February 11, 2022

the southern

Non Profit Org. US Postage PAID Permit 38 Lakeland, FL

The Student Voice of Florida Southern College

Friday, February 11, 2022

VOL. 138, NO. 9

Students produce ‘Stop Kiss’ play

FSCares updates: On Feb. 4 FSCares sent an email to the student body, detailing changes in COVID-19 protocol, effective Feb. 28.

The email stated the following: •

•

Photo by Calvin Waldau Callie and Sara using a magic eight ball, which they regularly use in the show to ask heavy questions.

•

Read the full article on Page 6

FSC begins search for new CSI director

Jacqueline Inskeep, the previous Director of the Center for Student Involvement, left Florida Southern recently after five years for other job opportunities.

However, the intersectionality of her former position makes many wonder who her successor will be and whether they could live up to the high standard she set in this position.

“

... Jackie has moved the bar forward and set the bar really high.

“

-Mike Crawford Dean of Students

Her responsibilities included directly overseeing the Association of Campus Entertainment, Student Government Association and enacting campus-wide programs.

She was also a leader in CSI organizations, specifically supervising Greek Life, Leadership & Civic Engagement and the Discover FL series.

“During my time at Florida Southern, I really started to develop a deep passion for

all things event-related; everything from the inception of an event idea right down to the execution of it,” Inskeep said. “I love everything about event management.

This did lead me to exploring event opportunities outside of higher education, and yes - to my next job opportunity!”

After 12 years working in higher education, Inskeep will be starting a new job this coming week as an event manager at Qgiv, a local software company.

This company provides specifically an event registration platform to non-profit organizations across the U.S. It’s a bittersweet feeling for Inskeep as she starts the next chapter of her life. She says she has confidence in CSI and the student leaders of ACE and SGA in their ability to advance the campus more than they already have.

The question of her replacement is currently undecided by the school, and interviews will begin within a couple of weeks as multiple applications have been submitted.

Currently, no one on the Florida Southern staff has applied thus far amidst the nationwide search.

Mike Crawford, the Dean of Students, has taken charge of Inskeep’s former position and advisor for ACE and SGA. “We’re looking for someone that will take the ball and run with it because Jackie has moved the bar forward and set the bar

FSC Introduces BusWhere

really high. With the leadership that ACE has been able to give oversight for all the programs they do and the same for SGA,” Dean Crawford said. “We’re looking for a great person to come in and take us to the next level.”

Inskeep’s successor is expected to take off where she started and continue to listen to the student body to encourage more student involvement including a focus on Discover Florida, giving students more opportunities to explore the state.

Amy Wieleba, the President of ACE, commented about working without Inskeep and what she hopes to achieve in the future during her term.

“It’s definitely been hard because Jackie is a really good person to bounce ideas off of and try to talk through everything I do. So having that oversight not there anymore is definitely difficult,” Wieleba said. “But I am happy for Jackie and her opportunity to continue in her career in a different area.”

FSC Sorority Bid Day

Sororities carry on the annual tradition of bid day.

NEWS - PAGE 2

CENTER - PAGE 4

A shop in Lakeland gives visitors a glimpse into the world of metaphysics.

FEATURES - PAGE 3

Mike Crawford, Dean of Students, emailed student organization leaders on Feb. 4. The email stated that indoor group gathering size limits have been lifted.

-Jacquelin Inskeep Center for Student Involvement

A new app introduced by Campus Safety will allow students to track shuttle locations.

Glimpse Into Crystal Gaze

SOCIAL MEDIA

“

I love everything about event management.

“

Diego De Jesus Staff Writer

FSC Theatre ‘Stop Kiss’

The FSC Theater Department produced the show “Stop Kiss” in the Fletcher Theater.

PICTURED, ENTERTAINMENT - PAGE 6

@fscsouthern

Students expriencing COVID-19 symptoms should get tested at the Student Health Center, regardless of vaccination status.

Students who test positive due to self-testing, should report it to Rapid-Trace.

Students can quarantine through the school for $40 a night. If they use school transportation, they will be charged an additonal fee.

