolina and Georgia were going to be toss up states, according to Taegan Goddard’s electoral vote map, which are crucial for Trump’s path to reelection. Early pre-election polls showed that Biden was favored in Florida and Pennsylvania, but between Nov. 3 and 4, Trump won the votes in most of the predicted toss up states. “So far at 12:14 a.m. on election night, the election is going pretty much as I was assuming,” FSC president of college republicans Kalin Abernathy said. “Trump is leading in the majority of states left and Biden would have to switch those to have a chance.” “Florida, we didn’t win it,” Trump said when he addressed the nation shortly after winning Texas, Florida and Ohio. “We won it by a lot. We won the great state of Ohio. We won Texas.” Although forecasts put Biden officially in the lead late in the night of Nov. 3 and throughout Nov. 4, Trump was leading in key deciding states in their initial tallies. These states include Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina, but forecasters warned that those were just the early votes. According to the Associated Press News electoral map, Biden was able to secure the ‘blue wall’ and the state of Arizona. He would need to either maintain his lead in the state of Nevada or flip either Pennsylvania or Georgia. North Carolina and Alaska will most likely remain red. “We are up BIG, but they are trying to STEAL the Election,” Trump tweeted at 12 a.m. on Nov. 4 in a since restricted tweet. “We will never let them do it. Votes cannot be cast after the Polls are closed!” He is most likely referring to states such as Pennsylvania, who started counting their mail-in ballots on election day, and it might
SOCIAL MEDIA
“I did not expect how tight this race would be.”
take a few days to count the votes and declare the winner of the 20 electoral votes. This can be frustrating for members of both parties since this is such a close election, but there is no indication that any votes were cast after polls closed. Some states experienced difficulties with printing issues or had trouble openings in the early morning hours, which means that they went to court in order to expand voting time hours, as federal mandate “We were winning everything and all of a sudden, it was just called off,” Trump said when he addressed the nation. Biden maintained a positive outlook despite the tightness of the election. “I am here to tell you tonight, we believe we’re on track to win this election,” Biden said. “We knew because of the unprecedented early vote and the mail-in vote, it’s gonna take a while. We’re gonna have to be patient until the hard work of tallying votes is finished, and it ain’t over until every vote is counted, every ballot is counted.” Watch Trump’s and Biden’s Nov. 4 respective address to the nation at PBS NewsHour. During late hours on Nov. 4 and early morning of Nov. 5, protestors stand outside voting precincts where votes are being counted as votes are being counted. In Maricopa County Arizona, Trump supporters shout “count the votes” while in Detroit, Michigan, they’re shouting to “stop the count.” As of Nov. 4, Trump filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and asked for a Wisconsin recount. The AP News map’s current standings show that Democrats have secured 204 House seats and Republicans have 190 seats. In order to have a majority one party has to claim at least 218 seats, and 2 of those seats are for independent candidates. Fifty-one seats need to be filled for a majority in the senate, which currently projects Republicans with 48 seats and Democrats with 46. When the final votes will be counted is still unknown, and depending on the outcome, the results might be contested.
-Kaitlynn Swanbeck, VP College Democrats
More election coverage on pages 4-5
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The Southern NOVEMBER 6, 2020
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NEWS
Pence holds rally in Lakeland ahead of election day Salvatore Ambrosino Staff Writer “This is the county of Grady Judd for God’s sake,” Senate candidate Danny Burgess said. “People should look to Polk for guidance.” Dual rallies were hosted at Lakeland’s Linder International Airport (LAL) and Lake Mirror, featuring a rotation of conservative speakers on Oct. 24. Vice President Mike Pence’s touchdown address at LAL was part of the GOP’s greater hit-and-run reprisal to win over
“In this election, it’s not going to be whether America ends up more republican or democrat, more conservative or more liberal, more red or more blue,” Pence said to roughly 1,000 supporters at LAL. “I think the choice is whether America remains America.”
recovery and a Biden depression,” Pence said, emboldening the administration’s fiscal COVID-19 recovery. Pence cited a Stanford economic study, which found that Biden’s economic policy would cost 4.9 million American jobs and reduce the average household’s income by
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“In this election, it’s not going to be whether America ends up more republican or democrat, more conservative or more liberal, more red or more blue. I think the choice is whether America remains America.”
- Vice President Mike Pence the battleground state of Florida for presidential incumbent Donald Trump. Pence’s more aggressive campaign style, which his chief-of-staff stated includes rallying up to three times a day, preceded the Presidential Election by only a week and a half.
