Long Beach
Community
Inspiration
Lifestyle
Spring 2021
The Official Credit Union of Long Beach State Athletics
2250 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach
LB INSIDER 05 06 08
Editor’s Note A Closer Look Bottoms Up: Happy Hour at Home
FEATURES
12
Dig In: Brunch in Long Beach: The Wild Chive
14
Nature’s Calling: A Walk in the Park
History Month 20 Black Watch Guide
Complex Realities of 40 The Modern Day Sex Workers
BY ERIKA PAZ
Representation in film and TV matters. This February, try one of these documentaries, TV shows or movies that spotlight the many facets of the Black experience in America.
to Live Without 28 Learning Makeup BY BRIANA MUTLU
Why do women spend so much time painting their faces and grooming their hair? One writer decided she’d had enough and resolved to just be her barefaced self.
BYLongGRACE Beach Then and Now 32 WIDYATMADJA
The more things change in Long Beach, the more they stay the same. Take a trip back in time with these photos of city landmarks.
BY JOEY HARVEY
Sex workers have always faced discrimination and harassment. These days, with so many on social media, they also struggle with censorship and powerful competition.
BYReport Card 45 JACLYN LIM
Who doesn’t love a little boba pick-me-up? Here are three great local spots for the popular tea drink.
WHO ARE WE?
DIG MAG is the insider’s guide to Long Beach for the CSULB community, inspiring readers to immerse themselves in the Long Beach lifestyle through inthe-know stories about the latest in food, arts, entertainment and culture; indepth features about people and trends on the campus and in the city; poetry, fiction and literary journalism written by students; and beautiful photography and design. Published by the Department of Journalism and Public Relations at CSULB, it is produced entirely by students.
Editor-In-Chief
Digital Director
Senior Editor
Online Editor
Features Editor
Assistant Online Editors
Alejandro Vazquez Erika Paz
Joseph Harvey
Art Director
Gabby Gobaton
Graphic Designer
Reina Esparza Matt James
Bella Arnold Sanjesh Singh
Multimedia Editor Paula Kiley
Photo Editor
Assistant Multimedia Editor
Staff Writer
Social Media Editor
Faculty Advisers
Assistant Social Media Editors
Mijin Kim
Emily Chen
Jaclyn Lim Jia Ning Robin Jones Jennifer Newton Gary Metzker
Vittina Ibanez
Niyah Maldonado
Sabrina Gobaton Kyle Do
Web: digmaglb.com Instagram: @digmaglb Twitter: @digmaglb Facebook: @digmaglb TikTok: @digmaglb Submissions:
digmagonline@gmail.com
Advertising:
Carter Magee advertising@daily49er.com 562-985-1740
California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., LA-4 203, Long Beach, CA 90840-4601 © DIG and 49er Publications Board 2021 DIG MAG is a publication of the DIG and 49er Publications Board.
4
INSIDER · EDITOR’S NOTE
SPRING 2021
DEAR READER, I think I speak for many of us when I say that this past year has been a rollercoaster of many lows and few highs. For me personally, the biggest struggle has been the inability to concentrate and motivate myself in order to push through. Not only with school, but with my personal and social life. It has been draining having to constantly worry every time my parents go out to work or when my grandma has to go to her routine doctor check-up or when we need to go buy groceries or when we are tired of being locked up and take a little trip out to nature. These feelings are exhausting at this point, and I have noticed that it’s starting to take a toll on me. At the start of the pandemic, I tried my best to stay optimistic and look on the bright side, but as things got worse and more people fell ill, that became too hard to do. Especially when I had close family members or friends who got sick, the paranoia would strike and I could not help but become engulfed in my own thoughts. Although we are barely in week 5 of the spring semester, I feel as if it has been the hardest semester I’ve been a part of. Throughout my four years at CSULB, I have never been this unmotivated or puzzled. There are times when I struggle to collect my thoughts or even formulate a sentence, and I think it is from the exhaustion of having to think that everything is going
to be ‘back to normal’ eventually. I know that I am not the only one going through this. I say this to let you all know that you are not alone. There are many of us who, on some days, have a dark cloud looming over us and a rainbow on other days. There are many of us who do not turn our Zoom camera on because it is midday and we do not have the motivation to get ready for class. There are many of us who choose not to respond to that certain email because it stresses us out. It is perfectly normal to feel this way. We need to normalize the idea of not feeling 100% all the time and the idea of having to take mental health days off. Especially during a pandemic, we can not expect everyone to function as they regularly do. Even though this has been a tough year, there are many people who have helped me along the way. I am forever grateful for my family, my partner, my friends, my coworkers and my mentors who have pulled me up when I was down. Although I am at 100%, I am not rushing to get there. I plan on taking my time and gathering myself up on my own terms. There is light at the end of the tunnel. It is pretty faint and very far, but it’s there.
