The Corsair - Issue 3 (Spring 2021) by Santa Monica College

CONTENT

FACULTY ADVISORS Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins | Journalism Adviser Gerard Burkhart | Photo Adviser

CONTACT Editor in Chief | corsair.editorinchief@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram | corsairnews Twitter | the_corsair Facebook | thecorsairnews YouTube | thecorsaironline

WEBSITE www.thecorsaironline.com

FRONT COVER Members of the Dock Sessions Long Boarding group conversing and enjoying the recently opened beach and summer like breeze on Mon., March 29, 2021 in Santa Monica, Calif. With COVID-19 restrictions being lifted in the Los Angeles area, residents are able to enjoy recently opened recreational areas like, beach, parks and other public facilitys. (Jon Putman | The Corsair)

Illustration by Johnny Neville

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR On January 17, 2017, the first “Women’s March” protest took place in cities all across the world. The protest happened the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration, and was organized largely because of Trump’s many “anti-women” remarks. On the day of the event, I drove with my roommate to Downtown Los Angeles to participate, excited to stand up for equality with fellow feminists. I painted us both signs the night before saying “History has it eyes on you” and “Love, not hate, makes America Great” which we proudly held. We were given pink cat-eared beanies to wear by women we met as we joined the march. I looked around the crowd, and felt hopeful seeing so many of us come together for the cause. I saw men in attendance and felt appreciated. I assumed they were there to offer their support. As I read their signs it dawned on me that they too were showing up to have their voice be heard. Trump’s remarks weren’t just women’s issues — they spanned all races, classes, genders, and sexualities. Unbeknownst to me, I’d had tunnel vision when it came to feminism. I had really only viewed it as an issue of equality between men and women. But it’s more than that. It’s about equity for all genders, ethnicities, sexualities, and upbringings. Without realizing it, I had been contributing to white feminism, and thus hurting the cause I believed I was fighting for. I hadn’t been an ally to my peers, especially those in marginalized groups, in the way that I thought I had. This revelation allowed me the chance to reflect upon my own privilege. When white people hear the phrase “check your privilege” they often get defensive. They are quick to come up with examples as to why they’re not privileged and how much they do to help others. They point out how difficult they’ve had it and how hard they’ve had to work to get to where they are. But how hard you’ve had to work isn’t what privilege is about, it's the hoops and bounds that you did not have to jump through to get to where you are. Privilege is the simple concept of not having to think about an issue, because it doesn’t affect your day to day life. I’ve never had to worry about where my next meal would come from, or if my family could afford to send me on a field trip. My male friends don’t know the feeling of clutching pepper spray or your keys between your knuckles as you walk to your car at night. My parents didn’t have to sit me down as a teenager to have a conversation about why I couldn’t wear the hood of my sweatshirt on my head at night. Even as I write this, no one thinks that I am speaking on behalf of all white women, but rather that this is my own opinion. All of these are ways in which people are privileged. This week the trial for Derek Chauvin, the police officer who murder George Floyd.