According to the FSCares email, protocol has been updated due to an increase of COVID-19 home testing availability and due to a decline of COVID-19 cases in Polk County.

For more detailed information regarding FSCares protocol: •

•

Students can visit the FSCares section at the FSC website for more detailed information.

Students can also email FSCares@FLSouthern.edu with additional questions.

Student Plays At Union Hall

FSC senior JW Griffin is a performer at the local Union Hall music venue.

ENTERTAINMENT - PAGE 6

Florida ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill’

Florida’s Congress is advancing a bill that bans LGBTQ discussion in the classroom.

www.fscsouthern.com

OPINIONS - PAGE 7

fscsouthern@gmail.com

BRIEFS Intramural Tennis Tournament On Feb. 12, the Hollis Wellness Center will be hosting an intramural singles tennis tournament starting at noon. In order to join, participants must preregister on IMLeagues and check in between 11:30 p.m. and noon. The Wellness Center advises participants to bring their own equipment to play as equipment will only be shared if necessary.

Super Bowl Tailgate Party On Feb. 13 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the Association of Campus Entertainment will be hosting a tailgate party for Super Bowl 56 between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinatti Bengals. The party will take place in the grass field behind the Rose Garden and have free food, yard games and an NFL merchandise giveaway.

Roux Library Group Reading The Roux Library will be hosting a group reading and discussion of the book “Where the Crawdads Sing” on Feb. 16 fom 8 to 9 p.m.

An RSVP via the Roux Reads GroupMe is required to attend in person due to limited space.

Students can also attend virtually via Zoom. More information and the link to Zoom can be found on Engage.

Festival of Fine Arts: ‘Godspell’ Starting Feb. 17, the FSC Festival of Fine Arts will be hosting “Godspell” based on the work by John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz. The play features a large variety of music as it details the life of Jesus and a group of people assisting him with telling parables.

The event is free to students, more information and event dates can be found on Engage.

Sunrise Meditation at the Moc Dock The Hollis Wellness Center will be hosting “Sunrise Meditation” located at FSC’s Moc Dock on Lake Hollingsworth. The event will feature meditation and light yoga at 7 a.m. The event is first come, first serve for students who wish to attend.

In-person recruitment returns to Florida Southern Noelia Velasquez & Promise Davis Staff Writers Feb. 3 through Feb. 5 marked the beginning of the FSC spring recruitment season for sorority Greek Life.

The Panhellic Council worked closely with the school to comply with the FSCares policies during the 2022 recruitment season.

This year’s recruitment season looked different than most.

Last year’s new class of recruits also had a different experience.

“I just got to focus on who I was talking to,” Alpha Chi Omega member Abi Gann said in reference to last year’s recruitment, adding that there was a “disconnect” this year because of how different the process was for her.

Last year’s recruitment was completely virtual and allowed the new recruits to connect with the sororities on a deeper level.

As told by Kappa Delta member Emery Roth, the first night was a series of thirty minutes with each sorority. The second night was separated into 45 minutes with four sororities and the last night was a

“

I just got to focus on who I was talking to.

-Abi Gann Alpha Chi member

preference night spent with two sororities.

New approaches taken by the Panhellenic included a three day recruitment consisting of two in-person days and one virtual day. For all sororities, during transportation to the events, masks were worn at all times and there was one potential new member per seat on the

Photo by Chandler Fletcher

The new members for Kappa Delta sorority ‘run home’ to their sorority on bid day.

charter buses, according to Ashlyn and Anni of the Panhellenic Council.

Hand sanitizers were provided on the bus and placed throughout the RP Funding Center - where sorority recruitment was held - for the duration of recruitment.

As a part of the guidelines created by the Panhellenic Council, there were less decorations in order to situate everyone to accommodate six feet apart thirty potential new members per room, but the people that they are talking to is recurring.

Meanwhile, the parties will get smaller as the nights progress.

The goal of the precautions being addressed by the Panhellenic is to provide a safe and fun way for recruitment to happen in the midst of the pandemic.