LOVE ALWAYS,
Alejandro Vazquez (EDITOR-IN-CHIEF)
5
INSIDER · A CLOSER LOOK
6
SPRING 2021
LONG BEACH LOVIN’
PHOTO BY RICHARD GRANT 7
INSIDER · BOTTOMS UP
HAPPY HOUR AT HOME QUICK TIP! MOST cocktails are around 4-5 ounces of liquid, plus ice. A 16-ounce container is equivalent to about four cocktails, so some of the suggestions on this list go for as low as $5 each. A steal! If calling in your order is not your thing, you can order online with the Toast Takeout app. Unlike other online services, Toast doesn’t charge businesses excessive fees. Yay! The app also lets you add a tip to your order. (Always tip your servers!)
STORY & PHOTOS BY ERIKA PAZ
Missing your favorite craft cocktails? Try these five to-go drinks from restaurants and bars around Long Beach. There’s nothing like a handcrafted cocktail to celebrate the big wins, small wins or just making it through the week. As bars and restaurants keep up with the ever-changing health orders, some of us prefer the low-risk option of staying at home. Luckily, many of Long Beach’s restaurants and bars provide their libations togo, so we are all able to enjoy that handcrafted cocktail made just for us. Here are DIG’s favorite spots for cocktails at home.
THE GRASSHOPPER 136 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach (562) 435-4677 IG: @thegrasshopperlbc Take-out hours: Thurs & Fri 4-8 p.m., Sat 12-6 p.m. This bar opened in November 2019 and immediately became a local favorite. Each of their cocktails is created with an experience in mind, considering the flavor of each spirit and pairing it with complementary flavors. Their creations are excellent, but they will also take custom orders if you have something specific in mind. If you want to order a custom creation, the best way to do it is to give them a call or send them a DM on Instagram. Cocktails come in 16-ounce ($25) or 32-ounce ($40) bottles, along with ice and garnishes. DIG’s suggestion: Celia, one of The Grasshopper’s most popular drinks, is normally made with tequila, but we ordered it with gin instead. The cucumber and lime flavors make this refreshing cocktail perfect for those who don’t have a sweet tooth.
8
CELIA
SPRING 2021
LIA
9
INSIDER · BOTTOMS UP!
PORTUGUESE BEND DISTILLING 300 The Promenade N., Long Beach (562) 435-4411 IG: @portuguesebend_distilling Take-out hours: Wed. to Sun. 12-9 p.m. As the first spirit distillery in Long Beach, Portuguese Bend Distilling has become a local gem. Although they specialize in spirits like vodka and gin, they turned their distillery into a hand-sanitizer production line at the beginning of the pandemic. Now, they are back to crafting cocktails that you will not find anywhere else. Some of their creations may seem out of the ordinary, but they are all delicious. All of their cocktails come in a 16-ounce container and ice. Regardless of the cocktail, the price is $20 — a great deal considering the high-quality spirits and house-made ingredients. DIG’s suggestion: If you love trying new things, go for the Rock-A-Hula Baby. The kick of the whole-grain mustard is balanced out with flavors of passionfruit and the house-made Queens Passage White Rum. It would pair well with any rich and savory dinner.
10
THE ORDINARIE 210 The Promenade N., Long Beach (562) 676-4261 IG: @theordinarie Take-out hours: Wed. & Thurs. 4-9 p.m., FriSun 12-9 p.m. The Ordinarie has made a name for itself with its one-of-a-kind cocktails and its delicious food. Described as an American tavern, it excels in taking American classics and presenting them with a modern twist. Check their socials or website regularly — new food and drink specials that highlight cuisines around the country are always being added to their menu. All of their cocktails must be ordered with food, and the prices range from $10 for a single serving to $22 for four servings. Some cocktails, like the one pictured, come with garnishes, enhancing the hand-crafted-at-home experience. DIG’s suggestion: For rum lovers, Tasty Waves is a great choice. It’s a sweet and spicy cocktail that will transport you from your home to a warm quiet beach. Be warned, the flavors are much more sweet than they are spicy.
SPRING 2021
THE SOCIAL LIST
PADRE
2105 E. 4th St., Long Beach (562) 433-5478 IG: @TheSocialListLB Take-out hours: Wed. to Sun. 12-9 p.m.
525 E. Broadway, Long Beach (562) 612-4951 IG: @padrelbc & @mezcalerolbc Take-out hours: 11 a.m. -10 p.m. daily
The self-described modern European tavern has made its cocktails available to-go in a variety of forms. Select from their in-house crafted cocktails that are ready to serve or create your own. The build-your-own Old Fashioned allows you to select from a list of spirits, sweeteners and bitters for a truly customized creation. The build-your-own option is $10 for a single serving, and the crafted cocktails that are $20 for four servings. Note that some options must be ordered with food, but their food options are as great as their cocktails, so there’s no wrong choice.
Mezcalero Long Beach, the rooftop bar that offers an extensive selection of agave spirits, has partnered with its downstairs neighbor, PADRE, to offer their cocktails to-go. Each cocktail is made with your choice of tequila or mezcal and is infused with their signature Latin flavors. If you are intrigued by their cocktails but tequila or mezcal are not your spirits of choice, choose from one of their cocktail mixers and add your own alcohol at home. Their two-serving cocktails go for $22 and their four-serving non-alcoholic mixers go for $20.
DIG’s suggestion: The Bizzare Love Triangle was one of our favorites from the list. The fig adds a warm sweetness that is perfectly balanced with citrus and spice. If you prefer your cocktails less sweet, add just a splash of the ginger beer.
