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OPINION: A College Student’s Guide to the Election

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The following is an opinion-editorial piece. Views expressed in this piece belong solely to the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Crimson or any other organization.

Brianna Forté | Copy Editor

Hopefully by the time you are reading this, you’ve seen countless posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat reminding you of the importance to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

I’m sure you are tired of hearing the phrase, “your vote matters.” With the current political and environmental state of our country, and world, it is tempting to feel discouraged and insignificant. On top of that, as college students struggling to find our path while adjusting to COVID-19 protocols, it’s hard to emotionally invest and donate time towards educating ourselves on the candidates for this upcoming election.

As a bisexual female in STEM majoring in marine biology and minoring in Communications, my values are centered around environmental conservation and social equality. I’m here to share my choices on the general election ballot for Florida District 309 in the upcoming election, based off these values. 

I am by no means an expert, and of course these are solely my opinions being represented, not Florida Tech’s or The Crimson’s. But, I hope that if I share these choices as a cheat sheet, it will serve as a guide for the undecided or unmotivated college students to help them vote. Because truly, your vote matters.

President and Vice President

First things first, the presidential candidates. If you are voting for Donald Trump, you do not have your best interests in mind. Trump’s platform for the environment is basically nonexistent. According to The New York Times, President Trump has officially reversed 70 environmental rules and regulations during the four years he’s been in office and is in the process of 26 additional rollbacks. Trump has also formally started to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, “in which 195 signatories set voluntary limits on greenhouse gas emissions,” explained National Geographic. Regardless of the economic policies that provide an appeal for some Trump supporters, there is no wealth to gain from the deterioration of the state of our environment. Climate change is real, as the evidence from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration proves. It’s a dire issue, and the fact that Trump refuses to provide a platform to effectively regulate environmental threats will affect the quality of life for our entire generation.

In addition to Trump’s bismal platform for the environment, Trump represents the regression back to inequality within America. The main values that Trump embodies include racism, sexism, and homophobia. At the first presidential debate Trump was asked to simply condemn white supremacists, and his response was to tell a far-right, neo-facist, male-only group known as the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.” Since the beginning of Trump’s term, his administration has worked to undermine the civil and human rights our nation had set in place. These actions from 2017 until now are outlined by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and require a considerable amount of scrolling to read through. If you identify as a minority, or simply have a human connection for the people that we share this country with, then you should feel obligated to protect people’s rights by not voting for Trump. 

While Joe Biden is not the optimal democratic candidate, the Biden/Harris ticket is still the best option between the two choices. And I only acknowledge the two main candidates because although our two party system is flawed, a vote for any third party candidate is essentially throwing your vote away. Biden has a completely comprehensive environmental platform and acknowledges and has a platform for racial inequality and civil rights.

According to National Geographic, Biden’s platform includes protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling, promising to stop keystone pipelines, favoring the end of fossil fuel subsidies, planning to rejoin the Paris Agreement, and outlining strategies to achieve 100 percent clean electricity by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050. Having a comprehensive plan is vital to ensuring a safe future, where every living organism on this planet is better off. Science is absolutely critical for the progress of our planet, and Biden is the first president to ever be backed by the Scientific American in response to his opposing candidate’s complete disregard for science in relation to COVID-19, health care, and climate change. In the statement released by the Scientific American it is stated that, “Joe Biden, in contrast, comes prepared with plans to control COVID-19, improve health care, reduce carbon emissions and restore the role of legitimate science in policy making.”

In addition to Biden’s platform for environmental conservation, Biden acknowledges the systemic racism within our country and has proved his commitment to reforming the criminal justice system. According to the Los Angeles Times, Biden plans to invest in programs that increase home ownership among families of color, eliminate racially discriminatory zoning ordinances, and although he doesn’t support defunding the police he has called for greater accountability among police officers who use deadly force along with better training. In addition to the platform Biden has created to address racism within this country, he is also endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign. President of the Human Rights Campaign, Alphonso David, said that Biden’s, “dedication to advancing LGBTQ equality, even when it was unpopular to do so, has pushed our country and our movement forward.” 

As a person whose rights in regards to birth control and sexual orientation are endangered by the possibility of another four years of the Trump administration, I urge my classmates to consider the rights that are at stake in the presidential election. In addition to civil rights, which are critical, this election will determine how our country will move forward during this climate emergency.

Representative in Congress District 8

In addition to the presidential election, the other federal election on the Florida District 309 ballot is for the U.S. House of Representatives. According to the Ballot Ready, the members of the U.S. House of Representatives are responsible for beginning the legislation process, offering amendments, and serving on committees.

For Florida’s 8th Congressional District the two candidates are Bill Posey and Jim Kennedy. Bill Posey is the incumbent, and is endorsed by the Florida Right to Life, the National Rifle Association, and Donald Trump. Posey’s platform according to his website, states that he’s against the Green New Deal, doesn’t have any platform centered around environmental conservation, and is mainly focused on increasing national security. Posey has voted yes to banning federal health coverage that includes abortion according to On The Issues.

Meanwhile, Jim Kennedy has demonstrated belief in environmental reform including supporting companies that make an effort to be environmentally conscious and supporting research into technologies that can make a difference. Kennedy also has a comprehensive platform for educational reform, reproductive rights, gun regulation (without revoking the right to possess firearms), and criminal justice reform.  

Posey has served as a representative in congress since 2013, and it is time for Florida’s 8th Congressional District to have a representative that values the younger generation and the earth they’re inheriting while also prioritizing civil rights. 

State Senator District 17

As important as it is to be informed about the presidential and congressional candidates, this upcoming election does not just revolve around your vote for federal candidates. In fact, your vote will have the most direct impact on the local level. This includes the state and local candidates. 

First up on the ballot are the candidates for the Florida Senator for District 17. According to the website Ballot Ready, the members of the Florida State Senate are responsible for passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

For Florida’s State Senate for District 17, the two candidates are Debbie Mayfield and Scot Fretwell. Mayfield’s website does not display her platform, but she is endorsed by the Florida Right to Life. According to Ballotpedia, she has sponsored a bill that would prohibit physicians from performing an abortion for a minor unless specific requirements are satisfied. 

