The Corsair - Issue 7 (Spring 2021) by Santa Monica College

SMC Graduates Drive to the Finish Line Aja Marshall | Managing Editor

oon-to-be graduate Valerie Matias is one of many students in the Santa Monica College (SMC) class of 2021, whose unusual and challenging online-learning experience will end with a unique event — SMC’s first Diploma Drive-Thru Celebration. “It’s gonna be a drive-thru, but I’m excited because even though [school] was difficult, I’m still here, and I was able to get here,” said Matias, who is graduating with an associate's degree in sociology. The drive-thru is scheduled for June 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the parking lot of SMC’s Bundy campus, next to the Santa Monica Airport. It will be a hybrid event where graduates walk across an outdoor stage and drive around the parking lot in an atypical experience that follows Los Angeles County COVID-19 safety guidelines, and mimics the procession of a traditional ceremony. “[We] wanted to do something different and exciting to help celebrate our students,” said Kiersten Elliot, Dean of Community and Academic Relations at SMC, and one of the lead advisors on the drive-thru planning committee. “We're doing our best to make sure they know how much we love and miss them. This was a really hard time to finish and to finish strong. And I'm just so proud of our students.” Matias admitted that she had a hard time finishing strong at SMC and faced the challenges of remote learning. “There were times when the internet wouldn't work or there would be problems with Zoom or Canvas,” she said. Despite the hardships, Matias noted that she is the first in her family to earn a degree, so the drive-thru celebration will be a profound event for her. “I'm a first-generation student, so that makes it all the more special. I feel like it's not only going to be me graduating, it's going to be my entire family.” Matias continued, “They’re really excited...proud as well. In fact, they've already called like half my family, spreading the news.” Matias also mentioned that her family will drive her on the day of the celebration, as each graduate along with their guests are allowed one vehicle through the route. “It’s going to be this parade kinda thing that will snake all around the building,” said Elliot. She mentioned that along the route, graduates will be able to exit their vehicle to walk the stage and collect their diploma cover, take pictures with their guests outside the car at a designated backdrop, socially distanced from other parties, and pick up a free commencement goodie bag equipped with a graduation cap and tassel, SMC t-shirt, and more. Continued on Page 3

CONTENT

News | pg. 1 & 3 Photo Story | pg. 4-5 Arts & Entertainment | pg. 6 & 7 Culture | pg. 8

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 Illustration by Carolyn Burt | The Corsair

Illustration by Carolyn Burt

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR My time at the Corsair has been far from what I originally anticipated. I enrolled in Journalism 16; Producing the Campus Newspaper, simply to check off the final box I needed to get my associates degree in journalism before transferring to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) for the Fall 2020 semester. From the moment I walked into the newsroom it became apparent to me that this was more than a class, it was the community I had been looking for at SMC. Returning staff members immediately pulled me into a conversation, making me already feel like a part of the team. I was introduced to my advisors, Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins and Gerard Burkhart, and began to get excited for the many opportunities I now saw in front of me. I listened as the Editor-in-Chief, Jackie Sedley, talked about her vision for The Corsair, and was impressed with her passion for journalism, thinking to myself there’s no way I could ever get to her level or possess the knowledge needed to hold the position myself. By the time we got to our second production day I was kicking myself for not having signed up for The Corsair sooner. That next day, SMC announced classes were moving online for the remainder of the semester out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students and faculty as COVID-19 cases began to rise. On March 31, we had our first zoom production day, where we each logged into our new virtual newsroom. We optimized the share screen function to read over articles and discuss the layout of the paper. It was exhausting, but each person on that call was determined to see the publication through. Our team's dedication proved that The Corsair could continue to thrive, despite the circumstances we were under. The semester ended with a bittersweet virtual banquet, including a slideshow mixed with photos from the month we were on ground and screenshots of our Zoom calls. Once I signed off for the night, it dawned on me how the Corsair had been my saving grace during this difficult time. It was my main form of socialization, a chance to talk about something other than how draining the pandemic was, and importantly, something that got me out of bed each day. With classes remaining remote for the foreseeable future, I realized my time at the Corsair didn’t have to end just yet. I reached out to Hughes, who had been appointed as the Editor-in-Chief, and asked him what editorial positions were still available. As he went over them, the one that stood out to me was Managing Editor as it would be an opportunity for me to understand more about the behind the scenes of what goes into a news publication. Hughes offered me the position, and we got to work. The Fall 2020 semester marked the first time that the students making up the Corsair would work

