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NIVERSITY IMES
April 23, 2018
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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
Issue 216.13
Cultural Closet: Outfitting the Students
New organization on campus helps students to obtain professional clothing for interviews. Yamani Wallace Contributing Writer The Cultural Closet is a new organization serving students who are in need of professional clothing for interviews, meetings and graduation. Goodwill was the inspiration behind this boutique located in the Anthropology Department. “I had to pass up items at Goodwill because of my budget,” said Cultural Closet founder and senior anthropology student Taryn Potenza. She shared that the Cultural Closet is meant to be a fun pop up boutique that provides students with fashion for free: "This is really a campus wide initiative to get students to utilize this organization to help uplift themselves and feel confident enough when seeking out professional opportunities,” said Potenza.
Cara Gonzales
Taryn Potenza, started a clothing drive for students looking for more professional clothing such as interviews, jobs, or graduation.
"This is really a campus wide initiative to get students to utilize this organization to help uplift themselves and feel confident enough when seeking out professional opportunities”
The boutique rack can be found outside of King Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Potenza is even discussing resume workshops and mock interviews in the near future for students who feel they need the extra help when landing interviews. She also hopes the boutique can one day be a non-profit organization that helps students utilize their campus resources.
Although the Cultural Closet is beneficial to Juniors and Seniors who tend to find themselves more susceptible to interviews for jobs, master’s programs and internships, it is not dismissing freshmen and sophomores who may be in similar situations. Furthermore, the Cultural Closet is convenient for students who are not able to leave campus to purchase these clothes. "Our mission is to provide our Cal State LA students with free fashion for free minds to help promote and support their progress with academic opportunities and to celebrate their success and hard work," said Potenza.
"It’s hard to find outfits for interviews. I think this is a really cool thing she's doing. I know I would use it," said Daisy Crenshaw, sophomore computer science major. Cara Gonzales
LA ONDA
LOCAL NEWS Page 6 --
"Hay nuevo presidente en Cuba"
Page 8 --
"A Fecal Fiasco"
The donation drop off for the Cultural Closet is in King Hall 4068. If you would like to join the organization or if you have any questions, please contact Taryn Potenza.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 11 --
"Saturday Night with 'Los Lonely Boys'"
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NEWS
Training Facility Officially Open! also be able to allot clinical practicum hours with the team and youth academy.
State-of-the-Art LAFC training facility and headquarters are now open on the campus of Cal State LA.
Additionally, the program has donated $100,000 to the athletic department and has pledged $1.6 million in support to the University, including funding a renovation of the school’s Jesse Owens Track in the Billie Jean King Sports Complex.
Adriana Sanchez Contributing Writer
"Cal State LA and LAFC are excited to build together in the heart of Los Angeles. The LAFC Soccer Training Facility at Cal State LA represents our mutual commitment to creating opportunities in Los Angeles and beyond," said Cal State LA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jose A. Gomez. "Cal State LA and LAFC share, and will score, many goals together."
One year after its proposal, the Los Angeles Football Club has officially opened their brand new training facility. The $30 million privately funded center features a practice field where the LAFC players will train and gather during their off time. It will also serve as the team’s operational headquarters and center for their youth academy. The 30,000 sq. ft. facility features a state of the art weight room, training area, and soccer field with the same grass used at the team’s home field at Banc of California Stadium. Filled with open office spaces for coaches and team administrators to collaborate, the building itself models an industrial style similar to some of the other structures on the Cal State LA campus. The University provides an ideal location for the team as it allows them to practice in their game day environment, plus it
J. Aaron Delgado
The entrance of the newly erected training facility for the Los Angeles Football Club located off-campus.
provides them with easy access to Downtown Los Angeles.
“Building this Performance Facility is not only an important step in the development of our players and coaches, but it is a true symbol of our
commitment to the City of Los Angeles,” said LAFC Club President and Co-Owner Tom Penn. “Our vision of engaging the L.A. community is perfectly aligned with Cal State LA, and we look forward to deepening our relationship here.”
