Week of Monday, April 26, 2021

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Monday, April 26, 2021

Volume 109 Issue 14

CSU could require Graduates can fall vaccination bring two guests

Staff Writers

The California State University and University of California announced on Thursday plans to require faculty, students and staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine prior to the return to in-person instruction in fall 2021.

According to a statement released by the CSUs on Tuesday, immunization will be a requirement if one or more of the current COVID-19 vaccines are fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration and once there are enough vaccines to distribute.

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccine were authorized by the FDA under emergency use authorization, but were not fully approved. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine was also previously approved for emergency use but was

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LIFESTYLE

The Beyond Freedom organization raises awareness for human trafficking.

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CSUF will host in-person graduation ceremonies from June 12 - 15.

MARIA MARQUEZ Staff Writer

On Thursday, Cal State Fullerton announced in an email that 2020 and 2021 graduates can bring two guests to the in-person commencement ceremonies taking place from June 12-15.

“Your two guests will accompany you as you line up to cross the stage, and they will have a front-row view of you receiving your hard-earned and much-deserved Titan degree,” the email read.

CSUF previously announced that the in-person commencement ceremonies will be a graduate-only stage walk with live-stream availabilities for loved ones to watch from home.

Current students will have access to register for tickets through their student portal, while 2020 graduates

The men’s track and field team won in their dual against UC Irvine.

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will receive a direct link to register and request their tickets. Students can register for these tickets from April 22 through May 14.

According to the commencement site, guests will be able to stay with the graduate for the experience until they walk the stage, then they will get to stand in the front row at a viewing area.

In an email to the Daily Titan, Rebekah Sterns, a graduating psychology major, said she is happy that there is an option to bring two guests, but wished CSUF made its announcement sooner.

Sterns said that as she read comments online, she was sad to hear that people have to choose between who to bring.

“My parents have the ability to go down to San Diego for my sister’s then going up to mine, which solves the two guest rule for us, but I know for others it’s more complicated,” Sterns said.

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Reforming the justice system will take more than a single conviction.

OPINION

JESSICA AITKEN ROBERTO ROMERO

pulled back because of a possible link to blood clots. The FDA later recommended lifting the pause and resuming use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine last Friday.

All faculty, staff and students would need to be fully vaccinated by the start of the fall 2021 semester, or upon full FDA approval of the vaccine, whichever occurs later, said the press release.

Cerise Metzger, a Cal State Fullerton media representative, said in an email to the Daily Titan that the university will offer exemptions for students with medical or religious reasons.

“Given the current recommendations from local, state and national health agencies, this decision assures the safest route for a return to the vibrant, enriching and high-impact campus and educational community that is more easily and effectively provided with in-person options,” said Fram Virjee, the CSUF president.

SPORTS

The university is waiting for COVID-19 vaccines to be fully approved by the FDA.

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SEE PAGE 12

Softball Lavender Celebration Baseball to be in person extends wins in streak extras CSUF’s sweep over UC Santa Barbara puts them at 15-0 in the Big West.

The Titans 10th-inning victory over CSU Northridge on Sunday tied the series.

BRIAN GARCIA

ADAM MALDONADO

Staff Writer

Editor

Cal State Fullerton softball continued its Big West dominance as the Titans picked up their 16th consecutive conference victory with their sweep over UC Santa Barbara this past weekend.

The accomplishment marks Fullerton’s best start to their conference schedule in program history at 15-0. The Titans currently lead the Big West, with their closest competitor being rival Long Beach State in second place at 16-2.

Fullerton’s bats stayed hot all weekend as the Titans outscored the Gauchos 31-3 on their way to the four-game sweep.

Although the fourth game of the series didn’t count towards the team’s conference records, the Titans came out on top in the series finale on Sunday with a 3-0 victory that saw the appearance of many young reserve players from Fullerton’s roster.

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The LGBT Queer Resource Center rose a rainbow flag in front of Langsdorf Hall in October 2019. (Olivia Hawkins / Daily Titan) The LGBT Queer Resource Center will host their annual event on campus on May 14.

TAYLOR ARREY Editor

As graduating Titans reach for their stoles, robes and caps, Cal State Fullerton’s LGBT Queer Resource Center invites LGBTQ identifying graduates to grab a lavender cord and join them for an annual event that celebrates community.

After receiving approval from different advisors who manage COVID-19 re-entry planning, Nat Betancourt

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Arellano, the coordinator for the LGBT Queer Resource Center said that they are happy to announce that the annual Lavender Recogntion Celebration will now feature an optional in-person ceremony as well as a virtual spotlight for graduating members of the LGBTQ community.

This year marks their 18th annual Lavender Celebration — a tradition that predates the establishment of the resource center in 2012.

“We’ve had 18 Lavender celebrations thus far, which is amazing because that goes back even before the history of the LGBTQ Center,” Arellano said. “We started in 2012 as an

official center on this campus, and so to be able to have our historical Gay Student Union, faculty, staff pride alliance be able to come together and celebrate our LGBTQIA graduating students after all these years is really fantastic.”

The color lavender has an extensive history within LGBTQ community. In the 1930s, gay men were ostracized for wearing a “streak” of lavender, but in 1969, the color become a symbol of empowerment worn after the Stonewall Riots. Today, the color embodies confidence and pride for the community.

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After winning two straight conference series, Cal State Fullerton baseball split a hard fought four-game series on the road against the Cal State Northridge Matadors. The Titans looked to continue their strong play on Friday, but were immediately met by a productive Matador offense.

Northridge scored at least one run in every inning except the fifth and seventh.

On the mound for Fullerton was ace Tanner Bibee who was uncharacteristically banged around by the opposing offense.

After pitching well in four consecutive starts, Bibee only threw three innings on Friday and gave up six runs, three unearned, on four hits and three walks.

Pitching for Northridge was Blake Sodersten who was masterful, limiting Titan hitters to one run on three hits in eight innings while striking out seven along the way.

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2 News

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 26

CSUF discusses educational inequality The Academic Senate will apply a new policy to promote diversity and inclusivity.

ROBERTO ROMERO Staff Writer

Cal State Fullerton’s Academic Senate voted to implement a new policy that aims to dismantle structures of oppression within higher education.

According to the university policy statement, “CSUF shall eliminate institutional barriers that hinder the success of any Titan and strengthen anti-racist, culturally responsive, and equity minded practices across all campus communities.”

Aitana Guia, associate history professor and committee chair in diversity and inclusion, championed the proposal

and presented the topic during Thursday’s meeting.

“I can’t tell you how big of a deal this is for my committee and for our university,” Guia said. “There’s such a need for this document that when we finally brought it to my committee, people were relieved and acclaimed the document, so we pushed it as far as we could at the time.”

Guia said the committee was tasked with writing the report last year after the 2019 Black Student Union’s town hall and racial slurs on campus. The town hall was spurred by the use of a racial slur on a fraternity’s virtual flyer. The policy was pushed back due to COVID-19, prompting the committee to use that time to see what the campus was doing about diversity and inclusion. The committee made

recommendations on current diversity training practices, hiring practices, cultural taxation practices and procedures, Guia said.

The policy earned 43 votes out of 47. Multiple members of the senate took turns applauding the committee for its work on the policy, while stating the importance of the document and how it will serve the campus.

“This is something that we need as a document to help our work, not only in hiring — retention, strategic planning, a lot of our policies we want to have more guidance on. How do we include? How do we diversify? What is equity? And we really wanted that to be centralized in this document so that folks can refer to this document and that we all have a similar starting point in our discussions over diversity,

inclusion and equity,” said Alexandro Gradilla, Academic Senate secretary and associate professor of Chicana and Chicano studies.