Photo by Salvatore Ambrosino
Mike Pence campaings on behalf of the Republican party, in efforts to increase election day voting turnout. The half-hour pitch by Pence focused on confronting the Biden administration. The Vice President mainly concerned his audience with the Trump administration’s route to reopening State economies, slashing adversarial policy, defending the President’s conservative judicial appointments and SCOTUS justice nominee Amy Coney Barett. “I really believe it’s between a Trump
$6,500. “Over the next ten days, you got to ask your family members and neighbors, and your friends this question,” Pence said. “Who do you really think can bring this economy all the way back?” Recalling a two-year-old Court of Appeals confirmation, Pence criticized a comment made by Dianne Feinsein of California, the leading Democrat on
the senate Judiciary committee, calling Barret’s Catholic faith into question. “She said, and I quote, ‘the dogma lives loudly within you,’ and Hollywood elites have already criticized Judge Barrett’s faith and her convictions,” Pence said. “I got news for democrats and their friends in Hollywood. That dogma lives loudly in me.” Before boarding Air Force 2 to Tallahassee, Pence urged supporters in Lakeland to vote. “First and foremost, I need you to vote, Florida,” Pence said. “Vote to re-elect President Donald Trump.” Pence recognized and proceeded incumbent speaker Greg Steube of congressional district 17, endorsing House candidate Scott Franklin and Senate candidate Danny Burgess. “We are Americans and we are at our absolute best when we are face-to-face with the absolute worst every single time,” Burgess said. Burgess, along with the other candidates running for either election or re-election praised resident President Donald Trump and his bid for re-election in the state of Florida. “We know the silent majority is going to come out strong,” congressional district 15 candidate Franklin said. The congressmen also praised Polk County’s leadership in the heat of the race for House and Senate majority. “This is the county of Grady Judd for God’s sake,” Burgess said, appraising the County Sheriff. “People should look to Polk for guidance.”
Candidates battled for Florida votes last minute Salvatore Ambrosino Staff Writer Dueling rallies were held over a 12-hour timeline around Tampa Bay on Oct. 29 as President Donald Trump and political adversary Joe Biden competed for the Bay area’s electorate five days from the general election. The coinciding rallies battle for an electorate population in Hillsborough County of slightly under 1 million. The Bay area makes up roughly 14% of Florida voters, causing it to be one of the most compact voter-rich campaign tracts to swing the state’s electoral votes favorably. At the end of a day-long marathon of pundit speakers, local leaders and electrified campaigning, supporters of both Biden and Trump met on the ground to clash for their candidate following close assemblies. “We are doing incredibly in Florida,” Trump said to a majorly mask-less audience, arriving just after 2 p.m. outside of Raymond James Stadium, “we are creating the biggest Red Wave in the history of our country.” Emboldening the strength of his presidential campaign, Trump repelled recent polling averages that had him falling behind in his residential state of Florida. “And this isn’t based on polls,” Trump said. “This is based on fact, this is based on votes that are coming in.” Trump’s supporters embraced the 87-degree weather throughout the duration of the 7-hour event. Tampa Fire Rescue
reported responding to 17 medical calls during the rally, at least a dozen of those requiring hospitalization for further medical treatment. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis even requested a medivac while on stage for a collapsing supporter when members of the crowd called for help. A fire truck sprayed water over the crowd waiting for the president in the intense heat.
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“According to the polls, which I am sure are real polls, we are now beating the Democrats for the first time ever with HispanicAmerican voters.”
- President Donald Trump
“Are they doing that on purpose,” Trump said upon his arrival. “Friend or foe? Let’s find out if they’re friend or foe, and if they’re foe let’s take care of those son-ofa-bitches.” Trump’s 90-minute appeal in Florida included pollster bragging rights, and regularly taking aim at socialism, the media and presidential rival Biden. Despite the majority of national polls projecting a Biden lead amongst Latinx voters, Trump cited an unnamed poll
which rated him higher than a Democratic candidate for the first time in history. “According to the polls I’m sure which are real polls,” Trump said. “We are now beating the Democrats for the first time ever with Hispanic-Americans.” The president zoned in on his own press pit, which was subject to harassment and hostile chants from the crowd throughout the rally. “Ninety-four percent of the stories about us are negative,” Trump said, pointing at the cameras. “Sixty-four percent of stories about sleepy Joe are positive, how the hell do you write a positive story about this guy.” Trump went on to run-down socialism, condemning it within his presidency. “This election will decide whether our children will be condemned to the misery of socialism or whether they inherit the glorious legacy of American freedom,” Trump said. Trump tore into Biden in multiple areas. “For half a century, Joe Biden has been outsourcing jobs,” Trump said. “Opening your borders and sacrificing American blood and treasure in endless foreign wars.” Presidential rival and former Vice President Joe Biden held an opposing rally on Thursday addressing voters in the contest for Florida 10 miles away at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Sen. Janet Cruz warmed up the invitational, asking members of the crowd to spread out. Members of the crowd booed Trump’s
earlier rally after it was acknowledged by Florida Rep. Kathy Castor. “Don’t boo,” Castor said. “We don’t agonize about it. We organize.” Biden’s rally was shut down by a patented Tampa Bay rainstorm an hour after starting, allowing Biden only enough time to briefly rip into his Republican counterpart. “They’re spreading more than the coronavirus,” Biden said. “They’re spreading division.” Some of Biden’s supporters that were turned away at the gates stayed to verse an amassed group of right-wing rally crashers outside of the state fairgrounds. A frenzy of waving flags and partisan allies lined and opposed each other across highway 301, just off the ramp to I4. The deadlock went on for the next hour, as supporters from both Biden and Trump rallies arrived unleashing car-honks and cadences. As police presence intensified, so did the megaphones. “Four more years,” clashed with chants of “Go joe go,” both sides encroaching upon the road adjacent to the invite-only Biden rally. Some from both sides ran across the busy highway to confront their political adversaries, protected by highway patrol units directing traffic. No arrests were reported to have come from the highway conflict. As of Nov. 3, President Trump held the majority vote in the state of Florida, a battle ground state in the 2020 election.
