MONDAY DEC 11, 2017
VOLUME 102 ISSUE 51
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
Editor’s Note History has proven that each generation goes through its own period of condemnation coming from its predecessors, and millennials are currently having their go around. To be a millennial is to be lazy, entitled, materialistic and over sensitive. We are perceived to be uniquely self-centered and untethered to the demands of reality. While this narrative is more or less true for a number of my peers, it ignores the outstanding circumstances that young adults have found themselves in today. Tuition rates have skyrocketed, the housing and job markets are in constant turmoil and resources for social programs are scarce. Millennials have been raised by older generations with the promise of success in exchange for hard work, only to be
hindered by the poor decisions made by those older generations. This special issue of the Daily Titan is written by millennials, about millennials and for millennials. As the student voice of Cal State Fullerton, we set out to highlight prominent members of the student and alumni communities, talk about the issues our generation faces and to challenge the notion of what it means to be a millennial. It’s not a perfect generation, but it is a passionate, innovative and resilient one. As we enter the throws of adulthood, we must remember that it is not the amount of adversity we face, but how we face it. – Zack Johnston, Editor-in-Chief
Transgender student finds YouTube audience Ryan Flores opens up the conversation about gender identity through his channel. RICK PIÑON
Asst. Opinion Editor
YouTube allows users to free their voice and find a new type of confidence hidden within. Ryan Flores uses his channel as a personal way of chronicling his transition as a transgender male. “I knew for sure I wanted to (make YouTube videos) for myself and that was initially why I started, but once I saw the response and how people were actually interested in what was happening to me and my body, that’s when it started to grow and that’s what gave me more motive to continue,” Flores said. His first video in 2014 set the tone for what his channel would become. He titled it “Coming Out As Transgender,” in which a 16-year-old Flores said that he would be posting videos on how female-to-male transition would affect him. Adapting to a deeper voice, a new physical appearance and becoming comfortable with his new but proper pronouns were among the things that Flores addressed. Posting videos throughout the years periodically has allowed Flores to share not only his personal transition, but also his transition into Cal State Fullerton. “FTM Tranguy Talks: Living in College Apartments,” gives insight on his life as a university student, while
other videos focus on weighty topics like misinformed stereotypes found in the comments sections of his videos like “you will never be a ‘real’ man.” Flores said that his videos have helped explain his gender and the LGBTQ community to his family because it eliminates a face-to-face confrontation when he refers them to his videos. “With my parents, for example, I know they didn’t understand completely and I’m thinking ‘Well if my parents don’t really understand and they’re my parents, it’s going to be difficult for people who don’t know me at all to understand,’” Flores said. Using his video recordings to speak about personal issues has become Flores’ own way of building confidence and has made it easier to come out to his closest friends. Flores knew his college friend, AJ Pontanares, for three years and only recently came out to her in person. “I’ve always done it indirectly whether it be online or through a letter I’ve written. Using my videos online was easier to show her or display a part of me that she didn’t know before,” Flores said. Along with making it easier for Flores to share personal details about himself that he typically refrains from revealing, the backing of online users has helped ease his transition. Pontanares said she has seen the support online empower Flores and allow him to find extended support during his transition.
“Online there are more people who watch your videos and they reach out to you, and I feel like in person you don’t really get that,” Pontanares said. Flores also acknowledges the importance of creating videos for a topic that isn’t talked about frequently to give people a chance to get informed. Pontanares said that people who are facing similar struggles can find help even if it is only through an online interaction. Like many of his followers, Flores said that he felt alone at the beginning of his transition. After one of his videos “Pre-T to One Year On Testosterone Comparison,“ which has more than 2.5 million views, he found that his online support group had grown exponentially. His channel now has almost 80,000 subscribers. Flores’ most popular video flashbacked to a year’s worth of progress and change and served to capture his transition from day one to his latest step on October 2016, when it was posted. Of course with a broader audience, there is a greater chance of attracting negative responses from viewers who challenge the topics of conversation. “It’s been growing and it continues to grow, and there’s always the negative people. But I’ve noticed and I recognize that there’s a lot more support in comparison to the negative, and that’s what keeps me going,” Flores said. His growth has extended far past his on-camera confidence, said hometown friend Marina Perez. She has
RICK PIÑON / DAILY TITAN
Since he was 16, Ryan Flores has been using YouTube as a platform. His videos have focused on talking about gender stereotypes and adjusting to college life.
known Flores for about eight years, before he started his channel. “I’ve noticed that Ryan has been more confident lately. The deeper in transition, the more confident he gets and I think that has also helped him grow as a person,” Perez said. There are a lot of people online who have found inspiration through Flores’ story that he’s proudly shared because of how helpful it was for them personally, Perez said. Flores will continue to update his followers on his transition through each one of his personal stages, the most recent being his gender-affirming surgery which depending on the individual, changes their physical appearance in terms of sex to coincide
with their gender identity. He also wants to share more about his personal life on his channel to show off his creativity that aligns with his major, cinema and television arts. Flores would like to use his established audience on Youtube to further pursue a possible acting career in Los Angeles and sharpen his craft. Whether on YouTube or the big screen, Flores continues to support the lives of those within the LGBTQ community. Similar to a line he says at the beginning of his videos, he wishes to “transcend and trans4m” to connect with people over his transition and continue to help others with his platform.
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
Millennials cut out for jobs in social media KIERA PEACE Staff Writer
Social media is the hottest tool for easy communication between producers and consumers, and companies are taking notice. This realization has turned creating content for these applications into real jobs and millennials are the perfect ones to fill the spots. Millennials were practically raised alongside social media. They were the ones who made sites and
apps like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and even Myspace, prosper. They use it all the time to socialize with friends and check the news. With the majority of people’s lives spent on phones, of course companies are going to cater to the wants of their customers. These companies want more engagement and take to social media with clever tweets or
eye-catching pictures to draw people in. It makes sense that the generation that uses these applications and websites would be the ones best suited to create the type of content that captures people. Don’t be fooled though, the job isn’t only posting pretty pictures or thoughtful status updates, it entails more than that. Crystal Wishart — a graduate assistant communications specialist at Cal State Fullerton — runs the social media for the College of Communications and said the responsibilities of the job include engaging with students, faculty and alumni
both inside and outside of the college. Wishart said the school does that by trying to make people aware of interesting things students and faculty are doing and sharing stories of notable alumni or promoting events happening within or around CSUF. Social media wasn’t always around, but it’s explosion in popularity is similar to that of the printing press back in the mid 1400s in the way it’s rapidly creating a new job market. Before the printing press, it was difficult for writers to circulate stories and information because
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I think all it takes is a willingness to learn and being engrossed in the culture of social media, and I definitely think they could do it.