Last summer, tough and overdue conversations took place as protests began over George Floyd’s murder. With stay-at-home orders in effect due to the pandemic, many conversations and vocalizations about police brutality and racism began to happen over social media. It became apparent that being an ally to marginalized communities meant being more than just “not racist.” Allyship needs to include vocalizing when things are unjust, having tough conversations, donating time and resources, and supporting those who are being treated unfairly. Since the beginning of the pandemic there has been a rise in hate against the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, fueled by racist remarks by our leaders in the nicknames they gave coronavirus. California is seen as a liberal bubble by the rest of the country, but even in the Golden State hate crimes take place. A few weeks ago in San Francisco Xiao Zhen Xie was waiting to cross the street when she was punched in the face by a fleeing man in a targeted hit and run attack. She fought back and the man was arrested. This altercation took place just a day after a mass shooting in Atlanta, where six of the eight people murdered at a spa were Asian women. My heart hurts for the pain these targeted attacks are bringing to the AAPI community. Friends of mine who are a part of the AAPI community have taken to their social media to speak up about the racism they have faced, especially this past year. While they did not personally know the individuals who were murdered and attacked, there was a common tone that the victims could have just as easily been a family member, friend, or even themselves. Their responses reminded me of the survivor's guilt I felt after the Isla Vista shootings. In May 2014, six college students were murdered on the final evening of the spring semester at Santa Barbara City College. I didn’t begin to process what had happened until the next morning, when texts began to come in from back home, making sure I was okay. In the weeks that followed, the constant conversation with my friends was that it could have been any of us, we were just lucky enough to not be there that night. Too many people in this country have to worry about being in the wrong place at the wrong time because another human is having “a bad day.” Too many people have had to deal with discrimination, microagressions, and racism in their day-to-day life. It’s time we take initiative in educating ourselves and unlearning practices we’ve normalized that are hurtful to others. When people are brave enough to share their stories, be brave enough to listen — brave enough to correct yourself. Be brave enough to acknowledge when you’re wrong, where you fall short, brave enough to change, and brave enough to do better.

Editor-In-Chief Carolyn Burt

NEWS

MARCH 31, 2021

The Impact of Associated Students Ashley Cox | Digital Editor Taylor DiPrimo | Sports Editor Michael Goldsmith | Staff Writer

any Santa Monica College (SMC) students don't know the name of their student government, let alone its role in student life and affairs — especially in pandemic times. Associated Students (A.S.) acts as the main intermediary between the student body and the institution, billing itself on its website as “the primary liaison between the students and the faculty, staff, and administration…[while making] sure the students' voices will be heard." "It’s always there, but students don’t realize that,” said A.S. Director of Publicity Alexis Gosselin, who is currently serving his third semester in student government. “When I came into SMC as a freshman, I had no idea what student government was...I started exploring clubs and [realized that they fall under] this umbrella of student government.” That umbrella includes 16 individuals tasked with representing students when it comes to college affairs. Three of the 13 student-elected positions on the A.S. Board of Directors are currently candidate-less — Vice President, Director of Instructional Support, and the new position of Director of Equity and Diversity. Another four races have candidates running unopposed. The amount of students who vote for these influential Board of Directors positions has typically been a small percentage of the

roughly 29,000 students last fall, according to Tableau’s. The 2020 A.S. election saw a significant drop in student voter participation compared to the year prior — a 79% decline, from roughly 2,300 to just under 500. Two critical factors undoubtedly contributed to the steep drop-off— the coronavirus pandemic, and the resulting transition to a completely online learning environment. Because of this, A.S. decided to run an extensive social media campaign in the lead-up to this week's election, in an effort to boost interest and virtually get out the vote. Decisions made by the A.S. Board of Directors have significant impacts on student-life, especially in the areas of club activities and events. “The board meets every week, where departments, student organizations, [and] faculty members submit proposals to the A.S. board," stated Gosselin, “[who then decide] whether or not to approve them through a majority vote. So the 16 A.S. directors — which are 13 directors elected by the student body, and [the three Inter-Club Council (ICC)] officers [that are voted on by the board— decide to vote on those proposals.” Student membership fees make up a sizable portion of the boards' budget, which came to roughly one-million dollars for this semester/school year, according to SMC’s Associate Dean of Student Life Isaac A. Rodriguez Lupercio. The optional $19.50 A.S. membership fee that students pay upon enrollment helps fund unlimited free-ride programs through the Big Blue Bus, access to student-specific programs like Glasses for

