The Crow's Nest - Volume 49 Issue 9 - October 30

OPINION, page 3

ARTS, page 8

OPINION, page 6

BULLS’ BLUNDER

SPOOKY OR GOOFY?

PROJECT BRINGS HOPE

USF football suffered its first blemish of the 2017-2018 season, ruining hopes for an undefeated record.

Are you a big fan of Halloween or is trick-ortreating a thing of the past? We tackle the issue from both sides in this week’s opinion section.

The Clothesline Project, which originated in 1990, is a visual display to raise awareness of sexual and domestic violence.

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Volume 49, Issue 9 - October 30, 2017 | Online at crowsneststpete.com

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New Haunted house fills SLC with screams dorms possible for 2019

By Delaney Brown delaneybrown@mail.usf.edu and Whitney Elfstrom welfstrom@mail.usf.edu

R

eady to shake off its commuter campus reputation, USF St. Petersburg is tackling its last barrier with the third and largest residential building.

Tentatively planned to be on Sixth Ave. S., between Third and Fourth St. S., the 10 story $49.5 million residence hall will be the tallest building on campus.

Housing 550 beds and a new cafeteria-style dining hall, it will alleviate the strain on the school’s two existing residence halls, which are at 112 percent capacity.

If approved by Florida Board of Governors in two weeks, the project is expected to be completed by fall 2019.

In an effort to diversify housing options on campus, the new dorm primarily includes suite-style options. These units will have four beds per unit but may be split into single and double-occupancy units, each including living areas.

Though there will be no insuite kitchens, the developers are looking into communal kitchens on each floor.

The original plans included a conference center on the top floor, but the idea was scrapped amid budget concerns.

The new dorms’ rates are expected to be similar to University Student Center and Residence Hall One, which are listed at $4,600-$4,800 >> SEE DORM on P2

JONAH HINEBAUGH | THE CROW’S NEST

Inside the Student Life Center last year, students staged horrific scenes at HAB’s annual haunted house.

By Alex Eubanks Contributor

T

he place where you do your homework became a whole lot scarier Friday, when the Student Life Center was transformed into a

haunted house that thrilled and scared students, faculty and staff members.

Hosted by the Harborside Activities Board, groups of students decorated and designed rooms in the building, turning it into a

demonic version of itself.

Walking into the haunted house, the first thing that attacked your senses were the ringing screams from somewhere deeper inside the and the sight of ghoulish versions of the HAB volunteers.

It got more horrifying with every step, as the cries got louder and more ominous. Only when the screaming stopped were you permitted to enter.

Once inside, visitors were escorted forward, meeting a pleasant fellow in the first room, who offered them a frosted Halloween-themed cookie. Visitors were then shown to a room with two eerie ladies, sitting and drinking tea.

Visitors were then hustled toward a ‘Get Out” inspired room, where images of African-American celebrities, such as Ol Dirty Bastard from the hip-hop group Wu Tang Clan, were auctioned off in a slave auction, with two bidders and a host. After the auction finished, visitors were offered a commemorative photo with their guide and one of the tea drinking ladies. As the photo was taken, the guides let out a blood curdling scream.

Sent on your way by the guide who took your picture, visitors then were off to the rest of the house, where they >> SEE HAUNTED on P2

When does a costume cross the line?

By Emily Wunderlich Contributor and Timothy Fanning tfanning@mail.usf.edu

A

re you dressing up this Halloween? How about your friends, siblings or roommates? What will you wear and how did you decide which costume?

How do you know when a Halloween costume crosses the line from being edgy or original to offensive?

The answer to that last question has haunted universities across the country for the past several years, where these issues

COURTESTY OF USFSP

A rendering of the planned 550 bed housing complex, which is pending approval from the Florida Board of Governors.

have lead to warnings about costume choices.

To address some of the do’s and don’ts of Halloween costumes, Compass and the Multicultural Activities Council hosted a forum on the issue last week.

Jon Jackson, sophomore cultural anthropology major and educational development chair of MAC, led the conversation alongside a panel of three other student council members.

Jackson emphasized the relationship between intent and impact, stating that many who dress offensively are often not aware of the consequences.

Around 20 people attended the event, held at The Edge as part of a new program called “Talk n’ Snack.”

Much of the discussion focused on the harmful effects of cultural appropriation — adopting aspects of someone else’s culture — and why dressing as an American Indian or a Geisha might be offensive.

Black face was one of the major talking points.

Originating during 19th

Tell us what you think

- When does a Halloween costume go too far?

- What advice would you give a friend who is unsure whether a planned costume is offensive? Are there rules to follow or questions you can ask that might provide guidance?

- Should colleges ban certain costumes with the goal of promoting safety or preventing anything offensive? Why? Let’s have a dialogue on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/crowsneststpete/ century minstrel shows to mock and dehumanize the black community, according to the panel, it reduces people to nothing but skin color.

“My race is not a costume,” said Meghan Coote, freshman biology major. “I go through hell and back every day dealing with all sorts of stereotypes and all sorts of obstacles that people put in front of me, and I am not going to sit here and be treated as a costume.”

Native American headdresses were another example. The panel said that these sacred items are earned and should not be cheaply rendered or commodified for profit.

Costumes that hypersexualize Native Americans were also deemed unacceptable by the panel, as indigenous women face one of the highest risk of

sexual assault, more than twice the national average, according to the Justice Department.

Costumes mimicking Mexican culture are also offensive because they often push racial stereotypes while implying that everyone in Latin America dresses the same.

Japanese kimonos were another. Traditional kimonos are highly conservative and worn by Geishas, who entertain others through dance and music. The panel identified these costumes as being offensive, as they imply that Asia is culturally uniform, with no differences from country to country.