Unlike Mayfield’s platform, Fretwell has a clear outline of his policies on his website. Fretwell’s platform includes multiple approaches to protecting the environment, including proposing legislation that requires all of Florida’s energy suppliers to convert to 100 percent renewable power sources by the year 2040, establishing a bottle return system in Florida, and committing Florida to the Paris Climate Accord. Fretwell also acknowledges systemic racism within the United States and has a strong platform for Justice and Police Reform. According to Fretwell’s website he wants to legislate the police reforms proposed by #8cantwait, legalize recreational marijuana and “expunge the records of anyone who was arrested for non-violent drug charges involving the possession of marijuana,”, and require that all law enforcement officers be trained in racial sensitivity and de-escalation techniques. Fretwell has a clear strategy for improving Florida’s environment, economy, and criminal justice.

State Representative District 53

Next up on the ballot for state elections are the candidates for the Florida House of Representatives for District 53. According to the website Ballot Ready, the members of the Florida House of Representatives are responsible for passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes. The two candidates are Randy Fine and Phil Moore.

Fine was elected as the Florida State House of Representatives in 2016, but does not have a platform or website to refer to. His list of sponsored bills can be viewed here. Although he is endorsed by the Florida Right to Life and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. 

Moore’s platform and beliefs are easily through his website, where he outlines his priorities on economy, education, environment, equality, immigration, healthcare, gun responsibility, and small government. He’s endorsed by Florida Planned Parenthood, the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, Sierra Club Florida Chapter, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Moore is a huge proponent of civil rights, supports climate change research and conversion to renewable energy, and believes in background checks in order to purchase guns. 

Moore has a vision that will improve Florida’s quality of life for our generation, and again is the obvious choice when taking into account civil rights and environmental conservation. Which again, I cannot stress the importance of enough. 

Sheriff

The position for Brevard County Sheriff is an opportunity for young constituents to voice their support for criminal justice reform and Black Lives Matter, as these two candidates represent completely opposing values. According to the website Ballot Ready, the Brevard County Sheriff is the chief law enforcement official of the county. The two candidates are incumbent Wayne Ivey and challenger Alton Edmond.

In an article published by The Marshall Project, a nonprofit journalism organization about criminal justice, it is explained how this race between Ivey and Edmond embody the country’s conflict between Trump and Black Lives Matter. Ivey ran unopposed in 2016 and as Brevard County Sheriff publishes dehumanizing videos like the “Wheel of Fugitive” and “Fishing for Fugitives”, while also refusing to release security footage of the wrongful death of Black military veteran Gregory Edwards in 2018 according to Florida Today. Edmond is a Black former public defender who’s running on a platform for criminal justice reform. According to the article by The Marshall Project, Edmond promises to “buy body cameras for deputies, increase diversity among top staff, ban the neck restraint tactic used by the police who killed George Floyd in Minneapolis, and stop making viral videos about suspects.”

Ivey has appeared alongside President Trump at campaign rallies, and clearly embodies the racism rampant in today’s America. As a college student striving for equality for my Black classmates and friends, I am voting for Edmond. 

Board of County Commissioners District 3

Among local elections, the Board of County Commissioners for District 3 is responsible for enacting local ordinances. The two candidates are incumbent John Tobia and challenger Sanjay Patel.

Tobia is Brevard County’s current commissioner for District 3, but does not have an available website detailing his platform or what he has accomplished during his time as County Commissioner, but does have a Facebook page. Patel’s website details his plan for local environmental policies including “migrating country infrastructure to greener and more sustainable alternatives” and also “foster sustainable growth by making decisions based on science that protect our lagoon and environmentally endangered lands.” Patel also prioritizes COVID-19 recovery efforts, supporting local businesses, and expanding affordable housing and public transportation.

As someone who was introduced to the Brevard County community four years ago, I have connected with this beautiful place. I believe that Brevard’s nature deserves to be protected along with the people who compose this diverse community, which is why I am voting for Patel.

Soil and Water Conservation District Group 1

Next for local elections is the race for Soil and Water Conservation District Group 1. This position is part of a board that according to Ballot Ready, is responsible for overseeing soil and watersheds within the district. The two candidates are Henry “Boo” Minneboo and Adam Tritt.

In both a Florida Today article and a Hometown News article, incumbent Minneboo was not reached at the time to make a comment. Tritt however provided statements to both news outlets. In the Hometown News article he promised to make decisions on the basis of science and data instead of economic efficiency, and stated that “if we are to move into a future that is sustainable economically and ecologically, we need to do what needs to be done to protect our tourism and agricultural industries, both, while maintaining the beauty and uniqueness of Brevard County’s lands and waters.”

As a firm believer in science and the preservation of the environment, I support Tritt for Soil and Water Conservation District Group 1.

West Melbourne City Council

Finally, the election for West Melbourne City Council has four candidates vying for three positions. According to Ballot Ready, this council serves as the municipality’s governing body and votes on ordinances and policies, and often is in charge of hiring a city manager. The four candidates for this position are incumbent Pat Bentley, Mathew Grigajitis, Daniel McDow, and Stephan Phrampus.

Hometown News published an article profiling the four candidates. Daniel McDow is endorsed by the Sierra Club Florida Chapter, and vows to “initiate an eco-friendly roadmap.” Besides voting for McDow, I don’t believe any of the other three candidates have a strong platform that motivated me to vote for them.

To Recap

If you have stuck with me this long, thank you for taking the time to get educated on your candidates. To recap, I’m voting for Biden/Harris for the president and vice president, Jim Kennedy for Representative in Congress District 8, Scot Fretwell for State Senator District 17, Phil Moore for State Representative District 53, Alton Edmond for Sheriff, Sanjay Patel for Board of County Commissioners District 3, Adam Tritt for Soil and Water Conservation District Group 1, and Daniel McDow for West Melbourne City Council. 

If you have a different ballot, you can compare all of your candidates by typing in your address in the website BallotReady.org. Please vote, and please remain educated upon what is occurring in politics. Our country is changing and it needs the younger generation to maintain momentum in movements such as climate change, racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, gun protection, and reproductive rights.

A final farewell: What I have learned as editor-in-chief

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The following is an opinion/editorial piece. 

Being an editor-in-chief is not a job for people pleasing. You do not obtain the position so you can hold hands and become friends with everyone on campus. You are an editor-in-chief because you are there to shed light on the truth, hold people accountable, be an outlet dedicated to informing the Florida Tech community and so much more.