Illustration by Carolyn Burt

Classes and the Student Relief Fund, and discounts at many stores and restaurants in the local area. It also helps pay for future student government programs and events. Gosselin stressed the importance of A.S. in student-faculty relations. “It does have power, in the sense that there's the appointment of representatives to serve on committees where [students] do have a vote that is equal to a faculty [or] administrator that sits on that committee,” A.S.’s Director of Publicity continued. "The budget A.S. has is over $2 million, so that's quite a big budget to spend...on student organizations, support for students' basic needs, and instructional support services." “Many things are funded by A.S. ... but many students don't realize it," said Gosselin. "There are many of the theater programs, or the dance department’s programs, that are partially funded by Associated Students. The food drive pantry [also] has sup-

port from Associated Students." Current Student Trustee Joshua Elizondo, who is running unopposed for the position of A.S. President, has seen how Associated Students works during his time on the board. "There will be a lot of decisions made around how the school operates —what resources will still be available...[do] we keep these things around," said Elizondo, a political science and humanities major. "[It's important] to have student leaders that understand these changes, and understand what the students want." A.S. campaigns and election organizers are hoping for increased voter turnout this election cycle, with winning candidates likely to encounter a slew of pressing issues on day one in office. Voting will be held online Monday, March 29, through Thursday, April 1 at 11:59 p.m., on Corsair Connect. Results are scheduled to be announced this coming Friday, April 2.

quote was submitted by the candidate to the * This Santa Monica College Associated Students Elections Webpage. This candidate was contacted by The Corsair staff for an interview and either did not respond or declined to be interviewed.

C U LT U R E & A R TS

MARCH 31, 2021

Rollin' Around Cupid's Hot Dog Carhop Willow Sando-Mccall | Staff Writer

n a packed parking lot, sisters Morgan and Kelly Walsh and their friend Adrianna Gaxiola, roller skate on the smooth pavement and serve customers in their cars at Cupid's Hot Dogs. Customers enjoy the ambiance as they eat their hot dogs in their cars while Morgan Walsh blasts oldies on her speaker. There is a feeling of nostalgia with outside tables painted in a 70s style, retro-looking murals, a classic menu, and of course, their huge vintage-looking Cupid’s heart sign. Cupid’s Hot Dogs has been around for 75 years and continues to be family-owned. Passed on from grandparents, Richard and Bernice Walsh, to their father Rick, and now onto Morgan and Kelly. The sisters have been running the two locations in Los Angeles for about 12 years now. The name Cupid’s comes from the original owner Bernice’s nickname, “Cupid”. The sisters maintain a simple menu of just hot dogs, chips, chili, and soda as their grandparents wanted, but keep it fresh by adding a vegan option. The two started doing the roller skating carhop at their Winnetka location on Valentine’s Day weekend 2021, and decided to continue it every Thursday. Cupid’s carhop gained popularity on TikTok the sisters

uploaded a video that went viral. The video, which as of March 30 has 7.5 million views, shows the sisters skating and serving a customer by carhop to “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac and text that gives background on the business. “When we decided to do carhop I had a feeling people were really gonna like it because roller skating is making a comeback but I didn’t think we were gonna go viral on the first weekend,” said Morgan. She started skating three years ago. Her sister grew up playing ice hockey which helped her pick up rollerskating more easily. Even with COVID-19 restrictions, it’s still a very personable experience at Cupid’s. Regulars continue to visit to eat and chat with the owners. Although they never met their grandparents, regulars love to tell stories about them. “A lot of our customers have been coming here since the 50s and 60s so we learn a lot about our grandparents through them,” said Morgan, “and people have a lot of really special memories about growing up with Cupid’s so it's really nice to be a part of that and get to hear their stories.” Though the carhop team is small, consisting of just the two Walsh sisters and Gaxiola, regulars come to skate in the parking lot too. During the last carhop, Gaxiola

Co-owner Morgan Walsh skates to serve a drink by carhop on Thurs., March 18, 2021 at Cupid’s Hot Dogs Winnetka, Calif. (Willow Sando-Mccall | The Corsair) even taught a young roller skater a trick called “downtown”, so don’t be afraid to come practice with your skates. The carhop occurs every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at their Winnetka location and they plan to continue the event even after COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift. There

is a second Cupid’s Hot Dogs location in Simi Valley, but the carhop is exclusive to their Winnetka location. There is still a walk-up counter and outdoor seating available. They also do car shows the last Saturday of the month at their Winnetka location.