together without ever meeting face to face. As we got to know our new staff, it became apparent we had a very talented bunch to work with, and by our third edition we had set a new standard for the Corsair. This became clear when our Design Editor, Sonia Hiew, and one of our staff writers, Michael Goldsmith, showed us the two page infographic they had created that broke down each of the California Propositions on the ballot that year. Our Social Media Editor, Johnny Neville, then adapted the piece to be its own social media post, which people shared with their friends and followers, and with it brought a new audience to our publication. Knowing what our staff was capable of, we pushed ourselves further. When Joe Biden was announced the President-Elect on Nov. 7, we realized we couldn’t wait until the following week to put out our next issue like our production schedule entailed, so we decided to add a special edition to our plate. It began to cross my mind that with only a month left of the semester, I wasn’t quite ready for my time with the Corsair to be over. Hughes had decided he would not be returning the following semester, so I decided to throw my hat into the ring to be Editor-in-Chief. The night before my interview, I worked for hours, fine-tuning what my vision for the paper would be and the changes I would implement to improve the Corsair in its next chapter. I wanted to push for more visuals for our content, and for us to mean it when we say we are an online first publication. Now six months later after being appointed the position of Editor-in-Chief, I feel immensely proud of what we were able to see through this semester. The Corsair takes a village of talented writers, photographers, illustrators, and editors, as well as those invested in layout, graphic design, and social media to come together to make it all happen. I know in particular, I would not have gotten through this semester if not for my Managing Editor, Aja Marshall, who has continuously gone above and beyond to see this publication through. As challenging as remote learning has been, if it hadn’t been the only option this past year, my time at the Corsair would have ended the same semester it started, and with it I would have never seen myself capable of taking on the role of Editor-in-Chief. I would have never met individuals I now consider close friends, or learn from our advisors what it means to run a newspaper. The Corsair is something special. It’s a chance for students, from all walks of life, to experience journalism on a professional level. It’s an opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. The Corsair is bigger than a news publication, it's a connection that stays with us even after our time on the staff comes to an end.

Editor-In-Chief Carolyn Burt

JUNE 2, 2021

NEWS

SMC Hosts Diploma Drive-Thru Celebration Continued from Page 1 Masks must be worn by all individuals throughout the drive-thru, but can be removed for pictures at designated photo areas. “We also know that some of our students maybe don't have any family that are with them so there is a walk up...or if you don't have a car...those folks can take the bus. We didn't want to exclude folks... you can come down and still be a walking participant,” said Elliot. Graduates who want to participate must RSVP with the SMC admissions office to receive a designated time slot via email. “I'm anticipating that we will communicate to students their time slots, probably the week of June 7,” said Dr. Esau Tovar, Dean of Enrollment Services, and Elliot’s associate on the planning committee. Of the 5,135 students graduating, according to the SMC website, the planning committee is expecting 1,200 students to participate. “We'll probably end up having something like 100 to 130 students per hour, going through [the drive-thru],” said Tovar. This year’s graduation festivities also include a virtual ceremony on June 25, in addition to the drive-thru. In June 2020, COVID-19 safety guidelines issued by L.A. County prohibited in-person gatherings because of the Coronavirus, making the virtual ceremony SMC’s only graduation event. “I'm one of the people that had this wild, crazy idea [to do the drive-thru] last year, and we were not able to pull it off,” said Elliot. The rollout of the vaccine and COVID-19 guidelines slowly relaxing in L.A. County allowed SMC to begin making