Kristi Kanel, senator and professor of human services, said putting together the policy was a tedious process and that she hopes that it will be used as a precedent for future campus policies.

“All of our policies on every single committee, we can use this one policy here to help guide us as we revise to ensure that we are definitely an anti-racist and a proactive campus to really do the best we can to ensure that we don’t have unwarranted biases in any of our policies,” Kanel said.

The new policy will be coupled with a multi-part equitable pedagogy professional development training module

that will take 80 minutes to complete and will help current and future faculty develop inclusive and equitable approaches to learning. The training was presented to the senate by Carolyn Thomas, professor of American studies and provost and vice president for academic affairs at CSUF. Thomas said she hopes people see the guiding principles for social justice across all CSUF divisions.

“On our campus we all want to have every student walk into the classroom, meeting faculty who both believe in their ability to succeed and have the tools as teachers to ensure that they can learn effectively regardless of the way the student was taught previously, regardless of the inequities in our systems across the state,” Thomas said.

Return: Vaccine recall concerns some students 1 However, some CSUF students question CSU’s announcement to require the COVID-19 vaccination for the fall semester as some students said it is too soon.

Holly Yeh, a senior psychology major, said that while requiring the vaccine may sound like a good idea, it could also negatively affect students who are still recovering from the trauma endured through the pandemic.

“I think the school coming out and saying potentially they will require it is something that makes most people, on face value, feel more safe,” Yeh said.

CONTINUED FROM

“At the same time, I also feel that requiring people to get the COVID vaccine and show proof of it in the fall semester if they want to be an on campus student, it limits those people who are traumatized by everything that has happened this year.”

Yeh said the decision could also be adding pressure on students who have different political views regarding the vaccine and those who feel the vaccine is still unsafe to take.

“Some people that I know personally, they don’t want to take the vaccine because it scares them,” Yeh said. “Hundreds of thousands of people

died so people generally have less trust. A vaccine is permanent, once you get the vaccine you can’t take it back.

The school is essentially forcing people to get this vaccine, where it’s kinda like putting pressure on people.”

Yeh said that even though she will be fully vaccinated, she will still feel uncomfortable attending in-person classes.

Kevin Ncquown, a data analyst at an Orange County medical center and CSUF graduate student studying organizational leadership, said he is for the requirement of a vaccine but feels the decision has not been made with students’ interest in mind

and said h e believes it was influenced by other motives.

“On the one hand, yes they’re just doing it for everybody’s safety and you can be on campus and vaccinated if they are going to be on campus, then great. But I also worry about what other motivations they may have,” Ncquown said.

Ncquown said he believes the university’s motivation is not to protect students, but rather a decision rooted in the school’s financial interest.

“The university as an institution, they’re in part to generate revenue. And having these buildings that are empty, they are basically paying for it but

not having people use it,” Ncquown said. “So in some way they need to have students there in campus to generate money.

But I don’t feel like that’s their primary motive, I don’t think they would tell us if it was.”

Ncquown said an ideal solution would be a mixture of online classes and in-person classes when appropriate as it offers the best advantage. He added that he thinks it has some advantages.

“I don’t see it as an all or nothing, I do see some sort of middle ground being achieved,” Ncquown said.

Jessica Aitken contributed to this article.

Campus gym begins hiring staff for fall The Student Recreation Center still has no set reopening date.

LILY LOPEZ Asst. Editor

Cal State Fullerton’s Student Recreation Center has begun hiring for student staff positions for fall 2021, with no set date to reopen.

The SRC closed on March 16 of last year, along with other facilities operated by the Associated Students Inc. due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an email to the Daily Titan, Aaron Tapper, director of Titan Recreation, said that they currently do not have a specific date for when the facilities will open.

“We are currently in the process of hiring students and will go through standard training procedures,” Tapper said.

Past employees who were furloughed last year will have the option to return to their positions, Tapper said. He added that once the center establishes who will be returning to their previous jobs, the SRC will hire new staff to ensure the facilities and programs run adequately.

Tapper said that for the moment, the only positions open for hire in the SRC are for recreation attendant and customer service. He said if additional recruitment needs become VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

available, there will be an immediate post to the Associated Students career page.

Once the facility opens, Tapper said they will use a reservation system through their recreation software. He added that they will also have a specific capacity of patrons allowed in the building. Chase Spellman, a third-year kinesiology major, said she applied for a position at the SRC. Spellman said that she transferred to CSUF during the pandemic when the SRC was already closed and didn’t get the chance to experience the center.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity to work at the rec center! I’ve heard great things about it from classmates,” Spellman said.

Spellman also said she is looking forward to all the workout equipment and making new friends on campus once the center opens.

Carolyn Quintana, a second-year graduate student in clinical psychology, said once the SRC opens, she is looking forward to seeing peers and having a safe space to work out.

She said she misses the in-person classes the center used to offer and currently works out online at home, but it is not the same.

“I know CSUF will follow strict protocols to keep the gym

The Student Recreational Center will implement a reservation system when it reopens. (Anthony Robles / Daily Titan) clean, so that excites me the most — as I’m immunocompromised,” Quintana said.

Orange County is currently in the orange tier of California’s reopening plan. This less restrictive tier has allowed gyms and fitness centers to open and operate indoors with modifications.

Although gyms and fitness centers are now open indoors, Tapper said the facility abides not by state and county guidelines but also by the chancellor’s office, campus guidelines

and a reentry leadership team on campus who is in charge of deciding when the university can begin repopulating.

The SRC will continue to offer virtual programs throughout the summer to encourage people to stay connected through social media, Tapper said.

Virtual programs are offered weekly, such as fitness classes, personal training, circuit training, meditation and at-home virtual races.

Titan Outdoors is also offering students the opportunity

to hike in small groups to Cucamonga Peak, Mt. Baldy and Silverwood Lake for standup paddling. Students can access the virtual classes and group hike information by visiting their CSUF campus portal login.

“All students will need to reactivate their membership to gain access to the facility. We have a mobile app that provides easy access to the facility as well as a way to stay connected with Titan Recreation,” Tapper said.

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News 3

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 26

Formerly incarcerated student finds calling in higher education

Tickets: Guests could stand for two to three hours 1 With the new guest update, the guest participation rules listed on the website state that tickets must be claimed by graduates through the Marching Order registration portal and they can be scanned from a smartphone or printed for the day of the event. Masks are to be worn and social distancing will be required at all times.

Commencement will be a standing-only event, and guests and graduates could be standing for as long as two to three hours, according to the commencement website.

Once the graduates walk, they are able to leave the campus in order to stay within occupancy restrictions.

Jacqueline Snegg, a graduating health science major, said in an email to the Daily Titan that she will be participating in the in-person festivities as she wants to get the most of the opportunities granted at this time.

Snegg said she looks at it as a safe way to celebrate four CONTINUED FROM

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years of hard work, and something to look forward to after a year of remote learning.

“I feel as though the CSUF community has helped shape me into a responsible, driven and informed adult. I cannot wait to walk across the stage with my peers in honor of our accomplishments,” Snegg said.

Snegg said she is thankful for the opportunity to not only walk and create one more happy memory at Fullerton, but also that she gets to share it with her parents.

“My parents have been my biggest supporter throughout my experience at CSUF and it will be so special for all of us to be together for this milestone,” Snegg said.

The Titan Commencement Team will send out informational emails in the upcoming weeks on how students can register their guests and any protocol updates to ensure full health and safety compliance.

Miranda Lombrana contributed to this article.

Manuel Gomez, a graduating psyschology student at CSUF, and his family.

(Manuel Gomez) “Within a week, he got all his documents, he started school, and he just didn’t take the second opportunity at life for granted,” said Alanna Moreno-Gomez, his adopted daughter.