DIG’s suggestion: The Freaky Tiki cocktail is the other favorite from this list. It’s a departure from the rest of PADRE’s offerings, being the only to-go cocktail that uses rum instead of tequila or agave. The fresh-juiced pineapple, grilled plantains, honey, pomegranate and fresh limes all come together beautifully in this strong and tropical libation.
11
INSIDER · DIG IN
BRUNCH IN LONG BEACH:
THE WILD CHIVE STORY & PHOTOS BY JASON SOLARES
Four brunch dishes, reviewed and rated, worth checking out from The Wild Chive.
The Wild Chive in Long Beach opened its all-vegan brick and mortar mid-June after three years of being in the pop-up and food festival grind. From the corner of East Broadway and Molino Avenue, Chef Soozee Nguyen brings comfort food in a time when we need comfort. For the time being, they’re open for dinner Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. and for brunch Fridays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their dinner menu ranges from Fried Po’ Boys to a Chik’n Pot Pie Croquettes and a mushroom patty burger to Bahn Mi Bowl. Their brunch menu includes salty, sweet and everything in between with a Monte Cristo, stuffed french toast, mac and cheese, breakfast sandwiches and more. Here are a mix of four sweet and salty brunch items, reviewed and rated.
BREAKFAST IN BREAD - $13 GRADE: A-
This breakfast sandwich lives up to its name; it’s a load of ingredients activated with every bite. First, the tofu-egg scramble is soft and seasoned to perfection. Another bite and the smokiness of the crispy bacon joins. Right after the smoke, a smack of sausage spice takes over the taste buds. Then, the vegan cheese and whipped mayo, which went almost unnoticed behind everything else inside the two buttered and grilled potato buns. Most important, the buns weren’t as dense as regular potato buns and were closer to brioche bread, which actually elevated the sandwich.
12
SPRING 2021
GRILLED BURRIZO - $13 GRADE: B
The Wild Chive’s Grilled Burrizo lacks in what the ‘Breakfast in Bread’ excelled on: variety of flavor. A warm flour-tortilla corrals the tofu egg-scramble, soyrizo, onions, peppers, kale and seasoned potato slices, but the flavor of the egg-scramble overpowers the soyrizo, making it seem as if it is missing. The peppers, onions and kale also don’t add too much flavor to the burrito. Even though the other vegetables don’t stand out, the grilled tortilla, delicious egg-tofu and potatoes give the burrito enough flavor to make it enjoyable.
CHIK’N & WAFFLES - $16 GRADE: A
This dish is exactly what it sounds like, but the wowfactor is based in a cornbread waffle mix that elevated this dish miles above expectations. Aside from that, the breading on the vegan chicken gave a nice crisp and fried flavor. The habanero-strawberry jam tasted like plain strawberry jam with the faintest kick, and the maple syrup is nothing special. The Wild Chive made an effort to mix up a regular waffle by making cornbread batter and adding their beer-battered chik’n, making the Chik’n & Waffles a perfect option for the sweet and salty fans.
STUFFED FRENCH TOAST - $13 GRADE: A+
For anyone born with a sweet tooth, the Stuffed French Toast doesn’t fault at any point. It is not overbearingly sweet, and each individual aspect popped in flavor. The French Toast is a cinnamon-caramelized potato Texas toast that was the perfect thickness. The stuffing was a chocolate-hazelnut spread with what seemed like fig mixed in which coincided with The Wild Chive’s efforts to add their twist onto popular dishes. On top of the French Toast is a coconut whip that tastes homemade, in the best way. Mix all of it together in one bite and it turns into the best Stuffed French Toast you’ve ever had.
13
INSIDER · NATURE’S CALLING
A WALK IN THE PARK STORY & PHOTOS BY FAITH PETRIE
Enjoy the sun and socially distance with the numerous parks the Los Angeles area has to offer. Although the invisible hold COVID-19 has on the world is seemingly never-ending, there are still opportunities to appreciate and discover our neighborhoods, despite limited options. Outdoor-centered activities like going to the park have been a safe-haven and a much needed change of pace for those feeling restricted by the repetitive nature of self-isolating during the pandemic. If you’re in need of a relaxing setting that can also be utilized to safely socially distance with friends and family, grab a blanket, pack a lunch and head to your nearest public park.
14
SPRING 2021
VISTA HERMOSA
100 N. Toluca St., Los Angeles About 15 minutes away from Elysian Park, Vista Hermosa often has many ample spaces to social distance and comes with an amazing view of the Los Angeles skyline. The biggest hurdle in visiting Vista Hermosa is the limited parking spaces in the lot, but plenty of street parking is available. This is a hidden gem placed in a downtown neighborhood, perfect for any occasion. If you don’t go to enjoy the sun, the view makes the entire visit worth it.
15
INSIDER · NATURE’S CALLING
ELYSIAN PARK
929 Academy Road, Los Angeles Los Angeles’s oldest park stands at 575 acres, and besides a bountiful amount of open lawn space, it also holds numerous walking trails. Most people who come here are dog walkers, couples and families with small children, lazing on blankets, enjoying the surrounding nature. At the park’s entrance, where a majority of the grass area can be found, there is not much to look at besides towering trees and the children’s play structure, but the serene backdrop makes for a good setting if you’re socially distancing with friends or enjoying your own company.
