Thursday, March 17, 2022 by Daily Titan

Thursday, March 17, 2022

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Volume 111 Issue 11

CSUF dances to March Madness Titans aim for upset against Duke ZIMRY HERNANDEZ Staff Writer

The Titans are set to kick off their bid for a national championship against the Blue Devils this Friday at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Fullerton, 21-10, are coming in as the 15th seed while Duke, 28-6, is the 2nd seed. Duke is heavily favored to win this matchup based on analyst’s projections, with ESPN’s Basketball Power Index giving them a close 97% chance of winning this game. The Blue Devils are heavily favored by sportsbooks in Nevada as well. As of March 16, the Titans are 18.5 point underdogs, according to BetMGM. This is the Titans’ fourth appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2018. Head coach Dedrique Taylor also made some history with that victory. Taylor became the only coach in CSUF’s history to lead the team into the NCAA Tournament twice, to put together 20 plus wins in two different seasons and record more than 10 conference wins in four different seasons. On the other hand, Duke is currently viewed as one of the favorites to win the national championship, having the fourth best

odds in the whole tournament. Duke will look to rebound and get back on the win column, starting with the Titans. The Blue Devils suffered a devastating double-digit loss at the hands of their rival North Carolina in their final home game, and lost the ACC Championship against Virginia Tech. Duke’s legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski said he believed his team had gotten “worn out” towards the end of the season which hurt their defense. “Before this next game, we have to get back to playing Duke defense. We’ll have a better chance of winning if we do that,” Krzyzewski added. This will be Krzyzewski’s last year leading the team, retiring after this tournament. “It’s my last one, so it makes it even more exciting,” Krzyzewski said, referring to this being his last tournament. “I’m very proud of our team and our support staff. It’s the last time I’m going to be able to do this and to be a No. 2 seed is terrific.” He will retire as the coach with the most wins in Division I men’s basketball history, racking up 1,198 career wins, 12 Final Four appearances, 12 ACC Championships, 15 conference tournament titles and five national championships. Krzyzewski also has earned three Olympic Gold Medals in 2008, 2012 and 2016 as the head coach of USA Basketball.

E.J. Anosike (Photo Illustration by Tre Penn / Big West)

SEE RETURN

Titans credit chemistry in NCAA run

Wendell Moore Jr. (Photo illustration by Reagan Lunn / Duke Athletics)

The Cinderella story of a season continues for men’s basketball as they gear up for the tournament. DAVID GOODKIND Asst. Editor

In his ninth season as head coach of the Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball team, Dedrique Taylor preached the importance of energy and effort throughout the 2021-22 season. With the eyes of the college basketball world on him and his team, that philosophy was on full display. “That last possession, in my opinion, is indicative of our season,” Taylor said, referencing Fullerton’s championship matchup against Long Beach State on March 12. Up by one with just over 20 seconds left in the game, the Titans were in desperate need of a defensive stop. Facing the Big West Conference regular season champions in Long Beach State with an NCAA Tournament berth on the line, the mounting pressure pinned the Titans’ backs against the wall. Fullerton responded emphatically with the defensive stop of the season, keeping Long Beach from taking a single shot during the final possession of the game. The Titans relied on strong defensive efforts all season which earned them a championship title. The 72-71 victory led to CSUF’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018, and fourth in school history, and served as a vindicating moment for a team picked to finish seventh and eighth in the Big West Preseason Coaches Poll and Big West Preseason Media Poll, respectively. VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

Damari Milstead keeps focus on a Long Beach State player during the championship game in Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nevada on March 12. (Big West) “This is a moment of validation,” Taylor said when asked about making his second tournament appearance with CSUF. “We’re experiencing things that are literally life changing memories.” The team hovered above .500 into December and squandered

opportunities that would have led to the Big West regular season title. Taylor credited staying together through thick and thin leading to winning results. “In this environment it’s imperative that we care for each other. We respect each other. We compete arm in

arm because, quite frankly, you’ll never get these opportunities again,” Taylor said. Playing for his third university, fifthyear senior E.J. Anosike highlighted the chemistry of this championship team. He had a special season with the Titans, receiving multiple conference

honors. “It feels very refreshing. Coming in as a fifth-year guy, meeting a bunch of new guys and getting used to them and getting to know each other, we’ve really grown close this year,” Anosike said. SEE RALLY