Moreno-Gomez said Gomez is selfless, and that he gives without hesitation. Gomez adopted Moreno-Gomez when he was younger in order to get her life-saving treatment for a rare blood disorder.

“He was only 20 years old, I think, and I was 12, but he was looking to save my life,” Moreno-Gomez said.

When Gomez first had a sip of orange juice upon being released from prison, Moreno said he almost cried. She said that having real eggs compared to the ones served in prison was a game changer.

“He started wearing extra small when he got out and now he’s extra large,” Moreno said.

Moreno said Gomez also volunteers with organizations to help previously incarcerated

people adapt to society after being released. He’s especially tech savvy, Moreno-Gomez said, and helps others learn how to navigate technology for school Gomez’s close friend, Paul Banchich, is one of the people Gomez has helped reintegrate back into society.

“I wouldn’t have this success that I’ve had thus far without his support, without his encouragement,” Banchich said. “If he’s on your side, you got it, you know, whatever you’re facing, whatever you need to get done.

If he’s on your side, you’re going to get it done, you know?”

Banchich said that he sometimes has to pinch himself knowing that Gomez is a friend of his that he can confide in. He said he enjoys the fact that Gomez can lighten any situation with his happy mood and sarcastic humor.

“To be able to have a situation to where I might, you know, put a lot of seriousness into, for him to just, you know, crack

some humour and kind of like, mellow the moment and kind of help me understand that it’s not all that serious,” Banchich said.

When deciding on which graduate school to commit to, Gomez said he thought of his wife and kids first. He said he originally got accepted by USC, Cal State Long Beach and UCLA “As much as I want to go to UCLA and really break the mold, formerly incarcerated guy going to the best public school, I took a step back and realized, you know what, my family sacrificed so much for me that, I’m not going to do that to them anymore,” Gomez said.

Gomez said choosing Long Beach for graduate school is the right choice for him.

“I get the best of both worlds, right,” Gomez said. “I still get the MSW (Master of Social Work), and I still get to be the dad that I want to be.”

EDITORIAL

Months after returning his prison uniform, Manuel Gomez walked into a job interview suited up in slacks, a dress shirt and a tie. He landed the job after just five minutes due to his honesty and vulnerability, said Jeannie Thompson, a former supervisor and now close friend and mentor to Gomez. Thompson said her first impression of Gomez made a huge impact on her decision to hire him, and she was struck by his transparent personality.

“In fact, when I left the interview, I immediately went over to our CEO and said, ‘I know he’s on parole, but I want to hire him. What can I do to hire him?’” Thompson said.

Gomez spent five years in prison for property crimes related to substance abuse and while incarcerated, he earned three associate’s degrees from Coastline Community College, Gomez said.

“I didn’t go to school in prison because I wanted to go to school. I went to school out of a necessity. For every college class that you take, you get three weeks off your sentence,” Gomez said. “And if you get an associate, you get six months off.

If you get a bachelor’s, you get another six months off. And if you get a master’s, you get another six months off.”

Gomez said he shortened his sentence by 1 ½ years. He described this as his vehicle to pursue education, but also said his wife and three kids were his biggest supporters. In June, Gomez, a military veteran, is set

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to graduate with a bachelor’s in psychology from Cal State Fullerton as one of the first ones in his family to pursue higher education “He is absolutely committed. Once he puts his mind to something, he doesn’t give up,” said Karisma Moreno, Gomez’s wife who also graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. “He likes to excel at everything he does. Good is not good enough.

Waking up early is not early enough.

Moreno said that on top of going to school, Gomez is working two jobs and volunteers, along with being a dad.

While Moreno describes him as resilient, smart and incredibly hard-working, Gomez attributes his success to the support he has received from her.

“She’s always been critical to my success. I think she deserves half my degree. That’s how supportive she’s been,” Gomez said.

Although Gomez is very serious about his studies, Moreno said the family has a golfing cage in the backyard, and one day Gomez decided to see how far he could hit the ball — outside the cage. A few days later a neighbor from three doors down the road came up to Gomez’s wife and accused the couple’s son of breaking their window, not knowing it was Gomez himself. Moreno said that one of the first things Gomez did when he was released from prison was go to the tattoo parlor. She said he got the dates he had been incarcerated tattooed on his wrist, as a reminder of his losses as well as motivation to never go back.

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4 Lifestyle

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 26

Support: Graduate cords available for pick up CONTINUED FROM 1 According to the LGBT Queer Resource Center website, “Lavender has no definitive origin or meaning, but the most common belief is that purple represents the mixing of gender normative colors such as pink and blue. Pink representing the mixing of cisgender femininity and blue representing cis- gender masculinity.

Combining the two gender assigned colors both blurs the lines between masculine and feminine which challenges society gender norms.”

Traditionally, the resource center’s Lavender Celebration encourages LGBTQ Titans to invite friends and family to see them walk across a stage, receive a free lavender cord and speak a few words to the crowd. Arellano said that these events

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were hosted in the Titan Student Union with food, guest speakers, music and community support before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a nice ceremony where graduating students can bring their friends, family, peers, whoever it is that they want to invite to really kind of see them walk across the stage, and you know, not the larger commencement stage, but our Lavender Celebration stage and receive their lavender cord,” Arellano said.

“It’s really just a really amazing, beautiful moment to be in community together to celebrate all the academic accomplishments of our students.”

Arellano said that the celebration is planned by the Lavender Celebration committee, which consists of LGBTQ identifying students and faculty. Arellano

said that the committee is smaller this year, but they are excited to have support from faculty and staff.

This year, the center will opt for a safe, socially distanced celebration hosted on campus. Arellano said that the staff originally planned to highlight graduating scholars completely online, using their Instagram page to honor graduates with a photo and a snippet of their favorite memories from campus or their future plans.

However, in response to the new guidelines, the center will now give students the option to pick up their cords in person when they register for the event.

Arellano said that the celebration will be hosted on May 14 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The pickup location will feature a photo booth, a photographer and

balloon decorations.

“We’re so excited. Myself and the QRC staff and some of the committee are going to be there to help out support and be there to celebrate our students after being over a year apart. It’s going to be really good to be back on campus,” Arellano said.

Students who do not wish to visit campus can choose to have their lavender cord mailed to them, and the cord will be delivered in a discrete package.

Registering for a lavender cord is open to all students in the LGBTQ community, and interested graduates can register at tinyurl. com/QRC-LavGrad21 .

The deadline to register is May 3.

Arellano said that students can also use that same form to sign up to be highlighted on the LGBT

Queer Resource Center’s instagram page on May 27.

The form will ask students to submit their name, favorite memory from their time at CSUF, post-graduate goals and a photo.

Students can also nominate themselves or someone else for the center’s PRISM Award — an accolade reserved for a graduate who is passionate, resilient, insightful, social justice oriented and makes a difference. The nomination form can be found at https://www.fullerton.edu/ lgbtq/lav-recognition/. The application will close on May 3, and the Lavender Celebration committee will choose the recipient. Arellano said that they hope to notify the awardee by May 27, so the winner can be featured on the center’s Instagram page alongside the other graduates.

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Lifestyle 5

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 26

Jennelle Gordon will release three TED Talks on May 30. (Beyond Freedom)

Jennelle Gordon uses public relations events to help spread awareness for human trafficking.

(Beyond Freedom) Jennelle Gordon participated in public relations events in Los Angeles. (Beyond Freedom)

Local organization raises awareness for human trafficking Jennelle Gordon founded Beyond Freedom to help survivors, like herself, heal and thrive.

KIM PHAM Asst. Editor

Within Cal State Fullerton’s Communications Department is a hard working senior, studying for a degree with an emphasis in advertising. But what her classmates probably don’t know when they meet her is that she is a human trafficking survior.