3 The Southern NOVEMBER 6, 2020
2020 vs 2016: differences in election Grace Newton Entertainment Editor
While the 2020 Presidential Election candidates may give voters a sense of déjà vu, this election is not the same as the one in 2016. In 2016, the decision between Trump and Clinton was often viewed as choosing the “lesser of the two evils.” With neither candidate fitting squarely into their party’s ideology, no one knew who would emerge victorious on Election Day. The effects on independent voters were unpredictable. Clinton’s record did not work in her favor, and she was under investigation from the FBI at the time. Meanwhile, Trump was virtually unknown as a politician; he had no record to go off of. This year, Trump and Biden still do not necessarily fit within their own parties; on the contrary, members of both parties refuse to endorse and vote for their own candidates, and the “lesser of two evils” idea made a reappearance. However, this race pits two candidates that are in extremely different positions against each other. Trump is running as an incumbent. He has four years of experience to run on, which can be both good and bad, depending on the voter’s views. For some, his record alone will give him their votes. For others, that same record sends them in the other direction. He began his reelection campaign unusually early in 2018, and was soon established as the Republican candidate for 2020. Technically, he is undefeated; however, it could be argued that this merely shows a lack of experience compared to his opponent. The extreme nature of his policies has also discouraged members of his own party. Biden has his own political record, including experience as Vice President. He is generally considered more likeable than Clinton, and his more moderate views are less likely to alarm voters. But his long record may also deter voters, as he has also experienced many losses,
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Careers and Continuing Education has remained dedicated to helping students prepare for upcoming internships and their career after college. “It’s been a rather adventurous time in higher education,” said Christina Inglassia, Director of Career Development at Florida Southern College. “We like to listen to the needs of our students. When the virus first hit we moved everything virtual to help students have easy access to us. We decided in the fall semester to keep this format so anyone, whether they are on campus, commuting, or staying at home can use our services.” The Career Center helps develop skills such as networking, building resumes and cover letters, and getting jobs and internships. These are all offered in ways such as Webinars, workshops, and oneon-one career counseling that not only help FSC students now, but in their future careers as well. “I always encourage students to think of [the Career Center] as your personal
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Dominic Mottola Photo courtesy of David Aranda
Both presidential election candidates pictured above, current President Donald Trump (on the right) and former Vice President Joseph Biden (on the left). including two previous presidential runs. Biden also has the disadvantage of only having an ensured nomination for the last six months. Until then, the Democratic Party was still divided, and some are still unsure about him as a choice. However, he evidently has a large support system, as he emerged victorious in a primary that contained up to 29 candidates. Candidates aside, the election process itself also has an immense difference. With the COVID-19 pandemic, mail-in voting is becoming more of a norm. It could result in more votes, and the concept has been highly disputed between the political parties, with Trump repeatedly speaking against it, fearing that this could lead to high levels of manipulation. “This is going to be like a fraud you’ve never seen,” the president said. Early voting marks another difference. According to data by the United States Election Project, the votes a week before Election Day 2020 already exceeded half the total of 2016. “As of Tuesday afternoon more than 69.5 million Americans had already mailed in their ballots or voted early in person, according to the data compiled by the project,” Michael Cooper wrote in an
article for “The New York Times.” “That is 50.4 percent of the total number of votes that were counted during the entire 2016 election.” That is usually the time candidates have tried to convince swing states in their favor.Four years ago, both Trump and Clinton spent a significant time in Florida, especially during the final stretch as it was considered a “must-win” state. Trump and Biden did the same this time, but a week in advance, Florida already had two-thirds of its votes completed, limiting how much candidates can do in the final stretch. They have also lost valuable time and capabilities in the process; rallies were impossible for months, and Trump’s testing positive for COVID-19 put him out of commission for a couple of weeks: an essential amount of time in an election. “As a campaign, it is completely against every instinct you have: no fund-raising and no big events,” Ohio Democrat Party chairman David Cook said. The 2016 and 2020 elections have their similarities, but they also incorporate some radically different factors. Campaign capabilities, strategies and unforeseen circumstances all contribute to show us that 2020 is not 2016.
FSC career center works to help students Jameson Champion Staff Writer
FEATURES
business coach.” Inglassia said. “It’s good to have a business coach that knows you and your specific goals, and is working with you to help you achieve those goals.” To help with internships, the Office of Careers and Continuing Education has also partnered with Handshake, sending students emails about various internship
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“We decided in the fall semester to keep this format so anyone, whether they are on campus, commuting, or staying at home can use our services.” -Christina Inglassia, Director of Career Development
opportunities for students to take. The Career Center works diligently to hold many events and help students develop necessary skills for finding careers. In September, an e-sports themed panel was hosted featuring panelists from across the industry, and in October the Career Center hosted an event entitled
‘Building Your Network Before You Need It’, featuring panelists such as Aprille Trupiano, a Peace Ambassador for the United Nations. “Our events serve as better ways to get in contact with Career Center staff,” Inglassia said. “We serve students as a comprehensive package to help success in the short term and over your lifetime.” The webinars and workshops offered are useful in helping students develop skills such as interviewing, resume building, and networking. Inglassia notes that students at FSC have been quite dedicated to attending these events. 22 FSC students attended the September e-sports webinar. “I’ve contacted other people in my field and they usually have a turnout of closer to four,” Inglassia said. “That speaks highly to our students at FSC.” The Career Center is also beginning to offer resources through students’ Canvas profiles. Through Canvas they offer easily accessible resources on many topics like writing a professional email, creating a cover letter and other professional skills. “The best way to reach us is through our instagram @fsc.cce” Inglassia said. “[We’re] always posting information about upcoming events.”
