Los Angeles Loyolan December 2nd 2015 (Race Issue)

W W W. L A L O Y O L A N . C O M

Special Report on R ACE Note from the Editors: At colleges and universities across the country, student activists in recent weeks have brought attention to the injustices faced by people of color.

For some people on the Bluff, this movement comes as no surprise, nor are its concerns unfamiliar. As ASLMU Chair of University Affairs and senior political science major Ugonma Nwankwo told the Loyolan, “It was really only a matter of time.” LMU’s position in the greater context of race in America is the focus of this special report. At the Loyolan, our role is to illuminate these voices on campus – the voices that need to be heard. With that in mind, we took particular care to reach out to the entire community and reflect the views of a diverse interview pool. Turn to page 2 for a sampling of what we found.

INSIDE VOICES ON RACE: When it comes to race, the LMU community has a lot to say.

Page 2 A HISTORY OF BLACKFACE IN THE MEDIA: Demeaning depictions of people of color have plagued society and the arts for centuries. Page 3 THIS IS A LOVE SONG: A contributor shares an essay about the need to meet at the intersection of race and gender issues. Page 3 LMU STANDS WITH STUDENTS OF COLOR: Student demonstrators held a rally on campus in November. Page 4 ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE PROTEST: Every successful activist movement shares a few key components. Does this one fit the bill? Page 4 EDITORIAL: In the supposedly sheltered confines of LMU, talking about race is as relevant as ever. Page 9

For videos and more stories, like the Los Angeles Loyolan on Facebook and visit laloyolan.com.

Los Angeles LOYOLAN The

EST. 1921

RTS A +

SP

E. OM .

H ICE UR YO R VO S. W U YO R NE U YO

LIF E

De ce

er 2, 2015 mb

Find out more about KXLU’s history – it might be more surprising than you think.

TS OR

Here’s what Sports Intern Tim De Vries has to say about Bryant’s retirement.

Page 13

Page 19

V O LU M E

94

| ISSUE

13

Blackface image removed from wall The Bias Incident Response Team has covered an image depicting blackface in the centennial mural in Malone.

Amanda Lopez News Editor

@AmandaLo_

LMU’s stances on racism and diversity were called into question several weeks ago when students discovered an image depicting blackface in the centennial mural located on the first floor of the Malone Student Center. According to Brad Stone, chair of the African American studies department and philosophy professor, he had brought the image to the University’s attention several times over the last year, but it was never addressed until now.

“I’d like for us to become an institution where we’re proactive instead of reactive on these kinds of things. For a whole year, I argued about this picture,” said Stone.

“I’m not so worried much that there was blackface at that time, the catch is that that mural is relatively new … This is a recent composition. It’d be different if this was a mural made at that time, but it’s not.”

Along with Stone, members of the LMU community wondered: If the mural was supposed to be a celebration of LMU’s legacy, why was this image a part of it, and what did it mean?

The University and the Bias Information Response Team (BIRT) took action after a student reported the image to ASLMU Chair of University Affairs, Ugonma Nwankwo, a few weeks ago. On Monday, Nov. 16, University Communications released a statement that BIRT reviewed the image and “painted over the affected portion of the artwork and posted a community notice on the mural as an interim measure” on Nov. 15.

BIRT, established in 2005, is responsible for investigating and communicating any bias-related incidents that occur at

Emilia Shelton | Loyolan

The community notice above was posted on Nov. 15 afterthe image was reported by students. school. In 2004, former LMU President Robert B. Lawton assembled a task force to determine whether racial discrimination existed in any aspects of the campus, and how the University could handle these kinds of issues properly. Thus, BIRT was created. It is now co-chaired by Dr. Lane Bove, senior vice president of student affairs, and Michael O’Sullivan, vice provost for academic affairs.

Bove explained how BIRT is only one aspect of the initiatives taken over the years to create a more diverse environment at LMU. “While mistakes have gotten made over the years regarding these complex and dynamic issues, the mistakes were made not out of malice, but because it is a human process wrought with imperfection. It is my view, that, at LMU, we come to these issues of diversity, equity and inclusions with the best of intentions,” she said.

While some students and faculty saw BIRT’s actions as a success, others were

still left with unanswered questions.

The centennial mural was created

by Sydney A. Banta (‘12) in April 2012, following the University’s centennial celebration in 2011.

President Timothy Law Snyder worked closely with BIRT and the administration.

He discussed how LMU’s commitment to diversity and inclusion heavily influenced the decision to cover the image.

“One alumnus disagreed with it, claiming that covering the image disregarded its historical and social significance and was not fair to the individual depicted. I responded that flags, images and words can take on divisive or offensive messages and meanings over time,” Snyder said.

From Snyder’s point of view, the University’s decision not to comment on the individual in the image does not change the fact that it was offensive.

“Much of campus controversy over See Blackface | Page 5

Soccer finishes Campus safety best season ever bill stirs debate Greek organizations around the country have expressed their opposition to the act.

Karis Addo-Quaye Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

Josh Kuroda | Loyolan

LMU women’s soccer’s historic run came to an end as the Lions were beat 5-2 in the sweet 16 by West Virginia University on Sunday. Jill Farley (2), Callie Taylor (27), Morgan Hilby and the rest of the team won against UC Berkeley and University of Minnesota to become the final remaining West Coast Conference team in the tournament before losing against the Mountaineers. Finishing off this season with a 15-6-1 record, the Lions have reason to be proud. For more, check out laloyolan.com/sports.

The North American Interfraternity Conference and the National Panhellenic Conference recently withdrew their support for the Safe Campus Act (H.R. Bill 3403).

If passed, this heavily debated piece of legislation would require victims to report sexual assault claims to law enforcement before granting campus administration the right to act beyond interim measures. The goal is to effectively limit the punitive actions the college or university could take against the accused individuals.

The bill emerged from the growing fervor with which colleges and universities nationwide, alongside a variety of interest groups and affiliated organizations, sought a solution to best address and resolve the alarmingly frequent occurrence of sexual assault among their students. The bill has met a lot of controversy since its introduction

to Congress this past July by Representatives Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Kay Granger (R-TX).

Proponents for the Safe Campus Act claim it will enable a fairer, more reliable commitment to the due process of law. They also say it will benefit the accused by limiting the possibility of a false report. The alleged victims of sexual assault and interpersonal misconduct cases will also benefit, as mishandling of justice will be prevented by their college or university’s administration.

One such supporter is the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) whose core mission is “to defend and sustain individual rights at America’s colleges and universities.” They have asserted that because universities have historically proved themselves to be incompetent in justly handling such cases, the act would do victims a service by removing universities from the equation. It would require “allegations of sexual assault [to] be investigated by impartial, trained law enforcement officers with the necessary skill and expertise to reach just conclusions, and the punitive power to hold those convicted accountable to the victim and society.”

See Safety | Page 5

SPECIAL

laloyolan.com

Page 2 “I am pleased that, rather than issue a list of demands, our “Itʼs a systematic and institutional form of students have taken a smarter approach and are, I am told, oppression and a lot of people donʼt fully developing a list of goals. That is productive because it allows us to bond our ideas and experience in ways that bring about understand what that means because either theyʼre sustainable solutions that affect not just ourselves, but wider not faced in that same situation or they think that society, rather than land on quick fixes that allow us to go home all peoples are equal, which they should be, but and feel like we did some good. ” thatʼs just not the order of things.” – Rosie – Timothy Law Snyder, LMU President Nketiah, senior political science major “I was with two of my friends and we were

walking at night going back to my dorm, and these two guys walking past us made a comment to us: ‘are you guys going to the ping pong party?’ and at first I didn’t think much of it, but shortly after I just realized since we were all Asian, they were referring to our race.”

– Jordan Au, sophomore accounting major “It’s kind of like an inconvenience that you can’t get rid of. I mean, there’s a difference… it wasn’t even done in a joking or friendly manner. It’s more or less basically they wanted to be jerks to someone.”

– Chris Lorenzo, sophomore physics major “I love having dialogues about race, especially when I feel like my voice doesn't matter.” – Emily Cahn, senior sociology major

“It’s culturally constructed, and I think not too many people realize that biologically we’re all the same “race.”.... Race is not about how we look, it’s about how we attach meaning to how we look.”

– Mary Talusan, professor of music

“I believe, as being a Caucasian female, that many people dress up as ‘white’ characters, basic white girls, Oktoberfest outfits, etc., yet don’t expect me to find offense to it.”

– Jade Kaiser, freshman Theatre Arts major “I feel that when we take a social “I cannot say that I am shocked by the recent events stance and realize our powers as occurring on campuses across the nation. It was students and as people, we really “LMU ... lacks diversity, have the power to impact and really only a matter of time. In his famous Letter change lives for many who still face and I personally think From Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King states; that hinders education systematic discrimination in about race and the ‘There comes a time when the cup of endurance America.” – Darwin Chavez, many different issues runs over, and men are no longer willing to be freshman communication studies that people of color major plunged into the abyss of despair.’ I think that time face daily.” – Kristyn is now. The time to address the racial injustices, “Everyone puts their shorts on Porter, sophomore the same way. ... Athletics gets English major which shapes the college experiences of so many rid of a lot of stereotypes in a people, is now. The time for justice is now.”

“Not every police officer is racist. The ones that are do deserve to be punished.

That's really all I know.”–Paulina Tremble, freshman studio arts major

– Ugonma Nwankwo, ASLMU’s director of university affairs

“I am glad there is a space to have this dialogue and connect with students.” – MariaCarolina Gomez, Junior English and philosophy double major

hurry. It doesn’t cleanse it completely of course, but I think it enhances a person’s perspective.” – Mike Dunlap, LMU men’s basketball head coach

“The end goal, in case you’re curious, would be an intellectual environment where a person of any background would have an education that shows them, in the fullest complexity, things that currently plague us, and upon seeing our problems in full complexity, begin to imagine the solutions to those problems.”

– Brad Stone, chair of the department of African American studies

“It’s always on my mind how to reach out to different students, to hopefully inspire their commitment to a more just and equal society, just for everyone to succeed on their own merits.

That’s the most important thing to me.” – Mary Talusan, professor of music

LMU’s voices on race “White privilege is more real than any of us truly realize and it is imperative that we each understand the unfairness of this privilege and work to change it.” – Zachary Williams, sophomore psychology major

“I cannot make a declaration as to what I see as the biggest racial divide on LMU’s campus. What may be the biggest divide for me, may not be the biggest divide for someone else. The last thing I would want to do is to minimize the racialized experiences of another person of color.” – Ugonma Nwankwo, ASLMU’s director of university affairs

“There has to be some room for personal expression, and I feel like Halloween is a good time for that. … Political correctness is getting a little authoritarian.”

–Zachary Hayes, junior political science major, president of LMU College Republicans

1,086 undergraduate students were surveyed. how much ethnic and minority support should LMU provide?

“I am about to have every single public safety officer and staff member go through a 4-hour class in cultural competency starting in December.”

– Hampton Cantrell, Chief of Department of Public Safety

almost

24%

70%

5%

more support

adequate support

less support

LMU’s community should be more diverse.

“Most campuses, like UCLA, as of late, had to deal with students wearing blackface to portray black characters.

And everyone should know now that that’s kind of silly.

If you want to go to a party as Beyonce, you can just go.”

– Brad Stone, chair of the department of African American studies

“It is not a distant problem, It’s a daily reality that permeates every aspect of our society and must be stopped.” – Hiranmayi Srinivasan, sophomore communication studies major

“My friend went to a lecture for her Chicano Studies class, and LMU students spoke in defense of LMU and the opportunities they’ve gained from being accepted at this school. Their high school grades were superb and they were accepted to top schools such as Stanford, USC, etc; however, they were eventually declined because they were undocumented. LMU was the only school that continued their acceptance. ” – Sabrina O’Reilly, sophomore English major

75%

25% disagree

agree

Do students attend multicultural events at LMU?

18% frequently attend

46% occasionally attend

“It's not overt racism, but microaggressions that contribute to the way people of color are viewed by others. If someone has never been around many Mexicans before and their only exposure to the culture are caricatures of the people (like costumes depicting Mariachis, migrant workers, or the Tapatio Hot Sauce guy), then they're going to have an extremely skewed idea of what Mexican people are like. ” – Alyson Aguerrebere, senior political science major “Conveying those stereotypes through clothing and through costumes on a college campus is just not okay.”

– Fassa Sar, sophomore political science major, president of LMU College Democrats

35% never attend

“There’s no white privilege, just white

“We asked students how they might approach dialogue about race. We reached “The excuse that life complicity. If white people have privilege, they consensus that a most productive first step would be to broaden sensitivity training — have the privilege on whether to be complicit on the bluff is a especially as concerns awareness of microaggressions. The student groups present also with white supremacy.” – Brad Stone, chair of bubble is wholly the department of African American studies felt that productive, timely dialogue between themselves would be helpful. We are unacceptable.”

– Mekleit Dix, sophomore English major, ASLMU’s director of intercultural affairs

presently looking into how we might effect changes based on these opinions.”

– Timothy Law Snyder, LMU President

“A lot of students at LMU may not be aware of these issues and unless it is brought to their attention they are unlikely to do anything and spur the administration to action.” – Alyson Aguerrebere, senior political science major

“I want LMU students to know that many of the events happening at Missouri were also happening at LMU. Following the non-indictment in the Michael Brown trial, students on LMU's Yik Yak threatened to kill us, called us apes, and warned people to stay away from us.