Jennelle Gordon founded the nonprofit organization, Beyond Freedom, to help women like herself get back on their feet after they have escaped or been rescued.

Having been trafficked for 10 years herself, starting at the age of 19, Gordon felt like she did not have the resources to heal after such a traumatic experience. Consequently, she created Beyond Freedom to bridge the gap between female survivors and the resources that should be available to assist them in recovery.

“When I got out, I basically had to fake my own death and started my life over by moving to, really fleeing, to an ashram in Thailand, where I was able to study the ancient practice of Tantra,” Gordon said.

Gordon said she healed by learning how to own her mind and thoughts with holistic healing practices and hopes that her organization would be able to teach other female survivors how to rescue themselves from their trauma. According to the organization’s website, their services include holistic wellness coaching, finance coaching, a bi-monthly Zoom for survivor support, group calls and more.

“I became obsessed with VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

holistic healing methodology because that’s how I healed and so, coming full circle, I really wanted to be able to provide the same types of healing that I experienced for other survivors,” Gordon said.

While the organization’s services mostly cater to female survivors, they have helped and worked with male survivors as well. However, Gordon emphasized that Beyond Freedom was created to help women, specifically, as she understands the struggles of being a female survivor and the shortcomings of her community in helping women reintegrate themselves into society.

“That really came out of me seeing the gap of when I got out of the life, when I was able to escape my traffickers, and seeing that there was little or no support at that time, which has been seven years ago now. So things have changed drastically for women that were coming out of the life that maybe had children or that just wanted to start over and wanted to have opportunities,” Gordon said.

According to a 2016 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report, women and girls make up around 71% of all trafficking victims.

Mission The organization’s ultimate purpose is to get individuals to participate in practical solutions to end human trafficking and support survivors on their journey to reclaiming their lives. Beyond Freedom also works to debunk myths about human trafficking and increase awareness through their five E’s: educate, elevate, empower, equip and enlighten.

The nonprofit currently operates internationally and virtually, but the organization’s roots can be traced back to

the spring of 2017 when Gordon founded Beyond Freedom as a club at her junior college, Orange Coast Community College.

“My goal at the time was just to help people in the community realize that human and sex trafficking was something that was happening here, even in the more affluent areas of Orange County, and not just in places, like, you know, there’s less developed areas or these more impoverished vulnerable areas that people normally think they would be,” Gordon said What started as a college club that hosted fundraising events on campus quickly turned into a certified nonprofit spreading their mission to the global community.

Services Beyond Freedom offers free holistic healing therapy modalities to survivors through one-on-one sessions, group therapy and promotional events. Activities include yoga, dance, music, meditation, nutrition and anti-aging health and wellness.

“I just wanted to be able to offer more services that really help survivors to holistically heal, and to give them opportunity often, to have businesses, to pursue education, to really do what they wanted to do, outside of just finding freedom and then getting into some job that was not really helping them and not really what they wanted to do,” Gordon said.

Gordon said Beyond Freedom is different from other survivor-led human trafficking organizations because they are not faith based, which means they are more open and willing to assist people from the LGBTQ community and are inclined to accept everyone.

“That’s our whole emphasis and focus, and we accept

anyone, and we want to serve anyone,” Gordon said. “We just want to help. So, help people heal, so that they can be empowered to live a life of striving and not just barely surviving.”

Human Trafficking Gordon said the pandemic buried a lot of important issues and human trafficking was no exception.

“It really broke my heart and a lot of people in the movement’s heart,” Gordon said. “We’re not doing justice or service to these women because studies are showing that these women end up back in the life, or they end up committing suicide because they can’t cope.”

Daisy Dena, a CSUF senior who has been volunteering for Beyond Freedom since February, said that human trafficking has definitely spiked since the onset of the pandemic because many people have become vulnerable as a result of losing jobs last year.

“It’s scary. You never really know who is going through what,” Dena said. “It can literally be the person sitting next to you in class that is going through something during the night, but during the day, they’re still going to school but yet they are still having to do and provide the only way they know how because they’re being trafficked by their own family members.”

Beyond Freedom took their classes and sessions online, making their resources available at no cost.

April 29 On April 29, Beyond Freedom will host an online event to debunk some of the misconceptions about human trafficking. The event will serve as a platform for survivors to share their challenges, their wins and how they have

healed or reclaimed their lives.

“By giving women a voice, and having them share what their stories have been like coming out of the life, and also share with us some of the wins that they’ve had, and what they’re doing in the world, and how we can support them as people, support their businesses and things like that,” Gordon said.

Gordon said one of the ways some organizations exploit the survivors is by having them speak at events like these, raising millions of dollars, but only writing the survivor a $500 check. She said that she believes people can support these women better by celebrating their wins and embracing non traditional processes for rehabilitation.

“How we end it is by bringing these women back into the community and fully supporting them. And that’s what this event is doing. And it’s also just creating awareness too to many people about this,” Gordon said.

On top of running a nonprofit organization operating internationally and attending CSUF part-time, Gordon also runs an independent business called The O Factors, where she provides relationship and intimacy coaching.

When Gordon started at CSUF, she decided to major in advertising because the corresponding courses for the major were available at the Irvine Campus, but quickly found that she had a knack for public relations stunts.

Gordon is also releasing her first book, “The 8 Faces of Freedom” on May 30. On the same day, her first of three TED Talks in Arizona will also premiere.

“We are seeking to make history by creating the human trafficking genre in the TED live, which has not been done yet,” Gordon said.

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6 Lifestyle

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 26

Column: The love doctors are back with new prescriptions TAYLOR ARREY MADELINE GRAY Editors

Welcome to your appointment with the love doctors!

We are here to assist with any questions or concerns you have about the health of your love life. To those of you looking for new love or to strengthen your relationships — read on to get the doctors’ advice.

As life starts returning to normal, so is the dating scene — online and in-person. But while the world may be transitioning back to normalcy, dating is still as confusing as ever. That’s why we’re here to help.

Sit back, relax and let us tackle your questions. Your prescription will be ready soon.

Will my partner really care whether my style is dressed up or more about comfort?

No. Before you start stressing about what your partner thinks about your style, remember that they chose you. They fell for every part of you, and while they may like to see you dressed up or down on certain occasions, their biggest concern should always be your happiness and comfort.

If that person cares about

you, they’ll want you to wear whatever makes you feel good. Confidence is sexy. Of course, your partner might ask you to dress up for dinner once in a while or grab a casual outfit for a night in, but ultimately, your style should reflect your personality no matter what your partner thinks.

We recommend embracing the style you have.

How do I get over an ex that’s still in the same social circle as me?

We’re not going to lie — dating and breaking up within the same social circle is a rough and tough ride, but moving on is not impossible. The most important part of this process is establishing some distance.

Whether you were together for a few months or a few years, you’ll have to give the social circle and yourself time to adjust, now that you and your partner are separated.

If your ex is part of your friend group, meetings are inevitable, so it’s critical to lay the foundation for a healthy coexistence after the breakup. You’re going to need some space to process your feelings without the pressure of the group. The truth is, everyone will have an opinion, but your emotions should always come first. We recommend taking

time for self-care. You may vent to close friends outside of your usual group, or find comfort in the perfect breakup playlist, as long as it’s time that should be spent away from the social circle.

Socializing in the same circle will seem intimidating, but remember that these are your friends too and they want to see you happy.

If things still feel shaky, try setting boundaries. Let your friends know that you do not want to hear about your ex, and don’t force yourself to be your ex’s friend right away.

The doctors prescribe time, distance and patience to ensure that the social circle’s atmosphere is not clouded by leftover feelings and negativity.

How do I stay safe and cautious while online dating?