16
SPRING 2021
DEL CERRO PARK
2 Park Place, Rancho Palos Verdes For a getaway closer to the beach, Del Cerro Park offers a coastline view in addition to spacious grassy seating. The main attraction of Del Cerro Park is its multiple hiking and walking trails, but its small, shaded grass area is the perfect spot to cozy up with a book and stay put for hours on end. The grass area is situated perfectly to comfortably watch the sunset away from the main traffic flow of the trail opening. If you visit Del Cerro Park, plan to do some walking or travel by bike. The park’s parking lot is permit-only, and street parking is hard to come by. 17
Beauty comes in many forms, but true beauty comes in the form of selflove. Every blemish on your face, every hair on your body, every skin fold that goes unseen. It’s all beautiful. Every body is a beautiful body and every body deserves self-love. PHOTO BY EMILY CHEN MODEL REBEKAH RESSLER
FEATURES · BHM WATCH GUIDE
BLACK HISTORY MONTH WATCH GUIDE STORY BY ERIKA PAZ
Representation in TV and films matters. MAXINE Shaw, the unabated, intelligent and witty lawyer from the ‘90s show Living Single, has lived on long after the show ended in 1998. She lives through Rep. Ayanna Pressley, former state Rep. Stacey Abrams, and Maryland state attorney Marilyn Mosby. They all have confessed to Erika Alexander, the actor who played Maxine Shaw, that Shaw inspired them to become lawyers and political leaders.
“Seeing yourself in the media can shape how you understand your place in the world.” Representation matters. Seeing yourself in the media can shape how you understand your place in the world. Pressley, Abrams and Mosby all saw themselves in Shaw. They saw a strong Black woman who understood who she was and what she wanted. Shaw allowed them to see that it was possible for them to also do the same.
20
A self-described pop culture connoisseur, Candace Manriquez Wrenn is a senior producer at Spotify, was previously a producer for NPR’s Marketplace, and teaches Diversity in Media at CSULB. She is also active in the Black Jewish community, moderating the virtual panel “Amplifying Voices,” which explores the intersectionality of both identities. “When you see very few, and worse, mostly negative stories about people who look like you, it hinders the ability for Black people to internalize the breadth and beauty of our experiences,” Wrenn said. “That can lead to the belief that Black lives are not as nuanced and important as white lives.” Black History Month is here. We take this time to look back at the history and the leaders of Black America, but also America as a whole. It is important to know our history. It is also important to see complex, everyday stories that reflect the lives of every American.
SPRING 2021
Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
1. JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE 2020
I f you watch only one recommendation from this list, it should be this one. Not only is this documentary an overview of the life of the great John Lewis, it is also a booster shot of inspiration and love for what it means to be American. This documentary highlights the long list of tangible changes that Lewis had a part of, but it is also a call to action to preserve how far we have come as a nation. It is healing and inspiration in all of 97 minutes.
Streaming on: HBO Rent it on: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vudu Similar to this: Becoming (2020), I Am Not Your Negro (2016), Between the World and Me (2020), Malcolm X (1992)
21
FEATURES · BHM WATCH GUIDE
Photo courtesy of The Film Collaborative
2. T HE DEATH AND LIFE OF MARSHA P. JOHNSON 2017
escribed as a trailblazer of the gay liberation movement and one D of the activists during the Stonewall movement, Marsha P. Johnson was found dead in the Hudson River in 1992. This documentary explores the violence against transgender women of color through Johnson’s case. The increased violence that has occurred against transgender women of color in the past few years tragically makes this documentary a must-watch.
22
Streaming on: Netflix Similar to this: Defining Moments: Dominique Jackson (2020), Disclosure (2020), Pose (2019), Paris is Burning (1990)
SPRING 2021
Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Acho Youtube
3. U NCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK MAN 2020
urrently a Fox Sports analyst, Emmanuel Acho started his career as a C professional football player. But in June 2020, he began a series called Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, where he has honest and vulnerable conversations about race in America. Episodes touch on reverse racism, interracial relationships and race vs. religion, and include a conversation with the Petaluma police department.
Streaming on: YouTube Similar to this: The Oprah Conversation (2020), When They See Us (2019), The Shop (2018), LA 92 (2017), 13th (2016)
23
FEATURES · BHM WATCH GUIDE
Photo courtesy of Hulu
4. T ASTE THE NATION WITH PADMA LAKSHMI: THE GULLAH WAY 2020
A lthough every episode of this show is worth watching, episode four, The Gullah Way, is a beautiful exploration of the Gullah Geechee people. Originally from West Africa, the Gullah Geechee have managed to maintain their culture and tradition for generations, including through slavery. Now, tourism is their biggest threat.
5. SELF MADE: INSPIRED BY THE LIFE OF MADAM C.J. WALKER 2020
T his four-episode limited series tells the story of Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made female millionaire in the United States. Walker was born into freedom, but found herself struggling to earn enough money to provide for her daughter. Determined to get her daughter into college, she started her own hair product company that eventually made her a millionaire. Her products are still sold in stores today.