As part of a partnership between LAFC and Cal State LA, the soccer program will assist in developing a Master’s program in sports operations and athletic representation. Kinesiology students will
The opening of the training facility also comes in time for the ribbon-cutting of LAFC’s brand new Banc of California Stadium. On April 18. The LAFC celebrated the opening of stadium with speeches from Mayor Eric Garcetti, LAFC owners Magic Johnson, Nomar Garciaparra, Mia HammGarciaparra. The $350 million dollar venue is located in South Los Angeles. It seats up to 22,000. The team will hold its first home match on April 29 against the Seattle Sounders.
CSUs Considered Best Value Schools Forbes Names 17 CSU’s Among Nation’s Best Value Colleges. Melorie Cruz Contributing Writer Cal State LA has been ranked among Forbes’ list of the Nation’s Best Value Schools that deliver the best bang for the buck based on tuition costs, academic quality, post-grad earnings, student debt and graduation success. Forbes’ Best Value Colleges consists of 17 CSUs including local campuses such as: Fullerton, Long Beach, Pomona, , Northridge and San Bernardino. Forbes’ use of data from the U.S Department of Education’s College Scorecard and PayScale, show how these colleges are considered value schools because 80 percent of students who attend these campuses receive some form of financial aid including: grants, waivers, scholarships or loans that help nearly half of all students to graduate debt-free. According to Bryan Torres from the Center for Financial Aid, Cal State LA graduates have less debt than other graduates: “Students who attend Cal State LA are from lower income families that also qualify for grants. Most of the time, those grants are enough to cover most of your tuition if not all, which is why fewer people
Cal State LA News Service
need loans.”
student loan debt statistics.
Statistics show that more than $4.2 billion was used in financial aid assistance in 20162017. This is one of the reasons why CSUs have become more affordable schools with low
Genesis Reyes, a Spanish major at Cal State LA, thinks otherwise about the University being labeled as a “value school”:
“While the University serves the underclass community, they could do a better job of keeping their students involved and being involved in their student’s lives.” In addition, Cal State LA has
also been ranked among the “Best Colleges for Your Money” by Money Magazine in 2017, and is now considered to be one of the Best Value Colleges in 2018.
3 NEWS
University Times
April 23, 2018
Armed Burglars Arrested on Campus Two men face felony charges after breaking into a vehicle on campus.
restrained in Parking Structure C following a short foot pursuit.
Jordan Hansen Contributing Writer
The two men, whose identities have not been released, are facing additional felony charges expected to be filed at a later date, as one of the suspects was found to be in possession of a handgun.
Two suspects have been charged with auto burglary following reports of vehicle theft on the evening of Thursday, April 12 around 7:30 p.m. The two suspects were
“We got a call that there was someone possibly breaking into cars in Parking Structure C, Level Two,” said University Police Chief Rick Wall. “Officers responded and observed a guy with the trunk open like he was looking through the trunk of
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Editor-in-Chief Erron Franklin
Investigative Reporter Ricky Rodas
Managing Editor- Print Multimedia J. Aaron Delgado Journalist Michael Griego Managing Editor- Web Carlos Gomez Photographers Aileen Espitia Production Manager Thomas Rodas Hector Cruz Joshua Mejia Camille Jessie Chief Copy Editor Brian Delgado Kyle Frizol Allen Flores News Editor Richard Molina
Graphic Designer Kimberly Pena
Photo Editor Cara Gonzales
Contributing Writers Yamani Wallace Melorie Cruz Adriana Sanchez John Montoya Mary Pace Jordan Hansen Ashlee Navarec
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“Officers responded and observed a guy with the trunk open like he was looking through the trunk of his car. As soon as the Officer put his car in reverse, the suspect took off running.”
his car. As soon as the Officer put his car in reverse, the suspect took off running.” One suspect was responsible for carrying out the auto burglary while the other acted as the getaway driver. Both attempted to flee the scene but were soon arrested.
“One was in a car, one took off running,” said Wall. “One officer began a foot chase with him, the other suspect tried to drive away but had nowhere to go, jumped out and took off. We caught him also.” During the pursuit, one of the
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“The officers recovered the gun and recovered the bad guys,” said Wall. Upon returning to the scene, Officers found two sets of stolen alloy wheels in the back of the getaway car, which had itself been stolen. The victim of the auto burglary was able to identify his belongings in the possession of one of the suspects. A joint investigation has now been launched with neighboring police forces to determine if the suspects are responsible for any additional crimes in the area.
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suspects dropped an illegally modified handgun.