Online dating can be a great way to meet new people, especially considering the circumstances the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on us. However, while this is an exciting new venture, you’re still essentially talking to a stranger on the internet. Remember to proceed with caution.

After you’ve virtually connected and started to get familiar with this special someone, checking out their personal social media

accounts can help you be certain that they are being truthful about who they are. If you choose to meet up with your new date, find your own transportation and pick a popular spot that you’re familiar with.

Additionally, make sure to let your friends and family know your whereabouts so they can keep in touch.

Whether you’re scrolling through dating apps or sliding into someone’s DMs, it’s important to keep your safety in mind. All things considered, don’t forget to keep an open mind to the great new people you may meet.

How do I become friends with my ex?

Trying to begin a friendship after ending your relationship can be a bumpy road. Despite its instability, becoming friends with your former partner isn’t impossible. Don’t be hard on yourself if things haven’t panned out the way you want them to just yet.

Your ex may need some time to heal their broken heart and that’s OK. Give them that space to recover from the relationship and then reach out again when the time is right. By letting them know that you care about them and that you want to be friends, they won’t feel unsure about your intentions.

The doctors recommend that you be patient with your ex and remain true to your boundaries.

I have trouble being vulnerable with my partner; how can I learn to break down my walls?

It’s all about baby steps.

The walls we put up to protect ourselves were not built in a day, and they can’t be destroyed in one either. The first step is recognizing that vulnerability is not your strong suit. Once you and your partner accept this, you can work together to find ways to bring out the best in one another.

Take advantage of small moments. Being vulnerable doesn’t mean that you have to lay your heart on the line everyday. Sometimes, it can be as simple as telling your partner that you need help with something or expressing your feelings even when you might not want to. It’s important to praise yourself for every small success and embrace each step. It can be scary, but your partner will likely appreciate that you’re trying, even if it feels like you’re not going as fast as you would like.

We recommend trust and patience with a healthy dose of communication.

Being open and vulnerable is a long-distance marathon, not a sprint.

CINDY PROAÑO / DAILY TITAN VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

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Lifestyle 7

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 26

Movie

REVIEW

‘Mortal Kombat’ is a successful spin on the original

CAMILLE MANALOTO Asst. Editor

Instantly recognizable for its fantastical characters, ninjas, brutal fighting and over-the-top gratuitous violence, the video game Mortal Kombat has remained a true classic amongst gamers since its debut in 1992 as an arcade game.

Nearly 30 years after its release, the franchise is back with a new live-action film based on the game titled “Mortal Kombat.” The movie premiered on April 23 in theatres and exclusively on HBO Max to stream through May 23.

Fans will recall that this is not the game’s first attempt at a film series. After two attempts in the 90s with “Mortal Kombat” (1995) and “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation” (1997), the film series dwindled while the video game series continued to gain popularity with newer game consoles.

The new film’s director, Simon McQuoid, made his movie debut with this 2021 rendition of “Mortal Kombat” and gave the film series a fresh start, steering away from the previously established movies while still maintaining the lore of the original video game.

For fans of the video game series, the 2021 film brings to life many of the original characters, including signature moves, costumes and an element that is arguably the most important — the gore. The R

(HBO MAX)

rating is well earned as this movie is not suitable for young viewers.

The opening scene begins in 17th century Japan, where Hanzo Hasashi, played by Hiroyuki Sanada, is attacked in his home by an assassin named Bi-Han, also known as Sub-Zero, played

by Joe Taslim. After finding his wife and son frozen to death, Hasashi and Bi-Han go headto-head in the first fight of the movie.

These events ultimately set up the rivalry between two classic characters in the game

“Scorpion” and “Sub-Zero,” both of whom are essential to the film’s plot.

Jumping forward to the modern day, a new character is introduced to the series. Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan, is an amateur MMA fighter with a dragon birthmark. After a series of attacks by Sub-Zero, he is saved by Jax, played by Mehcad Brooks, and meets Sonya Blade, played by Jessica McNamee, and Kano, played by Josh Lawson, who are all original video game characters.

This is when Cole learns that

his birthmark symbolizes the chosen fighters in a tournament of realms called Mortal Kombat, where they must battle to keep Earthrealm safe from Outworld, who is fighting to take over humanity.

The first half of the movie moves at breakneck speed in an effort to introduce the audience to all the characters, with new characters entering in almost every scene — which is necessary for viewers that are unfamiliar with the franchise.

The quick introduction of characters lays down the foundation of the film. The fight scenes in the first half are strong, action-packed and keep the audience wanting more.

The second act of the film starts to lull when the fighters are taken to a temple to train.

They meet Liu Kang, played by Ludi Lin, Kung Lao, played by Max Huang, and Lord Raiden, played by Tadanobu Asano. Liu Kang and Kung Lao are two of the original game characters, and some fans could argue that they are the most iconic characters in the franchise.

The movie’s protagonists eventually discover their inner power or “Arcana,” which will help them to defeat the evil forces of Outworld who seek to conquer Earthrealm. These action-heavy fights, pitting opponent vs. opponent, are much like the classic fighting style of the original game.

However, this part of the movie might lose viewers because it can feel drawn

out and predictable.

Kano provides a source of light in these long, dark scenes with his comic-relief, one-liners and jabs at the other characters.

Compared to him, the other characters are deadly serious, so it would’ve been fun to see the other characters jab back.

The penultimate fight scenes are rewarding and fans get to see the characters go one on one with the villains from the Outworld realm. Moves from the video games come to life alongside some famous catch phrases as well.

Overall, “Mortal Kombat” can withstand holding the attention of both beloved fans of the franchise as well as a new audience because the storyline dives deeper into the Mortal Kombat universe.

The computer-generated imagery in the fighting scenes, while not the best, does capture that iconic video game essence.

There are some twists and turns throughout the movie that will keep you watching during the longer monologues as you wait for the next fight scene.

The ending of the movie hints at a sequel with Lord Raiden giving the group another list of champions to find when Outworld inevitably attacks again, but Warner Bros. has yet to make an official announcement about a second film. For now, fans will have to be satisfied with the individuality of the first movie and the way it brought some of their favorite characters to life.

Workshop explores creative worldbuilding The Japanese Anime Club taught students how to design original characters.

KORIN CHAO Staff Writer

When the weight of reality feels like it’s too much to bear, escaping to another world is an ideal option. With a dash of creativity, students can build their own world complete with characters and a unique atmosphere.

Cal State Fullerton’s Japanese Anime Club hosted an online original character and worldbuilding workshop on April 23 via Twitch to help students create their own world with new design concepts.

The club’s event planner, Virginia Nguyen, was the first presenter; she provided attendees with her advice about worldbuilding.

Nguyen said that fellow creators and artists should start by looking at the worlds that they already know and love to find elements and details that stand out and make these worlds interesting. She also explained that new creators should maintain their suspension of disbelief to make the audience want to learn more about their world.

“It basically means to ignore common sense for the VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

sake of enjoyment,” Nguyen said.

Nguyen told attendees that they can add depth to original characters by asking themselves what relationship their character has to the world.

“So, what’s the culture like? How does the environment look like? What are the dangers, what happens when you break the rules, etc.,” Nguyen said. “And then, after you ask these questions, do the research.”

Nguyen also said that students don’t need to be experts, but it will help if they can build a comprehensive understanding of how their world works. However, she said that students shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that characters are the most important part of the story.

Nguyen used her own original characters as examples and described her thought process behind the design of each of her characters, connecting their features to different elements of her world.

Nguyen said there are two types of worldbuilding: soft and hard. Soft worldbuilding includes worlds that are more vague and leave most of the interpretation up to the audience. Hard worldbuilding involves more elaborate and detailed worlds, and because of that, they are more believable.

“This is when the creator knows and tells you as much as they can about the world and the characters without bogging it down with exposition,” Nguyen said.

