DAILY 49ER California State University, Long Beach
Vol. LXVII, Issue 17
Rushing back to campus After more than 40 years, the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority returns to Long Beach State. By Liam Brown Contributing Writer
Zeta Tau Alpha will return to California State University, Long Beach for the first time since its original charter in 1957 as one of the 26 members of the National PanHellenic Conference organization of sororities. In an email, ZTA Extension Director Marlene Conrad expressed the organization’s desire to return to CSULB after 41 years. “Zeta Tau Alpha looks for opportunities to reactivate closed chapters whenever possible, and our chapter at CSULB was no exception,” Conrad said. “As one of the largest institutions in the state of California and the fifth best university in the West, CSULB is an institution we want to grow with.” Conrad described the sorority’s goals for its members as “crown chapter criteria,” which are standards that emphasize leadership, philanthropy and community involvement. Brett Waterfield, director of Student Life and Development at CSULB, said that ZTA’s previous CSULB chapter closed in 1974 as part of “an attitudinal turn” of college students toward political activism and away from Greek life during the Vietnam War. The last NPC sorority chartered on campus was Alpha Omicron Pi in 1965, making ZTA the first to join CSULB in 50 years, Waterfield said. ZTA’s re-colonization will occur in April as a result of their successful application this past spring, Conrad said. Because ZTA is new on campus, the sorority will hold recruitment year long as a way to establish its numbers. Waterfield said that the increasing number of collegiate women joining sororities combined with the tangent number of organizations caused an uneven distribution of members. As a result, CSULB undertook a two-year process to charter a new sorority. After invitations were sent out to all NPC organizations not chartered at CSULB, interested organizations submitted their applications. Waterfield said that
See GREEK, page 3
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Tuesday, September 22, 2015
West Nile bites Long Beach 123 80 1 14 28 percent show no symptoms.
cases in California.
Case reported in Long Beach this year.
days for symptoms to appear.
cases on average annually in Long Beach.
Source: Center for Disease Control Graphic by E milio A ldea
The first case of West Nile Virus has been reported in Long Beach. By Mackenzie Martin Staff Writer
Long Beach residents who spend time outside should keep a watchful eye out for bug bites and symptoms of the West Nile Virus, according to city
officials. The Long Beach Health Department confirmed last week the city’s first recorded human case of the West Nile Virus this year. Dr. Mitchell Kushner, a Long Beach city health officer, said that this year Long Beach is actually seeing a downturn in the number of human cases with West Nile Virus. Kushner said that at this same time last year Long Beach had already seen 28 cases. California State University, Long Beach Health Resource Center Coordinator Heidi Girling said that California’s abnormally hot summer
combined with the state’s drought conditions create an ideal environment for mosquito breeding. The West Nile Virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito with symptoms developing three to 14 days after being bitten, Girling said. The symptoms for West Nile Virus are similar to symptoms of other diseases like the flu or meningitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC website also noted that approximately 80 percent of people who are infected show no symptoms, and
about one in 150 may develop a more serious disease, such as brain inflammation or paralysis. “You are more likely to get an STD or be in a car accident than to die from West Nile Virus,” Girling said. As of Sept. 11, 123 human cases and two West Nile Virus related deaths have been reported from 23 California counties, according to the Long Beach Health Department.
See BITE, page 3
Jordan Daniels | Daily 49er
Tea for view
Artist Kiyomi Fukui stands in front of her installation in her exhibit, Reminiscing Remnants, at California State University, Long Beach’s University Art Museum. The installation is a roll of Japanese Gampi paper that contains drawings made of tea stains and sugar cubes created by participants at a tea ceremony Fukui held outside of the museum. Story on page 4.
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Tuesday, September 22, 2015
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Solar-powered energy savers USU installs an energy-efficient table for students to utilize. By Riva Lu Staff Writer
Jack S alemi | Daily 49 er
Mikael Movsisyan, a junior and biomedical engineering major, uses the new solar powered bench station at California State University, Long Beach. The solar powered station provides multiple plug-in and USB outlets for charging as well as overhead lighting.
