April 15, 2013 by Los Angeles Loyolan

ESTABLISHED ESTABLISHED 1921 1921 April 27, 15, 2012 2013 September Volume Volume91, 91,Issue Issue40 7

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Fair Trade Mr. LMU wins by close shave products supplied for awareness

Students aim to educate University in light of Fair Trade Awareness Week. By Jenna Abdou Asst. Managing Editor

As members of the Fair Trade Committee and service organizations take inventory of the coffee used on campus this morning to kick off LMU’s first Fair Trade Awareness Week, Tom King, the Student Program Coordinator at the Center for Service and Action, shared that the group’s goal to make LMU a Fair Trade campus “seems natural and right.” Students will be going to all of the different offices on campus to educate individuals on the importance of drinking Fair Trade coffee and how they can make the shift in their department. “For us to say that we use Fair Trade coffee all throughout the campus, every place that people are making and drinking coffee, I think that’s really exciting,” King said. Darlene Fukuji, a junior entrepreneurship major and member of the Fair Trade committee, said she recognizes the University is taking positive steps to incorporate Fair Trade products on campus, but explained there is always room for improvement, which is the group’s ultimate goal this week. Following Monday’s coffee inventory, a variety of events will be happening on campus that Fukuji shared “will draw different crowds in.” The first will be a Fair Trade coffee and chocolate tasting during Convo hour on Tuesday, April 16 in Alumni Mall. Students

See Fair Trade | Page 4

Kevin Halladay-Glynn | Loyolan

The annual Mr. LMU competition, an all-male athlete pageant presented by the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), was held on Thursday night in Gersten Pavilion. After a three-round competition between athletes from each sport, freshman soccer midfielder Michael Meissner was crowned as the winner. The competitions included a formal wear round, a sports attire round and a talent round.

SPORTS FEATURE Freshman soccer midfielder Michael Meissner was crowned Mr. LMU on Thursday night. By Sam Borsos Asst. Sports Editor

Kevin Halladay-Glynn | Loyolan

CSJ Symposium features student performances After collecting stories from individuals with health problems and mental disorders for their class, titledVoices of Justice,students translated those stories into performances.These performances took place during the CSJ Symposium: The Effect of Trauma on Body, Mind and Spirit held in Murphy Recital Hall on Friday,April 12.For more photos,see the Loyolan’s Facebook page.

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Sometimes, athletes have to be bold if they want to win. A basketball player might shoot a three-pointer instead of taking the easier layup opportunity. A baseball player might risk going for a steal instead of playing it safe. In the case of the 2013 Mr. LMU pageant, an athlete might shave his chest on stage while performing a song and dance routine. Freshman men’s soccer midfielder Michael Meissner was crowned this year ’s Mr. LMU after winning the audience’s vote at the annual competition on Thursday night in Gersten Pavillion. After answering questions such as “What is your ideal date?” and modeling his formal attire and soccer gear, Meissner topped off his winning performance with a song and dance while simultaneously shaving his chest. “It means a lot to me,” said Meissner. “I want to dedicate this one to

Index

Classifieds.............................4 Opinion.........................5 Coffee Break. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A&E................................10 Sports.............................16

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[redshirt sophomore defender] Craig Nitti, the captain of our soccer team. Without him, I feel like I wouldn’t be pressured to do something like this. I want to thank my friends who thought of the idea to shave my chest hair into a smiley face.” Mr. LMU is an all-male athlete pageant put on by the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) annually to raise money for an organization chosen each year. One athlete from each team volunteers to compete in a three-round competition: a formal attire round a sports attire round and finally a talent competition. This year, the SAAC donated all of the proceeds to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). The athletic community has a strong tie to the organization. “As an athletic department, we’ve been really supportive of LLS because our men’s water polo head coach [John Loughran] was actually diagnosed with leukemia two years ago,” SAAC president and junior business marketing major Rachel Dekar said. “We saw him battle through it, and he recovered and everything, but it’s we’ve been supportive of LLS because of his history.” Dekar is a member of LMU’s swim team. This year, 10 athletes competed to

See Mr. LMU | Page 15

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NEWS

April 15, 2013 Page 2

SLEJ acts against injustice NEWS FEATURE Students for Labor and Economic Justice advocate for campus employees. By Tilly Rudolph News Intern

Education is the main focus for LMU. Whether in or out of the classroom, professors and students alike join together in a community of learning. Throughout college, students specifically engage in the first two aspects of LMU’s mission statement: the encouragement of learning and the education of the whole person. Whether by different service opportunities found through Campus Ministry or joining a service organization, the service of faith is fulfilled in many ways on campus. But it is the second part of that third prong – the promotion of justice – that the student-run and formed Students for Labor and Economic Justice (SLEJ) works to ensure that students connect with. As senior finance major Ashley Thompson said in The Loyolan’s April 8 article, “Westchester residents distribute flyers to discourage off-campus street parking,” the parking problem on and off-campus is “quite the inconvenience.” As students and faculty struggle to pay for parking on campus, Sodexo workers are running into this same inconvenience. “For many workers, the cost of parking is a significant amount of their salary,” philosophy graduate student Sophia Pavlos said.

This has forced many Sodexo employees to park out the back gates to avoid the parking fee. “I believe that Sodexo and other contracted workers on campus were not taken into account when the parking measures were enacted,” Pavlos said. Pavlos and other members of SLEJ believe the university should develop a plan to cover workers’ parking fees. But developing this plan could potentially involve some risks, as LMU workers are at-will employees, which means their employment can be ended at any time without any given cause. “[This] gives them little power in the workplace and makes them more vulnerable to mistreatment,” Pavlos said. “I have heard many times from LMU workers who have tried to speak up in the workplace that they are told in response: ‘If you don’t like it, you don’t have to work here,’ or some variation upon that theme.” LMU workers have joined the union UNITE HERE! Local 11, and they currently have a contract with Sodexo at LMU which can potentially create some boundaries for the termination of their employment. “A union’s collective bargaining agreement might limit or outline the specific reasons for which an employer can fire an employee,” sophomore communication studies major Sarah Scherk said. SLEJ works to form relationships between workers and students on campus. Scherk described how students should use their privileged position as students to advocate for the workers. Examples of this would be talking to Facilities and Environmental Health and

Safety in regards to workplace safety concern, being in solidarity with Sodexo workers when they confront administration about issues, helping set up meetings with Human Resources or engaging the Jesuits to support workers. “The main idea is that the University caters to students first and foremost, and so must listen to us when we complain about injustice,” Scherk said. “Workers belong to the LMU community too, and if students want a just community, then it’s up to students to demand that the University live up to its mission.” Students do not merely have to work on an individual level to create a more just campus, Scherk said. She discussed how as an entire community, a program such as Jobs for Justice could be adopted. This program, which SLEJ is currently campaigning for, includes three main points: a workplace free from fear, intimidation and disrespect, access to safe and effective grievance procedures and access to campus and educational resources. “It is important to remember that just because we’re at a Jesuit university that promotes social justice does not ensure that all employees are treated with dignity and respect,” Pavlos said. Scherk suggested talking to administrators and union representatives as ways for students to get involved. “The first step is [to] be aware of the workers around you, and start talking to them and getting to know them,” Scherk said. “Put yourself out there. If you don’t care about workers, then you’re not going to realize what they’re going through.”

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COLLEGE DRINKING GAME CULTURE

(Information compiled from Dailybreeze.com)

LMU psychology professor Joseph LaBrie recently conducted a study compiling a list of drinking games to learn more about their harmful consequences on college campuses. Here are some RI WKHLU ð QGLQJV

5,000 students were surveyed, but researchers focused on the 3,400 who reported they consume at least one alcoholic drink in a typical week. Seventy percent reported participating in a drinking game in the past 30 days. One-third of students reported experiencing memory loss from one of the drinking games they played. Chance games, which include little skill, were found to be popular among students who are MLTHSL UVU ^OP[L HUK \UHMÄ SPH[LK ^P[O .YLLR SPML White males in fraternities were also found most likely to play “extreme consumption” games, such as keg stands. Young men on a typical weekend night consume about six drinks when they play a drinking game whereas they consume three to four drinks on a night without drinking games.