24
Streaming on: Hulu Similar to this: Say It Loud (2019), Trigger Warning With Killer Mike (2019), Hip-Hop Evolution (2016)
Streaming on: Hulu Similar to this: Dear… (2020), The Playbook: Doc Rivers (2020), She Did That (2019), The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion (2019), A Ballerina’s Tale (2015)
SPRING 2021
Photo courtesy of Netflix
6. M A RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM 2020
Streaming on: Netflix
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom follows the “Mother of the Blues,” as she records one of her songs on a hot summer day in the 1920s. Based on the legendary August Wilson’s play, the story captures the day-to-day struggles of being a Black American, while also honoring one of the creators of blues music, Ma Rainey. The film is led by two outstanding actors, Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, who both beautifully capture the nuances of Wilson’s storytelling. Boseman delivers a moving performance, his last before his death in August 2020.
Similar to this: Giving Voice (2020), Fences (2016), Dreamgirls (2006), Ray (2004), Def Poetry Jam (2002)
25
FEATURES · BHM WATCH GUIDE
Photo courtesy of Hulu
7. L ITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE 2020
Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon bring the conversation of race, privilege and gender roles to the forefront with this eight-episode show. Based on a book of the same name, the story takes place in the ‘90s and follows Mia Warren, played by Washington, as she tries to support her teenage daughter with her artwork and waitressing jobs. The pictureperfect life that Elena Richardson, played by Witherspoon, has built begins to fall apart when she decides to lend a hand to Mia. Long-kept secrets are exposed and end up hurting everyone involved.
Streaming on: Hulu Similar to this: American Son (2019), Harriet (2019), WuTang: An American Saga (2020)
8. UNCORKED 2020
I f you are looking for a film that doesn’t focus on racial trauma but instead explores the complexities of everyday life, Uncorked delivers. The film follows Elijah as he struggles to follow his dream of becoming a sommelier. He is expected to take over the barbecue business that’s been in the family for two generations, but following his dream would mean stepping away from the family business. Uncorked explores fatherson relationships and societal expectations, all while staying away from typical Black-male stereotypes seen in films and TV.
26
Streaming on: Netflix Similar to this: The Last O.G. (2018), Girls Trip (2017), Insecure (2016), Scandal (2012)
SPRING 2021
Photo courtesy of Netflix
9. SEE YOU YESTERDAY 2019
igh school students and science prodigies C.J. and Sebastian spend their H whole summer working on their latest invention—a time travel machine. Their invention is put to the test when C.J.’s brother is murdered in a police shooting. She tries to find a way to save her brother but discovers that playing with fate has higher consequences than she was expecting. Eden Duncan-Smith does a great job playing C.J., an intelligent female lead who will work hard to help those that she loves.
Streaming on: Netflix Similar to this: All Day and A Night (2020), BlacKkKlansman (2018), Sorry To Bother You (2018), Snowfall (2017)
27
FEATURES · LEARNING TO LIVE WITHOUT MAKEUP
"I felt angry. Angry that I was looked at as unprofessional without manicured nails and eyelashes as thick as ants legs."
28
SPRING 2021
LEARNING
TO LIVE
WITHOUT
MAKEUP STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRIANA MUTLU
IN trying to write this article, I remembered one of my earliest memories. When I was 5, my grandparents were coming to visit. I put on a little yellow dress, combed my long brown hair and looked at myself in the mirror. I started to sob, so loud my mother came in from the other room. “What’s wrong?” she asked. The three little words that would follow me and so many other young girls fell out of my mouth without a push: “I am ugly.” My mother lifted me up on her bathroom counter. She said something about making me feel better and started to put makeup on me. A cure for my insecurities was born. From the time I was 9 until I was 15, I would spend an hour and a half doing my makeup and hair before leaving for school. I seldom missed my alarm, but if I ever did, the solution was simple. I wasn’t going to school that day. I spent roughly 2,000 hours doing my makeup by the time I was a junior in high school. Instead of becoming a piano player or reading classic novels or even doing my homework, I became a master at contouring my chubby cheeks and painting the perfect wings on my eyes. Without ever getting closer to being comfortable with my actual face, I painted it in lies and hoped that people would believe it. But I never really got close to beautiful because it was never my idea of beautiful. This concept of beauty was imposed on me ever since I watched my first movies
29
FEATURES · LEARNING TO LIVE WITHOUT MAKEUP