Jefa de Redacción: Claudia Landeros Editores:
Yeraldín Estrada
Eduardo Ramos Consejero de la Facultad: Pablo Baler
“We’ve talked to LAPD and Alhambra PD Detectives and they’re in the process of trying to identify if any other property was taken from crimes in either of those cities,” said Wall. “Other charges that are going to be filed will be possession of a handgun on a school or college campus, which is a crime. The gun was fitted with a highcapacity magazine, which is another crime. They’re both exconvicts, so that’s an ex-convict in possession of a handgun– another felony charge.” While the identities of the two men have still not been disclosed, University Police have confirmed that the men are not Cal State LA students.
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April 23, 2018
NEWS
Whose Land Are You On? Cultural forum educates students on the indigenous tribe that once occupied the space we now call Cal State LA. Mary Pace Contributing Writer
"... We call it the U.S.A., but this land belonged to Native Americans and we don’t like talking about it."
Last Thursday, Cal State LA’s Cross Cultural Centers (CCC) hosted an event called “EcoConsciousness: This Land Is Your Land? Exploring the Land We Lay On.” Dr. Kimberly Robertson, Assistant Professor in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department at Cal State LA, led the talk. Her work and research interests include intersection, indigenous feminisms, settler-colonialism and decolonization. Dr. Robertson led the event with students creating a “Zine,” bringing them to ask if they are aware of whose land that they are currently on. “If we think of colonialization as an ongoing process, we are participating in that process of us not acknowledging the indigenous people,” said Robertson. “Indigenous people exist today and their lands are still occupied.” Los Angeles currently rests on land formerly occupied by the Tongva Natives. The Tongva word for Los Angeles is “Yaanga.” However, naming whose land we currently reside can have complications. This is due to the number of inhabitants who once resided in an area. “Tongva people originally inhabited the Los Angeles region, but shared it with Tataviam and Chumash tribes,” said Robertson. “In Cal State LA, it is safe to say we are in Tongva land.” Dr. Robertson proceeded to discuss the many ways colonialization continues to erase the existence of indigenous people. The concept of settler colonialism occurs when settlers eliminate Native peoples to justify their actions of taking a space. “The logic of elimination is the U.S.A’s incessant need to make indigenous people invisible,” Robertson said. “This way, they don’t have to honor indigenous rights and tribes so that they have full sovereignty under indigenous lands now known as the U.S.A.” However, she provided ways on how we can
Aileen Espitia
Dr. Kimberly Robertson explaining the struggle of a Native American tribe getting federal recognition.
be mindful about articulating the history of the land one resides. The first step is by honoring the Natives through land recognition. Beginning with identification, it is important to identify the traditional inhabitants of the lands we are settling on. Second, articulate whose land you identify. “Once you know the group/s who should be recognized, formulate the statement,” Robertson said. “There is no exact script. By saying a simple sentence would be a meaningful intervention in the U.S.A.” Finally, Robertson highlights the importance of delivering acknowledgment as the element of a welcome to the next public gathering or event one hosts. This allows people to consider their place in the story of colonization and of undoing its legacy. “Ac k n o w l e d g m e nt by itself is a small gesture,”
Robertson said. “It becomes meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships and informed action.” Students were excited to be in the event. Evaristo Martinez, a Chicano-Latino studies major, was eager to learn about identifying ways to acknowledge the original owners of the land. “I saw the event on the calendar and it caught my attention,” Martinez said. “It talks about how we need to think about whose land this is, we live in. We call it the U.S.A., but this land belonged to Native Americans. And we don’t like talking about it. So, when I heard about the event, I get to learn about something we’re not comfortable talking about.” Laura Tejada, Program Coordinator at the CCC, values the importance of providing these events on campus. “The awareness of the land that we are on, is so important.” Tejada said.
