2019-10-15 by Daily Titan

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Tuesday October 15, 2019

Volume 106 Issue 24

CSUF to offer abortion care College California governor signs law to mandate easy access to right of choice. MADELINE GRAY BRANDON PHO Editors

Cal State Fullerton and public university students across the state will be able to access medical techniques for abortion and other reproductive health care services on campus in a few years. New legislation signed Friday by California Gov. Gavin Newsom requires public colleges up and down the state to be able to provide these services for any student seeking them by January 2023. A previous version of this bill passed in the state legislature, but was vetoed by former Gov. Jerry Brown last year, who argued that many college campuses in California were within a reasonable proximity to health clinics oﬀering medical abortion techniques. Mansi Kalra, the vice president of CSUF’s Associated Students said, “in a larger sense” the bill connects abortion with health care, and that “until now, the two have been separated and California’s taking this really important step towards uniting the two.” “We can’t say that, as a university system, we have comprehensive health care and then not have this really important aspect of health care, which is abortion care,” Kalra said. She added that a distinction must be drawn about what type of abortion services are actually

provided on campus. “Everyone has these misconceptions about the bill in thinking that we’re going to be having abortion facilities on campus in terms of surgical abortions, but that’s not literally what it’s asking for,” Kalra said. “It’s asking for medication to be provided, there’s a really unique distinction there.” The bill does away with barriers around reproductive health through wider use of technology and extended health care access to college students, Newsom said. CSUF oﬃcials would only comment in an emailed statement. “The university makes every effort to comply with all applicable state laws,” said Mary Becerra, the acting health services director. To prepare for the bill’s implementation in 2023, the Health Services Center will “consult” with the CSU Chancellor’s Oﬃce, other CSUs and public university campuses, community-based organizations and the CSUF Student Health Advisory Committee to “implement the best approach for complying with this and other state laws, with the specific goal of meeting the unique needs of our students,” Becerra said in the statement. While it’s “awesome” that more students will have easier access to abortion medication, the bill leaves out crucial gender nuance and focuses more on cis women “when not only cis women are the ones who get abortions,” said Valarie Segovia of Students for Quality Education, one of the most outspoken progressive groups on campus whose members have

voting increased National study shows rise in student participation during midterm elections. DANIEL STEELE Staff Writer

BRANDON PHO / DAILY TITAN

The student health center will provide abortion medication.

pushed for abortion access on campus in the past. The bill specifically names the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls as the oversight authority for the new law’s implementation.

The commission’s website reads that the body has “identified and worked to eliminate inequities in state laws, practices, and conditions that aﬀect California’s women and girls.” SEE HEALTH

Tasting the flavors of Santa Ana Locals experienced the lively culture and culinary scene of an intimate city. CELESTE SHARP Asst. Editor

Savor Santa Ana offered a different kind of flavorful food festival this weekend, guiding its guests through the streets of downtown Santa Ana to over 40 local businesses that provided a variety of tasting experiences that emphasized diversity. One ticket provided five tasting coupons to each festival foodie in attendance, with the option to purchase more tasting coupons in order to cover all participating locations. The event coordinators received helping hands in the ticket booths from local volunteers, Key Clubs from local schools and the Valley High School Culinary Institute. With their tickets and event maps in hand, attendees set off to follow their sweet and savory cravings wherever they pleased. The walking tour allowed people to become familiar with the area while also viewing all downtown Santa Ana had to offer. The event was fit for family and friends of all ages. Local top-rated and family-owned businesses came up with the concept of a walking food festival to make the experience feel more authentic by bringing attendees inside their stores rather than informal and outdoor food tents. Ryan Solmar, the event producer, said this is what made Savor Santa Ana unique. “The typical food festival is

CELESTE SHARP / DAILY TITAN

Festival goers mingled in downtown Santa Ana for tasty food encounters.

in a parking lot and the restaurants have to serve you food from a tent in a plastic cup and they didn’t feel like that really represented who they are,” Solmar said. “They wanted you to come to their spaces, taste their food and have a chance to meet them.” The event took place across six blocks of Santa Ana, which has become known for its vast cuisine. Restaurants from the West End, Main Street, Artists Village, McFadden Public Market, 4th Street Market and East End participated. Local performers, including a DJ and fire dancers, put on shows between the restaurants on the streets of the city. After sunset, string lights lit up seating areas and restaurant storefronts throughout

the area. The downtown trolley was also oﬀered for free to everyone as it traveled along the festival route and surrounding area. Tasting experiences varied from poke samplers, baked goods, ice cream, cocktails and beer samples for adults. Food options explored many cuisines as well, including shrimp ceviche, kebabs, pizza and even vegan mozzarella sticks. The tasting variety is what attracted attendees such as Mike and Shawna Rizzo from Lake Forest, California. The two said they decided to make the drive to Santa Ana that same day specifically for this event. After searching the internet for activities to do in Orange County, they said the event seemed like a good opportunity to explore the community

they have recently joined. “We used to live in downtown San Diego,” Mike said. “We’re just trying to figure out stuﬀ to do in Orange County.” Having just started with their night, Shawna said she was mostly looking forward to Eat Chow, which was giving out samples of their Five Cheese Mac and Cheese, and Turkey Chili. The event also attracted local Orange County residents who have attended Savor Santa Ana before, such as Katie and Steve Toscano. The Placentia couple said this was their third time attending Savor Santa Ana. They also said that even though they come to downtown Santa Ana often, they enjoy trying new things and believe the event allows them to do so. The Toscanos said they decided to buy extra coupons so they could sample as many places as possible, and found it hard to narrow down which locations they enjoyed most throughout their night. “We were very stingy with the coupons. We bought 30 dollars worth and we did one coupon each place and sampled each, so we went everywhere,” Steve said. “It’s really hard to pick because everything was really really good.” Savor Santa Ana takes place every year in the fall and is intended to ingrain festivalgoers into the culinary and cultural experience that is downtown Santa Ana. Solmar said the event provides an open door for everyone to come and learn more about the area. “There’s just lots of great places to eat down here,” Solmar said. “We want to hopefully open the doors and let everybody try.”

