ncfcatalyst.com | @ncfcatalyst
CATALYST
BRIEFS ELECTION UPDATE pg.
November 14, 2018 VOLUME XXXVII ISSUE IX
New College of Florida's student-run newspaper
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New LGBTQIA+ guidelines spark parental concern at Sarasota School Board meeting BY EILEEN CALUB Taking an unprecedented step toward improving LGBTQIA+ inclusion in local schools, the Sarasota County School Board released new guidelines in late October to advise teachers and school staff on gender and sexuality-related issues. On Tuesday, Nov. 6, these guidelines sparked a heated debate at a Sarasota County School Board meeting packed with over 100 attendees. The discussions ran late into the evening as passionate supporters and opponents of the guidelines approached the podium. The Gender Diverse Student Guidelines, developed by an LGBTQIA+ task force and approved by the majority of school board members, lay out policies regarding restroom and locker room usage and overnight field trips for gender non-conforming students. At each school, there will be at least one universal or all-gender single-stall restroom. Students may use whichever restroom
matches their gender identity. Moreover, students may also be addressed by their preferred name and pronouns at school, as well as identify by their chosen gender without parent input and regardless of official records. The guidelines have drawn controversy and criticism from many concerned parents and community members. Notably, Board Chair Bridget Ziegler felt surprised by the announcement of the guidelines, stating that there had been no public discussion on the matter. Furthermore, Ziegler was alarmed that parents would not be informed if a student told a teacher that they were transgender. Thus, Ziegler called for a motion to alter the gender guidelines, specifically so that parental consent would be required for a student to identify as a gender different
from the one they were assigned at birth. Parents and grandparents, some accompanied by their children and grandchildren, flocked to the conference room where the meeting was held and quickly filled the seats, eager to address the issue at hand. Dozens of attendees stood along the walls to spectate the contentious debate. With 59 people signed up to speak, each person was given a limit of three minutes to address the board. Several supporters of Ziegler rose to voice their concerns about the new guidelines and thank the chairwoman for publicizing the issue, many stating that they felt their parental rights were being violated by the school district. “Parents are looking out for their
“It is up to the student and the student alone to share his, her or their identity.”
kids and they have a right to be involved,” Kyle Hembree, the father of two students in the Sarasota County School system, said. “You should not exclude them because you decide their point of view is unsafe.” Several members of the audience, prohibited from clapping, waved their hands in the air to show agreement. “It appears that the only people informed are the ones pushing for these issues to be passed through,” Robert Becker, the father of a current student and a graduate of Sarasota County Schools, said. Becker also stressed that while he receives plenty of automated calls regarding announcements for school events, emergency warnings and his child’s tardiness or absences, “not once” did he receive a call regarding the new gender guidelines. “This is not about LGBT rights,” parent and former City Commission
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Community members accuse Sarasota Police Department of brutality BY CHARLIE LEAVENGOOD
https://doc-0k-18-docs. googleusercontent.com/ docs/securesc/s7jurnmk912se8sp3mgg3hd8llrh0uos/obdpo7fpcdn719co01n4qb7
“An executive report from the taser showed that a taser was activated 13 times but only one activation shows actual conductivity,” the Sarasota Police Department (SPD)’s social media page said. “The other 12 activations had poor or no conductivity.” This report is from the case of Chad Washington, a man who was tased by SPD officers outside of his home after his fiancé called 911 because of a medical emergency. The SPD has been criticized by local social justice groups for using excessive force or unnecessary force when interacting with members of the Sarasota community. One officer in particular, Brandon Vermillion, has been accused of brutality by the public in multiple incidents. Social activist groups, such as Answer Suncoast, the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Tampa chapter have filed complaints against Vermillion. However, these groups claim that the
Giulia Heyward/Catalyst
Giulia Heyward/Catalyst
Students and locals gathered in downtown Sarasota last March to protest the mistreatment of Newtown community member Chad Washington.
problem goes far beyond one officer. “We’re looking at a institutionalized pattern and practice of police brutality within the Sarasota Police Department and within law enforcement in general,” Bryan Ellis, an organizer with Answer
Suncoast, said. SPD Spokesperson Genevieve Judge responded to a Catalyst inquiry about the multiple accusations of brutality against Vermillion with a link to the “Minutes of the Independent Police
Advisory Panel Meeting April 13, 2018,” where the Chad Washington case was discussed, as well as a link to the responses on their social media page. No direct comment about Vermillion was given. Vermillion, a 28-year-old cop in the SPD, has gained a reputation, specifically in the Black community of Sarasota, for using excessive force. Vermillion was sworn in to the department in November 2015. In this past year, Vermillion has been involved in at least three cases where “use of force” reports, as the police department calls them, were filed. These reports are available to the public, but there is a fee of hundreds of dollars to access them. This cost is calculated by the SPD based on how many reports one wants and how long it takes to gather them. In the case of Jeremy Trebbles, a teenager who was shot in his car by Vermillion in April 2018, Police Chief of the
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CATALYST
BRIEFS
Wednesday, November 14, 2018 www.ncfcatalyst.com | @ncfcatalyst
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briefs by katrina carlin
Environmental lobbying turns artsy with FCNL
Katrina Carlin/Catalyst
Activism and art are a powerful pairing, and one does not have to be a professional artist to try to affect change. On Friday, Nov. 16, the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) will host a workshop on writing letters to the editor and collaging, called “Collage for a Cause.” The FCNL is a national lobbying organization that works for “peace, justice, opportunity and environmental
Brant’s Used Books has 25,000 books for sale at three day event
stewardship,” according to their website. “Letters to the Editor (LTEs) that include your representative’s name are super important because your representative’s staffers will read all the local papers everyday, and most likely have Google Alerts set for their boss’s name,” Katie Thurson, thesis student and FCNL advocacy corps member, said in an email interview. “LTEs can also help generate community interest in a specific topic, so people can connect with each other. You don’t have to be any sort of leader or writer or organizer to write an LTE, just a concerned constituent, which includes everyone who lives in the area, regardless of citizenship or residency status.” Thurson will be joined by FCNL Young Adults Program Director Katie Breslin to facilitate “Collage for a Cause.” Thurson also mentioned how the collaging would be a good opportunity for those engaged in the workshop to harness some creative energy that may result from being more politically active. “Collage for a Cause” will be held on Nov. 16 at the Four Winds Cafe from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to members of the public.
