April 2014: We are the 90s by DIG MAG LB

APRIL 2014

EDITOR’S NOTE BY VIVIAN GATICA We all get that pleasant nostalgic feeling when reminiscing through old photos of our childhood and early teen years when hunting for the perfect “Throwback Thursday” post for our social media. Memories of music, fashion and culture surge to remind us that these are the things that shaped who we are today. To open this “throwback” issue, we take a look at the cartoons that we still seem to know the theme songs to, and TV milestones that have influenced the shows we love so much. This month’s cover story is about everything ‘90s, which many of us are all too familiar with. We look back at its iconic trends that have made their way back into our culture. Part of art’s evolution was the growth in prominence of women in art as artists, subjects and designers. Social progression is also seen in sports, as the obstacles faced by minority athletes like Jackie Robinson led the way to the societal acceptance of current minority athletes—particularly those in the LGBT community.

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

VIVIAN GATICA JULIE CHUNG DANIEL GOLDSBARY ALISA WONG SHANE NEWELL

ONLINE EDITOR ASSISTANT ONLINE EDITORS

DIANA SANGLAB DANIELLE CARSON FRANCISCO FLORES JAZMIN ARREOLA LIA GIORDANO

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

MELISSA TANAKA CYNTHIA MAULEON COLE HUGHEY

These stories all come together to commemorate moments of history that contributed to the progression of the future. We hope that this issue will help you acknowledge the impact these past eras have had on your own life. Enjoy!

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NATALIE BOUROUMAND JILL THOMAN

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contents

04 05 06 09

DIG NOW | ENTERTAINMENT

CARTOONS | ENTERTAINMENT

TV MILESTONES | ENTERTAINMENT

12 14 15

WOMEN IN ART | ART

MINORITIES IN SPORTS | SPORTS

CALENDAR

THE 1990S | COVER

COVER PHOTOS BY JILL THOMAN AND NATALIE BOUROUMAND MODELS: BRADFORD CHIN, DANIEL GOLDSBARY, JOSHUA ESQUEDA, OLIVIA SUGARMAN, DARCY PETERSON, STACEY SIOSON, KEALIE MARDELL, EMMA LANGSCHIED, AND RENEE SCHMIEDEBERG

DIG

NOW

MOVIES B Y

S H A N E

TELEVISION

MUSIC

N E W E L L

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Draft Day

Transcendence

The quintessential American superhero returns to screens on April 4. Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan as Captain America’s enemy, “The Winter Soldier” follows Captain America two years after the Avengers formed. With supporting performances from Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Redford, “The Winter Soldier” will undoubtedly please fans of all ages.

Kevin Costner is back in familiar territory with “Draft Day,” a movie about a fictitious football general manager who desperately wants to receive the number one draft choice. The film includes supporting performances by Frank Langella and Jennifer Garner, and is sure to evoke memories of Costner’s iconic roles in “Field of Dreams” and “Bull Durham.” “Draft Day” hits theaters on April 11.

Johnny Depp returns to the big screen on April 18 in “Transcendence,” a thriller directed by Wally Pfister. Detailing a researcher’s quest to create a machine that can mimic intelligence, “Transcendence” features enough mind-bending imagery to wow audiences worldwide.

Game of Thrones

Veep

Mad Men

Season four of the ever-popular “Game of Thrones” returns to HBO on April 6. Who can forget what happened in season three? With so many twists and turns, season four should deepen the fanbase of one of President Barack Obama’s favorite TV shows.

After a successful awards season, the third season of “Veep” returns to HBO on April 6. Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep” is one of HBO’s best gems. Fans of the show will watch closely to see what shocking event will happen next.

Don Draper fans can rest a little easier. On April 13, the first half of the final season of “Mad Men” returns to AMC. What will happen to Don Draper and his family following the shocking ending of season six? Fans will surely stay tuned to the short seven-episode season.

Catacombs of the Black Vatican

Demolicious

Pop Psychology

Fans of heavy metal, rejoice. The ninth album from Black Label Society, “Catacombs of the Black Vatican,” is set to hit shelves on April 8. Formed by Zakk Wylde, Black Label Society is pushing “My Dying Time” as the lead single on the album.

Green Day is returning to the music scene with a compilation of 18 demos on April 19. “Demolicious” is a collection of songs recorded in 2012 throughout the “Green Day ¡Uno!, Green Day ¡Dos!, Green Day ¡Tré!” album trilogy sessions, and will also feature the unreleased track “State of Shock.” The two-disk special can be purchased on vinyl, as well as CD and cassette, just in time for Record Store Day.