Look for a full article on this study in an upcoming edition of the Loyolan. Information compiled by Casey Kidwell, Asst. News Editor; Graphic: Stephanie Schiller

NEWS

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April 15, 2013 Page 3

Communication studies majors target plastic bag use To fulfill their class requirement, students tackle the environment. By Ali Swenson Asst. News Editor

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A group of freshmen have begun implementing a class project with the goal of eradicating plastic bag use, starting with the LMU bookstore and the C-Store. The group includes freshman communication studies majors Allison Valasek, Christie Goodman, Alexandra Young, Kristen Walters, and Niya Wright. The five women were assigned to design and implement a service project by professor Susan McDaniel for an Interpersonal and Small Group Communications course. According to McDaniel, they were asked “to locate an area of need either on campus or in the immediate Westchester community, and then to meet that need.” Valasek described their service project plan, saying, “We noticed that the C Lion and the bookstore and all the other stores that sell things on campus use either paper or plastic bags, and although the bookstore did say that they use 100% recyclable plastic, [we still] feel like there should be another option. We chose to do reusable bags.” Valasek went on to explain that the group is in the process

of obtaining student signatures in order to petition stores on campus. Their aim is to gauge student opinion and raise interest in implementing a system of reusable bags in all campus stores. The next step is to create a bag model that can be sold for an inexpensive price starting in the upcoming fall semester. According to Valasek, who contacted the bookstore manager, the LMU bookstore tried to put a reusable bag alternative into effect once in the past, but students did not use the bags enough to make supplying them worth the cost. The group hopes to overcome this obstacle by creating bags with more visual interest – namely an LMUspecific logo – and by promoting their project more effectively to the entire student body. “We really want people to know what we’re doing and how it will impact them,” Goodman said. “Our school is a ‘go-green’ type of school. … We want to help them in the process of that and have the reusable bags and help students understand that if they support this, it will be better for the school in general.” Walters pointed out that it could be a good development for the school not only because of its environmental mindfulness, but also financial effectiveness. “We wanted to do something that would actually help the school. I think it will help the school save money, too, because they won’t have to buy plastic bags and paper bags if they just

buy this set amount of reusable bags,” Walters said. Young has been going door-todoor in dorms to inform students of the plan. McDaniel is a supporter of her students’ project, and has high hopes for its success. “Hopefully, the whole Los Angeles area, as it does in Santa Monica now, will soon dispense plastic bags,” she said. “We might as well get used to carrying our own … things and saving the planet.” In the past, Interpersonal and Small Group Communications students have made big strides in their projects, carrying them over even after the course ends. “Some students went to a local elementary school that had no arts program at all. They went in and did some art projects with children. It was such a huge success and the students got so much out of it that they went back the next semester,” McDaniel said. According to McDaniel, her goals for the project are for students to learn and make an impact on the community. “That’s the driving force for me behind the whole idea. Own the project, make it meaningful [and] make a difference. And, hopefully, they get a sense of how group dynamics work, both the good and the bad,” she said. According to the group, the student body can expect to see reusable plastic bags offered to some degree next fall at the bookstore.

College of Business Administration offers summer scholarship to Korea The Center for Asian Business in the College of Business Administration is offering a summer scholarship to experience Korea in a two week cultural immersion program. Recipients of the scholarship will visit important Korean sites as well as network with Korean students, business people and professors. All LMU second and third year students are eligible to apply. Interested students are encouraged to attend information sessions in Hilton 320 on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. or Thursday, April 15 at 4:00 p.m.

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LMU awards ceremony honors alumni The LMU Distinguished Awards, held on Thursday, April 11, honored three LMU alumni. Diana C. Casares Bell (‘81), on the Senior Counsel of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, the Honorable Bill Bogaard (‘59), the mayor of Pasedena, and Rene B. LaVigne (‘83), the President and Chief Executive Officer of Iron Bow Technologies, were honored at the ceremony.

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NEWS

April 15, 2013 Page 4

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Students raise awareness of Fair Trade on campus Fair Trade from Page 1 will also be able to sign the resolution to support the Fair Trade initiative. A panel discussion designed to educate students on the meeting of Fair Trade and what making the shift means for LMU will follow on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Seaver Hall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surprising that a lot of people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what Fair Trade actually is. The first step is bringing awareness to Fair Trade products that are already on campus,â&#x20AC;? Fukuji said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So hopefully, when students see the Fair Trade labels, they will choose to buy that over something else.â&#x20AC;? Her personal goal for the week is to â&#x20AC;&#x153;reach as many people as possibleâ&#x20AC;? and to â&#x20AC;&#x153;encourage students to choose Fair Trade products over others to help support our local

communities.â&#x20AC;? Sophomore athletic training major Taiga Guterres expressed the impact that purchasing Fair Trade products can have on the community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Something as simple as changing the brand we buy can change the life of a farmer, a child worker or a factory worker,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some small action can change the course of the future and if our small steps can lead to the betterment of at least one person, then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth it.â&#x20AC;? Throughout the week, students will demonstrate the wide variety of products that are Fair Trade certified, including products from six L.A. boutiques that will be on campus during Convo hour on Thursday, in Alumni Mall. According to Fukuji, by learning

about Fair Trade and supporting the initiative, students let the University know that there is a demand for these products and that they should provide more options on campus. The University of San Diego is currently the only Fair Trade campus university in Southern California. Fukuji said the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hope is that by raising awareness this week, LMU will soon be added to the list. The week will close with a movie screening sponsored by ASMLU in Regents Terrace on Friday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. Viewers will be provided with Fair Trade ice cream, coffee and drinks. For more information about Fair Trade Awareness week, visit the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook event page.

things to know about Fair Trade

Fair Trade products come from small farmer organizations or farms with hired labor (only for certain products) in countries with low to medium development status in Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean.

In 2012, Fair Trade Certified imported 163 million pounds of coffee into the United States and Canada.

Fair Trade USA and partners drive 18 percent growth in Fair Trade certified coffee imports; farming communities earn an additional $32 million in premiums.

Fair Trade USA focuses on three key areas necessary to increase the scope, impact and relevance of Fair Trade for everyone in the supply chain: strengthening farming communities, including more people, engaging consumers.

Fair Trade premiums have supported the purchase of school buses and even a hostel for students who live far away from school.

Fair Trade products are marketed by national labeling initiatives, including Fair Trade USA, or marketing organizations working in 24 countries.

More than 10,000 Fair Trade Certified products are sold in over 70 countries worldwide.

In the U.S. market, consumers can choose from more than 7,000 products sourced from 58 countries.

Cotton farmers in countries like Mali and India can earn up to 30 percent more on Fair Trade sales through a guaranteed minimum price. The average price per pound paid to farmers for Fair Trade Certified coffee in 2009 was $1.69,

10. well above the average market price of $1.25. Source: fairtradeusa.org

Megan Finney

Finney thinks that in regards to body image in fashion, the beauty ideal has shifted from a curvy Marilyn Monroe to thinner and thinner bodies.