Sam Odom Opinions Editor
Senior Digital Media and Advertising and PR major and Graphic Design minor Dominic Mottola is one of many remote students across the country doing a remote internship this semester. Originally from southwest Ohio, Mottola moved to Cincinnati recently. “My girlfriend lives in Cincinnati and it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to come back to,” Mottola said. “I absolutely love it here.” Mottola is interning remotely from Cincinnati at Peace River Center as a graphic design intern. The Peace River Center is a nonprofit organization that offers mental health, victim, and substance abuse services as well as general health and wellness. “They don’t really have any in-house graphic designers, so any graphic design needs end up falling to me,” Mottola said. “I’ve designed social media posts, infographics, logos and more.” As of now Mottola has designed the Peace River Center’s 2020 impact sheet, a sheet that shows how many people the company has helped, the amount of people working for the company, and their overall work. He also helped with the center’s event. Mottola did not feel nervous being the sole designer for the company. “I wasn’t too nervous being the only design person there, I’m very confident in my abilities and being able to speak to different design projects,” Mottola said. “Leading Lux12 and working freelance has really helped me hone my skill and ability to communicate design language.” Mottola has a busy schedule this semester with four classes, his internship, leading Lux12 and more. He also just finished a freelance job for FSC Assistant Professor of Communication Doctor Pamela Dykes, where he created branding concepts and logo designs. “My favorite part about this semester has been preparing my portfolio for the big job hunt to come,” Mottola said. “I’m super excited to get out into the professional world so making sure my portfolio is in top shape has been super rewarding for me.” Overall, Mottola says that this experience has furthered his communication skills, whether that be over email or explaining his work. Other than remote learning, he stays connected to campus through Lux12, a student-led creative agency at FSC. “Lux12 has been a good way to stay connected, we get to interact with different on-campus groups and just interacting within the group keeps that feeling of connectivity to the campus,” Mottola said. After he finishes his internship and graduates from FSC, Mottola plans to look for jobs in Cincinnati, and he says that he’s excited for future opportunities.
The Southern NOVEMBER 6, 2020
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ELECTION 2020
FLORIDA SWINGS
RED
On Oct. 29, both presidential candidates held events in the Tampa area. Trump held a Make American Great Again rally on the lawn outside of Raymond James Stadium which contrasted the set-up of Biden’s drive-in rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Gov. Ron DeSantis stopped talking twice before Trump’s appearance to direct medical personnel to crowdgoers who were suffering heat exaustion. Biden’s event later that night got cut short due to rain. As it is in most presidential elections, Florida was a necessary win for Trump, and it would have been a key state that would have helped secure victory for Biden, which is why before the election both parties honed in their campaign efforts to Florida. However, as early polling results started to trickle in, Biden underperformed in key areas of the state, such as Miami-Dade County. According to the New York Times’ map of Florida, Joe Biden led the vote in Miami-Dade with 53.3% of the votes. In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary won Miami-Dade with 63.3% of the votes and still lost the state. Trump’s increased support in Miami-Dade’s Hispanic districts and white precincts helped him secure the state of Florida, according to the Miami Herald. Although Hispanic voters supported Biden in larger numbers, CubanAmericans backed Trump over Biden, according to Fox News.
Oct. 24
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
Oct. 29 Biden holds drive-in event at Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa
Photo co
Oct. 29
POLK COUNTY STATS
Trump holds rally outside of Raymond Jame in Tampa
COMPARED TO 2016
+63,694
REGISTERED VOTERS
+55,926
BALLOTS CASTED
+1.71%
VOTES FOR REP. CANDIDATE
+1.24%
VOTES FOR DEM. CANDIDATE DATA FROM POLKELECTIONS.COM
Pence campaigns at the Lakeland Linder Airport
Photo by Salvatore Ambrosino
Jill drive Tallahasse
5 The Southern NOVEMBER 6, 2020
ELECTION 2020 EDITORIAL When all is said and done... By the time this editorial runs, this country will potentially have chosen the next President of the United States of America. This country, state, county and college campus is no stranger to the divisive nature that comes from an election season, needless to say one during a year in which this country has seen the challenges of a pandemic, millions of lost jobs, outrage over racial injustice, and that’s just scratching the surface. Before Tuesday, this election was already historical. Young voters are energized like never before. Kamala Harris became the first Black woman and the first Asian American to appear on a major-party ticket. Needless to say, 2020 is going to be a thick chapter in our children’s history books. As if this year hasn’t been stressful enough, the divisive nature that election season brings can and has been destructive to friendships, family relationships, communities, etc. Once a winner has been decided, we must rise up and learn to come together as Americans, rather than one party against the other. The yard signs and flags will slowly start to come down, the Facebook posts will return to sharing family photos and puppy pictures, but at what cost? When asking the editorial board of The Southern if they could pick one word to describe this election season, here’s what they said: • Divisive • Terrifying • Crucial • Inspiring • Nerve-wracking • Life Changing • Pivotal
ourtesy of Creative Commons
es Stadium
Nov. 1
Biden holds e-in events in ee, Orlando and Tampa. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
Now, more than ever, we must take the high road and check in with our neighbors. We have a duty to be kind to each other, to be respectful, to be understanding. Throughout our few years as collegians, the experiences we have shape us for the future. There is a sense of responsibilty to create a community of care here at Florida Southern, just like any other community should strive for. The way we handle this post-election season is vital to the continuation of a kind, loving and caring atmosphere at FSC. This time will look different for each of us. It will be so important that we come together as friends, classmates, suitemates, cafgoers, to understand that we might differ on the political scale, but we are all at this institution to come out smarter and have a better understanding of the world around us on the other side. Let’s take this opportunity to have those conversations and use this historical moment as a learning moment. This might be the first time a lot of FSC students have voted, understand that your voice matters, even after a winner is decided.