Cross-cultural dressing of any sort promotes inaccurate stereotypes, erases cultural diversity and fetishizes >> SEE COSTUME on P3

THE CROW’S NEST IS THE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER AT THE USF ST. PETERSBURG. ALL CONTENT IN THE PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY USFSP STUDENTS. SINGLE COPIES FREE.

THE C ROW ’S NE ST

October 30, 2017

New art program hopes to bolster student involvement

By Emily Bowers Contributor

Finding an affordable and legitimate studio space can be exceedingly difficult for local artists. A new program is looking to change that.

ArtsXchange, a program at the St. Petersburg Warehouse Arts District that offers members access to studios to display and sell art, recently had its grand opening. The event was packed with locals excited to show their support for the arts community.

Among them were U.S Rep

Charlie Crist and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, who spoke about their appreciation for the arts while helping cut the ceremonial ribbon.

The event saw the celebration of phase one of the program’s completion: the opening of 28 new studios.

The program is particularly appealing for students looking to rent space on a budget. For $25, students can become members for a year and thereby have access to the studios and galleries, as well as various educational opportunities.

Renee Dabbs, executive

director of ArtsXchange, is hopeful that the program will see greater student participation in the local art scene.

“We created a segment of our membership for students because we believe student artists are a part of our community,” said Dabbs.“We also believe they can come in and get a lot. Our future is that we are going to do more education for students.”

Anyone who is a member reaps the benefits of the program, according to Dabbs.

Benefits include the ability to submit artwork to be a part

of their annex show and to participate in their member art shows, as well as having their personal studio.

Artist Ted VanCleave, who works in studio 102 in the warehouse, had nothing but praise for the space.

“It’s a wonderful facility.

It’s brand new. It’s the best studio any one of us have had.

It’s so nice, so well designed, so well lit. They really thought it through,” said VanCleave.

With the warehouse being located on the route of the Second Saturday ArtWalk, there is plenty of opportunity

for locals to check out the art.

It’s also a place to hold events as well as mentoring programs.

All types of art are encouraged in the studios, which have no time limit. As long as you maintain your membership, the studio is yours to make your own -meaning that you can paint the walls or decorate your space accordingly.

To register for the membership, go to http://www. warehouseartsdistrictstpete. com/, click the membership tab, and select the Student option.

a nod to the latest version of the Stephen King film and book “IT.” The twins from “The Shining” also watched as visitors moved through the room.

While the idea of this room was good, it could have been scarier, and it could have been in a creepier room.

After the “IT” room, visitors were moved to another room inspired by “Chuckie.” The room was filled with dolls and two demonically dressed actors, one of which appeared to be a human doll with

horrifying detailed makeup.

This room was well put together, and the actors who worked it were good, which made the room creepier, as they consistently asked visitors to play with them.

The haunted house also featured a room with zombies who ominously followed visitors around, even chasing them at times. Included in the Haunted House were other horror icons like Jason.

There was a girl in an office screaming and hitting the glass window which was

also very creepy.

While the house had its moments where it failed to inspire true fear, primarily in the Stephen King area which felt underdeveloped, it shined in both the attention to detail, especially in the “Get Out” area which featured several very layed out rooms and terrific acting.

Each time you went through a new area you weren’t guaranteed to experience the same scares as last time, which made the haunted house unpredictable.

HAUNTED, continued from P1 met a man with a chainsaw, a doctor dissecting a patient with bursting intestines and a long fingered demon reaching out from the curtains.

Another memorable fixture

was a room inspired by Stephen King’s “IT,” which featured two Pennywise clowns and Georgie, each holding a red balloon and chanting “you’ll float too,”

English honor society welcomes new inductees

By Alyssa Harmon Contributor

ALEX EUBANKS | THE CROW’S NEST

A student volunteer in the Quarantine area, a section of HAB’s annual haunted house.

DORM, continued from P1 per semester, according to the latest projected housing rates. Though Residence Hall Hilton is expected to come offline in fall of 2019, students living there would experience a price reduction.

The project is a public private partnership (P3), which allows the university to undertake the construction of the project with minimal risk and financial impact.

The university will pay EdR approximately $23 million over the course of 40 years in exchange for EdR providing the upfront capital.

In exchange for underwriting the major construction costs, EdR will receive a 40 year lease of the land, as well as management rights.

Sodexo, a food service provider under contract with the university, will assume the $6 million cost of building the new dining facility, while EdR will provide the remaining funds.

EdR will also assume management of all existing residential projects, including

RHO and the USC. The push for the new residence hall came amid a surge in enrollment. University projections expect student population to reach 4,222 full time undergraduates by 2025.

Current infrastructure has failed to meet the growing demand for on-campus housing.

52 percent of students surveyed by the university said the availability of on-campus housing was an important decision in deciding to attend USFSP. Affordability of oncampus housing was another major consideration.

Tadlock acknowledged the need for affordable housing options.

“We know there is a direct link between the number of students who live on campus and the number of students who complete their degrees and graduate on time,” said Martin Tadlock, interim regional chancellor in a written statement.

“Residential life leads to greater student success.”

The Alpha Xi Phi chapter’s rod was made by the chapter sponsor, Thomas Hallock, from a table leg he purchased from Home Depot.

Painted in the official colors of the English honor society, the cardinal and black, solid oak rod represents the durability of the skills learned in the English major.

During Sigma Tau Delta’s annual induction of neophytes, or new members Friday, the rod was tapped three times, welcoming twelve neophytes into the prestigious society.

