Native Theater at PSU P. 6-7
News: A campus under construction P. 4
Opinion: The democratic party leans right P. 8-9
Science: The key to enhanced health P. 5
OPEN OPINION PLATFORM COLUMN
EDITORIAL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Isaiah Burns
MANAGING EDITOR
Tasha Sayre
NEWS EDITOR
Noah Carandanis
ARTS & CULTURE
Sarah Applin
SCIENCE & TECH
Anish Kumar Arumugam
OPINION EDITOR
JJ Christensen
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Sergio Cervantes
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Liam Schmitt
ONLINE AND PROMOTIONS
Tayma Miguel
COPY CHIEF
Lilli Rudine
CONTRIBUTORS
Milo Loza
Vaishnavi Srinath
Adriana Stanzione
Steven Marquess
PRODUCTION
CREATIVE
Briana Cieri
DESIGNERS
Abigal Green
Abby Raymundo
Parker Patnode
Haley Hsu
Devin Singh
ADVISING & ACCOUNTING
COORDINATOR OF STUDENT MEDIA
Reaz Mahmood
SALP ACCOUNTANT
Maria Dominguez
STUDENT
Rae Fickle
To contact Portland State Vanguard, email editor@psuvanguard.com
MISSION STATEMENT
Vanguard’s mission is to serve the Portland State community with timely, accurate, comprehensive and critical content while upholding high journalistic standards. In the process, we aim to enrich our staff with quality, hands-on journalism education and a number of skills highly valued in today’s job market.
ABOUT
Vanguard, established in 1946, is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Student Media Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers and do not necessarily represent the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. Find us online 24/7 at psuvanguard.com.
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THE NEW BUILDINGS OF PSU
NOAH CARANDANIS
THE VERNIER SCIENCE CENTER OPENS TO THE COMMUNITY WHILE THE NEW SCHNITZER ART BUILDING BEGINS CONSTRUCTION
This fall, Portland State University (PSU) community members will meet a changed campus from the one they left in spring.
The PSU campus is now host to the newly renovated Vernier Science Center—formerly known as Science Building One—which began holding classes Sept. 30. Construction on the Schnitzer School of Art, Art History and Design is also underway on what was previously the site of The Courts—PSU’s community skate park. It is set to open for classes in fall 2026.
“The Vernier Science Center is an amazing transformation from what had really been a neglected building that was built back in the 60s and never had been renovated,” said Jason Franklin, Associate Vice President for Planning, Construction and Real Estate. “It’s a building that we worked closely with students and faculty on the design… right from the beginning with the architects all the way through construction. We followed a very equity centered design process.”
According to Cameron Patterson, Project Manager with Capital Projects and Construction (CPC) on campus, the Vernier Science Center is much more student focused than before the renovation project.
“It used to be much more of a research centered building [with] individual faculty research labs… It’s [now] much more of a teaching, meeting [and] gathering space,” Patterson said. “[There was] a lot of focus put on to making a much more inviting space… More natural feeling warm colors, inviting areas and lounge spaces… [creating] spaces where people want to feel more comfortable gathering and hanging out.”
From more tables and seating throughout the building, to the art created by Indigenous artists hanging on the walls, the Vernier Science Center is no longer a space for science
students to only take their classes and leave. Students and community members from any academic discipline can take advantage of the study spaces and lounge areas.
Various science departments will be utilizing the new building’s classrooms and labs. The renovation introduces large laboratories that encourage interdisciplinary study through its open space and plethora of equipment for differing disciplines. Also new are classrooms that can accommodate traditional lecture hall seating as well as more circular discussion based seating arrangements.
Patterson also commented on the vacant lot directly adjacent to the Vernier Science Center.
“It’s going to be a new park [that’s] largely developed to kind of work in conjunction with the VSC design, and a lot of that ties into the ITECK [Indigenous Traditional Ecological & Cultural Knowledge] group,” Patterson said. “An ITECK inspired landscape park area with a lot of natural native plantings.”
According to Serena Dressel, Coordinator at the Student Sustainability Center, the vacant lot will be managed by ITECK which is currently designing the space.
The Vernier Science Center is not the only change to campus relevant to the community this fall. With construction beginning on the Schnitzer School of Art, Art History and Design Building, members of PSU’s skate community are left without The Courts.
“[The Courts] site has always been designated for a future academic building,” said Liz Hoekstra, the Associate Campus Planner of the Campus Planning and Sustainability Office.