This past semester has been an unprecedented time. I have reported on everything ranging from sexual assault on campus to the COVID-19 pandemic and more. As you read this, I submitted my last final ever at Florida Tech just two days ago. In the absence of classes, I have had time to reflect on the madness and whirlwind constance of news that surrounded me this past semester. This is what I learned:

I have learned what it’s like to be told you’re wrong, over and over again. Voices are powerful, so I have taken in stride criticism and people’s opinions, but over the past four months I had to learn to back myself and trust the facts. When you speak the truth you need to stand by it. People have a right to opinions, but people also don’t always want to accept that truth carries power.

Asking the questions that no else will — this is something I have valued since first getting involved with The Crimson, and have really put into practice this past semester. There’s a balance between being compassionate and knowing when it’s time to ask what no one else has. I expect very few people to understand what it is like to conduct interview after interview with rape survivors. First of all, I applaud those women and their bravery for coming forward, but I also acknowledge that sometimes I myself crumbled. I felt as though I had to count myself lucky to not have to go through something like they did, but also enraged that women have sometimes been told to worry about “what they were wearing when they went out,” or “if they were drinking too much that night.” Consent is powerful, so don’t undermine it. It’s reassuring to know that there has been so much change and support made for those that have been sexually assaulted, but there’s still a lot more work to do. The point here is that I feel for those women. I had to walk a fine line to be supportive of them, but also make sure I got the facts right.

There are times when you want to pick and choose a side, but as a reporter it’s your job to remain in the middle — objective, unbiased, willing to put beliefs and emotions aside to portray a factual and fair story. This is hard, harder than some may think at times, but it also is what I believe can define a good reporter. I strive to live up to those qualities to this day and continue to do so, and I stand by the fact that I have so far.  

 Since becoming editor-in-chief,  I’ve sat in rooms for important meetings filled with typically all men, many of them seeming to be above the age of 50, and nearly all white. At first, it is intimidating, then the shock hits. To live in an educational environment for the past years where I have been taught that companies and organizations need culture and diversity and it is a changing age, but then to witness the complete opposite of that in reality; it’s disheartening. I’ve learned that some things result to old regimes, even when I thought they didn’t. We are a STEM university and it is still so male dominated, why is that? I hope this changes.  

I also have learned that I cannot do everything on my own. Shocker right? My skills solely cannot capture all the breaking news or follow up on every single lead while also being a full-time student. My backbone has been my extremely amazing and supportive staff. We are small but mighty as I like to say, and I wouldn’t be able to accomplish what I have so far without them. 

I leave Florida Tech incredibly proud of the education I have received. Yet, also a bit disappointed and ashamed by some of the things I heard, some of the things I have been told and some of the things I have witnessed. I’ve come to acknowledge that there are views and opinions on this campus that I thought only a prehistoric world held, yet they still seem to persist in my generation —the supposed generation of acceptance and inclusiveness.

When I viciously slap the buttons on my keyboard as I type, I’m not doing it because stories with my name on them are going to get me a good job or because of a popularity contest; I write and report because I care. I care about the industry and the civic duty that journalists have, I care about free speech and the right for people to know what is going on in the environment around them. I poured my heart and soul into The Crimson, and I leave proud of the work I did and honored to be a part of such an amazing newsroom. With my send off I have one wish— that the paper continues to report on the school, not for it. May its legacy live on. 

Passing the Torch (Fall 2019)

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Running a college newspaper can be difficult.

We attend not only a school where technology is the focus, but we also live in a world that encourages people to pursue careers in STEM and discourages those who want to do something outside of that. Working at the student newspaper when many people at Florida Tech don’t even know we have communications majors can be frustrating. It’s disheartening being turned down again and again and again by administrators when we ask for comments for articles we’re working on.

Visiting the Newseum and attending the National College Media Convention helped remind me and my writers how important our jobs are. We don’t write for ourselves; we write to provide information for others, to share stories and to shed light on the truth. 

With that being said, uncovering the truth can be difficult. Some of the topics I’ve explored since I joined The Crimson have taken a year of investigation before anyone could write a story about them. When you look into issues other than typical campus activities and sports, people become uncomfortable. If you’re lucky, administration will dance around your questions. If you’re not, they’ll turn you down for an interview or ignore your requests entirely. Getting necessary information can be nearly impossible, especially since we are at a private university and that keeps us from having access to many of our records.

As we’ve come to the middle of the school year and the end of the fall semester, we at The Crimson have realized we no longer advertise the school, we report on it. We have started to report on issues we’ve been hesitant to touch on before. The process has been grueling, but we believe sharing the truth we find as reporters is important above all else.

Olivia McKelvey has been someone I can only describe as intensely hungry for knowledge and driven to report. She has found difficult stories and pursued them to completion; no matter how much pushback she has gotten, she has always fought to get her stories written and written well. As an editor-in chief-and reporter, I was inspired by her to keep working to find the truth and not back down when people made getting information extremely difficult.

While I am excited to be graduating, I am sad my time at The Crimson was not longer. However, I believe in her capability as both a leader and as a reporter and cannot wait to see how she improves The Crimson with every issue. 

Nerd News: Star Wars ranking and Episode 9 preview

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The widely anticipated “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” opens in theaters on Dec. 20. Disney and Lucasfilm have said this is the end of the “Skywalker Saga.”

The “Skywalker Saga” is all of the episodic Star Wars films produced up until this point. 

Beginning with the adventures of Luke, Han and Leia, then the prequel trilogy focusing on Anakin, Obi-Wan and Padme, the sequel trilogy finally wraps up starring Rey, Kylo Ren, Finn and Poe. 

With such a monumental nerd chapter coming to a close, here are my full Star Wars movie rankings—including the anthology films—and a quick predictions section for “The Rise of Skywalker.”

10. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

Bogged down by a force-fed love story between Anakin and Padme, “Attack of the Clones” is filled with poor acting and head-scratching story decisions. Obi-Wan’s arc is easily the best part. 

9. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

Remove Jar Jar Binks and this would still probably rank ninth on my list. In one movie, George Lucas ruined everything we thought we knew about the Force and turned Darth Vader into a whiny little kid. We do, however, get one of the best lightsaber fights ever between Obi-Wan, Qui-Gonn Ginn and Darth Maul (shoutout to the music “Duel of the Fates” playing). 

8. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Finally, we get to see Anakin become Darth Vader. Oh wait, maybe we didn’t want to see little Ani mercilessly kill younglings. In all honesty, this is probably the only prequel that I enjoy watching out of the three, mainly because there is real emotion when they execute Order 66. Also, the final fight between Anakin and Obi-Wan does pull at a few of my heartstrings. 