11 BURNING QUESTIONS with a fashion activist

This issue, Asst. Managing Editor Jenna Abdou sits down with senior communication studies major Megan Finney to talk about her work with AllWalks Beyond the Catwalk. 1. Tell me about your research on the fashion industry. My project was called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shifting Emphasis in the Fashion Industry.â&#x20AC;? I stumbled across this organization called All Walks Beyond the Catwalk. ,W LV D QRQ SURĂ&#x20AC;W LQ /RQGRQ (QJODQG DQG WKH\ DUH ZRUNLQJ WR GLYHUVLI\ IDVKLRQ LPDJHU\ WR KDYH PRUH DJHV UDFHV DQG VL]HV , SURSRVHG WKH SURMHFW WR /08 DQG WKURXJK D ORW RI SHWLWLRQLQJ DQG WU\LQJ WR JHW IXQGLQJ WR JR , JRW HQRXJK PRQH\ WR JR RYHU WR (QJODQG DQG ZRUN IRU WKHP 2. You focus on the history of fashion in your work. How has the notion of body image changed over time? The fashion industry has dictated beauty ideals since there was fashion. 7KH LVVXH RI KRZ LW KDV HYROYHG WRGD\ KDV D ORW WR GR ZLWK XV EHLQJ DEOH WR VHH LW PRUH ZLWK WKH WUDQVLWLRQ IURP SULQW WR GLJLWDO DQG WKH ,QWHUQHW +DYLQJ OLYH VWUHDPLQJ RQ WKH UXQZD\ DQG FRQVWDQWO\ VHHLQJ LW LQ PDJD]LQHV LW KDV EHFRPH OLNH XUEDQ ZDOOSDSHU 3. How do you think the nature of body image affects society? 7KHUH LV UHVHDUFK WKDW VD\V WKDW ERG\ LPDJH LV WKH QXPEHU RQH QRUPDWLYH GLVFRPIRUW RYHU SHRSOHÂˇV OLYHV 7ZR WKLUGV RI LQGLYLGXDOV ZRUOGZLGH VWUXJJOH ZLWK ERG\ LPDJH DQG , WKLQN LW WDNHV VKDSH RQ FROOHJH FDPSXVHV LQ D YDULHW\ RI ZD\V Â˛ HVSHFLDOO\ VLQFH ZH DUH DW WKH DJH ZKHUH ZH ZDQW WR PDNH sure that we look good. 4. How do you think that new media perpetuates this? )LUVW RI DOO ZH VHH IDVKLRQ LPDJHU\ PRUH 6SHFLĂ&#x20AC;FDOO\ WKH FDWZDON LPDJH \HDUV DJR WKDW ZDV QRW EURDGFDVWHG 7RGD\ ZH VHH WKHP HYHU\ZKHUH 5. Why do you think it is important that people recognize the important role that body image plays in our society? 2QH RI WKH WKLQJV WKDW VKRFNHG PH WKH PRVW ZDV WKDW 'RYH GLG D VWXG\ DQG WKH\ IRXQG RXW WKDW SHUFHQW RI JLUOV KDYH ERG\ LPDJH SUREOHPV WKDW DIIHFW WKHLU VHOI FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQFH 6. Can you share a little bit about your experience working for the All Walks Beyond the Catwalk? , ZDV SXW LQ FKDUJH RI WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;OP SURGXFWLRQ ZKHQ , JRW WKHUH , GLG WKHLU 1DWLRQDO 3RUWUDLW *DOOHU\ SURPRWLRQDO Ă&#x20AC;OP 7KH ODVW ZHHN EHIRUH , FDPH KRPH , JRW SXW LQ FKDUJH RI WKHLU OHFWXUH Ă&#x20AC;OPV 6R , PDGH D PLQXWH OHFWXUH Ă&#x20AC;OP WKDW WKH\ VHQW RXW WR DOO RI WKH JUDGXDWH IDVKLRQ XQLYHUVLWLHV and it has been shown in 60 or 70 schools. 7. Going back to the organization in particular, why do you think that they are succeeding getting their message across? , WKLQN EHFDXVH WKH\ DUHQÂˇW FRPEDWWLQJ WKH LQGXVWU\ Â˛ WKH\ DUH DSSHDOLQJ WR WKH LQGXVWU\ 7KH\ DUHQÂˇW PDNLQJ WKHLU RUJDQL]DWLRQ HDUQHVW LQ DQ\ ZD\ $OO :DONV %H\RQG WKH &DWZDON LV HPEUDFLQJ GLYHUVLW\ VR WKH IDVKLRQ LQGXVWU\ ZLOO ZDQW WR MRLQ WKH PRYHPHQW 8. Why do you think they emphasize diversity as a whole? $OO :DONV %H\RQG WKH &DWZDON LV VD\LQJ ZKRHYHU \RX DUH ZKDWHYHU \RX ORRN OLNH ZKDWHYHU DJH RU VL]H \RX FDQ KDYH VW\OH DQG \RX FDQ ORRN IDQWDVWLF ,WÂˇV QRW D IXQFWLRQ RI RQH ORRN RU RQH ZD\ WR EH EHDXWLIXO 9. How have people responded to their message? 7KH\ KDYH KDG UHDOO\ SRVLWLYH UHVSRQVHV 7KH\ KDYH JRWWHQ DZDUGV IURP Cosmopolitan and Red Hot Women named them Game Changing Women. )DVKLRQ VWXGHQWV DUH UHVSRQGLQJ H[WUHPHO\ SRVLWLYHO\ 10. What would you say is the greatest part of your experience working for them? I learned the way you can use fashion as a tool for self-Âpromotion. Since ZH OLYH LQ VXFK D YLVXDOO\ OLWHUDWH FXOWXUH , WKLQN LW ZDV UHDOO\ SRZHUIXO WKH way that they see fashion as a way to emphasize what I like about myself and my strengths. It was a shift in thinking that I think I really needed. 11. What was the most eye-Âopening experience that you had in London? I think the most eye-Âopening was sitting in at the parliamentary meeting. I went to the all-Âparliamentary meeting on body image one day. 7KH ZD\ WKH\ ZHUH WDONLQJ DERXW ERG\ LPDJH FRPSOHWHO\ FKDQJHG P\ YLHZ RQ LW EHFDXVH LW ZDV VXFK D VHULRXV LVVXH

To read the extended version of â&#x20AC;&#x153;11 Burning Questions,â&#x20AC;? visit the News section of laloyolan.com.

OPINION Student Editorials and Perspectives

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BOARD EDITORIAL

lmu

Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board. Zaneta Pereira Managing Editor

Kevin O’Keeffe Editor in Chief

Jenna Abdou Asst. Managing Editor

Dan Raffety Managing Editor Michael Busse Copy Editor

Students’ actions leave lasting legacy

ushing for LMU to move towards a 100 percent Fair Trade campus is not something that will necessarily affect the day-to-day lives of current students. What the campaign is about, however, is building a legacy that will impact the future. As stated in the article “Fair Trade coffee to be provided for awareness” on Page 1, LMU is celebrating Fair Trade Awareness Week this week to support the process of creating a more sustainable environment on campus, incorporating as many Fair Trade products as possible, gaining Fair Trade status and eventually converting LMU into a 100 percent Fair Trade, sustainable environment. But this Board Editorial isn’t about whether or not Fair Trade is the correct economic move for our University, or whether we support Fair Trade laws. This is about LMU students, and the impact we will have for generations to come. Becoming completely Fair Trade certified is an extremely long process, but it will have a significant change on future Lions. This Fair Trade push, like many other initiatives at LMU, is not an overnight endeavor. Given our identity as a private, Catholic university that celebrates both the historic Jesuit tradition and innovative policies to promote change and growth, there are many layers to effecting change at LMU. Simply put, creating sustainable change is not easy to accomplish here because of all the factors one must consider. But that doesn’t discourage our students from trying. This week is about more than just Fair Trade and the planned events; this week is about more than current students and their

efforts. This week, is about the future. We are constantly told we don’t have enough school spirit at LMU. We are always told that students don’t care enough about this institution, and would rather celebrate personal achievements. We are told that students would rather go to an off-campus event than an on-campus one. But we at the Loyolan argue that this week exemplifies how much students care about LMU. This week demonstrates that students, despite not receiving any immediate tangible benefits from their hard work, will put in effort to make LMU a better place for future students. That’s the true definition of spirit. We have seen this same theme exemplified continuously more than just in organizations and events. Take the issue of parking, or the new Life Science building. For example, although the whole ordeal caused great controversy and uproar, the theme of looking toward the future remains. Most current students are not going to benefit from the new parking structures, but can celebrate and support the initiative as a move to benefit future Lions. We encourage LMU students to fight for their passions and share those passions with others, a true testament to our Jesuit tradition. We encourage people to look toward the future and act based on what’s best for the greater good, rather than solely short term results. Just because today’s students won’t see a difference in their day-to-day operations, that doesn’t mean that true change won’t come about for the future. That’s the importance of legacy – of looking towards and planning for the future.

April 15, 2013 Page 5

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The Los Angeles Loyolan, a studentrun campus organization, publishes a twice weekly newspaper for the greater LMU community. The first copy is free of charge. Additional copies are $1 each. Paid, mailed subscriptions can be purchased through the Business department. The Loyolan accepts unsolicited letters from students, faculty, staff and alumni, and press releases from oncampus and off-campus organizations, but cannot guarantee publication. The Loyolan reserves the right to edit or reject all submissions, including advertisements, articles or other contributions it deems objectionable. The Loyolan does not print consecutive articles by the same author that repeat/ refute the initial arguments. Opinions and ideas expressed in the Loyolan are those of individual authors, artists and student editors and are not those of Loyola Marymount University, its Board of Trustees, its student body or of newspaper advertisers. Board Editorials are unsigned and reflect the opinions of the Executive Editorial Board. Guest editorials are by invitation of the Executive Editorial Board and reflect the views of the author. All advertisements are subject to the current rates and policies in the most recent Advertising Rates and Information materials.

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Racism in America: A work in progress

r. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Many people think that we live in a post-discriminatory era: Racism, segregation, discrimination are things of the past, mistakes made ages ago. Today, all are equal. Today, all are acBy Kristen Trudo cepted. That is the America we Contributor live in. These arguments are real. In my mind, however, they are quite naive particularly when we consider the fact that “ages ago” means “when our parents were around 10 years old.” Ages ago really was not that long ago. In fact, the society, beliefs and culture that existed “ages ago” still exists throughout our country today. Later this month, a group of high school students in Georgia will have their very first integrated prom. Yes, please feel free to reread that sentence, because when I say “integrated,” I do mean that up until now, proms in Wilcox County, Ga., were segregated by race. This year, for instance, when Wilcox County High School had its first integrated homecoming court, the homecoming queen – a black student – was not allowed to attend the white homecoming party. I am sure there is a “separate but equal” argument in there somewhere. But, wait: Wilcox County is hosting their first integrated prom. So they must be taking a step in the right direction. Sure, I admire the students who are advocating for equal treatment, understanding that “separate but equal” has nev-

er been and will never be enough. What is scary, though, is that these traditions continue because there is a large enough segment of our population that continues to believe that all people are not the same. And though there are students in Wilcox attempting to create change, their classmates are running through the hallways tearing down the flyers asking for an integrated prom. Even students in our own generation have been tainted by the belief that our phenotype is more indicative of who we are than anything on the inside. Despite the fact that the term “racism” often brings to mind events having to do with black Americans, to this day, it seems that anyone of minority descent is fair game. Imagine, for instance, being the parent of a young boy who comes home and says he doesn’t want to go to school anymore because the kids are calling him “Osama,” “terrorist” or “America-hater.” Imagine being a child of Middle Eastern descent growing up in America today. People who are Muslim or even perceived as being Muslim are often victims of prejudice. Is that fair? Is it fair to discriminate against an entire people because of the decisions of a small sect of extremists? I hope you answered no. To me, to discriminate against all people of Middle Eastern descent because of the events of Sept. 11 is the equivalent of discriminating against all white people because of the actions of the KKK. I don’t see anyone doing that – discriminating against this group of people because of the path that extremists have chosen. Why? Well, because making a judgment about an entire group of people based on the actions of a few is a careless decision. If that’s not evidence enough of