“When the skaters started skating there during COVID, I was able to jump in and partner with them… to let them stay… up until the time that the building construction was slated to
happen. So we always knew it was going to come to an end.”
According to Hoekstra, the campus planning team is partnering with Skaters for Portland Skateparks and Prosper Portland to find a new home for The Courts in the near future.
While The Courts are finding new space, construction is already underway on the new Schnitzer School of Art, Art History and Design—which had its groundbreaking event on Sept. 17.
The majority of funding for the building is coming from the State of Oregon through state bonds—which PSU applied for back in 2021. The rest of the funding is through philanthropy which—for this particular project—the Schnitzer family donated the lead gift for, according to Franklin.
At approximately 95,000 square feet and planning to stand four stories high, the new art building will provide much needed space for art students and faculty on campus.
“Right now, the Schnitzer School of Art, Art History and Design is scattered across five different buildings on campus,” Franklin said. “Looking at what students and faculty were looking for [we] created a document that… really highlighted just the need for more student space and better studio space… for the students and just [a] more general gathering space for the community as well.”
The building will also be the first mass timber building built on PSU’s campus.
“The kind of structure itself is made out of wood so [it] creates… a large open space that’s conducive to large art studios and creative spaces,” Patterson said. “On the first floor there is a new student gallery… it’ll be a space owned by the School of Art and Design for student and faculty exhibits.”
According to Patterson, construction hours will normally be from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Schnitzer School of Art, Art History and Design building.
NOAH CARANDANIS/PSU VANGUARD
In the bustling hallways of our school, conversations about fitness often revolve around the latest workout trends or diet fads. But what if there was a single metric that could not only gauge your athletic prowess but also predict your long-term health and longevity?
VO2 max—a measure that’s been gaining significant attention in both scientific circles and fitness communities.
What is VO2 max? Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s break that down in simple terms. It’s a measure of how efficiently your body uses oxygen during intense exercise.
But as Brad Wipfli , Assistant Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, explained, there's more to it than meets the eye.
“VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen that your body can transport throughout your muscles to do work,” stated Wipfli. “That is usually when you are engaging large muscle groups. So something like running, skiing, any aerobic activity.”
This measurement isn't just about how well your lungs work—it's a complex interplay of various bodily systems, including your heart, blood vessels, lungs and even your brain. Think of it as a holistic snapshot of your cardiorespiratory fitness.
Here’s where things get really interesting.
Recent studies have shown that VO2 max isn’t just for athletes—it’s a crucial indicator of overall health and longevity for everyone.
“We do know, research does show that people with higher VO2 max tend to have lower mortality,” said Erin Bransford, Fitness & Health Promotion Coordinator for PSU Campus Rec
This isn’t just anecdotal evidence. A 2018 review, published in Frontiers in BioscienceLandmark named VO2 max as the strongest predictor of life expectancy. Even more striking, the American Heart Association recommended incorporating VO2 max into clinical evaluations back in 2016—recognizing its predictive value for cardiovascular health.
But how exactly does a higher VO2 max translate to better health outcomes? Wipfli offers an intriguing explanation.
“We have about two to two and a half billion heartbeats in a lifetime. So when your VO2 max is higher, when you regularly exercise, your resting heart rate will be much lower. So your heart rate goes up for 30 minutes or an hour [during exercise], but then the rest of the day your heart rate will be lower. So you're kind of extending those two to two and a half billion heartbeats over a longer period of time.”
This concept of “heartbeat conservation” offers a fascinating perspective on how improved cardiovascular fitness could potentially extend our lifespan.
While athletes have long used VO2 max as a benchmark for performance, its relevance extends far beyond the track or field.
“I think the biggest misconception I hear is students say VO2 max doesn’t really matter because they don’t do cardio and that they are not endurance athletes,” said Bransford. “They like to lift weights or like to play basketball, or just generally, want to be healthier and so they kind of dismiss VO2 max, thinking they don’t need to know about that.”
However, this dismissal overlooks the broader implications of VO2 max for overall health.
“VO2 max is like the gold standard for your cardiorespiratory fitness, but is not easily accessible,” stated Wipfli.
THE HIDDEN KEY TO UNLOCKING YOUR HEALTH POTENTIAL
This accessibility issue is crucial to address— especially for students who might feel intimidated by the concept. The good news is that improving your VO2 max doesn’t require specialized equipment or extreme workouts.
So, how can the average student or faculty member work on improving their VO2 max?