7. Solo: A Star Wars Story

This may seem like I am ranking this movie low, but I actually enjoy “Solo.” The story, characters and action sequences are all enjoyable but it doesn’t provide any unforgettable moments in my opinion. While Alden Ehrenreich does the best he can playing Han Solo, my biggest problem with this movie is that he’s not Harrison Ford. Obviously, it would be impossible for Ford to play this aged character now but that just makes me question if we really needed this movie at all.

6. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

This is exactly what a “Star Wars story” should be: a well-crafted story around likable characters that we grow to quickly love throughout the film. We only see one lightsaber (the one and only Darth Vader’s) and it is one of the best scenes in Star Wars history. Not only does this movie perfectly lead into “A New Hope,” but it provides us with the “wow” factor we all crave when journeying to a galaxy far, far away. 

5. Star Wars: The Last Jedi

This was nearly placed at number six on my list, but despite all the movie does wrong, the super sweaty, gasping-for-air moments in this movie give it the nod over “Rogue One.” Kylo Ren, also known as Ben Solo, is my favorite character of the new trilogy and I love everything he does in this movie. All of the moments between him and Rey are great (#TeamReylo), and their brief team-up against Snoke’s guards is pure Star Wars bliss. 

4. Star Wars: A New Hope

Back where it all began. The teaching between Obi-Wan and Luke learning what the Force is, our first appearance of Han and Chewbacca, Darth Vader force-choking his subordinates and the beginnings of an iconic friendship between Luke, Han and Leia. The original Star Wars film will always hold a special place in our little nerd hearts.

3. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Some take points off for being very similar to “A New Hope” but I absolutely love “The Force Awakens,” even with the blatant copying. Star Killer Base was a misfire. However, seeing a Storm Trooper—Finn—go rogue, being introduced to the best pilot in the resistance—Poe—and meeting our midi-chlorian-filled scavenger Rey are all great character moments and sets the foundation for the next three movies. Also, Han (rest in peace), Chewy and Leia are heavily featured and it feels like a dream come true.

2. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

I do not mind the Ewoks. Inject the throne scene between the Emperor, Vader and Luke directly into my veins. Next. 

1. Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back

If this isn’t your favorite Star Wars movie are you really even a Star Wars fan? Some of the best elements are the battle of Hoth, Luke training with Yoda and Lando Calrissian and Cloud City. This movie also has some of the best moments of dialogue, including the moment between Han and Leia where she proclaims her love for him and he simply responds, “I know.”

There’s also this iconic exchange between Luke and Vader: 

Luke: I’ll never join you!
Vader: If only you knew the power of the Dark Side. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father.
Luke: He told me enough! He told me you killed him!
Vader: No, I am your father.

Image result for mic drop

The Rise of Skywalker questions/predictions:

  • How and why is the Emperor back?
  • Who was Snoke?
  • How do they handle Leia?
  • Kylo and Rey team up in the end to fight the Emperor.
  • Kylo dies in the end.
  • Rey, Finn and Poe all survive.
  • We see Hayden Christensen reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker in the form of a Force ghost.

Florida Tech fails to acknowledge reports of rape required under federal law

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By: Emily Walker, Olivia McKelvey, Kevin Boodoosingh

Florida Tech failed to acknowledge multiple reports of rape within the 2019 Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports under the Clery Act.




  • The Campus Crime Statistics lists zero sex offenses have occurred in the in the past three years. If there have been cases of sexual assaults that were not included in the crime statistics, then that is a violation of the Clery Act. 

Two students have come forward with accounts of rape and how they reported their cases through Title IX and Security.

Their cases did not appear on the Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports, which is in violation of the Clery Act.

What is the Clery Act:

In 1986, Jeanne Clery, a student at Lehigh University, was raped and murdered in her residence hall.

Four years later, the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 was established in order to create accountability for reporting violent crimes and providing transparency on campus crime statistics.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act—the Clery Act— is a federal law requiring United States colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around campuses.

Due to the fact that Florida Tech receives federal funding, it is required to publish an annual security report for both students and employees every Oct. 1.

What is included within the Clery report:

Florida Tech’s Office of Safety and Security prepares an annual report in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies such as Melbourne Police Department, Palm Bay Police Department and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Other university departments also work in collaboration with compiling crime reports and statistics such as the Title IX office.

The report is required to include data from the past three years on the following crimes:

  • Criminal homicides such as murder and non-negligent manslaughter and negligent manslaughter
  • Sex offenses such as rape, fondling, incest and statutory rape
  • Arrests and judicial referrals for liquor law violations, drug abuse violations and weapons law violations
  • The “other” category, which includes robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson
  • The Violence Against Women’s Act—VAWA—is an amendment within Clery that expands the rights to campus survivors of sexual assault and includes the following crimes:
    • domestic violence
    • dating violence
    • stalking
  • Hate crimes, which include offense definitions relating to hate/bias-related crime, larceny, simple assault, intimidation and destruction/damage/vandalism of property

Clery cites that the following individuals on campus are Campus Security Authorities—also known as mandated reporters— a term created by the Clery Act that encompasses groups of individuals and organizations at Florida Tech:

  • Dean of Students
  • Director of Security
  • Security Department
  • Title IX Coordinator
  • Senior Vice President for Academic Administration
  • Chief of Staff
  • Athletics Director
  • Athletic Coaches
  • Office of Student Life
  • Director of Student Housing
  • Other Campus Security Authorities that have a “significant responsibility for student and campus activities.”

Clery geography:

Another factor Clery examines when categorizing data is geographical location of a specific crime.

Clery includes both on-campus and non-campus locations within the report.

An on-campus location is defined as any building or property owned or controlled by an institution, such as an academic building or dorm.

Non-campus geographic location can refer to any Florida Tech owned entity that is frequented by students.

The non-campus definition also includes campus leased or rented spaces for an event that was sponsored by the university or any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution.

How Florida Tech violated the Clery Act:

In the 2019 Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports, all sex offenses, including rape, were cited as zero for the past three years.

According to definition in Florida Tech’s 2019 Annual Safety and Fire Report, rape is defined as “the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”

An anonymous student has gone on record and said that her rape, which occurred in 2018 on campus, was not included in the Clery report.

“I went into the Title IX office because I wanted this put down on record,” she said. “I wanted them to know that women are being assaulted and raped on this campus.” 