New College students are not often seen without a book, and now no one will have to be caught bookless again. From Friday, Nov. 30 to Sunday, Dec. 2, Brant’s Used Books will be holding a book sale with over 25,000 books up for grabs. Brant’s Used Books opened in 1956. The current owner, Barbara Barone, is a charismatic book-lover who was more than happy to talk about the store, and the sale. “I’ve moved the store three times,” Barone explained. “The books being sold in the sale are the books that kept getting packed because I thought I would want them to bring on the shelves. The pile just kept growing! I have a storage room that is 1,000 square feet and it’s currently floor-to-ceiling with books.” The 25,000 books being sold are not currently on the shelves in the store, which is overflowing as is with over 100,000 books. Barone hopes that the sale will help connect the books sitting in storage with a loving home. “I want them to be read, loved and enjoyed,” Barone said. “Books need love.” The store will also benefit from the sale. “It’s kind of a fundraiser,” Barone said. “The store has some hurricane
damage on the roof that has a temporary fix, and I also have some building maintenance to keep up on.” Fixing the roof is a priority to protect her books, but Barone also wants to clear out her storage room. “I would love to have an event area and cafe,” Barone said, “in addition to the garden.” The garden, where the sale will be held, is a wide expanse of grass and concrete behind the store that Barone has begun filling with some planters and other decorations. As for the sale, “the prices are really good,” Barone said. “There’s going to be a lot of digging to do, but all of the books are in good shape because they’ve been packed so nicely.” Genres include mostly non-fiction, poetry and selections of classic literature. The book sale is just the start of a slew of projects Barone is taking on to continue expanding Brant’s Books’s presence in the community. Barone is seeking volunteers (three-hour minimum) for the event, who will be required to do sorting but no lifting. Volunteers will receive free books for their time. She is also seeking paid workers for the event (must be comfortable lifting heavy boxes). Contact brantsbooks@gmail.com if interested.
Day of dialogue set to return this spring Some students may not remember Day of Dialogue, but this day-long event promoting campus discourse is set to return this spring. Day of Dialogue, for which classes are cancelled, features workshops intended to facilitate communication, understanding and dialogue. According to New College Student Alliance (NCSA) Chief of Staff Eleni Spanolios, the NCSA is currently awaiting administrative approval to hold Day of Dialogue on a weekday, as it was held in the past; otherwise the Day will have to be held on the weekend. Last year, Active Conversations to Initiate our Next Steps (ACTIONS), a week-long series of similarly focused events and workshops, was held in place of the usual day-long event. ACTIONS was focused on immigration in the U.S., while Day of Dialogue themes from 2016 and 2017 were more related to diversity, inclusion and discourse on campus. “I think it’s more impactful to have it as one set day,” Spanolios said. “I think © 2018 the Catalyst. All rights reserved. The Catalyst is available online at www.ncfcatalyst.com, facebook.com/NCFcatalyst instagram.com/NCFcatalyst twitter.com/ncfcatalyst The Catalyst is an academic tutorial sponsored by Professor Maria D. Vesperi. It is developed in the New College Publications Lab using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign and printed at Sun Coast Press with funds provided by the New College Student Alliance.
Giulia Heyward/Catalyst
To get involved with the planning committee for Day of Dialogue, contact Spanolios (eleni.spanolios15@ncf.edu) or Austin (cabrini.austin16@ncf.edu).
The 2016 Day of Dialogue sign
General Editor Managing Editor Copy Editor Online Editor Layout Editors Staff Writers & Photographers
a lot of people didn’t know as much about the week of action.” Spanolios also believes faculty and staff members are more likely to get involved in the programming if there is just one day devoted to the event. Spanolios and Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion (VPDI) Cabrini Austin have started planning for the spring; this year they are looking into bringing an outside organization to help facilitate some of the workshops, but much of the planning is still to come. “If you would like Day of Dialogue to happen, please fill out the survey [sent to the Student’s List and the Forum],” Spanolios said. Day of Dialogue is coming back—only time will tell if it will have to be relegated to the weekend.
Audrey Warne Michala Head Cassie Manz Bailey Tietsworth Charlie Leavengood & Cait Matthews Eileen Calub, Katrina Carlin, Alexandra Conte, Izaya Garrett Miles, Calvin Stumpfhauser
Direct submissions, letters, announcements and inquiries to: The Catalyst 5800 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, Florida 34243 ncfcatalyst@gmail.com The Catalyst reserves the right to edit all submissions for grammar, space and style. No anonymous submissions will be accepted. Submissions must be received by 12:00 p.m. Friday for consideration in the next issue.