A study from the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education found that the voting rate for college students more than doubled in the 2018 midterm elections compared to the 2014 elections, with the voting rate for Cal State Fullerton students going up by 32.6% in four years. Institute for Democracy and Higher Education reported that the national average voting rate for college students increased between the last two midterm elections from 19% in 2014 to 40% in 2018, after gathering voting data from over 1,000 colleges nationwide. “In 2018, we saw new energy and a greater sense of agency among students that transcends demographic and disciplinary subgroups,” said Nancy Thomas, Institute for Democracy and Higher Education director, in the report. It found that all demographics’ voting rates increased across most colleges in 2018, with Hispanic students making the largest increase from 14% to 36.5%. Black women remained the highest voting group and women voted at a higher rate than men. “Honestly it’s the Trump effect — 2018 had a higher turnout everywhere,” said Matthew Jarvis, associate professor of political science. “Generally speaking, there wasn’t a particularly exciting election in 2014.” Jarvis also cited the race for California governor between Gavin Newson (D) and John Cox (R) as a potential reason for higher turnout, in comparison to the last midterm election with no gubernatorial race. Kathryn Quintin, partnerships manager for Young Invincibles, works to increase nonpartisan student voting and engagement on college campuses. She said in recent years, colleges and universities have been playing a huge role in creating a culture of civic engagement on campus and informing students so they are wellequipped when they enter the ballot box. CSUF had an even larger voting rate increase than the average increase between midterm elections. According to Institute for Democracy and Higher Education’s study, the university’s student voting rate increased from 14.9% in 2014 to 47.5% in 2018. “This was an amazing change, especially in comparison to the 2018 voting rate for all institutions,” said Tori Hust, Associated Students’ chief governmental oﬃcer. Hust works with Associated Students’ Lobby Corps Commission to increase student voter registration and turnout. SEE CSUF

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2 News

TUESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2019

Cal State Fullerton weighs in on impeachment Students and faculty share their opinions on the Trump administration. DANIEL VENEGAS Staff Writer

JESSICA RAZO Asst. Editor

The impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump is a topic on the minds of many Cal State Fullerton students and faculty on campus, months prior to the 2020 presidential election. President Trump is in the middle of an impeachment inquiry after a CIA employee came forward and alleged that the president pressured the Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the phone to take action that would help with Trump’s reelection. The employee said that the president pushed for Ukraine’s assistance in investigating Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his son, according to the Washington Post. The White House released a transcript of the phone call between Zelensky and Trump. According to the White House transcript, Trump told Zelensky that “There’s a lot of talk about Biden’s son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people

want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great.” Robert Robinson, associate professor and department coordinator of political science, weighed in about Trump and the foreign aﬀairs. “If we accept the Democratic argument,” Robinson said. “Yeah, I think that’s impeachable because you’re asking a foreign country to interfere with the elections of the United States. I don’t think that’s appropriate for a president to do at all.” The White House said the impeachment inquiries are unconstitutional. “The President has done nothing wrong, and the Democrats know it. For purely political reasons, the Democrats have decided their desire to overturn the outcome of the 2016 election allows them to conduct a so-called impeachment inquiry that ignores the fundamental rights guaranteed to every American,” said White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham in a statement. Hanin Sharil, a political science major, said she believes the president’s conduct is reason to be impeached. “You shouldn’t be meddling with other countries, especially to dig dirt about representatives within the states. That’s not

right,” Sharil said. Kate Petach, communicative sciences and disorders major, agreed with Sharil. She said she believes it’s imperative that this type of political behavior does not go uncorrected. “I think it really needs to happen because we need to show other political leaders, and (Trump), that he needs to be held responsible for his actions. I mean, what he did was wrong, and he needs to be punished. That’s just justice,” Petach said. Leticia Jimenez, a liberal studies major, said for her and her family, the president’s impeachment would personally impact them. “I think it would because I’m Hispanic. My parents were born in Mexico. I was born here. I know everything that’s happening is affecting my family in some way. I think that it would definitely benefit us if we didn’t have Trump as president,” Jimenez said. The president of the Republicans of CSUF organization could not be reached for their opinion on the matter after several email and text attempts were made to contact him. Despite his opposition to Trump’s views, Andrew Levy, president of the College Democrats of Cal State Fullerton, didn’t initially agree with the idea of impeachment because he said

(OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY TIA DUFOUR)

President Donald Trump disembarks Marine One at Joint Base in Andrews,

it was a useless political strategy instead of something that could actually be successful. But after the emergence of the CIA employee’s complaint and the democratic argument against President Trump’s recent actions with Ukraine, Levy believes it’s a good idea. “He was trying to get another country to do something for him in his own private interests rather than the interests of the public. You can argue whether it’s an eﬀective political move for Democrats, but in terms of upholding our democracy maintaining checks and balances, impeachment would be the

right thing to do,” Levy said. In terms of upholding democracy and obeying the Constitution, Levy said there needs to be precedent so future presidents know that there can be processed impeachment. Robinson said if impeachment were to happen and the president was to be removed, having Mike Pence as a replacement would not make a diﬀerence in terms of policy. According to Robinson, the nation would still be just as polarized as it is now, and that a significant part of the nation would still be upset.