“The good news is it’s easy,” said Wipfli. “There was a conception for a while that you had to exercise at a really high intensity. That’s not the case. Anything, even a brisk walk or jog is enough to increase our VO2 max. So, it’s
said. “I know from a lot of years of coaching and personal training, that people can get really discouraged if they’re focused on one thing and they don’t see the vitals changing on their smartwatches.”
This advice is particularly relevant in our data-driven world, where it’s easy to become fixated on numbers and lose sight of the bigger picture—enjoying movement and improving overall health.
In recent years, the proliferation of fitness trackers and smartwatches has made VO2 max estimation more accessible than ever. However, both experts caution against relying too heavily on these devices.
“Don’t put too much thought into it,” Wipfli explained. “The only way to accurately measure VO2 max is to get into a physiology lab, get yourself hooked up to an oxygen system and get on a bike or a treadmill and push yourself until you can’t process any more oxygen.”
“So, if you have a smartwatch that calculates your VO2 max, you definitely want to take the time to set up your profile on your watch, really like every single field, which can feel really tedious,” Wipfli stated. Wipfli stated. “A lot of people skip that part, but if you don’t put in things like your birth date and your actual weight and height and your gender and your actual activity level and all those questions that they ask you, the estimates are going to potentially have a bigger range of error.”
He goes on to explain how VO2 max relates to overall quality of life.
“The more stress and more strain you’re putting on your body, the harder it is going to be for you,” Wipfli explained. “Regular workouts give you more capacity in your everyday life to accomplish tasks without really straining your body.”
This perspective shifts the focus from pure athletic performance to everyday functionality and well-being—a crucial consideration for students and faculty alike.
As with any area of scientific inquiry, our understanding of VO2 max and its implications continues to evolve. Current research is exploring the genetic factors that influence VO2 max—as well as its potential role in predicting and preventing various health conditions. This metric is more than just a number—it’s a window into our overall health and potential longevity. For students, understanding and working to improve your VO2 max could set the foundation for a lifetime of better health. For faculty, it offers a new lens through which to view fitness and wellness programs.
The key takeaway? Don’t get bogged down in the numbers.
really just about getting any sort of exercise on a regular basis.”
He goes on to recommend a baseline of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, or 75 minutes of higher-intensity activities like running. The key takeaway? Consistency and gradual progression are more important than pushing yourself to extremes.
Bransford echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of finding activities you enjoy.
“I think, trying not to get too focused on just one kind of exercise is important,” Bransford
“I always tell people to think about the numbers only of which are actually helpful and important,” Bransford advised. “But if you’re just more of a casual exerciser and you’re not trying to finish a race in a certain amount of time or compete at a really high level, the numbers are more for fun and interest. It’s more helpful typically if you can focus on the fact that after you work out, you have more energy or you feel better or you can focus better in the class.”
In the end, the VO2 max revolution isn’t about achieving a perfect score—it’s about understanding our bodies better, making informed choices about our health and enjoying the journey of fitness and well-being. So the next time you lace up your sneakers for a jog or hop on a bike, remember: you’re not just exercising, you’re investing in your long-term health, one breath at a time.
PARKER PATNODE/PSU VANGUARD
DINÉNISHŁĮ(IAMASACREDBEING) OR,ABOARDINGSCHOOLPLAY
A NEW PRODUCTION FOCUSED ON CONTEMPORARY NATIVE STORIES IS SET TO PLAY AT PSU
Described as “exuberant, sunny and just a little bit haunted,” ‘Diné Nishłį (I Am A Sacred Being) Or, A Boarding School Play’ by Playwright Blossom Johnson marks the first full production of the Native Theater Project (NPT)
According to the press release, the play “celebrates the dreams, hopes, and confidence of young Native women as they each find their own way to honor their cultural traditions and live their dreams in a modern world.”
‘Diné Nishłį’ takes place at a boarding school and centers on the story of four teenage girls who receive an invitation to the 2002 Winter Olympics to perform the traditional song and dance ensemble of the Navajo National Anthem.
“This play deliberately celebrates the dreams of these young women, so it’s a play with so much hope,” stated Jeanette Harrison, Director, Writer and Producer. “It touches on some things that are really complicated and difficult, on things that have residence in our communities, but it does so in a way that I hope audiences will find as healing.”
Jeanette Harrison is also the Creative Director of the NTP —which aims to foster community and provide opportunities to develop and produce theater productions created by Native playwrights. Harrison initially invited writers, including Johnson—Creator of ‘ Diné Nishłį ’—to join a year-long residency,
where she asked each writer to “take a creative risk.”