‘Black Lives Matter’ is an inclusive space, and they are trying to hold folks accountable for state-sanctioned violence.” – Nicole Powell, senior communication studies major

“People expect things out of me that “Every time I teach the they wouldn’t expect out of someone of a ["Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination"] course, I am different skin color.” – Morris Cheeks, reminded of the many privileges I freshman economics am afforded by being a white, and African American cisgender, upper middle-class studies major American.” – Nora Murphy, associate professor of psychology

Compiled by Michael Busse; reporting by Karis Addo-Quaye, Gilian Boss, Elliot Britt, Julia Campion, Kevin Chan, Jackie Galvez, Matt Gaydos, Sarah Litz, Eric Lee, Amanda Lopez, Sydney Majd, Olivia Round, Anna sugiura, Jack Sullivan and Ali Swenson; statistics from 2014 LMU Climate Survey;Graphic by Xian Wong |Loyolan

REPORT Racial ridicule in the media pervades history

Page 3

Main Mang Kelsey Mangan Life+Arts Editor

I

@kmaaaan_

n tumultuous times like these, we realize how embedded racism is in day-to-day American life — even in beloved institutions such as entertainment. Representations of the black community have long been fraught with prejudice.

Lately, this has hit home at LMU. Blackface is the central depiction of misrepresentation of minorities in American entertainment. At its very core, it is a demeaning expression of white supremacy. On Nov. 16, students learned over email that there was an image of blackface in the Malone Student Center — and that it had been there for three years.

Among celebratory photos of LMU’s history sat a photo of what appeared to be a school theatre production, with one man in blackface. When they became aware of the photo, LMU’s Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) took action and painted over the image.

Douglas Christie, a professor of theological studies, was involved in the discussions between BIRT and members of the student body about the blackface picture on the mural.

“When there is an incident like the blackface mural at LMU, it touches into this larger pattern of historical violence against African Americans,” said Christie. “No doubt it reflects a convention of its time. .... And one could even argue that it has ‘historical value,’ and can help us understand both what kind of place LMU was back then, and what kind of place we want to be now. Perhaps. But the presence of this image as part of a mural representing ‘LMU life,’ displayed without any self-awareness of what it might mean in the present

historical context, remains deeply problematic.”

There is no specific known origin for blackface minstrelsy. However, depictions of blackness for the enjoyment of white audiences can be found in history as far back as Elizabethan times, rising in popularity in America in the early 1830s as traveling entertainment.

As a type of musical theatre, performed by white actors, minstrelsy exaggerated and ridiculed the dismal circumstances of African Americans at that time, and perpetuated stereotypes. Worst of all was the actual blackface. White actors wore shabby clothes and painted their faces with burnt cork or black grease. Lips were exaggerated to be huge with red paint.

Perhaps the most famous of these stereotypical characters was the Jim Crow character. White comic actor Thomas D. Rice introduced the song “Jump Jim Crow” into his stage act, along with a wild, ridiculous dance.

The character became wildly popular, and Rice became one of the first of many performers to profit off of black stereotypes.

These performances endured throughout the Reconstruction period, reinforcing prejudice against African Americans both during and after slavery. Minstrel shows were the most popular forms of entertainment in America from 1840 to 1890.

But their impact didn’t stop there.

The effect of minstrel shows are still felt in all aspects of the entertainment industry.

Blackface minstrelsy — Jim Crow, Uncle Tom, Mammy, Pickaninny — became popular particularly because it allowed white culture to keep a firm hand on the representation and self-identification of the black community. Blackface became a tool of oppression, prejudice and misrepresentation for the black population.

Instead of black concerns and injustice being heard, white people — the

people who, for so long, have held social and legal supremacy over minorities — were allowed to systematically oppress black people in a widely accepted format: entertainment.

The historical context shows why blackface is so unacceptable today.

In my classes at LMU, many students argued that the response to the image of blackface was an overreaction.

Yet, we can’t ignore that blackface is a manifestation of deep-seated aggression towards African Ameri-

Matt Gaydos | Loyolan

Depictions of blackface, like the one removed from LMU’s centennial mural (above), have a long history of misrepresenting people of color. cans. Dismissing blackface as “not a big deal” is to say that hundreds of years of oppression are nothing but memories today. Recent events both on college campuses and in entertainment have shown that black oppression is alive, and it is obvious that its roots are firm in America’s cultural memory. “[The mural] has the capacity to touch into and open up all over again that old wound. Not only the image itself, but the fact that it could be allowed to stand uncommented upon at LMU in the year 2015.” Christie said. “This is hardly consistent with the mission of LMU and its stated commitment to the service of faith and promotion of justice.“ Assistant Director of Student Media Ashanti Blaze-Hopkins regaled

her own experiences of established racism in the news-entertainment industry as an on-air reporter, but expressed optimism and a plan for the future.

“We do have a problem with race in this country, and I don’t necessarily think that we talk about it enough.

I think if we were more honest about the conversations we have … to me, just opening up a dialogue is so important in moving forward,” BlazeHopkins said.

Hollywood — in LMU’s own backyard — has a long way to go before it recovers from the prejudiced origins that allowed blackface to blossom in the first place. The most recent Actress Roundtable cover of The Hollywood Reporter (THR) — an issue that encourages conversation between the current female Oscar contenders — caused uproar with its exclusively white cast. THR addressed the problem itself in an article written by Stephen Galloway with the subtitle, “The awful truth is that there are no minority actresses in genuine contention for an Oscar this year.” Galloway writes that it is disappointing to see the industry has not embraced black films or actresses. Yet it is this passive attitude that perpetuates the lack of diversity in Hollywood. It is no longer enough to just recognize the problem.

Casting in school theatre productions poses its own challenges of making sure roles intended for someone of a certain race are respected, according to theatre arts professor Dana Resnick.

“We start going down a slippery slope with the history of theatre of America that began in original musical was minstrel — that’s the roots of musical theatre,” Resnick said. “So we can start saying colorblind, what if we make everyone look the same, there are artistic liberties we can take.

But it’s tricky… ‘Cause I don’t want people putting rules on my art.’ And at the same time there are real issues

in our world that as theatre artists, I believe, is our responsibility to address and engage in the conversation – not ignore it – or whitewash it.”

One way to become more educated on the issue of misrepresentation within entertainment is to read and watch as much as you can. BlazeHopkins recommended two movies in particular that inform their viewers of cultural biases.

First, she recommended Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled,” a satirical film about a modern-day televised minstrel show including black actors wearing blackface makeup. She also recommends a recent film produced

by LMU alumna Effie Brown, “Dear White People.” The film follows a group of black students as they navigate the intersection of race and campus life at their predominantly white Ivy League college.

“It really is a great commentary on what’s going on on college campuses in regard to race. I think it goes back to the issue of, you don’t really have a dialogue about it until something happens,” Blaze-Hopkins said. The climax of the film is a racially-offensive frat party. “We need to have a broader dialogue about these issues before something happens, not as a reaction to something happening.”

It is everyone’s responsibility to take charge of the cultural misinformation that can be spread through art and entertainment. Entertainment can’t be a reflection or interpretation of real life if it continues to be a white-dominated industry. If we don’t push for change, we allow historically offensive establishments like blackface to prevail. At LMU, we must ensure that we continue to confront and work to change microaggressions and oppression — in entertainment and all over campus.

This is the opinion of Kelsey Mangan, a junior English major from San Jose, California. Tweet comments to @kmaaaan_ or email kmangan@theloyolan.com.

Black liberation must intersect with gender Positively Powell Nicole Powell Contributor

@LALoyolan

“B

lack girls, like black boys, scar; black women, like black men, scar; and national negligence and community lack of love is not concerned about healing those scars.” — Kiese Laymon (professor at Vassar College).

This is a love song. For Aiyana Jones.

I was sitting in my grandmother’s living room when I heard her story: The 7-year-old girl was shot in her sleep by the police.

The painful feelings I felt were hard to absorb – a mixture of confusion and hopelessness. How and why was this little girl’s life taken? How and why did no one care?

These pains became deep during the vigil my University hosted for the unarmed black men killed by state-sanctioned violence. The evening never once mentioned the women, girls, trans and gender non-conforming individuals who were not privileged enough to be mourned in this short ceremony.

And deeper still, when I tried to convince a professor of the need to rally in support of the women and girls taken by the state, the

professor retorted, “Police violence doesn’t impact black women; the black community isn’t patriarchal and we needn’t divide ourselves by trying to prove otherwise.”

But my life requires that I prove otherwise.

To my uncles, my cousins, my father, my grandfather and love interests: I have consistently had to assert my existence in conversations that seek to deny my humanity. And still, I find my voice being drowned out under the guise of universitysponsored black brotherhood and male achievement programs — programs that insist I am supported enough, I am strong enough, I can do this alone.

But I can’t, and no one can.

This is a love song. For Beza Fekade.

Beza Fekade is a firstgeneration Ethiopian American who continuously fights against silencing and exclusion as a black woman student activist. She is currently a member of Espérer Service Organization, an oncampus group that works to bring awareness to the issues of human trafficking of young women in the Los Angeles area. Fekade is also a leader in the Students United for Black Liberation at LMU. “This school needs to work on centering intersectional experiences, whether it be female, trans, sexual orientation — and that includes women of color. I feel that

we get very little recognition on campus,” Fekade said.

Despite her leadership positions, Fekade still faces barriers within the hierarchy of LMU’s black community.

She explained, “Exclusion ... is the status quo for people like me. It’s an interesting experience because when you go to these spaces where they may say they are for everyone, you can see that it’s excluding your own personal intersection.”

Even outside of the larger community, in movements like Black Lives Matter, Fekade suggests, “There has been some progression in changing the rhetoric in how we discuss Black Lives Matter … but I feel like the movement for the [most] part has always been about what the media has said [is] going on, so involving Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and Michael Brown. But as far as what media shows it’s basically a reflection of that.”

Fekade’s concerns are valid, especially with conversations on racial justice urging individuals to exert all their energies towards the protection of black men.

In a The Root article titled “Here’s Why More Attention Needs to Focus on Black Men,” Charles D. Ellison suggests, “It’s not unfair to suggest that black men deserve greater focus. And not just because they are men. Because what they are going through is putting an entire community into some really

Kevin Chan | Loyolan

The conversation surrounding intersectionality brings to light to the lack of acknowledgement of minority women. existential trouble that we can’t risk ignoring in order to have a gender debate. It’s as if we see that an asteroid will hit Earth, but we’re still busy squabbling over what to name it.”

But black women already face an existential trouble, and this perspective has already been named — scholars, writers and activists have coined the term misogynoir to refer to sexism that is directed towards black women.

This is a love song. For Ayana Tabourn.

Ayana Tabourn, a black journalist from Philadelphia and a student at Saint Joseph’s University, has lived through misogynoir. Tabourn, a 5-foot-3-inch brown-skinned

African-American woman, was incensed when describing the racially-based sexism she has experienced in her city.

“Recently I had a conversation with a group of young men about accepting compliments from strangers, and very quickly I noticed that they were very disagreeable,” Tabourn said. “They told me I should be grateful for their compliments, since black women don’t get them often.”

These men insisted that Tabourn’s supposed undesirability stems from her blackness.

Still, she sees a pushback against these ideals, especially in the Black See Love Song | Page 9

SPECIAL REPORT Students stand in solidarity with Mizzou .

ME HO E. IC UR YO R VO S. W U YO R NE U YO

laloyolan.com Page 4

A rally last month on Regents Terrace brought the community together.

Karis Addo-Quaye Assistant News Editor @LALoyolan

Students dressed in black rallied at Regents Terrace Wednesday, Nov. 18, to support students of color at Mizzou and many other universities across the nation who are facing racism and injustices on campus.

The midday event, which began with a recital of the National

Black Anthem, was not only meant to show solidarity for students of color at the University of Missouri, but also to recognize that “subtle racism is still racism … [and] microaggressions matter,” according to one of the speakers, sophomore economics and political science double major Kiana Tyra Gums.

Emma Rose Hardy, a junior philosophy and psychology double major, also spoke up about the lack of white students in the crowd compared to the larger proportion of white students on campus.

“Saying we’re standing in solidarity isn’t really true. We like to think everything is fine because it’s fine for all of us [white students],” said Hardy about the reluctance

Michael Busse | Loyolan

Students chanting “We must love and protect one another” could be heard from the the Malone Student Center during the Nov. 18 protest.

of white students to participate in such events. However, she added, white students can’t feign ignorance when students of color are speaking up.

Assistant Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts Dr. Elaine Patricia Walker considered the rally an effective means of giving students a platform to voice and discuss their concerns and to create a sense of solidarity. She did, however, feel strongly that those students who hold different, even opposing, views could and should have contributed to the conversation as well.

“What would’ve been great,” she remarked, “is if instead of being anonymous, they would have joined the dialogue and stood up and said, ‘This is why I disagree with rallies or this particular topic of the discussion of ethnicity, difference and empowerment.’ ... If you really feel strongly and you have something to say that is constructive and that might even inform the movement, come out and speak publicly about it.” Walker added, “There is space for your dissent as well. We need to hear you.”

Senior political science major Armani Gates, one of the event’s coordinators, described the discomfort-turned-anger he felt growing up and at LMU while being “black in a white space.” “Diversity isn’t just a bumper sticker on a car or a page on a website,” he said while asking for inclusion of all students on campus. “Asian, Chicano/a, and black [students]

have something to contribute [to LMU]. ... I don’t want to be black in a white space. I want to be Armani in a space that’s inclusive of everybody.”