Health: Newsom signs bill 1 Neither the commission’s website, nor the text of the bill, identify nonbinary or transgender people as potential seekers of reproductive health care or abortion care services. Segovia said abortion should be available to any person who wants it, such as transgender men, women or a gender nonbinary person — but the bill doesn’t reflect that, adding that “in terms of terminology, it is missing out some inclusion.” CONTINUED FROM

Johnny Lane, the president of the campus anti-abortion group Students for Life, didn’t respond when the Daily Titan reached out for comment, though the group has for years remained opposed to abortion access at college campuses. In April last year, the group invited the controversial anti-abortion activist Kristen Hawkins to campus, who spoke at the Titan Student Union despite small protests. An assembly bill pushed by

Democratic Assembly member Cottie Petrie-Norris, AB 1264, was also signed by Newsom, which removes some roadblocks to accessing birth control through Planned Parenthood and clarifies that birth control can be prescribed via teleconference without a video chat. The signing of these two bills cement the idea that abortion care is a part of health care, Kalra said. “The two go hand in hand,” she said.

BRANDON PHO / DAILY TITAN

After January 2023, the Student Health Center will be required to hold abortion medication by the state.

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News 3

TUESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2019

Director wants to uphold diversity

Diversity Initiatives & Resource Center director shares her vision for the future. MADELINE GRAY Editor

After a year of having an interim director for the Diversity Initiatives & Resource Centers, Sofie Leon filled the position in July. In the last three months, she has worked to initiate new programming, including the CSU-wide initiative for free legal services for undocumented Cal State Fullerton students. Leon was chosen after attending open forums held last semester, where candidates described what they’d bring to the table. So far, she’s spent her time connecting with the community and learning what students want. “I’ve always been drawn to the notion of safe spaces and to community, particularly for folks who are underrepresented or marginalized in a given space,” Leon said. She recalled her own personal experience of feeling like an outsider during her years studying for her bachelor’s degree in

civil engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. As a woman of color working in STEM, the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, Leon found a community for women-identified people with interests like hers through the Society of Women Engineers. Her involvement with these types of organizations impacted her educational journey. Throughout her time in school, she became more involved in student organizations and leadership. She learned that being a professional in student aﬀairs could be a potential career path. Leon plans to diversify the safe spaces that the Diversity Initiatives & Resource Centers provide to the CSUF community through an expansion of their workshops, which are in high demand. She also plans on giving underrepresented student groups at CSUF the care and services they hope for. She is in discussion with colleagues in the Student Aﬀairs administration about providing a space for students who identify with the South West and North African, or SWANA, community, and how that space can best match students’ needs.

They are in collaboration with student groups that have reached out regarding the possibility of a SWANA center, and are working on defining how many SWANA-identified students are on campus. “We’re definitely talking with students around what does a center mean, what does that look like, what are the critical components of support that students are actually seeking and what’s the path to get there,” Leon said. With the black student population of CSUF recorded at 1.9% in spring of this year, Leon and her colleagues from the African American Resource Center are collaborating to improve the low enrollment rate. They are working in collaboration with the Outreach & Recruitment oﬃce to host an event later in the semester called “Young, Black & Gifted”, with the purpose of recruiting future black Titans. “Our new African American resource coordinator, Torrell (Foree), has some amazing ideas for the African American community on campus,” Leon said. “That resource center, along with others, are really working on establishing signature programming with short,

mid and long-term goals.” Leon sees the potential for more partnerships with other campus offices that share similar goals for improving student success. “Colleagues on this campus, staﬀ, faculty, students have been nothing short of amazing in terms of being welcoming and collaborative and interested and supporting the work that we do in (Diversity Initiatives & Resource Centers),” Leon said. Leon was encouraged to take the position by her partner and CSUF faculty member Wylie Ahmed. Seeing the campus community through the assistant physics professor’s eyes drew the Diversity Initiatives & Resource Centers director to the university. She admires grit, resilience and passion, which are also displayed on posters she hangs in her oﬃce. She sees those same attributes in her connection with the CSUF community. “While I was pursuing this educational field in engineering, what really got me through all of it was that community and feeling of safety and commonality with other folks that I share similar identity with,” Leon said. Finding safe and thriving

The Institute for Democracy and Higher Education reported that before the midterm elections, “students mobilized around competitive state races and high-stakes ballot initiatives, and around issues like immigration, gun violence and the environment.” CSUF students aged 18 to 21 increased the voting rate for their age range from nearly 11% in 2014 to 41.5% in 2018. But Hust also sees that now, more than ever before, “a sense of optimism and hope is being instilled within the students” and that more students within diverse populations such as CSUF are “realizing what they want to see” within all political parties. “They’re looking more so to what the future is going to look like and how we, as a younger generation, can act now to shape it,” Hust said.

Because of the diversity and size of the campus, Hust said it’s ultimately diﬃcult to say whether Titans are voting for “survival” or for positive change overall. “More faculty across disciplines are talking with students about policy issues relating to their field and reminding students of their responsibilities to register and to vote,” said Thomas in the report. Although voters across all disciplines increased their voting rates nationally, at CSUF, students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields remain the lowest in voter turnout. The highest rate continued to be humanities and social sciences, according to the study. Last week, Gov. Newsom signed the Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Act, which will put a dedicated coordinator on each campus to work with

administrators to increase political awareness and voter turnout. The act expands on the Voter Registration Act of 2003, which required California to supply voter registration forms to all high schools, CSUs and UCs. The new bill was part of a series of 17 bills Newsom signed to strengthen California’s elections, according to the

MADELINE GRAY / DAILY TITAN

Sofie Leon, the director of the Diversity Initiatives & Resource center wants to expand center.

communities for students to thrive is her personal passion, and uncovered the career path that she would eventually choose. Leon said she is impressed with the dedication to student success that she has witnessed in campus organizations, including Student Aﬀairs, the Veterans Resource Center and the Male Success Initiative. She appreciates the opportunity to collaborate and share resources with these organizations to help a broader range of students. “It’s been a few positions now, but I’ve landed here and I’m very happy,” Leon said.