After three days of recruitment, sororities celebrate their hard work by welcoming their new members in an event called bid day.

On bid day, sororities usually host a slew of activities so that new members can meet the rest of their sorority.

For bid day, sorority women were

required to “wear masks indoors and to social distance as much as possible,” according to Vice President of Community Outreach for Panhellenic Hannah Luciano.

Amy Wieleba, Gamma represenative, explains that Florida Southern sorority life shows “strong women taking over leadership roles,” which was a leading factor in reasons for her recruitment.

Along with verifying their efforts to abide by FSC protocols, the representatives spoke on their experiences during recruitment and what Greek life meant to them.

Zeta Member Brooke Bower went through the recruitment process two years ago, before COVID-19, and illustrated an exciting and heartwarming bid day including opening bid letters, running to your house and singing with her new sorority sisters.

Recruitment overall, is “a lot more than matching t-shirts, glitter, and fun,” Zeta member Brooke Bower said, emphasizing the connection that one builds with the women of a sorority.

Safety Office introduces BusWhere application Sophia Gonzalez Editor-in-Chief The Campus Safety Office has introduced the BusWhere app to Florida Southern College’s campus; an app that allows students to track the location of the school shuttles.

The app works similarly to other transportation apps with tracking, such as Uber and Lyft. Once registered, students are able to track their respective shuttle’s location and receive an approximate time of when their shuttle will show up at their pickup spot.

“You can click on the dot and it gives you an estimated time,” Director of Safety and Security Eric Rauch said. “If you’re a student waiting at Star, it tells you how far that shuttle’s away from you, so a student can set alarms just like Uber, telling them when an Uber is 3 minutes out.”

Safety began spearheading this project after listening to student concerns during the Student Government Association’s semesterly Town Hall meetings.

“Our system was somewhat unreliable, so in my time here, we try to make it more and more reliable. Well, this was the missing piece for us. This is what we needed to make sure everybody knows what’s going on,” Rauch said referring to

the BusWhere app.

Tracking is available for all FSC shuttles, including the airport shuttles.

When trying to bring the concept of tracking school shuttlevs to the Florida Southern campus, Rauch looked for thirdparty vendors that already had a system in place for colleges with a similar campus and shuttle system to Florida Southern.

“

This is what we needed to make sure everybody knows what’s going on

“

NEWS

2

“

The Southern February 11, 2022

-Eric Rauch Director of Safety and Security

“We found the one we purchased – BusWhere. It was on an existing app company, and they were using it in several colleges across the country, so we checked, and we found a lot of colleges that were the same size, they were doing the same type of systems we were,” Rauch said.

Safety’s goal with this new system is to increase shuttle ridership, according to Assistant Director of Campus Safety and

Security Rusty Longaberger. Longaberger was in charge of spearheading the project of introducing this system to FSC’s campus and addressing the school’s unique needs.

“We had certain needs that we needed that the third-party company, the BusWhere app, they needed to know what we needed,” Longaberger said. “We want to count riders, we want to have stops here, we want re-route, so I was taught by them how to create the routes.”

The application is also able to track how many students are using the shuttle.

This information is used to maximize the management of campus resources.

“If we need more buses at LHA in the morning, [then] we found that out and now we have two that go to LHA in the morning that bring students to class,” Longaberger explained.

In order to use the BusWhere app, students must first register at the website https://buswhere.com/flsouthern and type in their FSC email address in order to sign up. Once that initial step has been completed, students will receive an email in their inbox with further instructions.

After all the steps have been completed, students can download the BusWhere Shuttle app for free and log in with the information they used during the registration process.

3 The Southern FEBRUARY 11, 2021

Promise Davis Staff Writer

Crystal Gaze is a metaphysical and spiritual emporium in Lakeland off of Frank Lloyd Wright Way. Since its opening, its popularity has been notable.

Often, people come in for tarot card readings, lapidary and an interest in promoting mindfulness as a whole, starting with your surroundings and the essence of spiritual positivity known as manifestation.