The student went to the health center and Counseling and Psychological Services, neither of which are mandated reporters.

She later went to Linda Jancheson, the Title IX coordinator, who reports to, as listed in Florida Tech’s organizational chart, VP/General Counsel.

“I spent 20 minutes waiting in the Title IX office, five minutes in Jancheson’s office and I left with three extra papers that I didn’t know what the hell meant,” the student said.

The student later talked to another Campus Security Authority and discussed her options with Security.

She ultimately decided not to take action against her rapist and no charges were filed in this case. 

Despite the student not taking action, according to Frank Iannone, director of security, whether or not a victim decides to pursue charges, a report is made regardless of the outcome.

When asked how many cases of rape have been reported to Jancheson for the past three years, she said, “I do not know the exact numbers.”

When asked how many Title IX reports Jancheson handed over to Security to include within this year’s Clery report, she said, “I do not know.”

The Title IX coordinator was asked these same questions two times, in two separate interviews, and responded with “I do not know,” in each instance.

Jancheson went on to say that she was not in the Title IX coordinator position when reports were made last year in 2018, though her start date was February of 2018.

Another anonymous source was raped in 2017 on campus and reported her rape to Security in 2018.

The student went through an investigation and disciplinary hearing, which took over one year and resulted in disciplinary action for her rapist. 

This student’s rape was also not included within this year’s Clery data. 

“Sitting down with two security officers not once, but twice to relive the details of my rape in depth and on record was anything but a warm environment as a victim,” she said. 

After her initial report, the student heard nothing for five months regarding the investigation and the scheduling of the disciplinary hearing.

“It was the worst experience of my life,” she said. “The process of reporting it was nearly as bad as my actual rape.”

It is not immediately known whether or not campus security filed these two reports of rape with local law enforcement.

Both sources will remain anonymous. The Crimson does not disclose the names of sexual assault survivors.

Repercussions for violating Clery:

According to a press release from the National Association of Clery Compliance officers and professionals, as of February 2019, the new amount that the U.S. Department of Education can impose for noncompliance with the Clery Act is $57,317 per violation. 

In 2016, Penn State was fined 2.4 million dollars for having been “out of compliance” for 11 serious cases dating from 1998 to 2011.

In 2018, the University of Montana was fined $966,614 for “inaccurate and misleading crime statistics” from liquior law violations to cases of rape between 2012 and 2015. 

Two anonymous students at Florida Tech have come forward to discuss their rapes in 2017 and 2018 and how they reported it to Security.

Those cases have not been cited within this year’s Clery report. 

Iannone said that from the statistics that are provided within this year’s Clery report, he feels the numbers accurately represent the campus.

If you have made a report to Security or Title IX and feel it has not been handled correctly, visit endrapeoncampus.org/the-clery-act to file a complaint.

As a student-run newspaper, your voices are extremely important to us.

If you feel you have experienced something similar as described in this piece and would like to speak with us, please contact us at crimson@fit.edu.

National Sexual Assault Hotline -1-800-656-4673
Women’s Center Counseling 321-242-1526

Nerd News: Why Disney+ is a game-changer

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A sneak peak of the interface of Disney+. Photo // Disney

The Walt Disney Company is coming for us all.

Swiftly after Disney bought out 21st Century Fox for a cool $71.3 billion— feel free to meditate on that number a bit—they are now launching their own streaming service.

This is a continuation of the recent trend towards streaming subscription services like Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime and many more.

Disney+ has a lot of factors working in its favor, specifically price, audience and future.

Price

Disney+ costs $6.99 per month, or $69.99 per year— $5.83 per month.

In August, Disney announced that if you sign up for the D23 Official Disney Fan Club, you could sign up for a three-year commitment for just $140.97.

That’s $46.99 per year or $3.92 per month. Demand for the offer reportedly caused so much traffic that the D23 website temporarily crashed.

The chart below shows how Disney+ stacks up against competing streaming services.

The lack of variety in packages, I believe, is a benefit for Disney+.

Alternatively, Disney is offering a package of Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu with ads for just $12.99.

In May, Disney acquired Comcast’s one-third stake in Hulu and took full control of the streaming service.

This three-service package by Disney is a power move and clearly is targeted at competing with Netflix’s $12.99 standard price.

So why would anyone choose Disney+ exclusively over Netflix?

Audience

The fundamental flaw with Disney+ is that they will only offer Disney’s own properties.

Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with that, but it may not be for everyone.

On the other hand, with the acquisition of Fox, their library of content now contains properties like “The Simpsons,” “Home Alone” and the original Star Wars trilogy, to name a few.

Speaking of Star Wars, if you’re a fan of the franchise Disney+ is a must.

“The Mandalorian,” a brand new Star Wars show, is available on Disney+ from launch.

As a huge Star Wars fan, I cannot wait for this show to begin; it will be the first thing I watch on Disney+.

If you’re like me and love Star Wars, you may also enjoy the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Again, if you’re an MCU fan, Disney+ is crucial to have. Not only will their movies be slowly rolling out onto the service, but Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has announced eight Disney+ exclusive shows.

Feige has made it clear that these new shows hold equal weight to the movies.

As a Marvel superfan, it would be virtually impossible to not subscribe. So what about those who aren’t sweating over every word that Feige utters?

Anyone watch the Disney Channel growing up?

Not only are classics like “High School Musical,” “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody” and “That’s So Raven” going to be available on the new service, but a continuation of “Lizzie McGuire” exclusively on Disney+ is in the works.

The 6-year-old me that truly believed he was going to marry Hillary Duff is very excited about this new series.

Honestly, the array of Disney Channel Original movies and shows that were going to be available from day one may have been worth the price for me solely based on nostalgia.

Speaking of nostalgia, Disney classic animated movies such as “The Lion King,” “Mulan,” “Beauty and the Beast” and more will be unvaulted and neatly stored in Disney+.

For anyone with kids or if you are a kid trapped in an adult’s body like me, the $6.99 a month will probably be well worth it.

If you’re into more PG-13 and above rated material, Disney+ may not be the service for you.

This is Disney after all, so if you want to watch horror movies or raunchy comedies, just keep mooching off your ex’s Netflix account.

Future

This category may be Disney+’s greatest strength.

The streaming service is going to be very reliant on old shows and movies upon release, but over the next few years, it will become overflowing with original and exclusive content.