Information compiled from Princeton University Press; Sydney Franz | Loyolan

the prejudice that exists in today’s society, consider what happened on Holocaust Remembrance Day earlier this month: A man set fire to a dozen mezuzahs inside an apartment complex in Brooklyn, N.Y. A mezuzah, usually found attached to the doorframe of a Jewish home, is a container that holds a parchment with Hebrew verses from the Torah. Some 60 years after the Holocaust, anti-Semitism – and discrimination based on religion in general – remains a devastating issue in our society. What does this event tell us? It tells us that there are still people who’s ignorance convinces them that being Jewish makes you unworthy of equal treatment and respect. It is a tragedy that there are still people in our country who are made to feel that the way they

look, the way they worship or the person they love makes them a target. So what does this have to do with our little LMU bubble? Wilcox County is 2,293 miles away. Brooklyn is on the opposite corner of the country. Sure, the fact that segregation still exists over there is almost unreal, but how does that affect us? It affects us because the belief that we are in a post-discriminatory era is charged with the notion that there is no more work to be done, that our work as advocates for equal rights and treatment is complete. If we believe that it no longer exists, it is because we fail to recognize that, on our very campus, the necessity behind clubs that are ethnically and culturally focused stems from the fact that ethnic and cultural minorities

have to deal with stereotypes and discrimination each and every day. Yes, even here at LMU. And, if you don’t believe me, I invite you to speak to your friends who are nonwhite, gay or female, and ask them if they have ever felt the sting of prejudice on this campus. Here at LMU, as men and women for and with others, our job is not complete. We are called to stand up against these injustices until there are equal rights for everyone. We are invited to sign petitions and vote, to look deeper before making a judgment and to teach those who look up to us that what’s within are far more important than anything that our eyes can see. This is the opinion of Kristen Trudo, a sophomore psychology and English double major from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Please send comments to aheck@theloyolan.com.

April 15, 2013 Page 6

OPINION

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Appreciating LMU workers

ow would you describe LMU students? Smart? Kind? Compassionate? I could vouch for all of these qualities in a heartbeat. But, in light of last Tuesday’s Cesar Chavez service and Worker Appreciation Luncheon, one adjective to describe LMU students immediately comes to mind: inconsiderate. Now, before you accuse me of hasty genYuseful eralizations or Information haughty selfBy Jennifer Yu righteousness, Asst. Opinion Editor let me disclaim that I do believe that LMU students are, in general, great people. On the other hand, I have observed too much rudeness, too little selflessness and an underlying tone of ignorance and insensitivity. We’ve gotten so accustomed to our beautiful, clean campus, as well as the many conveniences and services it offers, that we no longer recognize them as blessings. Rather, they’ve become expected norms that we are entitled to because we pay tuition. We’ve become blind to the hard work that goes into the many services provided to us. Talking to one woman at the Worker Appreciation Luncheon after the Cesar Chavez service, I learned that she arrives on the bluff at 5 a.m. every day to begin cleaning one of the freshman dorms. A lot of us complain about having to wake up for 8 a.m. classes – imagine having to wake up before the sun every day, only to be greeted by sloppy trash on the ground directly next to the trash can and grumpy, unfriendly students. Whenever I see such carelessness, after my initial “Ugh, really?!” reaction, I calm down and try to think up some excuse for whoever left the random slice of tomato on the stairwell in McKay Hall. Perhaps they were offered their dream job over the phone and lost control of all bodily functions due to excitement, and thus, their freshly bought chicken and ranch BLT from Iggy’s was an unanticipated casualty of this joyous occasion. And they were too excited to realize they neglected to pick up that last tomato slice. I wish this were the case every time. But I’ve seen one too many tomatoes. It appalls me to find there are some people on this campus who actually and deliberately commit these careless acts, and to them I can only ask: why? I once read an LMU Confession by a person who admitted to having the greatest thrill when he purposely missed the urinal when he peed. I apologize for the graphic image, but, really?

Who does that? And if you think it’s gross to read about, imagine how exponentially gross it is to have to clean up that uncalled-for mess. I know this is an extreme example, but it is representative of those who feel it is a right derived from paying tuition to expect others to clean up after them. It’s juvenile, it’s infantile – it’s time to grow up. We all have, at some point or another, committed acts of carelessness that have resulted in unnecessary and increased work for others. We’ve all been there – it may have been that time you left your table at The Lair without clearing your table or when you were unnecessarily cold to the student taking your order at the Lion’s Den. These actions aren’t the greatest, but they aren’t the end-all, either. Bad days happen, and we’re definitely far from perfect. I know it can be hard, at times, to be conscious of all your decisions and actions; in fact, it’s impossible to do so. I know it is unrealistic to hope for continuous awareness of our impact on those around us. But whether this is due to our excessively saturated schedules or merely our inattentive tendencies, we have to acknowledge the fact that despite our excuses, each careless act and each unintentionally rude interaction has its consequences. It’s about time we started caring about them and the people they affect. I do think it is possible for us to create considerably less extra work for those who already toil at their jobs to better LMU and consequently, our college experience. Workers Appreciation Week may have been last week, but I encourage you to take a moment today – and hopefully more than just today – to show your appreciation for those who provide services that enable you to go about your schedule. It doesn’t take much, just a genuine “How are you?” perhaps a little conversation or, if you’re really in a hurry, a sincere, warm smile – anything beyond the brusque “thanks.” These may seem like ineffectual, simplistic actions, but as long as they are rooted in true concern and care, I fully believe that they can give people the affirmation and motivation needed to continue their work for that day. Your small actions have a bigger effect on others than you might initially think, but you also have the power to make someone’s day with a small gesture. You really shouldn’t have to go out of your way at all. If anything, I think that if we all tried to be more intentional in maintaining a ratio in which kind gestures significantly outweigh thoughtless inconsideration, our campus would be in much better shape.

This is the opinion of Jennifer Yu, a sophomore marketing and English double major from Reseda, Calif. Please send comments to jyu@theloyolan.com.

Sophia Pavlos

LMU workers enjoy the annual Worker Appreciation Luncheon hosted by LMU’s Students for Labor and Economic Justice on Thursday, April 3.

Jackson Turcotte

“I’d be a keeper, because I’m a keeper.”

Junior

Cartoon Editor

Zaneta Pereira Sophomore

Managing Editor

Christopher James

“I’d be a seeker, because I want to be the hero every day.”

A&E Editor

“I’d be the chaser, because all of the ones on the Gryffindor team are totally awesome.”

Chelsea Chenelle Sophomore

Asst. A&E Editor

“I’d be the Snitch, because I’m golden and hard to catch.” For more on Quidditch, see the Sports column on Page 16.

Compiled by Allie Heck, opinion editor; Graphic: Tyler Barnett | Loyolan

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OPINION

April 15, 2013 Page 7

Who wears short shorts? Apparently, men

ew men will disagree that they love seeing short shorts. They are the best part of the seasonal transition between spring and summer, and the efflux of sweaters and yoga pants and the influx of low-cut tanks and daisy dukes marks the beginning of summerDon’t Push exclusive activities Feldman By Devin Feldman like working at your local Opinion Intern Chipotle, camping and uploading bikini pictures to Facebook. And as we wave goodbye to our full-length – and sometimes translucent (thanks, Lululemon) – stretchy black pants of yestermonth, we welcome short shorts with open arms, exposed legs and unusably small pockets. But the short shorts forcing themselves into our lives are not the same as the shorts from last year. There is a new trend passing through LMU like that WOW chicken you had for lunch. This is something monumental. I haven’t seen anything like this since looking through my parents’ old photos and that one time I went to West Hollywood. That’s right, people, this influx of short shorts is not exclusive to the women of LMU; these textile hip-hugging demitrousers are now being worn by men. Hairy,

flabby, fratty men. If you haven’t noticed this trend of minimal length and maximum raditude, then you’ve probably been living under a rock (i.e. off campus), or you’re one of those people who doesn’t look up from their phone on the walk to UHall. At first, I was hesitant about this new fad. I don’t want to see all these dudes walking around, liberating their mid-thighs. Male short shorts, such as Chubbies, have many positive aspects that only pertain to the wearer, and after trying on a pair, I am convinced the ends certainly justify the means. Fortunately, for the sake of this study, I have friends in frats. Of these friends, four own short shorts. Of these four, two are my size. And of those two, one wears underwear. So I tried on his pair of sexy, worn, red above-the-knee trousers. These elastic-waisted, open-legged, overstated shorts are indescribably comfortable, but for the sake of good journalism, I’m going to try. We’re talking on par with yoga pants’ comfort – don’t ask. Immediately after I put on the shorts, I felt so free, like I could do anything. Rugby? Bring it on. Cross country? Already dressed for it. Hit on girls out of my league? Most certainly. Binge drink? Of course not – I’m underage. I even felt up for rushing a frat, which has literally never happened. Not to mention, the

length of the shorts paired well with my plaid shirt and boat shoes, no socks of course, and they might even end the habit of every day being chest and tris day at the gym. This trend of less fabric and more swag is even more permissible because it puts an end to the aformentioned trend of skipping leg day at the gym. Like, who has time for leg day? Nobody. That is, not until short shorts regained popularity. One year ago, when cargo shorts were still socially acceptable, leg day was one of those things many guys at the gym brushed over. Leg day was just calf day, because that’s all women saw: your calves. If she was seeing as far as your midthigh, she stopped caring about your chicken legs a couple metaphorical bases ago. It’s time to man up, do some squats, sit in the sun with your legs exposed and maybe even get down with some Nair. Let’s be honest, if these shorts didn’t cost $50 plus tax, I would own several pairs – one pair in pastel pink, a set in sea foam green and some in a classic periwinkle hue– that’s living right there. And don’t think these shorts are only good for your 12 p.m. lecture; if you’re doing it right, you’ll be wearing them to weddings, bar mitzvahs and on first dates. So grab some short shorts, men; it doesn’t matter what brand. Slip your hairy, recently toned legs through

