The Los Angeles Loyolan October 5th 2016 by Los Angeles Loyolan

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KXLU Fest brings new faces to campus and gives students a chance to pick up vintage clothes.

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V O LU M E

Two writers go head to head on Colin Kapernick’s choice to kneel.

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| ISSUE

Visit from former Thai LION Dollar PM causes controversy tips no longer accepted

After four years of doing so Sodexo will no longer be accepting LION Dollar tips. Gracie McManus Editor-in-Chief @LALoyolan

via Wikimedia Commons

Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured right) will be visiting LMU on Thursday, Oct 6. The former Prime Minister’s visit has caused controversy with Thai students who attend LMU, as he was forced out of his position in a military coup.

Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra to speak on campus. Justine Biondi Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

For the second time since 2012, LMU will welcome former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday, Oct. 6 to deliver a lecture addressing global poverty. The lecture, titled “The Secret of Reducing Poverty and the Rich-Poor Gap: The Power of Political Will,” will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Life Sciences Building auditorium. During his political term, Shinawatra lessened poverty in Thailand and worked with low-income individuals to mitigate the gap between rich and poor.

“Thaksin’s government is credited for reducing poverty in neglected parts of Thailand during his tenure from 2001 to2006, and we seek to benefit by his considerable experience in Thailand and knowledge of Asia,” LMU President Timothy Law Snyder told the Loyolan via email. Based on past experience and significant poverty reduction in Thailand during his rule, Shinawatra’s lecture intends to inform LMU on the secret to reducing poverty levels. Students, faculty and staff can then take this knowledge, share it with others and implement it into the community. There is, however, some controversy regarding his visit. Shinawatra governed Thailand from 2001 to 2006 until a military coup pushed him out on accounts of corruption, abuse of office for personal gain and several other convictions.

According to LMU’s Asia Media website, Shinawatra was exiled from Thailand in 2006 and is considered a fugitive by many. He is widely criticized by Thai students, families and citizens across the country. Because of this, Shinawatra’s presence on campus this Thursday sparked controversy among Thai students at LMU. The students interviewed asked to be kept anonymous due to fears about personal safety when stating their opinions on the former prime minister. Familiar with his rumored corruption, several LMU students expressed their discomfort with him coming to the university. “He did decrease the poverty index in Thailand when he was prime minister, but they cannot ignore the fact that he is a fugitive. I want to hear what he has to say, but when my family and their See Prime Minister| Page 4

As of this semester, the University and Sodexo will no longer accept tips with LION Dollars at the Crimson Lion Restaurant in University Hall. Meal plans are sales tax exempt, so tipping does not fall under appropriate uses of LION Dollars — they are only meant for food and beverage purchases, according to Ray Dennis, associate vice president of Auxiliary Management and Business Services. Sodexo had allowed students to tip with LION Dollars for the last four years, according to Wassim Boustani, Sodexo’s director of operations at LMU. The entire Sodexo management team was replaced four years ago, and due to the lack of communication with the new staff, they did not realize LION Dollars were tax exempt until May 2016. There are no plans to change or increase employee wages due to the change in tipping policy, according to Boustani. Servers who may have knowingly accepted tips that violated the policy could be subject to disciplinary action,although none has been taken, according to Dennis. “I think it’s one of those things where people would move forward and say this is the correct way it should be happening,” Dennis said. “If someone was complicit in violating the rules, we’re just moving forward under the correct procedures.” Sodexo employees at the Crimson Lion were given an explanation for the change at their orientation and training at the beginning of the school year. Student employees recently received an explanation as well, according to Crimson Lion host and junior film and television production major Dolan Ingraham. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the new See Crimson Lion | Page 3

L .A. SlutWalk shares resources, empowerment The second annual Amber Rose SlutWalk was held in Los Angeles over the weekend. Bri Ortiz

Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

Amber Rose hosted her second annual Amber Rose SlutWalk Festival to raise awareness of sexual injustices for all genders in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 1. The SlutWalk encouraged participants to create signs with phrases such as “Equality,” “My Body My Choice” and “Marching for Muva” for the march that ended in Pershing Square. Along the way, Christian protestors against the SlutWalk held up signs saying “Jesus Saves From Hell” and “Ask Me Why You Deserve Hell.” Marchers for the SlutWalk

continued on to Pershing Square despite protestors. This event was aimed to “impact and uplift while shifting the paradigm of rape culture,” according to the Amber Rose SlutWalk website. The event hoped to “[provide] a safe, all-inclusive space to entertain, educate and empower.” More than 600 people from all over the country attended the event, according to the SlutWalk Los Angeles Facebook page. Students from LMU were in attendance as well. “I went to the SlutWalk because I feel passionate about Amber Rose’s message, and wanted to help be a part of the social change,” freshman sociology major Leah Sullivan said. “I believe our society could benefit by changing the way we talk about many womens’ issues, especially clothing and this idea of being a ‘slut’ See Slut walk | Page 5

Bri Ortiz | Loyolan

The Wall of No Shame was on display at the Los Angeles SlutWalk on Oct 1. Attendees of the event were allowed to write on the wall.

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SlutWalk encourages pride and passion in L.A. SlutWalk from Page 1

for showing our bodies, as well as the mishandling of sexual assault and victim blaming.” The event included live DJs, educational booths, free breast cancer exams, HIV testing, contests and giveaways, art from local artists and different speakers, including appearances

from Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett and Blac Chyna. Several psychologists, activists and authors also spoke. Napatia T. Gettings, M.D., from the Fellow American Academy of Clinical Psychology (FAACP) talked about how difficult it is to treat and emotionally heal sexual assault and rape victims when they experience any form of victim

shaming. “It was important for me to go to this not only to empower myself, but to also bring the message back to the people around me,” Sullivan said. “Considering so many women around the world do not have the right to legally protest, I feel it is important for me to exercise my right and pay tribute to the men and women who paved

the way for me to have this right.” In total, $22,165 was raised for the event and made available for all the services mentioned earlier, including a donation from Flirt Cosmetics, which allowed the SlutWalk to be a free event. The SlutWalk was first organized in Toronto after a police officer said that “women should avoid dressing like sluts” to caution

women about sexual assault. SlutWalks are now organized across the world, and even our campus. To participate in this event, individuals must be at least 18 years old, be respectful to the people and the environment surrounding them and share each other’s passion and empowerment for the end of all sexual injustices

Briana Ortiz | Loyolan

At the Los Angeles SlutWalk, participants had the opportunity to march with people from all over the world and visit an art gallery that displayed art from local artists that portrayed sexuality.

Students are tapped in to new OneCard Updated OneCard provides a new way to pay on campus. Liv Sikora News Intern @LALoyolan

A new OneCard is now available for LMU students, including a new picture, orientation, tap feature and other updates. After 12 years of using the familiar OneCard depicting the Sacred Heart Chapel, the OneCard Office and University Relations have decided to create a new OneCard for security and accuracy reasons. The newest feature of this OneCard is that students are able to pay by tapping instead of swiping at point-of-sale locations like the Lair, C-Stores and laundry rooms. The card is still able to swipe, and there will be more tap-friendly locations available soon. “[Students will benefit from] the chip. Their transactions are going to be more secure. Their transactions are going to be more reliable,” Director of Campus Business Services John Beckwith said. The tapping technology is made possible by a chip in the card, similar to the chip that many credit card companies use today. This Near Field Communications (NFC) chip is not only safer for security reasons, but it is also not as easily damaged. The magstripe used to swipe into housing buildings, pay for laundry

or pay at point-of-sales of locations could be easily worn down or demagnetized. The new side readers, which can be seen at these point-of-sale stations, are attached to the old readers. These side readers serve a dual function for both tapping and swiping, depending on which OneCard a student has. “It doesn’t require a chip, so it’s dual technology; it uses both. That means if you have a chip, great, you can use it,” Beckwith said. “If you don’t have a chip, no harm done. That was the big key for us.” The chip allows for greater security. Magstripes can be easily read and have information stolen from them, but the chips are much more difficult to read. This ensures that information on a student’s OneCard cannot be easily stolen or copied. The tap feature has been added to the new card with hopes of improving efficiency. The tap process happens in seconds, compared to the swiping which can take a few times before working successfully. This OneCard looks different from the one we all know. The orientation has been switched from portrait to landscape style, and has a new picture of Lawton Plaza, the Hilton Center of Business and the William H. Hannon Library. The student picture remains in the top left hand corner, but the name and birthday have been moved to the middle and right hand side, respectively. A benefit of the new landscape

Ashley Ma | Loyolan

style OneCard is that there is a greater amount of space across the top of the card. Now a student with a long name can have their birthdate and photo printed out on the card

without the risk of running out of space. Students can get the new OneCard and get it encoded for a $15 fee at the OneCard Office in the basement

of the Von Der Ahe Building, open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

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Sodexo revises tipping policy

BURNING QUESTIONS

This issue, News Intern Liv Sikora Thissat issue, Managing down with Editor Dan theatreRaffety arts sits down withNeno Head professor Coach Max Good, Pervan, who is head coach of the currently producing LMU’s men’s basketball a play in Santa team to talk about the Monica. upcoming season.

Where are you from?

Crimson Lion from Page 1

policy. “I still think it’s ridiculous, and workers at the Crimson who depend on tips are making roughly half of what they used to,” Ingraham said. He doesn’t have hope students will tip often with other forms of payment: “We carry around OneCards, not cash.” An anonymous student server felt the policy change isn’t fair to Crimson Lion employees. “I wasn’t here when that was still allowed because I just started, but I know it was a big portion of my coworkers’ income, and now the servers make half of what they made before, which is unfair,” the anonymous server said.