The creator and one of the four owners of Crystal Gaze, Eva Tyson, had dreams of opening her shop in California, but circumstances led her to Lakeland, Florida. At first, she didn’t think that Lakeland was the right place.

“It was like the doors were wide open for it,” Tyson said. “To me it was just like a lotus flower, it gradually just opened.”

To her, everything seemed to fit and eventually fall into place in Lakeland.

The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on certain activities that the business had to offer. Before the pandemic, they hosted group meditation sessions and other activities. They are hoping that they can get back to these group activities if things ever go back to normal.

The Crystal Gaze has a lot to offer. They

“

“

It was like the doors were wide open for it -Eva Tyson Owner of Crystal Gaze

have a large variety of gemstones, crystals and chakra candles, all at affordable prices.

The shop also offers specialized sessions including chakra clearing and many other processes. The information on pricing and all products is readily available on their website: https://www.crystal-gaze.com “We’ve served like a place for them to come, open up,” said Tyson.

The goal of the shop is to be a safe space for the metaphysical community to come and develop. Due to an increase in the popularity of metaphysics, there has also been an increase in visitors who are newly interested in the field. This is one way to start your journey focusing on spirituality.

“First start meditating,” Tyson said.

Tyson recommends starting out with meditating. Her clientele includes those who have been involved in the community and those who are coming from other places trying to get an understanding of spirituality. These practices are great for those who are looking for an understanding that cannot be found in many organized religions.

When people come into the shop wanting to explore the metaphysical, she hopes they come in as “a spiritual being,” which is what they believe all people are.

Their hope is for people to come in with an open mindset.

This will allow for institutions to not hinder the spiritual journey. Meditation, mindfulness and metaphysical practices have been known to reduce stress and increase positivity overall.

Crystal Gaze is a retreat into a journey of mindfulness. Among the crystals and incense, tarot drawings and oils, one can find oneself.

How law intern’s background affects approach to her career Salvatore Ambrosino Features Editor

When working at Jean Pierre Espinoza’s office as an intern, junior and political science major Arlette Martinez shifted through a filing cabinet containing expired work visas, family records and personal letters and reads her uncle’s name.

“It’s a reality check,” Martinez said.

Martinez’s family has come to Jean Pierre Espinoza before. In June, a traffic stop revealed that Martinez’s uncle had lived and worked in the United States illegally for 15 years. For the last seven months he’s been battling to remain in the United States with his wife and two children. During this time, Martinez helped babysit his two kids.

“Every once in a while I’ll come across his file, or put something in his file,” Martinez said. “I don’t want to say it feels wrong—I feel guilty almost.”

Not on purpose, Martinez began interning at the firm in November, months after her uncle’s case had progressed.

Martinez’s uncle is not the first in the family to live under the eyes of ICE and the threat of deportation. Her parents are from Honduras, where they were neighbors before marrying and moving to Miami in 1998.

Years before, a different uncle of Martinez’s was deported.

“In his situation we never found a lawyer. I feel guilty because I’m the one who gets to decide ‘oh, maybe I should be a lawyer,’ even then, it’s a choice, right?”

Martinez said. “I get to choose whether I help or not. Seeing everything, I could decide at any second that I don’t want to

Photo by Salvatore Ambrosino

In Jean Pierre Espinoza’s law immigration office, a receptionist calls clients to remind them of renewal fees. be a lawyer anymore.”

The waiting room is small and no matter how many of the seats are filled, it’s silent and tense. All stare blankly, and there’s no conversation. No one wants to be in that room. A man sits on the phone with his family, whispering. “No se permiten niños en esta oficina” is written on the walls within the firm. On the other wall there’s a press plaque from 2013, The Lakeland Ledger, “Lawyer Offers Residents a Last Hope.”

“It is very hard to navigate the legal immigration system without a lawyer,” said Jean Espinoza, the attorney Martinez is interning for. “It’s hard for them.”

