Los Angeles Loyolan October 17th 2017

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

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One more weekend to see the DRP’s “The Curious Savage”

The USMNT must look outside our borders for future success.

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Reports of peeping Toms resurface Recent reports of a peeping Tom have raised concerns in the off-campus student community. Matt Gaydos Managing Editor @LALoyolan

LMU students living off campus in the Westchester area are again reporting peeping Tom incidents, as recent as last Wednesday at 10:30 p.m, according to a post in the newly founded LMU Student Watch Facebook Group. Students living off campus have formed the Facebook group, in response to an increase in peeping Tom reports this semester, according to the first post. The last incident reported in the Facebook group on October 11 included a photo of the alleged assailant — who has matched previous descriptions of a middle aged man with dark hair and facial hair — from a security camera. “The first incident was last winter, but the cameras caught him walking around our yard and peering into peoples windows. Since then, we have installed even more cameras,” Nikki Rathbone, a senior marketing and women in gender studies double major, said. Rathbone and her roommates believe the alleged peeping Tom turned cameras around to face the wall, showing he knew where their cameras were located. Kasey Sobierajski, a senior communications studies major who also lives in the Westchester area, came face to face with the alleged assailant when she and her roommate were coming home from dinner. According to Sobierajski, they saw him lurking in their backyard and quickly called LAPD. Sobierajski said the man was gone by the time LAPD arrived.

LMU students in houses in Weschester have been reporting sightings of a peeping Tom and have provided pictures of a suspect. Students have also contacted the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in regards to the peeping Tom incidents, who said there was not much they could do besides taking a report on the incident. At their meeting with DPS, Sobierajski said they were told that “[DPS] can’t tend to things like that off campus for a few reasons.” The reasons DPS gave were not wanting to interfere with law enforcement, not having enough officers to patrol off campus and officers not being armed to deal with any life threatening situations, according to Sobierajski. “LMU Public Safety does not have enforcement jurisdiction in the neighborhood, so we cannot respond to inprogress calls or provide safety patrols off-

campus,” Chief of Public Safety Hampton Cantrell told the Loyolan in an email. According to Chief Cantrell, DPS responds to off campus complaints of any student parties or disruptive behavior for purely administrative reasons — not to enforce any ordinances. He says that these responses are based off of an agreement with the city and neighborhood surrounding LMU’s campus. Chief Cantrell and DPS advise that LMU students living off campus report any suspicious behavior to the LAPD if they want enforcement action and after give DPS a notification of the incident. According to Chief Cantrell, this is so the University “can then follow-up with LAPD about trends and safety recommendations.” Rathbone believes the problem is that

LAPD has not been fast enough in responding to their reports of the peeping Tom. “Because the guy has never tried to break in, it essentially isn’t a priority for them,” Rathbone said. “They have been cooperative in listening to us and obtaining details, but our frustration lies in them not sending out cars or officers to us when we call shortly after seeing the peeping Tom.” ASLMU President Hayden Tanabe told the Loyolan that he has met with Senior Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Lane Bove and Dean of Students Dr. Jeannie Ortiz this week and is planning to meet with Chief Cantrell soon. Tanabe plans to comment about what he and the LMU community would like to happen after that meeting.

J. Royer honored with theatre award The ATHE playwriting award will be named after LMU professor Judith Royer. Kayan Tara

Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

Jose Aguila | Loyolan

“Collaborators in Creation” praises LMU’s global progress LMU’s 16th president Timothy Law Snyder presented his second convocation address titled “Collaborators in Creation” on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 11:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel. In his address, Snyder praised LMU’s recent achievements, including the Playa Vista campus, increased diversity in tenured faculty, a newly restructured market and communications organization and record breaking number of applicants. Snyder also stressed inclusivity and openness to creativity and imagination, instead of only the logical and the observable to increase interdiciplinary thought and problem—solving collaborative creativity. “Together, let us resolve to create with purpose and with boundless energy and copious joy on this bluff and beyond the definitive center for global imagination as collaborations in creation,” Snyder said.

After over 35 years as a Theater Arts professor at LMU, Judith Royer, is receiving the honor of having a playwriting award re-named after her. The Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) will now annually give out the Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award. Royer has previously been honored by ATHE, in 2008, with the Outstanding Teacher of Theatre in Higher Education Award and is currently the Director for LMU’s Center for CSJ Reconciliation and Justice and the director/producer for the Playwrights Center Stage new play series. ATHE, a nonprofit organization founded in 1986, serves to support and develop theatre education at colleges and universities, working with administrators, educators, graduate students and theatre practitioners. As a founding member of the organization, Royer was a part of the team that founded the excellence in playwriting award, originally called the ATHE Award for Excellence in Playwriting. “I didn’t know they were thinking of putting somebody’s name on the award, which they do once in a while, so it did