Jackson Turcotte | Loyolan

the gnarliest 13 inches of pastel cotton you will ever encounter and strut. Not solely because of new high levels of comfort and mobility, but because if you don’t

strut, your quads won’t be defined enough to pull these This is the opinion of Devin Feldman, a sophomore communication studies major from Aurora, Ore. Please send comments to aheck@theloyolan.com.

April 15, 2013 Page 8

OPINION

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Yes, no, maybe so: The art of indecision

remember hearing many a horror story about that flakey friend that always seems to change plans or cancel last minute. I remember thanking my lucky stars that most of my friends did not fall under that category. And then I realized why: because I was that friend. For lack of a good excuse, What the Heck I must mainBy Allie Heck tain that it Opinion Editor is completely unintentional. I agree to plans because I want to do them, not out of guilt or obligation, and I (usually) don’t cancel them unless I have something else going on. But my tendency to flake doesn’t just lie in a classic case of double booking. No, my flakiness is most definitely a result of my ultimate inability to decide on most things. Like most of my character flaws, my indecisiveness can be traced back to my earliest years. I could never decide between the chicken strips or the grilled cheese, the french fries or the tater tots, KoolAid or lemonade. I would like to think that I’ve at least matured in the ordering-atrestaurants arena, but that would be a blatant lie. I’m almost always the last one to decide what I want, and even then, I often ask the waiter to pick for me. It’s honestly quite frustrating. I’m aware that being decisive is not only an admirable

trait, it also makes life a lot easier. Within my group of immediate friends, I’m never afraid to be the one that decides where to eat, what movie theater to go to or what party to hit up, but when it comes to the smaller things in my own life, I can’t seem to find the ability to decide. The funny thing is that I know countless people that suffer from this same indecision. For some, it’s a matter of not wanting to undertake something with the possibility of going wrong. For me, it’s not that simple. I think what it honestly boils down to is that I want to be everywhere at once doing everything I could possibly do. I think my indecisiveness is directly linked to my fear of missing out, more commonly known as FOMO. It’s not that I knowingly and deliberately overbook my schedule with different activities, some of which will inevitably fall by the wayside. It’s just that I really want to do it all. Oddly enough, deciding on what college to attend was probably the easiest decision I’ve ever made. After visiting LMU, I had all but made up my mind that I wanted to come here. As many of my close friends battled with this decision well into late April, it was smooth sailing and charging ahead for me. As I make my plans for the summer and the next semester ahead of me though, I am once again plagued with my failure to decide. I want to go on a community service trip, spend a good amount of time back home, go on a

lengthy road trip, come out to California for a while and find time to really rejuvenate and relax in the midst of it all. As I round the corner of my second decade, I can’t help but feel there’s not enough time to do everything I want. My ambitions, my dreams, my mistakes – I want ample time to experience it all. And I’m afraid that by choosing the wrong option, I might skip out on the opportunity of a lifetime. So I’ve figured out the root of my indecision, but I don’t think that’s enough. While I would hope that my indecision only affects me, I know that it definitely has an effect on those that I care for most. And for that, I am truly sorry. I wish that I bear take the brunt of my character flaw; but unfortunately, I can really only suffer from the embarrassment it causes me, never getting the full impact of my actions. With that being said, I have to believe that my friends can move past my inability to choose. I’ve met so many amazing people here at LMU, all who have something incredible to offer me by way of knowledge, companionship or compassion. But no one is perfect. Everyone has character flaws. Hell, everyone has big character flaws. By the time I graduated from high school, I had pretty much realized and accepted my friends’ imperfections and shortcomings, but coming to college, I’m still in the process of recognizing the things in my newer friends that rub me the wrong way. So it’s a matter of acceptance, of forgiveness for one-

Jackson Turcotte | Loyolan

self and others. Everyone has flaws that have the potential to stick around for the long run, despite how we might try to dispel them. For those stuck in the muddied water of indecision like yours truly, I have faith that we can move past our character flaw. I firmly believe that it’s better to go courageously forth than to waver in the decision-making purgatory. Contrary to how it might feel or appear, prolonging a

decision will not keep you safe, at least not for long. Eventually, you will have to do it. So I’ve finally decided. I want the chicken fingers with french fries and lemonade. We’ll never know the right decision until everything is said and done, and by then, it probably won’t matter anyways. This is the opinion of Allie Heck, a freshman business studies major from Dallas, Texas. Please send comments to aheck@theloyolan.com.

April 15, 2013 Page 9

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Iggy Shenanigans

By Kristen Pileri, contributing cartoonist

Odd Turtle

By Jackson Turcotte, Cartoon editor

Never date a tumbleweed.

Signs of Improvement

By Georgia Henderson, staff cartoonist

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Film, Literature, Music, Restaurants and Theatre

April 15, 2013 Page 10

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Author talks queer culture on campus Event Recap By Khayla Golucke Staff Writer

“J

ust so you know, I welcome whatever sort of controversy, questions, discussions … glamour … that may come up.” So author Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore begins her talk with a group of communication studies students and professors last Thursday. As part of the School of Communication and Fine Arts’ Visiting Artists & Lecture Series, Sycamore came to speak about her book, titled “The End of San Francisco,” and the questions it raises about the realities of searching for and uniting a queer culture community. Though Sycamore grew up in Washington, D.C., she ex-

City Lights Publishes

“The End of San Francisco” chronicles Sycamore’s formative years as an activist in the city.

plained that her most formative years were during the time she spent in San Francisco in the 1990s, which became the inspiration for her book. An activist, writer and speaker, Sycamore has been a prolific voice and contributor to not only questioning queer roles and role-making in society, but other areas of intolerance as well. Her dedication to diminishing the hierarchies that lead to violence over social issues was something communication studies professor and organizer of the event, Kyra Pearson, hoped would stimulate some conversation within the department. “Her work provides a voice for marginalized queers whose voices get drowned out by mainstream discourse,” Pearson said. “This not only contributes to the public discourse about sexuality, but hopefully allows LMU students to re-imagine what social justice encompasses.” Sycamore imparted this message to the audience by reading three different excerpts from her book, which focused on her time as a queer youth in D.C., a young adult moving to the West Coast and as the leader of an activist group challenging assimilation in San Francisco. Speaking before the lecture, Sycamore explained that she chose to read about these three different areas of her life to give the audience a taste of her formation in queer culture and illuminate the ways this social justice issue can connect communities to so many more. “Kyra mentioned that LMU was Jesuit, and its focus on social justice, which is really in-

Leslie Irwin | Loyolan

Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore (above), author of “The End of San Francisco,” spoke to communication studies students about the realities of queer culture community and read excerpts of her book. trinsic to my work,” Sycamore said. “[My work] challenges the violence inherent to assimilation and how gay assimilation camouflages more violence. All forms of violence have to be liberated.” A large group of communication studies professors attended the lecture and participated in the question and answer session following, expressing their enthusiasm for having such an accomplished speaker in her field come to campus. Communication studies profes-

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sor Philip Wander was doubly impressed with the delivery of Sycamore’s reading as well as the message of her work. “She lapses into terribly profound moments, just deep and funny all at the same time,” Wander said. “I love hearing the performance of the writing, and since personally spending time in San Francisco in the 1960s, I can say what she’s talking about is so accurate in its intensity.” Students, too, expressed their interest in the discourse. Senior

communication studies major Hayley Thayer had been excited to hear Sycamore speak since the announcement of the series, and planned to read Sycamore’s book after attending the lecture. “I think it’s really interesting to see a queer alternative approach to issues that are prevalent in the LGBT community, apart from the mainstream LGBT activism and values,” Thayer said. “I thought this was extremely powerful.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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April 15, 2013 Page 11

Go retro and thrifty: Save on ’90s fashion O

n the catwalks of Paris and New York, plaid prints, crop tops and floral motifs have seen a recent resurgence. From plaid shirts and combat boots to crop tops and chambray shirts, this trend has also made its way off the catwalk and can also be seen across campus. On By Michelle the runway and in the Varinata hallways Contributor of U-Hall; fashion is harking back to the ‘90s, the decade when music’s influence on fashion trends cannot be overstated. For those of you interested in rocking the ’90s look without paying a fortune for vintage or high-end vintage-inspired clothing here are some stores that I recommend:

