Watermark is a company that welcomes direct criticism. I use the word direct because it’s important to reach out directly to me, our editor-in-chief or our sales director if you have a legitimate complaint. Write us a letter, send us an email or if you are old school like me, pick up the phone. Better yet, find me at an event and let’s talk about it.
When I first started at Watermark, I thought it was odd that we would run scathing letters to the editor in print. What kind of a company does that? I have since come to see the value in doing so. In fact, I became the person making the call to run the letters, I became the person making the call to not delete some highly disparaging comments on our Facebook page and I became the person making the call not to engage in online arguments.
I believe Watermark is a product of and by this community. I believe that the work we do is a vital service to this community. Because of this, I don’t look at myself as the owner of a business so much as the caretaker of this community project. That gives all of you the right and space to speak your mind about the work we do. I value the truth. I value honesty. I value integrity.
One complaint I hear often is how Watermark is too nice. We don’t attack enough; we don’t call people out enough. It is usually followed up by a very intriguing story of substance abuse, sexual harassment or fraudulently faking numbers to get more grant money. Unfortunately, it comes with the caveat of “off the record” or “don’t quote me on this.” It’s hard to build a story on rumor, and without the truth there is no story. Make no mistake, when someone steps forward we are here to listen. I am a true believer in this community and I believe it deserves great leadership. I am not afraid to call that out, and this paper has done that before.
We take our reporting here very seriously. We keep to the facts and we tell your story. We report the news, we don’t create the news. You won’t see a news story with our opinion in the mix.
Fortunately for me, I get this page every other issue to do nothing but give my opinion. Later in this issue you will read a methodical, in-depth account of HB 1557 by managing editor Ryan Williams-Jent. Here, you will read my opinion of it. HB 1557 is bullshit legislation. The kind of stupidity the LGBTQ community has come to expect from Florida.
I am someone who has benefited from a lesson on sexual orientation. In 1989-90 I attended Winter Park High School’s ninth grade center. I was struggling with my identity, hating who I was and hoping every day for some kind of clarity. A teacher gave me that gift. She stood in front of the class one random day and said, “Today we are going to talk about gay people.” And she did, for the entire class.
When that bell rang and class was over, my life was different. She didn’t groom me and she didn’t make me gay. She gave me answers and sparked a change in my life. The thought of losing moments like that are disheartening.
To know me is to know I hate talking points, and supporters of HB 1557 have their talking points down. They will read that story and say it won’t be affected by the new law. They will point out the law only affects grades K-3, and they would be wrong. I used to believe that myself until I dug in a little more. It’s the part of the law that reads, “or in a manor that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards” that has me concerned.
The other lame talking point is that the law refers to sexual orientation, not just gay. Am I to believe the lawmakers have a problem with the schools teaching Adam and Eve to a second grader? This is next level arrogance. It’s about as lame as “Let’s Go Brandon!”
It’s not clever or cute, and it doesn’t own the libs. It further perpetuates your inability to say what you mean. Speak the truth.
My instinct is to use the law against them. Equip parents with the information on how they can go after hetero-centric teaching in classrooms. I worry this would just hurt schools, not the law. Maybe that’s the real endgame, to destroy public school by letting parents bankrupt the system.
My hope is that our community is preparing for the long game. We need the rallies at blue city halls, student walkouts and targeted pressure on major corporations; but we need more.
When will the outrage of this attack on LGBTQ youth be enough to bring 1 million people to march in Tallahassee? When will it be enough to create a pool of viable candidates who will bring positive change locally and statewide?
We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.