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Companies’ high demands for web engagement have created career opportunities for the new generation.
CRYSTAL WISHART CSUF graduate assistant communications specialist it was a long process to repeatedly write the same thing over and over. Johannes Gutenberg’s invention made it easier to reproduce a product in a short amount of time and disseminate it further. Millennials have gained the know-how and the experience to get a head start in the emerging and rapidly growing field of social media by naturally being attached to their
phones. Now they just need to go out and apply it. Social media in the workforce may not be going anywhere anytime soon, but the jobs are probably filling up faster than the time it takes to type a 280-character tweet, so millennials should try to get paid to spend time on the services they already live their lives on for free.
The students, faculty, and staff of the College of Communications thank Dr. Mildred García for her visionary leadership. We join her in wishing the entire campus community a joyous holiday season.
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
Finding dates through social media is popular but risky Almost 50 percent of millennial relationships impacted online. JESSICA JANSSEN Staff Writer
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Social media has impacted dating for millennials in countless ways, from the advent of Instagram direct messages to Tinder. This new plethora of partner-finding tools has led to millions of millennials taking their dating online. According to the Pew Research Center, up to 59 percent of all internet users surveyed in 2013 considered online dating a good way to meet new people. Today, 27 percent of young adults from age 18 to 24 reported using online dating sites, which is up 10 percent from 2013, likely due to the influx of dating apps, according to the Pew Research Center. Even though the most common way to find love is offline, 23 percent of online daters say that they have entered into a marriage or long-term relationship with someone they met through a dating site or app, up from 17 percent in 2005, according to the Pew Research Center. Social media, and dating apps in particular, offer direct and easy access to anyone seeking a connection. If an individual is having trouble finding love, or whatever else they are looking for, they have plenty of options at their fingertips. However, finding love online can also present certain problems. According to
JESSICA JANSSEN / DAILY TITAN
In 2013, the Pew Research Center found that 59 percent of surveyed internet users thought online dating was a good way to meet people.
a study conducted by Cornell University and Michigan State University, 86 percent of online daters felt others misrepresented their physical appearance on dating profiles. The most common lies referred to age, height and weight. On top of that, 28 percent of online daters have felt harassed or received uncomfortable requests on social media, according to data from the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Social media has also created problems for millennials in romantic relationships. Apps like Snapchat and Facebook Messenger promote a sense of anonymity among users. When you send a picture or message through Snapchat it disappears after it is opened, leaving behind little evidence. Similarly, Facebook has also
created a secret conversation setting where you can chat with a friend privately with no visible record. Features meant to keep communication secret on apps can also promote feelings of distrust. According to a 2013 UK study by the Telegraph, 34 percent of women and 62 percent of men admitted to snooping through their partner’s text and other private messages. Regardless of the negative or positive connotations and consequences that social media brings for dating, there is no denying its influence. According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, 45 percent of millennials said that social media has had a “major impact” on their relationships, so whether it’s good or bad, social media is here to stay.
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
CSUF student breaks confines of gender Tanner Diaz has been a drag queen, housing leader and event fundraiser. GENE PIETRAGALLO Asst. Multimedia Editor
KATIE ALBERTSON / DAILY TITAN
Tanner Diaz carefully applies makeup before performing at the CSUF drag show. It was at student housing that Diaz found comfort and the freedom to express himself.
drag for the first time as his character and alter ego, Flora Fauntay during the CSUF drag shows in April and then again in October. Diaz, who spent the first three years at CSUF living and working in housing, said that the housing department has been significant in his journey as a young adult and college student. “I feel like (housing) has given me the resources to explore myself and also my way of thinking,” Diaz said. Working in housing has been a
creative outlet and challenge for Diaz as well. His first memorable event as the programs director for the housing department was a Marvel/Disney-themed brunch on move-in day, which introduced new and returning students to campus. Diaz and Flora Fauntay have more similarities than differences, but Diaz admits that his drag queen alter ego is a reflection of his experiences and who he truly wants to be. In today’s world, Diaz feels that he is able to be both Flora Fauntay and himself because of the
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It’s not so much tolerance anymore. It’s not even acceptance. It’s more like a celebration, which is what I think our whole generation is.
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A slew of thoughts come to mind when millennial comes up in conversation. The term is often used with a negative connotation, but for Tanner Diaz, it’s more of a confidence booster than an insult. Diaz has allowed the benefits of “growing into one’s self” lead his passions and aspirations. During his time at Cal State Fullerton, Diaz has specialized in event planning and working with the Orange County Ronald McDonald House to prepare special fundraising events for families in need. One of Diaz’s events in October, a gala in the City National Grove of Anaheim raised over $100,000 in profit for the charity work done by the Ronald McDonald House. The event itself attracted more than 300 people and featured aerialists, a fashion show, a live auction and an open bar. Set to graduate in May, Diaz has ambitions to continue his work with the Ronald McDonald House and possibly expand on a career with Disney, where he worked for over the last year. Diaz has been planning events since middle school. His event-planning passion eventually led him to a position within his high school’s student government. During his senior year, he became the first male member of the color guard in his high school’s 45-year history, a choice that set a tone for the self-appreciative mentality he has kept during his four years at CSUF. “It was absolutely terrifying, but at the same time I was doing what I had been wanting to do for the last three years. It was so liberating that it didn’t even matter,” Diaz said of his first color guard show. This year, he performed in full
TANNER DIAZ CSUF business student acceptance that millennials offer. “It’s not so much tolerance anymore. It’s not even acceptance. It’s more like a celebration, which is what I think our whole generation is. We want to celebrate these people who come from all different
aspects of life,” Diaz said. Being someone who comes from past challenges with identity, Diaz’s insight on millennials is full of embracive overtones. The 21-year-old has a perspective on his generation that he proudly accepts.
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
OPINION
Forget cuffing season and ditch dementia risk Temporary relationships might lead millennials to permanent damage.