Disney properties up until this point have lived on places like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

The launch of Disney+ doesn’t just add new competition with new content, it weakens its direct competitors.

I would be surprised if Netflix doesn’t lower its price sometime in the near future, as they are going to have to rely more and more on original content to stay afloat.

Disney+ is going to have an immediate impact on the streaming service world, especially due to the prices and ranges of people that may be interested.

It appears Disney’s strategy is to get as many people as possible signed up from the beginning; then in probably two to three years bump the price up just like we’ve seen with Netflix and Hulu.

So, my advice is to enjoy Disney+ now while it’s price feels more like an add-on payment, rather than having to cut ties with another service.

The present and future of home entertainment lie within streaming services and Disney+ may soon change the entire industry.

In music: Pretty Hate Machine is 30. It says a lot about our 20s.

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Nine Inch Nails performing in 2017 at the Joint in Las Vegas. Photo // Las Vegas Weekly

Adolescence is well-documented in music as the time in our lives that we are stuck in Whatever-town, USA, feeling invincible.

The one thing that’s harder to write music about is what comes next: our early 20s.

Nine Inch Nails’ “Pretty Hate Machine” details this phase of life with vulnerable lyrical content laid over a foundation of alternative rock and—perhaps more unexpectedly—80s dance music.

Official album art. Photo // TVT Records

The album just turned 30 this October, and it’s as powerful as ever.

By the time we hit our 20s, we are much more free to choose where we are and what we do, yet we can still get lost in the search for our identities.

We may not know what it is we want to do, and we may struggle to understand why the people or forces in our lives do what they do.

While “Pretty Hate Machine” doesn’t answer these questions, it certainly details that confusion, and the personal growth that comes with it, with refreshing poignancy.

For the sake of cathartic listening, that might be more important than answers. “Really, ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ was born from tinkering around in the studio at night,” frontman Trent Reznor told Kory Grow of Rolling Stone in 2019.

Reznor was the sole official member of the band until the addition of English musician and composer Atticus Ross in 2016.

The pair are longtime collaborators, with much of their work consisting of film scoring.

They won the Oscar for “Best Original Score” in 2010 for “The Social Network.”

“I was up above it/now I’m down in it.”

The “it” in “Pretty Hate Machine’s” debut single, “Down In It,” is never specified, but there are plenty of high places in life that one can come crashing down from.

The so-very-80s dance beat contrasts with the themes of loss of identity and change, which come to a head in the concluding lyric: “And what I used to think was me, is just a fading memory/I looked him right in the eye and said goodbye.”

A debut album is a special thing. It exists without any expectations based on previous albums or a band’s public persona; there’s a unique honesty to a first album.

Reznor touched on this honesty in the same Rolling Stone interview: “Once I got over the hump of, ‘I could never say that out loud to other people,’ there was an authenticity and truthfulness that I think resonated.”

It must have resonated, as nine full-length albums later, the band is 13-time Grammy nominated, and is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee for the third time.

The album itself was remastered and repackaged in 2010.

Reznor performing / 1994 Photo: Frank White.

Those following albums from Nine Inch Nails show no hesitation on personal or controversial subjects.

This initial pursuit of authenticity on “Pretty Hate Machine” opened the door for more aggressive albums like its 1994 successor, “The Downward Spiral,” and its themes of identity and one’s relationship with the world are prominent in 2004’s “With Teeth.”

And just as the album must have come, in part, out of the sounds of bands like Depeche Mode, its influence can be heard today—in some surprising places.

In 2019, the Netflix series “Black Mirror” featured a pop remix of opening track “Head Like a Hole” performed by Miley Cyrus.

Rapper Ghostemane’s 2018 album “N/O/I/S/E” echoes “Pretty Hate Machine” in synth selections and lyrical content. “Pretty Hate Machine” endures as the first glimpse into the influential industrial project Nine Inch Nails would become.

This album came out before Nine Inch Nails found their fame, and before Reznor and Ross became awardwinning film composers.

It is the work of a 20-something guy working as a janitor at a recording studio, figuring out who he was as a songwriter.

As 20-somethings figuring out who we are in our own lives, “Pretty Hate Machine” is a powerful work of music.

Nerd News: Why it doesn’t matter whether Marvel is “cinema” or not

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Francis Ford Coppola rivaling the Marvel Cinematic Universe for classifying it as “not cinema”. Photo // INQUIRER.net USA

During a recent interview with Empire, beloved Director Martin Scorsese called comic book movies, specifically Marvel, “not cinema.”

He went on to say the best comparison for them is theme parks.

Instead of writing a thousand words on how these comments are ridiculous and Scorsese is just a grumpy old man (trust me, I almost went there), I have been able to take a step back and have come to a conclusion. Who cares?

I’m not backing down as a Marvel superfan, nor am I trying to discredit Scorsese’s opinion.

Cinema can be defined simply as movies or motion pictures, but a secondary definition according to Meriam-Webster Dictionary is, “the art or technique of making motion pictures.”

This seems to be the definition Scorsese meant when critiquing comic book movies.

Later during his interview with Empire, he explained his stance, saying, “It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”

Now while I do not agree, I understand.

Scorsese is basically trying to say Marvel movies rely too much on the big explosions, computer graphics and lighthearted comedy to be considered real cinema.

Scorsese also admitted to not watching Marvel movies despite trying.

While this is clearly an outsider’s point of view looking in, the nine-time Academy Award nominee’s opinions still hold great weight—enough so that the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr. and Natalie Portman defended Marvel movies as cinema.

Unfortunately, fellow iconic director Francis Ford Coppola went one step too far when adding onto Scorsese’s comments.

In an interview with Yahoo! Coppola said that Scorsese “was kind when he said it’s not cinema. He didn’t say it’s despicable, which I just say it is.”

Grumpy old man alert! He explained why he agreed that Marvel movies aren’t cinema.

“We expect to learn something from cinema,” Coppola said. “We expect to gain something, some enlightenment, some knowledge, some inspiration.”

Nerd alert incoming! Inspiration?

These movies inspire, especially children, to use their gifts for the greater good.

For example, Peter Parker (oh no, here he goes again) was just a nerdy teen trying to work his way through school.

He didn’t seek his great power, but once he had it, he took on the great responsibility.

He used his gifts to help and protect his community.

The point wasn’t that he could lift a car or climb walls—it was that he was given amazing abilities and how he used them was all that mattered.