The new members took a pledge to “advance the study of the chief literary masterpieces; to encourage worthwhile reading; to promote the mastery of written expression; and to foster a spirit of fellowship among students specializing in the English language, literature and writing; keeping in mind (the) international motto of Sincerity, Truth, Design.”

Many professors in the English department attended the event, such as Jill McCracken, Trey Conner, Julie Armstrong and Madhura Bandyopadhyay.

Interim Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock and Frank Biafora, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences attended the event as well.

As sponsor, Hallock, a

professor of English literature and cultural studies, was especially proud of his group.

“Sigma Tau Delta continues to do remarkable things.

Since its founding, over ten years ago under Professor Frances Auld, (Alpha Xi Phi) has taken on many forms,” Hallock said. “The most exciting development with the current group has been Papercut, the literary (journal) produced by the students. As a professor of English at USFSP, I cannot help but share in the enthusiasm these students bring to their commitment to improving their own writing.”

Tami Toms, current Alpha Xi Phi secretary and treasurer, acted as marshal along with McCracken’s son, Nathaniel.

Together, they held the mace as they lead inductees into the Harbor Hall auditorium.

When all twelve had entered, former Alpha Xi Phi President Lequina Knox read the pledge to the new inductees, which they all recited.

After taking the pledge, one by one their names were announced. They walked across the stage to receive their Sigma Tau Delta pin, their certificates and to sign the permanent roll of the chapter.

Emma Hamilton, one of the newly inducted members, said that she loved being apart of Sigma Tau Delta.

“It’s so great to have a community of people centered

around similar interests. It totally enriches my experience at USFSP. I definitely recommend finding your club and joining full force,” Hamilton said.

Jay Boda, a Sigma Tau Delta alumni, read the history of Sigma Tau Delta.

Sigma Tau Delta was founded at the Dakota Wesleyan University in 1924. The society became international in 1988, and currently there are an estimated 880 active chapters around the country, with about 9,000 new members a year.

USF St. Petersburg’s chapter, Alpha Xi Phi, is a little over 10 years old.

After the ceremony, everyone stayed to talk before heading out to Red Mesa Mercado for a celebratory dinner.

McCracken, an associate professor of verbal and visual arts, said that she enjoyed the event, calling it “an excellent opportunity to be a part of a large group of scholars.”

“Induction was a great reminder of the momentum this fledgling group has built,”said Travis Lueth, current Alpha Xi Phi historian and new inductee. “We have high hopes for what this group can achieve both on campus and in the local community, and seeing such a great turnout for induction really helped galvanize our commitment.”

TH E CROW ’ S N E ST

October 30, 2017

Bulls’ quest for perfect season thwarted by Houston

By Michael Moore Jr michaelmoor@mail.usf.edu

U

SF football faced its first true test of the season.

The result? Failure.

The Houston Cougars defeated the Bulls 28-24 on Saturday, tarnishing USF’s undefeated record and snapping the nation’s longest winning streak (12) in the process.

Green and gold hearts broke everywhere.

It’s not what we hoped for or expected — a not-soperfect game in what had,

up to that point, been an otherwise perfect season.

When we turned our television screens on Saturday morning to see USF quarterback and Heismanlongshot Quinton Flowers featured on ESPN’s “College Gameday,” we did so under the pretense of perfection.

Hours later, Houston played spoiler.

What was supposed to be a moment of glory deteriorated into a nightmare.

The slow starts, inconsistencies and inability

to play all four quarters finally caught up with them. You can get away with those things against the Stony Brooks and the San Jose States of the world, but try and get away with that against the Cougars?

Houston, we have a problem.

There were hopes that an undefeated season might be enough to secure a berth in a New Year’s Six bowl game.

For the uninitiated, these are the top six major NCAA Division I bowl games, which comprised of the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl,

THE CROW’S NEST ARCHIVES

Quinton Flowers, USF quarterback and longshot Heisman candidate, was recently featured on ESPN’s “College Gameday.”

Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl.

The Bulls have never been.

Playing in one would have been an incredible milestone for the program.

They’ll have to imagine what that’s like from their couches come December and January.

Four quarters of football would have been enough to get the job done. The Bulls held the Cougars to a mere 82 yards in the first half and kept them off the scoreboard. Two quarters and four touchdowns later, and we were looking at a completely different story.

Flowers rushed for 7 yards in front of 32,316 screaming fans at Raymond James Stadium.

Neither team was perfect on Saturday.

Houston’s imperfections were just a little less glaring. They did just enough to get the job done.

Just enough to ruin a season.

The season isn’t over — not technically speaking, anyways. There are still three games left, including a major final game against instate rival University of Central Florida.

But technicalities aside, this was the stake in the heart for the 2017-2018 USF football season.

Losing one game may not seem like a lot, but in this instance given the current strength of schedule (or in this case, lack thereof) it is monumental.

The Bulls had a chance to rise to new heights. This loss puts an end to that.

But that’s OK. These things happen on the gridiron. A 20yard touchdown run with 11 seconds remaining is sometimes going to be the difference between a win and a loss.

It is, after all, a game of inches.

The progress the Bulls have made in the last few years is undeniable. One can reasonably conclude that this trend will continue if USF finds a way to adapt in the post-Flowers era upon his graduation.

Despite the tough loss, the future looks bright.

An American Athletic Conference East Division Title is still possible if we can close out the rest of the season without another loss.

Technically, a New Year’s Six bowl game is within reach, albeit those aspirations may be a bit lofty at this point.

And who knows what next season will hold?

Despite a losing effort, Flowers’ 332 total yards in the game pushed him over the 10,000 mark for his career. In all, the Bulls racked up 462 yards in total offense.