Gates explained that while people’s socialization and lack of interaction with black people or people of color might not have been necessarily up to them growing up, the diversity within a college environment can be the bridge for such students to “find that shared point of connection” that surpasses stereotypes and assumptions of other people’s personalities.

“It’s important,” said Gates, “because I think we have a very colorblind campus. We’re very isolated on the Bluff here, and a lot of people don’t think there’s a lot of racial issues that go on. They don’t realize that students of color here do feel differently and are sometimes not included in spaces, whether that’s the events on campus or things put on by the university. ... Sometimes our input and our voices are going unheard.” He felt the student population, which is approximately 49 percent white according to Forbes, is the voice being heard the majority of the time.

“To be quite honest,” Gates said on the topic of representation on campus, “[the Loyolan’s coverage does] not reach out to a lot of events that are important to students of color. Those events don’t make the front page. The only things that make front page about students of color is the basketball team. The [White House Summit on Educa-

tion Excellence for African Americans] was going on, and that was the biggest event on campus that day. It was planned through the White House. That event didn’t even get front page; no one covered it. The provost was there, the dean of students was there, everybody was there and the Loyolan should’ve been covering that.”

“The statement that the Loyolan only covers students of color on the front page when the story pertains to the basketball team is unfounded,” said Ali Swenson, the Loyolan’s editor-in-chief, when asked for comment. “But if that is the perception of the Loyolan on our campus, we have a lot of hard work to do in seeing what is affecting our students and covering it both substantially and thoughtfully.”

Gates added, “The narrative of people of color is important on this campus and can add to the university as a whole. Why go to a school where there’s all different types of people? So that you can learn something from each individual, and that can serve you later in life.

College can be that bridge of socialization.”

Gates went on to address the two steps he felt would help facilitate change at LMU: calling upon the University to make the campus more diverse and inclusive as well as encouraging students to be more aware and actively engaged by associating themselves with these events and with students of color.

Read the full version of this article at www.laloyolan.com.

success of the movement cannot be denied.

“I think intent and purpose must be clearly defined and its important to get the word out in any ways that one can. I think coming together is powerful,” Battaglia said. “If no one comes, covers it or cares, it becomes trite. If it becomes a have-to instead of a need or want-to, we become jaded [it becomes unsuccessful].”

Protests can also become unsuccessful if a movement loses its central message or becomes hijacked by individuals who do not share the same values. Black Lives Matter runs with the intent of peaceful protest.

However, time and time again, the movement seems to be marred by some violent acts that diminishes its message, with one of the most recent incidents taking place at Dartmouth University last month. Protesters stormed into the library to begin their protest, but quickly resorted to physically restraining students from leaving, shoving them around and forcing them up against a wall.

Black Lives Matter leaders quickly spoke out against the Dartmouth protest. A more extreme measure can be seen in the riots that broke out in Ferguson, Missouri, after the decision in the Michael Brown case became public. With protestors burning their own cities down, the movement seemed disorganized when they were fighting for peace and safety.

“I think we need marches. I think we need protests. I support those,” Dunlap said. “But, I do not support the violence part of it in any way, shape or form.”

The Baltimore protests following the death of Freddie Gray are another example. Overall, the protests were peaceful and Baltimore citizens even called out to each other to be peaceful and to represent their city well. However, small instances of violence completely overshadowed these peaceful protests. While I

was abroad, the Baltimore protests were all over the international news stations, and the scenes of violence were not helping the movement’s case. The violence caused the National Guard to be called in, put the police on the defensive and resulted in a set curfew.

“The critical factor is ‘us versus them,’ which is often found in law enforcement training both in prisons and out of them,” Brian Miller, an adjunct communication studies professor, said. “If there is community trust between law enforcement and the community in which they police, there is unlikely to be this type of discord. If there is community trust there should be no need to call in the National Guard who arrive in tanks or tank-like Humvees.”

The movement is too important for these trip ups to slow down the momentum that it has already built up. Though there has been some mistakes along the way, it is necessary to keep the focus on the big picture.

“The movement’s not discrediting that all lives matter, but it’s just specifying or honing in on a particular issue that’s not

addressed not even just on campus but even nationwide, worldwide,” Rosie Nketiah, a senior political science major, said. “[There’s] systematic and institutional form of oppression and a lot of people don’t fully understand what that means because either they’re not faced in that same situation or they think that all peoples are equal, which they should be, but that’s just not the order of things.”

The LMU community can learn from what the Black Lives Matter movement has done right and has gone wrong. Those who support the movement have noticed injustice and taken a stand. Lions can do the same and voice their opinion on what is wrong on campus, in Los Angeles, in America or in the world.

However, they need to keep in mind that they must remain focused on the end goal and not lose sight of why they began to protest. By doing that, LMU students can truly be the change they want to see in the world.

National movements can lead our campus Sully Speaks Jack Sullivan Sports Editor

@LoyolanSports

L

MU is an amazing place to go to college. It is constantly voted as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country and many of its programs are ranked among the best in their disciplines.

However, not everything is perfect here. Just like the rest of the world, we have to face issues dealing with gender, class and race, but people rarely talk about these problems.

Part of it has to deal with the seclusion we have from the outside world on the Bluff.

“I believe that protests do not occur more frequently at LMU because we feel scared. We feel protected, on our ‘bubble on a bluff,’” Judy Battaglia, communication studies professor, said. “If we protest, we are making ourselves vulnerable. It means we are not invincible. We can more easily say, ‘we stand in solidarity,’ and shake our heads sadly, feel deeply, but because we are in L.A., and we recognize our privilege, we believe, somehow that these crimes are occurring in other places, to other people.”

What is most surprising about the lack of protests or unrest on campus is that LMU provides all the opportunity to do so. The University is not afraid of letting students speak their minds, as evidenced by the LMU Rally in Solidarity with Mizzou on Nov. 18, which President Timothy Law Snyder attended.

“I believe our culture here at LMU, since its inception, has been one of service, but less so of activism,” communication studies professor Nina Reich said.

“That said, the Jesuits have a long tradition of struggle for social

justice. I do believe that our culture is slowly changing, however, to more closely mirror our Jesuit tradition.

Activism, in the mainstream media, particularly after 9/11, became a dirty word. That, too, has begun to change.”

The LMU community can take notes from national movements on how to organize. The Black Lives Matter movement has been picking up steam over the last two years.

Though the shooting of Trayvon Martin intensified the uproar of race relations in America, it was the death of Eric Garner in New York in July 2014 that furthered the movement. Michael Brown’s death added even more momentum. The Black Lives Matter movement is at the forefront of all discussions on race in the United States.

Whether you personally believe in their message, think that it is simply unnecessary or that the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag should be changed to #AllLivesMatter, you cannot discount the impact that the movement has had on American culture over the past couple of years.

“First off, it was needed, and is needed, as seen by transgressions in terms of the events in New York, or in the South, or in California,” Mike Dunlap, head coach of the LMU men’s basketball team, said. “I think that we have a long way to go. … But I do think that they have had an impact and the media has picked up on that. Anything to get the word out, because we have a long way to go.”

The movement has been seen across many different mediums and on plenty of different platforms.

Organizers took over political rallies, such as Bernie Sanders’ August 2015 rally in Seattle, and even got notable politicians weighing in on the issue, such as Elizabeth Warren.

Celebrities like Samuel L. Jackson, Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar have also lent their support. The

This is the opinion of Jack Sullivan, a senior communication studies major from Las Vegas, Nevada. Tweet comments to @ LoyolanSports, or email editor@theloyolan. com.

Artemas Liu via Flickr Creative Commons

Protests nationwide can inform us as we seek real social change.

NEWS

laloyolan.com Page 5

Blackface image embedded in Malone mural sparks campus-wide controversy

Blackface from Page 1

racism these days pits racism versus freedom of expression.

In this case, we made no statement about the individual in blackface; we do not know who he was or what he was about,” he said. “But make no mistake about it: blackface is racist. We can neither tolerate, nor celebrate, nor honor it; it cannot be part of any display of LMU pride.”

While many people agree that blackface is racist, students, like senior political science major Rosie Nketiah, offered additional perspectives regarding the image.

Nketiah was aware of the image before it was brought to the University’s attention, but never saw the need to say something about it. While she does see how it could be taken as offensive, she does not necessarily believe that covering the face up will solve all problems.

“I don’t think it promotes, essentially, blackface or racism, but I could see how somebody else might look at that and think it’s bad. But I am just fearful of when we just clear things … we kind of wipe over history,” she said.

Stone shared his view that history expands far beyond a

single image.

“I don’t think we need to tear down the whole mural, we just need to find a different picture

to put there. We have to become mindful of the past, and that’s what history classes are for. It’s not about erasing the past, it’s

about atoning for the past,” he said.

Additional reporting by Editor-in-Chief Ali Swenson,

Asst. News Editor Karis AddoQuaye and Managing Editor Sarah Litz.

Information compiled by Ali Swenson | Loyolan; Graphic: Kevin Chan | Loyolan

Opponents of bill weigh in on heavy-handed restrictions to college administrative power Safety from Page 1

However, opponents of the bill have described its provisions as a problematic and ineffective means of respecting the dignity of and securing justice for the victims, who for a variety of personal reasons might be discouraged to report their assaults if law enforcement must be involved.

One Huffington Post article titled “28 Groups That Work With Rape Victims Think The Safe Campus Act Is Terrible” shared the many reservations and concerns of the opposing lawmakers, students, faculty and anti-assault and survivor groups, describing the legislation as “the conflation of the campus adjudication process and the criminal justice process.”

Alpha Phi’s International Board and Executive Office Staff released a statement as the first Greek organization to officially retract its support: “We believe our sisters who are survivors should have choices in how, when and to whom they go to for support or to report the crime ... We believe universities should remain accountable for the safety of their campuses, and should continue to raise the bar to ensure that they report and respond to crimes and keep students safe.”

LMU’s Alpha Chi Omega executive board member and sophomore communication studies major journalism minor Hiranmayi Srinivasan believes the Safe Campus Act is not as centered around rape survivors as it should be.

“Rape is very much an underreported crime,” she said.

“Placing restrictions on whom survivors can report to perpetuates the problem and is not sensitive to the needs of survivors. I was really

glad to see the NPC and sororities, including my own, take a stand and withdraw support from the act.

However I think there needs to be more awareness about it.”

In a letter to the co-sponsors of the proposed bill, the president of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence Monika Johnson-Hostler; the executive director of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault Annette Burrhus-Clay and the executive director of the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Allie Bones, all cited these concerns, highlighting the concern of exacerbating victim’s emotional trauma and limiting their realistic options to seek support or justice through other means.

The overall Greek system’s initial appraisal and lobbying efforts for the bill flipped when the NIC, “after listening to [their] member fraternities and partners,” officially withdrew its support to align with its uniting purpose to further legislation upon which fraternities, sororities, students and the general American public can agree.

Sophomore political science major and member of Delta Sigma Phi Andrew Gonzalez shared similar sentiments about legislators’ attempts to streamline the process, asserting that by obliging police involvement in resolving sexual assault cases, there’s a greater probability of further infringing upon victims’ comfort and security. “The fact that I don’t understand it very well should illustrate [LMU] hasn’t educated the students on it,” Gonzalez said.

According to TIME magazine, the White House threatened sanctions for colleges’ and universities’ failing to follow “reporting and

via Loyolan Archives

Alpha Phi was the first national Greek organization to officially withdraw its support for the Safe Campus Act. Pictured, LMU Alpha Phi members celebrate Bid Night. adjudication guidelines.” Over 100 colleges have come under federal investigations, numerous headlines have hit newspaper stands and the documentary film, “The Hunting Ground,” critiqued everyone from Greek life and athletes to the White House on their efforts against sexual assault crimes.

These are just the tip of the iceberg for the plethora of information, movements and debates surrounding this “[sexual assault] epidemic” as U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) described the problem of sexual misconduct seen

in so many college campuses.

Junior finance major Brittany Beery, a member of Pi Beta Phi, explained that “this act would allow someone who is being accused of sexual assault to continue with their education until convicted.

That would take years.”

Beery added, “education is a privilege, one that a university should have the option to withhold, particularly in the fact of such a disgusting crime.”

While LMU itself has not yet taken an official stance for or against the Safe Campus Act,

Chief Hampton N. Cantrell from the Department of Public Safety is a member of the board of the California College and University Police Chief’s Association (CCUPCA) which has opposed the legislation. They object to the requirement for students to report sexual assault to law enforcement before campus investigation can be undertaken, and according to Cantrell, this policy “limits the options available to victims and may have a chilling effect on the reporting of sexual assault on campuses.”

NEWS

laloyolan.com Page 6

5

BURNING QUESTIONS

This issue, News Intern Sydney Majd Thisdown issue,with Managing sat senior Editor Dan Raffety marketing major sits down with Head Alyssa Smith, Coach Max Good, who works at Quincy head coach of the Jones Productions LMU’s men’s basketball (QJP). team to talk about the upcoming season.

LMU will officially ring in the Christmas season at Friday’ lighting.

Anna Sugiura

Asst. News Editor @anna_sugiura

1

What do you do as a Junior Talent Manager at Quincy Jones Productions?

My daily tasks vary since we are an extremely busy company run by six people. However, my main focus is on organizing international tours for musicians. My first client is Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, and I ensure that his tours run smoothly by corresponding with promoters around the world to make sure that his backline is confirmed for every show. The band has travel arrangements for every stop, and each member has the correct Visa for the correct country, amongst many other duties. My other client is Jon Batiste, the Bandleader for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and I organize certain tour stops for him as well.