CATALYST
Wednesday, November 14, 2018 www.ncfcatalyst.com | @ncfcatalyst
NEWS PAGE 3
Democrats take back control of the House, while Republicans retain control of the Senate BY CASSIE MANZ In a historic election night, the Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2010, while Republicans retained control of the Senate and expanded their majority. With races still to be called in Arizona and Florida, their pre-election majority of 51 seats will range from 52 to 54. Political analysts are left to wonder if the Democrats’ win can be called a rebuttal of the anti-immigrant, racially divisive, fear-mongering rhetoric spouted by President Trump and the GOP, in an election that Trump referred to as a “referendum on me” at a rally in Mississippi. Besides the Democrats tipping control of Congress, the midterm elections made historic strides for women, people of color and LGBTQIA+ candidates. For the first time in history, over 100 women were elected to the House of Representatives. And there were many other firsts during the night. According to the New York Times, “more openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people were elected Tuesday night than in any previous election,” including Democratic Rep. Jared Polis in Colorado, who will become the first openly gay governor in the United States. According to the Victory Fund, a nonpartisan political action committee (PAC) committed to electing LGBTQIA+ candidates, 154 LGBTQIA+ nominees were elected Tuesday night, with nine at the federal
level, 91 at the state level and 54 at the local level. Other history-making winners include: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is LatinX, 29 years old and will become the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, representing New York’s 14th district, Ilhan Omar, in Minnesota, and Rashida Tlaib, in Michigan, who will become the first Muslim congresswomen to serve in the House and Ayanna Pressley who will become Massachusetts’ first Black congresswoman. Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland will become the first Native American women to serve in the House; Davids, from Kansas, is the state’s first openly LGBTQIA+ congress member. Even after the polls have closed, several races are still undecided, including three Senate races, several House races and the high-profile gubernatorial races in Florida and Georgia, according to NPR. Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams has refused to concede the race against Republican Brian Kemp and filed a federal lawsuit on Sunday asking a judge to delay the counties’ deadline to certify vote totals from Tuesday evening until Wednesday, Nov. 14, and “to make officials count any votes that were wrongly rejected,” according to a Nov. 11 article from the Washington Post. While no official recount has been ordered, Abrams’ campaign leaders contend that 30,823 votes remain to be counted, while Kemp’s campaign argues that less than 18,000 ballots re-
main. Currently, unofficial returns show Kemp leads with 50.3 percent of the vote. If neither candidate receives a majority of the vote, Georgia law orders that the election must go to a runoff. If Abrams won, she would become the first female Black governor in the history of the United States. According to the Post, Georgia must certify a statewide result by Nov. 20. In Florida, Nikki Fried, running for agriculture commissioner against Rep. Matt Caldwell, Sen. Bill Nelson, running for Senate against Gov. Rick Scott, and Andrew Gillum, running for Governor against Ron Desantis, are facing mandatory machine recounts in their races after razor-thin margins. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “the state’s 67 elections departments have [until 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15] to recount more than 8.2 million combined ballots cast over an entire month leading up to Tuesday’s midterms.” This is the first full, statewide vote recount in Florida’s history. On Sunday, Nov. 11, the Tampa Bay Times reported that Scott led Nelson by 12,562 votes, a 0.15 percent margin. DeSantis led Gillum by 33,684 votes, a 0.41 percent margin. Fried led Caldwell by 5,326 votes, a 0.07 percent margin. By Thursday, any race with revised totals that remain within or drop below a 0.25 percent margin will have until Nov. 18 to conduct a manual recount. This does not mean every ballot
is counted by hand. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “a manual recount means the canvassing boards count each overvote and undervote by hand.” Although these recounts seem hopeful for Democrats, the possibility that Nelson and Gillum “will find themselves on top after a recount seem low, according to veterans of Florida’s presidential recount in 2000,” the New York Times reported on Nov. 10. But at New College, optimism remains for these closely-watched races. “I’m definitely tense, and fluctuating between hopeful and fearful, because there is just a lot of voter suppression and extremely suspicious activity going on as far as counting every vote,” Katie Thurson, thesis student and democracy fellow with Campus Vote Project, said in an email interview. “The implications of who wins is going to be substantial to the country as a whole.” “Seeing people become engaged, even enraged, is all a part of the political process,” LilyAnne Rodriguez, second-year and New College fellow for NextGen America, said in an email interview. “Every vote matters, that is why every vote deserves to be counted.”
Information for this article was gathered from nymag.com, cnn.com, npr.org, nytimes.com, washingtonpost.com, nbcnews. com, cbsnews.com and tampabay.com.
Sarasota school police department deals with monetary issues and resignations ficers to get to know the students they are policing. “[School Police Departments] have The most important thing to a parent is the safety of their child. That is a little more time to devote to solving what makes it so hard for them to send problems and take ownership of issues, their children off to school everyday, rather than just having a police departaway from where they themselves can ment come in, which probably is going protect them. To give these families some call to call to call, to solve those probsense of security, it has become standard lems,” Kessie said. Money also played a role in the practice for schools to station ‘resource school board’s conception of its own sepofficers,’ police officers dedicated to the protection of the students, on their cam- arate police force. Folpuses. But some counties, including Sar- lowing the passage of asota, have sanctioned full-fledged police the Marjory Stoneman departments solely committed to ensur- Douglas Public Safety Act, the district was giving safety and order in schools. On Apr. 17, 2018, the Sarasota en roughly $2 million to County School Board decided to set in use on school security motion a plan to create their own po- related expenses. Even lice force. This was largely in response with this money, and a to heightened public anxiety over school rollout of administrative shootings. Before this act, critics like cuts, the district will be running a deficit Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight of an estimated $1.2 million over the next claimed that the school board was act- two years. Still, creating an independent ing too slowly on measures to heighten school police department is cheaper than continuing on with the current practice school security. “The Sarasota County Schools of hiring officers from the local preexchose to create their own police depart- isting police departments. While this ment so they could have control, in the was the method employed in the past, sense they could list their priorities,” the Sheriff ’s office, the Sarasota Police Chief of Campus Police Michael Kessie Department and the North Port Police Department announced they would no said. Additionally, Kessie said that an longer be splitting the cost of said officers important benefit of police departments with the school board. This program has experienced condedicated to schools is the ability for of-
BY IZAYA MILES
siderable turbulence since its announcement. On June 18, Superintendent Todd Bowden announced he was in talks with local municipalities and the Sheriff ’s Office to split the costs of resource officers for middle and high schools 80/20 for the upcoming year. However, the Sheriff ’s Office quickly announced that Bowden had not met with Knight before making this announcement, and the talks fizzled out after that. Knight and Bowden have had a seemingly strained relationship ever since text messages between Knight and Sarasota County School Board Member Eric Robinson were obtained and released by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The two exchanged messages trying to coordinate how to get the board to pay the full amount for the resource officers lent by the Sheriff ’s Office. Additionally, the two insulted other members of the board and Bowden. “Todd loves the power but not the responsibility or work,” Robinson said in a text message to Knight. “Give him hell.” The next day, the board decided to allot $600,000 for equipment and investment, including $100,000 for vehicles, thus reaffirming their commitment to an
“Todd loves the power but not the responsibility or work. Give him hell.”