RISHU BHARDWAJ Opinion Editor
‘Tis the season for love. Unfortunately, ‘tis also cuffing season. For those who don’t know what cuffing season is, Urban Dictionary defines it as: The time of year, specifically between Halloween and Valentine’s Day, when people who don’t particularly want a significant other are enticed by the cold weather and seasonal love to find a partner for a short period of time. However, If you don’t want dementia, get yourself someone to hold onto longer than three months, because It’s been medically proven that having a partner later in life decreases the chances of developing the terrifying illness. According to the British Medical Journal, not being married or having a significant other has a noticeable impact on the risk of developing dementia later in life. With more than 800,000 participants, the study comes to the conclusion that older single or widowed people are susceptible to developing the disease, more than those with a partner. While these results are purely observational and
GABE GANDARA / DAILY TITAN
A British Medical Journal study has shown a link between dementia and having no significant other later in life. With millennials’ fickle pattern for dating, this risk is proving to be something that needs attention. Though it might not be an easy solution, it’s something to concern oneself with when considering cuffing it up.
could just be a trend of the current elderly generation, it’s still a significant study that could give some insight into the benefits of being in a serious relationship, compared to the fickle trend that millennials have picked up. Yes, it’s not like someone can walk over to Big Lots and pick up a partner, but the study could be a wake-up call for those who are as opposed to the idea of marriage as the youth of this generation is.
Especially those that are in full-fledged cuff mode. It seems like millennials are looking to ride that train in the future if the study proves true. In a 2017 U.S. Census Bureau report, it was revealed that compared to past generations, millennials are increasingly turning down the idea of settling down. In 1976, 57 percent of women were married between ages 20 and 24. In 2014, that number was 17
percent. It’s no surprise that the temporary cuffing going on in winter is so appealing to youths. However, with an unprecedented number of millennials refusing the traditions of marriage, the BMJ study can be a good indication for why cuffing might not be the best situation in the long run. The study does suggest that marriage isn’t the only solution to being at risk for dementia. Having a healthy lifestyle and biological
background are huge, obvious factors that weigh in on the likelihood of someone having the disease. The highlight of the study simply shows that having another person in your company keeps the brain in good working order and makes it stronger through dealing with a relationship. A healthier mind invariably leads to a healthy body. Now, this doesn’t mean one should go out today and
look for someone to spend the rest of his or her life with because it might prevent dementia. It just means that the trend millennials have presented in terms of marriage might not be the healthiest. So instead of going out and finding someone to cuff because the weather is cold and the couch is warm, take these relationships seriously so you can look back on your life without having to scroll through Instagram to remember what happened.
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
OPINION
It’s not the wrong generation, it’s the wrong mindset Millennials are jaded to the opportunities of today for past novelties.
KYLE BENDER Copy Editor
There has been no better time to be alive than right now. Medical science, technology and civil rights have never been as advanced and sophisticated as they are, but millennials still lament their year of birth and upbringing because some people spend too much time on their phones. The mantra of “I was born in the wrong generation” has been pushed in online communities like Twitter or Tumblr, reminiscing the old days and things like chivalry, personal connection or a less-informed and simpler political landscape. It can be difficult for “transgenerationals” to look at the world’s current state of affairs and be optimistic. The political climate is volatile and every day it seems like the world is becoming increasingly ridiculous and unpleasant. When things seem so bleak, the past becomes easier to romanticize, but this doesn’t accomplish anything. Instead of longingly looking back on the days when entire minorities (women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals) lacked constitutional rights because men wore suits and held doors, maybe consider how far the world has come. Yes, it’s unpleasant to go out and have friends glued to their phones or to wake up to a poorly thought out tweet that may dictate international policy, but the pros of living right now far
HANNAH MILLER / DAILY TITAN
Instead of complaining about being born in the time period, people need to look around and see all the amazing advancements of the time they live in. It shouldn’t be so hard to see how much better today is than the past.
outweigh the cons. On one hand, the divorce rate is sitting pretty at around 50 percent, but on the other hand, LGBTQ people can legally take their chances with being part of that statistic nationwide. Health care may be expensive, but the common cold is no longer fatal and we’ve managed to completely eradicate some diseases. Women aren’t in nearly as many positions of power in business or politics as they should be, but progress is being made toward equal representation. Race relations may be running hot, but the right
issues are being talked about, albeit slowly. Millennials are justified in their dissatisfaction with daily life, but wearing rose-tinted glasses to read through history to pick and choose their favorite throwbacks immediately discredits them. If they want to see a positive change, transgenerationals need to stop ironically tweeting about their love for a time they don’t know and start using the tools available to them to be agents of change. They don’t need to be afraid of actually contributing to the solutions of the problems they so often
complain about. The power of a smartphone and its potential to improve society is evidenced by the Twitter-fueled revolutions in the Arab Spring or the #MeToo campaign that has led to the removal of sexual offenders in all kinds of professions. With something as little as a hashtag, millennials have the power to spark entire movements, so maybe it’s time to consider user error as the problem, not technology itself. Transgenerationals are going to have to consider the possibility that their newly developed distaste for this generation
may be impeding progress as they fail to take advantage of the abundance of resources and opportunities afforded to them simply by being alive right now. People’s antisocial tendencies and politicians’ erratic decision-making cannot be remedied by blissful ignorance to historical realities. Rather, the best way to deal with society’s shortcomings is to embrace being a millennial and all of the benefits that come with it. Sit down, grab some avocado toast, forego a mortgage and at least try to make some change instead of wallowing.
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
COLORING PAGE
What startled Tuffy?
What does Tuffy love?
HANNAH MILLER / DAILY TITAN
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
WORD SEARCH
SUDOKU
PROVIDED BY thewordsearch.com
PROVIDED BY dailysudoku.com
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9 3 1
9
3 6
4
5
2
9
Sledding, Snowball, Snowfall, The Daily Titan wishes
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5 6 8 1 7 4 9 3 9 5 7 6 9 1 6
4
1
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WINTER WONDERLAND:
5
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(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2009. All rights reserved.
2
ARIES
Although you might feel like a gigantic ball of mental confusion early in the month, try not to stress. There are significant transitions setting up to play out in your life over the next several months. Before this can happen, however, your mind needs to be shaken up a bit so that any cobwebs can finally be cleared away. Trust this process.
TAURUS
(Apr. 20 - May 20)
GEMINI
December might feel like a blurry month to you thanks to being swept away by the confusing ramifications of several different transitions in your world. Just remember that no matter what happens this month, it’s preparing you for a whole new world of possibilities in 2018. It’s possible that you will feel more confused than ever about your career direction and goals.