where the women, if they weren’t just there for an obligatory sex scene, always had soft blemishless skin and full red lips. When you think of famous men, the names that come to mind are often people like Albert Einstein, Bill Gates and Muhammad Ali. Men who never looked gentle or weak, and often weren’t even attractive. They were fighters and creators and visionaries who were too concerned with a vision of something much larger than themselves to focus on combing their hair or wearing something besides a turtleneck and jeans. Yet when we think of famous women, there is often one inescapable name: Marilyn Monroe. The obsession that American society has had with Monroe for over 60 years now is almost ironically indicative of its definition of what a woman should be. Her platinum hair, her flawless cream skin, her perfect figure always dressed in white to emphasize her own whiteness. Monroe’s greatest invention was the sexy baby voice. She never angered a man or made him feel uncomfortable, she was there only for his pleasure. For decades, she has been the inspiration and the bane for so many young women who, without understanding the implication of idolizing her, have seen her image plastered on shirts, billboards, movies, and lists of the most influential people of all time. The Monroe effect, whether we are conscious of it or not, gives women very limited inspiration for the figure we hope to cut in the world. She embodied a very simple message that has been multiplied as time goes: Women must be beautiful, or they are nothing. Even at the age of 5, I knew this. It had gotten to me already. Yes, I was afforded some pseudoliberties when I had on a full face of makeup. Doors were held open for me. I was given unwanted attention on the bus from someone usually 10 years my senior. I was able to get into bars despite not being 21. When I came to college, I thought about the 2,000-plus hours I had wasted in front of the mirror. I kept thinking about
30
SPRING 2021
how I had been forced to believe that my natural face was inherently deficient. Above all, I felt angry. Angry that I was looked at as unprofessional without manicured nails and eyelashes as thick as ants legs. Angry that I worked so hard trying to make myself “presentable” for the pleasure of others. Angry that my asymmetrical face, big-nosed and acnescarred, would never be beautiful to the world in which I bide my time. I felt small and as if my fate had already been prescribed to me by some big, faceless, complex with which I could not communicate. In my frustrations, I swore to never wear makeup again. But like an addict, I would relapse. After weeks or even months of being
barefaced, I would crack when I was supposed to attend a party, go to work or even just to avoid the ever-present question: “Are you sick?” The goal of this article isn’t to shame anyone for wearing makeup, but I just want you to think twice when you feel the urge. Stop and think about the time spent depending on false confidence. Barefaced, we will never attain the beauty standard that has been pushed on us. But we have to create our own standard of beauty. We should feel comfortable in the face we wake up in, the face that greets us in the mirror after a shower. We are all beautiful, but the definition of beauty that they have taught us to believe simply keeps women as mere decorative objects. 31
FEATURES · LONG BEACH THEN AND NOW
LONG BEACH
THEN AND
NOW
32
STORY AND PHOTOS BY GRACE WIDYATMADJA VINTAGE PHOTOS COURTESY OF LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY, LONG BEACH COLLECTION DIGITAL ARCHIVE
SPRING 2021
Remembering Long Beach as it was then and embracing the city of Long Beach today. FOUNDED in 1880, Long Beach eventually grew to become the fifth largest city in California. Over the years, things have changed and the city has adapted to the times. Although new buildings have been constructed in place of old ones and landmarks have been remodeled, it remains the same city that more than 400,000 people call home.
LONG BEACH AIRPORT ORIGINAL PHOTO TAKEN OCTOBER 1973 “NOW PHOTO” TAKEN DECEMBER 2020
In 1919, the Long Beach Airport was originally developed by Earl Daughtery as a flying field where up-and-coming pilots, like Amelia Earhart, caught interest in flying. Throughout the years, developments on the airport made it what it is today. Now sitting on 1,166 acres of land, the Long Beach Airport is used for commerical and cargo services. Pictured is the original art deco style Long Beach Airport terminal and control tower.
33
FEATURES · LONG BEACH THEN AND NOW
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH ORIGINAL PHOTO TAKEN 2003
34
Founded in 1923, the All Saints Episcopal Church was developed as a result of the growing population in Long Beach. It was not until September 22, 1929, that the first service was held in the building shown below. Then, the church later became an Anglican church. Shown here in Belmont Heights, the Tudor-style All Saints Episcopal Church sits on the southeast corner of Termino Avenue and Colorado Street.
SPRING 2021
“NOW” PHOTO TAKEN DECEMBER 2020 35
FEATURES · LONG BEACH THEN AND NOW
ART THEATRE ORIGINAL PHOTO TAKEN FEBRUARY 2001 36
First started as a silent movie theatre in 1925, the Art Theatre has developed into a piece of Long Beach history. Throughout the years, the Art Theatre has gone through many changes, but in 2008 the theater was remodeled to replicate its 1933 art deco aesthetic.
“NOW” PHOTO TAKEN DECEMBER 2020
SPRING 2021
37
FEATURES · LONG BEACH THEN AND NOW
DECEMBER ON THE BEACH
ORIGINAL PHOTO TAKEN DECEMBER OF 1952
38
This image looking approximately east and dated by library staff, “December 1952,” shows a large crowd of sunbathers on the beach. In the background, a number of buildings located along Ocean Boulevard are visible, including the Villa Riviera, the Wilton Hotel, the Pacific Coast Club, and St. Regis Apartments.
SPRING 2021
“NOW” PHOTO TAKEN DECEMBER 2020
Southern California is known for its sunny winters but the winter of 2020 left Shoreline Beach lifeless. Nearly 70 years later, one can see how the Long Beach skyline has evolved.