independent police department for the schools. Additionally, on Oct. 31, the Sarasota School Police Department underwent a major leadership shift. Former Security Head Michael Andreas suddenly resigned and former Police Chief Paul Grohowski was reassigned to a non-security position within the school district. In their place, the two positions were combined and assigned to Sarasota County Sheriff ’s Office Capt. Timothy Enos. When asked by the Herald-Tribune about what the new combined position meant for the department at large, Bowden said: “I’ve been asked throughout the day, ‘What is my level of commitment to having our own school police department?’ I will say, this decision is essentially doubling down on that: This reinforces the fact that we were right to start our own police department.” The Sarasota School Police Department will manage elementary schools this year, with resource officers from local municipalities managing middle and high schools.
Information for this article was gathered from heraldtribune.com.
Outdoor photography exhibit The fence comes to sarasota BY CAIT MATTHEWS As November comes into full swing in Sarasota, so does “The FENCE,” an annual photography exhibit that is open to submissions from anyone. This year, the self-proclaimed largest outdoor traveling exhibit in North America inhabits a stretch of fence at the entrance to Nathan Benderson Park from Nov. 2 through Jan. 31, 2019. “The FENCE” was created in 2012 by United Photo Industries (UPI), a Brooklyn-based non-profit organization, and developed in partnership with Photo District News. UPI aims to create more widespread public accessibility and understanding of photography. “Since its founding in 2011, UPI has rapidly solidified its position in the public art landscape by continuing to showcase thought-provoking, challenging and exceptional photography from across the globe,” according to a description on their website. Dave Shelley is the creative producer for the non-profit. His personal passion for photography stems from its ability to create emotional connections with people, places and cultures worldwide. “The inspiration for “The FENCE” came from one of our co-founders, Sam Barzilay, who recognized how many construction fences were stationed in the developing Brooklyn Bridge Park located in our neighborhood,” Shelley shared in an email interview. “The fences were screaming out for ART! Sam quickly put together a proposal that the Park accepted and we had our first FENCE installation.” This year, the outdoor exhibit is featured in eight cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Calgary (Canada), Durham, Denver and Sarasota, and attracts more than 6 million visitors annually. In 2019, the exhibit will expand to nine cities. Artists can submit photo series to seven different categories: home, streets, people, creatures, nature, play and food. “Since we started UPI in 2011 we always had the vision of championing new photography work and carving a
public art path so a critical mass of people could have a visceral experience while viewing outstanding work resulting in a connection that goes beyond the walls of a gallery world, the internet and our media screens,” Shelley said. The winners whose photo series end up on display at “The FENCE” are chosen by a jury of photographers that changes every year. This year, the 76-member jury is composed of top professionals in the world of photography, print, museums and media—individuals whom Shelley calls “stellar.” According to Shelley, the objective is to create a jury of unbiased but critical eyes that allows for an exceptional selection of photo series. “The actual size of the photos [as displayed on vinyl backdrops along fences] resonates in a way that cannot be matched on your computer screen,” Shelley said. “It’s also an exhibition that has something for everyone, from kids to adults!” To Shelley and others at UPI, photography is a circumstance that allows for documentation of our collective history—past and present. “In simple terms, “The FENCE” stands out in its presentation of photography that engages the viewers with striking images and compelling stories,” Shelley wrote. Anyone who is interested in telling a story or approaching an important issue through photography can look out for the submission date for the 2019 exhibit. Photography is a powerful bridge that “The FENCE” wants to extend to all. “Seek out other photographers for inspiration and community,” Shelley advised. “Practice the craft and see where it takes you!”
All photos Cait Matthews/Catalyst
A wide shot of The FENCE 2018 at Nathan Benderson Park.
“The FENCE” is located at the entrance to Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota near University Town Center. The show is free to all, easily accessible and can be viewed at any time of day. It will be displayed at the Park until Jan. 31, 2018. Information for this article was gathered from fence.photoville.com and unitedphotoindustries.com.
A photo from Thomas Holton’s series called “The Lams of Ludlow Street: Cindy.”
A photo from Daniel Niles’s photo series, “Animal’s Lives Revisited”.
A photo from Sara Bennett’s series “Life after Life in Prison: The Bedroom Project.”