CSUF: Students turn out to election polls CONTINUED FROM

CSUF had 8.4 more percentage points than the national college student voting rate, which the study found to be 39.1%. Hust said eﬀorts by universities and programs like Associated Students’ Lobby Corps Commission are the foundation for increased voting, but the real drive in voter turnout is a young population that worries about women’s rights, immigration protection, and safety surrounding racism and gun violence. She said five years ago, students may not have seen the right to vote as necessary but rather as an option, especially those in the 18-to-21 age range. But now things are diﬀerent. “I feel that the idea of opportunity more so formulated into a sense of fear,” Hust said.

governor’s oﬃce. “We applaud Gov. Newsom and our elected leaders in Sacramento for doing what Congress won’t: stepping up and giving young people the on-campus resources they need to hold their elected leaders accountable,” said Kristin McGuire, western regional director of the Young Invincibles in a press release.

JENNIFER HO / DAILY TITAN

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4 Opinion

TUESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2019

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE

Ellen DeGeneres defends George W. Bush This issue is not important enough for public backlash.

Kindness is not always the best cure for ignorance. SOPHIA ACEVEDO Editor

The most wholesome television host in America, Ellen DeGeneres, is under fire for — of all things — sitting next to former President George W. Bush at a Dallas Cowboys game. This is the most ridiculous overreaction made to date. DeGeneres does not deserve backlash for being a civil human being who can display a coherent level of understanding about politics. People whose judgment is clouded with political divisiveness can’t bare the fact that politics aren’t the end-all be-all of determining one’s relationships, and frankly, this is a troublesome reflection of where we are in politics. Not only does this hatred reinforce the role that politics plays in relationships, but it shows an unwavering animosity from liberals that unfortunately makes them seem like the narrow-minded control freaks that conservatives think they are. Due to the negative response she garnered over the weekend, DeGeneres provided some context about why she was seen sitting next to Bush and addressed the larger issue at hand. “Here’s the thing. I’m friends with George Bush, in fact, I’m friends with a lot of people who don’t share the same beliefs that I have,” DeGeneres said. As expected, this sentiment wasn’t taken for what it was. Most notably, Mark Ruffalo went out to continue to show his distaste for how she explained the situation to the public. “Sorry, until George W. Bush is brought to justice for the crimes of the Iraq War, (including American-lead torture, Iraqi deaths & displacement, and the deep scars — emotional & otherwise — inflicted on our military that served his folly), we can’t even begin to talk about kindness,” Ruffalo tweeted. Cue the eyeroll, because Ruffalo just wanted to unleash his overbearing Hulk wrath to talk about such important political matters. Apparently, watching a football game with a former president warrants more anger than paying attention to more pressing dilemmas in politics like the decision of impeachment. But yeah, actors, am I right? They make situations come across like more than what it is. This issue isn’t based on class or accountability. By advocating for kindness, DeGeneres is not being dismissive of Bush’s past or neglecting the issue because of her wealth or white privilege. DeGeneres isn’t backtracking on any of the liberal ideas she has championed by sitting down and spending an afternoon with a conservative former president. Instead, DeGeneres is simply

pushing for the public to take a moment and evaluate issues through an opposing perspective, rather than succumb to their anger. Hatred toward Bush oversimplifies and mistreats the president’s role in government. Though his presidential role from 2001 to 2009 was far from perfect, Bush was not the sole actor in government. Their actions must be backed by others — hence, a separation of powers — to provide action. Looking back, 72% of people believed that it was appropriate to use military force in Iraq in March 2003, according to a Pew Research survey. As the years went on, people changed their opinion, however, this illustrates how perspective can change over time. This isn’t to say that Bush’s decisions of the Iraq War were justified, but that the role of government is far more intertwined and complex. More importantly, the responsibility a president has to act as a figurehead is a tremendous responsibility that is driven by political party and a duty to the American people. The responsibility is a lot to bare, but once they are done, these former presidents are simply people. People have to take it upon themselves to exhibit respectful behavior toward one another, regardless of whether the other person shares the same political party or not. People can agree to disagree, and more importantly they can begin to understand opposing opinions even if at the end of the day, they don’t agree with them. It’s quite laughable to think that people would rather have DeGeneres absolutely abhor Bush for his legacy as president, rather than act like a polite person. When it boils down to it, the role of politics is certainly important, but it isn’t something that should trickle into personal matters like who can be befriended or who can’t. Before joining the cancel culture mob with a pitchfork, take a moment to realize that maybe DeGeneres is onto something when she says that it’s better to be nice to everyone. Anger can be exhausting, and more often than not, completely unnecessary, especially when it’s directed toward someone as sweet as DeGeneres.