Neon Trees is back with its third album “Pop Psychology.” Set to be released on April 22, “Pop Psychology” features the hit single, “Sleeping With a Friend,” which was performed on The Tonight Show before Jay Leno departed.

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‘90sNA SANGLAB IA BY D

It seems that the quality of cartoons is decreasing every 10 years. Those who grew up in the 1980s say that cartoons in that decade are superior to those of the ‘90s. Generation Y kids say th e same a b o ut t o day ’s offerings compared to the 1990s and early 2000s. Fully animated CGI shows seem visually lessappealing compared to the traditional 2D that we grew up with, and the songs simply aren’t as catchy anymore. But beyond the superficial differences, the ‘90s completely transformed the way cartoons are looked at by both children and adults. Here’s a list of the top five influential cartoons from our childhood.

Ren & Stimpy

It had a shorter run than many other shows, but “Ren & Stimpy” pushed the limits of how far cartoons can go. It could be unfamiliar to those who didn’t have cable or satellite as a child, but this show is one of the most controversial cartoons of all time. The adventures of Ren and Stimpy paved the way for other gross and adult-geared cartoons with the use of grotesque close-ups and vibrant colors, and directly influenced the production of the character who lives in a pineapple under the sea.

Animaniacs

A collaboration of Steven Spielberg and Warner Bros. Animation, “Animaniacs” was one of the first shows that appealed to a broader audience along with “Tiny Toon Adventures.” It included social commentary and a tinge of s l a p s t i c k a d u l t humor. During its run, “Animaniacs” became the most popular animated children’s show, but the impact didn’t stop there. Older fans of the show became one of the first, Internet-based fandom cultures, springing up forums and archives for fanfiction and fan art.

CARTOON BY AZUCENA GONZALEZ AND NELSON LEAL

Batman: The Animated Series

Although it isn’t the first cartoon series based off superhero comic books, “Batman: The Animated Series” helped advertise comics to a wider audience. There was less stigma toward “original” comic book buyers—those who purchased physical comics—because the cartoons allowed for easier access to comic book characters. Artists Paul Dini and Bruce Timm created the medium-jumping character Harley Quinn, who first appeared on “Batman: TSA” before being featured in related comic books as well. Rival comic publishing company Marvel also premiered “X-Men” during this decade, and the success of both shows helped lead to the launch of other comic book shows—shooting off the popularity of the superhero genre.

Arthur

And I say hey! Wi th over 2 0 0 ai red epi sode s , Arthur is the longest-running children’s animated show. What makes it a great show is that it is geared toward children and also tackles serious issues that families may face l i ke asthm a, cancer and Asperger’s syndrom e. Fel l ow PB S cartoon series, “The Magic School Bus,” also helped shape educational cartoon shows. Following Ms. Frizzle’s class adventures made difficult science concepts easy to understand in layman’s terms. Both shows also had very catchy tunes like the Brain’s song, “(I was) Jekyll, Jekyll, Hyde,” and “Ride on the Magic School Bus.”

Sailor Moon

As the longest running magical girl series, “Sailor Moon” is arguably the series that popularized the genre, and influenced shows like “Powerpuff Girls” and “Cardcaptor Sakura.” These shows empowered young girls and often had relatable characters—from athletic girls to underachievers. Along with “Sailor Moon,” “Dragonball Z” introduced many American children to Japanese anime, and helped shape the popularity of series like “Pokemon,” “YuGiOh!” “Naruto,” “Bleach” and more during the early 2000s and beyond.

TELEVISION MILESTONES TV A LOOK BACK AT WHAT SHAPED TV TODAY BY MELISSA TANAKA

elevision has become one of the media’s most influential mediums in the past 75 years, reaching families in households across America. However, it hasn’t always been how it is today. Here’s a look back at some of TV’s biggest milestones and how they helped influence what we see on-screen today.

I Love Lucy Interracial Couples

Make Room for Daddy The Reimagining of The Nuclear Family

Network executives were initially hesitant to green light “I

The notion of blended families on television began in 1953

Love Lucy” because of actress Lucille Ball’s insistence on

with “Make Room for Daddy.” In those times, divorce was

having the executives cast her real life husband, Desi Arnaz.

still somewhat of a taboo subject, however, when arguments

However, executives eventually agreed, and in 1951, “I Love

between Danny Williams and Jean Hagen, the two leading

Lucy” became the first series to showcase an interracial

actors, led to Hagen leaving, the studio decided to write her

couple, Ricky and Lucy Ricardo. For many viewers, it was their

off and set Williams’ character to re-marry. Although audiences

first exposure to someone of Cuban descent, aside from the

took to the story, it wasn’t until 1969 with “The Brady Bunch”

stock characters of bandits or laborers. In more recent times,

that television began to break away from the idea of nuclear

interracial couples can be seen in everything from “Boy Meets

families. Shows like “Full House” or “Drake & Josh” carried this

World” to “Scandal,” providing representation for viewers of

into the present, and embraced the idea that family is more

all ages.

than just the group you’re born into.