Fats, Freaks and Queers: Photography by Shoog McDaniel to them and are able to create their own world that they live in, whether it be With almost 50,000 Instagram through plants and artwork or just being followers, Shoog McDaniel has made a surrounded by really close friends. I’m name for themself posting ethereal pho- interested in capturing the ways that we tographs of individuals who inhabit what create space for ourselves in a world that McDaniel calls “marginalized bodies.” is almost uninhabitable for some of us.” By featuring individuals who identify McDaniel shared their work with as queer, People of Color (POC), trans, the New College community at the Nov. non-binary, disabled and/or fat in their 9 Feminist Friday event. McDaniel was work, the self-described Southern, queer, invited to speak at the event by thesis non-binary, fat photographer and artist student Jaime Hampton, who has known hopes to highlight the bodies and lives of McDaniel since 2003. people who are often overlooked by pop“I knew that there were a lot of stuular society. dents here who have these identities that “I’m trying to highlight when are often not represented: queer, trans, people feel their best,” McDaniel said. people of color, fat,” Hampton said. “I “When they’re relaxed, when they’re full thought maybe Shoog already had fans of joy, when they’re experiencing life in a here and, if not, there were people here way that feels nurturing to them. I don’t that could be a fan. I thought it would think that happens every day in normal be an enriching experience for Shoog and public spaces for marginalized bodies.” for the people they are trying to reach What is perhaps their most well- [with their art].” known photo series, Bodies Like Oceans, Currently, McDaniel is working on features marginalized bodies in nature, a limited-run, 38-page zine featuring fat often beside or inside bodies of water. bodies scheduled to be released at the McDaniel, who hails from Tallahassee, end of November. finds inspiration in the often underuti“Some of the bodies will be kind of lized beauty of Florida’s natural springs. abstracted and some of them will be full “My current interest is groupings bodies,” McDaniel shared. “It’s mostly or pairings of fat bodies looking very work that’s never been published before ethereal and otherworldly, and the best anywhere else.” way to get that to happen is by being McDaniel is passionate about being underwater,” McDaniel said. “Water has cognizant of the privilege they have as a such significance for fat people because White person and wants to make their of buoyancy and how fat floats and how work accessible to everyone who is init moves underwater and how it’s very terested. McDaniel donates half of their freeing for fat people. It’s often used as Patreon funds to activism organizations a way that people can move around and or friends in need. They also offer slidfeel good in their bodies.” ing scale rates for photoshoots, starting at McDaniel is also interested in the $250—or $0 for trans-women and Black, different ways in which marginalized Indigenous POC. bodies interact with their surroundings— “I don’t want to ever deny anyone both in nature and in their own homes. who has less privilege than me a photoTwo of McDaniel’s series, Queers in Na- shoot,” McDaniel said. “Yes, it’s my work ture and Queers Spaces, feature moments and I value my work, but I also value the of tranquility and contentment, with fact that I need to share my resources as each subject bringing their own highly much as possible with people who don’t individualized way of existing into the have access to stuff like I do.” photograph. “When I go out in nature with people and we’re surrounded by trees and For more information about Shoog plants that are not judging or trying to McDaniel visit their website shoogmcdanfind out what gender they are it just feels iel.com/ or Instagram @shooglet. You can way more relaxing and safe,” McDansupport their work through their online iel said. “That’s a very similar feeling to store squareup.com/store/shooglet or Patreon people who live in spaces that feel good patreon.com/shoog.
BY AUDREY WARNE
All photos courtesy of Shoog McDaniel
A photograph from the series Bodies Like Oceans.
McDaniel utilizes Florida’s natural springs as the backdrop for many of their photos.
McDaniel is interested in creating ethereal images of marginalized bodies.
Shoog McDaniel in one of the photographs from their series Bodies Like Oceans.
McDaniel’s work captures the way body fat moves and rolls.
CATALYST
Wednesday, November 14, 2018 www.ncfcatalyst.com | @ncfcatalyst
Photo courtesy of The Party for Socialism and Liberation-Florida
Throughout this week (11/14–11/21), activists have the opportunity to participate in public lectures, film screenings and community meetings. Read on if you want to get involved in the community regarding environmental protection, knowledge building and political engagement!
BY CASSIE MANZ Wed., Nov. 14, Toxic Puzzle Film Screening @ 6 - 8 p.m. Manatee Community Foundation 2820 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
Fri., Nov. 16, Collage for a Cause @ 6:30 p.m. New College of Florida, Four Winds 5800 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.
After a particularly long-lasting and harmful red tide this summer, this documentary is especially timely. This award-winning film chronicles the emerging research on a connection between exposure to cyanobacteria (i.e., blue-green algae, which causes toxic algae blooms primarily in fresh waters) and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s. A panel discussion will follow the screening. This event is free and open to the public.
Join the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), with Young Adults Program Director Katie Breslin, for a workshop on writing letters to the editor (LTEs) and collaging. This is not a workshop that will teach how to write a LTE on a certain topic or platform. Rather, it will teach how to master the skill of conveying your ideas and thoughts! There will be coffee, pastries, snacks and plenty of magazines!
Thurs., Nov. 15, Campus Conversations: Rap: The Poetry of Hip-Hop @ 5:30 - 7 p.m. New College of Florida, Cook Hall Lobby - 5800 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota. Led by Professor of Greek Language and Literature Carl Shaw and alumnus Paul Loriston (‘14), this installment of Campus Conversations will facilitate discussion on the history, content and sophisticated poetics of today’s rap. This event is free and open to the public. However, seating is limited; attendees are invited to register ahead of time at eventbrite.com/e/campusconversations-rap-the-poetry-of-hiphop-tickets-50240697278. Fri., Nov. 16, Prayer Protection and Solidarity @ 1 - 2:30 p.m. Islamic Society of Sarasota - 4350 N. Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota. Every Friday, join in with a local group of Sarasotans as they meet on the sidewalk of the Islamic Society of Sarasota’s Mosque to stand in protection and solidarity with and for the worshipers arriving for Friday prayer.
Sat., Nov. 17, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Meeting @ 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. North Sarasota Public Library - 2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota. In their monthly meeting, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) will talk about their recent trip to Washington, D.C., and their meeting in their representative’s office, discuss possible actions for November, communicate on climate change topics, hear a speaker via Zoom and celebrate past CCL successes. Tues., Nov. 20, The Sequel: What Will Follow Our Troubled Civilization @ 6 - 10 p.m. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center - 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota. This film deals with the inevitable question of sustainability in our present world and questions what will come next. Following the stories of projects and people from four continents, this film sheds light on people who are re-imagining what our society can be. Fogartyville will host a potluck beginning at 6 p.m., and the film at 7 p.m. Co-Director of Transition US Don Hall will be on hand to facilitate a discussion following the film.