The Southern NOVEMBER 6, 2020
OPINIONS
6
Win or lose, Republicans in Congress face inevitable rebuild
Salvatore Ambrosino Staff Writer What can the G.O.P. do after enduring moral bankruptcy? “He’s more so a populist than a conservative,” chair of Florida Southern College’s political science department Dr. Kelly McHugh said. A wild card when the Republican party rolled dice in a move away from a core Republican, President Donald Trump’s evisceration of congressional Republicanism is of the most dismaying premises of his administration. Rocked by an impending apocalypse having long backed a President with a penchant for flouting decency in the White House, the Reds in Congress find themselves overly concerned with accusation, becoming in their desperation a party of denial and blame. The dismantling was foreshadowed outright in 2016, when two “faithless” electors from Texas, Christopher Suprun and Bill Greene jumped ship in light of Trump’s preeminence in the United States. Four years ago this month, both long and short term fires endangered Republicans in Congress. The infighting pervasive after Trump’s election is still a liability and will continue to offset partisan unity for as long as it goes under the party leader’s chair without order. Given Trump’s arms-dealing precedent of fueling flames, it is likely that the party will not find resolve amongst itself. The long term fire set ablaze then Trump himself, for The People, The Nation and the Republican Party sold its soul in a Faustian deal for a nostalgia trip to the G.O.P. ‘s Reagan era of celebrity flair. This throwback was simply infeasible, instating only the Americans who felt left out of the Obama administration and reviving a mass grave of forgotten White Supremacists the President has since resisted putting a nail into. Because of this, modern Republicans in Congress are rendered incapable of representing their supporters, who although
enthralled, were not thoroughly represented by Trump’s Oval Office. Trumpist-Republicans have lost the integrity comprising its deepest philosophical and moral underpinnings, conservatisms, virtues and even sophisms core Republicans like Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, winning his seventh consecutive term in a Republican Senate, stood for decades defending in front of The Nation. “The Republican Party is the Trump party for the foreseeable future,” McHugh said. Even in his economic prowess he is characterized from establishment Republicans. “He rails against corporations and he rails against trade deals,” McHugh said, noting that nearly nothing is sacred that is within reach of the Trump Administration, “He’s now known to make moves away from free trade- a cornerstone of Republican economic policy.” While shifts in a party’s direction do generally occur, none have been so pronounced as Trump’s disregard and abolishment of Republican orthodoxy. At a loss of direction, moral and perhaps even motivation, the party’s traditional constituents might be staring down extinction within the next four years under Trump’s stigma. According to a study by the Center for American Progress, Trump’s base is corroded in terms of popularity with younger voters at precisely the time Millennials and Generation Z are poised to dominate the U.S. electorate. With the balancing act of bi-partisanship having blown over in the winds of a moral crusade, Democratic enthusiasm afflicts the sensibility of young American voters. Trump’s dissolve of Republicanism is not a victory for any active party in Congress, not because Republicans ultimately remain the majority in the Senate, but because he has murdered half America’s representation, and it is yet anticipated, if not unwittingly celebrated by half of Our Nation. Center-right parties have long been a beneficial component to modern democracies, according to a Harvard study of democracy’s emergence in Western Europe
Photo by Salvatore Ambrosino
President Trump at the Make America Great Again Rally outside of Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Oct. 29. by political scientist Daniel Ziblatt. Ziblatt also finds that Conservative alignment presents an identical struggle to America’s in its inability to confront the rise of extremist groups that pose threats to the etiquette of democracy. This in hand with the propertied class’ historic tendency to reject policy that is perceived to threaten inherited wealth, has so far denied or advanced democracy, Ziblatt notes. Democracy has historically also been dependent on the consent and the existence of losers. Without either, a partisan overhaul would wreak a cudgel across American foundations regardless of political affiliation. A Biden presidency would bring an administration emboldened by only a slight margin of victory and a mass ethic of retaliation. Shows of strength will come in forms of ambitious policy, whatever costs slipping
under the rug of a Democratic zeitgeist. And without the opposition of the modern Republican framework, the House and the President may soon go unopposed in the midst of infighting, confusion and disharmony in the Senate. Given Trump and his band of grifters are expelled from the White House, they will have morally bankrupt the Republicans in Congress divided over Trump’s baseless claims of voter fraud. Having been accomplices to the President who drove constitutional democracy to its limits, shady Senators and Representatives might have to try extra hard to make friends in a foreseeably hesitant United States. The G.O.P. must now choose to compile an identity, pick up what is salvageable of traditional conservatism and distance themselves from the spectre he leaves in office, or embrace a new era in Trump’s image.