The loss also ended a 24 game streak that saw the Bulls score 30 points or more, a national record.

intended to be humorous? Is the humor based on “making fun” of real people, human traits or cultures?

Are you wearing a historical costume? If this costume is meant to be historical, might it further misinformation or historical and cultural inaccuracies?

Are you wearing a costume based upon certain culture?

Might it promote stereotypes?

“Ultimately, at the end of the day, (we) wanted to encourage

people to realize they can have fun and enjoy Halloween without being at the expense of others, said Thompson. “It’s important to think about other people, and how your actions can impact them in ways you didn’t intend them to. Political correctness, in reality, is about being polite and courteous of other people.”

Information from the Associated Press and New York Times were used in this report.

COSTUME, continued from P1 people of other ethnic groups, according to the panel.

THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES Jackson said you can dress as your favorite character or celebrity without marginalizing entire groups of people. If you’re unsure of how to do this, incorporate that person’s signature moves, style or phrases.

For example, someone going as Michael Jackson might do his famous moonwalk or wear his iconic single white glove.

If all else fails, it can’t hurt to simply identify who you are dressed as.

Jackson wrapped up the discussion by explaining the ways in which you can appreciate a culture without wearing it as a costume.

Understanding the culture’s history and traditions is a good place to start. Participating as an outsider is even better, but only if invited to do so by members of that culture.

Jackson also reminded the audience that the only people who get to decide what is offensive to a certain ethnic group are the people of that ethnic group. White people do not get to tell people of color what should or should not offend them.

Moreover, a single person cannot speak for an entire group. Just because one person

said it was all right does not make it non-offensive to an entire race or culture.

A NATIONAL DEBATE Universities across the country are urging students to pass on the offensive and attention-grabbing costumes.

Citing concerns that certain costumes featuring “sombreros,” or large, broadbrimmed straw hats typically worn in Mexico, Native American Headdresses and blackface are becoming flashpoints in campus debates over race and culture, administrators are using letters, campus forums and advertising campaigns to encourage students to pick outfits that don’t offend classmates of various backgrounds.

Some, like USF St. Petersburg, issued a letter encouraging students to consider how a costume aligns with the organization’s values of “fostering inclusiveness,” and “avoids circumstances that threaten our sense of community, or disrespects, alienates or ridicules members of our community based on race, nationality (or) religious belief.”

Others, like Southern Utah University, have put up dozens of billboards and shared social media the message, “My Culture is not my Costume,” along with images of students

of color holding photos of people wearing costumes from their race and culture.

Similar campaigns have spread to other schools like University of Denver and University of New Hampshire.

Supporters of the campaigns see them as a chance to start a conversation about cultural appropriation and educate students about their own cultures.

However, critics see it as another example of political correctness and expressed fears that it will lead to a host of costumes being prohibited and turn students away from celebrating Halloween.

On Oct. 26, Martin Tadlock, interim regional chancellor and Student Body President David Thompson, sent an email to campus faculty, staff and students, urging them to consider the impacts of their Halloween costumes.

“While we all have the right to express ourselves,” the letter said, “we hope that you will actively avoid circumstance that threatens our sense of community …

We are committed to fostering a learning environment where all can engage with ideas, thoughts and ideas.”

The letter encouraged the campus to consider a wide range of factors when picking a costume, including: Are you wearing a costume

EMILY WUNDERICH | THE CROW’S NEST

Jon Jackson, educational development chair of Multicultural Activities Board, engages audience members about the harmful effects of cultural appropriation at The Edge last week.

THE C ROW ’S NE ST

October 30, 2017

“Jigsaw” successfully resurrects gory franchise

By Jeffrey Waitkevich Contributor

L

et’s play a game: it’s called watching a confusing reboot more than 10 years after the original’s release.

The original “Saw” came out in 2004. “Saw 3D,” the seventh installment in the played out franchise, which was dubbed “the final chapter,” debuted in 2010.

Seven years later, the series returns with “Jigsaw.”

In many ways it picks up where the series left off.

In typical “Saw” fashion, the movie feels like a losing battle in figuring out what is going on.

It begins with Edgar Munsen (Josiah Black) being chased by police to the top floor of a building where he finds a remote. When the police catch him, he asks for Detective Halloran (Callum Keith Rennie) and begins spewing on about “the game.”

The encounter ends with a bullet in Munsen and the remote activated.

That activation begins “the game,” with Anna (Laura Vandervoort), Ryan (Paul Braunstein), Mitch (Mandela Van Peebles), Carly (Brittany Allen) and an unnamed character rounding out the quintet of players.

As is typical of the series, the first victim is taken in the first few minutes when police find him hanging from a tree with skin missing in the shape of a puzzle piece.

As the trend continues, Detective Halloran and the rest realize that the suspect is likely none other than the supposedly deceased John Kramer, also known as “Jigsaw.”

The construction of the plot is no masterpiece. With so many characters and storylines, the first half of the movie feels like an episode of “NCIS” or “Criminal Minds,” if everyone turned on each other.

It doesn’t help that the acting is less than perfect.

As apparent above, the cast lacks big name actors. While that’s the norm for the series, having a protagonist that is recognizable to root for would have gone a long way in improving the film.

Underlying, however, is a bigger issue: there is no clear protagonist. Instead, the film relies on a variety of characters working to solve the antijigsaw puzzle. In the end, each of them has skeletons in their closet that take away from their likability.

And that’s where this movie thrives: it sticks to its guns and doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.

Going into a “Saw” movie, audiences expect three things: “the game,” some wildly gory scenes not fit for the faint of heart, and Jigsaw’s spooky, deep voice.