No complaints from servers have been received, according to Dennis and Boustani. Dennis is doubtful of the truthfulness of claims that income has drastically decreased due to the new policy. “To take at face value that a person tells you that this is how much I make without them showing you their paycheck or pay stub can sometimes be a stretch,” Dennis said. “And unless you have documentation to say this is what was before and this is what is after, you can’t always say that the person was positively or negatively impacted by the correct procedures.” UNITE HERE Local 11, the union that represents Sodexo employees at LMU, is looking into the tipping

policy change, according to Local 11 Organizer Christian Torres. At press time, no grievance has been filed against Sodexo or the University; however, the union is investigating the situation. “We care about the employee the same way that the union does,” Boustani said. Dennis, Boustani and Ingraham emphasized that students should be aware that they can tip with cash, credit and Flexi Dollars should they have a satisfactory dining experience. “If you’re getting full table service, you really should tip, whether that means bringing extra cash or a credit card,” Ingraham said.

I am originally from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the time I was born, the country was called Yugoslavia.

Why did you come to America?

My country fell apart in a sectarian war. My wife and I did not want to be a part of it, so we decided to move to the U.S.

How did you end up in Los Angeles?

After I completed my M.F.A. in performance at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and my wife graduated with a B.S. from the same school, we decided that L.A. would be the best place for both of us to continue our careers. Also, our son was just born, and we wanted him to grow up in a big city. And the weather is awesome.

How did you become involved in theatre?

I grew up in theatre. My father was a classically trained dancer and choreographer, and my mom was a musician and music critic. It was meant for me from a very early age to work in theatre.

Why did you choose to direct “The Colonel and the Birds” at LMU last year?

It is a play that addresses topics that are way too often not addressed. It discusses mental health, refugees, wars and many other important issues. It is superbly written, and it gives a rare opportunity to young actors to truly and deeply explore, for better or worse, depths and unpredictabilities of the human mind.

Why is this show important to you?

It treats those among us who are the weakest: mad, homeless, exiled, forgotten. It is very important to me that those weakest and most vulnerable among us don’t became forgotten. We must stand for them and speak up for them. We must help them.

Why did you want to revive “The Colonel and the Birds” at Highways Performance Space, your playhouse in Santa Monica?

I think that our students did a great job with this play at LMU. I run a small independent theatre company, and I decided that this play deserves the chance to be seen by a larger audience. I also think that these students deserve the chance to be seen and heard outside college in these very challenging, yet rewarding roles. Highways Performance Space is an ideal space for this kind of show; they cherish and support this kind of theatre.

Who is your greatest inspiration? Why?

My wife Milena, and my children Andrej, 19, and Mia, 7. Nobody brings smiles and joy into my life as much as they do. Everything else comes after [the] three of them. They are all smart, loving, careful and inspirational. Everything I do, I primarily do for them.

MORE QUESTIONS

Want to read more questions with Pervan? Check them out at laloyolan.com.

Lauren Holmes | Loyolan

Servers at the Crimson Lion Restaurant in University Hall will no longer recieve tips with LION Dollars due to change in Sodexo policy.

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Students engage in

Students engaged in dialogue about the lives of Muslims. Julia Campion

Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

An estimated 3.3 million Muslims live in the United States, and in the 14-year span between Sept. 11, 2001 and the end of 2014, 344 Muslims in America have been involved in violent extremism, according to the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security. ASLMU and the Muslim Student’s Association (MSA) hosted Islamophobia in American Culture on Thursday, Sept. 29, to empower students to talk about the lives of Muslims in a post-9/11 era. The event was structured around small groups that discussed and worked through questions about the implications of the stereotypes and rhetoric that fuels Islamophobia in American society. The event took place in the Student Leadership and Development Office and was well-attended by students from a variety of communities on campus, such as cultural organizations, Greek Life, Ethnic and Intercultural Services (EIS) and more. According to Mekleit Dix, director of intercultural affairs and junior English major, the presence of Islamophobia could possibly go unnoticed by some students, while others recognize it on campus.

“While, to my knowledge, students of Muslim faith haven’t reported an instance of extreme prejudice, macroaggressions and the dissemination of phobias and misinformation still occur here,” Dix said. “The Bluff is not a bubble; we are not removed from any social justice or human rights issue that is occurring presently.” Events involving Muslim students are not new. MSA has hosted events revolving around this topic in the past, but this specific event was conducted for the first time this year. Islamophobia is technically defined as the dislike of, or prejudice against Islam or Muslims, especially as a political force. Mid-September marked a year for the return of MSA, and they have been hosting many discussions pertaining to Muslim American students ever since. It was emphasized that this event was a safe space to learn, grow and organize students’ thoughts and ideas for the next step regarding Islamophobia. Questions that were discussed in these groups incuded: “What does Islam mean, and what do you think of when you hear the word?”, “How does Islam intersect with an American identity?”, “What are some stereotypes specifically placed on Muslim women?” and more. “What I noticed from just walking around and hearing different dialogues was that it was a really successful event and people were really engaged in the conversations,” Fassa Sar, junior

NEWS Islamophobia dialogue

Anastasia Larina | Loyolan

Students talked about different issues pertaining to the lives of Muslims in small group discussions. This event took place in the Student Leadership and Development Office. political science major and chair of University Affairs for ASLMU said. “Allowing students to engage with another Muslim student gave them first-hand experience. That point of view was very rich, and those are the people that University Affairs is trying to engage the most.” Some students are not aware of the issues that could be going on throughout campus, and events like these shed light on the importance of recognizing every student that attends LMU. “In college, most people tend to hang out with like-minded

people,” junior and computer science major Mathew Sanders said. “Overall, I feel like the general attitude of the campus towards Muslims is accepting and that students that don’t feel the same way probably aren’t very vocal [...] I don’t feel like there are a huge number of racial issues towards Muslims on campus. They come up from time to time, as it is a prominent topic in the media these days.” ASLMU and MSA want to remind students that there are many ways to stay vocal about issues like these, and there are resources

on campus that support and encourage the awareness of racial discrimination or stereotypes. “Students are able to prevent this idea that all Muslims are terrorists, or refugees,” San said. “They can counter that by not just getting their information from the media, but having a real lively conversation with someone who is Muslim because I think what we found out from this event is that you don’t have to be from a country that is going through some sort of crisis to be Muslim,” Sar said.

Thai prime minister causes controversy Prime Minister from Page 1

friends found out about this, I cannot say they were thrilled about the idea of him coming, and they were definitely shocked at LMU,” an anonymous source told the Loyolan. There is still skepticism about the morality of Shinawatra’s actions, especially concerning the economic advancements made during his term. “He is suspected to have bought his votes, mostly from the low-income people; this is not just a rumor because I know families who have taken money from him,” an anonymous source said. “He is rumored to sell Thailand’s properties to international customers, which is illegal. He also encouraged the riot between the red and yellow shirts where buildings were burned down.” The former prime minister’s impending visit to LMU spurred much confusion over LMU’s intentions and expectations of the event. While he did reduce poverty in Thailand, there are still many questions regarding his politics. “He helped the poor, and he helped a lot, but the way he helped is in the gray area between right and wrong,” an

anonymous source said. Despite controversy, Shinawatra’s visitation was organized with the best intentions of educating people on an issue relevant to almost every society: poverty. LMU professor Tom Plate, a career journalist, distinguished scholar of Asian and Pacific Studies and the founder of Asia Media at LMU, helped organize both LMU visits from the former Prime Minister. Plate published “Conversations with Thaksin” in 2012, the third volume in his “Giants of Asia” book series, and kept Shinawatra as a close contact. His social network enables LMU to host these types of events, including UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon’s visit last April. “This event reflects our broader focus on LMU’s global impact driven by our mission, and it demonstrates that we are an institution where world leaders engage our students in conversations of consequence,” Snyder said. LMU hopes to integrate Shinawatra’s lecture on poverty this Thursday with its own mission of service, justice and global imagination.

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LMU reacts to Donald Trump’s past tax returns Records reveal that he avoided paying 18 years worth of income taxes. Sami Leung

Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, used an almost $916 million dollar loss — reported on his 1995 tax returns — to avoid paying taxes for the next 18 years, a N.Y. Times article titled “Donald Trump tax records show

he could have avoided taxes for nearly 2 decades” reported. Dean Baquet, editor-in-chief of the New York Times, made the decision to publish several pages of Trump’s 1995 tax returns after one of their writers, Susanne Craig, found the pages discreetly delivered to her mailbox. The pages went through rigorous fact-checking to ensure they were legitimate before they were published on Saturday at 9:10 p.m. According to a N.Y. Times article titled “The time I found Donald Trump’s tax returns in my mailbox“ by Craig, part of the New York Times’ legitimization process involved locating Jack Mitnick, the accountant who had

prepared and signed Trump’s tax returns. Mitnick confirmed that the records were real, and Trump’s losses had been so great that Mitnick’s program could not fit all nine digits in the entry box; he had to enter them manually using a different software. “The fact that he hasn’t paid taxes is sickening, because poorer people who can’t afford it are paying more taxes than him,” sophomore economics major Emma Wynn said. “Progressive taxes are really important. He complains about deficit and infrastructure but doesn’t pay taxes, which would fix that problem.” According to the New York