Harrison described the experience so far as “A joy filled process,” and stated, “There’s a lot of Native work out there, but having the privilege to work on a play that centers on young Native women is rare.”
Starring in the play as one of the four main characters is PSU Second Year Student Cassie Funmaker—who is from the Wisconsin HoChunk Nation.
“It is so beautiful to walk into a room five days a week, and it’s only Native people with the same goal of creating a theater production—it’s an unspoken connection that is very difficult to ex-
plain with words,” said Funmaker. “I remember going into the first rehearsal and thinking, it’s a story about a bunch of Native teenage girls. I am genderqueer but I was socialized as a teenage girl, so it was also very personal, and having to revisit that all from a distance has been quite healing.”
When asked about the meaning of the title, ‘Diné Nishłį (I am a sacred being)’, Funmaker stated, “I think the title is incredibly fitting: the story is about four teenage girls who are going through the motions of trying to understand what it means to be a young Indigenous person. We’re often told from the world that we don’t matter and that we’re not sacred beings, but
ADRIANA STANZIONE
A scene featuring the main cast members of Diné Nishłį.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JINGZI ZHAO
these four girls are more rooted in themselves and in their culture and have the autonomy to be able to reject that line of thinking; to say no, I’m here and reconnecting with my language, I am sacred and I am here for a reason.”
Portland itself is home to a large population of Native people which plays a role in the significance of the production.
“Portland is the 22nd largest media market in the U.S., but it’s also got the 9th largest population of urban Natives, so it just feels like a wonderful place to develop a hub for new theater development by Native writers,” said Harrison. It’s projects like NTP that help to create more opportunities for modern Native stories to be shared with the public. “What my hope is with Native Theater Project is that we can use all of these ingredients: Portland being a center for urban Native people, the
by Native creatives,” stated Harrison.
The role of community in the performing arts is also very important—not just when it comes to the NTP—but when it comes to theater itself.
“In Native communities, theater and storytelling has always been a key element of community building and how we interact with one another,” said Harrison, who also describes the arts as “a key part of our culture.”
“The art form of theater is really important to us…” said Funmaker, sharing the same opinion. “It is the radical act of being vulnerable in a community with people around you. For me, theater is more of an outlet and a really powerful one at that.”
It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic played a consequential part in developing a lack of community in the performing arts world— which Harrison describes as “essential” and “at the heart of theater.” It is also something that NTP and productions like ‘Diné Nishłį’ are helping to further cultivate.
“I think theater wouldn’t exist if there’s no community,” said Harrison. “I think part of the reason why American theater is in such a crisis right now is that we are coming back from the pandemic and there is this desire and need for connection and community to combat the isolation we’ve been through.”
The post-pandemic representation of the younger Native generation can “make a big difference in the lives of our youth,” said Harrison, who acknowledges the sense of disconnect that the younger generations may feel. “Even to this day, when Native youth go to college, what they run to is a level of ignorance in American society that is really debilitating.”
A sense of disconnect is particularly understandable for students “who come from reservation communities, who are coming to a new place that they’re not familiar with,” which can cause Native students to “feel adrift, lost, and unwelcome,” said Harrison. To see a production like ‘Diné Nishłį’ may provide people with a realistic and identifiable story—one that is “more human and realistic,” and one that fosters a deeper “understanding of Native communities and Native people.” Maybe then, “those students can stop feeling so at sea.”
When we think of the kinds of Native stories that are popular today, they’re usually stories that cater to a Hollywood-esque depiction of Native American history and culture—with characters who are oftentimes one dimensional and stereotypical. ‘Diné Nishłį’ defies these archaic representations with ones that are not only more accurate, but more relatable and timely.
girls in this boarding school and we bring it up in almost every scene.”
But bringing up the past does not have to be inherently tragic.
“With Native stories, we didn’t really get the chance to tell tragedies outside of our own circles, so I think when we see culturally specific stories that are sad, I think it’s also valid because we have a lot of experience with sadness [...] What’s beautiful about this story is that you kind of get the best of both worlds,” stated Funmaker.
“One of the challenges is that Native stories haven’t been allowed to accurately represent Native people in their full complexity,” said Harrison. “It’s one thing as a storyteller to feel like your work matters and to feel like you’re making a difference in the world, but it’s another thing to have studies, with data, that back up the fact that if more Americans had greater context for the stories of contemporary Native people, it can open up their willingness to support things that help to support our community.”
The American education system has the opportunity to better inform and introduce younger people to these stories, but it often falls short in doing so.