Additionally, I am very involved in writing publications for the company and I also work on organizing Quincy’s film/TV requests and music therapy projects, meet with potential partners and ensure that existing projects are carried out. However, I am involved in many areas of the company so my tasks are widely varied.

2

ASLMU to bring holiday cheer at annual tree lighting

How did you get the job working for Quincy Jones?

The Christmas tree is decorated, the lights are strung up and the chill of the winter season is in the air. Amidst the stresses of finals, you can start the holiday cheer at ASLMU’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting, which will take place on Friday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. on Regents Terrace.

This year, Bishop Bennett will give the blessing of the tree, after which students can enjoy hot cocoa, hot cider, freshly baked cookies, holiday music and other festivities to celebrate the holidays. There will also be a horsedrawn carriage, photo booths and snowfall during the lighting ceremony.

ASLMU president and senior finance and economics double major David Tassone commented on the upcoming event. “The Christmas Tree Lighting is an

opportunity for LMU students and the Westchester community to come together and celebrate the holidays,” said Tassone. “I’m most excited to spend my last Christmas Tree Lighting with all the people who have made LMU special these past few years — my friends, ASLMU and the LMU community.”

Senior finance major and ASLMU Director of Special Events Elise Belcher said that there will be a Letter to Santa booth at the event. Students will be able to write a letter, which will then be sent to the Macy’s Make-A-Wish Believe campaign. For every letter that Macy’s receives, they will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In addition, Christmas at the Loft will debut at LMU this year by hosting a toy drive at the Loft.

Senior communication studies majors Jasmine Huerta, Welela Makonnen and Emily Robertson created this event for their Events Management interdisciplinary applied programs class. Taking place prior to the Christmas Tree Lighting, they aim to encourage students, especially seniors, to attend LMU events while giving

back to the community.

“We are really hoping to create a successful toy drive,” said Robertson, “but beyond that we also want to sort of bring a sense of community on campus as well and some potential bonding for the senior class.”

Robertson also said that they are currently working with the Loft to create added incentives like possibly discounting drinks if a student donates.

“This is still a campus bar, and you still have to be 21+ to go in with a valid ID and OneCard,” said Robertson. “But even if you are unable to attend the event itself, we would still be happy to take any toy donations you may have … We would ideally like to donate them to a larger drive such as the one sponsored by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.”

Whether it is sipping hot chocolate as the Christmas tree lights up or donating a gift for the toy drive, students can celebrate the holidays with friends and the LMU community at the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

And for you seniors, a special gift awaits you at the event.

I actually got it through LMU. Dr. Florsheim forwarded an email from QJP to all of the business students and that’s how I saw the posting. I truly doubted that I would get the position because I was only a sophomore at the time and they were seeking seniors or graduates, but little did I know I would be chosen as one of two interns and later offered a full-time position after one semester with the company.

What has been your craziest/best memory on the job?

3

That’s such a difficult question because every day is so memorable. I can’t just talk about one memory, so I’ll summarize it as best as I can. Having the chance to meet with Quincy every week at his home and hear firsthand stories about his friendship with people like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Oprah, to being in the same recording studio where Quincy recorded “Thriller” with Michael Jackson, to photoshoots on private jets, to meeting legendary musicians fairly regularly and to simply being able to work for my musical inspiration are all extremely crazy and memorable moments for me.

4

What is it about the music industry that draws you in?

I love the ability to be creative and not be confined to a specific set of rules. Music can be so abstract and no one can really tell you whether or not you did it the right way. I’ve been involved in music my entire life whether it was performing publicly or just with friends, so I always knew I wanted to end up in the music industry. Music speaks to me on a level that I have yet to find in any other field of work, and I know I want to be surrounded by it for the rest of my career.

Who is your role model and why?

5

It might sound cliché to say Quincy simply because I work for him, but I absolutely mean it. He sets such a great example to me about how to be a successful businesswoman, musician, humanitarian, innovator and so many other important roles. I obviously would like to be as successful as he is, but more importantly, I want to help as many people that he has helped and leave a positive impact in a similar way that he has.

MORE QUESTIONS

Want to read more questions with Smith?

Check them out at laloyolan.com.

Classifieds Employment NOW HIRING: Thai Restaurant seeking Waitresses, Kitchen Help, & Delivery Driver. Experience preferred. Familiarity with Asian cuisine will receive priority. Call LEK: 310.994.8848 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AGENTS Wanted! Commercial Brokers International is seeking

New/Experienced agents for our West LA office. Willing to train.

APPLY NOW! Email resume to info@cbicommercial.com. Visit cbicommercial.com/careers for more info PART-TIME RECEPTIONIST WANTED for an Ob/Gyn office close to LMU campus. Looking for someone who is both friendly and professional, punctual, detail-oriented, and also willing

to float to our Santa Monica location. Responsibilities include greeting patients, answering phones, scheduling appointments and other related tasks. $14/hour. 8-12 hrs/wk, hours vary but will include early morning (7-10am) as well as evenings (4-7pm) on weekdays and some Saturdays (8am-12pm). Email resume at Jacqueline Tran at j.tran@plazatowersobgyn.com

NEWS

laloyolan.com Page 7

First student-run Consent Awareness Week to host SlutWalk and film screenings Students in an Advocacy and Activism class take a stand for consensual sex.

Julia Campion News Intern @LALoyolan

For the first time ever, a group of communication studies students in an Advocacy and Activism class will be hosting LMU Consent Awareness Week starting Dec. 1 through Dec. 3.

Amber Rose’s Slut Walk, which took place in Downtown L.A. in October, inspired LMU students Carolina Moreno, Alessandra Vidal, Maria Nelson (also an Asst.

Life & Arts editor at the Loyolan), Renee Samuelson and Brea Hammonds to make a difference on campus and bring awareness to all aspects of safe and consensual sex.

The group upholds the same spirit as Amber Rose’s movement by incorporating “a zerotolerance policy on all hateful language, racism, sexism, ableism, fat-shaming, transphobia or any kind of bigotry” during the event.

This week also focuses on finding common grounds with each other through multiple events.

Senior communication stuies major Moreno said, “This is a persistent issue around college campuses. We want to bring awareness and use knowledge as a weapon to combat misconceptions. If one or two students want to keep spreading the message and become involved, then we will be satisfied.”

The idea started as just a Slut Walk event, but the group decided to expand on their passion for the topic and make it a week-long event.

On Tuesday, Dec. 1, there was a screening and discussion on the documentary, “Miss Representation,” which explores the limited media portrayal of women of power and influence in America.

On Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. in Foley 110 there will be an adaptation of “The Vagina Monologues,” a play which explores women and their sexuality. Participants and audience members will have the opportunity to speak up about their personal feelings and experiences with sexuality.

The final event of Consent Awareness Week is the SlutWalk on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 12:30 p.m. Students will meet at Foley Fountain, make posters and rally.

Following the walk, there will be featured guest speakers and an interactive Wall of No Shame

where students can use the space to highlight their own experiences about sexual double standards and pledge to join the fight against slut shaming.

“Our group’s ultimate goal while creating this event was to bring awareness to as many people as possible through our events this week, highlighting the issues of victim-blaming, slut-shaming, rape and sexual violence,” said Vidal, a junior communications studies major. “By the end of this week, we hope to have encouraged more of the LMU community to take a stand with us and become more conscious of this issue.”

There will also be a Q&A session after each event to open a dialogue with the public and answer any doubts and concerns people may have about consent. All students are welcome to participate to gain a better understanding about the topic and how it affects the world on a national scale.

Nelson, a senior communication studies major, was inspired by the film “The Hunting Ground,” which discusses incidents of sexual assault on college campuses, and by the fact that there is no place on campus where students are able to purchase condoms.

“Our goal is to help make sure that interactions are safe and consensual,” said Nelson. “There are

crucial issues to speak out about, especially on a campus that has had a number of recent sexual assault allegations and, I’m sure, many that go unreported every year.”

To support this event and to become involved, further information can be found on flyers or on the Consent Awareness Week Facebook event page.

SPORTS

E

LION SPORTS

laloyolan.com Page 8

Board Editorial Ali Swenson Editor-in-Chief

Michael Busse Executive Editor

KiMi Robinson Managing Editor

Sarah Litz

Managing Editor

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

T S

DE

TORIAL NT V I

E

! &?

E

S

DI

TORIAL

S

S

SPORTS

U

DI

W

LION

! &?

OPINION

Journalists have a responsibility to report on injustice and community LION

SPORTS

T

he video was seen around the world.

News outlets must not only reveal the truth Another horrendous incident of a young, and explore injustice on a national level, but black person being shot was caught on also on a local level, within communities camera. small and large. As the primary journalistic The now-viral video, which resulted in public megaphone for the LMU community, the outcry, led to the arrest of Officer Jason Van Loyolan is responsible for taking on this task Dyke, the shooter, and the firing of Chicago as well. Instead of being passive consumers Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. It was of problems in society, we must also speak released to the public just over a week ago, on up about them. Instead of simply observing Nov. 24, but the crime happened 14 months racial microaggressions and dialogues on ago, in October 2014. our campus, we must report them, join the If it weren’t for the tireless efforts of conversation and grapple with it on our very freelance journalists Jamie Kalven and Brandon pages.

Smith, the video may never have been released For these reasons, we have devoted a special as the Chicago Police report to race in this week’s Department covered the issue. Look through our incident up for over a year. front section and you’ll find After being tipped off by “We should all care about coverage of the blackface a whistleblower that there recently discovered these stories, for they are image was more to the story than in LMU’s centennial the stories of our time.” the police were officially mural, you’ll find a report saying, Kalven started of the rally that brought investigating. Smith joined LMU students together in in, filing FOIA (Freedom of support of students at the Information Act) request after FOIA request in University of Missouri. You’ll find op-eds and order to obtain a video that he knew existed. quotes from our students, staff and faculty as He was repeatedly denied. Finally, when Smith they contemplate these complicated issues. sued the city in order to gain access to the Online at www.laloyolan.com, you’ll find video, he won. The video was released, and it videos and audio clips of our community’s led to quick action. voices discussing race.

While it shouldn’t take a graphic video for Racial divides, tensions and injustices — and us to care about heinous racial transgressions, our reactions to them — have come to define the actions of these journalists were still our generation in many ways. We can only immensely important. They made an injustice hope triumphs of racial equality, diversity and that otherwise, sadly, would have been community building will define our generation overlooked, public. As journalists, our role one day. We should all care about these stories, is to give a voice to the voiceless. And in for they are the stories of our time. Here at a national climate where discrimination and the Loyolan, we want the LMU community racial tensions have reached a breaking point, to know that we’re committed to telling these this mission is more important than ever. stories.

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor-in-Chief Executive Editor Managing Editor Managing Editor News Editor Asst. News Editor Asst. News Editor News Intern News Intern Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editor Opinion Intern Opinion Intern Life+Arts Editor Asst. Life+Arts Editor Asst. Life+Arts Editor Asst. Life+Arts Editor Life+Arts Intern Life+Arts Intern Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Sports Intern Sports Intern Bluff Editor Bluff Intern Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Design Editor Designer Designer Design Intern Cartoon Editor Staff Cartoonist Staff Cartoonist Staff Cartoonist Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Digital Editor Asst. Digital Editor Digital Intern

Ali Swenson Michael Busse Sarah Litz KiMi Robinson Amanda Lopez Karis Addo-Quaye Anna Sugiura Gillian Boss Julia Campion Jackie Jones Christie Calucchia Matt Gaydos Julia Marzovilla Daralyn Kee Chong Olivia Round Kelsey Mangan Elliot Britt Nicole Muldoon Maria Nelson Jackie Galvez Eric Lee Jack Sullivan Ryan Hartnett Daniel Palladini Tim DeVries Jackson Tave Nick Logsdon Ian Salazar Garrison Asma Jaime Force Arun Gulati Liz Jurek Mike Marguet Gracie McManus Isabel Ngo Katie Randolph Elen Safaryan Xian Wong Kevin Chan Ashley Ma Michelle Castro Bastida Ellen Czinski Mikey Baretto Madison Brown Hannah Kim Emilia Shelton Josh Kuroda Sophie Broide Jay Coffey Megan Karbowski Dustin Tan Janine Leano Michael Peters Casey Lee

BUSINESS STAFF

Business Director Asst. Business Manager Ad Designer Advertising Representative Advertising Sales Manager Advertising Intern Advertising Intern Office Assistant Office Assistant Distributor Distributor Director of Student Media

Rachel Leisten Sophia Kaslow Sophia Stroud Zach Calilung Aliza Mariano Monica Oda Katie Chadwick Camille Cabrera Jessica Cosca Alexander Lorenz Nathaniel McCabe Tom Nelson

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 off-campus organizations, but cannot guarantee publication. The Loyolan reserves the right to edit or reject all submissions, including advertisements, articles or other contributions it deems objectionable.

The Loyolan does not print consecutive articles by the same author that repeat/refute the initial arguments.

Opinions and ideas expressed in the Loyolan are those of individual authors, artists and student editors and are not those of Loyola Marymount University, its Board of Trustees, its student body or of newspaper advertisers. Board Editorials are unsigned and reflect the opinions of the Executive Editorial Board. Guest editorials are by invitation of the Executive Editorial Board and reflect the views of the author.

All advertisements are subject to the current rates and policies in the most recent Advertising Rates and Information materials.