2 News

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022

Twin expert shows compassion in her research Nancy Segal’s latest book sheds light on a controversial experiment. NOLLYANNE DELACRUZ Deputy Editor

Nancy Segal, a psychology professor and the director of the Twin Studies Center at Cal State Fullerton, shot into the spotlight of psychological research in the early 1990s for contributing to a University of Minnesota study that compared the similarity of twins reared apart versus twins raised together. The study revealed that genetics did have a role in people’s behavior. The Minnesota study of twins raised apart is considered a groundbreaking moment in psychological research, which cemented her reputation as one of the leading experts in twin psychology. She said she was drawn to psychology because she had an innate interest in people and how they became who they were. As a fraternal twin, she also became curious about how her and her sister were different in ways other than appearance. “She’s one of the foremost twins researchers. She was involved in that seminal study that pretty much all students learn in their psychology 101 class,” said Steven Miller, associate professor of psychology at Rosalind Franklin College of Science and Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1991, the same year Segal began teaching at Cal State Fullerton, The Twin Studies Center serves as a space for colleagues, students and herself to work on their psychological research on twin relationships. “I realized the advantage of having a named center, and when I came to Fullerton, I felt that it would really be to my advantage to have a named center that would support my research and the research of my students and my colleagues, but also very importantly, to have a resource for the public,” Segal said. Segal said that twin research is

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important because it answers if behaviors are the result of genetics or upbringing. This also means that people may be able to learn more about themselves by exploring their genetic history as well as their life experiences. Her latest work, a book published in November 2021 called “Deliberately Divided: Inside the Controversial Study of Twins and Triplets Adopted Apart,” delves into the harrowing tale of ethical boundaries being crossed in the name of scientific discovery. The book tells of an exploratory study headed by Peter Neubauer, a child psychiatrist, in collaboration with now-obsolete New York adoption agency Louise Wise services. The head researcher separated four sets of identical twins and one set of identical triplets at birth to see how different parenting styles affected children with similar genetic makeups. Segal said this study has been deemed controversial because the children were separated without the parents’ knowledge that their children had a twin sibling. The results of this study have not been published and are being held in Yale University’s library until 2065, she said. Although the actions that the researchers took were not illegal, they were considered highly immoral, Segal said. To prevent a situation like this from happening again, Segal said that there needed to be more respect for human subjects in twin studies and stricter rules or regulations for breaking ethical guidelines. “I think what I would like to see more of, although we’re moving in that direction too, is more appreciation or respect for the importance of sibling and twin relationships,” Segal said. “I would like to see rules, not just guidelines; I’d like to see real legislation passed that, aside from very mitigating circumstances, all siblings and twins should be placed in the same home.” Despite the previous coverage and movies created about Neubauer’s study, her account of the study puts her compassion and morality at the

Nancy Segal began teaching at CSUF in 1991. (Nancy Segal) forefront of the work. Joseph Nedelec, associate professor in the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati, praised Segal’s book for humanizing the twins and triplets included in the study and for taking a more nuanced standpoint on the researchers involved. “I think what Nancy’s book did was illustrate that this is nuanced; this

whole story is nuanced that these aren’t necessarily evil people. What they did was unconscionable, but not necessarily with evil intent,” Nedelec said. Graduate students of Segal’s have also picked up on their mentor’s strong sense of morality. Elizabeth Pratt-Thompson, an M.A. student in the psychology department and Segal’s graduate assistant in the Twin Studies