Through the receptionist’s window was like a small gap in the southern

border, leading those in the waiting room to the American Dream. Pope Francis and his cardinals are hanging from the drywall above Martinez, who sits calling clients for most of her shift. About 95 percent of clients she calls to remind of work permit renewal fees say they do not have the money, have a family and can’t risk being deported.

Money is always a factor in determining the future of oneself or family, and so is time.

They all have families, Martinez says, and the fees are expensive and must be dealt with quickly.

Article continues on fscsouthern.com

360 Unlimited brings clothing of past into present fashion T’Ahara Willis Staff Writer

You might consider vinyl records and cocktail sequin dresses to be things of just the past, but not Kristen Lamonte.

Lamonte is the owner of 360 Unlimited, a clothing store that has been in the City of Lakeland since 1977.

“Lakeland really needed a store like this,” Lamonte said. “Because there’s really no other stores like this.”

Her intent was to liven up the city, which at the time was only a couple blocks with the occasional grocery store.

When asked why millennials and Gen Zers are interested in her store’s retro and nostalgic vibes, Lamonte said, “I don’t know, it’s interesting, it seems like younger people today are more into recycling”.

When students attending Florida Southern College visit 360 Unlimited with their student I.D. “I will give them 25 percent off,” Lamonte said.

At 360 Unlimited, as soon as you walk in, there is an onrush of many items that scream loudly of the past. There are vinyl records, world globes and many other sights to see.

As you move further into the store you see VCR players, various uniquely designed lamps and alien mannequins dressed with feathered boas and fanny packs.

Throughout the dressing rooms there are heavily draped curtains and golden ropes, small statues of cherubs, antique mirrors lining the walls and chandeliers hanging from blue sky ceilings, a visual

Photo by T’Ahara Willis

360 Unlimited on South Florida Ave. that will seize you into the Renaissance era.

360 Unlimited, because of its unique style could be considered a mediator between the past and present, allotting people of all generations to travel through dimensions of time.

Hanging on the walls are many works of art displaying animals, abstract paintings and naturalistic art.

With your eyes soaking it all in, you see the store is immersed with masquerade masks emulating the sixteenth century, fur coats inspired from the Victorian era, and poodle skirts mimicking the 50’s.

What you would see or experience at 360 Unlimited is unlike any common store, and what you’d find is a journey backwards in time.

A compiled wall of war badges, bowling balls and an arcade machine

testify to the eccentricity of this unburied time capsule.

Though every item has its designated place, there is so much in each space that it causes you to feel an urge to search through it all.

Reading about 360 Unlimited truly isn’t enough to experience the store’s splendor, you’ll have to see for yourself.

A visit to the store could be compared to a treasure hunt, because you’ll never know what you may find.

At every corner is something different to encounter and to inquire about.

Everything you see is its own history book that speaks of treasures from the past.

Someone said time travel wasn’t possible, but with Elton John records, posters pictured with futuristic cars, and racks of cloche hats made from the mid-

“

Lakeland really needed a store like this because there’s really no other stores like this.

“

A glimpse into Crystal Gaze

FEATURES

-Kristen Lamonte Owner of 360 Unlimited

twenties, you can’t help but see that time is flying around you.

The history lesson that you receive from shopping at 360 Unlimited embodies the definitive meaning of a time warp.

As you scavenge around you will see that your search into the store’s well of history is unlimited.

4 The Southern FEBRUARY 11, 2022

CENTER

SORORITY

Photo by Kappa Delta

Photo by Alpha Chi Omega

Photo by Zeta Tau Alpha

5 The Southern FEBRUARY 11, 2022

BID DAY

Photo by Tri Delta Photo by Chandler Fletcher

Photo by Gamma Phi

CENTER

The Southern FEBRUARY 11, 2022

6

ENTERTAINMENT

Students produce and direct new play, ‘Stop Kiss’

Students in the theater department produced the play “Stop Kiss” in Fletcher Theater inside the Ordway building on Jan. 29 and 30.

“Stop Kiss” is a play that revolves around the love story between traffic reporter Callie, and third-grade teacher Sara who just moved to New York City.