1. Hella90s Miss your jellies and Lisa Frank backpacks? Still searching for the perfect Spice Girls-esque platform sneakers without having to spend $100 at Urban Outfitters? This San Franciscobased Etsy retailer stocks all things ‘90s. You name it: platform shoes, backpacks, colored faux fur, crop tops and bodycon dresses. I recommend browsing through the trove of bodycon dresses and colorful backpacks. 2. Cobra Fitness Club Owned by renowned photographer Mark Hunter, the Cobra Fitness Club is not a budget-friendly substitute for the Equinox gym. Tucked away in the heart of Hollywood, the Cobra Fitness Club not only sells vintage, but also Mamadoux, their own brand, and customized goods. Like their vintage counterparts, Mamadoux is inspired by ‘90s pop culture and stocks extremely colorful clothes. However, Mamadoux is prici-

Information compiled from a survey by Michelle Varinata Graphic: Tyler Barnett | Loyolan

Michelle Varinata | Loyolan

All over campus, students, such as (from left) junior English major Soozy Evans, junior animation major Megan Hersman and sophomore communication studies major Olivia Arguijo, are showing their ’90s ensembles. er than the vintage garments due to its handmade quality. Like at Urban Outfitters, you can find the perfect Coachella outfit, but at a cheaper price. 3. Wasteland Tucked away on Melrose and Santa Monica, Wasteland is the perfect place to find new and used goods. Although it’s known for selling used goods, its designer vintage items are priced at a fraction of most vintage high-end boutiques. If designer goods aren’t your thing, you can find the cutest dresses, jackets and concert tees. Keep in mind that it’s a consignment boutique, not a thrift shop – sorry, Macklemore. 4. Rose Bowl Take a drive to Pasadena for

one of the best flea markets in America. Open on every second Sunday of the month, the Rose Bowl Flea Market is a huge labyrinth filled with vintage clothes, rock ‘n’ roll posters and everything you could imagine. Inside the Rose Bowl, dig for the perfect vintage concert tee, dress, fur coat, designer garment and everything else at a steal. Prices vary between different vendors and it can be negotiable if you feel that some goods aren’t inyour budget. Because it gets crowded around the afternoons, I recommend that you go before 10 a.m. 5. Topshop Want some British style? You don’t need to buy a ticket to London – this British fast

fashion retailer has finally landed at The Grove. Similar to Forever 21, Topshop stocks trendy clothes, accessories and shoes. Unlike Forever 21, it’s pricier since some of the garments are made in Britain. Additionally, Topshop has ultra-exclusive collaborations with up-and-coming British designers. If you are frustrated with finding clothes that fit your petite or tall frame, Topshop also has sections devoted to both figures. The best perk: You get a 10 percent student discount. This is the opinion of Michelle Varinata, a freshman art history major from Jakarta, Indonesia. Please send comments to cjames@ theloyolan.com.

Dancers reach out to middle school community

Event Recap By Allison Croley News Editor

ind your creative voice through movement. This is not something that may be heard in a middle school setting, but LMU dance majors have set out

to change that. Through a class the dance department offers, called Community Dance Project (CDP), a group of dance majors have been touring Los Angeles middle schools during the past few weeks in an attempt to expose young students to expression through movement.

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“It’s a chance for them to explore their thoughts and emotions through dance,” said Kendra Collins, a junior dance major and CDP participant. CDP is a student initiative to bring the creative process, through dance, to Los Angeles middle schools. Created in 2009 by Kristen Smiarowski, an LMU professor of dance, CDP has a number of goals. As well as bringing dance to middle school students as a medium of expression, Smiarowski said that it is a way to break down the boundaries between campus life and the surrounding community. “I want to introduce members of the larger community to the work we are doing at school,” Smiarowski said. Smiarowski explained that it is a way for dance majors to combine performing, teaching, choreographing and producing. Sometimes, dance majors get stuck working with people and taking classes in their specialty, but CDP allows students to explore all types of dance under one project, according to Smiarowski. Smiarowski explained that each CDP participant is responsible for some aspect of producing the program showcased at schools. For example, some students choreograph and perform while others coordinate with the schools they tour. “The idea is for LMU students to have a very holistic experience,” Smiarowski said. When at the schools or after-school programs, CDP participants perform a short concert for the students, either in the school’s gym or auditorium. After each piece in the concert, the dancers ask students reflective questions.

Heart of Los Angeles

Members of the Community Dance Project toured local middle schools, educating them on how to express themselves through dance. “This is to engage them in analytical discussion for each dance,” said Charissa Kroeger, a sophomore dance major and CDP participant. Kroeger continued to explain that this is to keep them engaged throughout the entire performance. Not only does this teach the students how to engage in artistic dialogue, but it also shows them that they can learn about self-expression through the arts. Collins added that CDP is a great way to engage students in expressing themselves through physical movement. Smiarowski noted that it is important to bring the arts to schools, especially middle schools. She said that while there has been an effort to bring art education to elementary schools, middle schools have been somewhat overlooked. “Students are dealing with lots of issues at this age,” said Smiarowski. “They are coming into adulthood, but aren’t being exposed to places that they may flourish.” Kroeger said that the middle school years are “awk-

ward,” which is why, to her, bringing dance to middle schools is so important. “Being able to get the kids to express themselves in new ways and get them out of their shells is so incredible to watch,” Kroeger said. Smiarowski explained that some students find a vehicle for self-expression through the arts, something they may not have found if it weren’t for programs like CDP. “Even if students don’t chose a career in the arts, the skills we learn when making art are critical for operating successfully in the world,” Smiarowski said. Kroeger said her favorite part was seeing the kids participate in the lessons. She said that she enjoyed seeing the kids stepping outside of their comfort zones. “Even when the kids are more reserved, you can tell that they are going outside of their comfort zones,” she said. “It’s incredible when they actually come up to talk with us afterward to say how much fun they had while dancing even if they have never danced before.”

April 15, 2013 Page 12

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Naiveté does not excuse offensive lyrics W

e all know the old adage, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Yet, no matter how tired the saying may be, Brad Paisley and Rick Ross seem to have missed the memo. Within the same month, both artists released tracks that may be their last as their fame turns UnPOPular to infamy. But, hey, Opinion when you By Chelsea write about Chenelle racism and date rape, Asst. A&E Editor that’s the gamble you take. This past week, Brad Paisley’s new album “Wheelhouse” dropped along with the public’s jaw once they got their hands on “Accidental Racist.” In the track, Paisley laments how misunderstood he is as a white man in the South, and how his Lynyrd Skynyrd t-shirt featuring a Confederate flag is not a symbol of racism, but rather a personal testament to his love of “Sweet Home Alabama.” However, the part where he explains that the Confederate flag was the symbol of the South during the American Civil War – you know, the ones fighting to keep slavery alive – apparently wasn’t catchy enough to make it into the song. Arguably, the most shocking part of the song isn’t even performed by Paisley. When LL Cool J started rapping over the country twang, all I could hear was Paisley’s voice going, “See, I’m

not racist. I have black friends.” On “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Paisley expressed that after seeing the films “Lincoln” and “Django Unchained,” he has been thinking a lot about racism and wanted to explore it in a song. While I commend his bravery in tackling the subject and calling out the blatant racism still present in the South, the way he goes about it is wrong. Much like the blockbuster films, which tell stories of black American experiences as dictated by white directors, this song also presents a naive and incomplete picture. You cannot simplify the awful legacy of slavery into a five minute pop song featuring LL Cool J. Racially profiling a black person in a “do-rag” is very differ-

ent than making assumptions about a white man because of his cowboy hat or Confederate flag shirt. The country star has a valid bone to pick, but a bad country song does not do it justice. It makes him sound idealistic to the point of ignorance, particularly when he says he wants to progress to a place “where all that’s left is southern pride,” which would entail erasing the past all together. When Rocko wanted to feature Rick Ross on his song “U.O.E.N.O,” I doubt he envisioned accusations of promoting date rape to fly his way. But what else could you expect when Rick Ross drops the lyrics, “Put molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it / I took her home and I enjoyed

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that, she ain’t even know it.” To make matters worse, when activist groups challenged these lyrics, saying they condoned rape, Rick Ross denied it because he never actually used the word “rape.” Tack that line on to the list of worst logic ever

or throw it into the ever growing pile of rape apologist nonsense. Whatever you do with it though, remember that it is yet another contribution to a culture that falsely teaches young men and women that the technicalities surrounding an attack are what determines if it is actually rape, rather than the complete lack of consent that Ross is condoning. Reading about these things online, you almost expect there to be a “LOL” afterwards. That is not the case. It is 2013, and there is really a song titled “Accidental Racist.” Rick Ross’s date rape scenario was really used as lyrical fodder and then glazed over as no big deal. Censorship is just as bad as horrible lyrics. What it boils down to is the idea that just because we have free speech doesn’t mean we use it with wreckless abandon. There is free speech and then there is common decency, and a society that can responsibly meld the two will prevent the further trivialization of racism and sexism in the world today.