Celebrating Creative Women Ashley Cox | Digital Editor

he words “Art Gallery” can mean many different things. Some people envision a silent, cold, stark white room with various works on the walls. This Santa Monica art gallery and retail space is the opposite. The “Ten Women Gallery” was founded by ten women, who decided to call it exactly what it was. Today it is home to 28 different artists, who each show various and unique works in the space. From macrame to fine art prints, Ten Women has everything to offer. Their business began a little more than 26 years ago on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, and four years ago, moved to their current location, on 2719 Main Street. “The reason we survived this long is because we’re a family who can sustain change rapidly,” said Shelly Shwartz, who is a ceramic artist and potter. Shwartz herself adapted to change by moving a pottery wheel into her home when the public art space she was using closed due to COVID-19. “I put rubber mats all over my floors,” she laughed. The artists each have their own dedicated exhibit space measuring 36 inches wide and typically eight feet high, although they are able to extend height if needed. Decisions are made collaboratively. The gallery collective functions as a democracy, which they believe is a core value. “We vote on everything, if there's minor

conflicts they’re settled with a vote," said Marie Kelzer, a full member of the gallery as a book and paper artist. Her paper creations are also displayed at The Metropolitan Museum in New York City. Ten Women Gallery is a celebration of creative women who respect each other endlessly and maximize their collaborative energy. “What else can I do with what I have? How can the other artists help you? Everyone brings something different," Kelzer continued, “We’re very good at nurturing young artists, and we all share everything.” This collective effort includes working shifts at the store, managing their social media, and even cleaning up the storefront and staff rooms. The women explained that they survived the COVID-19 pandemic by moving their store online, and that the online store is a new job position that they’re still expanding. “We're lucky we have so many internet savvy artists here.” Kelzer said. “When you know it, you just know,” remarks artist Sara Cron, about how her ideas and inspiration develop into various pieces of artwork. A mid-century modern inspired artist and jeweler, she’s a deep believer in color. Cron believes her art is a visceral process that usually happens within bursts of energy. Fae Horowitz is another perfect example of this energy. Horowitz began her art practice after falling in love with black and white

film. She is a self-described “Artographer”, who takes photographs of local Santa Monica sites and culture, then hand paints them into her own creations. “I feel like Artographer covers everything that I do,” said Horowitz. Colorful art displays are a theme that run deeply throughout the gallery, and these women. Designer and artist Becky Gutsell is no stranger to colorful textiles. “I just couldn't stand the ugly diaper bags available,” Gutsell commented. As a result, she designed a diaper clutch for moms on the go that has everything they need in a handheld bag. Originally from Newcastle, England, and living in Los Angeles since 2015, Gutsell vocalized how impactful the Ten Women Gallery has been for her. “It’s been so nice to have the validation of being an artist — having contact with the outside world.” The gallery’s business is also handled by its artist members, “We all have a role here. Right now I'm doing public relations, which usually runs for about three months, depending on the vote we take. There’s different levels of membership as well,” Gutsell explained. To become an artist member, those interested can apply online. There are different tiers of membership described on their website. Full members are required to work shifts at the store for at least three to four hours a week. Associate members are not required to work the shifts, but have a slightly smaller

art display space than full members. The main theme to embrace from Ten Women Gallery, is a dedication to community building within their own artist collective, with their neighbors and with the city of Santa Monica. They continue to thrive and are currently looking for new artists to join them in further manifesting their collective vision.

