USF Student Government (SG) brought state leaders to campus Wednesday night in an effort to inform students about the impacts of political polarization. 

In the hour-and-a-half discussion, the officials encouraged students to get involved and be respectful, regardless of who they voted for.

The guest speakers for the event were Florida House Republican Representative Karen Gonzalez Pittman, Florida Democratic Senator Darryl Rouson and Florida State House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell.

Kade Kranjc, SG’s external affairs manager, said the event aimed to educate students on the effects of polarization and “whether it is occurring.”

“I know people want to get involved,” he said. “I think one of the best ways to do it is to bring the people responsible for legislating and change in our society to the forefront.”

Driskell said she is “exhausted” by some cultural issues brought up by polarization, such as book bans, when there are other issues to be addressed.

“That cannot help you find affordable housing or help your parents afford their property insurance rates,” Driskell said.

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Kranjc asked the speakers how the two parties work together in an environment where one holds a majority. In Florida, Republicans hold control of both the State House of Representatives and the State Senate.

Rouson said it’s difficult, but they all just want to “get something done.”

“Many of us are not on the extremes of either party,” he said. “We’re in the middle, and we fight hard for the middle, for common ground issues that are very important to all of us.”

Rouson said even though not every representative might agree or be pleased by proposals being put forth, that is “what the legislative process is.”

“The floor of the House and the Florida Senate, it’s where great debate takes place,” he said. “Sometimes it gets heated, but it’s still a proper place for it to take place, and from that debate comes good policy.”

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Pittman said that even though there is always heated debate on the floor of the House, there is always respect.

“And that’s one of the things I wish was happening in our society,” she said. “We’re not name-calling, and we’re not talking about the person. We’re talking about the policy.”

Rouson said polarization has gotten worse in the 16 years he has been in the Senate, but there are many good officials who “just want to pass good policy and find ways to get along.”

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Polarization has an impact on society and the legislation process, Driskell said. She said social media algorithms have narrowed Americans’ thinking.

“A lot of us are starting to live in echo chambers where we’re only seeing the things that we want to see,” she said. “And that’s like eating a diet made out of sugar. It’s delicious going down, but in the end, you’re going to pay for it.”

Driskell said there is a need for a “healthier dose of exposure to other ways of thinking.”

One thing students can do is talk to “the other side,” Pittman said.

“Have respectful conversations,” she said. “Meet with your political leaders, ask them questions about what their policies are or why they are supporting their bills. And get to know why.”

Driskell said that the way to come out of the current polarization is to “get out of our silos, out of ourselves and talk to people again.”

“The way that the political process works best is when you can talk directly to people and talk to your neighbors,” she said.

The final question of the event focused on the role young people play in shaping the political landscape and “how they can stay informed and engaged in a constructive manner.”

Driskell said young people should play every role they can.

“It is your time,” she said. “I fundamentally believe this. I do the work that I do for young people.”