5 CULTURE The heart of African beats within Latin Music University Times
April 23, 2018
Dept. of Modern Languages and Literatures hosts Africa in Latin America event. Ricky Rodas Investigative Reporter Latin America has had a rich history of creating vibrant music and catchy dances that have mesmerized the continent and the world at large. What the casual music listener may not realize, though, is that African rhythms are the backbone of nearly every form of Latin music. This was the focus of Colombian musician Leopoldo Novoa’s lecture “Africa in Latin America”, who spoke enthusiastically about the origins of Latin musical traditions. “What’s most important for me to clarify in the beginning is that the settlement of the world began in Africa, from which we can conclude that all of us are Afro-descendants,” Novoa said in Spanish. “The majority of you have listened to and danced to a lot of music that has a great African presence.” Novoa cited mambo, cumbia, calypso, and habanera as examples of products of this African influence. According to Novoa, when Europeans nations like Portugal, France, and England colonized the Americas, they needed a large labor force to fulfill their imperialistic goals. According to a 2005 NY
“The majority of you have listened to and danced to a lot of music that has a great African presence.” Times article, Africans walked through the infamous "door of no return" at Cape Coast castle off the West African coast, in what is now Ghana. They were forced directly into slave ships and never again set foot in the land they called home. Despite his hardship, Novoa said that these people held onto their cherished traditions, and their way of living had a deep impact on all aspects of life in the Americas, especially musical customs. “They were not only in labor, they came to America with their culture, their music, their way of life, relating to each other, and son,” Novoa said. (waiting for Ricky to edit quote) With great passion, Novoa closed his lecture by circling back to his opening argument about mankind’s beginning and where the music we love comes from. “What I want to tell you is that at the origin of humanity, we are African descendants. With all the immigration that has occurred, we continue to be African descendants and what we listen and dance to is descended from Africa.”
Thomas Rodas
Presenting different cultures of music.
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NOTICIAS INTERNACIONALES
Hay nuevo presidente en Cuba TEMAS DE OPINIÓN
La educación sexual en los jóvenes
Crédito de fotografía: repretel.com
Tabús y morbos que no se acaban de romper Por Claudia Landeros Muchos padres con hijos adolescentes tienen la necesidad de hablar sobre sexualidad con ellos, pero no encuentran la manera de abordar el tema. Es algo que se tiene que tratar con delicadeza y de preferencia en el seno de la familia, pero la realidad es que los jóvenes están expuestos a obtener información de muchas otras fuentes que lejos de ayudarlos, acaban confundiéndolos. Los adolescentes se van formando diferentes criterios al respecto y si no tienen una buena educación sexual, muchos acaban envueltos en situaciones irreversibles como embarazos no deseados o contagio de enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Desde hace ya varios años se han incluido en las escuelas las clases sobre educación sexual, pero también es un tema que se ha polemizado porque para que el adolescente reciba esta información en el aula, debe tener la aprobación de los padres y estos no siempre lo permiten, por extraño que parezca. Además no todos están de acuerdo en la cantidad de información que se les da y en la edad que deben de tener los jóvenes para recibirla. se
El tema de la sexualidad tiene que tratar con
mucha seriedad porque los adolescentes tienen que aprender a vivirla con responsabilidad, y los padres y otros adultos involucrados deben también entender que el mensaje que ellos transmitan va a repercutir directamente en cómo los adolescentes vivan su sexualidad. En Chile, por ejemplo, recientemente se ha suscitado una polémica sobre el tema porque el ministro de educación, Gerardo Varela, dijo que él mismo les compra los preservativos a sus hijos. Hasta ahí el tema no iba mal, la incomodidad del pueblo chileno surgió cuando el ministro añade que sus hijos “son unos campeones, necesitan más de tres parece”. Pero cuando lo cuestionan si está de acuerdo en la propuesta de instalar dispensarios de preservativos en las escuelas, responde muy ambiguo diciendo simplemente “no sé si tanto”. Parece que está jugando con una doble moral, por un lado apoya la libertad sexual de sus hijos y por otro lado restringe las prácticas sexuales seguras entre jóvenes en las escuelas, que indudablemente se dan. E sta contrariedad de posturas generó una ola de críticas en la sociedad chilena porque en los últimos años ha aumentado el número de contagios de VIH y otras ETS entre jóvenes de 15 a 25 años. El tema de la sexualidad en los jóvenes es demasiado amplio e importante como para tratarse a la ligera o con morbo. Se debe promover la educación sexual desde el seno de la familia y no negar, esquivar o restarle importancia al asunto.