What
With the California sun beating down for much of the fall semester, students at California State University, Long Beach can take advantage of that heat and use the rays to power their dying cell phones and tablets. CSULB’s University Student Union welcomed a new solar table on campus next to the University Student Union, which was put up at the start of this semester. The table uses solar energy to provide power to outlets that students can consequently use to charge their electronic devices. ASI Interim Communications and Special Projects Manager James Ahumada said that the USU Board of Trustees has not approved the funding to purchase any additional power tables. “However, the USUBOT is com-
mitted to exploring future opportunities to support sustainability efforts on campus,” Ahumada said. Ahumada said that the USUBOT approved the solar powered table on at the end of the last fall semester. The proposal was submitted to the USUBOT by the Sustain U team during the annual fixed asset request process, Ahumada said. Sustain U is a CSULB committee dedicated to sustainability issues and initiatives on campus. The USUBOT purchased the table from 3fficient, a solar power and green energy vendor, whose mission is to deliver smart energy solutions that eliminate the need for fossil fuels, Ahumada said. According to the 3fficient website, they hope to envision a day when the world’s reliance on fossil fuels will be diminished and the crisis of climate change will be averted. “Our products provide energy directly and 100 percent from the sun,” 3fficient President Doug Poffinbarger said. “Since all the energy is produced at the point of consumption, no excess energy is needed to compensate for power losses from the grid.” Poffinbarger said that every bit of energy consumed by a solar station saves 1.5 times the amount of energy
from a fossil-fueled power plant. “The more [off-grid] FreeCharge stations, the less power plants need to be constructed and the more resilient our national energy system becomes,” Poffinbarger said. According to 3fficient’s website, Project FreeCharge is a public-private initiative spawned by higher education presidents and city mayors to bring smart, carbon-free urban furniture and infrastructure to public spaces, making campuses and cities more sustainable and resilient. Senior sociology major Alisson Doan said that she believes that the solar table is a good investment and is also a good way to protect our environment. “We can conserve more energy now because the solar table will be the new source for energy and use less electricity,” Doan said. “It’s also great because the university saves money on costs of utility, maintenance and energy.” Poffinbarger said that solar power is reliable and dependable. Poffinbarger also said that he encourages more people to be outdoors and to enjoy the environment and respect it. Poffinbarger said, “It’s absurd how much oil, coal and natural gas is wasted just to cool a room for a few degrees.”
C a m p u s Vo i c e
are your thoughts on the solar- powered table?
CSULB
recently installed a new solar- powered table on campus.
The
table provides
energy to outlets , which students can use to charge their electronic devices.
“I think it’s pretty cool, I’ve never heard of that before. And it’s nice to conserve energy, and also having no wires or cords to worry about or trip on.” —- Kaila Burnett, junior kinesiology major
“I think that’s innovative, “I think it’s a good idea. I think “Most people I’m assuming haI think that’s cool for the that if we’re actually saving ven’t event noticed it. This was school you know, something money on electricity, then that a good spot actually cause I new, something refreshing. will benefit the school even couldn’t find anything. Here So I think it’s nothing wrong more. And if we’re saving a there’s a charger, it has lightwith creating something new lot, then might as well do that ing, so its super cool. I could for the school.” all around the campus.” sit here a lot at night.” — Josh Streeter, senior communications major
— Margaret Tapia, senior business management major
— Mikael Movsisyan, junior biomedical engineering major
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BITE
wear it,” Kaylee Turner, a senior dance science major at CSULB, said. “I didn’t continued from page 1 think there were many mosquitos in Long Beach.” Kushner said most people do not even know they have West Nile Virus and that Girling said CSULB’s health resource it is mainly the elderly population with center has not seen any student cases of underlying medical conditions that are at West Nile Virus to report. risk of developing severe symptoms. She also said that if a student believes The CDC recommends using repelthey are showing severe symptoms to lents containing DEET, an insect repelgo straight lent used to a hospiin products tal because to prevent Once you have been Student bites from infected by West Health Sermosquitos, Nile Virus your body vices is only biting flies, equipped to fleas and builds up antibodies provide prismall flying to the virus. mary care, insects, and not extensive wearing long -Mitchell Kushner, care. sleeves when City of Long Beach health officer In a very out from small numdusk to ber of cases, West Nile Virus has been dawn while mosquitos are most active. spread through blood transfusions, Residents should also make sure to transplants and from mother-to-child, have good window and door screens according to the CDC. The website not- and get rid of mosquito breeding sites ed that the West Nile Virus is not spread by eliminating standing water from through casual contact such as touching flowerpots, buckets and pet dishes, acor kissing a person with the virus. cording to the CDC. Long Beach continues active sur“Once you have been infected by veillance for mosquito populations and West Nile Virus your body build up works to control known public breeding antibodies to the virus,” Kushner locations such as ponds, wetlands, pools said. “Typically, this prevents you and flood channels, according to Health from contracting the virus again, Department officials. unless your immune system is se“I own bug spray, but I don’t normally verely suppressed.”