This film completed the trifecta.

Additionally, the film being so difficult to keep up with eventually pays off by turning its complexity into its biggest strength.

The last few scenes of the movie are wild, they flip everything on its head and essentially jam the entire movie of “Inception” into a 15-minute exposé.

OK, so there’s no Hans Zimmer soundtrack and there are no upside down worlds, but it is every bit as complex and wonderful. It’s the kind of film that makes you question every prior scene in an attempt to figure out how in the world you got there.

It was a brain overload, but it was beautiful.

That said, this movie does not lend itself kindly to frequent bathroom breaks. Nearly every scene somehow connects to the next in a nonlinear race to the conclusion. Missing scenes makes it impossible to follow.

For first-time “Saw” movie goers, twin directors Michael and Peter Spierig do a great job

COURTESY OF LIONSGATE

“Jigsaw” was released as the first movie of a new series of “Saw” films. Despite being a brain overload, it was a beautifully brutal film.

filling in the gaps and making it feel like an experience separate from the other seven movies. Moreover, this film

feels like it sets up a whole new series, so definitely be on the lookout for “Jigsaw 2.”

TH E CROW ’ S N E ST

October 30, 2017

Short film explores life after rape and suicide

By Sara M. McDonald Contributor

W

ritten on my skin,” a short film, packs a powerful punch.

Written and directed by Rod Roberts, it tells the story about an up-and-coming actress named Rachel Ryan, who is reliving being raped. The film is heavy, flashing back and forth between that night and the current one, where she is sitting on the bathroom floor, contemplating suicide.

She relives how her rapist’s fans —who is a celebrity — and press said she deserved being raped, because that’s how things are in Hollywood.

It’s a film that deals with how to deal with traumatic events.

Do you commit suicide or continue to seek counseling?

Rachel weighs all of this as she relives the emotions and events.

The Crow’s Nest got a first look and interview with Roberts, to learn what inspired the film, why it is so important and what we can learn from it.

The film has been submitted to over 20 film festivals, but no official release date has been announced. To stay connected, watch behind the scenes footage and learn more, follow the film on social media: Instagram (writtenonmyskinfilm) and Twitter @womsfilm.

Q: Tell me about yourself: A: I have a marketing degree out of Oklahoma State but I have been doing movies for the past 14 years one way or another. (I) started out in photography, booking talent.

Then I left Hong Kong for LA to further my film career as a director and writer. I wanted to make films that would educate the audience and something that would move them. I’m

a huge fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg but their movies weren’t the kind of movies I wanted to make. I wanted to make movies that would move you.

Q: What inspired the film: A: This was my own personal way of dealing with the subject. The reason I have had an interest was my older sister was violently assaulted when I was 16/17. Long story short, he broke into her house ... put a gun to my nephew’s head and said this is how things are going to go down.

Afterward she came to our house, I answered the door and she’s crying. I asked her what was wrong but she ran in the bathroom and waited for our sister and mom to come home.

I made this movie because (other actors, directors and storytellers) always portray it as the good guy fights and gets revenge and wins by court drama. That is not necessarily the case in the real world.

These stories don’t usually end with justice. The victim has to find their way out of that so they can become a survivor.

Q: What was the process of making it come to life: A: The rapist was hard to cast. It was very hard finding guys to cast that role. One reason was because they wanted to be an action hero.

They were worried about how people would react to them playing this rapist type of villain.

If you look at it from a bigger picture, you’re nervous about your acting career when these women are worried in real life how they will be looked at when they come forward. I was the judge (in the movie) and I casted the entire jury as men.

I had some actresses turn down the roll because

they didn’t want to relive their trauma. That was understandable. But one thing is important is that we never show the rape. Rape scenes from other movies are on porn sites. You know it happens, and you can tell the story without showing it.

Q: Why are films like “written on my skin” important: A: The film is a short. It’s 26 minutes long.

Every 2 minutes someone is raped. That means by the time you are done watching the movie, 13 women have been sexually assaulted. The truth is we need movies like this, with the realities and no happy ending or hero to save the day so we can start having a conversation that is desperately needed. It is hard and horrible but it needed to be told in an honest way.

Q: One of the pieces of advice the victim gets in the movie is she should “dress a little more and drink a little less.” Can you tell me why this was the advice she was given and why it was put in the movie?

A: An actual judge said that in Toronto. After the rapist was found guilty, he gave him time served and said to the victim “you should dress a little more and drink a little less and try to keep your knees together.”

A lot in the film was from real incidents.

Q: Do you think that movies like this and the #metoo movement can change the atmosphere surrounding rape and sexual assault?

A: I think Rose McGowan (an American actress) hit the nail on the head. Now on social media we are seeing hundreds of thousands of women coming forward and

to see that the vast majority acknowledging their own assault is huge.

It speaks to all the people who have sat silent for so long. We have to stop having conversations about taking defense classes or pepper spray.

Let’s take those resources and put it into teaching guys not to do it. It has to be a punch in the face like these movies and movements.

Q: In the statistics provided at the end of the movie, you touch on some heavy statistics. Which one stands out to you the most?

A: There’s a statistic that covers athletes and how they’ve handled game suspensions.

It’s ironic because the NFL wears pink

one month out of the year to “support women” but their actions say that’s just marketing when someone punches their wife and only gets suspended 2 games.

Q: What is one thing you wish for people to take away from your film?

A: The lawyer is telling the court, ‘It wasn’t that she was promiscuous or wore the wrong outfit.’ You have to look beyond the nonsense of it all and focus on the person who has done it. Rachel makes no apology for being promiscuous or wearing a flashy dress or for even taking ecstasy. These situations may play a part but that is not the reason these things (rape) happen.