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El proceso electoral que terminó con la era Castro Por Eduardo Ramos "Cuando la Asamblea Nacional se constituya, habré concluido mi segundo y último mandato al frente del Estado y del gobierno, y Cuba tendrá un nuevo presidente", así lo expresó hace tiempo Raúl, quien al parecer será el último de la familia Castro al frente de Cuba. Castro ha sido el apellido que por casi 60 años ha dirigido al país de Cuba. Sin embargo, el pasado 19 de abril, Miguel Díaz-Canel fue elegido nuevo presidente por la Asamblea Nacional de la isla para sustituir al general Raúl Castro, quien se retira del poder tras doce años al frente del país. Esta es la primera vez desde el triunfo de la Revolución cubana, que el presidente de la nación no será un miembro de la familia Castro ni del grupo que se alzó en armas contra Fulgencio Batista. Aunque Raúl no se va del todo, se mantendrá como diputado al parlamento y como primer secretario del Comité Central del Partido Comunista, que es la "fuerza dirigente superior de la sociedad", según la Constitución. El proceso de elección se llevó acabo de la siguiente
Miguel Díaz-Canel, nuevo presidente cubano. Crédito de fotografía: Tribune News Service
manera: primero, se preseleccionó a 605 candidatos a la Asamblea Nacional, en un proceso oficialmente supervisado. Luego, se convocó a los 8 millones de votantes a ratificar a los candidatos en elecciones por provincia. Según informes, se contó con la asistencia del 82,9 % de los empadronados, quienes en el mismo acto respaldaron a los 1.265 delegados de las 15 asambleas provinciales. El siguiente paso fue la constitución de la asamblea, para lo cual todos los diputados se reunieron para validarla como tal. La Comisión de Candidaturas Nacional, entonces presentó una propuesta de los 31 posibles miembros del Consejo del Estado para que la aprobara la asamblea. El paso final se dio cuando en voto secreto
la asamblea eligió al Consejo del Estado y a su presidente, el cual se convirtió en jefe de estado y de gobierno. Para que el gane se considere legítimo, los candidatos, tanto para la presidencia del parlamento como parte del Consejo de Estado, deberán obtener más del 50 % de los votos válidos emitidos, conforme a la Ley Electoral de 1992. Díaz-Canel, fue propuesto el pasado miércoles ante la Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular para ocupar la presidencia del país. Tras ser leída la propuesta, los 605 diputados la recibieron con un prolongado aplauso. Para la mañana del jueves pasado los resultados de la votación revelaron que el nuevo presidente obtuvo el 99,83% de los votos.
NOTICIAS INTERNACIONALES
Rusia le advierte a Estados Unidos no atacar Siria que se cree, tienen relación con el gobierno sirio, de esta manera Estados Unidos no solo atacaría a Siria sino también a Rusia. Por su parte, un representante ruso asegura que Rusia está preparada para recibir este tipo de agresiones.
Vladimir Putin previene un futuro caos internacional Por Yeraldín Estrada El presidente ruso le aconseja a Donald Trump no volver atacar Siria ya que si el país norteamericano llegara a hacerlo, la paz internacional que hasta ahora ha existido, se vendría abajo. Estas declaraciones fueron hechas por el presidente ruso después de que Estados Unidos, Francia y Reino Unido atacaran a Siria por el supuesto uso de armas químicas contra la población de Douma, el pasado 7 de abril. Estos países se unieron para lanzar 105 misiles contra las que creen son instalaciones de armamento químico pues los representantes de los tres países están seguros de que el presidente de Siria fue el responsable del bombardeo que dejó decenas de muertos. Vladimir Putin afirmó en un
Vladimir Putin, presidente ruso Crédito de fotografía: : https://commons.wikimedia.org
comunicado en Kremlin que si Estados Unidos, nuevamente, agrede a Siria estaría violando el acuerdo que tienen las Naciones Unidas y que Rusia, Siria e Irán no estarían dispuestos a permitir un agravio más. El mandatario ruso cree que el bombardeo de la población de Douma fue un montaje. Según la embajadora estadounidense, Nikki Haley, Estados Unidos planea presionar con sanciones económicas a compañías rusas,
Al parecer, los bombardeos que han ocurrido han dañado la posibilidad de ponerle fin al conflicto y han dado pie a posibles futuros ataques por parte de Estados Unidos. Aunque el ataque de Estados Unidos, Francia y Reino Unido fue diseñado para no afectar las tropas de Moscú, Rusia no descarta una posible guerra contra Estados Unidos o al menos así lo ha comunicado un embajador ruso, Vasili Nebenzia. Donald Trump cumplió sus amenazas cuando dijo que tanto Siria, Rusia e Irán pagarían por el atentado recibido a principios de abril. Es evidente que un atentado más por parte del presidente estadounidense traería como consecuencia un enfrentamiento violento entre los países que acabaría con la paz internacional, inclusive algunos dicen que habrá una “nueva guerra fría”.