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Fall recipes for college kitchens BY ALEXANDRA CONTE
The Activist Newsletter
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Fall is often associated with food bringing friends and family together. This article provides recipes for fall foods that students of any cooking skill level can make. The first recipe falls under the dessert category and is for pumpkin pie cake. The recipe is from first-year and Four Winds baker Hannah Nations. In an email interview, Nations said the recipe has been passed down through her family and is a staple in her family’s collaborative cookbook. Nations and her family has renamed the pumpkin pie cake recipe as “pumpkin crack” because of how often her family bakes it. “Pumpkin crack is the go-to fall dessert in my household and no October or November passes without baking it multiple times,” Nations said. She says the recipe is so good that “no one can eat just one serving” and that it is so easy to make that even her friend who always burns toast can make it. The second recipe for French onion soup is best served on colder days in the fall season. This recipe was passed down from my mother, Mary Pat Bruce, who
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Pumpkin Pie Cake
Ingredients: 4 eggs (whipped), 1 large can pumpkin, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 cup butter (melted), 1 box yellow cake mix and 1 large can evaporated milk. Directions: First mix eggs, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, sugar, salt and evaporated milk in a bowl. Then pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Cover top with dry yellow cake mix and pour melted butter over top of the dry mix. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. To make gluten free use gluten free cake mix.
French Onion Soup
Makes 4 servings. Ingredients: two 32-ounce cartons of beef broth, 2 Knorr beef bouillon cubes, butter, 2 large Vidalia onions, 4 pieces bread and 8 slices Swiss cheese. Directions: Pour broth into a pot with Knorr cubes. Keep on low heat. Cut onion into one-inch pieces and throw onto a frying pan with 6 tablespoons of butter on low heat until caramelized. Add onion to broth. Cook soup on low heat for 1 hour. Before serving, toast bread and throw slices (2 slices per bowl) of cheese on top of it. Put individual bowls into microwave or oven until the cheese bubbles.
Campus Conversations finds its rhythm BY BAILEY TIETSWORTH The Sarasota community will have the opportunity to partake in discussion about the poetic intricacies of rap on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Professor of Greek Language and Literature Carl Shaw and alumnus Paul Loriston (‘14) will facilitate the event titled “Rap: The Poetry of Hip-Hop.” As part of the “Campus Conversations” series organized by the Andrew A. Mellon Foundation Grant, the event will take place in the Cook Hall lobby. This series provides local community members the opportunity to participate in collegiate-style seminars that emphasize collaborative discussion. While the organizers intend for these dialogues to attract people outside the New College populus, students are encouraged to attend as well. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to learn about some of the topics covered in Shaw’s Freestyle and Floetry tutorial, typically offered every fall semester since 2015. Due to an insufficient turnout from students, which Shaw attributed to his lack of advertising, the tutorial did not occur this semester. In an email interview, Shaw explained that the event will be a taste of the course, since the students cover an extensive arrangement of subject matter. “As a full-semester, multi-disciplinary course based on rap, each class usually invites discussion of poetry, music, visual arts, religion, politics and various social and philosophical issues, including racism, classism, sexism and disenfranchisement,” Shaw explained. At the event, Shaw and Loriston
will lead discussion around rap’s characteristics, including complex rhythm, rhyme, wordplay, style and storytelling. Shaw claims that an appreciation for rap does not need to solely come from academia, but this academic approach to understanding rap might provide a newfound appreciation for those who initially criticized the genre. “Rap’s academic appeal is not the reason it’s the most popular musical genre in the world,” Shaw said. “However, when I sit down and do my best to analyze the layers of meaning and poetry in some of today’s rap, I’m blown away by its complexity. This kind of approach is certainly one way to encourage rap’s detractors to take a new view, but one of the great things about rap is that its artists and fans rarely care what its detractors think.” Shaw also expressed his hopes that New College could better support rap music, in the form of a professor of rap. “I love the role that I have, but I’m not an expert,” Shaw said. “If we could get someone who could teach rap from a variety of angles (literary, musical, sociological, etc.), New College would be among the first colleges/universities in the nation to realize that rap deserves a place in academia.” Information for this article was gathered from facebook.com/nebodiedent/. The organizers prefer that those who wish to attend RSVP through the event’s Eventbrite webpage. Seats are limited, so make sure to arrive on time.