Jorge Devotto | The Corsair Valerie Matias stands on campus in Santa Monica, Calif. on Sunday, May 31, 2021, where she studied only one semester in person before the pandemic forced her to go online. She just graduated and was accepted to the University of California, Berkeley where she plans to study Sociology starting in the Fall 2021 semester.

arrangements for their 2021 graduation. “We usually start planning graduation about six to eight months in advance,” said Elliot. “We thought this new kind of experience would be something we could put our efforts towards that would be safe from the very beginning.” These efforts also include a COVID-19

safety plan. “We've been working hand in hand with our risk management team, our police, and our emergency operations team. They have guided us to help us stay safe, but still create [an event] that will be important for our students to have,” said Elliot. With the help of SMC faculty and

staff, Valerie Matias and the class of 2021 will have a chance to enjoy an in-person graduation event with their family and friends. For those unable to attend the Diploma Drive-Thru Celebration, a short video of the event will be recorded and streamed during the virtual ceremony on June 25.

California Incentiveses COVID-19 Vaccine Ayanna Smith | Staff Writer

alifornia Governor Gavin Newsom announced a $116.5 million vaccine incentive plan to encourage more California residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The plan was announced at a news conference on Wednesday, May 26 where he noted that fully vaccinated residents will be automatically entered to win cash prizes. Cash prizes include $15 million split between ten vaccinated residents and $100 million in $50 gift cards, given to the next two million fully vaccinated Californians as of May 27. The gift card options include a prepaid Mastercard, or credit for Albertsons and Kroger stores, and will be available to state residents 12 years or older. The $15 million cash prize

will be awarded to those that have been fully vaccinated by June 15, the day California plans to end all COVID-19 safety restrictions. The plan also includes a prize distribution on June 4 and June 11 split between 30 vaccinated Californians, called $50,000 Fridays. If a resident wins any prizes they will be notified by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH). The LACDPH is also offering a Vaccination Sweepstakes that started on Friday, May 28, and will end on Thursday, June 3, separate from Newsom's incentive plan. This includes a choice of two season tickets for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles Kings, or the Lakers. The Vaccination Sweepstakes eligibility group includes residents who are 18 years or older and are getting the first

dose of the vaccine. They will have the option to enter their name in the drawing during their appointment. Vaccination sites include The Forum in Inglewood, Lincoln Park, California State University, Northridge, and Pomona Fairplex. Oscar Tequila, a Santa Monica College student and Marine Corps veteran, has been fully vaccinated and said about the vaccine, "A lot of my former military friends are conservative. They don't want to take the vaccine because the incentives make it more fishy." Tequila continued, "But I think [the incentives are] more of an act of desperation [by the state of California] than being malicious." Tequila admits he was skeptical of getting vaccinated but his sister, a nurse practitioner, put his mind at ease. According to the state of California, 17 million or more Californians are fully

vaccinated and 4 million received their first dose against COVID-19 as of Tuesday, June 1. Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer suggested that in order to reach herd immunity, 80 percent of residents have to be fully vaccinated. Currently, 62.7 percent of residents 16 and older in Los Angeles County are fully vaccinated, according to the LACDPH. Newsom also stated that California has the lowest COVID-19 positivity rate among all states in the U.S. He is quoted in a news conference, saying that he wants this incentive to "reinforce the value of vaccination for all Californians, especially those in communities hit hardest by the pandemic," and wants people to prioritize getting vaccinated for their lives, and the lives of others.

JUNE 2, 2021

Brad Wilhite | The Corsair Tray Bucket drums for tips on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Calif. on Saturday, May 22, 2021.