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Tuesday, September 22, 2015
GREEK
continued from page 1
the university then selected a few organizations to make a formal presentation. This two-to-three-day visit consisted of meetings with sorority leadership and university administrators, Waterfield said. A public meeting was then held in the Beach Auditorium where students gave feedback about each potentially chartered organization. The university’s extension committee then gave a final recommendation on which sorority should join. Waterfield said that ZTA’s success in the application process could be attributed to the organization’s history with the university. “They showed a lot more enthusiasm because it was kind of like this opportunity for rebirth,” Waterfield said. “I think they came across as really seeing themselves as a really good fit.” The sorority’s main philanthropic focus is breast cancer awareness. ZTA works with national non-profit organization Bright Pink to bring the organization’s educational workshops to each sorority chapter. Bright Pink will hold approximately 165
Jack Salemi | Daily 49er
One of the newest Greek sororities on campus, Zeta Tau Alpha, has a booth set up outside California State University, Long Beach’s Bookstore. workshops at ZTA chapters during the 2015-2016 academic year, said Jenn Zwillenberg, Bright Pink’s community engagement manager. On a more local level, ZTA faces challenges that many other on-campus Greek organizations must deal with: CSULB’s reputation as a commuter school as well as the lack of a dedicated sorority row. Conrad said the sorority is working to meet these challenges. “We will have housing in fall 2016 that is comparable to the other Panhellenic sororities,”
Conrad said. “ZTA has chapters in urban areas throughout the country and we are also well established on many commuter campuses. We customize the ZTA experience to fit each campus.” ZTA will provide students with more information via its Traveling Leadership Consultants, available on campus from Sept. 21 through Oct. 2. ZTA will also have information at two workshops, set for Oct. 5-6 at 7 p.m. in the University Student Union’s Long Beach Ballroom.
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Tuesday, September 22, 2015
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Arts & Life
See you on the ‘Other Shore’
By Colton Maines Staff Writer
A memorial concert held in honor of former California State University, Long Beach Director of Percussions, Michael Carney on Sunday drummed up emotions surrounding impermanence, mortality and healing.
“Carney was very giving with his time, caring about each individual student and helping them grow,” said Ted Atkatz, the current director of percussion studies. The piece “The Other Shore” was composed to honored the memory of his life It is a deeply moving composition with reference to the Buddhist concept of Nirvana where one may be freed from all suffering. The “Other Shore” celebrated Carney’s contributions by acknowledging his love for international music. The recital began with Tibetan singing bowls. Members of the band surrounded the room and sat in the middle of the audience. They struck the bowls at different times and the
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sounds resonated throughout the itan, encompassing styles from West hall. It gave the feeling of being in a Africa, the Caribbean and Brazil and Tibetan monastery. instruments such as the vibraphone Atkatz followed and Trinidad steel by playing the vipan. braphone as the He founded and Bob Cole Chamdirected the World ber Choir sang the He would probably Percussion Project threnody’s poi- be moved just like that took profesgnant lyrics. sional American everyone else. Carney, received artists, students degrees in percus- -Ted Atkatz, and faculty abroad sion performance Director of Percussion Studies for an intense study from East Caroliof music in places na University, the such as Rio de JaEastman School of neiro and Salvador, Music and North Brazil and Ghana, Texas State UniverWest Africa. Carsity. ney’s musical journeys had also takHis musical skills were cosmopol- en him to Spain, Taiwan, Thailand,
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Recital honors the memory of former CSULB Director of Percussions Michael Carney.
Hong Kong, Japan, Trinidad and the Philippines. During the performance Atkatz said that he felt like he and the other students were “all on edge” and could feel “his presence was in the room with them.” “He would probably be moved just like everyone else,” Atkatz said, reflecting on how Carney might feel about the composition. Although Atkatz did not personally know Michael Carney, he said that he heard many inspiring things about him through faculty as well as former and current students. “I know I have big shoes to fill,” Atkatz said, “but I hope to carry on the same love and dedication” to the students.
Jordan Daniels | Daily 49er
An art installation at California State University, Long Beach’s University Art Museum is covered with fresh Hibiscus tea and handmade sugar cubes on top of Japanese Gampi Paper on Monday.
Reminisce is best served hot Student artist Kiyomi Fukui interactive exhibit incorporates a shared experience between artist and audience.