Some examples of hard worldbuilding are “Fullmetal Alchemist,” “My Hero Academia,” and “One Piece.

The presentation also went over Jule Selbo’s “Eleven-Step Story Arc,” which explained the different elements of the story such as the character’s overall needs and the moment when everything goes well and falls apart.

The president of the club, Sandra Leo, helped students distinguish between original characters and fan original characters “Your original characters, or OC, will exist primarily in an original storyline that you’ve created, whereas a fan original character exists primarily in the storyline that is created by somebody else,” Leo said.

“My Hero Academia” was used in a hypothetical example to explain what fan original characters are. Leo said that if a creator were to make up a character that resides in that world and interacts with actual characters from that anime, the character would be considered a fan OC. Leo said that as long as creators are only inserting their OCs into existing worlds and storylines for fun

CSUF’s Japanese Anime Club gathered for an event in January 2020. (Sandra Leo) and their enjoyment, they shouldn’t run into legal issues. It is only when a creator attempts to monetize these actions that they could run into legal trouble.

Leo also distinguished between a fan character and a redesign of a character. Leo said that a good rule of thumb is to keep in mind that if a creator is only tweaking one or two features of a character, like hair color or body type, it is a redesign. However, if a character has some of the story elements incorporated into it, and a unique personality and background, it’s a fan original character.

The presenters also made sure to spend time talking about character diversity.

They said that there doesn’t have to be a specific reason to give a character certain features or characteristics unless it is plot-related.

However, they said that creators should refrain from stereotyping their characters because it can be harmful to certain groups and perpetuate negative beliefs.

The club ended the workshop with a Q&A session where presenters answered questions from the stream viewers about OC creation and worldbuilding.

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8 Opinion

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 26

Online friendships provide fulfillment Internet users should not feel ashamed for building connections on social media.

CARA PEDERSEN Staff Writer

In this day and age, when we meet new people it is more common to give out our social media handles before we even think about giving out our phone number. Amid the digital era, more people are creating connections and relationships with individuals around the globe without ever meeting them in person.

Despite social media growing as a major platform for connections, stigma still surrounds the concept of online friendships, with some asserting that these connections aren’t as fulfilling as in person ones.

In reality, online friendships are just as meaningful as in-person friendships, as they provide a unique and easy connection between people who have similar interests in a variety of subjects like music, art, videos and more.

When considering the legitimacy of virtual friendships, it is clear to see that these connections, like those in real life, have both pros and cons.

According to Psychology Today, there are three main “motivating factors” that contribute to developing a friendship: shared interests,

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CINDY PROAÑO / DAILY TITAN

shared activities and proximity. We tend to also have some extra details we look for, such as appearance, status and similar values that can measure potential friends.

When meeting people online, these extra details aren’t often used, especially on platforms like Reddit where most users’ faces aren’t even on their profile. With these factors out of mind, online friendships can grow solely from mutual interests.

Online friendships offer plenty of benefits. For one, it’s easy for users to connect with those with similar hobbies or opinions. Social media apps like Facebook and Instagram offer great ways of figuring out what interests you have and recommending accounts and people for you to follow or even connect with.

Also, online friendships are great for introverts who may feel uncomfortable starting conversations or walking up to a group of

people. By being online, users can passively send messages to anyone without awkward small talk.

People who feel more comfortable online are thus better able to create fulfilling connections — maybe even more fulfilling than their in-person ones.

Online friendships can also sometimes evolve at a faster pace. In an ABC article, psychologist Leanne Hall shares that due to the anonymity of being online, people may find it easier

to share aspects of themselves that are usually difficult to discuss otherwise.

Online friends may feel more comfortable sharing their flaws, mental illnesses and fears without worrying about being laughed at or judged.

When comparing online and in-person friendships, it’s often shared that a big con of having online friendships is not being able to read the other person’s expressions or watch their body language. However, online connection is continuously evolving.

This generation is constantly being introduced to new ways to connect with more people and form even closer connections.

Online friendships can exist outside of the chatroom through video chats such as Zoom or FaceTime, where you can truly see the person you’re talking to.

Having online friends and relationships are as equally fulfilling as in-person friendships — just in a different way. Online connections introduce a safer place for people to be themselves and express their interests and passions in an environment they feel is more accepting or less likely to hurt them.

Online friendships should be as equally celebrated and accepted as in-person ones. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to diminish the stigma surrounding online friendships.

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Opinion 9

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 26

Film industry exploits Black trauma Racism-fueled plots dismiss meaningful storylines for Black community.

CAMERON WINSTON Staff Writer

After the exhausting trial and conviction for the murder of George Floyd, which was only worsened by the multiple instances of police brutality across the country, the Black community became more depressed and hopeless for America’s future.

To unwind from the ugly reality of institutionalized racism in America, some Black individuals might dive into self-care activities like watching television. However, with the rise and fixation of Black trauma, Hollywood platforms and studios have seemed to make a trend of creating stories that highlight the horrific experiences Black

people try to escape from.

Black history is known throughout time to detail suffering and traumatic events. By continuing themes of slavery, police brutality and Black struggle in film, producers, some of the most prominent and influential storytellers, reveal a lack of consideration regarding how people perceive the Black community.

Black representation, outside of a traumatic history, is essential in today’s film and TV; it impacts past, present and future generations and allows Black individuals to see themselves as more than society’s dehumanizing stereotypes.

Black depiction in films and TV tends to be in the Black trauma films like slavery, police brutality films, or any racial or segregation film.

In a column for The Hollywood Reporter, Kareem

Abdul-Jabbar, editor and NBA Hall of Famer, addressed the dangers of slavery-focused films such as ”Django Unchained” and ”12 Years a Slave.”

Expressing concern over the effects on both Black and white audiences from these films, Abdul-Jabbar said, “I also worry that so many movies about slavery risk defining African Americans’ participation in American history primarily as victims rather than as victors in a continuous battle for economic and social freedom.”

The country needs movies that teach more about Black history than just suffering; it needs films highlighting what Black excellence and expression really mean.

“Black Panther,” directed

by Ryan Coogler, is one example of a film that showcased Black experiences apart from racism and violence. The film was not just

one of the highest-grossing films of all time, but more importantly, a sense of Black pride and hope for a world that never stripped culture and identity away from them.

“Here you have a film where Black people are kings and queens, innovators and leaders, and this fosters the ideas of respect and admiration,” Richard Irvin said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune.

“Rarely do you see black people in positive roles and I feel this will have a positive effect on the community.”

In television, Issa Rae’s “Insecure” is another excellent example of highlighting the everyday life of Black Americans navigating through the world while still addressing essential messages of Blackness.

Stories like these are what benefit and uplift the community. Shows and movies that prioritize

trauma, on the other hand, don’t help Black individuals escape from the horror of reality or be hopeful for a life that can be different.

We do not need to see more and more productions centered around death by the hand of racism or unjust incarceration of Black brothers and sisters. We need films that show us the truth hidden from the public by the whitewashed history of America — stories separated from hate and segregation.

The history of Black people in America must not always showcase the negative but also reflect the beauty and the innovations from their past.

Let Black creatives show a new era of storytelling that emulates identity, culture, pride, love, heroes, horror and much more.

Those stories are the true Renaissance and identity of Black culture in America.

One trial doesn’t prove court reform Derek Chauvin’s conviction is the start toward dismantling institutional racism.

VANESSA SIGUENZA Asst. Editor

On May 25, George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, begged for air under Derek Chauvin’s weight, a former Minneapolis police officer.

Captured on video, Chauvin pinned his knee on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and thirty seconds because Floyd supposedly purchased cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill. After Americans witnessed his death, civil unrest erupted in cities across the country. Once the verdict was read, a wave of relief overcame Floyd’s family and the public.