We may not be able to swing through New York City or stop a speeding train, but we all have our own gifts and they only matter if we use them to the best of our abilities.

To be frank, Mr. Coppola, I was a pretty freaking inspired six-year-old watching Spider-Man 2 on repeat.

So the question is, why the sudden bashing of the incredibly successful Marvel movies that have recently been released?

Well, I think that is exactly it: Marvel movies are insanely successful. Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame” is the highest-grossing film of all time, bringing in just under $2.8 billion.

They have also had an effect on the rest of the industry, especially genre films.

For example, Marvel Studios began adding post credit scenes to their films to get fans excited for the next film and keeping the excitement levels always to the max.

In August’s action film “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” there were four post-credit scenes teasing the next installment.

Even Scorsese’s much anticipated film, “The Irishman,” coming out in November of this year has been affected.

The movie is in partnership with Netflix and in an interview with Entertainment Weekly Scorsese said that the $159 million project “was very difficult to get made the past 10 years, and for many different reasons.”

Scorsese is even using de-aging technology in his new film. This part-incredible, part scary computer graphics effect has been previously used in Marvel Studios’ “Captain Marvel” and “Captain America: Civil War.”

Times are certainly changing in the film industry and I think generational directors like Scorsese and Coppola, who have been creating major motion pictures for nearly 60 years, may feel threatened.

It was clearly not a cakewalk for Scorsese to get his latest project funded and Coppola still hasn’t begun official production of “Megalopolis.”

Deadline reported that Coppola described “Megalopolis” as “usual” and said, “It will be a production on a grand scale with a large cast.”

Interesting, grand scale and large cast … where have I seen that before?

Nevertheless, the film industry has changed rapidly over the past 10 Avengers filled years and there’s no sign of it stopping.

The great Robert Downey Jr. put it in the best way possible while on The Howard Stern Show.

“When you come in like a stomping beast and you eliminate the competition in such a demonstrative way, it’s phenomenal,” Downey said.

So who cares if Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola think that Marvel movies aren’t cinema?

They are more entitled to their own opinions than practically anyone else in the film industry, but actions speak louder than words and money speaks even louder than that.

This never needed to become a viral story, because it is what it is and none of this means that we as Marvel fans should enjoy The Avengers any less.

We also shouldn’t have to feel like traitors for watching “Shutter Island” or “The Godfather.”

At the end of the day, the movie industry is changing and evolving, just as it has over the past 100 years, and there’s nothing you, me or Martin Scorsese can do about it.

Green spaces: relieving stress

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Think of the last time you were in a space fully covered by greenery.

For many people at Florida Tech, the answer ranges from a few minutes ago to a full day.

How we utilize our green spaces could actually make a difference in our mental health.

According to Stephanie Byrd, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in relaxation techniques, being outside “opens up our hearts and minds to possibilities.”

She asserts the connection between lessened anxiety and going outside.

A connection greater than the self leaves the mind at ease.

A factor in this interconnectivity is the air quality of a more lush area.

Breathing in fresh air has been positively linked to “feeling good.”

Air quality in nature can add a touch of relaxation to a walk to class.

Haley Murphy, astrobiology major, said that humans naturally gravitate toward nature as refuge and for familiarity.

Another factor, according to Simon N. Young, a published researcher in the field of psychology, is exposure to the natural cycle of dark and light, which is linked to serotonin re-uptake.

From the perspective of a student, the separation from the brick and mortar of school buildings fosters relaxation.

As corroborated by Byrd, burdens can be alleviated by spending time outside.

Instead of being trapped behind a screen, they can flourish in green spaces.

Kicking back with a book or some music in the botanical gardens is already a widespread pastime.

Students report that time spent outside increases focus and sometimes even lessens school pressures.

The benefits extend beyond anxiety.

The connection with nature provides a method for people to invest time in something beyond stress.

So, whether you spend your time outdoors as a means to walk to class or a quiet escape during hectic days of classes, you could improve your mood.

It’s an easy way to brighten your mood and maybe even change your outlook for a little while. Why not “go green”?

Nerd News: Why “Joker” is the must-see movie of 2019

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Official movie poster // Warner Bros Pictures.

“Joker” by Todd Phillips is a work of art and deserves tremendous respect and praise.

With that being said, film is subjective and this film, in particular, has been under fire for its representation of mental illness and violence.

Today, I want to discuss this wave of controversy, share my thoughts on the matter and why I believe “Joker” does a lot more good than bad.

Brief History Lesson

In 2012, during a midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora Colorado, James Holmes set off tear gas grenades and fired his gun at the audience. Twelve people died and 70 were injured.

The Joker wasn’t featured in that film, but it was coming off the heels of 2008’s “The Dark Knight,” where Heath Ledger plays the Joker.

Ledger died due to a drug overdose before “The Dark Knight” was released in theaters.

His performance was so impactful that he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2009.

It is still devastating to think that Ledger never got to see how loved and adored his portrayal of Batman’s most famous antagonist was and still is to this day.

Fast forward to 2016’s “Suicide Squad,” where Jared Leto took his turn as The Clown Prince of Crime.

I personally didn’t hate his performance as much as many people and even found myself wishing he was in the movie more.

With that being said, Leto’s Joker isn’t even near the same league as Ledger’s and now Phoenix’s.

The Real Dark Phoenix

Arthur putting on makeup for his clown persona. Picture // Warner Bros. Pictures

Now before I open that can of worms, no, I am not going to debate whether Ledger or Phoenix had the better Joker (maybe another time).

But the fact that Phoenix has a real case for having a better performance than Ledger’s now-iconic portrayal is significant in its own right.

There were moments while watching “Joker” where I thought to myself, “This is the best acting I’ve ever seen” by the great Joaquin Phoenix.

Now upon further reflection and seeing the movie again, I can confidently say Phoenix should be nominated for Best Lead Actor at the Academy Awards.

I don’t want to say he should win without seeing the other performances that will be nominated, but I honestly doubt anyone will be as good this year.

Phoenix put his mind, soul and body into this performance and it’s so apparent on screen.

Firstly and most obviously, he lost 52 pounds for the role and in a recent interview on The Jimmy Kimmel show Phoenix said, “It is difficult at times, but then there is something very empowering about it as well.”

This, in a sense, perfectly describes his acting in this film.

Phoenix is able to get into the bruised and battered head of his character Arthur Fleck with what feels like such ease.

Alright, enough beating around the bush—full “Joker” spoilers time.