Information compiled by Sami Leung; graphic by Kevin Chan

Times, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has said that Trump embodies “the same rigged system he claims he will change,” adding, “What kind of genius loses a billion dollars in a single year?” Trump’s history in business has been a selling point in his campaign. His campaign to the Times’ article by saying, “Mr. Trump is a highly-skilled businessman who has a fiduciary responsibility to his business, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required.” According to a Bloomberg poll from November 2015, 73 percent of Republicans believe Trump “would be better at managing the economy,” and that he is someone who knows business better than his rivals. Richard Fox, a professor of political science and associate dean for undergraduate education at LMU, believes that this uncovering may hurt Trump’s reputation of being a good businessman to moderate or swing voters. “He’s going to argue that he was a smart businessman, using the tax code as it was designed, true,” Fox said. “It was smart; you can declare a loss, and we have a carryover provision, so he lost a billion dollars that year, but the next year he made 200 million, and he could deduct all of that.” Trump’s huge losses were a culmination of his mismanagement of his Atlantic City casinos, his failed airline business “Trump Shuttle” and his poorly-timed purchase of the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, according to the L.A Times. Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and Trump ally, said in an interview with ABC that Trump was a genius in his avoidance of

paying the income tax. “This is a perfectly legal application of the tax code, and he would’ve been a fool not to take advantage of it,” Giuliani said. “From an economics standpoint, we don’t really take in ethics,” freshman economics major Hannah Rock said. “From my perspective, if he reported it as a loss, I can’t see why it wasn’t a good business move. He had to recover from the loss.” Baquet himself is under fire from Trump’s campaign for releasing the returns. Federal law states that it is illegal to publish someone’s tax returns without authorization: In a Harvard Forum, Baquet said that he would publish Trump’s tax returns if he ever got them, even if it meant facing jail time. His reasoning was that “[Trump] is a presidential candidate whose whole campaign is built on his success as a business man and his wealth.” Trump’s response to the article about his tax returns continued to push his experience as a businessman. “I know our complex tax laws better than anyone who has ever run for president and am the only one who can fix them,” Trump said in a tweet on October 2, 2016. His campaign released a statement on the issue: “Mr. Trump has paid hundreds of millions of dollars in property taxes, sales and excise taxes, real estate taxes, city taxes, state taxes, employee taxes and federal taxes. [...] Mr. Trump knows the tax code far better than anyone who has ever run for president and he is the only one that knows how to fix it.”

concern, which Pickert believes may translate into a perceived harsher critique of the candidate. John Parrish, professor of political science, believes the media coverage of this election cycle is simply an amplified version of past elections. Parrish felt that this election coverage is “the farce repetition” of what has been seen in the past. Taylor Blackman, a senior communication studies major, feels similarly. “Truthfully, I don’t believe this election is that much different on coverage. It’s always two sides battling it out through the media,” Blackman said. Parrish believes that Clinton’s

criticism by the media may occur because the press has yet to deal with the first woman running for office in a major political party. “We’ve had male candidates for so long that all of the questions, tropes, clichés of American political life are read through a male lens,” Parrish said. Despite the perceived or warranted disdain for media coverage, there will not be many people swayed by this election cycle’s press, according to Parrish. Most election outcomes have little to do with media coverage, and that is likely to be the same in this election.

2016 political coverage bias, old phenomenon Coverage of the 2016 Democratic and Republican campaigns. Jaqueline McCool News Intern @LALoyolan

The time for the United States to elect a new president is quickly approaching and, according to a USA Today article titled “Pew: Fewer See Election Coverage as Fair,” an increasing number of Americans feel that the media is unfairly targeting their political party or aligning candidate. Less than four in 10 Americans, or 37 percent, describe the media’s coverage of the main presidential candidates this year as fair, USA Today reported last week following Pew Research Center findings. Wille DeSimone, a sophomore communication studies major, believes the news coverage of both candidates has been largely negative and somewhat accusatory. According to the Pew Research Center, many Democrats have increasingly felt that the coverage of their candidate is skewed against their party in this election. Republicans have traditionally felt this way in past elections, with USA Today reporting 61 percent of Republicans feeling the media is more lenient on the Democratic nominee. However, political scientists feel

this trend is nothing new, but is perhaps amplified by the long public lives the two candidates have led. Although the number of Republicans that feel their candidate is unfairly represented in news coverage is largely unchanged, Michael Genovese, a professor of political science, believes the reason for this feeling at LMU in the midst of this particular election cycle is fueled by a disdain toward increasingly-present fact checkers. “When you hear someone say [...] in this case Donald Trump has told more fibs, more lies or whatever you want to call it, than his opponent, the Donald Trump people are going to come out of the woodwork saying that it must be because of bias,” Genovese said. USA Today reports that four out of 10 Democrats believe the coverage of Trump in this election cycle has been too lenient which is a 16 percent increase from the last election cycle. Richard Fox, professor of political science, department chair at LMU and expert on gender in politics, has his own thoughts on why Democrats have felt increasingly contempt toward media coverage of their candidate. Regarding the coverage of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Fox felt it was difficult to pinpoint whether or not Clinton solicits increased negative media coverage because she is a woman, or because of her life-long career in politics. However, Fox said that for some people, Trump’s rhetoric surrounding women is reason enough for them to believe the political system is acting in a sexist

manner. Fox believes Trump has committed several campaign taboos that would traditionally have the public discounting the nominee. Kate Pickert, former Time Magazine reporter and professor of political journalism at LMU, believes American discomfort with the campaign coverage lies in the general public dislike of the nominees. In agreement with Fox, Pickert feels negative coverage of Clinton cannot be solely attributed to her gender, but rather what Pickert believes to be many voters’ dislike of Clinton. The Clinton campaign gets criticism from the press on policy issues and matters of presidential

Information via USA Today; graphic by Kevin Chan

SPORTS

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Board Editorial Gracie McManus Editor-in-Chief

Christie Calucchia Managing Editor

Jackie Galvez Managing Editor

Isabel Ngo

Managing Editor

Janine Leano Digital Director

Xian Wong

Creative Director

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

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OPINION

October is about much more than sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes LION

SPORTS

It’s October, and while we are excited about the advent of the fall season — despite the fact that fashion seems to be the only thing that changes this time of year in L.A., not the weather — we want to remind you of some things happening around campus in addition to sweater weather, pumpkin spice lattes and scarves the size of blankets. October is a time to observe LGBT History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Corresponding with LMU’s mission of educating the whole person and focusing on social justice, our campus transforms into a site for events and awareness surrounding all of these topics that affect every single one of us as global citizens. It is important to become educated on groups and topics that do not receive the attention they deserve in our day-to-day lives. While the LGBTQ+ community has received increased attention in the last semester, it was due to an alleged confrontation with an LMU Alumni Relations employee, not due to their relevancy to the community or awareness of their history, struggles and accomplishments. The Latina/o community has similarly gained attention through the ATTN video that included Trump supporters from LMU and its response by a member of MeCHA de LMU, and the defacement of the No Human Being Is Illegal Week wall. It is time to give these communities the respect and awareness they deserve. Students, faculty, staff and other members of the LMU community should take the opportunity to educate themselves this month on the history, traditions, achievements and oppression of the LGBTQ+ and Latina/o communities. Those who wish to educate themselves can visit lgbthistorymonth.com and hispanicheritagemonth. gov or reach out to LGBT Student Services and Chicano Latino Student Services to find out how to

get involved in the communities. Additionally, this month the Belles service organization is putting on their annual events surrounding Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring the issue of domestic abuse out of the shadows and into the public eye. According to loveisrespect.org, females between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of partner violence — almost triple the national average — and 94 percent of those victims aged 16 to 19 and 70 percent of those aged 20 to 24 were abused by a former or current boyfriend or girlfriend. With 57 percent of college students reporting that domestic violence is difficult to identify, and 58 percent reporting that they are unsure how to help those who are victims, it is important for the LMU community to open their eyes to this issue, no matter how private it may seem. Belles service organization is hosting events during the month of October designed to bring awareness of domestic violence issues to the students of LMU. ASLMU and Belles will be screening a documentary related to domestic abuse on Oct. 10 in DejaView beginning at 7 p.m. A silent protest will be held on Palm Walk on Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to stand in solidarity with those who have been silenced in relation to domestic abuse. On Oct. 24, Belles is hosting a candlelight vigil in Sacred Heart Chapel and a talk from a domestic abuse survivor in St. Robert’s Auditorium beginning at 10:15 p.m. Lastly, at 8 a.m. on Oct. 26, Belles is hosting a 24-hour protest outside of the William H. Hannon Library in which individuals will stand as living symbols of those silenced by domestic abuse. As we enter this new month full of possibilities and pumpkin patches, it is important to broaden our horizons at LMU and recognize the achievements and struggles of each of these groups and causes. As members of this University, it is our duty as men and women for others to do so.

“It is important to become educated on groups and topics that do not receive the attention they deserve...”

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LOYOLAN EDITORIAL POLICY The Los Angeles Loyolan, a student-run campus organization, publishes a 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 on-campus and offcampus 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. The Los Angeles Loyolan is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the California College Media Association.

OPINION

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Social media makes us all peeping Toms Clay By Clay Clay Sontag

Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan

f an extraterrestrial being were to travel from their homeland to come witness how our society operates, there’s one thing that would probably define our existence in their eyes: our obsession with technology. They would see that as we go about our daily lives, one of our arms is almost always outstretched, carrying and devoting most of our attention to small rectangles of power. Although we know these objects as cell phones down here on Earth, I cannot imagine how we might look from the perspective of an outsider. If I were them, I would probably start to think that cell phones were just another part of the human body. Our society’s reliance on technology is not breaking news. The conversation on how technology is the backbone of the first world is tired and overdone. Therefore, I will not be talking about that. Instead, I want to share why I think this has happened in the first place. At the end of the day, we are all responsible for the extent to which technology becomes such an integral part of our daily lives — and, in my eyes, it is because we are all peeping Toms, to some degree. For those who are unaware, a peeping Tom is a title used to refer to someone who gains pleasure from watching someone else. Although the legend of the original Peeping Tom and movies like the 1962 horror classic “Peeping Tom” pinpoint the sexual undertone of this term, that is not the territory I want to jump into here. I am simply focusing on the infatuation we have with seeing others live their lives. The term is another way of saying a voyeur, which Merriam-Webster defines as a “prying observer” who gains stimulation and/or pleasure from watching others.

