Lauren Rousseau - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | POLITICS

Battling desensitization in today’s climate

By Lauren Rousseau | Nov. 17, 2019

An excessive amount of headlines hurdle past your eyes by the second.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The stigma of going braless

By Lauren Rousseau | Nov. 12, 2019

What comes in pairs, is beloved by babies, but hated by the media? Nipples! In the age of the #MeToo movement and feminism, women are taking ownership over their bodies, including their nipples.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The power in profanity and the benefits of using it

By Lauren Rousseau | Nov. 3, 2019

A curse slips off your tongue as you trip up the stairs. Obscenity rips through your throat at the touch of a hot surface. A “dirty word” slithers over gaping lips when the clock strikes 12:01 a.m. and you remember that discussion post was due at 11:59 p.m.

Thought Catalog on Unsplash

OPINION | COLUMNS

The Hidden Costs of Natural Hair

By Lauren Rousseau | Oct. 17, 2019

For some reason, there always seems to be some pushback when things don't fall in straight lines, including hair.

Robert Bye via Unsplash

NEWS | CAMPUS

Questions to ask other than, “What are you going to do with that major?”

By Lauren Rousseau | Oct. 13, 2019

As college students, our majors are closely tied to our identities, whether we like to admit it or not.

Models wear creations as part of the Valentino Ready To Wear Spring-Summer 2020 collection, unveiled during the fashion week, in Paris, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Vianney Le Caer via AP News

OPINION | COLUMNS

When fashion misses the jump into advocacy

By Lauren Rousseau | Sep. 29, 2019

Now more than ever, fashion brands have been attempting to ride the activism bandwagon.

This Feb. 20, 2019, file photo shows singer Sam Smith posing for photographers upon arrival at the Brit Awards in London. The Oscar-winning pop star has declared his pronouns “they/them” on social media after coming out as non-binary in his “lifetime of being at war with my gender.” The English “Too Good at Goodbyes” singer said Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, he’s decided to “embrace myself for who I am, inside and out ...” (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP, File)

AP NEWS

OPINION | COLUMNS

Journalists are accountable for respecting genders

By Lauren Rousseau | Sep. 22, 2019

In the world of journalism, maintaining respect for sources is of the utmost importance. It is imminent to spell each name correctly. Double-check the dates, the ages and all of the facts.

This image released by Viking shows Chanel Miller. For years, Miller was known in legal proceedings as "Emily Doe," the woman assaulted while unconscious by Brock Turner outside an on-campus fraternity house. Her searing statement at Turner's sentencing caused a public outcry that led to the judge in the case being recalled. She identifies herself in a memoir, "Know My Name," scheduled to be released Sept. 24. (Mariah Tiffany/Viking via AP)

Mariah Tiffany

OPINION | COLUMNS

Chanel Miller: Know Her Name

By Lauren Rousseau | Sep. 8, 2019

Chanel Miller. If you don’t know that name by now, you should.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Don’t kick celebrities out of politics

By Lauren Rousseau | Aug. 27, 2019

In today’s political climate, celebrities are more vocal about their political beliefs than ever before. It’s not uncommon to flick through a celebrity’s Instagram story and see them proclaiming their support or opposition to a position. You might even scroll past posts of one posing next to political candidates. Some believe that celebrities are getting “too political” or should “stay in their lanes.” However, is it really that much of an issue for celebrities to bring awareness to political issues?