JUNE 2, 2021

Action Returns to Hollywood Michael Goldsmith | Staff Writer The Hollywood Walk of Fame has long been a staple of Los Angeles culture and tourism. People from around the world have for decades flocked to the bright lights and brass stars that line the historic 15-block district. Local street performers and artists have also returned to the area in recent months, due to a corresponding increase in tourist audience members. Increasing vaccination numbers and lower coronavirus transmission rates have spurred a partial return to pre-pandemic normalcy for Los Angeles. Roughly 40% of Californians have been fully vaccinated as of the end of May, according to the John Hopkins University of Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center — a total of over 15 million individuals. Meanwhile, the Golden State’s positivity rate currently sits at 0.82%, down from a high of more than 25% last spring. Despite the recent success in fighting the virus, over 1,300 Californians still died from COVID-19 just last month — down from a monthly high of over 15,000 in January of this year. The reopening of businesses in Los Angeles, including those along Hollywood Blvd. in the Hollywood and Highland district, has meant a return of both national and international tourists looking to awaken from their pandemic slumber. Places like the Santa Monica Pier, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Disneyland have all recently taken steps to ramp up capacity and boost attendance. Local professional sports teams like the Lakers and Dodgers have increased fan attendance as Los Angeles County has gone from worst to best in California’s coronavirus county tier system. California Governor Gavin Newsom plans to fully reopen with “limited capacity and distancing restrictions” on June 15, according to the state's COVID-19 website.

The shell game is alive and well on the Walk of Fame.

An artist sculpts the image of a graduate out of clay on Hollywood Blvd.

Pedestrians cross the intersection at Hollywood and Highland Blvd.

A R TS & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

JUNE 2, 2021

McDonald's Dips into the World of BTS Guadalupe Perez | Staff Writer

he Korean Pop (K-Pop) band BTS has partnered with the fast-food chain, McDonald's, to release their limited-time-only, BTSthemed meal. The award-winning band, which originated from South Korea and consists of seven members, is extremely successful in both the United States and worldwide. Collaborations between McDonald's and celebrities are not new. Their first limited-edition celebrity meal was Michael Jordan's, in 1992. They have since partnered with rapper, Travis Scott, and reggaeton star, J Balvin, making the BTS meal collaboration their fourth official celebrity meal. This latest limited-edition meal for purchase includes a box of ten chicken McNuggets, fries, soda, and two limited-time-only dipping sauces. The two sauces, Cajun and Sweet Chili, are inspired by recipes from McDonald's sauces that were, until now, exclusively available in the band's homeland of South Korea. The BTS meal comes with photo cards of the band’s members and special packaging, available at select locations, while supplies last. In addition, they released an exclusive clothing line and merchandise that can be purchased online for a limited time through the Weverse Shop app. The clothing line includes BTS x McDonald's branded hoodies, shirts, and socks, along with other items. Genely Machuca, a high school stu-

Guadalupe Perez | The Corsair BTS fan and Los Angeles high school student Genely Machuca with her RJ BT21 merchandise, enjoys trying out the new McDonald’s BTS meal collaboration, for the first time in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif. on Monday, May 31, 2021

dent from Los Angeles, has been a fan of BTS since 2015. "I think [the excitement] because of the [free photo cards] and the packaging...[their merchandise is on] a shop called Weverse, and it's really hard to purchase anything because all the

items are really expensive,” said Machuca. “When they decided to do the [collab with McDonald's], it was something that I was like, I'm definitely going to [purchase the meal], because I want to support them in any way.”

The collaboration between BTS and McDonald’s is exciting news for some. The inclusion of these South Korean-themed sauces gives BTS fans and McDonald's customers globally a chance to get a taste of the world of BTS.

JUNE 2, 2021

A R TS & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

7 Paige Solomon, entrepreneur and creator of the immersive experience, “Elsewhere” at the Madcap Motel on May 19, 2021.

Visitors enter a tunnel lit by thousands of tiny lights at the Madcap Motel, in Downtown Los Angeles, Calif. on May 8, 2021.

TOP: A diorama behind a porthole at the Madcap Motel, on May 8, 2021. BELOW: Light beams down on a visitor, on Saturday, May 8, 2021.

A maid stands in a room where the furniture is wildly angled, and a television shows a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western, at the Madcap Motel, on Saturday, May 8, 2021.