AOC resonates with younger demographic before election Sophia Gonzalez News Editor Throughout her career, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has found ways to interact with her target audiences through creative mediums that have set her apart from her competing candidates. Because of this, AOC has been a driving factor in mobilizing the young voting demographic. Experts agree that young voter turnout will have a profound impact in this election. “Young voters are leaning toward Biden by an even larger margin than they supported Obama in 2008, which saw the highest youth turnout since 1984,” according to Justin Tseng, co-chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project. Young voters will not only have an impact on the presidential election, but they will also help elect members of Congress and the Senate. Although she won the election in 2018, the primary election was the most significant. When AOC was running for Congress, she was a waitress and had
previously worked as an organizer for the Bernie Sanders campaign. She was a first-time candidate running against Joe Crowley – a 10 term incumbent. In order to set herself from her opponent, she focused her campaigning through grassroots movements and did not accept donations from major organizations. The New York Times wrote an article about AOC’s victory with the headline “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Defeats Joseph Crowley in Major Democratic House Upset.” AOC was outspent that year. Crowley spent $1.5 million dollars while AOC raised $300,709 entirely through small donors, according to the Washington Post. The reason why her past campaign is relevant is because the way that she interacted with her voters then is similar to how AOC interacts with young voters. Now that she has a bigger platform and the resources to reach more people, she finds genuine mediums through which she can connect with young voters and relate to them. In August, she did a Vogue beauty
video explaining her makeup routine, but throughout her routine, she also explains some of the taxing obligations of her job and how she changes her makeup routine depending on what she has to do in her day. She also talks about being a woman in politics and in society. “Our culture is so predicated on diminishing women, right, and kind of preying on our self-esteem,” AOC said. “So it’s quite a radical – my opinion – it’s quite a radical act – and it’s kind of like a mini-protest – to love yourself.” Rather than just talking about her makeup routing, AOC used this experience to talk about real issues, such as how women are treated, women’s beauty standards and even about how finding the right shade of sunscreen can be difficult for people with darker skin. These are issues that resonate with women of all ages. Most recently, AOC has also reached out to potential young voters by playing the game Among Us. She and Ilhan Omar live-streamed the event on Twitch and earned 439,000 liveviewers and 5.4 total viewers. This is a new
way to interact with young voters while seeming genuine. This is different from how Bernie got along with young voters. Although Bernie did get a lot of traction from young voters because of his campaign goals, I felt like some of his outreach to young voters seemed tacky and didn’t give young voters enough credit to know the difference between a credible candidate and a “cool” candidate, as he demonstrated when he got Cardi B to endorse him. AOC, on the other hand, gives voters her full confidence and treats her audience as an educated yet young demographic who know what they want. “I think young people are actually quite disciplined and quite realistic and pragmatic in their vote, and they want to vote for who they are going to lobby” Representative AOC said on CNN.“Right now, young people are so clear on their stances on many political issues that they believe that they want to vote for a president that is at least going to be receptive to their advocacy, activism and protest.”
7 The Southern NOVEMBER 6, 2020
OPINIONS
Full capacity spring brings nuanced reactions amongst students Deanna Wright Staff Writer All students are allowed to return to campus in the spring. FSC sent an email to students stating the changes that will occur in the spring semester as the college develops a plan within the next few weeks and this information would be shared no later than Oct. 26. Students were informed that based on this original email, the start date has been pushed back two weeks to the end of Jan. 26. “The Board of Trustees approved the return of all students for spring semester who wish to live in campus housing,” Kerr said in the email. “Should updates to this plan be required, we will share changes as soon as possible.” Majority of students want the campus to go back to some normalcy we used to have before the pandemic hit. “I am excited for everyone to return to campus,” freshman Hunter Dixon said. “It will be really great taking that step towards getting things back to normal.” With three months until the start date of spring semester, the school explained to students and parents in the email that pandemic conditions could affect the plans for all students to return to campus but students are allowed to choose to be remote or a commuter when they register for spring classes. Many students waited patiently for some type of news to come, including junior Ahad Aziz who has been a remote student this fall due to the limited capacity on campus. “I was elated to hear that I get the
Photo courtesy of Abby McHenry
FSC student following the school’s COVID-19 guidelines while studying in Tutus. opportunity to come back to campus,” Aziz said. “Although, I am a bit worried about a rise in cases especially with the increase of students on campus.” There were other important measures about COVID-19 and how due to this they would be freezing tuition, room and board current rates for next year in the email. More information about housing came in an email the following day from Dr. Susan Freeman, Vice President of Student Affairs. “Registering for spring classes, students must select their final status for the spring: residential, commuter, or remote. Selections made for residential status will be final,” Freeman said. “The college will share housing assignments via the Student Portal on November 17th.” Some students may not receive their original housing assignments and other students who are already living on campus
We want to hear from you.