Ten Women Gallery artist Marie Kelzer, holds one of her hand binded and painted notebooks. The art behind her includes paper patterned by hand with paint and patterned bowls molded out of paper. Fri., March 26, 2021in Santa Monica, Calif. (Neil O’Loughlin | The Corsair)

MARCH 31, 2021

Members of the Dock Sessions Long Boarding group conversing and enjoying the recently opened beach and summer like breeze on Mon., March 29, 2021 in Santa Monica, Calif. With Covid restrictions being lifted in the Los Angeles area, residents are able to enjoy recently opened recreational areas like, beach, parks and other public facilitys. (Jon Putman | The Corsair)

Skateboard Meet-Up by Ocean Park Beach Marco Pallotti | Photo Editor Sydney Streimer, Archer and School for Girls Teacher, attempts a difficult trick on her longboard at the Dock Sessions Long Boarding event. (Jon Putman |The Corsair)

Corey Giove, Freestyle Longboarder and President of the Dock Sessions Long Boarding group prepares to perform a difficult stunt at the event he hosted. Events are held weekly, every sunday from 2-5 at the Santa Monica Beach. (Jon Putman | The Corsair)

O P INIO N

MARCH 31, 2021

Help for Homeless Youth Morgan Spillman | Staff Writer

OVID-19, and what seems to be a neverending quarantine, is a struggle for most in one way or another. Some people may find it easier to stay in if they are homebodies or germaphobes because going out may make them more anxious. On the other hand, there are the social butterflies, claustrophobes, and students who are stunted in their abilities to get anything done due to COVID-19 constraints. However, not everyone in the U.S. has the luxury of a home to confine in. While many complain of how the pandemic brought about isolation, cabin fever, and zoom meetings, an estimated “66,433 people now live on the streets, in shelters, and in vehicles” in Los Angeles alone, according to NPR. In addition, “There [are] approximately 4,673 homeless youth on the streets of LA County on any given night,” according to Safe Place for Youth.

Santa Monica College (SMC) provides connections to programs for unhoused students in need. For example, the Safe Parking Program allows vehicle dwellers to find safe and local places to park and sleep at night. Safe Place for Youth is another resource in collaboration with SMC that allows students to connect with a housing specialist, like Sarah Fay, the SMC Campus Peer Navigator, to provide virtual housing support. “I'm going to class dirty, and I'm going to class hungry, and I'm going to class tired because I haven't slept all night, and I can't even focus on my work," said Fay. She continued, "I finally grew the confidence to approach my biology teacher at West LA. I told her: look, I'm a former foster youth, I'm homeless, is there anything you could do to help me? And she told me, ‘What is that? What do you mean? You’re a foster youth? What is that?’” Fay's biology teacher didn’t know what a foster youth was and didn’t have the resources to help her. This is what ultimately

inspired her to find solutions to these kinds of issues. She was then connected with the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) program at West LA College. The EOPS program is “a State-funded comprehensive academic counseling program designed to provide additional support to eligible full-time students,” according to the college website. EOPS granted Fay the ability to create her position as Campus Peer Navigator. Safe Place for Youth also offers a program called “Host Homes” inviting members of the Santa Monica Community to help support unhoused students and youth in need. "Host Homes is a program where homeowners are provided initiatives and monthly stipends from us to open up their home, or an extra room that they may have because a lot of people have a lot of room and a lot of extra space that they don't utilize,” said Fay. Fay hopes to one day eliminate the stigmas around homelessness and to educate

the population about what it really looks like. “I really truly stress the need for the advocacy and educating the faculty members at schools," said Fay. "Teaching them about how to identify homeless students, how to introduce that support in their syllabuses [at] the beginning of the semester, and even providing contact information to somebody like me is helpful." Resources such as those at Safe Place for Youth are crucial and need to be at every school in Santa Monica, and the greater U.S., to help put an end to youth homelessness. People getting involved in Safe Place for Youth's programs will have a positive impact on unhoused students who feel like they have no voice. The responsibility falls on housed people and the students of SMC to do all that they can for those who are unhoused, even if it is just being kind and aware.

S P O R TS

March Madness is Back With a Vengeance