“As an educational institution, I don’t think we do enough to acknowledge our past and I don’t think we have the best tools of integrating Indigenous students into this system of higher education,” said Funmaker. “So to be able to tell a story like this is really powerful.”
Schools in the U.S. rarely mention Native American history in depth—regardless of grade level.
This is partly what leads to a cyclical misunderstanding of Native American culture and a lack of historical and land acknowledgement.
“87% of American schools do not teach any Native American history beyond the year 1900,” said Harrison. “There’s a ridiculously high percentage of state curriculum that does not name one single Native American person. Imagine learning American history and never learning the names of any of our American presidents.”
This is just an example of how the suppression or disregard for Native stories can further perpetuate the misrepresentation and underrepresentation of Native people.
“If the American public are led to believe that Native people are extinct, it wouldn’t matter that all the land is stolen, because we’re not here anymore,” said Harrison. “But the truth is that we are here.”
She then explained how Native people are a fast growing demographic in the U.S.
fact that there’s so many Native artists who call this community home and the fact that there is so much hunger and thirst for Native work right now.”
It’s stories like ‘Diné Nishłį’ that are becoming more and more desired by the general public.
“These stories have always been necessary,” said Funmaker. “There’s always been a demand and an audience for it—it’s just been the world around us who wasn’t ready for them [...] I think there has been major pushes of reconciliation going on… and I think people are finally starting to wake up for that.”
Harrison also cited a telling statistic in regard to the increasing desire to place these kinds of stories in the spotlight.
“There is a study that just came out by IllumiNative, which found that 78% of American people want to hear Native stories that are led
“These are the kinds of stories I’ve been wanting to hear about my whole life,” said Funmaker. “I think if I had stories like these when I was younger, I might not have had so many issues with figuring out my own identity.”
When many people think of stories about the Native American experience, they usually don’t first think of the word ‘comedic,’ which the press release used to describe ‘Diné Nishłį.’
“There has been a long history, particularly in Hollywood, of Native characters written and directed by non-Native people and the difference in work you get is really substantial,” said Harrison. “It’s important that we’re seen as contemporary people with contemporary histories.”
It’s a side to the story that—as Harrison described—Hollywood usually neglects.
“A lot of us have learned to heal and cope with laughter, which I believe is a healing agent,” said Funmaker. “But we still talk about the past a lot. We talk about the past and how it affects these
When asked what she would tell any aspiring Indigenous artists, Harrison said, “Create. There is a thirst, a hunger, and a need for your stories, and your stories matter.”
‘Diné Nishłį’ runs from Sept. 18 to Oct. 13 across multiple community spaces in Portland. From Sept. 18–29, it plays at The Vault Theater in Hillsboro, and will continue for four shows at the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) from Oct. 4–6. Portland State University’s Native Student and Community Center will showcase the play from Oct. 10–13 at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s really exciting to be invited to Portland State and to the Native American Student and Community Center,” said Harrison. “The community at PSU has been incredibly welcoming and we can’t wait to share this story and hopefully continue to build longer and deeper relationships, and ultimately bring more work to PSU.”
For more information and details on the production, visit https://bagnbaggage.org/.
Kaylene (Aurora Hernandez, right) charms Shawna (Dominique Knight, left) when she writes a song for her in Navajo in the world premiere of the play.
Teachers (l-r Laura John, Lori Tapahonso) celebrate their students (Taya Dixon, Dominique Knight, Cassie Funmaker) learning their traditional songs in the world premiere.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JINGZI ZHAO
THE DEMOCRATIC SHIFT RIGHTWARD
DESPITE CLAIMING TO
BE THE
PARTY OF LIBERAL AND PROGRESSIVE VALUES, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS MADE A SILENT AND INSIDIOUS SHIFT TO THE RIGHT WING
JJ CHRISTENSEN
From 2016 to 2020, acts of violence and harassment against Hispanic people were rampant. This ranged from individual, emboldened racists who came out of the woodworks of suburban United States all the way to the state who deputized Immigrations and Customs Enforcement(ICE) to reach into working class neighborhoods and tear out immigrants via mass raids on cities.
I was moving through school at this time. I was a young, Chicano teenager who was politically undereducated but fiercely protective of my community. Across the country, Latinos were forced to organize as a community to protect and defend our parents, grandparents, friends and ourselves from police harassment and mass deportation.
I distinctly remember this time, when the Democratic Party claimed to be the party that would defend the rights and dignities of immigrants, illegal or otherwise. This promise is what sold me on the Democratic Party during the Trump administration—this time when acts of anti-Latino violence and deportation were being carried out with such ferocity it spread terror across my community.