Somewhere along the line, we were told that sharing our lives with others is a normal and necessary thing to do. Think about how many times a website tells you to share a link, picture, video, status or anything else with other people. Sharing is the 21st century version of communicating. Snapchat and Instagram have ingrained in us that exchanging pictures and videos is a completely plausible way to interact. Each time we press post, we grant our friends the chance to see us live. Seeing is pleasure — especially from a distance. There is something alluring about watching Snapchat or Instagram stories, viral video clips and even reality television. We reap the benefits of having our senses stimulated by human life but hold no personal investment in what we are watching. Oftentimes we do it to escape the boredom or discomfort of a situation. From afar, we indulge in the lives of others and measure ourselves up to one another in the process. I credit a large part of our intrusive peeping Tom habits to the platforms themselves. All of our social media apps have a way of making us feel like we are in a zone where sharing and showing is safe and fun. Facebook and Snapchat both call everyone we connect with a “friend,” which is interesting because we might not always be friends, per se, with the people we add. But by associating friendship with these connections, we might subconsciously feel inclined to show more. Don’t get me wrong, I know that society is not just a bunch of creepy individuals smiling behind a phone or computer screen as they view pictures of one another. I am trying to express that we are enamored by observing how humans live, and even though it might stem from somewhere deep in our subconsciouses, we should acknowledge that it is sort of

Maddie Mary | Loyolan

We might be desensitized to the purpose of social media at this point, but we should acknowledge the fact that its many platforms feed into our secret infatuation with watching others live.

a strange tendency we have come to normalize — and social media is majorly to blame. Although our society enjoys “peeping,” being invasive is not always comfortable for everyone. I am someone who is very hesitant to share much on social media for this reason. No one should ever feel forced to put his or her life on display

due to societal pressures, especially when there are plenty of other outlets out there that provide people with similar stimulation. Sometimes keeping pictures and videos private can make certain memories more meaningful to you because not everyone has had the chance to see them play out in the palm of their hands.

The only person who needs to sit front row while your life unravels is you, so don’t ever feel obligated to let some peeping Tom take your seat.

This is the opinion of Clay Sontag, a sophomore screenwriting major from Smithtown, New York. Tweet comments to @ LALoyolan, or email mgaydos@theloyolan.

OPINION

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Months of historical observance are important Book of Matthew Matthew Williams

Opinion Intern @LALoyolan

any of us remember taking United States history at some point in our educational career. And, for the most part, what we were taught seemed to cover a majority of the important points in history. At least, this was how it appeared to those of us who had never pondered the idea of erasure. Throughout history, many groups have faced erasure, defined by reference.com as the “practice in which a dominant culture, for example a colonizing nation, attempts to negate, suppress, remove and, in effect, erase the culture of a subordinate culture.” After, deeming these groups unappealing, we simply glossed over their impact upon history or removed them altogether. For example, we often hear about the Red Scare of the 1950s but not the similarly-named Lavender Scare where “thousands and thousands of federal workers” lost their jobs on account of their sexuality, according to Out Magazine. This phenomenon is by no means uncommon. Not only do LGBTQ+ individuals have to face

this issue, but so do members of any group that is not agreeable to the dominant heterosexual, cisgender, white, upper-class, male version of history. One can look at the beliefs held about immigration for another example. Many believe most Latino individuals are only now coming into the United States, when they in fact have long and rich history of living in the country. As we celebrate Latino Heritage Month and LGBTQ+ History Month during October, we must discuss the issue of erasure and why such months of observances are important. Both of these celebrations recognize the contributions made by the Latino and LGBTQ+ communities to the American identity. Individuals within these groups are provided with the opportunity to be proud of their cultures and to affirm their existence. Those who face erasure often suffer emotionally and mentally as they are made to feel they are lesser than those groups who receive recognition, and, as a result, the aforementioned chances create a huge impact in their lives. Furthermore, it is important to note that these months, as well as other months of historical observance, are not designed to be exclusive events. Rather, they serve as an inclusive chance for all individuals to learn about and

appreciate the history they may not have been exposed to previously. Unfortunately, many perceive these events of historic celebration to be a condemnation of the white male due to their focus on groups that may have been harmed by them in the past. However, they are instead an invitation to share in the incredible experience of broadening one’s world view. All people can benefit in coming to understand the culture and history of other individuals. While inclusivity and exposure are a goal of these celebrations, one must note the overall desire to bring Latino, LGBTQ+ and the other inadequately represented groups’ history to the traditional academic setting. Our educators hinder us when they do not provide us with an accurate account of historical events. Thus, these months of awareness are not simply an annual spectacle reserved for a specific time of the year, but rather they are a push to restore American history to its most truthful version. History is not actually history when it is revised to fit one’s perceived notion of it. Accomplishing historical correction is by no means an easy task. However, it is one which is necessary. In achieving this goal, people have several steps which they may take. Primarily, the

Caroline Burt | Loyolan

Months devoted to celebrating the diverse identities of our nation are a great way for us to become socially aware. individual can directly demand for a comprehensive history free of as much erasure as possible. Because it is their education on the line, they have the right to insist upon receiving quality instruction. Other options include petitioning one’s respective board of education and electing individuals who will not allow erasure to exist in education. If these paths of action are not successful, then one can take their education into their own hands by forming groups outside

the class setting which explore the unedited version of history. All individuals deserve to have their story told, and we must be able to hear their stories in order to create a more tolerant and open-minded world.

This is the opinion of Matthew Williams, a freshman English major from Seattle, Washington. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan, or email mgaydos@theloyolan.

This year’s election is kind of like eating donuts Hermit McDermott

to keep us reading, reacting, raging. And we can go with that, if we want. But we don’t have to. We can step back from the latest cliff of insanity and consider for ourselves what will make us happy, what constitutes a kind of engagement that can actually help make our world the place we want it to be. No matter what anyone else tells us, we are free to decide for ourselves which is the right path, and which is the donut.

Jim McDermott Contributor @LALoyolan

hen I first entered the Jesuits, there was this guy in the class ahead of me called Cooter Edwards. He was everyone’s favorite Jesuit — charismatic, articulate and sort of our very own sitcom character. Everything was big with Cooter, every moment the ultimate moment of decision about whether he should stay in the Jesuits or go. Before one major meeting with our superior on this topic we found him outside, pacing and chain-smoking next to a dumpster, his eyes wild. “What are you going to do?” we asked him. He turned to us, eyes cartoonwide. “Dude ... I don’t know,” he whispered. He was always like that, authentic and intense and hilarious. But there was a downside to living with Cooter Edwards; even when he wasn’t around, everyone was always talking about him — the latest story, the newest twist. His drama kind of overwhelmed everything else. It was exhausting, like being trapped as minor characters in someone else’s made-for-TV movie. And yet for some reason we wouldn’t break the spell. I don’t know about you, but I feel like we’re trapped in a Cooter Edwards-kind of election. For over a year now, it’s been

This is the opinion of Fr. Jim McDermott, who lives in the Jesuit Community at LMU. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan, or email mgaydos@theloyolan. Mikey Barreto | Loyolan

Don’t let the chaos surrounding this year’s election make you drown out your personal opinions and beliefs. everywhere — Hillary Clinton Has Emails! Jimmy Fallon Plays With Donald Trump’s Hair! And yet I still can’t seem to help talking about it, even as I recognize there’s nothing really good coming from it, either. Yes, I feel satisfaction at a particularly well-formed acidwashed tweet, complete with suitable Cristina Yang .gif — you may have left “Grey’s Anatomy,” Sandra Oh, but you haven’t left my heart; or a definitely thoughtful-and-notinflammatory comment at dinner expressing my completelylegitimate-and-fair frustration with certain candidates (which may completely unintentionally infuriate friends who are clearly wrong).