By Shawnkira Sanchez Staff Writer
S
itting at a table covered by pink paper at the Dennis W. Dutzi Gallery is Kiyomi Fukui. Atop the table there’s seashell-shaped sugar cubes she’s handmade. Fukui, a Master of Fine Arts student, casually sips a hot cup of freshly made hibiscus tea. She looks around invitingly. “Would you like to sit down for a cup of tea?” Fukui asks passersby. A cup of tea may not be what most would expect from an art exhibit. But that’s what they’ll get at Fukui’s “Reminiscing Remnants.” The purpose of involving a tea ceremony is “to have an intimate conversation and to have a moment with one person at a time,” Fukui said. The pink table cover is made of a Japanese Gampi paper, onto which Fukui encourag-
es visitors to drip the residual tea. She described the Gampi table cover as a reminisce object—something signifying the “vigil of sharing” between the artist and the audience. The tea-splattered paper then becomes part of the current exhibit to emphasize the overall theme: the circulation of reminisce. Fukui’s source of inspiration is her personal experience with loss. In sharing a conversation with visitors, Fukui sets out to share both lightweight and deep topics. “I want [visitors] to leave with some reminisce of peace,” said Fukui. “That is definitely the primary goal, to feel some sort of comfort. I want the chaos to find the peace.” Describing her artistic style as subtle, Fukui ultimately leaves it up to the visitors to find a deeper understanding within her art pieces. According to Fukui, her role in society as an artist is to plant ideas and present them in a way that could not be better presented otherwise. “If you have an idea and you act on it, it is already an art,” Fukui said. “If you have
something that you want to change and you actually do it that is already acting. And action is part of the art.” Acknowledging no understandable difference between the two, Fukui said she ultimately decided to make her career a hobby and her hobby a career. Fukui encouraged current and future art students to avoid stressing out over labels. “Do not feel the need to be clutching on institutional labels, like the degree you have,” Fukui said. “If you don’t have an art degree you can still consider yourself an artist.” She expressed no interest in worrying over financial outcomes behind her career choice as an artist either. Instead, Fukui described her decision to pursue art fueled by pure adoration of the visual arts. The School of Art displays student artist’s work in the Fine Art buildings 2-4, with new exhibits every week. Fukui’s “Reminiscing Remnants” can be experienced Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m.
4
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Tuesday, September 22, 2015
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Arts & Life
See you on the ‘Other Shore’
By Colton Maines Staff Writer
A memorial concert held in honor of former California State University, Long Beach Director of Percussions, Michael Carney on Sunday drummed up emotions surrounding impermanence, mortality and healing.
“Carney was very giving with his time, caring about each individual student and helping them grow,” said Ted Atkatz, the current director of percussion studies. The piece “The Other Shore” was composed to honored the memory of his life It is a deeply moving composition with reference to the Buddhist concept of Nirvana where one may be freed from all suffering. The “Other Shore” celebrated Carney’s contributions by acknowledging his love for international music. The recital began with Tibetan singing bowls. Members of the band surrounded the room and sat in the middle of the audience. They struck the bowls at different times and the
“
sounds resonated throughout the itan, encompassing styles from West hall. It gave the feeling of being in a Africa, the Caribbean and Brazil and Tibetan monastery. instruments such as the vibraphone Atkatz followed and Trinidad steel by playing the vipan. braphone as the He founded and Bob Cole Chamdirected the World ber Choir sang the He would probably Percussion Project threnody’s poi- be moved just like that took profesgnant lyrics. sional American everyone else. Carney, received artists, students degrees in percus- -Ted Atkatz, and faculty abroad sion performance Director of Percussion Studies for an intense study from East Caroliof music in places na University, the such as Rio de JaEastman School of neiro and Salvador, Music and North Brazil and Ghana, Texas State UniverWest Africa. Carsity. ney’s musical journeys had also takHis musical skills were cosmopol- en him to Spain, Taiwan, Thailand,
“
Recital honors the memory of former CSULB Director of Percussions Michael Carney.
Hong Kong, Japan, Trinidad and the Philippines. During the performance Atkatz said that he felt like he and the other students were “all on edge” and could feel “his presence was in the room with them.” “He would probably be moved just like everyone else,” Atkatz said, reflecting on how Carney might feel about the composition. Although Atkatz did not personally know Michael Carney, he said that he heard many inspiring things about him through faculty as well as former and current students. “I know I have big shoes to fill,” Atkatz said, “but I hope to carry on the same love and dedication” to the students.
Jordan Daniels | Daily 49er
A an art installation at California State University, Long Beach’s University Art Museum is covered with fresh Hibiscus tea and handmade sugar cubes on top of Japanese Gampi Paper on Monday.
Reminisce is best served hot Student artist Kiyomi Fukui interactive exhibit incorporates a shared experience between artist and audience.