This is the opinion of Chelsea Chenelle, a sophomore art history major from San Diego, Calif. Please send comments to cchenelle@theloyolan.com.

For the Record

In the April 8 article “Mane Entertainment teams with Sperry for Spring Fling bash,” the bands were misidentified in photos. Vacationer was actually pictured at right and Gold Fields was pictured at left.

S PORTS In Black Mamba we trust: Count on Kobe

April 15, 2013 Page 13

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Kobe Bryant’s legendary and storied work ethic will aid him in his recovery.

ven the most fearless and battle-tested suffer from mortality. The romantic belief that human beings have invincible potencies can only go so far before proven false. There are, of course, exceptional individuals who push this to its very limits, but an ultimate end remains not only in the realm of possibility, but Two Plus the proximity. Kobe Bryant, Foul after 17 years of By Michael playing through almost every inGoldsholl jury that hit him Staff Writer and being lucky enough to avoid any major injury (torn ACL, et al), finally revealed his own mortality and it came in the form of the worst case scenario of injuries: a torn Achilles tendon. The term “Achilles” refers to the Greek mythological hero of the Trojan War with the same name. It signifies Achilles’ sole weakness: his heel, which resulted in his death and the consequent term “Achilles’ heel,” or a point of weakness. Although not a demigod by mythological standards, Bryant’s skill on the court – his ability to play through what would be crippling pain for anyone else – cast him in the shadow of something greater than simply a basketball player – a demigod of hoops, per se. Yet, after over 64,000 minutes of battle time, regular season and

Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant suffered a season-ending injury last Saturday in the fourth quarter of a game against the Golden State Warriors. Bryant was averaging 28.1 points per game before the injury. playoff minutes combined, he finally revealed a shred of vulnerability: his own Achilles’ heel, torn. But even then, knowing in the back of his mind that the combination of hearing a “pop” and feeling as if he had been kicked in his heel–the two kisses of death for a ruptured Achilles tendon–he got up one more time after being fouled on a drive to the basket. Not to be carried off the court by multiple teammates as LeBron James had been for muscle cramps, or needing a wheelchair as Dwyane Wade and Paul Pierce did when they suffered a dislocated shoulder and a sprained knee, respectively, Bryant did what he always does: got up

and shot his two free throws then walked off the court under his own power – with a torn Achilles, to say the least. Does that even surprise anyone at this point? Bryant would have shot those free throws (which turned out to be game changers, as the Lakers won by, you guessed it: two points) while strapped down to a stretcher if he had to. That has always been his personality: relentless. Even if his vulnerability wasn’t visible then, it became such in his postgame interview. He knew what it was, and for the first time in his career, Bryant didn’t just look defeated; he seemed lost and at the

onset of depression. How is a 34-going-on-35-year-old supposed to recover from an injury of such severity so deep into his career? Weeks ago, he spoke of retirement and how the upcoming 201314 season may be his last. Now, he may never be the same. Regardless of the magnitude of this injury, there is no other player whom I would put money on to return from an injury such as this, besides the Black Mamba. If Bryant’s past indicates anything about what he will be doing over the next six to nine months, the average recovery time for a ruptured Achilles, it will be filled with doing whatever it takes every single day to return

to his full abilities. If the recent recoveries of fellow professional athletes is any indication, Bryant, who has proven to be dedicated to his workouts and to maintaining his body and his road to rehabilitation, there lies at least a glimmer of hope for the wily superstar. We just saw NFL running back Adrian Peterson return from a torn ACL and MCL eight months after suffering the injury, and put forth not just the best season of his career, but one of the best seasons by any NFL running back. Ever. We just saw since-retired NFL linebacker Ray Lewis tear his triceps in the middle of the 2012 season and return less than three months after surgery. We just saw fellow Los Angeles Laker Metta World Peace return to the court with seemingly full mobility in his knee, just 12 days after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus. If those three players can make it happen, it would be a mistake not to think Kobe can do it, too. His obstacle just happens to be a little bit tougher, bigger and scarier. But if we’ve learned anything in the last 17 years, he welcomes this challenge. Kobe Bryant told the world via Facebook, “If you see me in a fight with a bear, [pray] for the bear.” Now, I’m telling you to count on him. Maybe he’ll never be the same prolific scorer. Maybe his mortality as a basketball player has finally surfaced; maybe he has reached the end. But don’t be shocked if he sends all of those possibilities into doubt, because maybe, his point of weakness has yet to be revealed. This is the opinion of Michael Goldsholl, a senior English major from Santa Barbara, Calif. Please send comments to kcacabelos@theloyolan.com.

S PORTS Torano hopes for late-season turnaround

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Torano from Page 16

LMU Athletics

Men’s golfer junior Tyler Torano placed 12th last season in the West Coast Conference playoffs.The golf team will head to the WCC finals on April 17.

performed. I started focusing on the commitments and sacrifices, which paid off.” Through it all, Torano credits his achievements on the golf course in getting to where he is today. “I’m very competitive. It doesn’t matter what it is; I just want to win,” he said. “When I see someone playing better than me, I use that to work harder. It was mainly my dad who pushed me to not be satisfied with the bare minimum.” Torano’s teammate and roommate, senior communication studies major Eduardo Chavez, also described him as very competitive. “You can tell the way he carries himself and by his work ethic that he hates to lose,” Chavez said. “He’s always trying to get better.” Chavez added that Torano’s competitiveness keeps the team focused going into competitions. “He makes a plan of what he needs to work on. The week before a big tournament, he’s very focused,” Chavez said of Torano. “Once the tournament starts, he just tries to execute and do the best he can.” A big factor in the Lions’

success this year has been their ability to maintain a balance of close relationships off the course. “The chemistry of this team is very light. Whenever we’re hanging out, we’re able to joke around and help each other out,” Torano said. “On the road, it helps to hangout in the hotel room and talk about the course and other things. I think it helps us focus when it comes time to play.” This year alone, Torano has claimed two individual championships, one outright and a three-way tie for the other. Despite his success, he has also struggled at times, which he has been able to overcome with the help of his teammates. “This last tournament, I played really bad,” he said. “Watching [freshman] Connor [Campbell] play well gave me a little motivation. When you see someone on your team succeed, it makes you want to do well.” The Lions haven’t played up to their expectations this season as they head into the final weekend of the season. LMU has struggled in March and April as they prepare to tee off against the best in the West Coast Conference (WCC). “It’s been frustrating at

times this season. We definitely have the talent and the potential to play well,” Torano said. “I know we can play a lot better.” Torano, one of the best golfers in the WCC, has yet to experience a conference championship but hopes this year is different. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve thought past teams were able to compete for the WCC title,” he said. “I know this team has the pieces it takes; we just haven’t put it together yet.” Torano finished in 12th place last year at the championships, but has his eyes set beyond WCCs this time around. “I want to compete for the title. I know I can if I stick to my game plan,” he said. “My other goal is to get recognized as All-Conference and move onto regionals.” Regionals is the next step after the conference championships. The top-ranked golfers will get automatic bids for the tournament and the remaining spots will be awarded to the winners of each respective conference tournament. After the regionals, the next tournament will be nationals. WCC Championship play starts in Bremerton, Wash., today and ends on Wednesday.

Students gather for Quidditch competition Quidditch from Page 14 field after the announcement. Muggle Quidditch did not just attract the wizards of Dumbledore’s Army. There were also a few “muggles” who played on Saturday, including freshman psychology major Gabriela Bayol. “I’m not that much of a [Harry Potter] fan, but I like to try new things,” Bayol said. Bayol is also a member of LMU’s women’s club lacrosse team. In terms of similarities between the two sports, Bayol noticed a few. “The idea of getting the ball into the goal and running around with a stick is similar, except this stick is a broom between your legs,” Bayol said. Including fall semester’s Yule Ball, this is the other big event Dumbledore’s Army orchestrates for the LMU

community. Founded by Callier, the group has expanded from 15 members at its founding to close to 50 students who show up to its bimonthly meetings. The last movie of the book series came out in 2011, but Harry Potter culture is still alive and well throughout the country. In fact, the International Quidditch Association World Cup is in its sixth year this year, and Middlebury College is going for a six-peat. Dumbledore’s Army at LMU is not close to fielding its own competitive team, but that’s just fine with everyone involved. Two factors played prominently in the minds of those participating in Saturday’s festivities: having fun and relieving their post-Potter depression. “This is actually awesome that we can do something like

this, even though the series is over,” Callier said. Senior Stefan Konrad Balagot, a mechanical engineering major, switched off with Lowe in playing the role of the Snitch. He also participated as a utility player in matches. “I really don’t care if it’s considered dorky; you can’t think of that stuff when you’re out there,” Balagot said. Running around with a broom under your leg and playing an imaginary game in your college years requires not only a certain amount of confidence, but also a certain type of confidence – whatever it was, everyone playing on Saturday had it. And as a result, Saturday’s proceedings were magical. This is the opinion of Kevin Cacabelos, a history and Spanish double major from Seattle,Wash. Please email comments to kcacabelos@theloyolan.com.