COURTESTY OF ROD ROBERTS

“Written on my skin,” a short film, tells a story about an aspiring actress named Rachel Ryan, who contemplates suicide as she relives a traumatic moment in her life.

Our world flipped Upside Down with “Stranger Things 2”

By Lea Whitley Contributor Last year, “Stranger Things,” a Netflix series, arrived almost unannounced, blowing the minds of suspense lovers.

Paying homage to the golden age of horror and sci-fi films, the relatively unknown sibling duo known as The Duffer Brothers created a masterpiece by turning the world of thrillers upside down with a nostalgia-filled magnum opus.

Set in the mid-80s in a small town in Indiana, a young boy goes missing and his friends, family and local law enforcement stop at nothing to get him back.

They took grave risks, facing dangers they never could have imagined as they are introduced to another world, all too similar to their own.

In the much-anticipated

sequel, hearts break and rivalries are created as old grudges escalate. Tensions rise as the clues fall into place.

The experiences of the prior events have made an obvious impact on the main characters, which allow them to have more bravery and delve deeper into something that they never stopped wondering about.

The Duffer Brothers are consistent in their character development, which is driven by quality writing.

Although questions from last season were answered dutifully, others arose that were unattached to the plot, creating a rift in the flow of the storytelling.

New characters seem to have been introduced, not for season 2, but for the future season 3, leaving some fans frustrated and wanting more out of the parallel story that takes place apart from the

COURTESTY OF NETFLIX

From left, Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson and Lucas Sinclair in “Stranger Things 2.”

main adventure.

Overall, “Stranger Things 2” was a wild ride, and a welcomed revisiting of the mystery-fogged town of Hawkins, Indiana.

A lot of afterthoughts seem

to have been shoehorned in, but did well to not leave plot holes. Young actors new to the series were given room to flourish and prove to the world that they had star power, and are here to stay.

Achieving great reviews from critics, and showing hardcore fans more of what is going on behind the curtain, season 2 was enjoyable, but could leave a viewer wanting more.

THE C ROW ’S NE ST

October 30, 2017 | Opinion

Is Halloween worth the hype?

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Staff Michael Moore Jr Editor-in-Chief

Editorial Timothy Fanning Managing Editor Whitney Elfstrom Online Editor Dinorah Prevost News Editor Anna Bryson A&E Editor Lis Casanova Copy Editor

By Brianna Rodriguez

Sophomore Journalism and Digital Communication major

D

evouring bowls full of candy, sitting in front of a screen watching a horror film and attending parties are what most people think of when Halloween comes around.

Halloween invites people to express their creativity by designing a costume or carving a pumpkin. It is the one day out of the year where you can become whomever or whatever you want.

This is what I’ve always admired about Halloween.

Through makeup and design, it gave me the ability to express myself. A combination of creativity and imagination is what people miss about Halloween.

It’s more than just a holiday filled with spooky music and free candy.

As a child, my mother made a point to decorate the house, carve pumpkins and create costumes. At 7 years old Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party became an annual tradition in my family.

Each year my brothers and I

looked forward to skipping school and piling into the car to go to Disney World.

The thought of dressing up as a cat or a princess for Halloween never interested me. I always aimed to be something straight out of a horror film.

I remember in preschool I wanted to be a murderous doctor, but the school wouldn’t let me. I was so frustrated that I had to settle on being a fairy for Halloween at school. Luckily, I still was able to be a murderous doctor for Halloween when I went Trick-or-Treating.

Maybe I was just a strange child. My favorite doll was a skeleton that started off as a Halloween decoration.

I brought it with me to daycare while the other girls brought their Barbie dolls.

This holiday, much like Christmas, always brought my family close. It gave us an opportunity to do activities together and bond over horror films. If I am not with my family, then I spend the day with friends. It’s a night where I can decompress and partake in something other than homework or a job.

A lot of people dislike Halloween because they don’t like the scary atmosphere.

Some may even claim that it is the devil’s holiday, but to me, it has always been special.

Those who dislike the day must have lacked a childhood with the same appreciation for Halloween as mine.

Delaney Brown Staff Reporter

Design Sav Gibbs Creative Director Jonah Hinebaugh Photography Editor Brianna Rodriguez Design Assistant

No, boo’s are boring

By Whitney Elfstrom Junior Journalism and Digital Communication major

H

alloween as a child is one of the most magical and spooky nights of the year. But, Halloween as an adult is full of bad decisions, expensive costumes and too much money spent on alcohol.

When I was a kid I looked forward to Disney Channel movies, fall festivals and free candy. I mean, who didn’t love eating minisized candy bars while watching “Hocus Pocus” and “Halloweentown”? But as an adult, the allure just isn’t there.

The days of relaxing at home after school with a bag of candy corn and a Disney Channel Original Movie on in the background just isn’t realistic. For starters, most of us don’t watch cable anymore and now we realize that candy corn is, well, trash.

Halloween night is no longer about throwing on the costume your parents bought and knocking on strangers doors while singing “Trickor-treat smell my feet, give me something good to eat.”

I mean, I’m sure you could, but it’s probably not the best idea.

Instead, as an adult, we’re expected to done expensive sexy cop and nurse costumes or, hey, I even had a friend dress up as a sexy fly last year.

After spending hours getting ready we head out to the bar in

costumes that will only make it a few hours while we proceed to spend too much money on shots and trade common sense for spooky mistakes.

Maybe my bad attitude stems from more than just being annoyed by hangovers and misplaced dollars. The root of my issue with Halloween is that it’s supposed to be the most magnificent fall holiday there is.