April 23, 2018
University Times
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April 23, 2018
LOCAL NEWS
A Fecal Fiasco Feces found in counterfeit name-brand cosmetics.
“The level of toxins in some of these products have led to severe allergic reactions including skin rashes and burns, disfigurement and long-term health problems.”
Ashlee Navarec Contributing Writer
Six people were arrested during the Fashion District raid and charged with trademark violations. Kim Kardashian West, fashion icon and social influencer, tweeted: “SO GROSS! Never buy counterfeit products!”
The Los Angeles Fashion District is home to wholesale businesses, retailers and designers. They describe themselves as the home of cutting edge styles that are influencing fashion throughout the world. However, on Thursday, Apr. 12, local authorities engaged in a counterfeit cosmetic raid on multiple locations within the District. After receiving complaints that cosmetics were causing severe skin rashes, Los Angeles Police Department-Piracy Unit (LAPD-PU) targeted 21 locations in the Santee Alley shopping area and recovered over $700,000 worth of counterfeit cosmetics. Popular brands like Kylie, MAC, Urban Decay, Naked and Too Faced were all included in the massive collection of counterfeit
Counterfeit cosmetics are not only harmful to users, but to the industries they’re imitating as well. According to CBS News, Customs and Border Protection have calculated an estimate loss of $75 million for cosmetic industries in 2017. Though counterfeit makeup tends to be sold on the street, buyers are also warned against “legitimate websites like Amazon.” Cara Gonzales
Counterfeit makeup being sold in Santee Alley.
cosmetics. According to a report from NBCLA, the cosmetics were tested and discovered to contain high levels of bacteria and human waste. Although the district
hosts five market weeks a year, this was the second similar raid and recovery of cosmetics in the Fashion District since February 2017.
According to an article by Joanna Chiu of Mashable World News, counterfeit cosmetics are often contaminated by being processed in unsanitary circumstances:
LAPD Captain Marc Reina promoted the hashtag “#ProtectingOurCommunity”, tweeting about the details of the bust and warning shoppers: “The best price is not always the best deal!”
LA's Housing Situation High rates of homelessness coupled with a current eviction crisis leave LA’s housing in a crippling predicament. John Montoya Contributing Writer Angelenos are in the midst of a housing crisis. Whether its high mortgages, increased rent, or evictions, Los Angeles’ housing is becoming more problematic. However, the local leaders are aware of these issues and are taking considerable measures in order to address the problem. Currently, the homeless situation is at an all-time high. Stemming from the many evictions that have occurred in the last year, residents are becoming displaced due to the increase in rent. Income stays low or the same, while property value goes up. This is causing evictions to become more prevalent, which augments the homelessness rates. "Eviction isn't just a condition of poverty; it's a cause of poverty," said Matthew Desmond, Sociologist and Pulitzer Prize Winner. "Eviction is a direct cause of homelessness, but it also is a cause of residential
"Eviction is a direct cause of homelessness, but it also is a cause of residential instability, school instability and community instability." instability, school instability [and] community instability."
in much of the city and 200 or more in the downtown area.
Desmond mentions that income has remained “flat” for Americans, but rent has increased by 70 percent in the last two decades. He also brings forth that from 2016 to now, there was an estimate of 2.3 million evictions that were filed in the U.S. This is a rate of 4 families every minute.
“This crisis demands that we look at using every available resource — and cut as much time as we can out of the construction timeline — for housing that we need now,” Garcetti said. “I am proud to stand with my council colleagues and look forward to signing these ordinances into law so we can get to work.'”
Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garretti, is said to sign two ordinances to improve conditions for the homeless. The first is to turn hotels and motels into temporary housing. The second cuts parking requirements and streamlines the approval process for permanent supportive housing projects with 120 units or more
Citizens that want to own a house are also dealing with high mortgage prices. The increase in house prices has caused a lot of Californians to become renters instead of owners. Homeowners in California are at the lowest rate since World War 2. Almost 70 percent of Californian’s
monthly income goes toward their increased rent; therefore, they cannot save and buy their own property. "People come here and are like, 'Holy crap, the housing is just out of control,'" said Gary Johnson, vice president of Ace Clearwater Enterprises in Torrance, where the median home price is more than $812,000. "It's a huge issue." While the Mayor and the city are working to help the homeless, the future of the housing market remains uncertain.
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9 CSU NEWS Cal State LA Paves the Way
April 23, 2018
University Times
J. Emilio Flores
Cal State LA's Simpson tower in the campus' view from across the I-10 freeway.
New Initiative Establishes Stronger Partnerships Between University and City. Anthony Karambelas Staff Reporter Next year, the university will begin its work as an anchor institution for the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU), which feed economic and intellectual resources to their local communities. This means the city of Los Angeles is about to get a booster shot. The Coalition was formed in 1989 by leaders of metropolitan and urban environments who observed a sad discrepancy in urban life. More than two-thirds of America’s workforce is urban-based, yet these tightly packed cities struggle to support their massive economies. Some leaders noticed that the only things going for them were their universities and like that, the Coalition was formed. Member institutions, including liberal arts colleges, HBCUs, Ivy League and research institutions all work toward one common goal: to give back to the communities that host them. In February 2018, the Higher Education Anchor Mission Initiative was formed in order to encourage intellectual and economic partnerships between university and community. Their website reads, “We spend over $43 billion on goods and services each year. Imagine how much stronger local economies could be if more of this purchasing power was spent in the communities our colleges and universities call home.”
Cal State LA is one of two California universities selected to lead the charge by establishing and extending its own anchor mission practices, applying its own resources to mutually benefit itself and the city of Los Angeles. President William Covino said that Cal State LA is an intuitive choice for the initiative. Not only is it the “premier public university in the heart of Los Angeles,” but it also aligns with the university’s mission, “engagement, service, and the public good.” The Initiative realizes the intense social potency of Cal State LA. Ranked number one in the nation for upward mobility, the university has a history of positive change in Southern California. "The transformative power of Cal State LA’s commitment to improving the economic and social well-being of the communities we serve is well documented," said Cal State LA Executive Vice President Jose A. Gomez. Aside from the CUMU, Cal State LA’s Pat Brown Institute is working with the Southeast Los Angeles Collaborative on civic engagement to pursue civic engagement projects similar to the new Initiative. So far, CUMU’s mission has proven successful. “CUMU is heightening our commitment to enhancing deep learning for our students and true partnerships for our neighborhoods and urban communities, particularly in the areas of K-12 college readiness, economic development and health disparities. Our civic and research efforts are aligned with the urban and metropolitan challenges of our time,” said Richard Guarasci a professor from Wagner College.
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April 23, 2018
NATIONAL NEWS
U.S Media Under Attack Federal government hires private contractor to monitor news sources and media influences.
DHS Press Secretary, Tyler Q. Houlton, has tweeted, “Despite what some reporters may suggest, this is nothing more than the standard practice of monitoring current events in the media.”
Mike Nelson Staff Reporter
This “standard” practice can lead to the persecution of media producers and does not engender honest reporting. The media has come under fire during the Trump Administration. The President has continually denounced the media and has called some very credible people liars. This database should not come as a surprise during this time.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin monitoring the media in the U.S. Specifically, it will begin to compile a database of journalists and “media influencers”. For some, this news is very alarming. In a country that has always protected freedom of speech from its birth, this sort of legislation isn’t commonplace. Countries such as North Korea, China or Russia don’t allow freedom of speech and arrest journalists who write or speak out against the government. What is happening here in the United States can be dangerous moving forward. This database will be run by a contracting company hired by the U.S Government. According to the DHS’ Statement of Work, the plan is to monitor 290,000 news sources in the country which provide services in over 100 languages.
Twitter - Tyler Houlton
Tyler Houlton Press Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
“Given this administration’s denigration of most media outlets, I understand why the timing of this bid might look suspicious,” said CNN Military and diplomatic analyst John Kirby. Journalists around the world are killed and arrested frequently for what they say or write. Is that where this country is heading to? Is the First Amendment going to be forgotten if you say something the U.S Government doesn’t approve? What kind of democracy would it be then? These are all burning questions that journalists have at the moment in this country in light of this appalling development.