As they grow closer in friendship they eventually share their first kiss in Central Park, and a man who witnesses the kiss violently attacks Sara and puts her in a coma.

The story is told out of sequence, and the audience witnesses how Callie and Sara’s relationship grows and how they both impact each other’s lives. It follows Callie’s own personal journey including the effects that Sara’s coma has on her.

process, so seeing the show with all the elements finally put together was an amazing feeling for everyone involved.

“When we finally were able to get through the entire show with lights, sound, blocking, etc, it was the most electric feeling I have ever had as an actor,” Thomas said. “This cast and crew have poured their heart and soul into this production.”

“Working on this show was an incredible experience and I’m so glad that ‘Stop Kiss’ was my first collegiate directing experience,” Director Kendall Uslan said.

This production partnered with Allies and Women’s Advocacy Club because the

“I spoke with one of our professors and told him I wanted to be a part of more student-led theater on campus,” cast member Lauren Thomas said. “He gave me ‘Stop Kiss’ to read as a play he thought I would like, and when I read the play, I knew that this was the show I wanted to be a part of.”

After Thomas knew “Stop Kiss” was the show she wanted to pursue, she sought out her friend Kendall Uslan in directing because she knew they wanted directing experience.

This production had very minimal

“

I’m so glad I got to talk about and represent queer women onstage.

-Kendall Uslan Director

“We nearly canceled the show due to covid guidelines adjusting at FSC,” cast member Justin Rotolo said. However, the students were given permission to continue working on the production.

The cast and crew worked hard and diligently in their two-week rehearsal

show focuses on issues with the LGBTQ+ community, violence against women, and personal identity.

All proceeds from “Stop Kiss” were donated to Lakeland Youth Alliance, a nonprofit organization that works to provide a safe space for members of the

I was a junior in high school.”

Around one year ago, a fraternity brother began an internship at Union Hall, giving Griffin the opportunity to meet the boss and discuss playing at the venue.

Although Griffin was already playing gigs in Lakeland and Orlando, the chance to play somewhere so close to his college was “intriguing” to him. Griffin is primarily known for playing country music but never limits his horizons as he is open to playing anything that is requested. Griffin often performs covers from popular country artists, but he also plays his very own original songs.

“I started writing my own music about a year ago and have one song currently on Spotify/Apple Music. I play a few originals every performance to see what goes over well with the audience,” Griffin said.

Griffin appreciates how “awesome” the staff is and says their venue has the best setup out of other places he has played.

Although he shows great appreciation toward the venue itself, Griffin says the best part is being able to connect with his friends and make connections while doing what he loves all at the same time.

“The best part, though, is that I get to really connect with my friends and make connections while doing what I love. I’m happy that people continue to show up and

support me every week,” Griffin said.

With a great support system and love for music, Griffin has been able to perform every Wednesday at Union with returning fans, as well as newcomers. Griffin’s

best way to start is making connections as soon as possible, as he found it was one of the most important parts of the college experience.

“Almost all of the gigs I have gotten

We nearly canceled the show due to covid guidelines adjusting at FSC. -Justin Rotolo Cast Member

LGBTQ+ community in Central Florida as well as provide LGBTQ+ history, classes, scholarships and support groups.

The audience was thoroughly impressed with how well the show was, especially

with how fast they put it together.

“I genuinely loved the production of ‘Stop Kiss’, and I thought the entire team did a phenomenal job, especially considering the time restraint,” freshman Hannah Noll said. “I hope this is the starting point for so much more studentled work here on campus in the future.”

“I thought it was so amazing how our students came together in two weeks and created an incredible production,” sophomore Alexis Lowther said.

“Working on this show was an incredible experience and I’m so glad that ‘Stop Kiss’ was my first collegiate directing experience,” Uslan said.

With this student-led production, the cast and crew hope this will allow for more future theatrical productions that are student-produced.

“I’m so glad I got to talk about and represent queer women onstage and I hope that there will be more meaningful student-led shows in the future,” Uslan said.