this semester might have to move to new housing in the spring to ensure adequate on-campus isolation and quarantine. Students must understand that the majority of them will have a roommate in the spring and if they don’t want to have one they still have the option to become a commuter or to switch to remote learning. “I really like having a room to myself, it has given me more freedom when it comes to my schedule,” Dixon said. “I am not so excited to share a room but I have been able to make connections with some of my hallmates and could definitely go with sharing my room with one of them.” As a remote student this semester, I was very excited to hear that the school plans to have everyone back next semester. Being told two weeks before classes started that I wouldn’t be allowed back on campus this semester caused my anxiety to skyrocket, and I had a hard time adjusting
to online learning. Having to be remote wasn’t my ideal way of getting an education, and I prefer being in person instead of learning over Zoom. I look forward to hopefully being able to go back in the spring and for my mental health to go back to somewhat normal especially since learning online is nowhere near learning in person. Like Aziz, I am concerned that having the whole campus back could increase numbers next semester and send us packing. I don’t want the school to close down, but I do know the school will do whatever needs to be done in terms of numbers increasing rapidly. Also, I am unsure of my living arrangements this semester and don’t know if I will be able to live with who I orginally wanted to.
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“I am a bit worried about a rise in cases especially with the increase of students on campus.” -Ahad Aziz FSC Junior
I am hoping I will be allowed to reside in the apartment I was supposed to live in this semester, unlike some students whose housing was given to someone else. Overall, I know the people making decisions for the spring semester plan are trying their best to look out for the campus as a whole.
OUTHERN S The Student Voice of Florida Southern College
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The Southern is published as an E-Edition biweekly during fall and spring semesters of the academic year at Florida Southern College by students through the Communication Department. The Southern is unable to print a physical paper due to COVID-19, but is still available on fscsouthern.com. Opinions expressed on the opinions pages are not necessarily those of the department, the administration, the Board of Trustees or The Southern editorial board. Written and signed responses to views expressed on these pages, or relevant to other Florida Southern College issues, are encouraged and will be considered for publication. All members of the Florida Southern community — students, staff, faculty, administrators, trustees, alumni and other friends of the college — are invited to voice their opinion in and about The Southern. All material submitted is subject to editing for length, style and taste. All material must be submitted to fscsouthern@gmail.com to be considered. The Southern office is in the Chatlos Building on Johnson Ave.
The Southern NOVEMBER 6, 2020
8
ENTERTAINMENT
Virtual survivor game born from quarantine Grande
Deanna Wright Staff Writer Back in March when students were sent home due to COVID-19, the now-juniors Jack Wilkens and Kristi Bono started discussing what it would be like if their friends and classmates were on CBS’s “Survivor.” “I said, let’s do it and we just started planning our own version of remote survivor,” Bono said. Wilkens and Bono invited 18 of their friends to play in the first season, which took place throughout quarantine and into the beginning of the summer. The season was 52 days altogether with the 18 players being divided into three tribes: tribe Frank, tribe Lloyd, and tribe Wright. These tribes were decided by the two and put into different GroupMes. The three tribes competed in different virtual challenges throughout the season. Some challenges included Game Pigeon games against opposing tribes to team work activities. Just like in the actual show “Survivor,” whichever tribe lost the challenge would then go to tribal council to vote off one of their own tribe members. “We were only able to do season two because of the overwhelming success of season one,” Wiklens said. “We thought it would just be a funny little social experiment, but they got so into it, and made it so fun!” In season one, “Survivor: Quarantine,” players had to pay a $1 entrance fee to play and the winner won $20. However, season two, “Survivor: Double or Nothing,” the players had to pay $2 to play and the winner this time around won $40. Unlike the first season, season two had 16 new players with them being split up in
two tribes. The tribe names also changed to Hatari and Kamari for the new season. The players are on the virtual island for 39 days this time around. Each season so far has had the players create content with confessions or thoughts for what was happening in the game using mini vlogs. For each episode, Wilkens and Bono edited the mini vlogs together to make a comprehensive 10-15 minute episode for the people or friends who wanted to watch but not participate in the game. “We often got really good content, lots of comical/creative videos that made the episodes really enjoyable both to edit and watch,” Wilkens said. All of the players had dedication and took the game seriously, which made it interesting for the hosts and the viewers to watch back, according to Wilkens. “The fun part was pulling off blindsides while being strategic,” winner of season
two and junior Morgan McDermott said. Even though the host and the players had a great time competing, it could be challenging at times for some of the players. “I remember one night we had a double elimination and I had a test the next morning and I had to do the challenge for the night in Tutu’s. My ally went home that night so it was super sad,” McDermott said. With the success of both seasons, Wilkens and Bono have already started planning to host another season as early as mid-December and plan to hopefully have up to five seasons all together. Many of their friends, former contestants, fans, and friends of friends are super interested in playing this virtual survivor. “I think we plan to change a few aspects for the next season to keep players and fans on their toes,” Bono said.