But that satisfaction never seems to last very long. In fact, if I’m being honest, most of the time I’m not even happy with my own comments until someone else responds in a negative way. Apparently more than peace of mind, what I want is someone I can argue with and/or make dance, my foolish little puppet. And yet, what’s the alternative? I mean, yes, being more charitable would certainly be a good starting point — it is, ahem, the Year of Mercy, Father — but aren’t we all supposed to be involved in the political process, read the latest on the candidates and the issues ... engage? Isn’t that in fact our responsibility? But I don’t know — when we’re arguing and raging and getting

wrapped up in it all, are we really engaging? Are we doing anything that could constructively make a difference? Where’s the fruit? St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits and spiritual baller, told people to pay attention to the movements in their hearts. A good path might appear hard or painful, but it also tends to feel right, to have a sort of peace or trueness to it. The wrong path, on the other hand, is like eating a dozen donuts — at the start you feel nothing but joy; by donut 12 you have never hated yourself, or glazed sugar, more in your life (this may be a personal story). The media and the candidates and the crazy we will always have with us, clapping and screaming like a toddler as loud as it can

OPINION

laloyolan.com

Page 9

The ‘real college experience’ is overrated A Sam Dunk

Samantha Davis Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan

’m a transfer student, and LMU is infinitely different from my last school. It was a quintessential example of the school one might imagine when people describe the “real college experience:” football games in an enormous stadium (that we rarely won), lecture halls with upwards of 300 students, crowded frat parties. Perhaps you’ve heard of it — a school filled with 27,000 undergrads in a cute town tucked away at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The subject of multiple ImShmacked college party videos, the University of Colorado Boulder was everything I thought I wanted. Coming from a relatively small high school where everybody had known each other since they were four and knew everybody’s business, I wanted to get as far away as possible and experience life at a big university, filled with what I thought college was supposed to be all about. I probably should’ve listened to my parents when they begged me to consider smaller schools. I believe my father once told me, “Samantha. You’re not a stoner, you’re not a skier and you’re not a partier. Why

Hannah Kim | Loyolan

The perfect college experience is different for everyone, so don’t let society decide which path is right for you.

the hell are you going to Boulder?” But, in typical teenage girl fashion, I disregarded my parent’s comments and applied to some of the biggest party schools in the country — CU Boulder, University of Oregon, University of Arizona and UC Santa Barbara. I applied to some smaller schools, such as the University of San Diego and University of San Francisco, but didn’t give them much thought. Once I toured Boulder, I knew it was where I had to go. I got my acceptance letter two weeks after I visited and committed two weeks after that. I could provide you with anecdotes of my year in Colorado, but in reality,

I spent most of my time incredibly depressed. After the first three weeks, which were filled to the brim with parties and football games, I quickly found myself spending more and more time alone. If I wasn’t in class, I was in my room, watching far too much “Grey’s Anatomy” and wishing I was back in California. I began my applications to transfer in October. Fast forward almost a year: Oct. 5, 2016. I have a great group of friends. I have an awesome job at the student newspaper. I have started a radio show at KXLU. I just sent in my initiation fee to join Phi Alpha Delta, a pre-law fraternity. After I finish

writing this article, I’m going to go out to dinner and then play with puppies on campus. And this is all while recovering from spine surgery. While a big part of the reason I’m much happier here than I was at CU is because I took the initiative to get myself involved, the main reason is that the small school experience facilitated a comfortable transition. LMU truly fosters an environment in which people are comfortable putting themselves out there. I don’t doubt that CU cares just as much for their students as LMU does, but the difference is that small schools allow students to create relationships with their professors, advisers and

peers in ways that aren’t possible at a university with over 27,000 undergraduates. Of course small schools aren’t for everyone. I have plenty of friends who attend big party schools, such as San Diego State, and are absolutely in love with their experiences. But when I hear some of my friends talk about the “real college experience,” I think about how I traded it for an opportunity to go to a school where I could better myself as a person — where I could learn not only in a classroom, but also from the diversity of the people around me. I traded it for an opportunity to choose between going to a concert, a play or the beach on a Friday night, as opposed to my only options being Kappa Sigma or Sigma Alpha Epsilon. I traded it for an opportunity to talk to people about philosophy and pluralism, not fraternities and Peyton Manning. And whenever I find myself dreaming of an eternity of tailgates at UCLA or spending every weekend walking up and down the row at USC, I remember that I go to a school that has the ability to care for me as an individual and wants to make me into the best version of myself. This is the opinion of Samantha Davis, a sophomore philosophy major from La Cañada Flintridge, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan, or email mgaydos@theloyolan.

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Did you see the article Matt wrote for the Loyolan? You have to check it out!

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Loyola Marymount University

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, October 9, 2016 Discover all that LMU has to offer • Take campus and residence hall tours. • Join discussions with faculty, administrators and students. • Get an inside look at students and faculty projects in laboratories and studios. • Gather information on Undergraduate Admission, Housing and Financial Aid.

Please visit admission.lmu.edu/openhouse for program details and to RSVP.

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alumni as “rising stars.”

laloyolan.com Page 12

UNNECESSARY JAPES

FOREVER FAIL

FISHBLUB

By Cameron Woodard, Staff Cartoonist

By Emily Noriega, Staff Cartoonist

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CÃ&#x201C;RDOBA, ARGENTINA

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Check out Loyolan Cartoons online, now via Tapastic! Go to tapastic.com/LAloyolan to catch up on your favorites!

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SOCIAL JUSTICE

laloyolan.com

Page 13

Not a statistic; how helping others helped me Bri the Yonce Bri Ortiz

Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

n May 2, 2013, I was completely stripped of my innocence at only 14. I consider this to be the worst day of my life. Two girls who I thought were my friends assaulted me in a private area and harassed me through bullying. When I finally gained the courage to tell one of my teachers what had occurred, I also had to tell my principal, the president of the school and everyone who had tried to ensure my safety. Most importantly, though, I had to tell my parents. According to the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), there are 288,820 victims of sexual assault and rape every year in the U.S., and men and women are both affected. One in six women have experienced sexual violence, while one out of every 10 rape victims is male. However, the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that only 15.8 to 35 percent of victims of all sexual assault report to the police — when the offender is an intimate partner or former intimate partner, 25 percent of sexual assaults are reported; when an offender is a friend or acquaintance, 18 to 40 percent of sexual assaults are reported; and when an offender is a stranger, 46 to 66 percent of sexual assaults are reported. I was that 18 to 40 percent, and once I did what I thought was the right thing, I began receiving

Bri Ortiz | Loyolan

Bri Ortiz received the Sister Helen Sanders award at her high school during her junior year for her “outstanding achievement in the humanities,” including her work for an anti-bullying campaign as junior vice president. comments from the girls and their friends that made it seem as though I was in the wrong for feeling victimized. In such a vulnerable state, I believed anything and everything. An abyss is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “the regions of hell conceived of as a bottomless pit,” which describes perfectly where I stood emotionally and mentally. I felt alone, friendless, depressed; I was not me anymore and knew I would never be the same me. Soon after, my parents and I pursued justice through the law. During this time, I was able to receive help and advice through a counselor, who inspired me to go out into my community and help

others who were going through similar situations. This prompted me to help create an anti-bullying campaign in my school. I was able to use my voice to explain this idea to my peers after being elected as junior vice president. We all came to the conclusion that the junior service-learning project would be an anti-bullying campaign with the help of the junior president and the junior teacher representative. During my senior year, I was elected student body vice president. The student body president and I organized and planned many events, but the one event I am most proud of was the first “Unity Day” at my school, which was a day

dedicated to informing students about different social justice issues including sexual assault, personal safety, domestic violence, civil rights, bullying, internet safety and justice. Now I am currently hoping to expand my community service and advocacy as the newly elected Del Rey North community service chair for RHA, a member of MEChA de LMU, Latino Student Union, and as a writer for the Loyolan. I am no longer just a statistic. This passion to help others who are going or have gone through any type of bullying — including sexual violence, verbal abuse or emotional abuse — has inspired me to help as

many people as I can. So many victims, whether they reported to the police or not, have not received the proper help and care they need. I want to urge that victims are never alone and that help can be found through various organizations such as the National Center for Victims of Crime, RAINN or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. With everything I do — whether it pertains to school, community service or my interactions at school — I always keep in mind the kindness and positivity that needs to be spread in my community, and ultimately, this nation. We must all come together as a community and continue to help others. This is vital to the human race’s fight against all injustices, and I truly believe we can start the end to all bullying, harassment and hate. Although this scar will be with me my entire life, I will never be ashamed of it because it is now a part of me and provides me the strength, passion and willpower that I have successfully utilized to build a foundation for greater things to come. Without the scars and different experiences in life that I have already endured, and will continue to endure, I would not be the person I am today. To my sisters or brothers who have gone through similar or not-so-similar experiences, know that we will always find comfort and unity in each other. Stay strong and there will always be better things to come. This is the opinion of Bri Ortiz, a freshman communication studies major from El Paso, Texas. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to mgaydos@theloyolan. com

Interview by Sami Leung, asst. news editor; graphic by Ashley Ma | Loyolan

life+arts

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‘Luke Cage’ as socio-political commentary Matt at Bat Matt Gaydos Opinion Editor @LALoyolan

uke Cage is Marvel’s most political character yet — and it couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time. The nation is stirring with debate and social unrest as the shooting of black males by police officers dominates our headlines. So it’s no coincidence that the titular character in this Netflix original series is a black man wearing a hoodie and — evoking the image of Trayvon Martin, perhaps — who is bulletproof. The show is rife with imagery like this that conjures thoughts of the Black Lives Matter movement. It’s direct and honest without being preachy. “For black lives to matter, black history and black ownership must also matter,” a character named Black Maria — who is the councilwoman for the show’s backdrop of Harlem — says in a monologue that at times seems to be addressing the viewer directly. The political commentary embedded in the show also seems to postulate that the lives of black people need to matter not only to the institutions that oppress them, but to black people themselves. This is accentuated by Luke Cage’s repeated rejection of the n-word towards him by other black men. “What kind of

nigga are you?” somebody asks Cage. “The type that doesn’t like being called that,” he replies. “Luke Cage” has an interestingly complex and entertaining cast of villains. Cottonmouth — who could be considered to be the show’s main villain — is both suave and vicious but has a side the audience can sympathize with. Black Maria — Cottonmouth’s cousin and associate — doesn’t seem to fit the role of antagonist, yet uses malevolent means to achieve her idealism, or “greater good” as she refers to it. Yet, the most interesting conflict is within Cage himself. Keeping in the trend of Marvel’s other superhero excursions on Netflix — “Jessica Jones” and “Daredevil” — Cage is a profoundly real and human depiction of a superhero. In “Jessica Jones,” the protagonist is a victim of sexual abuse. In “Daredevil,” the protagonist is a victim of an accident that leaves him blind. Adhering to this pattern, Cage is also a victim. He is betrayed and abused by the correctional system of the country he swore to protect as a cop and member of the military. But, like the previous shows, the audience gets to see Cage overcome the scars caused by the wrongdoings done against him — albeit not completely — and become a hero. “Always forward,” says Cage’s father figure, Pop. Cage does work towards becoming the person he wants

via Flickr Creative Commons “Luke Cage” actor Mike Colter’s success in playing this Marvel hero may have earned him a role in “The Defenders.” and ought to be — not the person his surroundings and past dictate he should be. In terms of visuals, the show is wonderfully shot. The fight scenes are direct, just like Cage’s combat styles, but that doesn’t stop them from being entertaining. The show is overlaid with East Coast hip-hop that will satisfy any buff of the genre. In one memorable scene, Cage listens to Wu-Tang Clan’s “Bring Da Ruckus” on his headphones as he quite literally brings the ruckus. The acting and casting is also top notch — but

the show can’t help but revolve around its lead actor Mike Colter. Colter delivers a passionate and moving performance as the Harlem crimefighter. As a fan of the comics, I can’t help but grin when Colter delivers Cage’s iconic “Sweet Christmas!” line. It’s exactly how I imagined Cage would say it. All in all, Marvel has another success on its hands with “Luke Cage.” Its political undertones and mostly-black cast make it unique, yet it fits perfectly into the world established before it by

