“In college, I feel like that’s a huge thing that you should be able to do is just really get involved and understand what you believe and also understand other perspectives and viewpoints and be able to hear that out,” junior criminology and political science major and president of TPUSA, Katie Gonzales told The Crow’s Nest.
Photo Courtesy of Gabriel Ballester-Rivera
By Jasmin Parrado and Julia Birdsall
On April 6, The University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s Turning Point USA chapter and College Democrats hosted their second Left vs. Right Debate at the University Student Center ballrooms.
Students from the crowd had an opportunity to stand at the podium and speak their mind about a plethora of topics that pertained to current events in the United States.
Debaters spoke on seven topics, including the actions and policies surrounding Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, U.S. involvement in international conflicts and universal healthcare.
The event lasted a total of three hours, but many students were still ready for more, as they expressed a desire to participate in future iterations of the event.
Junior criminology and political science major and president of TPUSA, Katie Gonzales, said that she is hopeful there will be another debate next semester.
Animal biology senior and vice president of TPUSA, Marissa Smith, told The Crow’s Nest that the second debate was organized “to continue to create dialogue between both sides and bring people together.” Photo Courtesy of Gabriel Ballester-Rivera
“I think it’s so important because you never know how your neighbor might be feeling, and that shouldn’t shut you off,” Annunziata told The Crow’s Nest. “That shouldn’t keep you from having these important conversations, especially in hard times.” Photo Courtesy of Gabriel Ballester-Rivera
Charles Wain-Nye, senior in digital communications, took his laptop to the podium numerous times to fact-check speakers throughout the three-hour debate, sparking cheers from the crowd. Photo Courtesy of Gabriel Ballester-Rivera
Some debaters used facts and statistics, while others used personal experiences and feelings. Photo Courtesy of Gabriel Ballester-Rivera.
Other topics included the government’s role in the economy, the United States’ mass deportation policies, the Second Amendment and whether the government has too much control over the media. Photo Courtesy of Gabriel Ballester-Rivera
Though students expressed that they appreciate the outlet that events like the debate provide, those that spoke to The Crow’s Nest remained steadfast in their views. “There’s nothing so powerful as a made-up mind,” said psychology and history freshman Petra Bedenbaugh. “I feel like many people come here with their minds made up.” Photo Courtesy of Gabriel Ballester-Rivera.
Senior political science major Izabella Annunziata said she appreciated how there was less booing and heckling from audience members at this debate compared to last semester, when the inaugural debate kicked off with a packed audience. Photo Courtesy of Gabriel Ballester-Rivera