“It provides another wonderful outlet for young artists to stretch out their legs and find out who they are, whether it be as a director, actor, technical designer, etc,” Villegas said. “It just gives us more valuable experience that we’re all so hungry to get our hands on.”

“

“

rehearsal time, so the cast and crew had to work hard and commit to their roles to ensure that the show would be ready by opening night.

“The rehearsal process was definitely a beautiful whirlwind for me, we started rehearsing last Tuesday, so in total, we will have completely put together a full production in two weeks,” cast member Grace Villegas said. “We had to put more energy and focus into how quickly the turnaround was from first rehearsal to opening night.”

With the rise of COVID-19 cases and new FSC guidelines, the production was halted and the cast and crew thought the show was no longer going to happen.

“

Dylan Olive Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Calvin Waldau

Sara admiring Callie sleep, a pivotal moment in their growing relationship.

Florida Southern student performs at local music venue Angela Corio Staff Writer

At only one mile away from campus, Union Hall, a live music venue located on South Florida Ave., is a great location for students to wind down and listen to music performed by a variety of artists.

Food trucks, drinks and live music create a fun atmosphere to enjoy time with friends and take a break from school.

Florida Southern students represent a large part of their audience ever since one of their peers started to perform there.

Florida Southern senior and Sigma Chi member, JW Griffin, performs original songs and covers at Union Hall.

Griffin does not fail to draw the attention of many students, as they continuously show their support at his gigs and enjoy their time while doing so. Griffin shared his feelings and experiences as a musician and performer and offers advice for those looking to start their path into music.

“I grew up in a pretty musical family. My dad’s uncle was a pretty well known pianist in the 60’s and 70’s, and my grandpa’s cousin played guitar in Conway Twitty’s band,” Griffin said. “I started playing guitar and singing when I was around eight years old, but really started pursuing music when

JW Griffin performs at Union Hall. ability to perform and take on such great opportunities is inspiring for those who are affiliated and even unaffiliated with the music world.

Griffin offers great advice for those who want to start performing. He says that the

Photo by Faith Miller have been through people I have met while attending Florida Southern. There are plenty of opportunities out there and making personal connections is the best way to further yourself as a musician/performer as well as a person,” Griffin said.

7 The Southern FEBRUARY 11, 2022

OPINIONS

House committee approves ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill in Florida Bill would restrict classroom discussion of LGBTQ+ issues The Florida House Education & Employment Committee passed “CS/ HB 1557: Parental Rights in Education,” a bill that limits discussion about sexual orientation and bans any topics regarding the LGBTQ+ community inside of classrooms.

The recent passing of “CS/HB 1557” has caused an outrage on social media, and rightly so.

This bill is not only removing LGBTQ+ history and any chance for discussion, it

gives schools the right to “out” students without their consent.

“A school district may not encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students,” the CS/HB 1557 bill says.

The bill will seek “parental notification and involvement in critical decisions affecting a student’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being.”

If this bill gets passed by the full House and Florida Senate, this is going to be a

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

Kids holding LGBTQ+ pride flags on a school bus in Seattle in June, the national pride month.

Biden to nominate Black female SCJ Salvatore Ambrosino The Southern Editor When President Joe Biden makes a grandstand, many are rightfully suspicious.

And when he announced that the appointed Justice replacing Justice Stephen Breyer upon his retirement would be a Black woman, there underlies some doubt.

But more than doubt, many remember.

Many of Biden’s campaign promises remain unfulfilled, a terribly sore spot for the current administration and its approval rating, even according to his moderate voter base.

Free college, even where it was most conceivable, is at this time “off the table.”

The other, more ambitious half of that ticket, the act of canceling student debt in the light of many, many billing delays in the COVID-19 era, is still congressional taboo without any real backbone, despite its popularity amongst the public.

The most radical climate policy in decades, the Green New Deal is still missing, unheard of except as cause for right-wing hysteria, and is not seen by many as the solution to the climate crisis.

Build Back Better is being voted into oblivion. Voters remember these promises.