“Daredevil” and “Jessica Jones.” The compelling characters make me excited for what’s next for the series and the inevitable team-up between the other Netflix shows. But Marvel did more than produce another successful superhero show — perhaps it gave America the superhero that it needs. This is the opinion of Matt Gaydos, a sophomore English major from Palos Verdes, California. Tweet comments to @ LALoyolan, or email tmarom@theloyolan. com

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Magis brings awareness to homelessness Taykin’ It Easy Taylor Gage

Asst. Life+Arts Editor @LALoyolan

hat is a bench to you? And what could that bench represent to someone else? Maybe to you it’s a seat, but for someone else it’s a bed, or even a home. Something as simple as a bench can make a difference. This week at LMU, benches have given us a privilege check every few feet on campus. They are a part of a week dedicated to spread awareness for those without homes — the annual Homeless Understanding Week put on by Magis service organization. For those who are not aware, Magis is an organization that focuses on two main social justice issues: homelessness and education. “Similar to other organizations, we wanted to have an annual event to put these issues under a spotlight here at LMU,” Trenton Mathison, a senior mechanical engineering major and president of Magis, said. For them, benches were a good place to start. “We were inspired to name this annual event Homeless Understanding Week, as we feel that many people are very much aware of what homelessness is and how it is an issue that many people face — but people may not be as aware of various hardships that the people experiencing homelessness face,” Mathison said. Alfredo Telona, a sophomore civil engineering major and member of Magis, explained more about experiences that we may

Kevin Chan | Loyolan

A sign reads, “A seat for you, a bed for someone else.” Signs like this were found across campus. not truly be able to understand or relate to. “A lot of people discriminate against the homeless, calling them lazy for sleeping in the middle of the day,” Telona said. “But what society does not realize is that these homeless people sometimes can only sleep in the day because the night is too cold and they are exposed to being attacked or assaulted.” To those of us who have never experienced homelessness firsthand, this may not feel as real as your upcoming midterm or seem like an issue to prioritize. But Telona knows the importance of spreading awareness through his experience with Magis.

“I am involved in this cause because my placement site with Magis is at Blessed Sacrament Church, where I help pack food for the homeless,” Telona said. “I have interacted with a lot of the homeless people who come by the food pantry, and I can see the joy in their faces when they realize that we as Magis men still value and love them as we would love any other person.” As far as the events spanning this week themselves, “two members of [the] organization, Vincent Hayward (sophomore, biochemistry major) and Manny Talusan (junior, electrical engineering major), decided to step up and spearhead this annual event,” according to Mathison. The week’s events include Wednesday’s screening of “Those

Without a Home” at 8 p.m. in Seaver 100, and a Sleep Out on Regents grass from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. There will also be an “Inside Homelessness” dialogue on Thursday in St. Rob’s 369 at 6 p.m. and a Midnight Mission Service Take Along on Friday, meeting at Leavey Circle at 5 a.m. The last event of Homeless Understanding Week is the Blessed Sacrement Church Service Take Along on Saturday at 7 a.m., which will also be leaving from Leavey Circle. All these events are designed to “bring a broader understanding of what it means to experience homelessness to our LMU community,” Mathison said. While there are many public events spanning and surrounding

Homeless Understanding Week, this is merely a taste of all the work Magis does. Magis works year-round to combat the issue of homelessness, and has built a community rallying around this issue. “Being a part of this group means a lot to me personally,” Mathison said. “I have been able to meet some amazing guys that I am lucky to call my friends through this organization, and I have been privileged to meet some amazing people at the various sites that we serve.” It’s one thing to talk about homelessness in L.A., or America, or even the world — but the challenge is how we bring this issue to LMU. How can we possibly begin to tackle such a huge problem? The answer isn’t easy or convenient, but Magis continually works to make it real for students here at LMU. It all starts with an awareness week, and some simple benches. “Our goal this week is for our community to understand how crucial it is not to forget that the homeless are still people. Instead of avoiding a homeless person, why not say ‘Hello’?” Telona said. For more information about this week’s events, follow LMU Magis service organization on Facebook. Look out for Center for Service (CSA) events such as the upcoming Open House in November and All Org Night in January to learn more about Magis and other service organizations. This is the opinion of Taylor Gage, a sophomore studio arts major from Napa Valley, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to tmarom@theloyolan.com.

Information compiled by Tor Marom, Life+Arts editor; Graphic by Kevin Chan | Loyolan

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Lauren Holmes | Loyolan

KXLU Fest III brings Ariel Pink to campus Cory’s Content Cory Hutchinson

Asst. Life+Arts Editor

@LALoyolan

unday, Oct. 2, was a great day for KXLU, LMU’s campus radio station. KXLU Fest III, featuring Ariel Pink and Professor Cantaloupe, took place at Lawton Plaza and brought a relaxing afternoon for all just in time for midterms. Students and fans laid on the grass, soaking in the sun and enjoying music by local Los Angeles bands. Food trucks scattered the perimeter and a variety of pop-up shops provided some retail therapy for the crowds of people. Starting the day off, one of the opening performers, Girl Pusher,

played electronic/punk music that many people could vibe with. Later, BOYO’s alternative vocals put the crowd in that chill afternoon mindset, which went perfectly with a refreshing boba tea from the Mambo Juice food truck. Sun Araw’s set provided an opportunity for people to jam out to the psychedelic nature behind their sound. Finally, headliners Ariel Pink and Professor Cantaloupe pumped up festival goers for the final hours of the event. In between performances, people had the chance to check out shop tents and pick out some music for their record players at home or buy some awesome vintage clothing. Music vendors at the event included Danger Records, Burger Records, Lollipop Records, KXLU 88.9FM and the wonderfully nostalgic Honey Power Collective.

Viper Tapes was also available with all of your favorite ‘90s movies and more. Check out each label’s Facebook page and website for your future study or hang out playlist. As for accessorizing, Nicole Desiree Jewelry displayed her incredible crystal rings, necklaces and cuff earrings for your next music festival venture. For the perfect festival outfit, Lady Mayra Vintage Clothing sold Bohemian festival capes and unique ‘70’s style shirts and pants. Both vendors have Etsy shops, in case you’re still searching for that one-of-a-kind festival look. However, the diversity of things to do didn’t stop there. The food trucks provided an array of tasty eating options, all of which didn’t let me down. Mambo Juice offered healthy smoothies, flavored lemonades, refreshing

açai bowls, multi flavored shaved ice and various boba tea options. India Jones served up the spice of the event with a selection of delicious Indian food choices, including veggie options. I have to say, the naan bread was my personal favorite. The Surfer Taco had everything from surf and turf Mexican food, veggie burritos to amazing nachos — all made with fresh ingredients. Finally, the Richeeze truck had every grilled cheese combination you could possibly imagine. At the end of the event, the crowd and food trucks rolled out, the vendors packed up and everyone was left satisfied. Many people showed up throughout the day and had the chance to experience KXLU’s goal of authentically sharing music while also enjoying some amazing local

food companies. People were happy and relaxed — and excited to see what the next year has to offer. KXLU offers a chance for LMU students to truly be a part of the Los Angeles community that we all know and love while bonding over some music that everyone can love. Follow KXLU’s Facebook page to stay up to date with their current music radio shows and to see what events will be happening across the L.A. area. Also, when the date comes out for next year’s KXLU Fest, be sure to mark it down and share the experience with your friends and family.

This is the opinion of Cory Hutchinson, a freshman sociology major from Palm Desert, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to tmarom@theloyolan.

life+arts

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People aren’t the only Lions on LMU’s campus When in Marom Tor Marom

Life+Arts. Editor

@feelstorganic

n Wednesday, Sept. 28, a select few lucky students, including myself, witnessed a true act of heroism. Generally, people on campus consider the LMU squirrels to be pests. They rifle through the trash, stare down students and on occasion even attack people who appear to be threatening. However, one particular squirrel shattered the stereotype when it risked everything to help a friend in need. Just outside the Lion’s Den, students crowded around to watch a squirrel that appeared to be caught in the window screen of the Living Room. The squirrel didn’t move, perhaps in fear of the large group watching the struggle. Meanwhile, the squirrel’s friend hectically ran in circles around the windowsill, sparking confusion in the audience. After a minute or two, the group walked off, no longer interested in the odd behavior of the squirrels. But I stayed. Curious about the situation, I wondered what would cause a squirrel to stay on the window rather than scamper off in the face of a crowd. I stood and watched, waiting to see what would unfold before me. I did not have to wait long — soon after the crowd dispersed, the squirrel dislodged from the screen and fell (not far) to the ground and hid behind two ashtrays, pushed along by its friend. What I surmised had happened was that in the process of freeing itself from the screen, the squirrel had injured its leg.