ALYSSA LOPEZ Editor

After sitting next to former President George W. Bush at a Dallas Cowboys game, Ellen DeGeneres is justifiably receiving no applause for her latest antic. DeGeneres preaches that we should “be kind to one another.” A fair statement. However, being kind is not always that simple. It’s important that everyone is able to express their beliefs and opinions in whatever manner they wish to. But it’s also important that we listen and try to understand those with diﬀering opinions so that we can all peacefully coexist. A part of being able to do this is respectfully disagreeing with each other. This means standing side by side without exchanging unkind words or partaking in malicious behavior. This can easily be the case through lack of friendships between those whose personal viewpoints are not aligned. It is not mean to not be friends with somebody, it’s doing what’s best for yourself without causing harm to others. The backlash that DeGeneres is receiving isn’t just about who she sat next to at a football game. She states that she has a friendship with the former president, a person who, when he was in power, supported legislation that aimed to limit marriage to only heterosexual couples. The problem with her friendship with Bush is that when he had power, he tried to stop people in the LGBTQ community, like DeGeneres, from having the same basic human rights as heterosexual people. Since his term ended, he has not publicly changed his stance on the matter. DeGeneres’ friendship with Bush sends the message that it’s better for people to silently sit on the sidelines and form meaningful relationships with people who don’t believe you deserve equal rights. Friendships aren’t legal requirements. It’s OK to not be friends with everyone you meet, even if they’re a former president of the United States.

DeGeneres responded to the backlash by stating, “I’m friends with a lot of people who don’t share the same beliefs that I have. We’re all different and I think we’ve forgotten that that’s OK that we’re all different.” She goes on to say, “just because I don’t agree with someone on everything doesn’t mean that I’m not going to be friends with them. When I say ‘be kind to one another’, I don’t mean only the people that think the same way that you do. I mean be kind to everyone.” Of course, kindness is a great quality to advocate for, and disagreements should be expected in a world full of different people. But saying that friendships can be made with those who you disagree with is a complicated task. If one person believes that every race is equal while another thinks that one particular race is superior than the rest, those two are probably, and understandably, not going to be friends. While DeGeneres says to be kind to everyone, she’s not holding her socalled friend to the same standard. Kindness is allowing everyone to have equal rights and giving people a choice in the lives that they live. Bush’s ideals don’t seem to mirror what she stands for. According to CNN, in 2004, Bush stated, “The union of a man and a woman is the most enduring human institution, honored and encouraged in all cultures and by every religious faith.” Bush also went on to state, “Marriage cannot be severed from its cultural, religious and natural roots without weakening the good influence of society.” It’s hypocritical for DeGeneres to publicly defend her friendship with Bush by preaching that we need to be kind to everyone, when it seems that Bush would not, and has not done the same. It is true that DeGeneres has the right to be friends with anyone she wants - that’s one of the great aspects of having the freedom of choice. She can go ahead and choose to be friends with an ignorant person who probably doesn’t think she should have the same protections and rights as he does. But her actions say more than the words that come out of her mouth.

REBECCA MENA / DAILY TITAN

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Sports 5

TUESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2019

Megan Day wins Big West defensive player of the week

KASON CLARK / DAILY TITAN

Freshman defender Megan Day keeping her eye on the ball against Kansas State.

Megan Day(14) and Kansas State defender(24) Maguire Sullivan battling for the ball during their game on Sept. 8th.

The freshman defender scored her first conference goal agianst UC Riverside.

played host to UC Riverside, and both squads could not find the back of the net after one half of play. It was five minutes into the second half when Day broke the scoreless tie. After hitting the crossbar oﬀ of a corner kick, Day was right in position for the rebound to get the Titans on the board. Day’s goal against the Highlanders would be the diﬀerence maker in the game as the CSUF defense held UC Riverside in check, allowing one corner kick and only two shots in the game, one of them on goal. The final

JORDAN MENDOZA Editor

As the Cal State Fullerton women’s soccer team continues to win, the weekly honors are also piling on for the Titans, as freshman defender Megan Day was named the Big West’s defensive player of the week.

The freshman from La Mirada played a critical role in the Titan’s two victories this past week as Fullerton sits on top of the Big West standings. In the Titans’ first game of the week, CSUF fell early to rival Long Beach State as they trailed 1-0 at halftime. Day, as well as the rest of the Fullerton defense, put the pressure on the 49er offense as they shut the team out for the remainder of the game as the oﬀense picked up to carry the team to a 2-1 victory. On Sunday night, the Titans

score of the game would result in a 1-0 victory for the Titans. The goal on Sunday was Day’s second of the year after scoring her first collegiate goal on Aug. 30 when the Titans defeated Northern Colorado 5-0. Day’s playing time has risen as the team heads further into season. After coming oﬀ of the bench in the first four games of the season, Day has started in the last eight of nine games for CSUF. The freshman has a total of 4 points on the season, and has taken advantage of her opportunities

near the opposition’s goal with a 50% shot on goal. By scoring the game-winning goal in Sunday’s win, Day has propelled the Titans to extend their unbeaten streak to nine games, and the 3-0 start to conference play is Fullerton’s best Big West start since 2013. CSUF’s overall record on the year is 10-2-1. Day and the rest of the Titans will be back in action Friday night when they’ll finish their three-game road trip against UC Irvine. Kickoﬀ from Irvine is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Cal State Fullerton women’s golf hits bump in Lakewood, Washington

Lundquist had the highest finPetchel shot 4-over-par 76, Elsa Lundquist was the only finished tied for fourth place with day one was Gonzaga’s Quynn Titan under par at Pat Lesser Nevada University at 12-over-par Duong as she shot 6-under-par ish for the Titan team after day which was caused by five bo588 after two rounds. 138 after two rounds. one with a score of 1-under-par geys. Her first round score was Hatbottle Invitational. The tournament consisted of Fullerton was led by Nodoka 143 that tied her for sixth place the worst finish on the Titan ARNIE GONZALEZ Editor

Cal State Fullerton women’s golf traveled to Lakewood, Washington for the Pat Lesser Hatbottle Invitational hosted by Seattle University where they

18 teams including the Titans. Gonzaga led the way after the first two rounds as they were the only team that finished below par with a score of 8-under-par 568. Grand Canyon University and Seattle University tied for second place with a score of 11-over-par 587. The individual leader after