Frozen,
Blizzard,
on finals week! We
Skating,
also hope everyone
Skiing,
Nippy,
Winter,
enjoys and stays safe
Icicle,
Frosty,
Glisten
for the winter!
Wonderland, Snowflake,
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CANCER
(Jun. 21 - Jul. 22)
You’ve got some changes ahead when it comes to your work life and romantic prospects. But first, you need to get right in your head. Instead of trying to shove any scary insights into the dark recesses of your mind, choose to shine a light on them instead. That way, you’ll be able to discover a new perspective which will ultimately free you from their grip.
LEO
(Jul. 23 - Aug. 22)
Your love life is about to get interesting Taurus, you’re typically not the one ... and complicated. Venus will tour your who makes bad financial decisions, but romance sector until December 25. This this month you’ve got a bit of a cosmic is certainly a fabulous energy that will warning to heed concerning money matters. A murky Full Moon will occur in support you meeting new people and enjoying dating adventures. This will your earned income sector on Decemdefinitely throw a monkey wrench into ber 3, making it quite possible that a your love life, and it’ll most likely show source of cash flow for you will literally up in the form of a blast from your past. disappear. http://www.dailysudoku.com/
(May 21 - Jul. 20)
Chocolate,
everyone good luck
Daily Sudoku: Fri 18-Dec-2009
(Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)
Hot
VIRGO
(Aug. 23 - Sep. 22)
Career confusion and romantic frustration are all distinct possibilities this month. Does this mean you should crawl under a rock and save yourself from all of the misery? The universe is shaking things up in your world for a reason, and you need to be fully present in order to figure out what, exactly, the point of it all is
LIBRA
(Sep. 23 - Oct. 22)
You might feel that the only way to truly find yourself -- and the greater meaning of your life -- is to risk losing your senses completely. This doesn’t mean you’ll be checking into the nearest institution. In fact, your entire esoteric and mental experience this month appears to be carefully crafted by your higher self.
SCORPIO
(Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)
Although your finances might feel like a hot mess this month, you’ll certainly have a zest for life, so it doesn’t seem to get you down... at least not for too long. It appears that it’ll be most troublesome if you’ve made any reckless decisions with your money lately. You might discover that you’ve lost out and will need to re-evaluate financial plans moving forward.
SAGITTARIUS
(Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)
Good news! You’re going to be smoking hot this December thanks to Venus touring your sign December 25. The planet of love and beauty will grace you with extra confidence and style that will help you effortlessly magnetize others your way. If you’re single, this can truly be a month of you having many choices in the romance department.
CAPRICORN
(Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)
Get ready to stretch your muscles, Capricorn, because you’re about to embark on a personal marathon that will require every ounce of your endurance, flexibility, and commitment. Saturn, your planet of discipline and maturity, will enter your sign on December 19. You’re about to walk into one of the most significant phases of your entire life. Will it be easy? No. Will it be worth it? Absolutely.
AQUARIUS
(Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
Your love and social life might feel like a confusing mess this December. You might feel as if you have been duped in matters of the heart. Your lover might be keeping a secret from you and if so, you’ll feel extremely disenchanted when you discover what it is. Most likely it has to do with him or her being irresponsible with finances. If that’s the case, this is a gray area. On the one hand, it serves as a red flag.
PISCES
(Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)
It’s possible that someone in your family is struggling with an addiction or with mental illness. If so, your sense of hopelessness around his or her situation might escalate. Your compassion for your family member is clear, but so is your realization that you can’t do anything to help him or her fix the situation. That is in their hands.
© theword
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
Liz Sanchez dedicates life to activism
Students for Quality Education organizer pushes education. JESSICA JANSSEN Staff Writer
Liz Sanchez has been fighting all their life. Activism is a part of who they are. Sanchez has become an increasingly prominent figure on Cal State Fullerton’s campus in recent years. The outspoken member of Students for Quality Education, an organization with representation on several CSU campuses, has made waves by leading protests and speaking out against the recent CSU tuition increase and the Oct. 31 visit from Milo Yiannopoulos, but they’re not bothered by controversy. “I think it’s my upbringing. I have experienced a lot in life,” Sanchez said. “I know it has allowed me to be compassionate and to be empathetic toward others, because I have an understanding of hardship, systems of oppression and experiencing violence, whether it’s a symbolic violence or a physical violence.” Sanchez said they come from a low-income, biracial family, but grew up primarily with their mother’s Chicana/o side. “It was very much a gendered household, with my grandfather having complete control,” Sanchez said. “My mother would rebel. She ran away, and when she was pregnant with me she kept it a secret … It was really bad, and she never had a job, so it was a welfare family kind of deal.” Sanchez’s mother eventually came back, but things
weren’t any better. A few years later, both Sanchez and their mother left their grandfather to live with Sanchez’s father, but that only led to more hardship. “For the short time that I did live with my father, I was raped by him for multiple years. For about five years I was sexually harassed, molested and raped and my mom knew about it,” Sanchez said. “She was so desperate to get away from her family, she pretty much sacrificed me. It was like she almost pimped me out in a sense.” But Sanchez doesn’t harbor ill will toward those who have wronged them, despite what they have endured. “I imagine if there wasn’t a gender hierarchy for my grandfather, if we talked about toxic masculinity and rape culture, maybe my mother would have made different choices. So because of the experiences I have and my education, I understand the dynamics and rationality of people,” Sanchez said. “It always comes back to the structure that we’re in, and I don’t blame people. I blame systems.” As an organizer for SQE, Sanchez said they fight for student rights and campaign for minority communities. During their time with SQE, Sanchez met senior Jesse Rodriguez, the Associated Students, Inc. Board of Directors vice chair and secretary. He said working with Sanchez is interesting and exciting but that it can “take its toll.” “I think many people don’t immediately understand why someone like Liz is that passionate and aggressive with their political advocacy,” Rodriguez said.
KATIE ALBERTSON / DAILY TITAN FILE PHOTO
Liz Sanchez said they grew up in a low-income, biracial household where their father sexually assaulted them. However, they said they don’t harbor any ill will, and hope to change the overall system that leads to problematic upbringings through education and activism.