By Shawnkira Sanchez Staff Writer
S
itting at a table covered by pink paper at the Dennis W. Dutzi Gallery is Kiyomi Fukui. Atop the table there’s seashell-shaped sugar cubes she’s handmade. Fukui, a Master of Fine Arts student, casually sips a hot cup of freshly made hibiscus tea. She looks around invitingly. “Would you like to sit down for a cup of tea?” Fukui asks passersby. A cup of tea may not be what most would expect from an art exhibit. But that’s what they’ll get at Fukui’s “Reminiscing Remnants.” The purpose of involving a tea ceremony is “to have an intimate conversation and to have a moment with one person at a time,” Fukui said. The pink table cover is made of a Japanese Gampi paper, onto which Fukui encourag-
es visitors to drip the residual tea. She described the Gampi table cover as a reminisce object—something signifying the “vigil of sharing” between the artist and the audience. The tea-splattered paper then becomes part of the current exhibit to emphasize the overall theme: the circulation of reminisce. Fukui’s source of inspiration is her personal experience with loss. In sharing a conversation with visitors, Fukui sets out to share both lightweight and deep topics. “I want [visitors] to leave with some reminisce of peace,” said Fukui. “That is definitely the primary goal, to feel some sort of comfort. I want the chaos to find the peace.” Describing her artistic style as subtle, Fukui ultimately leaves it up to the visitors to find a deeper understanding within her art pieces. According to Fukui, her role in society as an artist is to plant ideas and present them in a way that could not be better presented otherwise. “If you have an idea and you act on it, it is already an art,” Fukui said. “If you have
something that you want to change and you actually do it that is already acting. And action is part of the art.” Acknowledging no understandable difference between the two, Fukui said she ultimately decided to make her career a hobby and her hobby a career. Fukui encouraged current and future art students to avoid stressing out over labels. “Do not feel the need to be clutching on institutional labels, like the degree you have,” Fukui said. “If you don’t have an art degree you can still consider yourself an artist.” She expressed no interest in worrying over financial outcomes behind her career choice as an artist either. Instead, Fukui described her decision to pursue art fueled by pure adoration of the visual arts. The School of Art displays student artist’s work in the Fine Art buildings 2-4, with new exhibits every week. Fukui’s “Reminiscing Remnants” can be experienced Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m.
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Tuesday, September 22, 2015
show combines theatre, hip-hop, slam poetry and personal anecdotes. “Think: A black guy, a Latino guy and an Asian guy walk into a bar,” Agustin said. “The show is direct, honest and in your face." The show grew from the frustration Agustin felt after constantly being rejected from leading roles in theater By Kevin Flores productions due to his ethnicity. Arts & Life Editor As a result, Agustin created his own outlet with the help of his two long time friends Axibal and Gregley in “N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk”: Yes, that’s 2004. “N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk” has actually the title. But save the pitch- now toured 44 states and 150 venues, forks. many of which are on college campusHaving endured es. threats from both Asked how the neo-Nazis and the show has evolved NAACP, “N*gger since its inception, Wetb*ck Ch*nk” Agustin said, “It's explores racism [The slurs] are names always been autobiand discrimination we’ve been called in ographical—about through the testi- the past. We could our own experiencmonies of long time have called it “Ethnic es—but we're always friends Rafael Agusadapting to current tin, Allan Axibal and Friends, but why events such as Ferpussyfoot around it? Miles Gregley. guson and incorpo"[The slurs] are rating them into the names we've been -Rafael Agustin, show." called in the past,” “N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk” The production Agustin said. “We aims to confront could have called racism through it "Ethnic Friends, comedy, eliciting but why pussyfoot uncomfortable around it?" laughter and tough realizations. According to the New York Times, "Comedy connects and provides ca“mainstream newspapers and radio tharsis. Comedy creates community," stations have refused to take advertise- Agustin said. ments for the Los Angeles run, because The Carpenter Center will host the title is a trifecta no-no.” “N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk” on Sept. 24 The autobiographical stage comedy at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.
Production that confronts racial stereotypes comes to CSULB.
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Arts & Life
Daily 49er introduces:
Dear Sweetpea, A weekly advice column. Write in and look for her advice in the Opinions section every Thursday.
To submit questions, please email dearsweetpea.daily49er@gmail.com
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Tuesday, September 22, 2015
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#IStandWithAhmed
Opinions Column
Black sheep in a pink and green world By Micayla Vermeeren Staff Writer
I
f I had a nickel for every time someone asked if I was kidding when I told them I was going through sorority recruitment, I could probably treat my sisters to dinner on Taco Tuesday every week for the rest of the semester. To be fair, I really can’t blame anybody for his or her disbelief. I spent the vast majority of my senior year of high school decrying the world of sororities at every opportunity possible, whether my opinion on the Gamma Upsilon Theta Beta Zetas was explicitly asked for or not. I thought sororities were made of nothing but ditzy airheads who got obliterated every weekend and paid for friends they didn’t have the personal capability of making on their own.
Vernon Bryant | Dallas Morning News | TNS
Irving MacArthur High School student Ahmed Mohamed, 14, poses for a photo at his home in Irving, Texas, on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Mohamed was arrested and interrogated by Irving Police officers on Monday after bringing a homemade clock to school.