It should bring crisp breezes that blow the red and orange leaves around. It should bring strolls through pumpkin patches. It should bring sips of hot chocolate on cool fall nights by a bonfire, wrapped in a blanket.

Here in Florida we don’t get to relish in the luxury fall. Instead, we’re met with 80 degree weather — with the exception of a few cool nights — and the only way we remember that it’s Halloween is when our favorite grocery stores start selling massive bags of candy and when Halloween Horror Nights commercials come on TV. In my opinion the best part of any holiday is the time spent with loved ones. That’s why my favorite thing about Halloween is that the next day is Nov. 1, meaning that in a matter of weeks I’ll be sitting around a table full of Thanksgiving fixins and my favorite family members.

After all, Thanksgiving is the superior fall holiday.

Because instead of wasting a month’s paycheck on booze and boos, you’re welcomed by free food and wholesome family fun. I mean, what could be better than that?

So if Halloween is your cup of poison punch go out and be spooky. I, on the other hand, am OK with staying in, putting out a bowl of candy and counting down the days to a holiday that actually has a little meaning.

Operations

Brenden DelaRua Business Manager Rob Hooker Adviser

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BRIANNA RODRIGUEZ | THE CROW’S NEST

Brianna Rodriguez, “I remember in preschool I wanted to be a murderous doctor, but the school wouldn’t let me.”

WHITNEY ELFSTROM | THE CROW’S NEST

Despite not being a big Halloween fan, Whitney Elfstrom ate her own words and dressed up last year as “Sexy Little Red Riding Hood.”

TH E CROW ’ S N E ST

October 30, 2017

Don’t get tricked, stay safe during Halloween

By Emily Vsetula Contributor

W

hether you are dressing up as a lifeguard from “Baywatch” and participating in a bar crawl or attending a small get together with a few friends, it’s important to take a few necessary precautions during Halloween in order to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

It’s no secret that crime Unfortunately, a dying cell emboldened and more willing have an ethical responsibility rates increase around the phone is all too common a to commit a crime. to make sure police are called. holidays. With that in mind, reality. If you do find yourself in For those who drink on Jones said that there will be it’s important to remember a that situation, remember Jones’s Halloween, UPD has some about three on-duty officers few basic safety tips. next crucial tip: “Stay together. specific advice. on campus Halloween night “I know this might sound Use the buddy system, always.”

“Don’t leave your drink to ensure that everyone stays obvious, but keep your phone People who are alone are unattended. If you do, just get safe while having fun. charged,” said Alexandria Jones, particularly vulnerable and another one,” Jones said.

“There might be some a university police department are more likely to be targeted Perhaps the most important Halloween pranks, but that’s communications specialist. for crimes. piece of advice Jones gave was what we’re here for,” Jones said.

We can all remember a time Additionally, Jones advises that if you see something, say Only you can guarantee your when our only connection that you be extra cautious of something. Being a bystander own safety this Halloween, Animal Mazes

by KrazyDad, Bookand 1 remaining silent is Maze to the outside world was your environment and the also a #7so follow these guidelines to destroyed by a dead battery. people in it, as people who crime, Jones said. If you are the avoid being tricked while still Don’t let that be you. are in costumes tend to feel only witness to a crime, you getting all the treats.

What to do this week: Oct. 30- Nov. 5

to go Trick or Treating on be handing out promo items Halloween night. A travesty! such as hats, chargers, I know. I mean, you could flyers, sign up sheets, and, take your chances and go of course, doughnuts.

MONDAY KRAZYDAD.COM Need the answer? http://krazydad.com/mazes/answers some candy but, Probably one of the most demand if you do, tell us how that THURSDAY wonderful things about goes.

(Seriously, write Haven’t gotten around to college is being able to about it and send it in) But, seeing the new Spider-man interact and learn about anyway, if you’re not so movie yet?

Well, luck is on cultures different from your bold as to do that, get over your side because Screen on own. If you enjoy these to the University Student the Green is bringing it in kinds of engagements and Center ballrooms from 8 for you, and of course, it’s want to learn more about to 10 p.m. for the Rocky free of charge.

Grab a lawn the African-American culture, or if you belong to Horror Picture Show. The chair, or a picnic blanket, the culture yourself, make event is bringing out photo and make your way to sure to swing by The Reef booths for you and your Harborwalk at 8 p.m. for from noon to 2 p.m. The friends, plus some snacks “Spiderman Homecoming.”

The newest adaptation has Black Student Association and drinks. some very big changes but will be celebrating National WEDNESDAY it’s truly an enjoyable watch Dashiki Day and educating Got any time to spare — and that’s all I’ve got to students on the significance between 11 and 1 p.m.? say about that. of the garment.

If so, why don’t you take a walk through the Lynn FRIDAY TUESDAY Pippenger Hall Atrium Here’s an aesthetically We’re adults. It’s no for another HAB Market pleasing event that’s also longer socially acceptable where HAB members will culturally sensitive and

By Lis Casanova lis@mail.usf.edu

educational: The St. Pete that it’s always nice to share Asian Lantern Festival. It the experience with friends. will be a night of peace and Good things, Compass relaxation, paired with dozens understands.

Join them © 2010 of food trucks, liveKrazyDad.com music and from noon to 2 p.m. by the tons of entertainment. The Bull to set off on this little event is also environmentally adventure. Don’t forget to friendly, therefore no lanterns bring a baggie for whatever will actually be released into you may pick up! the sky; instead 400 lanterns will be hung around the SUNDAY Albert Whitted Park for You know how sometimes your enjoyment. This event you make something up on will stretch from 6 to 11 p.m. the spot and then have to stop and is free to enter. for a second and ponder on your momentary brilliance?