“There are people like that, because we need people like that … There have to be people that are restless in terms of advocating and aren’t just silent.” Fellow SQE organizer and fifth-year English major Brittany Goss echoed Rodriguez’s sentiments on working alongside Sanchez. “Liz is a very caring person. They take their time to really understand where everyone is coming from and try to see how everything plays out to the greater good,” Goss said. “Liz really cares about a lot of people and really wants everybody
to have the same opportunities and have the same good life experience that we’re trying to work for. That plays a large part in why Liz does what they do with the activism and really fighting for everybody.” As someone who identifies as genderqueer Sanchez said they hope to teach higher education with a queer focus. Sanchez said that means they will look at queer theory more than sexuality, which is about doing things through a lens that acknowledges and accepts the queer community. “I want to come into
higher education and dismantle. I don’t want you to dress professionally. I don’t care if you cuss during your presentation. I don’t care if you say ‘Um.’ Saying ‘Um’ means you’re thinking and that’s great,” Sanchez said. “The norm in the educational spaces is that you have to present yourself in a certain way, and that’s based on white heteronormativity, and I want to deconstruct that.” Currently, Sanchez is working on a graduate project with which they hope to give back to the community through the creation of a
seminar rather than writing a traditional thesis. “My goal is to teach and still be an activist. I’m hoping I get to present the seminar at different events and panels and just keep going,” Sanchez said. They’ve come a long way from being a high school dropout to a graduate student, and Sanchez strives to use the information they’ve learned to give back to others and make significant change through activism. “It’s part of my life. I live and breathe it ... It’s never ending,” Sanchez said. “You love it and hate it.”
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
OPINION
Rely on real life, not Yelp reviews from strangers Trusting inconsistent ratings is detrimental to low-key restaurants.
NICOLE ADAMITA Lifestyle Asst. Editor
Years ago when a person was unfamiliar with a restaurant, they would try it to see if they liked it. Today, millennials use the internet for nearly everything. Nobody dares try a new place without checking Yelp first to see if it’s worth their time. It’s impossible to escape this convenience, but it’s important to see the flaws or missed opportunities that could be found if Yelp isn’t the only thing factoring in on the decision of where to eat. Millennials are primarily the demographic that can’t kick this habit. The app won’t see grandma and grandpa leave a nasty review for their usual coffee joint. These young’uns dive straight into the app and read a bunch of reviews from strangers before making a decision and choosing where to feast. Whatever it may be, millennials trust Yelp more than they trust themselves. In reality, young people seem to avoid trying anything that Yelp does not consider
popular. They prefer to choose favorable and trendy spots before confirming its quality in person. If you really think about it, we are letting complete strangers dictate how we live our lives without realizing that what they say is completely circumstantial. Just because someone on Yelp says that Joe’s Burgers are the best burgers in town does not actually mean they are. It’s not rare to go to a restaurant with a five-star review only to find that the restaurant was great a year ago and is now a heap of trash. But even on those occasions, the restaurant could just have had a bad day, an order could have been missed and somebody could have called out. Reviewing is too subjective. These inconsistent and impromptu reviews can also harm small businesses. In a study by Vice on the effect that Yelp has on restaurants, those with more stars did better than those with fewer stars, but that does not mean they are actually better. Many locations tend to lure customers in and encourage them to check in on the app or write a review, and in return they are granted a discount or free item. This could easily lead to an inaccurate representation of the restaurant because customers are being pushed to make a good impression in efforts of obtaining their own benefits. Their reviews then enhance the restaurant’s overall rating
and reaches their goal of attracting newcomers but really it’s an illusion. Since they do not have a big enough reputation to withstand a few haters, the opinions of a handful of individuals can put a permanent end to a new, quality establishment. Not to mention the places that do not have any reviews or ratings at all. Millennials think they are walking on thin ice if they choose to step foot into a place that no one has reviewed or deemed worthy. Places these days need to have a good review and it’s food has to look Instagram-worthy as well. Aesthetics are a new obsession for these Yelp addicts. They need to make sure that the restaurant they are eating at serves eye-pleasing food that will help them gain likes on their social media posts. They tend to search for spots that have good selfie lighting or a colorful wall to pose in front of. All these decisions can be based on Yelp reviews with images and will truly determine someone’s likelihood of visiting a restaurant. It seems like millennials are too lazy to make these decisions for themselves and let others conveniently hand them the best option. Needless to say, millennials need to get their priorities straight and focus on what really matters. Rather than choosing a place with the most attractive dishes and positive reviews, millennials need to experience things for themselves and form their own opinions.
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
Brooke Paz advocates for student-parents Third-year student began CSUF chapter of Students for Life. BREANNA BELKEN Asst. News Editor
Brooke Paz, a third-year public relations major, spent many afternoons alone when she first started the Cal State Fullerton Students for Life chapter during her first semester on campus. She was often the only attendee at meetings and only occasionally accompanied by another club member. “I’d text my treasurer ‘Are you coming today?’ and sometimes he would say ‘Oh I can’t come today.’ Half the time even he didn’t show up,” Paz said After attending a church seminar the summer before she attended CSUF, she chose to go to a breakout session which discussed abortion in terms of biology and political views. When she found the SFL table, she was encouraged to start a club at CSUF. Despite the difficulty of finding members for the club, Paz continued on with it even when she couldn’t find
students interested, thanks to the support of her family. Paz said she considers herself to be a conservative and “pro-life” activist. In addition to starting the CSUF chapter of SFL, Paz has spoken outside of Planned Parenthood locations as a part of a “Sock it to Planned Parenthood” rally in Whittier. She believes in federally defunding Planned Parenthood. She is considered a minority in her generation. According to the Pew Research Center, support for abortion is strongest among the 18 to 29 age group, with 65 percent believing abortion should be legal in most cases. Attitude toward abortion has changed, and the gap between anti-abortion and pro-abortion rights has narrowed, according to a Gallup poll. The CSUF chapter of SFL has been active on campus since spring 2015. Since the club’s founding, it has thrown a baby shower for a pregnant student and grown its membership from two members to over 25. Recently, the group successfully petitioned Associated Students, Inc. to include diaper-changing stations in
the Titan Student Union. They gathered more than 300 signatures from students, staff and visitors in support of a resolution to include changing stations in at least one women’s and men’s bathroom on the floors of each building. The club has worked hard to make itself a positive one on campus, Paz said, and has set itself apart from the typical image of a “pro-lifer.” To accomplish this, the club has focused its efforts on campus toward supporting student-parents and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. “I think the pro-life movement is understanding that they need to make it more clear they support women, babies, families and dads,” Paz said. When the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, an anti-abortion group, expressed interest in coming to CSUF with signs that displayed graphic images of abortions, they contacted Paz and she declined to host the organization. “I was like ‘Hey sorry, I don’t like graphic imagery,’” Paz said. “Good for you if that works for you and your
KATIE ALBERTSON / DAILY TITAN
Paz spoke to Associated Students, Inc. about a signature campaign her club, Students for Life, began to install diaper-changing stations in the bathrooms of the Titan Student Union.
organization, but I don’t want it on my campus. It’s just not in alignment with what we do. We focus on supporting pregnant and parenting students.” Because Paz is aware of the potential psychological effects on a woman after receiving an abortion, she said she believes the best way to reach them is to show compassion and understanding even if she wishes the woman would have made a different choice. “I was afraid that a woman who had an abortion before would walk by, who’s already feeling guilty, would just feel more guilty by seeing that … That’s not why I’m here … I’m here to help,” Paz said. She has recently began working at a crisis pregnancy helpline center, where they connect women with resources for medical and non-medical services. She believes in showing compassion and educating the people she talks to, even when their views are different.