April 23, 2018
11 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT University Times
Saturday Night with “Los Lonely Boys” The Los Lonely boys made a stop in LA and rocked The Luckman Theatre. Michael Griego Multimedia Journalist Los Lonely Boys played their only Los Angeles show, on their Revelation tour, at the Luckman Theater on Saturday night. Playing in front of a packed house, the band rocked the stage as they performed a variety of songs off their current album, “Revelations”, along with some of their old hits: “Nobody Else”, and “I Never Met A Woman” Moments before the band took the stage, “We’re just going to put a mixture [of songs] in the [set list], because what it turns out in some of the crowds they want to hear old and some want to hear new,” said JoJo Garza, bassist. A mostly older crowd along with some youth attended the concert. From new fans to those who have been following the group for quite some time. “I've seen them in smaller venues...I’ve been a fan for over 10 years,” said Carlos Robles, a concert goer. The concert started off with a nice mellow performance by Lisa Morales, a SpanishEnglish singer from Texas, as the crowd made its way into the venue. Once the main act took center stage, the audience were in their seats, vibing and singing along to every tune. As the band shared an intimate set filled with energy and guitar solos. By the end, a small crowd made its way to the front row to dance, as the band closed out the show with their chart
topper, “Heaven”. Henry Garza, guitarist, threw his guitar picks into the crowd. If this was your first time seeing or hearing “Los Lonely Boys”, you would be the one screaming encore at the end. They're a very talented group of guys from Austin Texas, who sing amazing live and make their instruments cry. The band is currently touring the U.S. and is on their west coast leg. If you would like to catch them onstage visit their website, loslonelyboys.com, for upcoming shows or you can catch them in Berkeley, Calif. on April 24.
Michael Griego
Ringo Garza Jr.
Michael Griego
Los Lonely Boys performing in the Luckman Fine Arts Complex for their Revelation tour.
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University Times
April 23, 2018
OPINION
OPINION: Cal State LA Garden Project
ample opportunity to work together to provide for one another's needs. Students can learn about sustainable foods through scientific inquiry, our local residents can become active in university culture and we can begin to teach the younger generation the importance of a sustainable lifestyle.
Why Cal State LA can lead the fight for Food Justice. Sergio Maldonado Contributing Writer After I received my Bachelors in History from Cal State LA, I reflected on what I had learned during my time as an undergraduate. As a History student, I read and learned about states, war, peace, people and everything in between. As I reflect back on this, among all those heavy topics, one of the most important was, and is, Food Justice. As people of this earth, if there is one thing we can understand, it is the need for healthy and accessible food. As we enter deeper into the twenty-first century, the need for healthy food has reached a fever pitch. Homelessness is on the rise, food deserts plague our communities and the lack of proper nutritional education is causing a nationwide health crisis. One of the ways we can help alleviate these issues is through community gardening. The UC Irvine Garden Project serves as an example. Through their program,
University of California, Irvine.
Students in the community garden.
they've created sustainable gardens where students and people of their communities can come together to garden, harvest and enjoy healthy foods. Moreover, by working together, they begin to understand the importance of sharing vital resources with one another; a skill we all desperately need in this self-
centered society. Cal State Los Angeles can learn a lot from UC Irvine's Garden Project. Thankfully, many of our professors and students are already leading the way in sustainable community gardening. In a recent exhibit held at the Cal State LA library, one of the displays
was a student rendering of a community garden set to be created near the Annenberg Science Complex building. If the Cal State LA community garden is implemented, it can serve as a great example for our communities. Considering that our campus is located in an underserved community, this garden can provide us with
If our university is to lead in the twenty-first century, we must understand the importance of Food Justice. In our modern times, there should be no reason why a person has to dig through the trash to eat a meal. There should be no reason why a child cannot eat a nutritious piece of fruit. In our modern times, a student should not have to struggle to pay for food. Yet, this is the norm. Considering that we are a university in the heart of the city of Los Angeles, we hold a great responsibility not only to learn about justice, but to implement it! Often times, we see these issues as beyond us, but we must ask ourselves: “If we don't implement change, who will?� Thus, our community garden can and will serve as a nexus of potential change. But this change will not come to fruition on its own. It takes individual action, cooperation and a willingness to give your time for the greater good.
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