The Democratic Party offered itself as the opposition, as a tool to fight back and as the resistance. Much of this resisting was—as it often
is—the Party taking false credit for the actions of street-level activists. However, the idea of a liberal party with a progressive wing that would fight Former President Donald Trump’s racist, xenophobic and at times almost genocidal policy of harassment, deportation and institutionalized violence against Hispanic people was too much to ignore. At times they even claimed that they would outright dismantle the system of migrant “detention centers” at the border.
This sales pitch is the reason I considered the Democrats a trustworthy ally in the fight for my community throughout high school. It is the reason that—even as I moved further to the left in my political leanings—I would turn a blind eye to many of the Party’s faults.
It is one of the many promises the Democrats have betrayed through President Joe Biden’s years in office. When it comes to matters of immigration policy, policing, health policy and the ever-present Palestinian Genocide carried out by Israel, this Party has marched slowly but confidently across the Overton Window in order to plant itself firmly in the center-right. Its current presidential nominee has gone from praising the mass movement to defund the police in 2020 to assisting the current administration in allocating $334 Million towards tough-oncrime policing endeavors.
The Party is making a bid to appeal to old Republicans and cut any progressive wing out of policy making and decision making. It now occupies many of the positions of the pre-Trump Republican Party while stifling left-wing dissent from those wishing to push for change within its structures—turning this election into a race between the far-right agenda of Trump and the center-right agenda of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Through the saccharine and glamorous Democratic National Convention (DNC), the Party brought on a veritable cavalcade of border town sheriffs and southwest governors to pump up Harris as tough on the border. Dropping her 2020 stance of repealing the criminal statute on crossing the border without permission, she instead rued the Republican resistance to a right-wing, restrictionist border bill and backed even more funding for the Trump-era border wall. This pivot in both policy and rhetoric is not just theoretical, either. The Biden-Harris administration’s record on deportation is almost identical to that of the Trump administration.
“The 1.1 million deportations since the beginning of the fiscal year (FY) 2021 through February 2024 (the most recent data available) are on pace to match the 1.5 million deportations carried out during the four years President Donald
Trump was in office,” according to an analysis put out by the Migration Policy Institute
That article also includes a handy graph, if you’re so inclined.
Many of these deportations were carried out under the Trump-era “Title 42” restriction and this type of deportation was mostly used against vulnerable Haitian migrants. These migrants were fleeing violence and a near total institutional collapse in their home country.
These contemporary conditions can be traced back to the abysmal state the country was left in after a 19 year occupation by the United States— carried out to extract sugar and other agricultural resources from the nation—and multiple successive interventions since.
This rhetoric was backed up by the aforementioned sheriffs who got speaking spots on the main stage of the DNC. Of that group, the Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar gave a rousing speech that started out by claiming that the traffickers—as he referred to them—were packing migrants into 18-wheelers to drive them across the border.
Also at the DNC was an ever-growing list of 80s and 90s era, B-list Republicans. This includes self-described Reaganite Ana NavarroCardenas, a lifelong Republican operative who served as an advisor to many influential
Republicans. This includes her spot in the Jeb Bush Governorship of Florida and her time advising Senator John McCain. She also regularly spends her time on social media defending the Contras, a former death squad from her home country of Nicaragua.
So many old-school Republicans feel so comfortable endorsing Harris, in fact, that over a dozen former staffers for the Ronald Reagan campaign signed an open letter endorsing her run for the presidency. As the Democratic establishment rushes to gleefully accept these endorsements from the right, voters who are young or already disillusioned with all of the above are only pushed further towards the understanding that there is no meaningful difference between these two parties anymore. And with the space for cops and Republicans on the main stage, surely they could also make space for one of the main Progressive and leftwing demands—to put a Palestinian speaker on that same stage.
Simply, no. Despite the fact that 30 delegates were elected under the “Uncommitted” umbrella, and the presence of mass proPalestinian demonstrations outside the DNC, any attempt to have a single Palestinian speaker was shut down. Even after the speech itself was submitted and looked over by the DNC, Representative Ruwa Romman—the first Palestinian to be elected to public office in Georgia—was not let on the stage.
The full text of the speech was not radical. It appealed to the civil rights legacy of people like Activist Fannie Lou Hamer of the Freedom Democratic Party. It shared a deeply personal, touching story of her grandfather who died without ever being able to go back to Palestine after moving to the US. It simply asked for an end to the genocide and massacres in Gaza and ended with a call to elect Harris as president.