Marco Palloti | The Corsair

Madcap Motel Transports to"Elsewhere" Paige Strickland | Staff Writer

nce checked in at the Madcap Motel, visitors are transported to an alternate reality. The 1960s themed interactive exhibit holds 18 rooms and 17,000 square feet of "whimsical wonders and amusing adventures," as promised by their website. The imaginary history of the Madcap, created by the installation's founder, Paige Solomon, tells of a once bustling motel and premier roadside destination in Downtown Los Angeles. The fictional story begins with the mysterious J.P. Sando, who opened the motel in 1946. Just two decades later, he vanished without a trace, leaving the motel shuttered for the next 53 years. When his grandchildren began renovating the motel in 2019, strange postcards appeared, signed by Sando. They revealed news of a hidden portal to another

dimension behind the walls of room #433. He called this dimension "Elsewhere." Inspired by films and television shows like "Interstellar," "Big Fish," "Beetlejuice," and "The Twilight Zone," Solomon combined cosmic dreamscapes with mid-century style for the motel's design. Her first successful installation, Dream Machine, in Brooklyn, New York, provided rooms of a more modern aesthetic, popular for Instagram photo ops. "[Dream Machine] felt pretty, but it didn't feel creatively fulfilling. We wanted to add more complex storylines,” said Solomon. “[It’s named] Madcap because it's wacky and crazy and zany, which is what that word means...I really like that idea of catering more to the ‘weirdos’ or people who have interests outside of this common or basic lifestyle.” A trip to Elsewhere is a mix of guided tours, accompanied by theatrical performances, magic tricks, and the option

to explore solo, fulfilling the itch for a wanderlust experience. Where one door may lead to a rocking chair fit for a giant, another may lead to dancing lights and optical illusions. Stepping into Elsewhere is an opportunity for visitors of all ages to stretch their creative muscles and access their imagination. "I kept seeing a lot of [videos on the app TikTok] and it looked interesting so we bought tickets," said visitor Armando Laprada. "There are interactive exhibits that allow you to be a part of the pieces... the actors make it so much easier to get sucked into the world they want you to be a part of." "I loved the actors that were involved in the exhibit. They really helped you get immersed into this alternate universe they take you to," said Laprada’s partner, Bethany Nava. "I also loved how unique each room was. It was like walking through a

very vivid dream. When you have [actors] as part of an art exhibit, it turns visual art into performance art.” Solomon plans to keep the Madcap Motel as a permanent attraction downtown, with more ideas on the drawing board for future events. "Hopefully this is more of a Downtown Arts District fixture. [We plan on] doing more community building, like creative artists' talks in the atrium, singer-songwriter nights, or more date nights," said Solomon. "[We] are changing the storyline dramatically with the seasons...the beauty of the Madcap Motel is...the portal will always be different." The installation is open Thursdays through Sundays, and tickets must be purchased in advance on Madcap's website.

C U LT U R E

JUNE 2, 2021

Calamba Sandwich Pop-Up, Drops Down Willow Sando-Mccall | Staff Writer

n Sunday mornings, pop-up chef Cara Haltiwanger wakes up at 5 a.m. to start her busy day. She and her brother prep until around 9:45 a.m., then start dropping sandwiches. Haltiwanger lowers breakfast sandwiches off the fourth floor of her Hollywood apartment’s fire escape, using a bucket and a pulley system, while her brother makes the sandwiches in her kitchen. Haltiwanger started the bucket drop on March 29, 2020, and has kept it going each Sunday since. Starting this unique concept created its own set of roadblocks. Her biggest concerns were the legality of the operation, how her building manager felt, and being shut down. “I come from a [mindset where I] ask for forgiveness, not permission, but my building manager lives

Maria, a Hollywood resident, picks up two sandwiches for her and her daughter.