“Believe it or not, I’m here for the woman post-abortive who doesn’t know her options and doesn’t know what her rights were in that situation and is feeling ashamed. I don’t want her to feel that way,” Paz said. In the future, Paz hopes to improve the sense of community within her club. She wants to continue building her skills as a leader and continue to make the club better. Even though Paz wants to improve, Pacific Southwest Regional coordinator for SFL Camille Rodriguez admires Paz’s current qualities. “She will sit with her club, they’ll make a plan and then they’ll execute it. That follow through is a testament of her leadership,” Rodriguez said. Paz said she has a closet in her home filled with baby supplies like car seats, clothes and bottles. For the upcoming semester she hopes to find a pregnant student in need, so she can give them resources
and provide them with the supplies she has. “I just need to find them, and I would love to just dump that all on one girl next semester,” Paz said. Her motto is “love them both,” even after the baby is born. She said she wants the anti-abortion movement to also be “pro-woman” and provide the mother and child with the best shot at life. She plans to continue educating the campus with upcoming events including their Everyone Deserves a Birthday event where club members pass out free cupcakes, and plans on bringing a mobile Obria Medical Clinic unit that will provide free screenings for STDs and pregnancy tests. “I think going forward, education is vital … And in this era of scientific advancement … Continuing educating myself and my members and the people we talk to is really important,” Paz said. “Conversations, I think that’s most effective.”
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
CSUF alumna steps up as NBA dancer TANYA CASTANEDA Asst. Lifestyle Editor
Youth sports is all about teaching sportsmanship and competitiveness, getting rough and showing grit. However, middle schooler Kylie Montoya was often seen running around at her soccer games in glam hair and makeup – complete with false eyelashes – prepping for a dance competition that would take place afterwards. This rushed, back-andforth routine became a familiar lifestyle for young Montoya who is now a professional dancer for the Los Angeles Clippers Spirit Dance Team. “I love the feeling of being on stage, I’m definitely a performer at heart,” Montoya said. She experimented with several extracurricular activities like soccer, softball and swimming at a young age, but it all took a backseat to dance. Her first routines included hip shakes and hand-holding when she began dancing at the age of two at Mommy and Me classes. However, Montoya has always danced to the beat of her own drum. Often seen fussing and refusing to follow the rules, she recalls her instructor skipping her while passing out stickers at the end of class. It’s through dedication that Montoya was able to grow and progress in the dance world. When she was six and began competitive dance, her limits were tested as both the training and the
environment became more intense. “I had to change my whole mindset, going from recreational to competition, it’s totally different,” Montoya said. “You have to dedicate yourself a lot more. You have to have the work ethic, you have to want to be there.” The demanding lifestyle was not easy for Montoya as she struggled to juggle school and dance. She often found herself falling asleep on the kitchen table while doing homework and waking up early, but she is grateful for the stress because it led her to where she is today. As high school approached, this work ethic helped her earn a spot on the varsity song team for four years, and the captain position for two years. Her team captain duties included calling the shots like what the next move was going to be and what the team needed to improve. During her junior year, Montoya helped bring a national championship title to Diamond Bar High School. The following year, she spontaneously decided to audition for Cal State Fullerton’s dance team when her friend asked her to accompany her. She recalls the rigorous process being a lot more serious than what she was used to. This was the first audition where she saw girls showing up in full glam and twopiece costumes. Montoya made it through three cuts before ultimately making the team. Adjusting to both a higher caliber of dance and a fulltime college workload, her freshman year of college was the hardest year she ever experienced. Although she had
TANYA CASTANEDA / DAILY TITAN
Kylie Montoya (left) displays her love and dedication for dance as she teaches Xenia Badillo (right) a choreographed routine at Dancecapade, a studio in Diamond Bar.
a lot on her plate, she helped bring CSUF more national titles and returned every year as she wasn’t ready to give up dance yet. “This was my last chance to dance because, realistically, a lot of dancers don’t actually dance past high school, that’s usually the ending point for competing,” Montoya said. “I was getting to that point where I was like ‘Wow, I have to come back next year. If I don’t, I’m going to regret this.’” However, this was not the end. Eventually, she signed with a talent agency dedicated to the entertainment industry in Los Angeles where
she attended auditions in hopes of getting hired as a professional dancer. While some auditions include hundreds of girls fighting for a handful of spots, she has driven out to downtown LA to be rejected without even having the opportunity to dance. Often implementing a type cast, it is not uncommon that they divide you according to features like hair color and body type, as some gigs search for a specific image. Constantly being thrown into a competitive environment, Montoya learned to take criticism well and maintain a positive attitude.
“
You have to dedicate yourself a lot more. You have to have the work ethic, you have to want to be there.
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Kylie Montoya becomes member of Clippers Spirit Dance.
KYLIE MONTOYA NBA dancer “With the talent agency, when I first joined, they were like ‘Congratulations, you just chose a career where it’s 99.9 percent rejection,’” Montoya said. “You kind of get used to it, you don’t take it personally.” Montoya’s fortitude, however, is what has helped her maintain success. Currently working as a dancer on the LA Clippers Spirit Dance Team, she’s
given the opportunity to call herself a working professional with consistent work until she finds her big break in the industry. Montoya hopes to tour with an artist in the future as a background dancer, to allow her the opportunity to use her passion to travel the world. “Looks like I’m just not done dancing yet,” Montoya said.
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
OPINION
Follow US!
Nostalgia is only beneficial in moderation While overdone, reminiscing on the past is valuable.