I Spy Minorities in Leading Roles

Star Trek Profanity Power

All in The Family LGBT Representation

While he is best known for his loud

Although the most remembered phrase of

In 1971, the sitcom “All in the Family” became

sweaters, Bill Cosby is also an important

the “Star Trek” series may be “live long and

the first show with openly gay characters.

part of television history. In 1965, Cosby

prosper,” the television show was the first to

By having Roger, an effeminate and fashion-

was cast as Alexander Scott in “I Spy” and

use profanity in 1967. The use of “hell” in the

conscious young man, and Steve, an ex-

became a part of the first network sitcom

episode “The City on the Edge of Forever”

footballer and pub regular, the sitcom

to cast a minority actor in a leading role.

set off a chain of letter writing and phone

portrayed the wide spectrum of characters

The show also provided roles for other

calling. Such protests are a thing of the past

that defied stereotypes in various ways.

African-American performers, placing

nowadays, as shows such as “South Park”

Thus, “All in the Family” helped to portray

them in nontraditional parts and prompting

or “Dexter” often utilize profanity to the

gay characters in a positive light and paved

viewers to reconsider racial attitudes.

highest of their abilities.

the way for things such as the lesbian

There was, however, backlash, and a few

wedding on “Friends” or the gay sex scene

stations in the South refused to televise the

in “One Life to Live.”

show. While there is still a lack of leading roles for actors of color, there have been great strides since 1965.

A few modern

examples are “The Fresh Prince of BelAir” and “The Mindy Project,” both of which help challenge various racial stereotypes and positively showcase different people of different ethnicities.

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Exploring the i nfluences of our millennial generation BY FRANCISCO FLORES PHOTOS BY JILL THOMAN AND NATALIE BOUROUMAND

As a prominent part of the millennial generation, the iconic ‘90s era seems to have a strong influence on today’s culture. Everything from its music to its fashion is incorporated into modern trends. Nothing compares to a throwback significant to so many people’s lives, which is why the ‘90s are really all that. For many who grew up in the ‘90s, music was one of the biggest influences in their lives. Nothing brings a more nostalgic feeling than hearing your favorite song from when you were a child on the radio. Communications major Paola Placencia, grew up in the heart of the ‘90s. “When I think of the 90s, I picture Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and *NSYNC,” said Placencia. “[They’re] just artists I grew up with.” First, there was the bubblegum pop explosion in the late ‘90s. Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys and Christina Aguilera all saw the start of their careers, and are still relevant today. Pop music in the ‘90s focused on live bands and simpler beats, making it an instant classic in today’s music world. Rock music was one of the most listened to genres as well. Bands like Blink-182 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers made a name for themselves and united people through their music. There was much less criticism and comparisons between artists and instead, all music was embraced. We also saw a huge growth of rap and R&B music. Artists such as Tupac Shakur and

Biggie Smalls led the rap game along with Jay-Z and Eminem. Rap and R&B focused on everyday struggles, love and other common ideas, and while they focused on simple beats as well, the smooth rhythms and catchy tunes gave these genres a spot in our nostalgic hearts.

the Brain” are still very popular today. The Nickelodeon network spinoff, TeenNick, decided to pay tribute to these classic children’s shows in 2011. They began a segment titled “The ‘90s Are All That,” where reruns of the best Nickelodeon shows from the ‘90s were played after 12 a.m.

Today’s TV shows focus on reality television along with the occasional crime show here and there, but nothing will ever take the place of the comedy sitcom that brought families together and influenced a generation of geniuses.

Christy Cannioto, a communications major, was one of many ‘90s kids that enjoyed these iconic cartoons.