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Dumbledore’s Army founder and junior English major Erin Callier leads her team in one of several Quidditch matches at Sunken Garden on Saturday.

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Freshman psychology major Gabriella Bayol, who is not a member of Dumbledore’s Army, competes as a chaser in a Quidditch match.

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SPORTS

April 15, 2013 Page 15

Mr. LMU champion dances his way to victory Mr. LMU from Page 1 become the next Mr. LMU. The third place winner was men’s water polo freshman attacker Emanuel Di Stasio, who embraced his Italian roots for his talent and sang “We Speak No Americano” by Yolanda Be Cool while tossing pizza dough. The second place winner was junior men’s tennis player Daniel Simko, who did a stand-up performance in which he talked about the differences in American and Australian language, such as the American word “flip-flop” which is “thong” in Australia. “My biggest competition was Daniel Simko because he has a really sexy Australian accent,” Meissner said. “No matter what he did, he would’ve done really well just because of that.” The event is similar to Midnight Madness because the athletes perform in front of an audience, but rather than a pep rally, the purpose of the event is to raise money for a charity. Sophomore management major Hailey Chisholm, the SAAC Community Service Chair, said the event allows athletes from different sports to come together. Chisholm, like Dekar, is also a member of LMU’s swim team. “Our athletic community is really tight anyway,” Chisholm said “There’s always intermixing between teams. We all work as one body because we are LMU athletics and we are all Lions. But I think it’s just another event that we all get to come to. Everybody gets to take part.” Meissner, who will help crown the 2014 Mr. LMU winner, was able to showcase his personality throughout the competition. In the question round, when asked what his dream date would be, he responded, “My ideal date would be a poke war on

Facebook. I don’t like face-to-face interaction. It makes me nervous.” And when asked what his dream job would be, without hesitation he responded, “The judge on Iron Chef America.” His talent performance, the shaving of his chest, was what got the crowd to cheer for him in support and ultimately led him to victory. “I’ve been doing stuff like this all my life, as creepy as it sounds,” Meissner said. “Past experiences built my confidence. It’s my personality.” All the athletes in the competition were able to showcase their talents outside of their athletic abilities, including juggling, dancing and reading poetry. Baseball junior infielder Kevin Garcia, basketball freshman forward Adam Drexler and track team member junior Mike Evans all sang different songs accompanied by a guitar. “My favorite part was all the talents that were portrayed,” said Drexler, who has never performed in front of LMU students before the competition. “I didn’t know that people could do these things, so it was really interesting.” The SAAC works together to help make sure that the athlete experience at LMU runs smoothly. The students involved aim to solve any problems in the athletic community that could use improvement. Along with Mr. LMU, the SAAC helps organize other community service events throughout the year, including beach clean-ups, elementary school service projects and representation at events for the West Coast Conference. However, Mr. LMU is the committee’s biggest event of the year. “It means a lot to know that even though it’s silly, I’m doing something for the greater good,” Meissner said.

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Junior Quin Thames, the winner of the 2011 Mr. LMU competitiong, represented for the men’s rowing team. This year, he performed a Chinese yo-yo and juggling act for his talent.

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Freshman basketball forward Adam Drexler demonstrates his high jump in response to the question, “What’s your favorite workout activity?” during the question portion of Mr. LMU.

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Freshman soccer midfielder Michael Meissner sings and dances while shaving his chest. After an audience vote, Meissner was crowned the winner of this year’s Mr. LMU contest.

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LION SPORTS

April 15, 2013 Page 16

Competitive drive fuels Torano’s success SPORTS FEATURE

Junior Tyler Torano’s hard work and persistence are paying off on the golf course this year. By Carlton Lew Asst. Sports Editor

LMU Athletics

Junior Tyler Torano was named West Coast Conference Golfer of the Month in February after posting two consecutive first place finishes in the Del Walker Intercollegiate Golf Classic and the Folino Men’s Invitational.Torano and the Lions have yet to win a tournament as a team this season.

It had always been junior finance major Tyler Torano’s dream to play a sport in college, but he didn’t know if he was going to get there. Now, he has found his role as an LMU Lion on the men’s golf team. The Chula Vista, Calif. native grew up playing baseball, basketball and golf, but remained indecisive about which one to pursue. It wasn’t until he started playing in golf tournaments that he knew he had found the right sport. “It has been a process for me,” Torano said. “The first step for me was playing junior golf tournaments. It was always a dream for me to play in the pros, so I knew playing college golf was a step.” Despite Torano’s dreams, there was a period of time in high school when the current LMU golfer struggled to break through to recruiters. “I played well when I was younger, but I struggled freshman [and] sophomore year [of high school],” Torano said. “I knew I had the talent to play in college, but I just hadn’t

See Torano | Page 14

LMU muggles conjure magic in Quidditch

Members of Dumbledore’s Army dust off their brooms and make their Harry Potter dreams a reality.

aturday’s event was BYOB: Bring your own broom. Put on by LMU’s Harry Potter club, Dumbledore’s Army, the second annual Muggle Quidditch Tournament took place in LMU’s Sunken Garden on Saturday afternoon. Meant to emulate the magical game that appears in the movies and books, Muggle Quidditch looks ridiculous and weird, but is ultimately extremely fun for KC at the Bat all involved. “It’s not natuBy Kevin Cacabelos ral to run with a Sports Editor broom in between your legs,” junior English major and founder of Dumbledore’s Army Erin Callier said. Teams of seven “wizards” scrimmaged against each other for four hours. Around 30 people participated throughout the afternoon. Players attempted to win matches by scoring points with a replica quaffle and eventually finding the Golden Snitch. Participants brought their own brooms, while some used the club-supplied movie replica brooms. For goals, the club attached hula hoops to PVC pipes, helping to suc-

cessfully create an authentic Quidditch Pitch. One person always played the neutral character of the Golden Snitch – a decently fit runner who was dressed in yellow and gold from head to toe. The Snitch ran around LMU’s campus hiding and evading the two teams’ seekers. Vanessa Lowe, a senior art history major, had the honor of being the Golden Snitch in Saturday’s first match. As an avid Harry Potter fan throughout her childhood and now adulthood, playing Muggle Quidditch on Saturday was a no-brainer for Lowe. “It’s nice exercise, a great way to meet people. ... Although, I felt a little strange when I was hiding in bushes,” Lowe said. Several onlookers walking around and through the Garden had quizzical facial expressions that usually turned into smiles once they realized what was happening – Quidditch. Once the initial stage of confusion settled in, the game looked simpler and, dare I say it, like a real sport. People were high-fiving each other, sweating and pumping their fists in the air after scores. There was even a keen emphasis on the game’s rules. “One hand over your broom at all times,” the PA announcer said over the loud speakers during one of the matches. “You need a broom during this. How else are you going to fly?” yelled one of the participants on the

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Senior mechanical engineering major Stefan Balagot (right), a chaser, jumps and attempts a shot against opposing keeper junior English major Ana-Sofia Alcaraz (left) on Saturday.

Tennis doubles impresses in victory over Gaels LMU’s men’s tennis team won its second West Coast Conference match on Saturday. By David Palomares Sports Intern

The men’s tennis team picked up its second league win on Saturday, dispatching Saint Mary’s College (9-12, 3-4) 5-2 in a hard-fought match to improve to 4-17 overall and 2-5 in conference play. The team secured the win comfortably in singles play despite a back-and-forth doubles round, which saw the Lions narrowly prevail 2-1. In what has been an equally frustrating

season for both the Lions and Gaels, both teams entered the match on Saturday having lost their previous match and in need of a big win. “They’ve had a bit of a tough year as well; they’ve had some good matches this year. They’ve had some below par performances as well,” Head Coach Brad Sceney said. The team wanted to continue its recent weekend winning ways, having achieved its first league victory against Gonzaga University the previous weekend. “It was good for us to have a win,” remarked Sceney, adding, “It’s been a bit of a down season in general, but the guys are still fighting hard.” “I think today was probably one of our

best matches of the season,” remarked sophomore Felix Van Kann, who was a crucial playmaker for the team throughout the competition. Crowned the “WCC Doubles Team of the Month” earlier in the week, the newly ranked No. 61 sophomore tandem of Van Kahn and fellow German Othar Kordsachia both played pivotal roles in the team’s success against the Gaels. Tied 1-1 with the doubles point on the line, the duo came through in the clutch, winning 9-7 to secure the point and their seventh straight win. The dynamic Deutsche duo, which has yet to lose a match, also emerged victorious in their respective singles matches,

winning in straight sets, Kordsachia 6-2, 6-4, and Van Kann 6-2, 6-2. “It just feels more like home. I think it really helps because we can speak up as loud as we want, and we can be pretty sure they can’t understand us,” Kordsachia said. Van Kann has also enjoyed playing with his fellow countryman, and says it is reflected through their building chemistry. “We’re just working well together; we’re playing well together, and most importantly, we feel comfortable together,” he said. Sceney praised their efforts, saying, “They combined well; I’m not sure if it’s a German thing, but they went up to number one and have yet to be beaten.”