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with Grand Canyon University’s Siripatsorn Patchana. Lundquist was tied for second with Texie Petchel in the second round as they both had three birdies. She was also the only Titan in the second round who finished under par as she shot 2-under-par 70. Brittany Shin shot 2-over-par 74 in the first round. She had four birdies to go along with four bogeys as well as one double bogey for the Titans. She was not the only member of the Fullerton team to get a double bogey as Petchel shot a double bogey in the 17th hole. Shin finished tied with six other golfers for 36th place as they all shot at 7-over-par 151 after two rounds.

team. Her struggles continued in the second round as she shot 9-over-par with nine other golfers, which was a 10-way tie for 50th place. Lisa Djerf rounded out the CSUF team as she shot 3-overpar 75 in the first round after her five bogeys, which tied her for the most bogeys in the first round with Petchel. Djerf finished tied in a four way for 32nd with High Point University’s Sarah Kahn, Utah Valley’s Kaylee Shimizu and Santa Clara University’s Sarah Busey at 6-over-par 150. CSUF will finish the Pat Lesser Hatbottle Invitational tomorrow hoping to continue its winning ways.

The sun sets in second round on CSUF men’s golf

Titans in seventh place at Oregon State Invitational after the early ending due to

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Honda in the first round as she shot 2-under-par 70 and was the only member of the Titan team who shot under par. Honda shot four birdies and two bogeys in the first round, three of her four birdies came in the last five holes of the back nine. Despite her start in the first half, she ended the day tied for eighth place at par 144 with three others from Houston Baptist University’s Elise Parel, Gonzaga’s Cassie Kim and Nevada University’s Victoria Gailey. Elsa Lundquist had the next best score for the Titan team in the first round as she shot 1-over-par 73. She shot two birdies and three bogeys in the first round, both of the birdies came in the front nine.

Cal State Fullerton men’s golf was left in seventh place after day one of the Oregon State Invitational held at the Trysting Tree Golf Club utilizing a par of 71 in Corvallis, Oregon on Oct. 14. The Titans are 21-over-par on day one and will finish the holes before the final 18 starts tomorrow. CSUF moved up two slots from the last round below the Oregon State University B team. Titan Jack Dyer was tied for 12th place before the second round was stopped with Titan Derek Castillo. Dyer had five birdies and four bogeys in the first round, and scored two birdies and three bogeys in the second round, though he will hit the fifth hole tomorrow before the final 18. He scored 1-under-par 70 within the first round, with a score of 1-over-par 67 in the second round, minus the fifth hole.

Castillo scored two birdies and four bogeys in round one, as well as five birdies and three bogeys in the second round. He scored 2-over-par 73 in the first round. The other Titans, Dalton Daniel, Garrett Boe and Trevor McNarry, placed in a tie for 29th place, 76th place, and tied for 72nd place in both rounds, despite some Titans missing two or more holes in the second round. Daniel scored 6-over-par 77 and had eight bogeys and two birdies in the first round. In the second round, he had one bogey and two birdies with a score of 1-under-par and a score of 62. Boe scored seven bogeys, one birdie, one double bogey and one triple bogey with a score of 11-over-par 82 and in the first round. In the second round, he scored two double bogeys and three bogeys, scoring 7-overpar 66. McNarry scored four bogeys, one birdie, one double bogey and one triple bogey in the first round with a score of 9-over-par 80. He had two double bogeys, four bogeys and one birdie in the second round, scoring 7-over-par 74. Carson Barry from Oregon State takes the lead with a

score of 5-under-par 66 in the first round; he had five birdies and two bogeys with one eagle. In the second round, he scored 3-under-par 64 with six birdies and three bogeys. Oregon State University is in first place, with two of its players scoring one eagle each in the first round. Coming in second place is Matthew Anderson from the University of San Francisco, with 4-under-par 67 in the first round, and 2-under-par 66 in the second round, despite not hitting the fourth hole. Tied for fourth place is Briggs Duce from the University of Arizona and Kyosuke Hara from Oregon State. Duce had a score of 3-under-par 68 in the first round, and a score of 1-under-par 66 in the second round with an eagle; Hara had a score of par 71 in the first round and 4-under-par 63 in the second round. Cal Baptist, Washington State and the University of San Francisco were of many participating teams. The tournament was cut short due to nightfall but will be continued the morning of Oct. 15 before round three starts.

6 Lifestyle

TUESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2019

Column: My vegan journey Dieta r y changes require dedication

CINDY PROAÑO / DAILY TITAN

My life has changed for the better since I transitioned to a plantbased diet. MADISON AMIREHTESHAMI Staff Writer

The days of hunting animals for food are long gone. What was once needed for survival is now an ancient practice, replaced in America by factory farming. The ability to eat based on cravings is a luxury. People can pick and choose what they

want to eat by walking in and out of a restaurant or grocery store. The truth is, this abundance of food is a blessing. It is now easier than ever to thrive with dietary preferences. As a result, people are becoming more and more accepting of vegan food. Veganism has become a defining factor in my life over the past six years. My passion for veganism has grown alongside my knowledge about its many benefits. I went from eating McDonald’s Big Macs and Starbucks frappuccinos almost daily, to a predominantly

low-fat raw vegan diet. For the average person, veganism is not an easy change. Weaning your body and mind oﬀ dairy, meat, eggs and animal-derived products (e.g. gelatin) takes time and patience. As humans, we are capable of accomplishing almost anything we set our minds to, including transitioning to a plant-based diet. Dedication can be diﬃcult, especially after bumps in the road. On several occasions, I have unknowingly eaten meals containing dairy and eggs, which made me sick for a day or two.