Still curious, I sat nearby on the ground and continued to watch. While the smaller injured squirrel hid and shook behind the ashtrays, the ablebodied rodent ran off into Sunken Garden. I assumed that that would be the end, but I decided to wait a while longer. After a few minutes, the squirrel returned, frantic as ever. I held out my hand, and was surprised to see that the squirrel actually approached me — three times, in fact. I did not want to intervene with whatever it was doing for its friend, however, so I tried not to distract it while moving a bit closer to get a better look. Looking behind the ashtrays, I saw that the injured squirrel had latched on to the side of the cylinder and was still shaking in place. The friendlier fellow seemed confused, pushing the squirrel repeatedly, but to no avail. After another minute of this, I saw something that actually made me question my vision. The squirrel gripped its injured counterpart from behind and yanked it off of the ashtray, placing it back on the ground. As amazing as that was, the plight still appeared fruitless — the squirrel still would not move, despite the very apparent nudging of its friend. I continued to watch, getting odd glances from passing students and staff. After a few minutes, I figured that the squirrels would be there a while, so I went into the Den to see if I could get some crumbs for the injured one, hoping that it would help in some way. A Lion’s Den employee provided me with a few, and I went back outside. This is when the miracle took place.

Tor Marom | Loyolan

The squirrel approached cautiously before tending to its injured friend.

Tor Marom | Loyolan

Injured in a window screen, a squirrel was carried to safety by its heroic counterpart, to the shock of many. As I stepped outside the doors, a shape on the floor raced by me. To the shock of myself and some other students, the friendly squirrel had wrapped the other injured squirrel around its neck like a scarf, and carried it off to safety. I followed for another minute, watching this squirrel

with the heart of a lion carry a comrade almost its own size up the ramp to Alumni Mall, then sprint across the open space. Stopping for rest every few feet, the squirrel would not give up. It tried to leap onto the barrier to the planter and fell back down. It quickly recalculated and tried

again, this time succeeding. With a friend slung over its shoulder, it bolted into the bushes and elsewhere — and, hopefully, into This is the opinion of Tor Marom, a senior English major from Calabasas, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to tmarom@theloyolan.com.

Tor Marom | Loyolan

The above squirrel caught its foot in a window screen outside of the Living Room, injuring itself while getting out.

SPORTS

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Dawley recovers LMUTA: Bolden delivers Jillian Dawley from Page 20

Guerrero thinks if anyone had to endure what Dawley did, Dawley is the only one who could have handled the adversity the way she did. “[It’s] just her character. She is very motivated, and she’s very disciplined, and she’s very determined,” Guerrero said. “I don’t know if [this experience] changed her as a person, but I think it certainly revealed to her and all of us what kind of a person deep down she really is. She was always like that.” Similarly, senior cross country runner Kayla de Bondt believes Dawley’s mental toughness and passion for the sport is what kept her fighting for 15 months. “Not many people would have the mental strength to really get through that because she had to relearn how to walk,” de Bondt said. de Bondt also mentioned how the team tried to help motivate Dawley. “We rallied and tried to give as much support as we could to get her through it,” de Bondt said. “I think [for] anyone in that position, but [especially] being an athlete, it’s extremely hard because you have all these commitments. It’s a life-changing event.” After months and months of recovery, Dawley finally got back to a normal training schedule in the middle of this past summer. Her comeback has been quite incredible considering she was unable to walk just over a year ago. With Dawley’s overall health being most important, Guerrero’s initial mindset was to wait and see if she would ever be able to race again. “It wasn’t a question of will; it

was a question of would she have the wheels. That was my only worry about it,” Guerrero said. Dawley certainly has the will and also the wheels, as she finished 44th out of 89 runners at the Mark Covert Classic in early September. “I’m just really thankful that I’m able to run and that I’m still able to be on this team,” Dawley said. “I love everything we do, and I love being here.” Guerrero called the race at Covert a really emotional time considering no one really knew if she would ever be able to run again. “A lot of people, Lacy, her [physical therapist] [...] came out just because it was the pinnacle of all this work and all of this time that people had put into her. It was really emotional, but it was fantastic,” Guerrero said. de Bondt thinks Dawley’s love for the sport is what brought her back. “To go through all of that and be back running, she clearly just loves the sport,” de Bondt said. “I don’t think a lot of people would do that after such an extreme injury or crisis in your life, to come back within a year and be back competing for LMU.” As for the future, Guerrero hopes Dawley will have some patience during her comeback and remember how she got here. “I think her challenge is to stop thinking about where it is that you really want to be and just focus on where you are and moving forward,” Guerrero said. “It’s kind of stepping back and taking that perspective; you couldn’t walk and then you were in a wheelchair and then you had to walk with some assistance and now you’re racing again. You can’t forget that journey.”

The Hart Beat Ryan Hartnett Sports Editor @rpchreport

t was a week of top performances accompanied by some close losses for the Lions. Two familiar faces make their way back onto the list this week as well as three new ones. Here are my top picks for LMU Top Athletes of the week: 5. Senior utility Cory McGee, men’s water polo LMUTA welcomes McGee to the list after he had a stellar performance against the University of La Verne. He scored four goals in the Lions’ 14-3 win on Saturday. He earned Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Newcomer of the Year back in 2013 before suffering an injury his sophomore year. Last season he scored 23 goals, and the Lions hope to continue to see strong performances from him for the rest of his senior year.

year. We expect to see a lot more appearances from her, as just last week she recorded 48 kills in three games. Her best performance was against Saint Mary’s College, where she recorded 17 kills with a .344 hitting percentage.

2. Junior outside hitter/ setter Sarah Sponcil, volleyball Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about Sponcil who recorded 49 kills over the past week in volleyball’s three games. Sponcil also recorded back-to-back-toback double-doubles last week. Her other favorite stat to run the numbers up in is digs. She had 40 digs on the week. Despite top performances from several players, the team went 1-2 on the week. They lost two tough games

3-2 against two top teams, the University of San Diego and the University of the Pacific.

1. Sophomore forward/ midfielder Sarina Bolden, women’s soccer Bolden is back, and this time she’s number one on the list. She earned West Coast Conference (WCC) Player of the Week after scoring two goals and two assists collectively in the Lions’ first two conference games of the year on the road. Both goals followed in similar fashion. She first recorded an assist and then immediately after scored a goal. This is the opinion of sophomore recording Fullerton, California. to @rpchreport, or theloyolan.com.

Ryan Hartnett, a arts major from Tweet comments email rhartnett@

4. Sophomore attacker Daniel Arellano, men’s water polo Piggybacking off water polo’s success on Saturday, Arellano made three of the 14 goals possible with his assists. The sophomore leads the WWPA league in assists this year with 31. The team follows up their light week of games last week with three this week. 3. Freshman outside hitter Savannah Slattery, volleyball Somehow, the freshman Slattery is finding her way onto the list for the first time this

Caroline Burt | Loyolan

Sarina Bolden earned WCC Player of the Week for women’s soccer.

SPORTS

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Head to head: Kaepernick’s stance Cam Bam! Cameron De Boer Staff Writer @LALoyolan

here do I begin with Colin Kaepernick? Well, in 2013 Kaepernick got his big break taking over for the injured Alex Smith, and I will admit, Kaepernick could play. It may have just been a fluke, but he ended the 2013 season with 3,197 passing yards, 21 touchdowns thrown and four rushing touchdowns. 2013 was a great year to be a 49er fan — until Super Bowl XLVII at least. The Ravens came into the game on a mission, and after four quarters and a short power outage, the Baltimore Ravens were crowned Super Bowl champions. This leads me to my next question: What happened to Colin Kaepernick? This past season, Kaepernick threw for just under 2,000 yards with a total of seven touchdowns which ended up costing him the starting position. With the new season underway, Kaepernick has managed to capture the nation’s attention once more, but not for his skills on the field. In the 49ers first preseason game, Kaepernick had the audacity to sit during the national anthem. When asked why he would not stand to pay respect to our flag and the men and women who have fought and bled for this country, Kaepernick said, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” While I respect every person’s right to protest, Kaepernick’s method is unacceptable. Too many people have fought and died to make this country free and beautiful, and it is because of those servicemen and women that Colin Kaepernick is allowed to make 19 million dollars a year. That sounds like a pretty great American opportunity to me. America is a land of opportunity where, with hard work and dedication, someone can make a name for themselves. We live in the land of the free because of the brave, and if you are not willing to honor a country that has given you so much opportunity, maybe you shouldn’t be playing football. Colin Kaepernick also decided to bring out his inner child and wear socks with pigs wearing police uniforms on them — seriously, how old are we, Kap? I guess it was not enough for Kaepernick to disrespect our armed forces, but now he has to poke fun at the police force. In an NFL interview, Kaepernick also accused police officers of being “placed on paid leave for murdering minorities.” While I am neither denying nor accepting

Kaepernick’s statements, he provided no factual evidence to support his claims. Kaepernick’s actions have not gone unnoticed. There are a number of police officers in the Bay Area who are also infuriated and hurt by Kaepernick’s actions. Keep in mind that these officers are responsible for a majority of the security at Levi’s Stadium, the home of the 49ers. In a letter addressed to Jed York of the San Francisco 49ers from the Santa Clara Police Officer’s Association (SCPOA), their board of directors stated that Kaepernick’s actions, “might result in police officers choosing not to work at your facilitates.” The SCPOA letter also asked for a response from the 49ers organization on how they plan to handle Kaepernick’s actions. Our men in uniform, whether they are military or police, put their lives on the line to

“...if you are not willing to honor a country that has given you so much opportunity, maybe you shouldn’t be playing football.” protect strangers every day. I grew up with a great sense of patriotism. I’ll never forget the feeling of standing for the national anthem before playing in a championship game — it gave me chills. When I look at the American flag, I see brave soldiers who put all American lives before their own, and to have those actions met with disrespect is just sad. This is the opinion of Cameron De Boer, a junior economics major from Irvine, California. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email rhartnett@theloyolan.com.