CATALYST SPD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 SPD Bernadette DiPino described the encounter in a recorded public interview with multiple news outlets: “The officer [Vermillion] shot a number of rounds into the vehicle, striking two of the individuals that were in the vehicle,” DiPino said. Vermillion was put on paid administrative leave after this incident, per usual protocol. In Chad Washington’s case, which took place in May 2018, there is recorded footage of the incident. Vermillion and at least three other officers arrived at Washington’s house after his fiancé, Darnesha McMillan, called 911 for an ambulance for Washington. In the video, Washington’s children are heard shrieking and crying as they watch him get tazed from underneath a police car. The response from local community members has been continued calls for the removal of Vermillion and criticism of the police department’s racialized brutality. Community members have filed complaints to the department and staged protests. Members of the PSL have attempted to pull records and Vermillion’s file, but could not gather the information due to insufficient funds. “The [use of force] report is not used to hold officers accountable, it’s used to normalize the use of force against people in the community,” Juliana Gabriel, a member of the PSL and a New College alumna (‘14), said. Information provided to news outlets such as the Sarasota Herald-Tribune by the SPD states
School board CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 candidate Martin Hyde said. “It’s about parental rights, which are more important to our future generations than the sensibilities of a few ultra-liberals in our school system.” Hyde further criticized the guidelines as “governmental overreach.” While some parents cited statistics, scientific studies and statutes to back their case, other speakers unabashedly expressed their personal sentiments regarding transgender people. Some speakers characterized transgender individuals as “gender-confused,” “impersonating the opposite sex” or simply “lying.” Moreover, while certain speakers attacked the guidelines from a religious standpoint, the pastor of a Presbyterian church in Venice recognized the gender guidelines as a “sensitive issue” and hoped the board would “invite dialogue with parents and churches.” Despite the parental outcry, Superintendent Todd Bowden stood firmly in support of the guidelines. Bowden emphasized that students would ideally come out with the support of their family, yet not all students have that opportunity. Therefore, schools must honor a student’s decision not to disclose their gender identity with their family and provide a “safe place” for students to be themselves. “It is up to the student and the student alone to share his, her or their identity,” Bowden said in his opening statement. “You do not need permission from your parents, or anyone else, to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning,
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that Washington was on “spice” and that Trebbles had been previously charged with cocaine possession. “There is a trend, in cases all over the United States, where the police immediately attempt to justify their actions by dehumanizing the victim[s],” Ruth Beltran, a member of Answer Suncoast and the PSL, said. The question remains as to whether current intoxication or prior drug charges validate physical violence, especially in the cases where the victim is seeking emergency medical attention, as in the case of Chad Washington. The PSL and Answer Suncoast have attempted to file complaints and work within the police department’s existing accountability system. The two committees responsible for apprehending police misconduct are the Police Complaint Committee and the Police Advisory Panel. However, there is criticism about the integrity of these committees. Both committees answer to DiPino, who makes the final decision about what will happen to the officer, regardless of the complaints. “What they’ve admitted to us is that they do not have the power to hold the police accountable in a real way,” Gabriel said. “They don’t have the power to discipline, change policy, to hire or fire, to go anywhere over the Chief of Police because she is making the final decisions.” Members of social justice groups as well as community members who have experienced or witnessed police violence want to raise awareness among the public and demand institutional reform and proper accountability. “The Black community in Newtown is targeted in Sarasota,” Beltran intersex or asexual.” Many parents also spoke out in favor of the guidelines, citing personal stories and statistics. “I thank you from the bottom of my soul for keeping my son safe and allowing him equity in school,” Vanessa Nichols, the mother of a transgender fourth-grader, said. “Providing trans kids with equal rights doesn’t mean any less rights for non-trans students. It simply means that you’ve lowered their likelihood of emotional distress, self-harm and suicidal ideations and increased their chance of acceptance and being able to learn in a healthy environment, which is why we’re all here.” Nichols added that “58 percent of trans kids take their lives when their families do not accept them.” The proud mother spoke of how much happier and well-adjusted her child became after simply changing his name and pronouns. Representatives of ALSO Youth, a Sarasota non-profit that provides services to LGBTQIA+ young adults, also spoke. “My fifteen-year-old self thanks you,” one member commented after sharing an anecdote about their difficulties coming out when they were a teenager. “If a youth hasn’t told their parents about their gender identity, it’s often for a valid reason,” ALSO Youth Assistant Director and New College alumna Molly Swift (‘08) added. The new guidelines owe their origins in part to a 2016 case which drew attention to policies on gender identity in the school district. Nate Quinn, a transgender student and senior at Pine View School, was prohibited from using the men’s restroom after several requests. Thus, despite his discomfort, Quinn was forced to continue to use the women’s re-
said. “We know this by the fact that 82 percent of police cameras were located in the Newtown community back in 2015. That number has changed, but still 50 percent of cameras are still in this one neighborhood while Sarasota has about 15 or 16 neighborhoods.” Solutions provided by the Sarasota community include developing an independent complaint committee that is not mandated or controlled by anyone in the police department or anyone who is responsible for the behavior of the officers. The most recent protest was at the SPD’s National Night Out on Oct. 2, 2018. The event aimed to improve relations between the SPD and the local community by letting children turn on the siren and providing food and music as well as shirts that said, “You + Blue.” Answer Suncoast, the PSL and community members marched through the event, calling for the removal of Vermillion. At this time, Vermillion has not been taken off the force. To improve chances of institutional reform, the PSL stages protests that can be found on the Facebook page for the PSL-Florida chapter. Liberation Breakfasts, hosted by Answer Suncoast and the PSL, also offer ways to learn more about issues of institutional power. These breakfasts are held every third Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. at Newtown Estates Park. Information for this article was gathered from heraldtribune.com, bradenton.com, youtube.com, thelawdictionary.org, wfla. com, abcactionnews.com, liberationnews. org, sarasotapd.org and sarasota.granicus. com.
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Fall recipes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 claims the recipe is “quick and easy to make.” “The recipe was something I taught myself a few years back,” Bruce said. “I am from Pennsylvania where it gets chilly around October and November so soup is a staple. I did, however, include the quick shortcut recipe because it would take a lot longer for a college student using a communal kitchen to make.” The third recipe for honey-roasted brussels sprouts, a vegetarian option, is not a well-known fall food. This recipe is by Alison Roman, author of Dining In and contributor to the New York Times, among other publications. The final recipe is a fall favorite for coffee drinkers, the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL). The PSL is a classic fall drink created 15 years ago by Starbucks. It has become synonymous with the fall season and is in high-demand in coffee shops across the nation. The recipe is easy and takes about 10 minutes to make. “The PSL is something I like to get seasonally,” Jarrid Lamb, my boyfriend and an avid PSL drinker, said. “It is delicious and there are so many varieties you can get it in [iced, warm, frappuccino, etc]. We used to get Starbucks as a treat when I was younger and the PSL and Peppermint Mocha have always stuck with me.” Information for this article was gathered from nytimes.com and news.starbucks.com.
