Spring Week 4 Issue 209.4

Page 1

UT

NIVERSITY IMES

April 20, 2015

www.csulauniversitytimes.com

C A L I F O R N I A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y, L O S A N G E L E S

Take Back The Night Support a free zone for everyone and bring awareness to sexual assault. Crystal Zahler Contributor

Having dealt with domestic violence in the past, Nayeli Merino is one of the many people that person-

protect themselves or support 'Denim Day.' In one station, people were given bags that had items inside specifically to help protect against someone who was being sexually assaulted or stalked. They could decorate the outside of the bag and keep the safety items held inside. Many pieces were to signal for help such as a whistle, flashlight, and bright yellow paper to put on the dashboard of your car. A notebook was placed in the bag so that students could describe whoever may be following them or threatening

Photo Courtesy | Forbes

The New Face of Apple Emojis

Apple iOS 8.3 adds 300 more emojis, with a broad range of humans finally represented. Hannah Jacobsen Photo Courtesy | Cal State L.A.'s CCC instagram ally understands the importance of events like 'Take Back the Night.' Seven years ago, Merino dealt with an abusive relationship and did not have any resources other than the ones from her high school. At that time she went to a social worker on campus and she ended the abusive relationship while still in high school. As a freshman at Cal State L.A. three years ago, she attended an event held by the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center about domestic violence and abuse within intimate relationships called 'The ClothesLines Project.' That same year she went to Take Back The Night, an annual event also held by the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center. Merino, a third year Psychology major, understands. “Well, I’m a domestic violence survivor so I can relate. In a way I guess, it’s empathetic. My experience wasn’t as severe, but I feel that sexual assault is much more traumatic.” She has attended Take Back The Night every year since that first time. Take Back the Night is held to raise awareness and educate men and women about sexual assault. Not only does the event have speakers from different organizations, but also provides stations where students could participate in DIY crafts to either

INSIDE:

Issue 209.4

them. The most unique item that was inside was a paper bag and a glove to collect evidence in a worst-case scenario. Many people decorated their bags for Denim Day, which is to oppose the myth that women “deserve” harassment based on whether they are wearing provocative clothing. Ilse Perez, third year Social Work major, believes women can wear what they want. “It goes back to society norms, that they try put it on women. You can’t wear certain things because then that’s why that happened to you. And that’s just not true.” Not only have many students heard of circumstances where clothing was blamed, but consent and how it is portrayed has begun to have blurred lines as well. Merino also wants to raise awareness that it is not gender-specific who have been affected. “Rape culture has been portrayed as the norm via media and it’s been normalized in a sense that it shouldn’t have at any point, been considered okay, for any reason, whether the female is wearing something seductive or stuff like that. We also have to take into consideration that it just doesn’t happen to women, males as well are victims,” said Merione. Many males are assaulted, but never report the crimes that they have fallen victim to, resulting in most sexual assaults going unreported. The event ended with a solidarity

Contributor

Emojis have become a common form of digital communication, providing expression to our 24/7 connection with the rest of the world. In the past, the options have been limited, making white or Lego yellow the only two choices for a mixing pot of texters. This all changed on April 8th, when Apple came out with the iOS 8.3 update. iOS 8.3, among its many new features, includes a change that Apple and The Unicode Consortium, a group tasked with international standardization of characters and integers, have been discussing since last November: 300 new emojis which include six new skin tones. “I love the new range of color and the same-gender families,” says Frederick Smith, a Director at the Cross Cultural Center. “Some friends of mine, involved in the Black Lives Matter movement, have already been using the black fist emoji for their representation of solmarch where people chanted phrases about taking back the night and not being afraid to go and walk around their streets. They marched and chanted things such as “Where ever we go, however we dress, no means no, and yes means yes.” As well as others like “Out of the houses, into the streets, we won’t be raped, we won’t be beat.” All of these messag-

idarity and power. That was always a bit of a contradiction when the only option was a white fist.” In contrast to popular belief, Apple is not the creator and sole implementer of emojis. The Unicode Consortium must receive a proposal before they start the long process of creating emojis that will be internationally compatible. However, public demand can help influence change. Last March, a user protest and an online petition through DoSomething.org called Diversify My Emoji collected 4,690 signatures. This lead to a Twitter selfie campaign and was sent to Apple CEO Tim Cook, where members of different ethnicities “emoji-fied” themselves in a “no-good gesture” pose. Smith cited the importance of having inclusion as a part of even small decisions such as icon color. “I don’t want to speak directly to what Apple’s motives were, but I think that whenever we create something new, we should always consider all the communities that could be represented,” says Smith. “Inclusion should be a part of our quick decision making at all times and not only when we’re asked to do so.” No matter what perception of Apple this change leaves on its cones as descriptive as they are to fulfill the purpose of giving power back to women and men to not be afraid of being sexually assaulted. April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness month in the United States. Cal State L.A. will continue to have free counseling for those in need regardless of the month in the

sumers, this monumental response to consumer protest fosters a hope that the public voice may have a lasting impact on global corporations. “This change is only one example of online activism changing the world around us,” says Smith, “our government has its own website petition page and President Obama even looks into petitions that get over 100,000 signatures.” The White House recently reacted to one of these petitions that asked to ban LGBTQ+ Conversion Therapy, the practice by mental health providers to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This practice is often implemented on minors without the authority to make their own choices. The petition to stop this practice led to a statement by President Obama himself. “When young people say there is no one listening, we have so many examples where we can make a real difference if we just speak up,” says Smith. “Corporations and governments will listen to us.” Our nation shifted, just a bit, with last week’s “emoji-fied” reaction to the public voice. It spells hope of a future where white and straight cease to be put on subtle power pedestals. The next step is up to the people. Cross Cultural Center. Students have an opportunity to show support with the upcoming Denim Day. If anyone would like to participate simply wear denim on Wednesday, April 29th. Wearing jeans will support the message that it does not matter what anyone wears, no matter what, sexual assault is wrong.

LA ONDA: AUMENTAN FEMINICIDIOS EN MÉXICO

OBAMA'S PLAN HAS POSSIBLE AFFECT ON ENROLLMENT

THE CCC REVIVES FARM WORKER'S FORGOTEN LEADERS

GET SCHOOLED ON SKIRTS FOR THIS SEASON

CSI'S HOSTS CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT FAIR

PG 8

PG 3

PG 2

PG 4

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Spring Week 4 Issue 209.4 by CSULA University Times - Issuu