The Los Angeles Loyolan is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the California College Media Association.

OPINION

laloyolan.com

Page 9

Singing a love song for intersectionality Love Song from Page 1

Lives Matter chapter of Philadelphia. “They amplify voices in order to make an equal platform for the issues of being a person of color in America.

On Twitter, they make sure to share and create content from those marginalized groups in our community,” Tabourn said.

This is a Love Story. For Simone Wilson.

An artist from Long Beach, California, Wilson utilizes sketching to depict diversity in the black female form.

Wilson’s work is intended as a means to combat oppression: “I draw black girls because all of the instances that make it into the media are centered around men; women are never mentioned,”

“But in order to liberate ourselves we have to first put radical love into action.”

Wilson said.

This oppression is even embodied at Wilson’s university. She recalls the black male students at LMU taking an “all-male photo” in solidarity with the students facing racist trauma at the University of Missouri. Through this photo, Simone rightfully felt excluded. “I feel like that all-male photo was very disrespectful to the women who took time out of their day

to come and participate,” Wilson said. “I am pretty sure the women outnumbered the men. It also makes us look divided.”

Through her work, Wilson hopes to follow in the footsteps of artists like musician Janelle Monáe and actress Tessa Thompson. To Simone, both women “refuse to be silenced and make it known what they stand for regardless of what other people may think.”

Jones, Fekade, Wilson and myself all recognize the need for intersectionality in our racial justice movements. But our concerns are consistently being silenced and disregarded.

These concerns are not individualized. In fact, they stem from an even more insidious culture that seeks to delegitimize our voices and dehumanize our bodies.

This culture often empowers black men at the expense of black women and queer people, dividing our families and communities as a result.

For Kendrick Lamar’s critically acclaimed 2015 album “To Pimp a Butterfly,” fans expressed their praise to the artist for shining a spotlight on the issues that plague the black community.

Still, critics were wary of the artist’s positioning of the black woman throughout his album.

Raquel Willis said in an article titled “To Pimp the Black Woman: On Kendrick Lamar’s Limited Black Liberation” on Medium, “Lyrically, the album prompts very little discussion of

black women, but the sole major inclusion is a misguided use of one in the ‘For Free’ interlude. In the jazz-laden track, the women featured represent the pressures and expectations that white America places on the black man.

It’s an ill-favored conflation of the relationship between black men and black women and the relationship between black men and the ills of white supremacy and capitalism — suggesting that in America, black men suffer an oppression that black women routinely serve to augment.”

The 2015 film “Straight Outta Compton” reflects similar themes — the persistence of the black brotherhood and companionship amidst a society that aims to brutalize them.

Despite the film’s discussion of critical racial issues like poverty, the war on drugs and police brutality, there was no mention of how these issues impact black women, or even how the cast enacted violence towards black women, in their

“This culture often empowers black men at the expense of black women and queer people...” lyrics and their lived realities.

In an article for Highsnobiety published in September titled “How ‘Straight Outta Compton’

Presents a Unique Conundrum for Black Women,” Stephanie Smith-Strickland wrote, “The film’s approach to telling the story of N.W.A was divisive, and many argued the biopic offered a revisionist history where the treatment of women was concerned.”

“Straight Outta Compton,” “To Pimp a Butterfly” and other forms of media distort the complexity of black women.

They imply that we are singular in nature.

This is what we are fighting against.

“The truth is: Many black men don’t understand that black women are complex human beings,” Jenn M. Jackson wrote in an article for For Harriet. “Their denial of black women’s multifaceted self-definition has nothing to do with what black women know of themselves.

Instead, it has to do with their unwillingness to respect the fullness of black womanhood and black women’s rights to exist freely in public spaces.”

So why then do we continue to cash in on these messages?

Why do we support folks who have their hands on the necks of our mothers, sisters, daughters, friends?

These questions are difficult to answer, partially because they evoke a sense of guilt. They cause us to critically examine the symbolic violence we enact on our loved ones. But in order to liberate ourselves we have to first put radical love into action.

Join Us At Our

GRADUATE OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Find out more about one of the many graduate programs that LMU has to offer. graduate.lmu.edu

And radical love requires us to call attention to the ways our

“Why do we support folks who have their hands on the necks of our mothers, sisters, daughters, friends?.”

community is harming itself.

Fekade sees solutions to these exclusionary practices through including traditionally marginalized narratives by “incorporating different intersections of oppression and making everyone know there shouldn’t be any erasure.”

Tabourn reflected, “It would be a great start to make a better effort to not only include those who identify as women, but also trans, queer or non-binary.”

I believe that by loving each other and ourselves we critically we can become free.

Intersectionality requires us to love those who don’t get the love we deserve.

This is a love song. For my sisters, for my mom, for my grandmothers, for me.

This is the opinion of Nicole Powell, a senior communication studies major from Los Angeles, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to jjones@ theloyolan.com.

OPINION

laloyolan.com

Page 10

Safe Campus Act doesn’t make us feel safe For Christie’s Sake Christie Calucchia

W

Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan

e need to figure out how to handle allegations of sexual assault on college campuses, but the Safe Campus Act is not the solution.

While many advocacy groups fight to eradicate the persistent injustice that is sexual violence and misconduct on college campuses, other organizations are using their power to focus on the protection of the alleged perpetrators rather than the victims of these crimes.

The bill known as the Safe Campus Act has caused controversy since last February, when it was first introduced to the Senate by three Republican representatives as an amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965. If passed, the bill, among other things, would limit the ability of colleges and universities to investigate claims of sexual violence unless the victim also reports the incident to law enforcement. The goal of the bill is to ensure that students are able to have a fair hearing on campus.

However, the bill also makes reporting such sensitive crimes even more difficult for victims in order to protect the reputation of the alleged perpetrators in case of false accusations.

The bill has garnered further attention as several Greek life organizations have been publicly withdrawing support for the bill, despite the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee (FSPAC) being at the forefront of the bill’s initial support.

According to an Insight Higher Ed article written by Jake New, “The Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee lobbied Congress for many of the protections included in the new legislation, donating $500,000 to politicians in the last year.”

Junior film production major Chelsea Renner said, “I think all of Greek life has a responsibility to speak out against the bill. My fellow sisters in Pi Beta Phi are

drafting a letter to our nationals to take a stance against the bill, and I think every Greek organization on campus should be urged to do the same.”

While the bill acts under the guise of strengthening the due process rights of accused students — which therefore protects all students and creates a fair environment on campus — the reality is that victims will be forced to take an incident to the police before a university can take action. This may cause the number of reported rapes to decrease, as reporting an incident to the police can be intimidating.

With the number of reported rapes from college campuses already staggeringly low, the legislature of this bill would be detrimental in enacting justice on perpetrators of these crimes.

Reporting rape is inherently difficult for the victim, with many statistics showing that most campus rapes go unreported.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, “Less than [five percent] of completed or attempted rapes against college women were reported to law enforcement.” This is absurdly low, considering that according to the same fact sheet, “It is estimated that for every 1,000 women attending a college or university, there are 35 incidents of rape each academic year.” It is wildly apparent that reporting crimes of sexual violence is not a simple task, systematically or emotionally, and if a bill is passed that makes it even more difficult for a student to communicate with a university, the result would be disastrous.

According to LMU’s student affairs website, “LMU students are encouraged to report any incident of sexual or interpersonal misconduct to the University.” If the Safe Campus Act is enacted into legislation, this student affairs policy would probably have to change in order to reflect the guidelines of the bill, which are more concerned with law enforcement than campus policy.

An LMU junior who wished to remain anonymous shared her

Madison Brown | Loyolan

The Safe Campus Act violates the rights of sexual assault victims to protect the alleged perpetrator. opinion on the bill, saying, “In my personal experience with rape, the main reason I didn’t follow through on prosecuting the man was because of the amount of shame I knew I would feel if my parents were to know. Looking back, I wish I had been more brave, but as an 18-year-old girl with no one else to turn to but the cops, I chose to stop the investigation into my rape. If I had been in college at the time, I think I would have felt more comfortable going to the school first, and then going to law enforcement to legally prosecute the man who raped me.”

The ability to report an incident to a university when the victim and attacker are both students is important, especially considering that according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, “Among college women, [nine] in 10 victims of rape and sexual assault knew their offender.” When a university gets involved after an incident, at the very least the victim can be protected from the attacker while on campus, a place where a student should always feel safe. For example, LMU has

a No Contact Order, which is “a university order that forbids a student from having any form of contact — including but not limited to physical, written, verbal and/or electronic — with another student for a specific period of time” that can be enforced if a student reports an incident with the University. This kind of direct intervention may not be possible if a student is forced to go the police immediately and face legal battles before anything can be done to protect the victim on campus through the University itself.

“As a member of a sorority at LMU, I believe that it is important for each of us to take individual action by standing up against sexual assault and demonstrating the values that each of our organizations instill in us. Greek life as a whole must take action together to create safer campuses and demonstrate the positive message of what being a Greek truly means,” said junior communication studies major and member of Alpha Phi Emilee Theno.

There is much more progress

to be made in the way allegations of sexual assault are addressed on college campuses.

The legislature currently being discussed, however, is not the answer. Education and awareness are key. Raising young boys to respect women and understand the meaning of sexual violence, encouraging young girls to feel empowered and instilling the definition of consent in young women and men are steps in the right direction.

Men and women need to work together to promote safe environments where incidents of sexual violence will not simply be expected as youthful indiscretions.

Everyone has the power to create a safer world for all people to thrive in. We need to come together as a community to eliminate rape and other forms of sexual violence instead of arguing over how to prosecute and punish those responsible.

This is the opinion of Christie Calucchia, a junior humanities major from Las Vegas, Nevada. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to jjones@theloyolan.com.

Put down the phones; pick up the turkey J.K. Ramblings Julia Marzovilla

T

Asst. Opinion Editor @juliamarzovilla

his Thanksgiving, my father — tired of the sound of buzzing against the mahogany dinner table — finally put his foot down and decreed that all the phones must go down, too. The concept was first brought up by my 9-yearold cousin, who originally had the idea for the phone cell — a 9-yearold’s play on words referring to a wicker basket located under the table and covered in an extra table cloth, complete with sign-in sheets. The adults’ confirmation made the idea law, and into the basket and under the table our phones went.

The first hour sans phone was the hardest. My dad, once confident in his idea, began reaching for his pocket only to find it empty. The table grew awkwardly quiet, complete with deafening lulls in conversation.

When we were talking, though, the conversation always seemed to end up revolved around the very thing we lacked — our devices.

There was no avoiding the idea that we didn’t have an escape.

We talked about our friends’ Instagram posts and YouTube videos we had recently watched, and then it all began to click.

Here we were, gathered together with heaps of homemade deliciousness in front of us and years of memories together behind us, and all we could think or talk about was a virtual reality only half of us took part in. This was a holiday meant to be giving thanks for those around us; instead, we gave thanks for our follower counts.

In time, the conversations began to shift into a more positive mode. We began to look up, look around at each other and discuss.

It was the first time in such a long time that every person was involved in a single conversation.

The meaning of the holiday began to take shape. When the phones were put away, we as a family were able to come together.

Social media and phone use have become an incessant part of today’s mindset. We rely on phones for both communication and entertainment. But, in the end, who are we really conversing with? Is it each other, or each other’s profile pictures? Posting images online isn’t the problem: it’s the lack of togetherness that goes on behind that photo frame. When snapping away for the perfect Instagram pic, you risk losing time to connect with your loved ones. By separating ourselves from our digital vices, we’re able to once again connect on an interpersonal level. While removing the phones entirely was difficult, it re-instilled the idea that family is what matters most.

Removing the phones removed us from the rest of the world, which, with each of our own hectic lives to get back to come Monday morning, was what we desperately needed.

So what does this all mean?

Logging onto Instagram and Facebook later that night, I wasn’t surprised to see a slew of happy-looking families with full-

Julia Marzovilla | Loyolan

Social media apps detract from holiday interaction with family and friends. looking tables. But at what cost?

I imagined my own family posing for that perfect shot and the time we would waste in doing so.

Instead of focusing on each other, we would have been focusing on each other’s good sides.

With the holiday season approaching, we must remember that having our phones out isn’t needed to have a good time. The holiday season — regardless of which holiday is being celebrated

— is a time to come together, not to separate ourselves behind the lit screens of our phones. So remove your phones at the next family dinner and give yourselves a chance to return to family.

That’s what the holidays are all about, right?

This is the opinion of Julia Marzovilla, a sophomore English major from New York, New York. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to jjones@theloyolan.

OPINION

laloyolan.com Page 11

Why we feel connected to the Paris victims Keepin’ up with Jones Jackie Jones

Opinion Editor @jackieeejonesss

O

n Friday, Nov. 13, I sat at my computer constantly refreshing a New York Times article that provided live updates on the attacks in Paris. I found myself googling maps of the city, watching the Vine of the sound of the explosion outside the football game and finding out who the band Eagles of Death Metal was. My heart was broken.

I thought about how a year and a month ago, I was running around Paris for a weekend during my adventures abroad. I thought about how I have friends who are abroad now. The events in Paris on Nov. 13 were overwhelming.

In the wake of the tragedies taking place in Paris, many people noticed that similar horrific events have been happening in other places in the world that we have not discussed. Not only did we publish an article about this in the Loyolan, but our University — which emphasizes the promotion of justice — has made the effort to show solidarity and respect by reflecting colored lights as a symbol of the flags of the many countries that have faced harsh adversities this year, including the French flag for Paris.