lab, said that Segal sets an example for her students to have compassion for the human participants in their studies and to conduct research in an ethical and moral way. “It helps younger researchers, like myself, understand how important ethics are and how important it is to research ethically and be moral in your work,” Pratt-Thompson said. “Because is the research even important if it’s not done ethically?” Segal’s teaching methods have also left an impact on her students. Jamie Fuentecilla, faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin in the department of human development and family sciences, worked with Segal during her Master’s program. She said that one of the qualities she picked up Segal as a mentor herself is to provide resources for her students. “I mentor like her in the sense that I’m able to provide resources to my mentees that are neither typical nor required in the field, so I feel like I go above and beyond because she did that for me,” Fuentecilla said. Segal is currently working on two books. The first is about a 2018 case in Los Angeles involving a gay couple who had twin children via surrogate, which would comment on immigration, family separation, gay marriage and twinship. The second book is an annotated photo collection from a 1985 trip to Poland and Israel in remembrance of the Jewish Holocaust. As a researcher, Segal said she hopes that people read her most recent book and keep in mind how blind scientific ambition can harm human research subjects. As a professor and mentor, she said she wants students to know that they should be able to find their passion and enjoy what they do for a living. “I’ve always told them that any project they take on, any field they enter, has got to be something they love, and then their lives are guaranteed to be happy,” Segal said. “Never do anything to please other people, that’s a big mistake.”

News 3

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022

Upcoming Orange County weekend events LILY LOPEZ

Editor-In-Chief

OC Vegan Festival Santa Ana Hosted by the Plant District, the OC Vegan Festival now has a new location in downtown Santa Ana. The event is free, family-friendly and will have over 50 vegan vendors. The Plant District is a non-profit organization that helps plant-based vendors meet their goals. The event will be held on March 19 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on 125 N. Broadway in Santa Ana. Anyone interested in attending the festival can visit the Eventbrite website. Holi Festival - Irvine Join the Pretend City Children’s Museum as they celebrate the Holi Festival, an ancient Hindu Festival of Love, on March 19 at 10 a.m.

The celebration is also known as the Festival of Colors, which marks the beginning of spring. Visitors can expect to learn about the festival’s traditions through art, activities and performances. Admission to the Holi Festival is included with the museum admission. Tickets cost $14.95 for adults and children, and can be purchased in advance online. The event will be held at the Pretend City Children’s Museum on 29 Hubble, Irvine. Golden Years Vintage Market - Anaheim

412 S. Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim. More information on the event is available on the Golden Years’ Instagram account and on Eventbrite. Monarch Bay Cars and Coffee Dana Point Car enthusiasts can stop by this event held every week on Saturday mornings. The car lineup includes hot rods and newer muscle cars. Admission and vehicle registration is free. The event will be held on March 19

from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. at the Monarch Bay Shopping Center on 32880 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. Additional information can be found on the Drive So Cal website. Ultimate Art Wine Experience: Blossom Trees - Costa Mesa Celebrate the first day of spring by painting blossom trees and enjoying a glass of wine. Inspired Art Wine will be hosting a step-by-step paint class led by a master

artist. No experience is required and attendees must be 21 years or older to participate. Tickets are $39 per person and includes all of the supplies. Masks will be required upon arrival, along with a temperature check. Once guests are seated, wearing a mask indoors will be optional. Tickets can be purchased online in advance through the Eventbrite website. The event will be held on March 20, from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., on 1500 Adams Ave. #109, Costa Mesa.

Vintage shops from Los Angeles, Long Beach and Orange County will come together for the spring Golden Years market at the Anaheim Packing District’s Farmers Park. Located next to the Anaheim Packing House, the market will feature vintage clothing, records and accessories. The free outdoor event will be held on March 19 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on

#TitansGive raises over $400,000 in donations

JESENY ESCOBAR Asst. Editor

The #TitansGive fundraising campaign raised a record-breaking $491,900 in donations and had over 1,900 donors. #TitansGive is the annual day of giving and it provides incredible financial support for student success and the programs at Cal State Fullerton. The 24-hour virtual fundraising campaign took place on March 9. The organizations that participated encouraged everyone who supports the Titan community, including family, faculty and alumni, to donate to their program of choice. The money raised will go to various scholarships, departments and centers at CSUF. According to the CSUF website, more than 60 groups participated in the #TitansGive event, such as the Arboretum, Titan Athletics and Titan Basic Needs Network. The Center for Healthy Neighborhoods raised the most money at $16,000 and the Arboretum had the most donors at 153. Over the last two years, the organizations on campus that have raised the most are women’s soccer, with $66,000, Center for Leadership, with $46,000 and Center for Healthy Neighborhoods with $39,000, VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