Graphic courtesy of Jack Wilkens
Season two of FSC’s virtual survivor game was entitled “Survivor: Double or Nothing.”
‘The Oedipus Project’ breaks conventions Sarah Dube Staff Writer FSC Theatre is reinventing the theatrical experience with its next show, “Oedipus Rex.” The show has been adapted for a “mockumentary” format and has been renamed “The Oedipus Project.” The word to describe this production is “unconventional.” “Our director, Mary T. Albright, the creative staff, and I came to the decision that recording our rehearsals over Zoom and putting them together in a big news interview-esque piece would be a very fun format to use,” stage manager and senior Taylor D’Onofrio said. “The actors rehearse the script that Mary T. has written, and then I film them when they feel good about it and are ready to be filmed. I am so grateful to be able to work on a production like this, because this might be how a lot of productions in our near future look like.” Not only is the formatting something different; its cast is also something special. Recently, the FSC Theatre Department was under fire for the lack of diversity in their productions. Over the summer, there was an open letter written to FSC signed by the Black Student Union, The Multicultural Student Council and their allies about their concerns regarding diversity. The letter specifically called out the theater department. “The theatre department continually
typecasts and limits Black students to servants and slaves,” the letter said. This criticism did not go unnoticed, as the casting for “The Oedipus Project” is much more diverse than productions the department has put on in the past. FSC junior Trinity Yarid was cast in the titular role of Oedipus. He has been extremely vocal about his concerns, due to the lack of diversity on campus as an African American student.
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“I believe our school should strive to show the diversity we do have so we could have more POC students in the future.” -Trinity Yarid
“When coming to Florida Southern, I was very alarmed to learn that I was the only African American male in my department, and I have been for three years,” Yarid said. “I’ve noticed that the shows being picked out weren’t made for someone like me to be performing in.” Yarid shared similar sentiments to the open letter, commenting that he was warned on his first day as a freshman that he would most likely be typecast due to his race. “I was cast as a ‘helper’ for my first show,” Yarid said. “I am always grateful
to be cast in anything, but it was hard inviting my family to a show where I was cast as a slave.” This echoes the concerns laid out by the open letter. “I don’t think anyone in the theatre department is racist,” Yarid said. “I think we all are a family and try our hardest to fix the internal issues, but I do think we have an issue of ignorance. Sometimes I feel like the issue of diversity isn’t properly understood. Students are scared to speak their mind, and because of this, nothing changes.” His comments don’t come without a solution. Yarid called for the theatre department to listen to its minority students. The biggest issue highlighted by Yarid is the silence he feels minority students have been forced into. He is adamant that there are people in the department that want to see change, professors included. “I believe our school should strive to show the diversity we do have so we could have more POC students in the future,” Yarid said. “That way, the lack of diversity wouldn’t be as big of an issue.” “The Oedipus Project” encompasses all that is new and changing this semester. There is no better way to usher in a new era than by working to fix destructive habits. This change is important and will work to make sure everyone at FSC is seen and heard.
maintains pop icon position with new album
Sophie Talbert Staff Writer Ariana Grande released the lead single ‘Positions’ from her upcoming album, as well as its corresponding politicallycharged music video, just hours after the final presidential debate on Oct. 23. On Oct. 17, Grande posted a cryptic video of her typing the word “positions” in slow motion, hinting at the title of her next song. She later announced that her sixth studio album would release on Oct. 30. The R&B and trap inspired pop song was met with commercial success. It debuted at number one both the U.S. and Global Spotify charts, as well as reached almost 3 million national streams and 6 million internationally. On Apple Music, “Positions” debuted in the number two spot, just behind Luke Combs’ “Forever After All.” This was her first solo release since her previous album, “Thank U, Next,” following high-profile collaborations with Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. The track deviates from the reliance on heavy bass and synth on her previous album, “Thank U, Next,” and features acoustic guitar picking, violin and the sound of crickets chirping. It is a more understated debut compared to her previous lead singles such as “No Tears Left to Cry” and “Thank U, Next.” Despite its comparatively mellow production, its simplistic melody, accompanied with the use of abab rhyme schemes, creates a tune that is distinctive to Ariana’s style. “Positions” received several generally positive reviews. Idolator’s Mike Wass said the track is her “best lead single to date. It’s the kind of slick, streamingfriendly R&B-pop song that worms its way into your consciousness and simply refuses to leave.” The lyrics are a loving tribute to her new boyfriend, Dalton Gomez. It expresses her willingness to try new things in their relationship, with lines such as, “I’m in the Olympics, way I’m jumpin’ through hoops / Know my love infinite, nothin’ I wouldn’t do /That I won’t do, switchin’ for you.” However, she redefines the meaning of the lyrics in the blockbuster music video, which depicts Grande as president of the United States. In one scene she leads a cabinet meeting accompanied by a diverse team, while she cooks in a kitchen in another. Here, switching positions is not about adventurousness in a relationship, but about the multiple roles women play. In a review for NME, Hannah Mylrea states that the message of the video is “made all the more pertinent given that Grande dropped the White Housethemed video just hours after the final Presidential debate of the 2020 election.” Grande reminds viewers of the potential of a female president, effectively “switching positions” from the status quo.