Leave now and come back after you’ve seen the film or stay and enjoy the sweat.

The Laugh

Arthur laughing on the bus in the movie. Picture // Warner Bros. Pictures

Phoenix reportedly studied people who suffered from pseudobulbar affect, or PBA.

PBA causes those that suffer from it to have sudden outbursts of uncontrollable laughing, crying or both.

While doing research for this article, I watched a few videos of real-life people who suffer from PBA and it is stunning how well Phoenix was able to mimic this condition.

Whereas when someone normally laughs it comes from a place of joy, this is the exact opposite; it is normally triggered by an uncomfortable situation and can lead to embarrassment, social isolation, distress and depression.

Those are all emotions and conditions Arthur is depicted as suffering from in “Joker.”

It is never explicitly said what exact conditions Arthur has in the movie, but we do learn that he uses seven different medications and suffered significant head trauma as a child.

Arthur even has a card he carries with him that says, “It’s a medical condition causing sudden, frequent, uncontrollable laughter that doesn’t match how you feel. It can happen in people with a brain injury or certain neurological conditions.”

Abuse, isolation, neglect and early loss of a parent are all linked to real-world cases of mental illness and Arthur suffers through all of these in this film.

Phillips does a great job of using laughter as a tool, not just a character flaw.

We see Arthur painfully laugh at the worst moments; a few scenes particularly stuck out for me.

In one of these scenes, Arthur is trying to make a young boy laugh by making funny faces and playing peekaboo.

The boy’s mother tells Arthur to stop bothering her kid, and after the rude interruption of Arthur’s innocent act, he breaks into laughter.

A loud, pained, uncontrollable laugh leads to our first look at his aforementioned card that explains his condition.

This is our first time as the audience seeing the laugh in public at full strength, and it is terribly uncomfortable but makes us feel great sympathy for Arthur.

The next pivotal laughing scene is the turning point of the movie.

After being fired from his job, Arthur is on the subway heading home and three seemingly drunk men are bothering a woman on the subway.

Arthur takes notice of this and between the mixture of his despair from his job and the awkwardness of the situation, he busts out in his troubled laugh.

The three guys now direct their attention to Arthur, get uncomfortably close and then begin to fight.

Arthur is overpowered and is repeatedly kicked while laying on the ground (a callback to one of the first scenes in the movie).

This time Arthur fights back, pulls out his gun and proceeds to shoot and kill all three men that night.

We see Arthur’s first real Joker moment, a sudden lethal outburst that he embraces.

Nearing the end of the film, Arthur gives the chilling line, “I used to think my life was a tragedy, but now I realize it’s a comedy.”

From that point on you see him embrace the laugh and finally have a little bit of control over it for the first time.

You even see Arthur become more comfortable in his own skin as he falls further into darkness.

The most comfortable you ever see Arthur is when he’s on the Murray Franklin Show with full Joker makeup on and in a very familiar purple suit.

Laughing is no longer his enemy.

Is Joker a Hero?

Arthur, now Joker, dancing down the stairs. Picture // Warner Bros. Pictures

The murder of three Wayne Enterprise employees by “a guy in a clown mask” is what triggers the street dwellers of Gotham to fight the wealthy and also raises an interesting question I wanted to discuss.

On one of the newspapers that wrote about the shooting, they question if the masked killer was a vigilante.

As a nerd, this was a cool Easter egg as Batman is often times marked a vigilante by the police and media.

In one of Arthur’s fake memories (more on these later) of a date with Sophie (Zazie Beetz), she says that she thinks the person who killed those guys is a hero.

I interpret this as Arthur solidifying to himself that his actions had good ramifications.

This is one of the examples that show the audience how unreliable Arthur is as a narrator.

The other key example is when Arthur imagines himself on the Murray Franklin show while watching with his mother.

Nevertheless, no matter Arthur’s unreliability, he performs terrible acts throughout this film.

So the short answer is no, he’s not a hero, even though we sympathize with him.

Arthur is a tortured character who even says he’s never had a truly happy moment in his life.

Despite repeatedly being thrown in the trash and gut-punched (literally and figuratively) by society, there is no excuse for Arthur’s actions.

We see him kill six people in the movie and Sophie’s fate wasn’t confirmed, so the kill count could be even higher.

Despite his condition and set of circumstances, there is no excuse for his actions and because of this, of course, he’s not a hero.

The Big Controversy

Now the big talk heading into the film’s release date was that it glorifies both mental illness and violence, with the fear being that this movie may inspire violent acts, much like Arthur/Joker does by the end.

In a time where mass shootings have become a regularity, I understand why people may feel like there’s no place for this movie right now.

I personally have a different opinion on its message.

I think if anything, this movie shows us how we need to treat mental illness and how serious it really is.

Any mental illness should not be ignored, laughed at or overlooked. “Joker” shows us an extreme case that leads to mass violence, but I think it is trying to tell us this is a feasible thing that could happen, and maybe already is happening. One of the best parts of this movie is just how real it feels.

We only ever seen Gotham from a street-level view.

Every punch, kick, gunshot, death, laughing attack all feel completely real; no “movie magic” here.

I could understand someone having a different opinion than me on the subject, but I think that’s another part of this movie that’s so great: It is extremely fun to talk about and it’s impossible to not have an opinion after watching it.

Finals Thoughts

This movie is not a horror film—it is a horrific film.

Its intent is not to scare you, it just wants to show what could happen to someone with severe mental illness when society rejects them despite their best efforts.

I can’t imagine anyone in this role instead of Phoenix, and if he’s not at least nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards, I will write a 3000- word Nerd News column on how the system is completely corrupt.

While I want to say the same for whether “Joker” is nominated for Best Picture, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is snubbed because of how divisive it is amongst critics and fans.

Despite the mixed reactions, I believe Phillips completely shook off the idea that he can only direct comedy after directing “The Hangover” trilogy.

He creates the most grounded Gotham City in the history of cinema and tells a great character driven story that makes the audience sympathize with one of the most famous comic book villains of all time.

I almost feel guilty about how much I enjoyed this movie. It is two hours of seat shifting, shock, heartbreak and one of the most chilling scores to a movie I have ever heard.

I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to see it a third and fourth time in theaters.

The End

So did you make it all the way through? Be honest, I know you skipped some of my over analysis of his laugh, but c’mon, the laugh is one of the driving forces behind the movie! A freaking laugh!