according to Grace Johnson, the associate director of annual campaigns. For the first time ever, #TitansGive held activities on-campus. During the annual day of giving, students signed letters of appreciation for those who donated and ended the day with a surprising flash mob with Tuffy and other students. “The intentions and results have matched exactly: Titans help each other when called and care about making a difference for the next generation of Titans shaped through the diverse avenues they can explore here,” Johnson said. #TitansGive has been held annually since March 12, 2020. “It came from a desire to bring our Titan family together with the cause of supporting and inspiring students through our collective generosity,” Johnson said. Each year, CSUF reaches closer and closer to their goal of $500,000, according to a CSUF Twitter post. In 2021, $463,333 was raised from a total of 1,405 donors and in 2020, $239,139 was raised from a total of 662 donors. This year, CSUF was able to raise more than double the amount that was raised in 2020. #TitansGive includes unique challenges, such as the PepsiCo Donor Challenge, where the area that brings in the most donors receives a bonus price of $5,000. The minimum donation for #TitanGives is $10. The #TitansGive event has ended, but people can still donate by visiting the #TitansGive website.

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Center for Healthy Neighborhoods raised the most money with $16,070.

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Tuffy the Titan and a group of students joined in a flashmob dance in front of Titan Shops in celebration of TitansGive. (CSUF News)

EDITORIAL

(Gabriela Mendoza-Legorreta / Daily Titan)

Editor-in-Chief Lily Lopez Managing Editor Anthony Bautista News Editor Spencer Otte News Deputy Amber Juarez News Assistants Elena Hanna Michelle Ibañez Heather Eyre Sinclair Andruska Opinion Editor Vanessa Siguenza Deputy Opinion Nollyanne Delacruz Opinion Assistants Hugo Rios

Sports Editor Marisa Palmerin-Flores Deputy Sports Editor Navtej Hundal Sports Assistants Jeseny Escobar David Goodkind Bryan Corrales Lifestyle Editor Jessica Choi Deputy Lifestyle Editor Eder Ramirez Lifestyle Assistants Genesis Pavia Catherine Norby Tristan Zelden Layout Editor Frank Portillo Deputy Layout Alexander Alvarado

Copy Editor Stepheny Gehrig Deputy Copy Editor Jessica Bernal Copy Assistants Dimitra Doiphode Stephanie Jasso Photo Editor Jon Buzdar Photo Assistants Connor Hedges Rosemary Montalvo Daniela Navarro De Sanchez

Social Media Editor Jessica Benda Head Illustrator Gabriela Mendoza-Legorreta Illustrator Assistants Cassidy Molina Tiranjini Pillai Marian Lynn Chin Multi Media Editor Matthew Keyser Faculty Adviser Walter Baranger

Director of Sales Isabel Cambiaso Director of Marketing Dakota MacDonald Assistant Director of Sales Tyler Costa Sales Manager Isabela Veloro

Social Media Manager Annie Kuo Marketing Coordinators Chloe Lau Ivan Calderon Lauren Le Accountant Doris Henriquez

Account Executives Kevin Garcia Clerise Yumul Jay Song Senior Graphic Designer Josephine Tang Graphic Designer Allison Nishi

Distribution Manager Brianna Rodriguez Distribution Coordinators Omar Lopez-Deniz Aurora Chavez Faculty Adviser Michelle Kurland

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(657) 278-5815 editorinchief@dailytitan.com (657) 278-4415 news@dailytitan.com (657) 278-3149 sports@dailytitan.com (657) 278-4411 ads@dailytitan.com

FOR THE RECORD In an article printed on March 14, titled “Pandemic art validates global trauma,” the Daily Titan incorrectly credited Jessica Choi for taking the left photo. The photo was courtesy of the CSUF College of the Arts. Please contact Editor-in-Chief Lily Lopez at (657) 278-5815 or at editorinchief@dailytitan.com to report any errors.

© COPYRIGHT DAILY TITAN 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Daily Titan is a student publication, printed every Thursday through Thursday. The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, Inc. College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSU. The Daily Titan has functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. The Daily Titan allocates one issue to each student for free.