While I understand the importance of these many issues

that were not as known in the media, the truth is that the story from Paris stood out.

Paris is a large metropolitan city and melting pot, much like large American cities. It is home to some huge historical landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, the palace of Versailles and the Louvre. According to a U.S. News ranking, Paris is the fourth best place to visit in the world.

In a World Tourism Organization Network statistic, France is the number one tourist destination in the world for 2014 with 83.7 million arrivals. The fact of the matter is that Paris is a city on everyone’s radar, and a place that the Western world cares about because it is a place we relate to.

Think of that Friday night just like any Friday night here in Los Angeles. Instead of seeing the Eagles of Death Metal at Le Bataclan theatre in Paris, they are playing here at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. While going to a soccer game is not a huge part of Los Angeles culture, going to a Lakers or Clippers game at the STAPLES Center is. A student from Cal State Long Beach, a university just 30 miles south of LMU, was killed at a bistro. On Wednesday, Nov. 25, Vice released a sixteen minute video interview with the Eagles of Death Metal, and their first person perspective of the attack was horrifying.

Listening to their story put it in a perspective that any person in a first world country can relate to.

The attacks in Paris threatened

Josh Kuroda | Loyolan

Empathy towards victims of the Paris attacks should be a universal feeling toward victims all around the world. our first world privilege. As sad as it may seem and while no one wants to admit it, our American privilege makes us believe that we should be protected from attacks like these, when in reality, it is happening to people all over the world.

It is easier for us to empathize with people who live similar lives to us, such as the sports fans at the France vs. Germany game, concert-goers at the Eagles of Death Metal concert and an American student abroad going out to get some food. These events led us to the realization

that this could have happened to us, our family, our friends or our classmates.

The French flags plastered across everyone’s Facebook profile pictures were not an insult to the many victims of Lebanon, Japan, Nigeria, Kenya or any other country. They just represented how much of an effect the attacks in Paris had on the American millennial. The constant support and discussion on the Paris attacks have sparked an awareness about the tragedies happening in developing countries. We need to learn how

to empathize with those victims of other attacks just like we have empathized with Paris. Because the Paris attacks felt like a threat to all first world countries, we are now all able to imagine ourselves as victims of terrorism. In a time of tragedy for everyone around the world, it is best that we all come together and keep our minds open to learning about everyone’s suffering in order to make a change.

This is the opinion of Jackie Jones, a senior English major from La Habra, California.

Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or Email comments to jjones@theloyolan.com.

Islamophobia violates religious freedom Matt at Bat Matt Gaydos

Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan

I

t would be a shame if the Anti-Islamic fervor that followed 9/11 — which made life difficult for so many Muslim-Americans — was to be repeated after the recent terrorist attacks around the world. Unfortunately, this is the direction in which our culture is heading today.

Americans are starting to protest Islam through thinly veiled racist comments which are constantly being made in reference to Syrian refugees on social media. Presidential candidates are stoking the fires with increasingly Anti-Islamic rhetoric, such as Donald Trump’s ideas of monitoring mosques and stating that all MuslimAmericans should carry some form of identification card that labels them as such. However, it is not the first time that such ideas have have come forth. In fact, Trump’s idea is reminiscent of how America infiltrated JapaneseAmerican communities during World War II before placing them into internment camps.

This is unacceptable behavior for America, a country founded on the value of freedom of religion.

Islamophobia — or the prejudice against Islam or Muslims — has permeated our culture for a long time, with incidents such as the 9/11 attacks

over a decade ago standing out in a history of discrimination.

This prejudice has been renewed thanks to provocative comments made by today’s political powers.

According to Time Magazine, Republican presidential candidate hopefuls Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz propose to let in only the refugees that have proven to be Christians. By proposing such ideas, politicians are determining who deserves a new life based on what religion they practice. This mindset is dangerous and can have negative repercussions.

ISIS is built on the foundation of separating Muslims from Western society. What better recruitment tool could there be for them than Western society rejecting Muslim people and making them feel like they have nowhere else to go?

A Gallup poll shows that 93 percent of all Muslims do not support radical Islam. That leaves the extremists very much in the minority — a fact that many Americans aren’t aware of as many equate all Muslims to potential terrorists. This cannot continue. Just as it would be wrong to equate Christians with extremists like the Westboro Baptist Church, it is wrong to group all Muslims with ISIS. Republican Muslim Coalition President Saba Ahmed is a great example of somebody who is as proud of her identity as a Muslim as she is of her identity as an American. To some controversy in conservative circles, she wore an American flag as a hijab while talking on Fox News with a member of Trump’s staff. They

Hannah Kim | Loyolan

The recent ISIS attacks around the world should not excuse targeted racism toward Muslim-Americans. debated over his proposed closing of mosques that have been linked with terrorism. Ahmed was brave enough to stand up against the discrimination that occurs within the party she supports.

“I’m a proud American,” she said to the Daily News. “I just wanted to show that MuslimAmericans want to show their patriotism, too. So I went on the show wearing the flag to show that we’re proud Americans. We want to live in peace. And what ISIS is doing doesn’t represent

our religion, and we shouldn’t be targeted because of a few bad people.”

Discrimination against Muslims isn’t exclusive to aggressive protesting such as the recent armed demonstrations outside of a mosque in Dallas. Just like any form of discrimination, microaggressions such as stereotyping can exist even in spaces such as our own campus.

We can all strive to be more inclusive of our fellow Americans who are Muslims.

Terrorism committed by people who say they are Muslim is something that is already fueled by its resentment towards the Western world. So let’s not hate and give our enemy more ammunition to fire at us. Rather, let us embrace those around us and not support those candidates who do perpetrate bigoted and outdated views.

This is the opinion of Matt Gaydos, a freshman Communication Studies major from Palos Verdes, California Tweet comments to @ LALoyolan, or email jjones@theloyolan.

laloyolan.com Page 12

By Hannah Kim, Staff Cartoonist

MANLY PANDAS

By Ellen Czinski, Cartoon Editor

THE MAD BRAIN OF MADI B.

FISHBLUB

By Mikey Barreto, Staff Cartoonist

By Madison Brown, Staff Cartoonist

Check out Loyolan Cartoons online, now via Tapastic!

Go to

tapastic.com/LAloyolan

to catch up on your favorites!

life+arts

laloyolan.com

Mystery solved: 'Teen Spirit' began here

Page 13

The Maria Problem Maria Nelson

Asst. Life+Arts Editor @mnnelson_

Most stude nts probably don’t even know

KXLU exists. At least, that’s what more than one staffer of the on-campus radio station likes to believe. The station itself, over the course of its nearly 60-year legacy, however, has been at the forefront of music history.

KXLU was the first station to give bands like Beck, Black Flag and Jane’s Addiction tons of time on the airwaves.

When the rumor surfaced in the Loyolan offices that the station was also the first to air Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” a song that would change the landscape of music as we knew it, an investigation into the station’s past ensued.

The staff of KXLU is notoriously difficult to pin down. With the knowledge of last semester’s failed attempts to reach numerous DJs via email, text message and phone call for comment about the station’s annual music festival, this time I sought my answers in person.

Luckily, KXLU DJ Racíel Cuevas, a senior philosophy major, and KXLU General Manager Marina Aguerre, a junior film production major, were both at the office and eager to show me around.

“I kind of ran into it by chance,” said Aguerre of her introduction to working at KXLU while munching on a forgotten bit of Halloween chocolate. Aguerre, who DJs a weekly show that she describes as girly punk music and mystical sounding rock, continued: “But I think that the reason I stuck with it is because [of] the people here.

There’s nothing else like the people here on campus.”

Cuevas shared the same sentiment, saying that he considers KXLU to be LMU’s “cabinet of curiosities,” and that the station provides students with “a really cool way to meet strange people and hang out and go to shows together.” Cuevas’ radio show’s musical aesthetic is what he jokingly describes as “the soundtrack for an alternate universe where the Germans won World War II. It’s a weird show,” he said. “I try to keep it weird.”

A side room off the main KXLU offices, filled floor to ceiling with shelves of hundreds of vinyl records, was home to the first clue. Amid a stack of more records piled haphazardly about was a beat-up homemade cardboard record jacket with a creepy drawing of a baby sketched onto its surface in black permanent marker. The labels “NIRVANA” and “NEVERMIND” are written in big block letters. Cuevas confirmed that KXLU lore ascribes the terrible rendition of the now-famous Nevermind cover art to Kurt Cobain himself.

This was a great start, but it by no means confirmed the rumor. I decided to do some more digging at the library in hopes that there might be some interesting KXLU documents archived there. After a lengthy game of email tag with Denise Blanchet, University archives curator, I

via Maria Nelson

KXLU has an important place in both alternative music history and LMU campus culture. Above, an image of the original record sleeve with sketched cover art by Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain still hangs around KXLU studios. learned that all of the KXLU program guides for the years between 1991 and 1996 are mysteriously absent from the archives.

Luckily, Blanchet’s interest was also piqued. She led me to an old LMU magazine article attributing the original airplay of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to former KXLU music director, DJ and LMU alum, Daniel Makagon.

Makagon, now a professor of communication studies at DePaul University in Chicago, officially brought an end to the mystery.

“I was a senior or about to start my senior year when I interviewed Nirvana and played ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’” Makagon wrote via email. “In this particular case,” continued Makagon, “Nirvana was in town because they were about to make the video for ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and wanted us to announce that video shoot. The band needed extras for crowd shots.”

While Makagon liked the song at the time, he didn’t realize it would go on to define a musical era. “I thought it was a great song, but I had no idea that it would radically shift the culture of popular music,” he said. “I remember saying to various folks that the record was great but I didn't know how it would do much more [than] Nirvana's first album, ‘Bleach.’”

Damon Willick, associate professor of modern and contemporary art history, agreed that the relevance of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was more about the marketability of Nirvana itself. “I actually think that KXLU has played a lot better songs than ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ during its history and I think that other bands deserve more exposure than Nirvana. Particularly local South Bay bands,” Willick said. A longtime KXLU fan, Willick described the thrill of hearing bands like the Minutemen for the first time over a staticky KXLU signal from

his Valley home in the '80s.

For Willick, the importance of the station’s focus on the alternative is more than just spinning obscure albums. “I think it’s important for students to know about KXLU and its history, partly because it’s fighting the corporate culture of our current 21st century. A radio station transmitting an alternative culture is important," he said.

Makagon also expressed that, in addition to creating a space for alternative ideas on the radio, KXLU provides an invaluable opportunity for students to both seek community and explore a creative avenue on LMU’s campus. “KXLU is a crucial outlet that adds to the cultural experience of life on and off campus,” Makagon said.

Like the music KXLU airs, the station itself is decidedly in the underground of LMU’s campus culture. Melissa McAllister, current KXLU DJ of the weekly show "She Rocks" and LMU alumna, agreed, saying that, “You could say [KXLU] is removed, but it’s always run by students and those people are always part of the LMU community. It may not be the part that they put on the web page every day, but those are still kids that go [here] that need a place to figure out who they are and express themselves creatively.”

KXLU’s aggressively non-mainstream agenda is exactly what makes the station such an essential part of a campus where Greek life and athletics reign supreme. It has become an institution where weirdness is a prerequisite for applying and differing viewpoints are fostered with abandon. And who knows? Maybe one of the bizarre and inaccessible tracks the station is playing right now will go on to become the next “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” It’s happened before.

This is the opinion of Maria Nelson, a senior communications studies major from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email mnelson@theloyolan.com.

life+arts

laloyolan.com Page 14

Top 5 picks: guilty pleasure television shows Khaki Jackie Jackie Galvez Life+Arts Intern @LALoyolan

L

et’s face it — we all have those guilty pleasure TV shows that we can’t help but love and loathe at the same time. There’s something so satisfying about watching these terribly addictive series as they hook us with their subpar premises and reel us in with their horrendous plot lines.

5. “Four Weddings” Hailing from TLC, the holy grail of guilty pleasure television, “Four Weddings,” tells the tale of four brides competing with one another for a dream honeymoon at a secret getaway location. Each bride must attend the other contestants’ weddings and rate them on a scale out of 10 for several categories, including food, dress, venue and overall wedding experience. While the premise sounds initially intriguing, the brides picked for this show are often catty, conceited and just plain cocky as they focus their entire attention on devaluing another woman’s special day all for the alluring prize.

4. “Baggage” Appearing on Game Show Network (GSN) often in the late hours of the night, “Baggage” is a reality game show in which a contestant looking for love must choose from a series of three candidates

with several pieces of baggage — a catchy word for weird, uncomfortable secrets — of varying levels to accompany on a date. The catch?

The contestant also has a major secret, and the chosen date can either accept or reject this baggage based on the severity, or just plain weirdness, of the case. While this show seems like the kind of mind-numbing junk only good for background noise, the secrets some contestants reveal are so outrageous that you’re compelled to watch until the end.

3. “Project Runway” With a 14-season run and more episodes to come, “Project Runway” is iconic when it comes to guilty pleasure TV. The show details a competition among hopeful fashion designers who battle for the chance at being featured in an esteemed fashion magazine.

Each week, contestants are given a challenge to design a clothing article or outfit using unconventional items, and their designs are judged by a panel of fashion experts who eliminate one designer each week.

While the name may deter many who don’t have an initial interest in fashion, the drama and entertainment value of “Project Runway” are unparalleled as the lengths these designers go to succeed is sometimes laughably pitiful. It’s also exciting to see what each designer comes up with, despite the weird restrictions and rules.