Since March 29, the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis had been holding Chauvin’s trial. On April 20, the jury reached a verdict, finding Chauvin guilty and charged for manslaughter, as well as second-degree and third-degree murder.

However, acknowledging one case of police brutality in the courts barely scratches the surface of necessary reform in the fragmented justice system.

A single conviction in a high-profile case won’t halt police officers in their tracks from abusing their authoritative power. This is because police officers’ power stems from the Supreme Court’s vague enforcement of the “reasonable use of force” test. Chauvin’s lawyer, Eric Nelson, mentioned it in trial to protect and rationalize his conduct.

Ever since the Supreme Court’s 1989 decision in Graham v. Connor, police officers are preconditioned to have a tough-on-crime approach. Former Justice Rehnquist’s words still ring true, “the calculus of reasonableness must embody allowance for the fact that police officers are often forced to make VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

MARGARET TRAN / DAILY TITAN split-second judgments — in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving — about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation.”

Yet, police officers are not above nor immune to the law once they betray the Constitution. The Minnesota court system held Chauvin accountable, and other court systems must follow precedence when reforming police protocols.

A compelling amount of evidence pointed to Chauvin’s guilt, including the testimony of Medaria Arradondo, the chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, who said that Chauvin “absolutely” violated its policies when he knelt on Floyd’s neck. His remarks are a rare spectacle; a police officer condemning one of his fellow peers is few and far between. Chauvin’s case exemplifies the rarity of public servants facing the repercussions of vile misconduct.

Renée Graham, The Boston Globe columnist and associate editor, said in an

interview on MSNBC’s “The Last Word” that Floyd would not be dead if not for systemic racism and white supremacy.

“And that’s what’s on trial here. It’s not just one police officer who did this thing on that day. It’s an entire system that created the climate for George Floyd’s murder,” Graham said.

The court system has to recognize that Chauvin’s trial shouldn’t be the sole outlier in police accountability.

What’s more disheartening is that during Chauvin’s time serving in the Minneapolis Police Department, at least 17 misconduct complaints have been filed against him.

Without consequences to these complaints, Floyd’s life was wrongfully placed in the palms of Chauvin.

Additionally, the excessive use of force can no longer be defended by the court systems. Phillip Matthew Stinson, a criminal justice expert at Bowling Green State University said only 139 police officers have been arrested and charged with murder

or manslaughter since 2005.

This is a low record compared to the 1,000 fatal police shootings that occur every year.

Undoubtedly, hypercriminalization would encourage the criminal justice system and law enforcement to perceive Black lives as trivial in the white gaze. Nonetheless, a confluence of social and legal forces shouldn’t guarantee a shielded reputation for police officers, especially if they commit criminal acts.

A culture of accountability has to be adopted into police departments, the criminal justice system and court systems to chip away at institutional racism. A redress of policies such as repealing qualified immunity, which protects police officers from lawsuits, could prevent them from applying deadly force.

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, which would scrutinize policing practices and hold law enforcement accountable, has to be passed in the Senate.

The bill includes lowering the criminal intent standard

to convict a police officer in a federal prosecution and authorizes the Department of Justice to issue subpoenas to investigate practices of discrimination. If it passes, court systems are in for a transformative change toward racial equality. The history of policing would be rewritten and executed by the courts.

The fight for justice for a murdered unarmed civilian cannot be a perpetual cycle.

Case after case, a mourning family reminisces the last moments they interacted with their beloved son or daughter.

Court systems can no longer turn a blind eye to police officers that become traitors to their badge and the Constitution. The generational trauma and oppression often justified by court systems can be no more. America is on trial for institutional racism, and we will be victorious in hopes for a more phenomenal America.

May Floyd rest in power, and may his legacy propel Americans toward promised life and liberty.

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10 Sports

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 26

Split: Titans take two on the road CONTINUED FROM 1 After all was said and done, Northridge emerged victorious by a score of 11-1 with the win going to Sodersten and the loss to Bibee.

The teams played a double-header on Saturday and game one was a hotly contested showdown that went to extra innings.

Things started much better for the Titans in game one by taking an early one-run lead in the first inning. The Matadors answered with a run in the fourth and two in the sixth, which gave them a 3-2 lead before the Titans tied it at three in the next inning.

The game stayed tied until the tenth inning when Fullerton exploded with a three-run lead and held on to win the game by a score of 6-4. Michael Weisberg got the win with three strong innings out of the bullpen for the Titans and Cameron Repetti got the save in the 10th.

The second game started slow for both teams, with the game tied at one by the end of the fourth inning. Things went very bad for Fullerton when Northridge exploded for six runs in the fifth inning, two in the sixth inning and another one in the seventh inning to give the Matadors a 10-1 lead.

Fullerton showed they weren’t

going to quit by tacking on a run in the eighth inning, but ultimately fell by a score of 10-2.

Michael Knorr was credited with the loss for the Titans after pitching four innings and being tagged for five earned runs. Jeremy Hassel earned the win for the Matadors, as he pitched five strong innings, gave up one run on five hits and struck out four Titans.

The final game of the series took place on Sunday afternoon and like game one on Saturday, it was another close contest that was decided in extra innings.

It was another pitcher’s duel to start the final game with Fullerton’s Kyle Luckham, throwing

6.2 innings, giving up just one earned run, battling against Blaine Traxel, who pitched eight innings and gave up three earned runs. Northridge was winning 3-1 when the Titan offense scored four runs to take a late 5-3 lead in the eighth inning.

The lead would not be for long as the Matadors had their own late rally to tie the game at five to send the game to extra innings.

The game was decided by a huge two out RBI single from Dylan Pigford that gave the Titans a one-run lead. In an unusual decision, usual starter Bibee came out of the bullpen

to finish the ninth and close out the tenth to give the Titans a 6-5 victory, and series split.

Despite the loss on Friday, Bibee earned the win on Sunday out of the bullpen while Kyle Hoskins was credited with the loss for Northridge.

Fullerton’s record moves the Titans to 10-6 in conference play which puts them at fourth place in the Big West behind Cal State Bakersfield, UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine. Up next is a four game home series at Goodwin Field against the visiting University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Game one is on Friday with first pitch slated at 5 p.m.

Jackson Lyon, seen here on April 20, batted 1-4 with an RBI at Cal State Northridge on Sunday. (Andre Gomez / Daily Titan)

First: Titans continue to dominate 1 Freshman pitcher Staci Chambers got the starting nod for Fullerton in game four on Sunday where she went four innings while only giving up two hits. She was relieved by Ellie Zellein and Alexia Silvas who helped keep the Gauchos off the board in their combined shutout effort. Chambers earned her second win of the season as a starting pitcher while Silvas earned her first save.

Alyssa Hernandez put the Titans on the board in the first with a solo home run. Kika Ramirez recorded a 2-run home run herself in the fourth inning that gave Fullerton enough CONTINUED FROM

for the victory.

The final game of the weekend appeared to be an outlier in the series as Fullerton ousted Santa Barbara in the first three contests.

On Friday the Titans opened the series with a 10-0 rout where Fullerton scored at least one run in each of the five innings in the shortened matchup. Saturday featured a doubleheader where both contests followed similar scripts.

The first half of the doubleheader ended in a 9-2 victory for Fullerton which was soon followed by a 9-1 win by the Titans.

While the team efforts could be commended as a

whole, a few Titans improved their resumes with their individual performances.

Pitcher Sophie Frost recorded her 100th strikeout of the season on Friday while earning the shutout victory.

The senior replicated her efforts on Saturday where she picked up her second victory of the weekend, pitching five innings and giving up two runs in the Titan’s’ first win of the day. For the season, Frost has a 16-3 record with a 1.92 ERA and 106 strikeouts.