4 Lifestyle Music

REVIEW MICHELLE IBAÑEZ Asst. Editor

Because March is Women’s History Month, it’s important to advocate for the women in your life, and what better way than to spend it listening and supporting new sounds from female artists. Here are five women you should listen to this month. Rachel Chinouriri With her unique voice, Rachel Chinouriri isn’t just a fresh new face, she’s a powerhouse. The U.K.-based artist could land close to the likes of Jorja Smith, but Chinouriri’s interesting take on the indie-pop scene is where she differs. With over one million monthly listeners on Spotify, Chinouriri just released her new single, “All I Ever Asked,” which is a catchy tune about not settling in a relationship. Her first ever release, “What Have I Ever Done,” an emotional retelling of a broken relationship. It is perhaps the footprint to Chinouriri’s artistic career and a good testament to what people should’ve expected from her. Orion Sun Based in Philadelphia and falling into the category of alternative R&B, Tiffany Majette has all the aesthetics and the sound locked and loaded. Majette goes by the stage name Orion Sun, and it serves her well

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022

Five underrated female singers when she makes music that was meant to be heard while looking at the stars. The visuals for her tracks are beautiful, and you can truly see she puts time, passion and love into her projects. Her newly released EP “Getaway” is soothing to the ears and rhythmic to the body. If you’re looking for new music to accompany you during your study sessions or even while driving late on the freeway, she’s got you covered. The Aces If you like The 1975, you’re going to love The Aces, an all-female band sprouted from Provo, Utah. Made up of sisters Cristal and Alisa Ramirez on vocals/guitar and drums, McKenna Petty on bass, and Katie Henderson on lead guitar and vocals, respectively, the quartet makes music for late night dancing and car karaoke. Their newest release, the deluxe version of their 2020 album “Under My Influence,” includes three new tracks, including remixes of their older songs and a feature/remix from the band Portugal The Man. With upbeat tunes and lyrics that anyone living in the modern age of love, relationships and heartbreak, The Aces are bound to make it on your playlists. Jensen McRae Los Angeles’ Jensen McRae is like if Lorde’s “Solar Power” met Adele’s

“19.” It’s like sad-girl-autumn, but instead it’s spring and the days are starting to get warm. Lyrically, McRae is a magician, transporting you to feelings that are conspicuously hidden. It’s hard to listen to her songs and not be able to instantly connect with whatever feeling or experience she’s communicating. McRae shares her fair share of singles, as well as her 2021 EP “Who Hurt You,” which showcases her alluring voice that matches well with acoustic sounds she heavily features. Her new song “Happy Girl” is the first official single of her upcoming album “Are You Happy Now?” out on March 22. Daniela Spalla Get your dancing shoes on, because Daniela Spalla is taking you on a rhythmic trip through her memorable melodies. Her song “Estábamos Tan Bien” the breakup song about a plot twist in a relationship, is one of her most popular songs in the Spanish indie-pop genre, landing her at over 15 million plays on Spotify. Her newest EP “Mixtape #Lloribailar” will transport you to the golden age of 80s Spanish music. Spalla has this futuristic melody that is almost a staple to the emerging pop artists in Latin America. The Argentinian singer is based in Mexico, and has collaborated with artists like Esteman, with their song, “Te Alejas Más De Mí” having over 18 million plays on Spotify.

(Photo illustration by Michelle Ibañez / Daily Titan)

Column: Tuffy’s Book Nook presents women writers Turn the page this Women’s History Month with these five women-written works. JESSICA BERNAL Deputy Editor

Since it’s Women’s History Month, it only makes sense to read some stories written by women. Here are five women-written stories, four fiction and one memoir, that are bound to get some emotions flowing. “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie A phenomenal depiction of immigration to America, this novel delves into more truths than happy endings. In “Americanah,” Adiche presents readers with a tragic, yet beautiful story of self-love and self-discovery, entailed with complicated love stories. Ifemelu, the main character, leaves Nigeria to attend Princeton. It’s a journey she makes on her own and one that leads her to face countless struggles before she finds contentment. Between juggling her life in Nigeria and her current life in America, Ifemelu must “grapple with what it means to be Black for the first time.” While Ifemulu continues her struggle with life and education in America, her childhood love begins his own dangerous journey as an undocumented immigrant in London. What started out as a plan to join his long-time love, Ifemelu, in America turned into a journey of survival and acceptance. Will their worlds collide? Or is their childhood love meant to stay in the past? “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