The truth is, bouncing back is easier when you prioritize yourself and avoid slips that were completely preventable. I have learned over the years to carefully read food labels, ask restaurant chefs to prepare something vegan, or politely decline oﬀers from people who do not fully understand the meaning of “no animal products or by-products.” Despite the diﬃculties, I never stopped calling myself a vegan, and most importantly, I never gave up. When I was 15 years old, I complimented my church friend on her weight loss. This

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was a healthy transformation, not a drastic one. She told me she went vegan, and my ears perked up. What interested me the most was not that she was able to shed a few pounds, but the way she talked about the inhumane treatment of farm animals for human consumption. Back in 2014, when the information I received was heavily filtered through the protective bubble that was my parents, this was news to me. After that conversation, I did my own research. I learned that some people are vegan for health reasons.

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Although you fiercely value your independence, in thought and deed, it’s wise to know when you need guidance from someone more knowledgeable.

Honesty is a double-edged sword. Simmering tensions between you and a loved one likely boil over now. You can’t rely on subtleties to express how you feel today.

A caring yet inspiring tone convinces people to listen to your ideas. Others are likely receptive because they see that you value and appreciate their contributions toward a common purpose.

A beloved soul reminds you that money can’t buy the most precious facets of life. You’re seeking connection as you shop for sales and special discounts. But reaching out to a loved one won’t cost you a thing except vulnerability. Striking a moderate tone on a sensitive matter with a person close to you could be a source of struggle today. One moment, you’re seething while you recount and reflect on every nuance of an offensive statement. Recalling the past is an effective way to process your present and future. Staying busy with current demands not only can prompt you to lose touch with your ambitions but your previous travails.

Discussing controversial topics might require extra caution and thoughtfulness today. You’re bound to encounter people who, for various reasons, feel alienated or offended by off-the-cuff remarks.

Conversations with loved ones of all ages brings a smile to your face today. You can’t get enough of those who make your heart pump faster.

Your emotional bias might skew your judgment about an important decision. You’re more content to stay in your groove at work and dismiss someone or their ideas.

Try as you might, life probably won’t let you remain in a comfy bubble now. Perhaps you just want to coast through your day without any wild swings toward heart-stopping excitement.

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Your powers of perception are heightened today. Perhaps you’re not inclined to enjoy reading the fine print of anything, but you can read between the lines fantastically well.

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Lifestyle 7

TUESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2019 Everyone has health battles. Some are silent and undetected, others are extremely apparent. While some make the change to save their lives, many also choose a vegan diet as a preventative health measure. Doctors and scientists agree that diets rich in plant-based foods can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, not to mention promote weight loss and improve skin health. Earlier this month, more than 12,000 doctors from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine petitioned for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to place breast cancer warnings on cheese. Some people choose veganism as a way to advocate for animal rights. Research shows that pigs, cows, chicken and fish are all intellectual and emotional beings capable of both understanding and fear. A study conducted in 2008confirmed that animals experience both physical and psychological stress during the pre-slaughter period. A quick search on YouTube shows how little factory farm conditions have changed, with graphic footage showing desperate animals cry, squawk and squeal. Nearly 10 billion animals are raised and killed for meat each year in the U.S. alone, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Similarly, the forced impregnation of dairy cows to maintain milk production is another way animals’ lives are disregarded and their bodies subject to cruelty. Others are vegan for the environment. The call to save planet Earth is at the forefront of our minds with the wake of climate strikes across the world. It must also be taken into account the massive number of resources required to produce meat. According to EarthSave International, a California nonprofit agency committed to improving the health of underserved

populations and educating the public about the eﬀects that food choices have on the environment, it takes 2,500 gallons of water, 12 pounds of grain, 35 pounds of topsoil and the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline to produce one pound of feedlot beef. The result is gaseous emissions from animal agriculture that are responsible for a range of climate-related events, based on the findings made by the Humane Society of the United States. The documentary “Cowspiracy” states that animal agriculture results in more greenhouse gas emissions than all of the world’s transportation combined. The eﬀects of climate change are already apparent, with melting ice caps, an accelerated rise in sea levels and longer, more intense heat waves. I was overwhelmed when I first learned all of this information, but from that point on, veganism was a no-brainer. There are plenty of other reasons to go vegan, but for some, it is still not realistic. I do not expect everyone to care about the lives of pigs, the drought in Africa or even personal health and longevity. The world may never be the vegan utopia that I dream of, but the numbers do not lie. A 2017 study by Global Data found there has been a 600% increase in the number of people who identify as a vegan since 2014. I vividly remember when I first approached my mom about veganism, and she was very quick to pass judgment. She brought up the main points that most people would. Is that healthy? How will you get protein? Isn’t being vegan expensive? What I couldn’t answer then, I can now. Yes, veganism is sustainable. Protein makes up everything that is edible, from beans and nuts to fruits and vegetables, because it is the structural component that holds food together. Think back to basic biology, remember that plants create protein through photosynthesis.