This speech was not allowed on the main stage, but washed-up Republicans were.
Through all of this were chants of “USA!” and speeches to reclaim patriotism and prove that rabid nationalism is not just for the Republicans. To end off the three nights of pomp and circumstance, Harris gave her speech. She praised Biden’s record, reminisced on her career as a District Attorney and prosecutor (a time in which she both defended the death penalty and opposed marijuana legalization) and gleefully declared that she would “[...] ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world.” A full-throated, bold endorsement of the war machine to end off the convention.
If you’re curious, you can read the full transcript of the speech here
This shift has mostly been defended as an appeal to moderates or to the median voter. Let the record show, I think the median voter has been dead since 1980. Beyond that, though, this push to the right might actually hurt the chances of Harris being elected in November.
Polls show that, nationwide, the gap between Harris and Trump is around three percent with Harris in the lead. This is more or less the same lead that Clinton had over Trump in 2016. This sounds good, until you take into account the polling specific to crucial swing states such as those in the Rust Belt—also known as the midwest.
According to a poll from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, American Muslims are tied in their support between Harris and Green Party’s Presidential Nominee, Dr. Jill Stein. This is a direct consequence of the foreign policy proposals between the two candidates. Furthermore, Muslims and Arab Americans broadly are a crucial voting block in states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. They make up significant minority populations in the Rust Belt, which is the exact region the Democrats seem to be spending most of their time trying to win.
The youth—another critical voting block for the Democratic Party—are unmotivated.
Local A&C Events
MILO LOZA
Friendship & Dating 101
Alder Commons
Oct. 8, 11 a.m.
$50
Learn about building positive friendships and dating relationships in this engaging workshop.
The Local Honeys
The Showdown
Oct. 9, 8 p.m.
$20+
Kentucky duo blending Appalachian folk and bluegrass with rich storytelling and harmonies.
Pulp Fiction in 35mm
Hollywood Theatre
Oct. 10, 7 p.m.
$10
Tarantino’s classic film in 35mm format for its 30th anniversary.
Portland Ghost Tours w/ Slabtown Tours
NW Portland & St. Johns
Oct. 11, 6 p.m.
$30
Explore paranormal heritage sites and haunting locations with local historian Dr. March.
“Only 31% of those 2,000 young adults polled in late June and early July in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin say they are better off than they were four years ago,” said USNews. Furthermore, “Young people are engaged and interested in political action, but often disillusioned by democratic institutions and dissatisfied with their electoral choices.”
Trump on the other hand seems to have his base locked down and is pouring money into states such as Pennsylvania and Georgia.
When faced with this information—or any pushback at all—the traditional Democratic counter is that not voting or voting third party is a vote for Donald Trump. This dismissive, counterproductive talking point fails to address that this is a democracy. Political parties are not guaranteed their voting blocks’ votes by the divine right of kings—they have to actively pursue them.
The Democratic Party has dumped two important voting blocks in favor of building up a “Big Tent” with its supporting pole on the right side of the political spectrum. This leaves behind the minority and youth votes that it relied on to come to power in 2020 and leaves those groups politically homeless and searching for alternatives like those in the Green Party.
Instead of sincerely taking the gloves off and fighting for popular, progressive policies in order to put a halt to the slide into fascism in the United States, the Democratic Party has quietly pacified its internal progressive wing and capitulated to the reactionary, conservative right.
Whether or not this is a winning strategy is yet to be determined, but it calls into question if the Party had any scruples at all. I’m left astonished at how quickly the mask has come off and wondering if they ever truly wanted to fight the right or were just waiting to become them.
Universal Monsters Double Feature in 35mm
Hollywood Theatre
Oct. 12, 1:30 p.m.
$10–15
Classic horror films, Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man and House of Frankenstein on 35mm.
Hocus Pocus // $5 FAM JAM
Tomorrow Theater
Oct. 13, 4 p.m.
$5
Screening of Hocus Pocus, celebrating family-friendly spooky fun and witchy mischief.
Comedy Open Mic
Cheerful Tortoise
Oct. 14, 9 p.m.
Comedy on campus, with sign ups at 8:30 p.m. and a feature comedian at 10 p.m.