39
FEATURES · SEX WORKERS
40
Photo courtesy of Aria Summers
SPRING 2021
THE COMPLEX REALITIES
OF MODERN DAY
SEX WORKERS STORY BY JOEY HARVEY
SEX work is one of the oldest professions, yet our society’s preconceived notions and stigmas subject sex workers to a life of dehumanization. Support, stability and safety are assumed for most professions, but these are considered privileges for many sex workers. As a result, censorship and the saturation of virtual spaces by celebrities are obstacles for many sex workers. Being criminalized just for doing their job can be a shared struggle among the community. For two years, Long Beach local Aria Summers has been a sex worker distributing virtual content to the paid subscription-based social media site, Only Fans. The London-based site allows its creators to distribute content to followers, aka “fans.” Creators can monetize their content, collecting 80% of their earnings while Only Fans collects the remaining 20%. The platform has become a safer space for sex workers to hold an income that is both flexible and, in some cases, consistent. But for some sex workers, it’s not as consistent. Before the pandemic, Summers worked as a hairstylist and modeled on the side, but due to the stay-at-home order Summers shifted to Only Fans for her primary income. Though she collected funds through unemployment, she had more time to commit to her Only Fans platform.
Photo courtesy of Aria Summers
We’re all working online now. But working online as a sex worker is not as simple as it seems.
However, Summers soon learned that the amount of time that goes into creating content is consuming and the payoffs would be minimal. “It’s an all-day thing. Like eight hours. But not only that, I will spend one maybe two days where I do my hair and makeup, take pictures, videos, footage, all this stuff,” Summers said. “I mean, it is real, it’s time-consuming.” 41
FEATURES · SEX WORKERS Photo courtesy of Latoya Rawlins
ltimately, the payoff is in the U subscribers’ hands, and how one finds subscribers is a complication within itself. In addition to creating content for these fans, there comes a demand. “If you don’t post every day, three times a day. Or even post anything remotely nude. You lose subscribers,” Summers said. Ultimately, the payoff is in the subscribers’ hands, and how one finds subscribers is a complication within itself. Because of community guidelines that social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat enact on users, Summers and other sex workers find it challenging to essentially promote themselves and their content. Censorship on these platforms is almost unavoidable. “I promote on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat, but then my account got deleted on Snapchat. So you have to use a third-party link to promote. And if you try to promote on Instagram, they’ll shadowban you, where your followers won’t see your posts,” Summers said. In addition to being shadowbanned, Summers had three of her Instagram accounts deleted for posting information related to her Only Fans account. “Sex sells. They make that 100% relevant with movies, commercials,” Summers said. “Everything is sexualized, but they don’t want us to profit on it?” The likelihood of posting anything that is considered too sensitive by most social media community guidelines is quite common among most sex workers. Some content creators wonder why specific posts and accounts are restricted, but others are not.
42
Los Angeles native Latoya Rawlins, also known as Ms. Thighlicious, was, like Summers, censored through her social media platforms. “We get a lot of our posts taken down and to go further, it’s not even just sex workers. It’s also body-positive pages, pages that are like activists, and it seems to be very specific,” Rawlins said. Rawlins has been involved with virtual sex work through Only Fans for four years. Being involved in the Black sex-worker community, Rawlins and other sex workers who don’t fit into the mold of Eurocentric beauty standards experience this censorship and rejection from most social media platforms.
SPRING 2021
month. Who, you know, are doing it for survival,” Rawlins said. “If you want to be a part of the community, then be a part of the community and use your status and your voice to shine light on those who are struggling.” Because of Thorne’s actions, many of her Only Fans patrons requested refunds. Shortly thereafter, the site began capping prices for how much creators could charge for pay-per-view content and how much fans could tip. Only Fans denied that this was a result of Thorne’s controversy. Sex workers who do not use platforms such as Only Fans faced their own complications when the pandemic hit. Many had to choose between not working or taking the risks of infection in order to maintain an income.
“ If you want to be a part of the community, then be a part of the community and use your status and your voice to shine light on those who are struggling.”
Photo courtesy of Gage Marshall
“The bigger you are, the more that they will come down on you. It’s just very frustrating to me, and that is something that I have been dealing with for the last year or so — trying to stay motivated to create, to do what I do,” Rawlins said. ”So much time goes into doing these looks, and then you post them, and they’ll only show it to like, I have 30k followers, and maybe Instagram will show my stuff to maybe 500 of them.” For many sex workers who rely on ways to advertise themselves through these media, the censorship affects their income and overall means of support. “I’m privileged in the sense that I’ve gone to school and gotten an education, you know? I’m a nurse. Yeah, I always have that career to fall back on, so my bills will be paid. I’m very lucky in that way. For those of us who don’t have that privilege, [they] are fighting to be seen and make sales,” Rawlins said. Most sex workers who have platforms, on sites like Only Fans fight for visibility to make a profit and build a following. That fight becomes more difficult when these spaces become saturated by celebrities and media moguls. Bella Thorne is one example. According to Only Fans, the former Disney Channel actress made $2 million in one week after joining the platform this past summer. However, her biggest controversy from joining stemmed from her charging an additional $200 on top of her $17.99 a month subscription for exclusive content called pay per view. Tweets circulated that the actress claimed that her pay-per-view content included nude photos. However, when fans purchased the exclusive content, the images they received weren’t what she promised. “What does bother me is that they’ll come into this space, and they’ll gladly take the money. But then they don’t do anything to shine a light on the people who are struggling on the platform who can’t make you know, at least $1,000 a
Long Beach native Gage Marshall kept working early on, when the severity of the pandemic was still uncertain, but as hospitals continued to reach capacity and death tolls increased, Marshall stopped working entirely.