Plants are the same protein source that fuels some of the strongest mammals, such as gorillas and rhinoceroses. And yes, when you eat a variety of plantbased food groups that vary in color, you will get a wide range of vitamins and minerals. And no, eating plant-based is not expensive. People don’t have to be a movie star like Natalie Portman or a professional athlete like Tom Brady with enough money in the bank for a private vegan chef. Sure, buying vegan cheeses, faux meats or other processed vegan foods are going to be expensive. But oranges, apples, leafy greens, cauliflower, bananas, watermelons and potatoes are not that expensive, especially when buying them in bulk at Costco or shop at local farmers markets. It is also important to note that just because a food item is technically vegan does not mean it is healthy. For example, some well-known snacks like Oreos and Twizzlers are vegan, but junk food is almost always highly processed, and therefore not great for the body. Do not stress if you find you don’t really like fruits and vegetables, you eat a ton of processed foods, and you have trouble going one day without cheese or bacon. Never push yourself to do something you are not ready for. A gradual transition will give your body time to gently get rid of toxins. Before making any major changes to a diet, consult with a physician first. Since the start of my vegan journey, I have come a long way, but I still have a ways to go before I reach my goal. No matter the end goal, stay focused and be positive. There is no right or wrong way to be vegan. With raw vegans, freegans, fruitarians and more, anyone can find their place on the vegan spectrum. Changing such a huge aspect of anyone’s lives can seem daunting. Not everyone can cut out meat cold turkey — no pun intended — and for those who can’t, it is important to not be too critical of yourself. College

is a time for expanding your scope and deciding the legacy you want to leave on the world. In my experience, I can say that every day for the past six years, I made a conscious choice

to be vegan. I continue to choose saving animals from slaughter, striving for optimum health and reducing my overall carbon footprint. For me, these are the reasons why I am vegan for life.

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8 Lifestyle

TUESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2019

Vietnamese cinema gets its box office moment The Viet Film Fest featured insightful stories through the lens of the homeland. DIANA TRAN Staff Writer

Vietnamese films occupied auditoriums at AMC Theater in Orange from Oct. 11-13 for the annual Viet Film Fest. While cackling could be heard in one room from “The Joker” movie, modern Vietnamese folk opera, called c i lương (modern Vietnamese folk opera) was performed in another room from Vietnamese film, “Song Lang,” by Leon Le. A song lang is a small percussion instrument that sets the tempo for musicians and performers in traditional Vietnamese songs. “Song Lang” is set in 1980’s Saigon, Vietnam, and is centered around a jaded debt collector and c i lương performer who develops a relationship that moves them toward self-actualization. “This is not a story about two men, but about the fate of underprivileged people,” said Nguy n Th Minh Ng c, co-writer of the film. She was happy to include scenes of people singing on the street asking for money to introduce to other countries how Vietnam was at that time. “When (people) hear Vietnam, they immediately think about the war, but we have many more stories beyond that,” said Viet Film Fest co-founder Ysa Le. The Viet Film Fest is the largest international Vietnamese film festival in the world, hosted by the Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association, according to Le, also the executive director. Since the festival’s inception in 2003, its mission has been to connect and enrich communities with Vietnamese art and culture, said Le.

DIANA TRAN / DAILY TITAN

The Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association has been hosting the international film festival since 2003.

Festival director Thuy-Van Nguyen is attached to the Viet Film Fest for its impact on younger generations. “I’m an educator. Every time that I bring my students here ... I love how their view is widened,” Nguyen said. “Some of the kids are already in college, but they still come back because it makes them identify more as a Vietnamese.” Screenings were free Friday morning for high schoolers who brought their student ID, and about 500 students came from over five diﬀerent high schools in Orange County. Le says they began oﬀering free screenings to students from a Westminster High School teacher who loved the Viet Film Fest so much that she brought more students every visit since 2005. Other high schoolers began attending, including Ethan Kim Nguyen, who was 17-years-old when he started volunteering for the Viet Film Fest in 2007. He became involved with the film fest while he was a part of a group called the Vietnamese American High School Alliance. “I think it’s really important for us to support our artists because art is a medium that I feel

DIANA TRAN / DAILY TITAN

Vietnamese films had a red carpet premiere at the AMC Theatre in Orange.

like our community doesn’t really appreciate. As an immigrant community, we’ve had to survive by going toward careers that will make money and help us survive,” Nguyen said. Curtis Gibbs, the director of planning and business development for the Community Action Partnership of Orange County, said that this festival was a great opportunity to support Vietnamese American filmmaking. He provided the filming location for Richard Van’s short film, “Hi u.”

“One of his executive producers was doing location scouting, and she reached out to me, and she asked whether we have any possible locations that might fit the sort of film they were doing,” Gibbs said. “Hi u” is a dark comedy-drama about a Vietnamese American household who receives a surprise visit from a long-lost patriarch after he failed at a getrich-quick scheme. After seeing the film, Gibbs said he respects Van’s filmmaking and is proud to support Van’s

diverse cast and crew. Tiﬀany Tran came to see “Seadrift” by Tim Tsai, which is a movie about Vietnamese refugees who move into a crab-fishing town and were met with xenophobia from white fisherman and the Ku Klux Klan. Minh Pham, the festival’s media relations coordinator, became involved because he wanted to learn more about his culture and express himself beyond studies. “I also immigrated here from Vietnam, and I just always remember my country. So when I saw Viet Film Fest, it really touched my heart to reminisce all of the pictures about my childhood in Vietnam,” said Pham. The Viet Film Fest had over 4,000 people attend this year, according to Le. They are hoping to attract more generations and ethnicities “so we can share the stories and create mutual understanding and accepting and be more inclusive than exclusive,” Le said. In support of this, the festival has required all non-English speaking films to have English subtitles. However, an unfortunate constraint is that the Vietnamese films are only viewable at these festivals. “It takes a lot of resources for filmmakers to distribute their films, and a lot of them don’t have the means to,” Le said. “Sometimes the distributors, the people in the industry, also come and so we want them to see the film and if they have the resources, if they want to, they can help distribute the films as well.” Pham is excited for the future and hopes one day a Vietnamese film, director or actor makes it big in Hollywood. “Come back to our Viet Film Fest 2020. We are looking forward to having more films and don’t hesitate to visit us at vietfilmfest.com. We will be happy to see you next year,” Pham said.

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