/thedailytitan @thedailytitan @thedailytitan JASON ROCHLIN News Editor
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As the holiday season approaches, it’s hard not to acknowledge the fact that in the mid-2010s, nostalgia is king. Particularly among younger generations, this obsession with nostalgia seems ridiculous and oversaturated, but at its core are some benefits to the idea of looking back at the past with rose-tinted glasses. Before looking at those benefits, however, it seems appropriate to assess the gravity of this obsession for reminiscing. Two pieces of analog technology in particular have risen from the grave in recent years that have inexplicably taken the world by storm. First, vinyl records have migrated from the clutches of holein-the-wall collector’s shops to the shelves of Barnes & Noble, effectively returning to the public consciousness in a big way. While arguments made about sound quality and the joys of having a physical product make vinyl the superior music-listening experience, these points seem subjective. There’s validity to them in that way, and record players are often built with more
technological advancements, but it’s hard to see why anyone would want to go back when a nearly infinite amount of songs are accessible on a device that not only fits in your consumers’ pockets, but can also search the entirety of the internet and call anyone around the world. Another obsolete product that has made a comeback recently is the Polaroid camera. One would have been hard-pressed to find anyone advertising Polaroids past 2003, when OutKast vehemently argued for their relevance, but today they aren’t so hard to find. Even if there is a certain appeal to the aesthetic of a Polaroid picture, is that really enough to explain why people might use them when there is a variety of high-quality digital and phone cameras on the market that can capture stunning imagery? For those who say they use these older technologies because of a personal preference, because of their artistic merits or just use them at home, more power to you. In fact, the Los Angeles Times released an op-ed in January by David Sax that makes a strong argument for the return of of old-fashioned technologies as not just nostalgia, but as potentially bringing back ideas that could improve an advancing, forgetful marketplace. However, analog technology is just one facet of the concern and it isn’t the only place where older things are returning en masse. It’s almost passé to joke about the fact that Hollywood has no new ideas, and while there are obviously new things being created, it’s easy to see why people
would say otherwise. The third movie in the current wave of new “Star Wars” films is coming out on Thursday night, and just a cursory glance at the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) shows upcoming TV series and movies based on Lost in Space, Rambo, Tremors and a variety of comic book adaptations. This, of course, isn’t to say there is no place for revisiting older properties. Take something like Batman, which has had a dozen different adaptations since being popularized on television by Adam West in the 1960s, each of which approaches the subject from a different, interesting perspective to keep it from getting boring. However, there’s an argument to be made that not everything has to be a remake or reimagining of an old product. It can be frustrating to see all of these nostalgic ideas returning and oversaturating the market when it feels like the industry should be moving on to new things. Especially when they return in comical ways, like the “only ‘90s kids remember” memes. However, there are benefits to thinking with nostalgia. As Sax aptly said in his Los Angeles Times op-ed, “for the generation who has grown up with omnipresent digital technology, nostalgia isn’t just some foolish whim. It is a life raft, and the one sure means of grounding ourselves in a world that promises constant change.” This thought is mirrored by Cal State Fullerton associate professor of psychology David Gerkens, Ph.D., who presented a study at the Western Psychological Association’s
annual meeting in 2015 looking into how recalling positive memories on a consistent basis can lead to lower levels of depression and higher levels of happiness. “It’s a good way for people to ground themselves with their past experiences, and use that support to deal with whatever it is they’re dealing with now,” Gerkens said. “It might seem like they’re in denial or zoning out, but really it’s accessing strength from the past and trying to connect with who you are as a person.” His own study looked at 248 CSUF undergraduates over about four years, with each taking tests to determine their levels of depression, happiness, overall mood and personal feelings of control over events in their lives. Gerkens found that reminiscing on positive events led to a small, but visible improvement in tests across the board, with those who kept on that daily activity longer showing better results over time. “When I do this in class, I ask students what memory is for, and they’ll say it’s to remember things you’re going to get tested on, to remember your birthdays, all sorts of stuff like that,” Gerkens said. “Almost never does somebody say it provides a sense of self, but it really is a pretty key part of our sense of self.” While the world could probably stand for a little less nostalgic recall, who’s to say there’s anything wrong with it when it makes people happier? After the tolling year that was 2017, everyone could probably use a little something to make them feel better.
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
Your friendly neighborhood comic shop CSUF almuna creates a hub for all art, comic and music lovers alike. SARAH EL-MAHMOUD Lifestyle Editor
Comic Book Hideout owner, Glynnes Pruett frequently hears stories from her customers about what got them into comics, but her favorite is her dad’s. As he was growing up in rural Georgia, he and his grandma used to go to the market and pick them up when they were only 10 cents. Pruett’s father would sit on the floor of the passenger seat with the glove box cracked open as his light when he read. “That was always such a wonderful image of my dad as a little kid, just really enjoying the hell out of some comic books in a place where your imagination is everything because there’s not a lot of TVs and cell phones and all that nonsense. When you had to experience things tangibly,” Pruett said. For Pruett, a Cal State Fullerton radio, TV and film alumna, her experiences with comic shops as a kid left something to be desired. She found it crazy that comic shops didn’t feel like an accepting place to walk into as a kid and especially as a girl when comics were a hobby with great potential to be uniting. “I’ve been reading comics since I could read, and even before that,” Pruett said. “I was kind of bummed out that more shops weren’t friendly to people. So I was like ‘If I had a comic book shop it would be friendly to everybody.’” She also used to help her
dad with their stand at Frank & Sons Collectibles for 15 years, but often found herself sitting there all day helping blank faces of “stinky old” middle-aged comic book collectors. Comic Book Hideout was opened a little over five years ago on Nov. 11, a date Pruett picked specifically in 2012 in reference to her mother calling 11:11 “open gate time.” “I thought it was silly but it’s the only time all the numbers are the same on a clock. 11:11 you make a wish and the hideout was my wish,” Pruett said. Pruett especially takes pride in the environment she has created within her shop. Visitors are usually greeted with her neighborly smile, a lovable Husky roaming the shop along with a vast display of comic books to be explored. Long Nguyen, 23, is an intern at Comic Book Hideout. He came across it when he was an officer in the CSUF club, Titans of Comic-Con Society, and reached out to Pruett about a sponsorship. The answer he received was a “Hell yeah.” “With comic book shops in general, as long as they have a loyal customer base they’ll still survive,” Nguyen said. “What I really like about this shop compared to other shops is that it caters toward the creativity, the arts.” A diverse group of people file into Comic Book Hideout throughout the day as regular customers pick up their indie subscriptions, casual browsers with passing knowledge from comic films delve into the library or young kids have their first exposure to the medium. “I try to cater a little bit to everybody and part of that is
just knowing my customers, being engaged, actively listening to them, seeing what they are interested in,” Pruett said. Along with building rapport with her customers, Pruett checks social media every day, while also hosting a show called “the weekly What’s Up!” on the store’s YouTube channel where she excitedly talks about notable comic picks and brings light to events happening in the community. Comic Book Hideout doesn’t only sell comics, either. It also has become a space for music, art, card and gaming tournaments and pin trading. Pruett even has her own skate gang, the Hideout Hunnies who don Comic Book Hideout attire as they skid through Fullerton. “Essentially all comic book stores are selling the same thing. We are all selling the new issues that come out every week,” Pruett said. “I wanted to celebrate, not just comic books but art and literature, theater and music and be a hub for the community for all those things. Pruett finds that being a part of the comic book business often feels like a gamble because she has to make decisions on what will sell and what won’t long before they are released. Adding different facets to what her store can provide ensures fewer people will leave empty handed. A music studio within the store has been open for over a year, where Lark Music Lessons resides. John Lovero, a guitar and bass instructor and a friend of Pruett, said that the store needed to fill a space and he needed one so it ended up working mutually for the both of them.