43
FEATURES · SEX WORKERS
Photo courtesy of Gage Marshall
For many sex workers, the work becomes more than a hustle. It’s also a battle to be visible and respected among those who discredit the profession.
44
“If I’m going to create this crew of people, [like] my roommates and a couple of friends, [as] my COVID-19 crew, I don’t want to be the reason that they get fucked over [and] get sick,” Marshall said. “I couldn’t handle that. If it happens to me, you know, whatever, but I couldn’t let that happen for them.” Though he is receiving funds through unemployment, Marshall still met up with clients in order to make up for lost income. It’s a calculated risk he needs to take. “Things are talked about before, like, ‘Hey, when were you last tested? Are you safe?’ I mean, these are the kinds of things that I feel like gay people are more prepared with anyway,” Marshall said. “You know it’s a calculated risk and asking those types of questions are not as weird to us because we’ve been doing it for a long time.”
In addition to having these transparent conversations, Marshall gets tested for COVID-19 regularly and maintains a clean workspace when meeting with clients. For many sex workers, the work becomes more than a hustle. It’s also a battle to be visible and respected among those who discredit the profession. Part of that battle means being subjected to forms of censorship, violence, policing or criminalization, but it’s a reality. In the same way, the benefits that most people receive from an employer in their workplace do not translate to sex workers. “The same protections that you would expect for yourself while you’re working, and the same safety measures that you would like to have while you’re working, you know, give it to us as well,” Rawlins said. “The same respect that you give to anybody who’s working, give it to us as well. And know, at the end of the day, that sex work is work, and we’re still people.” With little to no reference in pop culture, there’s a barrier that prevents society from having a more informed understanding of sex work, which leads to stigmas that become further embedded into the narratives of sex workers. “The representation is usually still done in a very, ‘this poor kid,’ [or] ‘help him’ [perspective]. Which in a lot of ways, yes, we do need to, but there is an empowering side to it,” Marshall said. ”Knowing that, hey, if I have nothing else, I have this to offer. You know? And I think that if we change that perception, we’ll start looking at the safety part of it, like getting condoms available to people [and] getting people on PReP. Those things won’t be so stigmatized.” With reframing the narrative of sex workers, another focus is addressing how liberated and diligent many of them are with their work. “I would love for people to understand how much time actually goes into this and how much free time you’re giving this and that we’re not getting paid what we deserve,” Summers said. “We have to work harder and smarter and hustle. And that takes a lot more than just going and working at a corporation.”
SPRING 2021
REPORT CARD:
BOBA SHOPS AROUND LONG BEACH STORY BY JACLYN LIM
We know we all love a little boba time!
A
+ BOBA GUYS
6460 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, LONG BEACH
With various locations throughout California and New York, Boba Guys has opened up a new location in Long Beach and they are here to stay. Serving uniqueness in every drink, Boba Guys offers various drinks ranging from Hong Kong Milk Tea to their famous strawberry green tea boba. The wide range of flavors leaves its customers coming back for more. Just when we think this is as good as it gets, Boba Guys has made the switch to using biodegradable straws and we all stan a company that cares about the environment and planet!
A
CHA FOR TEA 5720 E. 7TH ST., LONG BEACH
Located fairly close to campus, Cha For Tea also serves an array of different boba flavors and serves delicious food. One of their popular dishes is the orange chicken platter that comes with rice, corn and a side of salad. For that amount of food, the pricing is considered reasonable and affordable. Another great thing to look out for is the tenderness and squishiness of their boba. It is at a great consistency and you know that means they are made fresh. To top that off, they have received a splendid amount of feedback on their great customer service!
B+ TASTEA
3860 WORSHAM AVE. #325, LONG BEACH
Known for their speciality drink, Tastea deserves an outstanding B+. Their prices are affordable and they serve a bigger regular cup than most boba places do. Uniquely, Tastea also has many different toppings you get to choose from such as, honey boba, coconut jelly, aloe vera and more. When you get hungry while picking up boba at Tastea, freight not, because they also serve snacks right when you need them! If you need a recommendation, popcorn chicken is the way to go.
45
Visit ridelbt.com/basics for the latest safety information.
WHILE YOU REMINISCE ABOUT THE AWKWARD POOL.
46
LONG BEACH WELLNESS CENTER LEGAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY
DAILY DISCOUNTS
MONDAY 15% OFF EDIBLES TUESDAY 15% OFF CARTRIDGES WEDNESDAY 15% OFF WAX THURSDAY 15% OFF TINCTURES SUNDAY PICK ANY DEAL STUDENT DISCOUNT 15% OFF!!
MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL 21+
FIRST TIME CUSTOMER 25% OFF
5900 E SPRING STREET, UNIT C LONG BEACH CA 90815 HOURS OF OPERATION: 8AM-10PM (562) 982-4078 47