(Photo illustration by Jessica Bernal / Daily Titan) This memoir about Angelou’s experience growing up in the South is a harrowing tale of her struggles and how she has dealt with the pain of her childhood. Ultimately, it is about how she came to use her love for literature to help her regain a voice she thought she lost. It delves into the most intimate parts of her life, and reveals the abandonment, loneliness and pain that she

experienced from such a young age. It is so wonderfully written that you forget it’s a memoir and not a novel. Some parts are harder to read than others. As a warning, she does go into detail about sexual assault. “The Power” by Naomi Alderman Alderman introduces us to a world where the roles of society are reversed

— women become the oppressor and men become the oppressed. Almost overnight, young girls developed this new power, feeling the electricity flowing through their veins which allowed them to shock — at first — but over time, they would learn how to cause more damage. It became a uniting factor that released women from the shackles of the patriarchy worldwide. Young girls with the power were able to awaken the power in older women. Soon women started revolting against the patriarchy, attempting to dismantle systems that constantly kept women in a captive position. This revolution is followed by a war, sprung up by men who felt that women were too dangerous to have so much power. The women fought back and continued to keep the power. It’s an interesting story that will make you think about what power can drive people to do, what lengths people are willing to go, what they are willing to sacrifice in order to stay in control. You may also find that the men’s argument about the women having too much control and what they would do with the power sounds a little too hypocritical or ironic. If you want to read something similar to this, I would suggest “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. In Atwood’s novel, the story is a lot more dystopian than Alderman’s. “Sparks Like Stars” by Nadia Hashimi A coup of the Afghan government in Kabul takes place almost overnight and remains one of the country’s best kept secrets. For one girl, Sitara, the coup will leave her an orphan, traumatized and in utter danger of being found out. Alone in the world and only 10 years old, she will have to leave behind the only world she knew.

As Sitara struggles to escape her home in Afghanistan, she begins to see how different the outside world is compared to her life in the palace. She also soon learns that familial blood ties don’t guarantee protection in the face of danger. With the help of an American embassy worker, Sitara is able to escape the death that haunts her and creates a new life in America. Her journey there isn’t easy; she faces more death, more obstacles and more harrowing experiences with humanity. Along the way, she begins to hide her history from herself and the people she meets, eventually illuminating herself in a new image. But soon, the past will catch up with her and she will come face to face with the history she thought was left in the shadows. “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie If you’ve never read an Agatha Christie novel, then now is your chance. Considered the best-selling author of all time, her crime-fiction novels will keep you on your toes. “Murder on the Orient Express” depicts exactly that. One body and several passengers all trapped on a train with the possible killer. This whodunit murder-mystery will have you putting your problem-solving detective skills to use. Can you solve the murder? There’s also a recent film adaptation of this book that came out in 2017. Read the book and then compare it to the movie. If you don’t know which book to start first, try following the order of this list. I put my favorite at the top and the rest followed suit. They’re all stories that you will not want to put down. The first step is just picking it up. FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022

Review: ‘Who Cares?’ is an emotionally versatile album

Lifestyle 5

(Amanda Levenson / Daily Titan)

Rex Orange County delivers a fun, yet meaningful experience with his signature pop style. STEPHENY GEHRIG Editor