TV in the ‘90s was probably one of the best eras in entertainment. Sitcoms such as “Full House” and “Married With Children” made their triumphant takeover as they became household favorites. Both shows are still featured on networks as popular reruns. However, nothing can compare to the joy that the 1990s television brought the youth with its cartoons. “I was really young in the ‘90s, so I mostly remember the cartoons. I was genuinely happy and entertained when shows like ‘Tom and Jerry,’ ‘Hey Arnold!,’ ‘Recess’ and ‘Spongebob’ came on,” said Alex Garcia, a CSULB psychology major. These animated shows, along with many others, made a great impact on children of the ‘90s. Shows like “Rugrats,” and “Pinky &

“The most influential thing, for me, was the way Saturday morning cartoons were considered a treat and there was discipline that seems rare today, such as playing outside and coming home when the street lights came on,” she said. As if the ‘90s weren’t already the greatest era by far, it also brought about a new style in fashion that is currently being brought back as one of the hottest trends today. Bright colors, symmetrical patterns and oversized clothes are just a few of the trends that made their mark in the ‘90s. Snapback caps for men and crop tops for women are just as popular today as they were in the ‘90s. Denim also made a name for itself as everyone had jeans paired with their washed-out denim jacket. Today, those jackets are coming back in fashion, but of course they have been revamped to reflect the styles of today by adding leather sleeves and hoods.

There was also the huge boom in highwaisted jeans, plaid, and Doc Marten boots. Those “fly” trends have all resurfaced in recent years as they are modernized to fit today’s fashion standards. Though they have taken a modern twist on classic fashion, the styles in the ‘90s will always have their own distinct attitude. To bring the ‘90s full circle, there were also those tacky dance moves introduced by people like MC Hammer, the birth of DVDs and the Internet’s slow and steady rise to stardom. Unfortunately, the last big cultural event for the ‘90s was the Y2K scare that lead everyone into a frenzy of panic, as the future of their technology was unknown. When the clock hit midnight on Jan. 1, 2000, and all the lights were still on, everyone continued their celebration and bid a farewell to the end of an era. If you weren’t born in the ‘90s, I’m truly sorry. The greatest era of all time is now the biggest influence on today’s culture. Its iconic styles and catchy beats have impacted the most advanced technologies today. The ‘90s were never focused on looking for the next big trend or what would make money. It was all about fun and coming together and it unexpectedly created one of the greatest eras of all time.

W How

Art speaks in multiple ways no other things can. It is literature for eyes. Women have utilized art in revolutionary styles to express their struggles, cultures, and of course, beauty. These are only a few of the characteristics recognizing their efforts. From handprints in cave paintings, self portraits bearing beautiful, brimming dresses, 20th century surrealism, and contemporary creative minds, women have graced the art world in dynamic ways. Through art, a sense of independence and power has given women a different kind of voice. Art dates back to prehistoric times when women would create pottery, textiles, baskets, and jewelry. Much of the art cultivated in the early years

omen

women influenced a male-dominated field

was presumed to be by male artists because signatures weren’t present on art pieces, and there was nothing to prove otherwise. In the 11th and 12th centuries in Europe, women contributed primarily to the art world as patrons. Women would work alongside men on embroideries, manuscript illustrations and stained glass, according to CSULB art history associate professor, Mariah Proctor-Tiffany. “As time goes on we see more and more signatures but many times you don’t. There certainly were women who were nuns artists but it was largely men’s work,” said Proctor-Tiffany. “There are examples of women who were running the workshops but...we have a lot of more hard e v i d e n c e o f female patrons.”

Hildegard of Bingen was one woman who was a mystic of the day and received revelation. People read her books about having visions of what it was like to be at the birth of Jesus like it was scripture. “She was really a fabulous woman. She was a gardener, musician, philosopher; she did lots of different things,” Proctor-Tiffany said. “She is depicted in art with flames coming out of her head, representing her having revelations.” Next came the ‘20s with revolutionary artists like Lee Krasner and Frida Kahlo, who began to frame more of the contemporary standard for today’s art. Kahlo and her paintings are amongst som e of the m os t icon ic a n d distinguishable images today. The prominence of her being, as well as

BY CYNTHIA MAULEON | ILLUSTRATION BY DANIELA GONZALEZ

the independence shown through her art, has given women today a timeless influence. A woman of European and Mexican indigenous heritage, Kahlo turned to painting after a l i f e -t h r e a t e n i ng accident at age 18 made attending medical school impossible. At 22, she married the well-established painter and muralist Diego Rivera. “In he r lif e t ime s h e be c am e internationally known as an artist in her own right, but after she died, her work [like that of so many other women artists] disappeared from public view,” writes Evelyn Torton Beck, a women’s studies professor at the University of Maryland in her essay, “Kahlo’s World Split Open.” “She was rediscovered by feminist scholars in the second wave of the women’s movement and has since b ecom e a n ‘ ic o n’ wi t h a w i de, international audience.”