Outfielder Kelsie Whitmore extended her hitting streak to 11-straight games in addition to reaching base safely through 22 consecutive

contests. Whitmore put up an exceptional performance on Saturday in game three of the series, hitting two home runs in the matchup with three RBIs. The senior has nine home runs on the season while batting .352 with 23 RBIs. Daisy Munoz extended her on-base streak to 22 games as well. She had a solid day at the plate in game two of the series on Saturday, earning three hits on the afternoon to go along with a home run.

For the season, Munoz has a .339 batting average with 32 RBIs. Hannah Becerra had two home runs over the weekend, both coming in both games

of Saturday’s doubleheaders.

The freshman leads the Big West in the category with 11 for the season while also having the second most RBIs at 37.

Keeping their conference record unscathed, the Titans’ overall record stands at 31-12.

Fullerton has gone 22-2 since a three-game skid in the beginning of March as they head into the home stretch of their conference schedule with three series’ remaining for the season.

The Titans will hit the road next week for a threegame series against Cal Poly Sal Luis Obipso with game one set to begin on Friday at 5 p.m.

Daisy Munoz extended her on-base streak to 22 games on Saturday at home against UC Santa Barbara. (Andre Gomez / Daily Titan) VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

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Leisure 11

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 26

WRITTEN by Stepheny Gehrig

Do you know where Tuffy is?

Follow @thedailytitan and submit your answer on Instagram for a chance to win.

This week, Aries, you might find yourself being controlling with those around you. Most likely you might not see it, but those close to you will recognize it. Try to teach yourself that some things cannot be controlled, and that some things may be out of your hands.

Finding a balance between work and your social life may be essential this week. Going into the week, you may find yourself to be overwhelmed.

Try using a calendar or planner to create a visual for all of your upcoming tasks and events.

Gemini, this week is all about achieving. YOu may feel like you’ve been putting in all this work without seeing any payoff -- but here it all comes.

This week you’ll find yourself achieving everything you set out for.

Follow us @thedailytitan This week, you’ll be very sociable. You might feel like you’re speaking without thinking and some relationships may be at stake because of this. Try to remind yourself to think before you speak, and maybe even take a pause before you say anything.

Homemade Orange Julius Ingredients: • 1 can of Orange Juice Concentrate • 1 cup Milk • 1/2 Cup cream • 1/2 Cup water • 12 Ice cubes • 1/4 tsp Vanilla Directions: 1. Take the can of frozen Orange Juice Concentrate out of the freeze and let it sit for 20 minutes to “soften up” 2. Dump all ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth! That’s it!

This week might not pan out favorably for you. Your luck may be down in regards to romance this week, but keep your head high. Aim to recognize your emotions as this turmoil may prove to be useful in identifying your own needs.

This week, take some time to get to know yourself. Dive deep into your likes and dislikes, and try to see if your taste has changed. Who knows, maybe something you didn’t like before might be your new favorite thing.

Spreading gossip and starting rumours might prove to be your downfall this week. Although participating in these activities may be fun for you, it can destroy some relationships and friendships.

Be cautious about the things you say and who you say them to.

This week, Scorpio, learn to be frugal. During the week, you may feel a need to spend on items you do not need. Remind yourself that you do not need to purchase frivolous items. Try to seek ways to invest and save your money.

Your confidence will be bountiful this week.

As you head into the beginning of the week, learn to embrace this confidence as it will follow you throughout the month. To keep this confidence consistent, try writing affirmations or start new routines that will promote positive energy.

This week, Capricorn, you will face a lot of obstacles. As you come into the beginning of the week, things might be tense between you and your friends and family. However, this weekend will bring clarity to your troubles and lower the stressors that burdened you this week.

You’ll feel adventurous this week. Filled with adrenaline and ambition, you might find yourself seeking adventures in new territories. Maybe look at new hiking trails or spaces to camp.

Pisces, this week you may feel very emotional. As we head into a full moon this week, you might find yourself emotionally drawn to others as well as emotionally. vulnerable. Seek out others who compliment your personality and are uplifting.

Geography Club Welcome to CSUF Geography Club! The CSUF Geography Club is an interactive organization that facilitates outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, volunteering, and policy advocacy opportunities, social events, and an all-around great time. We also hold an annual All Points of the Compass symposium, which allows our students, faculty, and professionals alike to share their personal and academic research. There is no need to be a Geography major to join the club, and there are no fees.

For your club or organization to be featured, email production@dailytitan.com with photo(s) and a description with no more than 125 words.

“Being able to be your true self is one of the strongest components of good mental health.”

- Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

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12 Sports

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 26

Titans outpace Anteaters in OC Dual CSUF’s men’s team won in their division while UCI’s women’s won theirs.

CAMILLE MANALOTO Asst. Editor

Cal State Fullerton’s track and field team took on UC Irvine in the OC Dual on Thursday. The Fullerton men’s team won in their performances while Irvine’s women’s team won for their division.

The field events kicked off with Connor Anderson’s first place throw of 57.12 meters, or 187 feet, 5 inches. Tanner Miller’s toss of 186-5 took second place.

Ernesto Collazo won the men’s pole vault, clearing 4.82 meters, or 15 feet, 9 3/4 inches. Samuel Heinrichs also cleared 15-9 3/4, while Daniel Palacio finished in third.

On the women’s team, Iesha Hamm won the high jump and remains undefeated this season after clearing 1.76 meters, or 5 feet, 5 1/4 inches. Alexis Vincent-Walker took second place with a score of 5 feet, 5 1/4 inches, and Jelani Minix cleared 5 feet 3 1/4 inches, securing third place.

Evalen Garcia won the women’s shot put with a toss of 12.89 meters, or 42 feet, 3 1/2 inches. Erika Flaherty won the pole vault clearing 3.51 meters, or 11 feet, 6 1/4 inches, and Andrea Woods won the javelin throw with a

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John Welch set a personal best in the men’s 1500 m at UC Irvine on Thursday with a time of 4:00.54. (CSUF Athletics) score of 35.14 meters, or 115 feet, 3 inches.

On the track, Christian Wood, Naythn Scruggs, Charlie Pierce and Parris Samaniego took first place in the 4-x-100-meter relay

with a time of 41.55 seconds. John Welch took first place in the men’s 1500-meter and beat his personal record with a time of 4 minutes, 0.54 seconds.

Charles Kelly won the

men’s 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.35 seconds. Justin Lowe won the 400 meter at 47.79 seconds.

Kelly came in a close second with a time of 47.7982 and Reyte Rash took third

place with a time of 48.43, completing a sweep for the Titans.

The men’s team swept another victory in the 100-meter race. Nathyn Scruggs won first place with a time of 10.83 seconds. Rasaun House ran 10.84, taking second, while Wood took third place with a time of 10.98 seconds.

Lowe also took first place in the men’s 200 dash with a time of 21.67 seconds. Lowe, House, Rash and Kelly finished off the meet by winning the men’s 4-x-400-meter relay with a time of 3 minutes, 15.33 seconds.

The women’s track team swept the 400 relay, with Maya Occiano finishing in first place with a time of 57.89 seconds.

Her teammates Jenna Krogstag and Toren Dunbar took second and third place respectively.

Samantha Huerta won the women’s 800 with a time of 2 minutes, 6.47 seconds, earning herself 18thplace in the West Region.

Lauren Velasco took third place in the women’s 1500 and ran a new personal best with a time of 4:50.63. Tammy Vien also ran a personal best in the women’s 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.69 seconds. CSUF will be competing at the UC Riverside and Long Beach State Invitationals on Thursday and Friday for the final two meets before the Big West Championships, set to begin Friday, May 7, in Irvine.

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