2. “The Bachelor” & “The Bachelorette” Both “The Bachelor” and “The

via Wikipedia Creative Commons

Put off thinking about all the work you have to do for finals week, and watch these guilty pleasure television shows instead.

Bachelorette” on ABC are variants of the same basic plot — a conventionally attractive, eligible single man or woman is presented with a plethora of potential partners, and over the course of several months must choose the one person who best suits his or her taste. The expectation is that the bachelor or bachelorette will then marry this individual, and they will live happily ever after in the perfect reality TV world we all like to believe exists. Perhaps what’s most entertaining about this show is all of the fighting, scheming and, yes, more intimate moments shared between the eligible person and

their potential spouses. It’s almost impossible to stop watching if you started on the first episode of the season; I mean, how could you not want to know which guy or girl they end up with in the end? The suspense would kill me.

1. “Gossip Girl” Our list concludes with one of the CW’s most well-known contributions to the TV world, the epitome of guilty pleasure TV: “Gossip Girl.” Detailing the glamorous lives of young adults living in New York’s Upper East Side, the show follows it-girls Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen on their

dramatic exploits through boarding school and beyond. The show’s plot is based on a book series of the same name and contains moments of romance, heartbreak, betrayal and scandal for both the characters and audience members involved. Once you start “Gossip Girl,” there’s no going back; you have to watch every episode or risk a dramatic cliffhanger that leaves you forever wanting more.

This is the opinion of Jackie Galvez, a freshman biology major from Glendora, California. Tweet comments to @ LALoyolanor email kmangan@theloyolan. com.

life+arts

laloyolan.com Page 15

All That He Was sparks AIDS awareness LMU’s annual “Stages of AIDS” performance is the latest in a history of eye-opening productions.

Elliot Britt

Asst. Life+Arts Editor @LoyolanArts

Tonight marks the opening of the Department of Theatre Arts’ rendition of Larry Johnson and Cindy O’Connor’s award-winning play, “All That He Was,” which depicts one man’s battle with AIDS. The show is co-sponsored by the Center for Reconciliation and Justice and is a part of LMU’s annual “Stages of AIDS” event, which works to shine a light on the personal and political effects of HIV/ AIDS. In honor of World AIDS Day, which occurs every year on Dec. 1, the annual “Stages of AIDS” event also aims to track the progress of AIDS research over the years while raising awareness.

“It’s important because it raises money and awareness towards a cure for AIDS while also showcasing our program and our talent.

It gives a group of people a voice through our art and doing what we love, which is to tell a story,” said senior theatre arts major Alexa Vellanoweth.

Directed by Judith Royer, CSJ, professor of theatre arts and Director of the Center for Reconciliation and Justice, “All That He Was” portrays the disease from an

alternative perspective by analyzing its impact on a number of differing groups, including the community, the family and the couple.

The show is set in the 1990s, when there was a lot of confusion and misconception in the dialogue surrounding AIDS, as the diagnosis was often seen as a death sentence and associated with the gay community.

As a response to the stigmatization of the disease, “‘All That He Was’ is both a very personal story and a work of political theatre, as it calls for both understanding and social change,” according to the press release by Theatre Arts Assistant Professor Mark Seldis, who worked on the event’s publicity this year. He also wrote, “Today it provides an opportunity for us to not only revisit this period but to look at the present and the continuing impact of AIDS on our society.”

“The statistics are absolutely terrifying,” said Royer when discussing how AIDS has transgressed through the years. “It’s just astounding, the number of people who are HIV positive or are dealing with AIDS,” she said.

According to AIDS.gov, 1 in 8 individuals currently living with the HIV are unaware of their infection, and an astounding 1.2 million people are currently living with the infection in the United States alone.

“AIDS is something our generation has not had to deal with. It is something we have read about, something we know was danger-

Loyolan Archives

The “Stages of AIDS” performances aim to lend a face to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The 2010 version of the show (pictured above) featured multiple separate performances, but “All That He Was” will be a complete play. ous but because it doesn’t exist as it did once before, we push it out,” said junior theatre arts major Kevin Dwyer, who plays the lover of the character with AIDS, who goes

by The Man in the show. “The play is moving, with a very powerful message, but it will also make you laugh. The combination of music with heavy context allows for the audience to feel something deeper than they would from just a play,” he said.

“It’s a surprisingly funny play because it has a lot of AIDS politics satire in it,” said Royer. “And it’s important to me that we are

Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day Here are some facts you should know about HIV/AIDS

1. If left untreated, it can take around 10 to 15 years for AIDS to develop, which is when HIV has severely damaged the immune system.

0

years

10

HIV

years

AIDS

15 years

2. With early diagnosis and effective antiretroviral treatment, people with HIV can live a normal, healthy life.

3. HIV cannot be transmitted through sweat, saliva or urine.

SWEAT

SALIVA

URINE

DO NOT TRANSMIT HIV 4. Someone with AIDS may develop a wide range of other health conditions including: pneumonia, thrush, fungal infections, TB, toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus.

5. There is also an increased risk of developing other life-limiting conditions, including cancer and brain illnesses.

Kevin Chan | Loyolan

celebrating and making aware people through the arts, and how the arts affect social change. I’m a great advocate of theater for social change,” she added.

Discussions will follow the performances both Wednesday and Thursday night and will provide special insight on the role of the arts in association with the effects of the disease. Theatre Arts Assistant Professors Leon Wiebers and Arnab Banerji will lead a Q&A session tonight, and Cindy O’Connor (original composer of “All That He Was”) and Jim Taulli (the play’s original director), along with

three of the musical’s original cast members, will speak during the Q&A session tomorrow.

Those who don’t have tickets for the performances but would like to attend the post-performance discussions can arrive at the theatre at 9:50 p.m. for the Q&A sessions.

“All That He Was” will be staged at 8 p.m. in Barnelle Theatre from Wednesday, Dec. 2, until Saturday, Dec. 5.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for LMU students, staff, faculty and seniors.

life+arts

laloyolan.com Page 16

Finals prep: five alternative study spots Dancing Lee-murs Eric Lee

Life+Arts Intern @LALoyolan

A

s we return from our Thanksgiving break, we’ve all come to the realization that it’s time to go back to the salt mines: Before we can embrace the joy of the holiday season, we must first endure the harsh winds of finals season. If you need a change of scenery from studying in your dorm or in the library, here are some places off campus to help you hit the books and catch a breather.

5. Starbucks - Waterside, Marina Del Rey Don’t get me wrong — the Starbucks located in the William H. Hannon Library is a great place to grab some coffee and study.

However, it isn’t surrounded by fantastic eateries like Mendocino Farms and Chipotle like the Starbucks at Waterside, Marina del Rey. Drive ­­— or better yet, walk — less than five minutes down Lincoln Boulevard to Marina del Rey and grab your favorite seasonal Starbucks beverage.

The charming setting offers a great environment to focus on your next big exam or paper.

4. The beach There is nothing more calming

than the sounds of nature. When the constant sight of computers, desks and stressed out LMU comrades becomes too much to bear, head over to the beach. Any beach will do — the sounds of crashing waves do not discriminate. Whether it’s Manhattan, Hermosa, Santa Monica or Dockweiler, the beach is a great place to lie in the sun and catch up on (or begin) some reading for finals.

3. Bourgeois Pig - East Hollywood If you’re seeking a little East L.A. adventure in your quest to study, check out the Bourgeois Pig. Located in Franklin Village in Los Feliz, this café is both a great place to study and a tremendous spectacle. Not only does it stay open till 2 a.m., which is a huge plus, it also has a pool table in the back for when you need a quick study break. If that’s not enough for you, there is an enchanted forest room complete with trees, an ivy-covered hut and a fire pit. What more can you ask for from a study room?

2. Westchester Park East L.A. might be a bit of a trek, which is why Westchester Park is an ideal local spot to focus on your studies. This park is located on Manchester Boulevard within walking distance from LMU’s campus. A great place to study in the refreshing outdoors, this park also has basketball and ten-

Daily Matador | via Flickr Creative Commons

Finals are coming. Get into the right mindset to finish all those term papers you’ve been putting off all semester by taking a trip off campus to one of these Loyolan-approved study spots, like UCLA’s Powell Library (above). nis courts in case you want to get the blood pumping.

1. Powell Library - Westwood This might be UCLA’s library, but don’t let that deter you and your Lion spirit. Powell Library is a fantastic spectacle of Romanesque architecture that is

open to the public. You have to make the trip to Westwood, but the experience is well worth the journey as you find yourself getting inspired by the storied halls, which have been featured in some films and music videos.

Heed caution and arrive early to reserve a spot, as this library can

get crowded during finals time, as all college libraries tend to do.

This is the opinion of Eric Lee, a sophomore film and television production major from Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email kmangan@theloyolan.com.

䌀伀一䜀刀䄀吀唀䰀䄀吀䔀匀

SPORTS American intramurals showcase sexist ruleset

laloyolan.com

Page 17

The Hart Beat

Ryan P.C. Hartnett Asst. Sports Editor @LoyolanSports

I

ntramural sports are an opportunity for all college students to participate in a fun and competitive environment. There’s no denying that intramurals are a great way to stay active and make friends on a college campus, but the line of gender equality in intramurals has been crossed for far too long and should not be tolerated anymore. Intramural programs at universities across the country have incorporated rules in their sports that reward females with more points for completing the same task as male players.

Students from across the nation

have expressed their frustration with the inequality through university news publications before, but nothing has created enough publicity nationwide to generate any real change to the sexist rules that are still implemented today.

In 2014, The State Press of Arizona State University published an opinion piece that reported students’ frustration with the rule that two points would be rewarded for every goal scored by a female, while only one would be awarded to her male counterpart for that same goal. Students at Appalachian State University also reported their frustration with the same rule affecting intramural soccer on their campus in an article published in The Appalachian last year.

Loyola Marymount’s intramural sports program is no exception

via Campus Recreation

Students at LMU experience inequality in intramural flag football, indoor and outdoor soccer and volleyball with the current ruleset.

to the implementation of sexist rules that give females an unfair competitive edge. All of the official handbooks for each of the five sports that the intramural program has offered or will offer this year clearly state rules that reward females with more points for completing the same task as a male in a co-ed intramural game.

According to the latest version of the “LMU Intramural Flag Football Rules,” a touchdown is worth six points for single sex men’s and women’s flag football games. For co-ed flag football games, touchdowns are worth nine points when a female is involved and only six when a female is not involved. But, sexist rules are not only restricted to scoring.

“During an offensive possession there may not be two consecutive legal forward pass completions from a male passer to a male receiver,” states the same LMU handbook. “If a male completes a forward pass to a male, the next play is now considered “CLOSED.” CLOSED means that the next play must involve a female either catching the pass or throwing the pass, and the ball must break the plane of the line of scrimmage while in flight.”

For indoor soccer at LMU, coed teams are awarded two points for every goal scored by a female and one point for every goal scored by a male. This is another instance that hinders teams’ strategies when playing soccer, as teams are much more likely to have females play forwards and males play defense, as they want to get more points for scoring goals. Although teams are not forced to do so, these rules, imposed by the intramural

program heavily affect how teams play, because without focusing scoring around females, teams are at a disadvantage.

Freshman entrepreneurship major and intramural sports referee Ryan Olarte started officiating intramural games earlier this year and also disagrees with the current rules.

“As a referee, I can see that many of the female players play just as well as the guy players, or sometimes even better,” said Olarte.

I understand that intramurals are meant to be fun sports that involve everyone, but I find it unnecessary for mandatory rules to be implemented that affect the strategy of a team. When females are awarded more points for scoring the same touchdown as a male, teams are forced to change their game strategy so that females play positions that give them the opportunity to score. Failure to change strategies for teams usually results in teams not being able to compete with other teams that do focus on putting females in scoring positions. For example, the three-point difference is huge in a game of flag football.

A common argument defending intramural sports’ decision to give an advantage to females claims that by doing so, women are more encouraged to join intramural teams and are more involved in the games.

I find this philosophy to be quite outdated. We live in the 21st century; a woman is running for President of the United States and several women hold top executive positions in Fortune 500 companies. Females that want to be involved in sports on campus will

join intramural programs. Males that want to play intramural sports and don’t want to involve females in their team strategy will play on all male teams. Those who do not want to enjoy the environment of males and females working together equally should not affect how co-ed games are scored and played.

Appalachian State student Kate Rhudy took a stand last year as she noticed these same issues at her university. Rhudy has rallied several students to get involved at her university and challenge the intramural committee at Appalachian State.

“The plan is to convince them that the rule, while developed with a sincere intent to increase female participation, no longer serves a strong purpose and actually results in an instance of institutionalized sexism being perpetuated within our university,” said Rhudy in the article “Leveling the Playing Field,” published last year in The Appalachian. “The reinforcement of gender stereotypes and the playing of a game in which strategy and teamwork is being manipulated to the point where it no longer resembles the game.”

I encourage the students of LMU and those of every university in the U.S. that don’t support sexist rules in intramural sports to follow in the steps of Rhudy and take a stand against intramural committees in hopes of getting these rules of inequality changed.

This is the opinion of Ryan Hartnett, a freshman recording arts major from Fullerton, California. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email editor@theloyolan.com.

Graphic: Michelle Castro-Bastida | Loyolan

SPORTS

laloyolan.com Page 18

Bryant leaves lasting legacy for fans Kobe from Page 20

He is also the only player to ever record more than 30,000 points and 6,000 assists (insert misguided rebuttal about Bryant never passing here). For his career, he averaged 25.4 points per game.