ABBY RAYMUNDO/PSU VANGUARD
PARKER PATNODE/PSU VANGUARD
HALEY HSU/PSU VANGUARD
DEVIN SINGH/PSU VANGUARD
VANGUARD CROSSWORD
Answers in stories
Down:
1. Theater in Hillsboro where Diné Nishłį played until Sept. 29.
3. Metric measuring the maximum oxygen your body can transport through your muscles.
4. New PSU art building named after the family that donated the lead gift.
6. Renovated PSU science center, formerly known as Science Building One.
7. The event the characters are invited to perform at in Diné Nishłį.
Across:
2. First Palestinian elected in Georgia, denied a platform at the DNC.
2. First Palestinian elected in Geor platform at the DNC.
5. The skate park, replaced by the new Schnitzer Art building.
5. The skate park replaced by the new Schnitzer building.
8. Equipment used in labs to accurately measure VO2 max.
8. Equipment used in labs to accurately measure VO2 max.
9. Agency responsible for raids on immigrant communities.
9. Agency responsible for raids on immigrant communities.
10. Political convention featuring border sheriffs, praising Harris’ stance on immigration.
10. Political convention featuring border sherif praising Harris’s stance on immigration.
MILO LOZA
Maks, 2) Dragshow, 3) Trope, 4) Seafloor, 5) Electrolysis, 6) Matcha, 7) Tokens, 8) CCZ, 9) Thai, 10) Window
DEVIN SINGH/PSU VANGUARD
Community & Wellness Resources
UPDATED WEEKLY
By Milo Loza
Happening Soon
Phi Alpha Theta Sack Lunch Socials
Cramer Hall, Room 488
Oct. 8, 12 p.m.
Free for Students
Meet Phi Alpha Theta members and chat while enjoying a casual lunch together.
Neuro Social
SMSU, Viking Game Room
Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Free for Students
Join the Neuro Club for games, food and info about upcoming neuroscience events.
Welcome to CSA Workshop
SMSU, Room 333
Oct. 10, 5:30 p.m.
Free for Students
Learn about the Cambodian Student Association, play games and enjoy fun trivia.
Iraqi National Day
Smith Ballroom
Oct. 13, 3 p.m.
Free for Students
Celebrate Iraq’s independence with food, music, a photo booth and fun activities.
Civil Discourse Group
SMSU, Room 328
Oct. 14, 2:30 p.m.
Free for Students
First meeting! Discuss politics and engage in respectful conversations on various political topics.
Wings of Desire
5th Avenue Cinema
Oct. 13, 2 p.m.
Free for Students
Wim Wenders’ poetic film about angels observing human life in divided Berlin with stunning visuals.
Resources
PSU Basic Needs Hub
SMSU Suite 435
Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Free for students
Helps students access resources such as funds, food, housing, employment, childcare and health support.
PSU Food Pantry
SMSU basement
Tues 10:30–4:30 p.m., Wed 9–1:30 p.m., Thur 12–5:30 p.m. and Fri 10:30–5:30 p.m. Free for students
Access to free groceries in a welcoming, equitable, trauma-informed way. Must be enrolled in at least one credit for summer or fall.
SMART recovery meetings
University Center Building 340 E Times vary Free
In peer recovery, students with shared experiences connect to reduce stigma and build a campus recovery community.
SHAC weekly online parent support group
Online
Thursdays 11 a.m. Free
Come together as parents in a relaxed setting to support each other, share ideas, collaborate and commiserate.
Women’s Resource Center Online
Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free
Confidential advocacy services to students who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, violence and stalking.
Oregon Energy Fund
Varying Locations
Mon–Fri, hours vary Free
Provides energy bill assistance to low-income Oregonians to support household stability.
Wellness
SHAC Mind Spa
UCB Suite 310
Mon–Fri (by appointment)
Free for students
Solo space to experience biofeedback, light therapy, meditation, massages, relaxation and more. Must be enrolled in at least five credits for summer or fall.
Opioid Overdose Reversal Training
SHAC, Suite 340E
Mon 10–12 p.m. & Fri 2–3 p.m.
Free for students
Pick up free opioid overdose reversal medication and get a 10-minute training on how to use it.
Mindful Meanderings
Listen on Spotify
Available 24/7
Free
PSU-produced podcast about being mindful while outside, practicing gratitude, finding joy and being in the moment.
Wellness & Health Action Team
Follow on Instagram
Available 24/7
Free
WHAT is a group of peers who educate on health topics specific to PSU students.
Outdoor Workshop Wednesdays
Watch on Youtube
Available 24/7
Free
PSU Campus Recreation Center staff videos about topics ranging from Leave No Trace and plant identification to hiking spots and land acknowledgments.
BORP online fitness studio
Watch on Zoom
Mon–Sat, hours vary
Free
Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program’s (BORP) virtual exercise classes for people with physical disabilities.