Well, imagine doing that for a SATURDAY Sometimes, it’s better to living. Join improv comedians do things as part of a group. Hawk and Wayne at Compass’ Journey: An For example, going out to Learning Evening of Improv Comedy the Saturday Morning from 6 to 9 p.m at Coquina Market. Of course, this is one of those events that 101. Laugh with the duo and are enjoyable regardless stick around after the show to of anyway you come to it. meet the artists and ask them But, there’s so much to see questions.

THE C ROW ’S NE ST

October 30, 2017

Clotheslines Project brings hope to survivors of sexual and domestic violence through powerful, silent messages

KARLANA JUNE |THE CROW’S NEST

Shirts were placed on a clothesline along Harbor walk last week to help raise awareness to the issues of violence against women, men and children.

By Karlana June Contributor

S

till reeling from a post-traumatic stress disorder episode, I am apprehensive about obligations requiring me to be on campus.

Cinder blocks seem to replace my feet as I take each slow and cautious step across the Peter Rudy Wallace courtyard. As I enter the foyer, feeling naked and vulnerable, I see a familiar sight beyond the glass doors.

Dancing colorfully in the crisp, morning breeze, T-shirts hang on clotheslines.

They’re part of the Clothesline Project — a visual display that bears witness to the violence against women, men and children.

The project was conceived in 1990, when members of the Cape Cod Women’s Agenda learned that during the Vietnam War years — when 58,000 American military personnel were killed — 51,000 women were killed in the U.S. by men due to domestic violence.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA), the official domestic violence center for southern Pinellas County, is the Clothesline Project of Tampa Bay (CPoTB) curator for this exhibit.

The first Clothesline Project comprised 31 shirts. Almost thirty years later, there are Clothesline Projects in 41 states and five countries, with an estimated 500 projects and 60,000 shirts.

There are no longer cinder blocks attached to my feet as I deposit my backpack in the office and make my way toward Harborwalk. The Clothesline Project beckons me with a magnetic force.

It is unequivocally comforting.

I am surrounded by a multitude of fellow survivors and victims of domestic and sexual violence. Our voices, bold and brave, dance on the

gusts of wind as the sunlight catches glitter on some of the shirts. Light and free.

As I approach the exhibit, Hong Callueng, a CASA volunteer, is at my side. “Do you know about the Clothesline Project?” she asks.

“Yes. I decorated a shirt several years ago,” I say.

Hong’s eyes well up and I am engulfed in her arms. No words are necessary.

The clothesline stretches nearly the length of Harbor walk. Spanning both sides — around 150 shirts (an estimated 1,110 in the full CPoTB collection) on exhibit.

I am hoping to find my shirt, but know there are so many, often space doesn’t allow for all the shirts to be displayed.

Dawn Hoang, a senior business management major, is another CASA volunteer overseeing the exhibit on campus. She wanted to get involved in the community and decided to volunteer with CASA. “I feel very open to do (the Clothesline Project) and let students know,” she says.

Hoang is also a volunteer at the CASA thrift store.

Domestic and sexual violence has no bias — it doesn’t discriminate. It affects humans regardless of age, gender identity, race, class or sexual orientation.

I ask Dawn how people’s responses have been.

“Students have been quiet. It is a sensitive topic,” Hoang says.

While I stand observing, far more women than men stop to bear witness. This violence is harder for men to acknowledge and accept.

Gender socialization issues are the biggest factor and why males are less likely to report abuse or assault.

“It’s heavy. Heartbreaking,” says Lexi Montero, a freshman biology major who stopped to read the stories.

Dialogue, whether private or public, is uncomfortable for people.

We have been conditioned

by society, culture and the media to hide it, cower from it, keep silent about it, shove it under the proverbial rug.

Survivors are often coerced into silence. When we tell someone we trust, often we are not believed or accused of somehow being responsible for the violence.

Family, police and friends are guilty of this.

Many of us suppress the trauma or numb the effects with drugs and alcohol, self-harming, and tragically, sometimes suicide. We often repeat the violence by entering violent relationships, being promiscuous or putting ourselves in dangerous situations.

Why would survivors retraumatize themselves or keep silent?

Because the violence is what we know. It is insidious.

Perpetrators enforce objectification, shame, guilt,

worthlessness — that we don’t matter. We carry this with us.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) reports that every 98 seconds a person experiences sexual assault in the U.S. Every eight minutes, the victim is a child.

“This is my shirt! I found my shirt!” I say to Hong, overwhelmed by this gift, on this day — validation that my story and voice matters.

It is empowering.

The date when I created my shirt is scrawled along the bottom, “5/05,” the first time I shared my story publically.

The CPoTB offered an empowering outlet to express my trauma in a safe an anonymous way.

Twelve years have passed.

Through trauma therapy and counselling, talking about it, and being willing to walk through the pain of the trauma, I am at peace today. I have

a voice and use it to educate others, encouraging survivors to find their voice, to speak up and speak out.

From victim to survivor.

From broken to healed. From voiceless to boisterous. I will always live with PTSD, but I am no longer defined by these experiences — they are simply part of what makes me, ME. If you are a survivor of domestic or sexual violence, talk about it. Talking about it is the first step toward healing.

If someone trusts you enough to talk about what happened to them, listen, support and love them through the trauma. Ask the survivor how you can best support them.

“I am a daughter and I have a daughter, a sister, and this touches me deeply. It’s liberating to be a voice. I can use my voice to share other’s stories,” says Hong.

KARLANA JUNE | THE CROW’S NEST

The Clotheslines Project creates a powerful visual with T-shirts containing designs made by survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.