By John Broadway Staf Writer
W
hen isn’t a clock just a clock? Well, that depends on who is holding it. One of the biggest changes that 9/11 caused within our culture is the widespread proliferation of Islamophobia. Many Americans have little knowledge of the Muslim religion and this ignorance can cause them to make sweeping generalizations about Islam, usually based on the terrorist acts committed by extremist radicals.
America’s Islamaphobia plagued ninth grader Ahmed Mohamed who was arrested for bringing a selfbuilt clock to school.
One example of this Islamophobia, occurred last Monday in Irving, Texas. A 14-year-old Muslim boy named Ahmed Mohamed, brought a homemade clock to school to impress one of his teachers, but instead of receiving the
praise and admiration he sought, Ahmed was met with skepticism and handcuffs. Ahmed’s English teacher reported the ninth grader for building what she thought was a bomb and police officers proceeded to take him to the police station where they interrogated him. Mohamed was held without legal representation and was not allowed to make a call to his parents. Although police eventually dropped the charges against him, they refused to apologize and Ahmed still had to serve a three-day school suspension. For building a clock. This incident highlights the Islamophobia that is rampant in American culture today; it is highly doubtful that a white student in this same situation would have received the same treatment. Even though radical Muslims have committed horrible acts, these extremists do not define the religion as a whole. Americans are so quick to forget the horrors that have occurred in the name of Christianity, yet the religion has not been defined by these acts. So why should it be any different for Islam? Islam and Christianity are more alike than they are different. A survey completed by The Economist in February showed that over 50 percent of Americans believe that the religion of Islam encourages violence among its believers. The Quran does not promote violence any more so than the Bible does. Although Muslims follow this text, both religions regard the Old and New Testament of the bible as sacred texts. Islam and Christianity promote morality and the following of the Ten Commandments; both believe in the same God, both recognize Jesus and the other
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prophets (Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc.) they both condemn Satan; and the list of similarities between them goes on. It is unfortunate that there have been so many extremist Muslims who have misinterpreted what is the will of God, but many Americans like to conveniently forget that Christians are just as guilty as Muslims, in this aspect. The Crusades, slavery and the genocide resulting in displacement of the Native Americans were sanctioned or justified by Christianity. These three events have resulted in pain, suffering, discrimination and millions of deaths. There are numerous Christian terrorist groups, such as The Army of God, The Covenant, The Sword, The Arm of the Lord, Phineas Priests and many more. The Ku Klux Klan, arguably the most prominent hate group in America, was ironically founded upon Christian beliefs. But every religion has its bad apples. It is unfair for any religion, Islam included, to be defined by the evil extremists that commit acts of terror. The American media and culture so often promotes Islamophobia while completely ignoring the hateful acts that are committed by Christians. This is a huge injustice to Muslims because it leads to prejudice, discrimination and hate crimes. This injustice committed by our culture leads to incidents like a 14-year-old Muslim boy getting arresting and suspended from school for trying to impress his teacher with a homemade clock. Americans, and the whole world for that matter, need to realize that Muslims do not deserve to be treated or viewed any differently than followers of other religions.
Editorial Office
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I hated everything there was to hate about sororities until I joined one.
I thought that any freshman girl who decided to go through recruitment needed the guidance to become her own woman, not false promises of undying love and support from other girls that were strangers to her the weekend before. I thought Greek women were embarrassments to our gender, putting sketchy frat bros and gaudy shows of pseudo-familial affection before everything that actually mattered in college. And then I became one. My parents convinced me to go through recruitment so my little commuter self would have some sort of community to tie me to California State University, Long
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Beach, and I will say that I never expected the process to mean as much to me as it did. Being the most stereotypical Pisces you’ll probably ever meet, I went into recruitment with my head stuck in the mud of negative, but unfounded, opinions I had somehow come to form. But surprisingly, luckily, I was pulled back down to Earth by some of the most remarkable women I had ever had the pleasure of meeting. I went home after the first night of the weekend and looked at myself in the mirror. For so long I had told myself that girls like me aren’t made for things like that. And then I had to question whether or not all of that was as bad as I thought it was, and whether or not I was as good as I thought I was. In a rare show of humility, I admitted to myself that I might just have been wrong about the whole racket, and went back to recruitment the next day with wide eyes and open arms. I found a home in the truest sense of the word, and as I now enter my third year in Greek life, I have no idea where I would be without the women that became my family. 17-year-old Micayla is probably cringing at the sight of 20-yearold Micayla, completely immersed in the world of her sorority and dedicating all of her free time to experiencing it all, but 17-year-old Micayla also needs a slap to the face and a wake up call to stop being such a judgmental banshee. There is no one-way to be a Greek woman. There is no oneway to be a sister, a leader, an academic, a philanthropist, an officer and a friend. There is no one-way to love a sorority, and the only thing that changed my mind was to actually go and join one. I will never give up all the quirks and interests that make me me. But I will be dead and cold in the ground far before I give up the sorority that has become my absolute world and made me into a woman that my 17-year-old self never dreamt I could be.