The progression of women during the feminist movement also had a lot to do with how women could or couldn’t express themselves. For many who didn’t feel that they had a voice, art was the primary and best way for them to be heard. We often fail to acknowledge those who stay quiet, and many times those people, the observers, have the best insight. CSULB graphic design associate professor Mike Whitlow points Mary Wells as a heavy game-changer in advertising of the ‘60s. “Mary Wells was one of the main women who was doing big work for advertising agencies in New York,” Whitlow said. “Her background in theatre was one thing that she brought into the advertising world.”

of the begi nni ng of the creati ve renaissance for advertising. According to Whitlow, this was a breakthrough for a woman at the time. “She was one of first ones to introduce acting into commercials and she brought theatrical feel to commercials. She recommended [adding] color to companies like Pan Am,” Whitlow said. “She changed… and redesigned the company.” Despite the radical changes since the 20th century, modern women continue to utilize art as a way to express their cultures, renegade against politics and continue the story of the women’s movement.

In the “Mad Men” days of New York, Wells started her own agency, Wells Rich Greene in 1966 and was a part

Pitching Equality THE SOCIAL EVOLUTION OF SPORTS

“I think [open homosexuality in sports] has a positive impact,” said Nick Rascon, Cal State Long Beach water polo player, on Collins’ monumental night. “Fans of all sports are going to see more athletes express how they truly feel rather than having to hide it their whole life, just because they, ‘the athletes,’ are afraid of what people will think of them. With Jason Collins expressing his feelings, I think that more athletes will have the courage now to come forth and express how they feel.” But this is only the beginning.

By Cole Hughey

While general acceptance of gay athletes is encouraging to the social movement and justice for human rights, the battle for equality and social tolerance is far from over.

In 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers called up Jackie Robinson to the major leagues, breaking the color line of professional sports and changing the world forever.

Michael Sam, an All-American defensive lineman from the University of Missouri

Sixty-seven years later, the MLB celebrated its annual “Jackie Robinson Day” on April 15, and Brooklyn is still challenging social standards.

Racial integration in professional sports pushed equality into the public’s focus and threw a curveball at American bigotry. Now, as homosexuality proudly declares its presence within our modern culture, society continues to evolve.

When the Dodgers signed the league’s first black player, they tore down barriers that were stunting the growth of social progress. With the signing of the first openly gay man in professional sports, so have the Nets. Signs of progress have been demonstrated in social reactions to gay athletes. While racism had a deep, vested interest in American society that was prominently displayed through violent protests over baseball’s integration; homosexuality has been met with enthusiasm. In Collins’ first game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center, he was met with a standing ovation from fans, a far cry from the infamous hardships Robinson was forced to endure.

14 12

This fast break of information has changed the way we interpret social problems. Controversies are no longer hearsay— they’re just a click away. Within seconds of learning news, you can find videos, blogs and graphics devoted to the subject. By the time national awareness of an issue has gained considerable notice, people have already adapted to the inevitable change. Even our youth are learning about social matters and events through the Internet and social media. These outlets teach them about equality and social tolerance before many of them even realize these are concerns. “I asked my students about the college football player, as well as Jason Collins, and they all seemed to think it wasn’t a big deal,” said Lucas Orozco, a seventh-grade teacher at Riverview Middle School in Bay Point, Calif. “Their collective agreement was kind of, ‘Well yeah, why wouldn’t there be a gay athlete?’”

On Feb. 23, the Brooklyn Nets became the first professional sports organization to play an openly gay basketball player—Jason Collins.

Sports have always had the lion’s share of public interest. The Super Bowl, the World Series and the NBA championship always garner front-page attention.

The difference between the 1940s and the 2010s however, is that we are communicating. Social media and the Internet have advanced our public environment and the way we discover change. News is now instantaneously transferred, uploaded and absorbed, along with the multitude of opinions that come with it.

When the Brooklyn Dodgers broke the color barrier and signed Jackie Robinson, culture was redirected.

expected to play in the NFL in 2014, recently came out as gay. While the public’s reaction to Sam has been mostly positive, there have also been critics. Professional golfer Steve Elkington made a controversial tweet about Sam, making a joke about the prospect’s combine results. “ESPN reporting Michael Sam is leading the handbag throw at NFL combine,” Elkington tweeted. “No one else expected to throw today.” With change, there will inevitably come criticism. It is not to say that one party is right or wrong but rather, there is a misunderstanding that has yet to be properly communicated.

Without having any clue to how fans, people and the world would react to his presence, Robinson braved the unexpected. He endured violence, dangerous threats and resentment for the sake of justice; in doing so, he sent a message to the American public, that racial integration in American society would improve the nation. Nearly 70 years later, that message still rings on, echoing from an ovation given to a gay man for being himself. There is still much work to be done in the fight for social tolerance, but we are progressing. In a nation that prides itself on being the greatest among the lands, there is perhaps nothing greater than watching a budding rose of acceptance.

April 01

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