in the building," said Haltiwanger. They eventually came to an agreement and worked things out. Haltiwanger also gives neighbors free sandwiches and hot sauce as her way of saying thanks. Calabama’s Instagram is where everything starts. On Thursdays, customers can access a link to purchase a sandwich and a five-minute time slot for pick up, via their Instagram story. There is only one sandwich sold per time slot, allowing customers the ability to be COVID-19 cautious and socially distant. The sandwiches sell out very quickly, so customers have to act fast. After purchasing, customers receive an email with the address and other information regarding pick up. Haltiwanger sticks with just one kind of breakfast sandwich: bacon, egg, cheese, grilled onions, avocado, aioli, and white bread cooked on a cast iron skillet, though customers can request it as vegetarian. Customers also have the option to buy the Calabama hot sauce. The name Calabama comes from the combination of Alabama and California, which is both Haltiwanger's style of food and where she grew up. “I don’t like to stray too far from classics when it comes to southern food,” said Haltiwanger. “It's what I feel comfortable with and what I feel I can make confidently and with a lot of love.” A large part of the bucket drop experience, for many customers, is posting about it on social media, including Instagram and TikTok. To Haltiwanger, the media attention made the experience start to feel like a show, but she believes it's much more than that. As time went on, she started to build a community. Many customers even drop gifts into her bucket, which Haltiwanger usually posts photos of on her Instagram story. “I always want to make sure [the customers] have a good experience. So I’m always smiling and waving...and talking

Jon Putman | The Corsair Cara Haltiwanger, founder of the brand "Calabama," drops sandwiches to community members on May 16, 2021, in Hollywood, Calif. After the COVID-19 lockdown went into effect, Haltiwanger found a way to work with the social distancing guidelines and still get her delicious sandwiches to hungry patrons.

to them...and letting people take photos [and] videos,” said Haltiwanger. “I'm just trying to be there for people and give them an experience that makes them feel like it was worth it for them to come out

and see me." To experience the bucket drop, there will be a link on @Calabama's Instagram story Thursdays at noon for a Sunday time slot.

In With the Old, Out With the Sweats Marcos Mackey-Darden | Culture Editor

he world is reopening this summer and with people beginning to leave their COVID-19 cacoon, the need to revamp and dress up is ideal for many who are tired of the rotation of athleisure and loungewear. Stores like Nordstrom and Forever21 are marking loungewear for sale or, “shipping them out and back to the warehouse,” said Jermani Carr, Forever21’s brand ambassador. The new ask of customers is to shed their year-long second skin of comfort wear.

Trendsetters such as Wisdom Kaye, also known as Wisdm8 on TikTok, are projecting that fashion for 2021 will emulate an early 2000s or year 2000 (Y2K) aesthetic with a 60s-70s influence. The popularity of low-rise jeans, baby tees, and platform sandals for women, and the push for psychedelic and color-filled prints for men, offer a more lively atmosphere in fashion. When asked what she thought was the reason for these trends making a comeback, Carr said, “Trends always make a comeback and the early 2000s and the 60s-70s did produce some of the greatest looks to date.”

Many style inspirations for the Y2K aesthetic come to mind for Ashley Smith, a fashion-forward college student. These include Paris Hilton, Destiny’s Child, and Will Smith. As for the 60s-70s influence, Diana Ross, David Bowie, and Farrah Fawcett are some of the most recognizable examples. “These people are known for their iconic looks that have set the standard for what people are striving for when going out to shop,” said Smith. Forever21 is an example of a clothing company that sells the latest in fashion. This year, they joined the Y2K aesthetic and 60s-70s influence fashion trend, and

collaborated with Baby Phat to reproduce their signature, matching tracksuit sets. Forever21 also collaborated with Juicy Couture to create a collection that features swimsuits, bucket hats, and many other summer essentials for the upcoming season. As the world reopens many are ready to shed their loungewear and get ready for life beyond the computer screen. With the Y2K aesthetic and 60s-70s influence representing the recent trend of individuals dressing up and truly expressing themselves, they can use the summer season to explore their personal style.