Business Office
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Sports
Tuesday, September 22, 2015 MEN’S BASKETBALL
Primetime basketball on Prime Ticket Fox announced its slate of Big West men’s basketball games for the upcoming season.
By Josh Barajas Sports Editor
Sports network Prime Ticket announced its 15-game Big West Conference basketball schedule on Thursday for the upcoming season. The Long Beach State men’s basketball team will be featured in at least six of the 15 games. The slate includes matchups with San Diego State, Duke, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, Hawaii
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and a quarterfinal matchup in the conference tournament. LBSU’s rivalry game against Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20 may also be televised; Fox will choose between that matchup and Hawaii vs. UC Irvine three to four weeks prior to the game date. The 49ers will host the Aztecs at the Walter Pyramid on Dec. 1. SDSU has won five straight games against LBSU; the last time the 49ers got a win against the Aztecs was in 1998. Prime Ticket will also broadcast the Dec. 30 matchup between Duke and LBSU at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. Fox Sports South will provide the ACC package to Prime Ticket. LBSU will also appear on Prime Ticket when it hosts conference opponents UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara and Hawaii. The Anteaters and their 7-foot6-inch center, junior Mamadou Ndiaye, will visit LBSU on Jan. 14 and the Gauchos will come to the Walter Pyramid on Jan. 28. The Rainbow Warriors will show up on March 5 for a rematch of last season’s Big West Tournament, in which they eliminated the 49ers. The 2016 Big West Tournament quarterfinals will begin five days later on March 10. LBSU’s season starts on Nov. 14 with a matchup against BYU-Hawaii at the Walter Pyramid.
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WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Welcome back The 49ers break into the top-25 for the first time this season.
By Josh Barajas Sports Editor
Sports network Prime Ticket announced its 15-game Big West Conference basketball schedule on Thursday for the upcoming season. The Long Beach State men’s basketball team will be featured in at least six of the 15 games. The slate includes matchups with San Diego State, Duke, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, Hawaii and a quarterfinal matchup in the conference tournament.
LBSU’s rivalry game against Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20 may also be televised; Fox will choose between that matchup and Hawaii vs. UC Irvine three to four weeks prior to the game date. The 49ers will host the Aztecs at the Walter Pyramid on Dec. 1. SDSU has won five straight games against LBSU; the last time the 49ers got a win against the Aztecs was in 1998. Prime Ticket will also broadcast the Dec. 30 matchup between Duke and LBSU at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. Fox Sports South will provide the ACC package to Prime Ticket. LBSU will also appear on Prime Ticket when it hosts conference opponents UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara and Hawaii. The Anteaters and their 7-foot6-inch center, junior Mamadou Ndiaye, will visit LBSU on Jan. 14 and the Gauchos will come to the Walter Pyramid on Jan. 28. The Rainbow Warriors will show up on March 5 for a rematch of last season’s Big West Tournament, in which they eliminated the 49ers. The 2016 Big West Tournament quarterfinals will begin five days later on March 10. LBSU’s season starts on Nov. 14 with a matchup against BYU-Hawaii at the Walter Pyramid.
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Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Sports
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WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Big West battle begins The 49ers kick off conference matches with two games at home against UC Davis and UC Irvine. By Kayce Contatore Assistant Sports Editor
The No. 25 Long Beach State women’s volleyball team looks to defend their conference championship as Big West league play starts Sept. 25 against UC Davis. The 49ers (10-3) went undefeated in the Big West Conference last season to give LBSU its 13th championship in program history. They were chosen to finish second behind No. 11 Hawaii in the 2015 pre-season coaches poll. The Daily 49er and head coach Brian Gimmillaro scouted the competition and highlighted each Big West team and the notable performances in the pre-season matches.
Cal State Fullerton: (0-12) Last season, the 49ers performed straight sweeps in both matches against the Titans. Fullerton has yet to find their first win this season under new head coach Ashley Preston. The Titans will face off against the 49ers first in Fullerton on Nov. 4, then at the Walter Pyramid Nov. 20. Player to watch: Freshman middle blocker Summer Kerins leads the Titans with 88 kills, 286 total attacks and 2.4 points per set. 2014 Big West Record (2-14) Coaches’ View: “Fullerton had match point against Alabama, so I see them and they’re playing pretty hard. They’re pretty athletic too, even though they’re not winning, they will continue to improve.”