During her time at CSUF, Pruett was the music director of Titan Radio and emphasized her studies in screenwriting and radio engineering. After her graduation in 2008, she did sketch comedy and improvisation in Los Angeles for seven years but she gravitated back to comics. “You never judge a book by its cover — except for comic books because you can kind of judge a comic book by its cover— but you never judge people like that either,” Pruett said. “It’s really wonderful because you never know who’s going to come in.”
SARAH EL-MAHMOUD / DAILY TITAN
Glynnes Pruett has owned Comic Book Hideout for over five years in Downtown Fullerton.
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MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2017
MILLENNIAL ISSUE 2017
CSUF coaching styles change as millenials do KAILA CRUZ
Asst. Sports Editor
Respect has always served as the foundation of any productive coach-athlete relationship, but the dynamics of coaching have changed over the courses of the careers of Cal State Fullerton’s head coaches. While they say athletes were previously approached with more rigid structure and stricter rules, Titans Head Coaches George Kuntz, Rick Vanderhook and Dedrique Taylor have found that coaching millennials requires different techniques. “In the past, it was ‘You’re going to do this.’ It was basically ‘My way or the highway,’” Kuntz said. Taylor and Vanderhook said in the past, all players would be treated the same, and coaches were far more intense than they are now. “When I grew up, not that long ago, but obviously a long time ago, the message was way more harsh. It was more direct, and there was no care and concern about your feelings,” Taylor said. Now, CSUF coaches are focused on the vital component of establishing a relationship with every one of their players. “It’s quite obvious that you have to coach a different way now, and one of the most dramatic differences is really learning more about your student-athletes,” Kuntz said. “To show that you care first to build a trust so that when you have to coach or teach or demand, there is an understanding that you care.” Even beyond just their impact on the game, Titans head coaches feel these relationships and trust make success possible because of the way they motivate players. “You have to let them know that you love them and you care for them,” Vanderhook said. “These guys together here with us spend more time with us than they do their families for the next year. So you got to have some trust built in there.”
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When I grew up, not that long ago, but obviously a long time ago, the message was way more harsh. It was more direct, and there was no care and concern about your feelings.
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Each generation of Titans brings new attitudes, ethics and relationships to the programs.
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DEDRIQUE TAYLOR Titans men’s basketball coach The trio of coaches said the relationships are essential to work cohesively with their players and produce wins. “I think if you have a good relationship and you invest in the relationship, it allows you to stretch that relationship and get after it, and be direct and frank with them and they’re not as sensitive because you’ve built a relationship with them,” Taylor said. As opposed to the more straightforward and strict way they were coached, Taylor, Vanderhook and Kuntz emphasize building close relationships with each of their players that don’t coddle them, but rather challenge them to pursue improvement instead of putting them down, which used to be more common. The challenge is finding the happy medium between the two. “For us, it’s finding that bridge to still allow them to grow (while) also keeping their confidence up but also having that trust with them that you’re going to let them know that they’re still not there yet, and that’s the challenge,” Kuntz said. “It’s a fine balance.” However, with the new principles of getting to know and care about players, some things never change. CSUF coaches still value the rigor and hard exterior they were faced with and continue to use their past experiences to cater to millennials. Vanderhook found that he’s had to adjust his previously tough coaching style to more of a “tough love” approach, making every mistake a learning lesson for his 35man roster. “I still yell at them because I try and make everything a learning environment, so if somebody makes a mistake and gets chewed on, I can be a little loud, because
and
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they need to understand that if one guy makes (a mistake), then everybody can learn from that guy’s mistake,” Vanderhook said. Aside from forming relationships with their players, CSUF head coaches are in agreement that the communication between all members of the team is another major, new difference. With the advent of smartphones and social media, today’s athletes communicate with each other and with their coaches far differently than how Vanderhook and the other coaches remember communicating. “A lot of kids that’s all they do is use their thumbs to communicate, to the point where you still need to know how to communicate,” Vanderhook said. “That’s part of what we’re trying to teach is how to communicate, how to be an adult, and I think pushing your phones to say some message to somebody isn’t the way you’re supposed to do that.” Taylor also believes that it’s important as a coach to become immersed in the millennial world and disseminate information in the ways his players best take it in. “They communicate differently, so if you want to get a message across I think
it’s incumbent upon the speaker to get into their arena and allow the millennials, if you will, to absorb the information the way that they do,” Taylor said. But while they do have to meet millennials halfway in the way they communicate, Vanderhook said that doesn’t mean they can hold back when offering criticism of their play in front of their peers, even if the player isn’t used to it. “A lot of people like to be brought up and cuddled and talked to about it. But when you have 35 guys and you can find a learning point, you need to make sure everybody learns from that one point,” Vanderhook said. “You have to control how you yell at them. Most of them have probably never been yelled at very much.” Although millennial athletes may require different strategies to communicate with a text or a softer tone, all three coaches said one thing has remained the same across generations: The athletes’ obvious love and passion for the game. “To get them to play at a level, or believe in a mission that you have, you have to build trust. You have to build relationships,” Kuntz said. “It’s much more than the game.”