After a three year hiatus, Rex Orange County returns with his fourth album, “Who Cares?” Released on March 11, the singer disguises the pain and heartache in his lyrics by meshing it with the high hopes of upbeat melodies. Running only 34 minutes and 55 seconds, the 11-track album is the perfect accompaniment to his 2019 album, “Pony.” In classic Rex Orange County fashion, he divulges his feelings of acceptance, change, longing and loss regarding himself and his relationships. “Keep It Up” is the perfect first track for the album as it calls back to his previous albums. The track begins with an upbeat melody — symbolizing the ascension from his insecurities and moving into a more secure mindset. The song serves as a love letter of encouragement and reassurance to himself that he is enough: “You no longer owe the strangers / It’s enough, it’s enough / Keep it up and go on / You’re only holding out for what you want.” The second track, with the only feature of the album,“Open A Window” featuring Tyler the Creator, encompasses the theme of the entire album. The two work perfectly together to create an exciting track about reaching for new opportunities, while still feeling insecure about what they want: “Soon as I can see your face, I’m fine I’m sure / I’m tryna find a way to get out / So can I open a window? / Can somebody open the door?” Entering with a funk beat comes “Worth It,” the third track of the album. The slow instrumentals grow more intense as he sings about the end of a relationship and personal changes that occur after moving on: “And I’m not sure why things change / What’s worth it anymore? / Am I not the same? / No, I’m not sure if I’m to blame.” The fourth track, “Amazing,” is an ode to a lover, as he explains: “Don’t change a thing, you are amazing / I can’t believe you’ve come and saved me / We can stay here, spend every day here.” The subtle instrumentals that open the track get listeners ready for a vulnerable song, but Rex Orange County melds it with bedroom pop beats that distract the listeners from the meaning of the lyrics. In a more intimate track, “One In A Million” lets Rex Orange County take the spotlight as the instrumentals take a step back. He hypes up his lover while telling them that he has fallen completely and madly in love with them. VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

However, his insecurities of not being enough are a continuous obstacle: “But it’s OK, I’m trying to do / Whatever it takes to believe / That I’m enough and hope you agree / I’ve fallen for you.” “If You Want It” takes on a more toxic mindset as he implores a girl to return to a relationship that has ended and pretend that everything is all good: “Let’s just believe that we belong if you want it.” However toxic it might be, it gives into all the thoughts that rush through everyone’s minds after a break up. Overthinking plagues everyone’s mind and in “7AM,” Rex Orange County puts his overthinking in overdrive as he sings: “What if I’m not cut out for this? / And I keep one to call it quits.” He allowed the overthinking, questioning and willingness to give up bleed through his lyrics, however it’s masked by the jaunty tunes. The eighth track, “The Shade,” highlights unhealthy attachments in a relationship and the pressure to be perfect in a relationship. The song tries to get a lover to stay with the plea: “Please don’t go / I would love just to be stuck to your side / Not with anybody else.” “Making Time” is a soft lullaby for lovers. The repeated lyrics make the song more vulnerable as it sets off as a plea to be near someone special: “Making time / Just to see you, / We’re safe inside / You make things fine / Don’t wait up / I’m OK, I’m OK.” His vocals shine as the instrumentals are sweet and inviting, making listeners want to chill with someone they love. Contrasting the previous track with more sultry and powerful instrumentals, “Shoot Me Down” is representative of the back and forth of moving on and the desperate want for the person to come back: “Don’t shoot me down / I’ll stick around / Wе’ll do it somehow.” In the final track, “Who Cares?” Rex Orange County ends the album discussing insecurities: “I had no fear / Why can’t I just do that again / All the things I used to dream about / Got too far from reach.” He masterfully hides the insecurities with yet another upbeat, danceable track to close out the album. Rex Orange County’s “Who Cares?” is a familiar addition to his range of style. In accordance with the themes, the album doesn’t change from Rex Orange County’s aesthetic as he successfully dives back into the bedroom-pop genre. He doesn’t stray far from his typical style and creates a fun album despite the heavy lyrics. If listeners are looking for a good soundtrack for their lives, “Who Cares?” is the perfect album. The songs are comforting and fun, but the lyrics hold a lot of meaning. If you’re looking to turn your brain off and just vibe, or if you’re looking to get emotional, turn up the volume and play versatile away.

6 Opinion

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022

Blame Western foreign policy for refugee crisis The treatment of displaced Ukrainians reveals the hypocrisy of the U.S. and EU.