If you recall the Democratic Primary debate in 2020, you can’t help but be a bit nostalgic to when these concepts lived in a vacuum—well, you know, when there was hope for all of these ideas.

During that first debate between the

perennial, then less-venerated Biden and the lefty sweetheart Senator Bernie Sanders, Biden’s stance on his selection of a Vice President rings a bell.

“There’s a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow,” Biden said, when announcing that his running mate would be a woman.

This, of course, in spite of him actively running against those several qualified women.

No one should doubt that Biden will make good on his promise to fill the soonto-be empty seat of a Justice with a Black woman, and therefore America will hear the judicial voice of a Black woman.

Leondra Kruger is an underdog, but an earnest favorite, among the others up for nomination, Ketanji Brown Jackson and J. Michelle Childs.

But how long ago could this have been done?

Moderates will say it couldn’t have been done, and tend to be apologist when confronted with questions regarding the expediency of these events.

The perspective of Black women in America has to this day been largely unheard.

But moderatism seems to have a natural slope into being enormously unproductive.

Sure, that may be intended in the design, but it goes without saying that society’s changed.

The condition of people’s lives depends on how fast things change today and tomorrow.

huge step back for students.

Many students struggle with their own sexual orientation and identity which is a major loss of LGBTQ+ community history that schools should be teaching.

If anything, there should be even more discussion and awareness in classrooms about sexual identity, so it is a shame that this bill is even floating around the House right now.

Schools surely don’t teach enough history surrounding LGBTQ+ topics, or historical figures who were a part of the community.

“I think that it’s based on very harmful and backward stereotypes of queer people, saying children are ‘too young’ to learn about sexuality is usually based on the idea that queerness is inherently sexual,” junior Ariana Perera said. “There are kids that already know they’re queer and this would isolate them and cause more opportunity for harassment.”

School is supposed to be a safe space for children. This bill will make young LGBTQ+ individuals feel scared by not being able to talk about their sexuality and having to hide a part of themselves.

Some will feel ashamed because no one is even mentioning anything LGBTQ+ related, so they will think it’s not normal or okay to be that way.

Everyone should be represented, whether that be by sexuality, race or gender. It is not okay to exclude an entire community from education.

“We have to create a learning environment where they feel safe and healthy, or it’s not an effective learning environment,” Heather Wilkie, a member

of a Central Florida LGBTQ advocacy group, Zebra Coalition, said. “When you have laws like this, that directly attack our kids for who they are, it prevents them from learning.”

Schools already don’t teach enough history surrounding LGBTQ+ topics, moments or important figures who were a part of the community.

“

There are kids who already know they’re queer and this would isolate them and cause more opportunity for harassment.

-Ariana Perera FSC junior

“

Dylan Olive Staff Writer

If they did, students would feel more comfortable in school and gain a better understanding of sexuality, culture, oppression and, most importantly, themselves.

“There are many historic figures whose queerness has been cut from the narrative to make them more palatable,” Perera said.

Because of how deranged “CS/HB 1557” is, there is very little chance of it becoming an official law in Florida.

The fact that it is even being surfaced through the Florida House of Representatives is alarming enough, and hopefully will be dismantled soon.

SOUTHERN

The Student Voice of Florida Southern College Florida Southern College 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. Lakeland, Florida 33801 fscsouthern.com 863-680-4456 fscsouthern@gmail.com

Editor-in-Chief

Sophia Gonzalez

sophiamcecc@gmail.com

Isabelle Hancock

isabellehancock1@gmail.com

Salvatore Ambrosino

salvatoreysxe@gmail.com

Online Editor(s)

News Editor Features Editor Opinions Editor

Sami Beason

Jameson Champion Nathalie Moreno

Entertainment & Sports Editor Faith Miller

Graphic Designer Advisor

Christina DiGregory

Mike Trice

samira.beason@gmail.com

jamesonc1211@gmail.com

morenonathalie78@gmail.com millercfaith@gmail.com

christina.digregory@gmail.com

mtrice@flsouthern.edu

The Southern is published as an e-edition bi-weekly 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.