Victoria Beckham Victoria Arevalo Asst. Sports Editor @LoyolanSports

ince Super Bowl XLVII, Colin Kaepernick has pointed his attention towards himself one more time, except that this time it’s for a different reason. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has caused some turmoil among football fans and Americans regarding his new pre-game ritual during the national anthem. On Sept. 1 2016, the 49ers faced the San Diego Chargers for their fourth and final preseason game. That night, the Chargers honored the military, celebrating their “Salute to the Military” night at Qualcomm Stadium. During the game, spectators booed as Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem. Eric Reid, the 49ers’ safety, joined Kaepernick and kneeled next to him as a demonstration of support. Kaepernick shared that the reasoning behind his actions was to protest what he feels is racial injustice in America. “I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. [...] If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right,” Kaepernick told NFL Media. Anyone who is willing to lose everything they worked for just to make a statement should be respected. Kaepernick is using his voice and power as a professional NFL athlete to make a political statement regarding an extremely controversial issue — police brutality. His actions should not be punished; rather, they should be recognized. As Americans, we should be able to stand up for what we believe in. Is it really the land of the free if we cannot even express our opinions and concerns? His actions are not wrong or illegal. American citizens are not required to stand during the national anthem. According to Title 36 (Section 171) of the United States Code, “During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in [military] uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart,” the keyword here being “should.” Nowhere in the section does it specify that there are penalties for violating this. The code is not a law that must be obeyed. Rather, it is a set of standards used as a guide. Whether or not someone

stands up during the national anthem is up to them, as the First Amendment protects Americans’ freedom of speech and protest. Even President Barack Obama defended Kaepernick, saying it was his constitutional right to raise concerns about legitimate issues. “My understanding, at least, is he is exercising his constitutional right to make a statement,” Obama said. Kaepernick is not the only athlete who has commented on the issue. Tennis superstar Serena Williams also spoke up about police brutality recently. On her Facebook page, Williams shared a story about the fear she felt one day when her black nephew was driving her and a police officer passed nearby. Athletes all over the country have been taking a stand in support of racial equality for years now, but the most recent events of racial injustice have shook the nation. Still, these protests come at a cost. From death threats to loss of endorsements, athletes who are protesting have suffered the consequences from those who disagree with them. But still to this day, more and more athletes are joining the movement. “Overall, there have been at least 45 NFL players from 13 NFL teams that have knelt, sat or raised a fist during the national anthem on game day,” Lindsay Gibbs wrote in a ThinkProgress article titled “Tracking the Kaepernick Effect.” In addition, “fourteen WNBA players from three teams protested in the playoffs,” according to Gibbs. Athletes would not have to reach these extremes if we treated everyone equally. As unfortunate as it may be, black communities are treated poorly by society, and especially law enforcement. Though every cop is not the same, the truth is that there have been far too many incidents in which innocent black lives have been lost. It’s time to do something about it. Athletes are using their voice to be heard — to show support for their communities and to push for change. Though many see their actions as disrespectful and embarrassing, others see their actions as symbols of solidarity that let them know that they are not alone, and that they should keep fighting for what they believe in. At the end of the day, this is America, and as the free country that we are, we should be able to express ourselves freely. Kaepernick is empowering those who are being oppressed by our own society. And that, my friends, is definitely something to admire. This is the opinion of Victoria Arevalo, a freshman communication studies major from Los Angeles, California. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email rhartnett@theloyolan.com.

Cartoon by Cameron Woodard | Loyolan

SPORTS

SCORES UPDATE VOLLEYBALL

LION

3-2 L

at Pacific

SPORTS

W. SOCCER

3-0 W

at U. of Portland

CROSS COUNTRY Regional Preview

M. WPOLO

14-3 L

vs. La Verne

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LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | October 5, 2016 | laloyolan.com

No adversity can keep Dawley off her feet After undergoing spinal surgery and 15 months of recovery, Jillian Dawley is back. Michael Mariscal Asst. Sports Editor @LoyolanSports

Imagine waking up one morning and realizing you cannot get out of bed — not because you would rather get a couple more hours of sleep, but because you literally cannot move. That’s what happened to Jillian Dawley, a redshirt sophomore cross country runner, who woke up one Wednesday morning of 2015 unable to move. According to Dawley, it started exactly a week before when she woke up with slight back pain. “One Wednesday morning, I woke up with a little, tiny bit of back pain; just a tiny bit,” Dawley said. “I was like, ‘Oh, that’s weird.’ I thought I tweaked it squatting.” However, as the week carried on, Dawley began to realize the tiny back pain that she noticed Wednesday morning was turning out to be something much bigger. “I woke up exactly a week after, and I couldn’t walk at all. I couldn’t feel my legs,” Dawley said. “My roommate put my shoes down in front of me, and I fell down and I couldn’t get up.” Later that morning, Dawley was taken to the hospital to receive medical attention and figure out why she had lost function of her legs. Many hours, scans and observations later, doctors found a mass pressing against Dawley’s spine. “I developed a non-resistant staph infection in my back, and we don’t know

LIONBITES

how,” Dawley said. “Because of that infection, I developed an abscess and that was pressing on my spinal cord. Due to the spinal cord compression, I lost all neuromuscular control from T6 down.” Because the spine is such a sensitive and vital part of the body, Dawley had surgery the next day so doctors could remove the abscess. The human spine is made up of 33 individual bones stacked on top of each other to form the spinal column. There are four specific spinal column regions: the cervical vertebrae at the top, the thoracic vertebrae, the lumbar vertebrae and the sacral vertebrae at the bottom. In Dawley’s case, the abscess compressing her spinal cord caused her to lose function from the T6 vertebra of her thoracic vertebrae all the way down to the end of her vertebrae. Cross country Head Coach Scott Guerrero said Dawley’s back pain seemed to be innocuous at first, but after the pain exponentially increased within the span of a week, he knew it was a serious issue. From what he can recall, he believes Dawley even competed in a race during that week. “I’m pretty sure she actually ran a meet in the middle of that [week],” Guerrero said. “Obviously, the meet wasn’t awesome by any stretch, but she finished her race. I was just like, ‘Oh you know, everybody has bad races.’ But I have to say — I had no idea.” Guerrero explained that once Dawley lost control of her legs, everything happened so quickly. She had to be escorted by the Department of Public Safety to the training room where she was then taken to the hospital to undergo surgery the next day. “It was almost surreal. I mean really,” Guerrero said. “The team and everybody was very concerned because it went from something that really

via LMU Athletics

Jillian Dawley (23) finished 44th out of 89 runners in the Mark Covert Classic — cross country’s first tournament of this year. This was her first race back since 2014. seemed like, ‘Oh whatever, it’s gonna pass’ to, ‘Oh my god, something is really, really wrong.’” While Guerrero and the cross country team were worried about Dawley’s well-being, she handled the news well, even expressing to her mother that she should be back to running in no time. “I remember talking to my mom on the phone right before the surgery, and she was freaking out,” Dawley said. “I was like, ‘Mom, it’s fine. I’m gonna get this mass out, and I’ll be running in three days. It’s fine.’” That was not the case for Dawley, as she was still unable to walk after her surgery. However, that did not affect her determination to get back to running.

“I thought, ‘Oh, I’ll be running in two weeks. I’ll be running by summer.’ That wasn’t the case. I was just really focused on when I could be running again,” Dawley said. Dawley’s recovery process took about 15 months, with it taking her about two months to get back on her feet. “I had to relearn everything,” Dawley said. “It was just weird because I remember my physical therapist in the hospital saying, ‘You’ll get this. Walking is a natural motion.’ But I’m like, ‘Then why does it not feel natural?’” Although the recovery process became frustrating at times, Dawley’s determination and strong support system kept her going. See Jillian Dawley | Page 18

Water Polo defeats La Verne 14-3

WOMEN’S SOCCER The Lions hit the road this past weekend to kick off West Coast Conference (WCC) play with two games in the Pacific Northwest. The Lions got on the board first against Gonzaga University, scoring two goals in the first half. The Bulldogs cut the lead in half in the second, but the Lions roared back, scoring their third goal of the game to defeat Gonzaga 3-1. The Lions then traveled to the University of Portland on Sunday to take on the Pilots, and they stayed hot, shutting out Portland 3-0.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL The Lions continued WCC play against Saint Mary’s College, defeating the Gaels in four sets. Junior outside hitter/setter Sarah Sponcil and freshman outside hitter Savannah Slattery set the pace for the match, as Sponcil recorded a double-double and Slattery smashed 17 kills. The Lions then took on the University of the Pacific to close out the week, but after five grueling sets, the Tigers walked away victorious. The Lions put together a team effort that featured 63 kills and seven aces, but the Tigers ultimately pulled away, continuing their success against LMU.

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Anastasia Larina | Loyolan

Men’s water polo won big over the weekend in conference game against the University of La Verne. The team now stits at 1-1 in the WWPA.