Cal State Northridge: (1-11) When the Matadors took on the 49ers last season, it was a battle of two undefeated teams in the conference; LBSU ultimately won. CSUN’s first and only win this season came against Florida A&M with senior outside hitter Cieana Stinson leading the young squad with nine freshman. Stinson will attempt to lead her team to topple the 49ers on Oct. 17 at the Pyramid and in Northridge on Nov. 13. Player to watch: Senior outside hitter Cieana Stinson has 3.33 kills per set for a total of 143 kills on 391 total attacks. 2014 Big West (10-6) Coaches’ View: “Northridge had a setback because one player couldn’t go, and so they’re not playing as well. But they could be pretty good by the time the season is over.”
Cal Poly: (8-3) The Mustangs kicked off the 2015 season with their best start since 2001. Cal Poly won eight of the first ten matches this season, collecting wins on the road against Fresno St. and Idaho before winning its first match at home against San Diego State. The Mustangs match up against the 49ers Oct. 2 in San Louis Obispo before heading down the coast to Long Beach on Oct. 24. Player to watch: Sophomore setter Taylor Nelson ranks first in the Big West with 10.75 assists per set and second in assists with 430; LBSU’s senior setter Jenelle Hudson ranks first with 514. 2014 Big West (4-12) Coaches’ View: “They’ve improved, their personnel is good and so they’re going to be a tougher test this year than last.”
UC Riverside: (5-8) Last season, the Highlanders felt the wrath of a tight 49er defense in the first meeting; LBSU held Riverside to a -.066 hitting percentage in the first match-up. Senior outside hitter Helena Peric has headed the offense for Riverside, posting double-digit kill totals in matches against Northern Arizona University and Grand Canyon University. The Highlanders face the 49ers in Long Beach on Oct. 6 then in Riverside on Nov. 21. Player to watch: Junior libero Maddie Hubbell leads the Big West with 229 digs and 4.77 digs per set. 2014 Big West (0-16) Coaches’ View: “Riverside has improved. Riverside is so much better than they have been. They have some new kids who have done well.”
UC Irvine: (6-6) LBSU opened up their conference play last season against the Anteaters, marking the first win of the 49ers undefeated conference season. On Sept. 19, Irvine snapped a 16-match losing streak to No. 21 UC San Diego. The Anteaters out-blocked the Toreros 29-10 in their win. Irvine takes on the 49ers in the Pyramid on Sept. 26 before LBSU travels to the Anteaters home Oct. 29. Player to watch: Junior outside hitter Victoria Dennis ranks fifth in the Big West in kills (153), total attacks (427) and points per set (3.8). 2014 Big West (9-7) Coaches’ View: “Irvine’s replaced a few players they needed to replace with good players, so they’re playing pretty well. They have a couple new players who are helping them and playing well for them.”
UC Davis: (5-9) The 49ers locked up the Big West title last season by sweeping the Aggies. So far this season, Davis has battled, but ultimately fallen to top teams like No.4 Nebraska and No.19 Colorado State. The Aggies open Big West play against the 49ers on Sept. 25 at the Pyramid before matching up again in Davis on Oct. 31. Player to watch: Senior outside hitter Kaylin Squyres leads the Big West in kills (228) and total attacks (605). 2014 Big West (10-6) Coaches’ View: “UC Davis is not playing as well right now, but I figured they’d be doing better at this point, so they have the players to do better and we’ll just have to see as the year progresses. Again, they have some physically talented players.”
No. 11 University of Hawai’i: (9-1) Last season, the Rainbow Warriors saw their 19 straight Big West title streak snapped by LBSU as they lost both conference matches to the 49ers. This season, Hawai’i was chosen to finish on top of the conference by the Big West coaches’ poll. The Warriors only loss this season came at the hands No. 13 UCLA. Hawai’i will look to avenge last season’s losses to LBSU on Oct. 11 in the Stan Sheriff Center then at the Walter Pyramid on Nov. 6. Player to watch: Junior opposite Nikki Taylor leads the Big West in kills per set (4.83) and points per set (6.1). 2014 Big West (13-3) Coaches’ View: “I think [Hawai’i is] much better than they were last year. They beat No. 2 Florida and if they hadn’t lost the match to UCLA they would be No. 2 in the country.”
UC Santa Barbara: (4-7) The Gauchos have had a shaky start in 2015. UCSB fell to the tough, then No. 17 UCLA and then to No. 18 UCSD. The Gauchos face the 49ers on Oct. 3 at home before traveling to Long Beach on Oct. 23. Player to watch: Senior outside hitter Ali Barbeau had back-to-back All-Big West First Team selections coming into 2015. 2014 Big West (8-8) Coaches’ View: “Santa Barbara is good, most of their players are returning, if not all. They were a pretty good team last year and they’re better this year. They can beat most of the teams in the conference on any given night.”