Bryant has scored more than anyone else who has worn a Laker uniform. Even Kareem AbdulJabbar, who is first on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, didn’t score more for the purple and gold.

And then there are the championships and the awards.

Five rings, two Finals MVPs, the 2008 regular season MVP and 17 NBA All-Star selections — for every season since 2000. Bryant has been All-NBA 15 times, and he’s led the league in scoring twice.

Only four players have ever played in more postseason games.

The Jordan comparisons and the legend of Kobe go beyond the numbers as well. Both played under Phil Jackson. Both led their teams to a championship threepeat during their career. Both were seemingly unflappable, playing at their absolute best in the biggest games, the closest struggles and under the brightest lights. Kobe Bryant, like Jordan, embodies the word clutch.

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan gave more to basketball

than highlights and statistics. At his best, Bryant was not a player, he was an event. People tuned in or paid the price of admission just to watch the Black Mamba shoot fadeaways from the elbow. Our generation doesn’t throw their garbage away; we count down from five, lean back and release it from a distance while calling out “Kobe!” Nobody questions it.

What makes Bryant special is not that he has been so successful, but the manner in which he has achieved that success. Like him or not, it’s fair to say that nobody in the league, perhaps in the history of the league, has dedicated more of their time, energy, health and just overall being into the game of basketball.

If you’ve heard one Kobe story, you’ve heard them all. On game day, he still arrives hours before any of his teammates to take the same shots he has practiced countless times. Win or lose, he doesn’t leave the arena until the early hours of the next morning.

He has been plagued by injury throughout his career and usually exceeds his recovery timeline, if the injury even sidelines him at all.

Basketball has perhaps never known a fiercer competitor or harder worker than Bryant. Despite all of the personal accolades, he has always had a singular focus:

Win. Despite astronomical success, Bryant’s career is not without controversy. Detractors have loathed Kobe’s ego for years.

They’ve called him selfish, they’ve called him cocky, they’ve called him aloof. They have and forever will reference past allegations of sexual assault, and question his character. What makes Bryant unique is that he feeds off this.

There are very few people who are able to thrive off of being the bad guy, but Bryant is one of them.

In his own words in a letter he wrote to the game of basketball, published last Sunday in the Players’ Tribune: “This season is all I have left to give. My heart can take the pounding, my mind can take the grind, but my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.”

Even a figure as timeless as Kobe Bryant, and his struggling team in Los Angeles, must hang it up eventually. In recent years, the Lakers have lost their championship luster and talent, leaving the aging Bryant as the one constant in a carousel of coaches, players and mediocrity. His play is not as explosive as it once was, and he knows it as well as anyone.

It is time for Kobe Bryant to retire. He has given all of us who have had the chance to see him play, and the game of basketball,

Athlete ATHLETE Major: Double major in graphic design and economics

A: I think I have the most fun playing BYU [Brigham Young University].

A: I like the Humble Potato.

Q: Are you more excited about the last Hunger Games movie, or the new Star Wars movie?

A: The last Hunger Games movie.

Q: If you could be involved in another sport, what would it be?

This is the opinion of Tim De Vries, a freshman engineering major from Lake Oswego, Oregon. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email editor@theloyolan.com.

Q: Who is your favorite opponent to go against?

Q: Where is the best place to eat in Los Angeles?

A: The gym.

touches the ball, he writes history, and that’s the way it’s been for 20 years.

As a basketball fan, thanks for the memories, Kobe.

Q: What is your favorite class that you have taken at LMU? A: Ceramics.

Hometown: Palm Harbor,Florida

Q: Where is the best place on campus?

more than anyone ever could have hoped for. There is nothing more Bryant has left to do or prove in this league, besides enjoy this final victory lap.

As one of the greatest to ever play the game, we should savor his last minutes in these final games. Bryant may no longer be invincible, but every time he

Q: What is the last book that you read?

A: “The Autobiography of Malcolm X."

Class: Senior

Q: Do you prefer Thanksgiving or Christmas?

A: Christmas.

Kobe Bryant officially announced that he will be retiring following the 2015-16 NBA season. He will finish as the Lakers all-time leading scorer.

SPOTLIGHT

amber Mirabello Sport: Women's Volleyball

Keith Allison via Flickr Creative Commons

Q: Who is your celebrity crush?

A: Michael B. Jordan.

Q: Who is your favorite pro athlete?

A: Kobe Bryant.

Q: Where is one place in the world that you would like to visit?

A: Ireland.

Q: Would you rather live without your phone or your computer?

A: My phone.

A: Probably swimming.

Information compiled by Jack Sullivan, Sports Editor; Graphic: Michelle Castro Bastida | Loyolan

SPORTS

laloyolan.com Page 19

Subs and home court key for success Sully Speaks from Page 20

have played together. I think our guys have done incredibly well and they like each other. You can tell by the way they are playing.”

4. Dunlap is not afraid to use his bench: Most coaches will say that having key backups is crucial for a team’s success.

Having six, seven and even eight players that can come into the game helps give the starters a break. However, Dunlap has gone the extra mile and is using almost the entire roster. The Lions played 12 players in five of their six games this season and 11 in the other one. Dunlap has also started eight different players in the six games with only junior guard Brandon Brown and junior forward Shamar Johnson starting every game. That depth came in handy in the Lions’ most recent home game against CSU Northridge. The game went into overtime and the Lions were able to pull out a win 82-80.

The Matadors only played eight players and three of them fouled out, crippling their offense. The Lions were able to constantly rotate in players to keep fresh.

“In particular, [it helps] energy wise so that we can work our defense,” Dunlap said.

“Offensively it helps us see

different combinations of players and work on different plays. This is the time of year that you learn how to use your people.”

3. Lions hold down home court advantage: The men’s basketball team has had three games at home and three games on the road. Though the team has struggled on the road this season (1-2 so far), they have been perfect at home, earning a 3-0 record and scoring an average of 82.3 points per game in Gersten while only scoring an average of 67 points per game on the road.

The LMU student body has even come out in full force to support the program.

“The turnout by the students has been higher than expected this early on,” Dunlap said. “Even during the Thanksgiving Break [against CSUN] we had a good turnout. I think establishing that we can win at home will draw more people, and ultimately that is our goal. We would like to hold home court so that the people can enjoy not only coming, but seeing us win.”

2. The team can shoot the ball from deep: Last year the Lions only made 160 threepointers the whole season.

This year is likely to blow that number out of the water. They have already made 47 three-

pointers in the first six games of the season, putting them on pace to end with 227. The team is also shooting .322 from beyond the arc, so they are not just launching balls in the hope of making. The long-distance shooting is being led by sophomore guard/forward Joshua Spiers (12) and Steve Haney (11). Nine different Lions have hit a three point shot so far this season, and the three players who have not are the forwards who have not even attempted a three ( Johnson, junior Adom Jacko and sophomore Petr Herman). The team has hit at least five three pointers in every game and has hit at least nine in their last four, “We are shooting the ball better and we are far more relaxed,” Dunlap said. “We have seen an uptick in our perimeter shooting. … We will need the three point game if we want to win.”

1. Brown and Jacko will be critical if the Lions want to make a run this season: The team has plenty of players who can play basketball, from seasoned LMU veterans like senior forward Marin Mornar, Herman and Spiers to the new additions like Johnson and Tauch. However, the key players for the Lions this season will

Josh Kuroda | Loyolan

Junior guard Brandon Brown (above) along with junior forward Adom Jacko are two valuable players on this year ’s team.

almost certainly be Brown and Jacko. Brown has started every game and is the main ball handler for the Lions. He is the player that the team relies on for a clutch shot and is always one of their leading scorers. Jacko is a force in the paint and can always pump up the crowd with explosive dunks. He earned a double-

double in his first game and has been a constant offensive threat for the team. If the team wants to go anywhere this season, it will be on the backs of these two athletes.

This is the opinion of Jackson Tave, a sophomore finance major from Wall, New Jersey. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email editor@theloyolan.com.

ACCELERATE YOUR STUDIES EXPLORE TRANSFER CREDIT COURSES UCLA Extension offers a wide selection of courses you can take and transfer toward your current or future academic program. These are the same courses that are offered on the UCLA campus.

Choose from a vast array of disciplines—political science, psychology, sociology, philosophy, economics, and more!

For more information, visit:

17206-15

uclaextension.edu/transfercred

Transferability These UCLA Extension courses provide units / subject credit toward bachelor’s degrees across all campuses of the University of California and the California State University System. They may also be accepted at many academic institutions nationwide. (Please verify in advance with your institution of choice.)

Enroll today. Winter Quarter starts Jan. 4!

Questions? Contact us at (310) 825-7093.

SPORTS LIONBITES

SCORES UPDATE VBALL

LION

3-0 W

M. BBALL

SPORTS

W. SOCCER

5-2 L

W. BBALL

at West Virginia

73-60 W at SEMO

at USD

95-50 W

vs. UC Irvine

Follow us on Twitter @LoyolanSports for up-to-date scores.

Page 20

LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | December 2, 2015 | laloyolan.com

Volleyball earns bid to tourney

VOLLEYBALL In the midst of a berth to the NCAA Tournament, three LMU women were honored with All-WCC awards. Senior setter Hannah Tedrow and sophomore outside hitter/setter Sarah Sponcil were named firstteam. Tedrow’s assist rate of 11.70 per set is the best in the West Coast Conference and top-10 in the NCAA. Sponcil was the beneficiary of Tedrow’s 1,310 assists, leading the team with 410 kills. Senior middle blocker/opposite Rachelle Suaava rounded out the Lions with her honorable mention selection. Suaava’s 139 blocks were good enough for second in the conference, at the fifth best per-set rate.

Tedrow, Sponcil, Suaava and the rest of the team will face Colorado in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at 4:30 p.m. PT on Thursday.

CROSS COUNTRY Two time All-WCC women’s runner Danielle Shanahan placed 87th in the National Championship on Nov. 21st, becoming the fourth Lion to do so. Laura Mickelson was the first to reach the final race in 2006 and 2007, followed by three-time contender Tara Erdmann in 2008, 2010 and 2011 and Sheree Shea in 2012. After finishing 13th at the West Regionals and qualifying for the National Championship field of 250, the junior Shanahan finished the 6K course in 20:45.9. Shanahan’s top-third finish at the National Championship is the latest accomplishment in her decorated career thus far as she and the team look forward to next season.

For more LION BITES, like Loyolan Sports on Facebook and visit laloyolan.com/sports.

Josh Kuroda and Megan Karbowski | Loyolan

The LMU volleyball team became the second fall sports team to secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament, alongside the women’s soccer team. They are one of four West Coast Conference teams to make the tournament and will play Colorado State University on Thursday.

There will Six takeaways from six games only be one Kobe T Sully Speaks Jack Sullivan Sports Editor

@LoyolanSports

Big Time Timmy Jim Tim De Vries Sports Intern

@LoyolanSports

P

layers like Kobe Bryant come around once — maybe twice if we’re lucky — in a lifetime. The reasons that millions of fans around the world love Kobe are the same reasons that millions of others simply cannot stand him.

We know now that his 20th season in the NBA and with the Lakers is the final chapter in an illustrious career. Bryant will retire at the end of this season.

Love him or hate him, there is no place for anything but the utmost respect for Bryant.

His legacy will be the most powerful and transformative on the league since Michael Jordan. Even now, the parallels between the two are uncanny.

Basketball purists tend to have difficulty placing anybody on Jordan’s pedestal, yet with Kobe this comparison is almost universally accepted, at least as far as discussion is concerned. His career numbers certainly make the conversation a viable one.

Bryant will retire with around 33,000 points, the third-most points in NBA history.

See Kobe | Page 18

he men’s basketball team has played in six games thus far and has been impressive. They are 4-2 and are scoring nearly 75 points a game.

Though the season is still in its infancy, there are some things that we can learn from the team’s start. Here are six takeaways from the Lions’ season so far.

6. The Lions’ tough defense: The first takeaway from the Lions is that they take the ball away. Last season, the team averaged 6.1 steals per game, compared to the 7.3 steals they allowed to their opponents. This season, the Lions have averaged 9.3 takeaways per game compared to their opponents’ 7.2.

This has helped increase last season’s turnover margin from -2.1 per game to +5.3 per game. The team is currently led by junior guard/forward Buay Tauch (eight) and sophomore forward Petr Herman (seven).

“Establishing a defensive identity is important,” Head Coach Mike Dunlap said. “That is what is going to help you win.”

5. The new additions are key to the Lions success: The men’s basketball program had a major overhaul this past year. Last year’s leading scorer, guard Evan Payne, transferred to CSU Long Beach after the season ended. Leading assister guard Chase Flint and leading

Dustin Tan | Loyolan

The new talent on the men’s basketball team is one of the things that will make or break the Lions’ season. The team has nine new faces on the 15-man roster this year. rebounder forward Godwin Okonji both graduated. Key role players guard guards Munis Tutu, Miles Crawford and Jeffery McClendon, the team is set to Ayodeji Egbeyemi and forward Patson Siame are also gone. The team needed start fresh with new players.

“We have worked them incredibly to reload on players if they wanted any chance at being successful this season. hard,” Dunlap said. “We have had a With five transfers coming in, redshirt tough schedule… a lot of these teams sophomore Steven Haney finishing his have an advantage because their players redshirt last season and three freshmen,

See Sully Speaks | Page 19