HUGO RIOS Asst. Editor

Devastating imagery showing the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has opened the hearts of many worldwide for the more than 3 million Ukrainians are fleeing for their livelihoods. Being embraced by surrounding countries with open arms, the empathy shown toward Ukrainian refugees shines light on a well-known crisis; refugees around the world remain helpless, for compassion is limited to the perception of those being cared for. The growing refugee crisis plaguing the world is at an all-time high. According to the United Nations, more than 82 million people around the globe are displaced due to war, persecution, violence and other conflicts. Middle Eastern and North African regions make up the most significant portion of those displaced, notably war-torn countries such as Syria, having the largest population of migrants seeking refuge. More than 12 million people from Syria, being displaced internally and around the world, rely on little to no resources as the European Union and other resourceful nations continue to curb aid as seen fit. Countries like Jordan and Turkey — the latter hosting the most refugees globally — have graciously allocated resources and allowed Syrians access to social services. While they are not the only nations to do so, it is bewildering to think that countries with far

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fewer assets and supplies are shouldering the crisis’s brunt. There is an aspect of the refugee crisis purposely overlooked despite its brazen heinousness: Muslims seeking refuge are not welcomed in the same capacity as their European counterparts in countries that are more than capable of assisting. World leaders are awfully transparent in their preference to take in Ukrainian refugees versus others desperately waiting for a sliver of hope to be thrown in their direction. Representatives from various European countries, including Spain, France and Bulgaria to name a few, openly express how Ukrainians are viewed as Europeans rather than invaders. Mehdi Hasan, a political journalist and host of “The Mehdi Hasan Show,” streaming on Peacock, has relentlessly probed former and current European officials regarding the hypocrisy in accepting the influx of Ukrainians. In an interview with the former French ambassador to the U.S. Gerard Araud, Hasan rightfully pointed out, “President Macron back in August last year said ‘France had to protect itself from a wave of migrants from Afghanistan. Poland and Hungary opened borders to Ukrainians, but closed them to Afghans and Syrians. Many would say ‘What is that, if not straight up racism?’” The exchange highlights how when it comes to Middle Eastern people, the narrative becomes that of intruders stealing resources, in which governments must act defensive. However, this is not the case regarding Ukrainian refugees. Trends in other countries outside the EU further demonstrate the lack of empathy toward migrants. According to the Pew Research

(Cassidy Molina / Daily Titan)

Center, the U.S. in 2019 admitted nearly 24,000 Christian refugees and less than 5,000 Muslim and other religious refugees. Trump-era policies, such as Title 42 deterring migrants from the U.S.’s southern border, perpetuate disgusting viewpoints regarding refugees of color and deserve a share of the blame. Though, the issue is rooted in a more profound understanding of race. Hasan addressed his beliefs as the root cause of the problem in a guest appearance on “Pod Save America,” a podcast hosted by Crooked Media. “If you want to ask why it is that we

can take in Ukrainian refugees and not Syrian or Afghan refugees, the reason is very simple,” Hasan said. “The islamophobia climate in this country that was fueled for the past 20 years by a combination of terrorists attacks by terrorists groups and by right-wing politicians and some liberal politicians fueling islamophic myths, is that we think brown people are secret terrorists.” To be clear, the togetherness world leaders and humanitarians have shown to Ukrainian refugees is remarkable. Downplaying the impact European countries have in protecting people

from neighboring countries diminishes the lessons and tragedies learned post-WWII. Poland, Hungary, Romania and other bordering nations took responsibility in opening their borders, saving millions of lives — an act that seems less of a burden when considering the historical context. Even the British public, people who are familiar with overpowering institutions displacing individuals, expressed their commitment in protecting refugees from Ukraine. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department said it will work with the United Nations in fostering Ukrainian refugees depending on need, “bearing in mind that resettlement to the United States is not a quick process.” Abandoning Muslim refugees that are simply trying to save their own lives is a persistent problem the globe attempts to dance around. Belarusian president, also known as “Europe’s last dictator” Alexander Lukashenko, fabricated a crisis at EU borders in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania that unintentionally, or perhaps intentionally, showed how European nations would forgo the rights of migrants forcefully displaced for the sake of protecting borders. The U.S. also deserves to be critically ridiculed, considering the role leadership played in creating chaos among refugees, because loyal Afghans and innocent people from Libya and Yemen are still suffering from little aid. Ukrainian refugees being welcomed by bordering countries with little hesitation is a relief that is soothing to minds filled with despair. However, all refugees still need safety, and providing aid will take more than humanitarian efforts. The accountability of Western world leaders needs to be at the forefront.

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WEEK OF THURSDAY, MARCH 17

WRITTEN by Stepheny Gehrig