Pumpkin Spice Latte stroom. Ingredients: 1 cup dark roast coffee “It was very uncomfortable for me (espresso preferred), 1 1/2 tablespoons and all of the second grade girls in there,” sugar, 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree, 1 taQuinn told the Huffington Post in 2016. blespoon vanilla extract, whipped cream, “I didn’t need that happening every time 1 cup milk (almond milk can be used as I would go to the bathroom.” a substitute) and 1/3 teaspoon pumpkin In response, Quinn challenged the pie spice. Directions: Pick a large mug school to change its decision by organthat is microwavable. Add pumpkin izing a “call-in” protest, drawing on the puree, milk, sugar and the spice into support of alumni and fellow students to the mug and heat for 2 minutes in a deluge the school’s phone lines. Due to the overwhelming response, Pine View microwave. Stir for 1 minute. Then pour in coffee and stir for 30 seconds. Add administration decided to reverse its dewhipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin cision, granting Quinn access to the men’s pie spice on top to feel bougie. restroom and rewriting its restroom policy altogether. Community members have Honey-roasted Brussels Sprouts since urged school board members to es Ingredients: 2 tablespoons hontablish comprehensive gender-inclusive ey, 1 1/2 tablespoons harissa, 5 tablepolicies in the district. spoons olive oil, 1 1/2 pounds of brusQuinn’s first push to recognize sels sprouts (ends trimmed and halved the rights of gender non-conforming lengthwise), a pinch of Kosher salt and students in Sarasota schools was not in vain. After hours of citizen testimonies, black pepper, 1/2 lemon (rind included but seeds removed), 1/2 cup parsley the Chair’s motion for reconsideration and 1/2 small shallot (peeled and finely of the gender guidelines failed. Thus, the district decided to uphold the original set chopped). Directions: Heat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, of guidelines. These guidelines are availcombine honey, harissa and 2 tableable for viewing on the Sarasota County spoons of olive oil. Mix in with brusSchool District’s website, listed under sels sprouts on a rimmed baking sheet. “Creating Safe Schools for All Students: Season with salt and pepper and roast, Gender Diverse Student Guidelines.” tossing occasionally until sprouts are “If you are a student, I say this: I see tender and lightly charred around the you. You exist,” Bowden declared, concluding his report. “This district, while I edges, for about 13 to 18 minutes. While sprouts cook, combine lemon, parsley, am superintendent, will respect the rights shallot and remaining 3 tablespoons of of and serve the unique needs of every olive oil in a small bowl. Season with salt student, every day, whatever it takes.” and pepper and set aside. Top roasted brussels sprouts with lemon relish before serving. For a vegan version, honey can be substituted with yacon or maple syrInformation for this article was gathered up. from huffingtonpost.com, heraldtribune.com and wfla.com.
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annual Medieval fair returns to the sarasota fairgrounds
BY CALVIN STUMPFHAUSER With its warm climate and thriving opera scene, it is no surprise that Sarasota remains a popular destination for snowbirds, in search of a place with no winter coats or income taxes. Each November, though, the city also becomes a destination for those in search of a time long since past—one before social media, insurance fraud and tetanus shots—at the Annual Sarasota Medieval Fair. The fair is meant to be an immersive “living” history exhibition, entertaining visitors while allowing them to participate in the reenactment. The last event reportedly drew more than 85,000 people, and that number has continued to grow each year since the event’s inception in 2005. This year’s theme is the Battle of Edington, a conflict in 878 A.D. between the Vikings, led by King Guthrum, and the Saxons, led by Alfred of Wessex. The fair features a wide array of performances: jousting tournaments between armoured knights, comedy shows, musical acts, live reenactments of battles, a human-sized chess board, daredevil stunts and more. Vikings and Saxons act out key parts of the conflict’s history, and interact with one another while walking around the Ringling Woods, behind the Sarasota Fairgrounds. When they are not being entertained by these performances, visitors are encouraged to walk around the medieval marketplace. There they can freely browse the wares and dry goods offered by dozens of kind merchants: handmade leather accessories, carved chestnut furniture and wooden swords, candles and incense, kettle-corn and philly cheesesteaks and domestic and imported beers. Visitors need not be of nobility to shop here. For the right price there are horse and pony rides, medieval mini-games, pub crawls and face painting booths available as well. When asked why they enjoyed visiting the exposition, fairgoers tended to describe it as an “escape,” a place that was interactive but also educational, where one could reimagine something through performance. For many visitors, the fair provides an opportunity to revisit and renegotiate the past—though inside of its blurred boundaries, there is also opportunity to revisit and rethink the present which, as it seeps through the festivities, can often seem out of place. “I start working on the next year after the first weekend completes,” Jeremy Croteau, executive producer of the event, said in a press release. “I’m eager to see what the future holds.” The fairgrounds will be open to visitors for the first three weekends of the month: Nov. 3-4, Nov. 10-11 and Nov. 17-18, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Adult tickets start at $18.95; students can receive a discounted price of $16.95. Tickets can be purchased at the gates or on their website: sarasotamedievalfair.com/. Information for this article was gathered from the Telegraph, Sarasota Medieval Fair and the Online Resource Book for Medieval Studies.
All photos courtesy of the Sarasota Medieval Fair Performers dressed in medieval costumes.
The Wishing Well Wenches drinking mead at the pub tent.
The real history behind this year’s medieval fair Defeated at the Battle of Edington, King Guthrum of Denmark agreed to make peace with Alfred of Wessex in 878 A.D. Part of the agreement was Guthrum’s conversion to Christianity; he was baptised, anointed with Holy oil and washed with water at the end of a weeklong rite. The oil would have been brushed along his forehead, ears and nostrils; the key vehicles of the senses. Once baptised, he would feast and drink for 12 days alongside his new godfather, Alfred the Great, before leaving. Their treaty sought to minimize conflicts and manage commerce between Saxons and Vikings, but it first settled something in Alfred’s favor. The document begins with the issue: “concerning our boundaries,” the point for which it is most famous. They were able to “draw the lines” along rivers and other geological landmarks: “the Thames, up into Bedford,” and so on. While Alfred insisted on sharing some common grounds, through Guthrum’s conversion, it was meant mostly to reinforce a distance between the two: the grounds upon which to draw a boundary, to identify when something is “out of place.”