come as a complete surprise,” said Royer. “I’m really proud of being part of the award because [it supports] playwrights. Without new plays, we begin to be historians or a library of past plays all of which is wonderful but we’re not adding to the field.” According to Royer, simply studying works of the past is not enough. She hopes this award will help break the cycle of focusing solely on old plays by supporting playwrights and helping them develop and promote their new plays. Actively supporting new playwrights and their plays has always been extremely important to Royer, because “in this day and age, productions and publication of new plays is so difficult. This award is really significant in that it gets new plays out there.” Along with the recognition, the recipient of the award in playwriting receives a staged reading of their play at the conference where the awards are given out. The conference holds producers and theatre educators who could potentially produce the annual recipient’s new work of art, according to Royer. Playwrights and Creative Teams Focus Group (PACT) representative Rodger D. Sorenson proposed that the ATHE Award for Excellence in Playwriting be named after Royer. The letter proposed that through this act ATHE would be recognizing Royer for the significant impact she has had upon educational and professional theatre in America. See Playwriting | Page 3


NEWS

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N O RT H E R N C A L I F O R N I A

WILDFIRE U P D ATE Information Compiled by Kayla Brogan Graphic by Chloe Cunningham | Loyolan

Firefighters continue to work across the state to contain these fires

According to SFGate.com

According to The Washington Post

65 open missing persons cases According to SF Chronicle

. ME . HO UR OICE O V Y . UR EWS O N Y UR O Y

Retreat held on Skid Row Students participate in 12th annual Midnight Mission service retreat. Kayan Tara

Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

This weekend, 28 LMU students along with staff members and Student Leaders spent two days on Skid Row. Partnered with The Midnight Mission (TMM), the 12th Annual Retreat on Skid Row took place from Thursday Oct. 12 to Saturday, Oct. 14. During the retreat, students spent two nights in sleeping bags on the floors of TMM’s gymnasium. Students served food and spent time with guests and residents at the Cardinal Manning Center and the Catholic Worker. The Midnight Mission is a nonprofit organization focused on helping the homeless on their path to self-sufficiency through family living, education and training in the workforce. Through a 12-step approach to recovery and their emergency services, TMM has been working for the homeless since being founded in 1914. The service retreat is run through

Campus Ministry and Center for Service and Action (CSA), according to one of the student leaders on the trip, Matt Parsons. “I think that was the whole point of the retreat was to engage in dialogue with people that society often shuns,” Parsons, a senior philosophy and theology major, said. “Something that I’ve found really valuable of the service retreat…is it is not necessarily about us helping the community… but more about us starting to understand that community. It’s more [about] putting a human face on an issue that we often shy away from. I think one of the biggest things I got from being with the people is the resilience [they have] throughout the hardship.” The students on the retreat also got an opportunity to tour Skid Row with LAPD’s Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph, as well as attend panels by TMM focusing on careers in human services and personal recovery stories, according to TMM’s press release. LMU has worked with TMM for several years, students have tutored at TMM’s after school programs and volunteered to serve meals to the homeless. With service being a crucial element to LMU’s mission as

a Jesuit institution, educating the whole person, LMU students are actively engaged, doing community service and restorative justice with several different non-profit organizations around Los Angeles throughout the year. According to student leader Haley Fletcher the retreat this year was unique because students got to volunteer with Union Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter, as well as tour The Catholic Worker’s Hippie Kitchen, a soup kitchen, which the retreat hadn’t done in previous years. “Each participant had different experiences with different people they interacted with that they found powerful,” Fletcher, a junior computer science major, said. “One of the most important things that I heard on this trip that I think is beneficial to keep in mind is that it is ‘not a homeless person, it’s a person experiencing homelessness.’ Even those of us on campus who do service regularly find it so easy to detach those who we serve at our placements from those in the rest of the world. Focusing on the humanity, and the brokenness that we all share is a much needed theme of the retreat.”

Over 2 million gallons of fire retardant has been dropped to aid firefighters According to The Washington Post

5,700 245,000

The amount of buildings and homes were either destroyed or damaged

Total acres that have been burned across California According to Calfire.ca.gov

According to SFGate.com

Over 100,000 people have been displaced According to The Washington Post

John Paul Ramirez | LMU Campus Ministry

LMU students pictured above at Union Rescue Mission participted in the weekend retreat on Skid Row.

The Landings


NEWS

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BURNING QUESTIONS

This week, Interim News Editor Olivia Round sat down with freshman African American studies major Eli Scott, a member of the LMU men’s basketball team.

What has been your experience as a collegiate athlete?

1

It’s been long, super long. The days are long. I have to meet with a lot of people — a lot of boosters, a lot of alumni.

2

What does the LMU community mean to you?

It’s basically like a family. Everyone knows each other. It’s such a small community, rather than at a public school, like UCLA or something.

3

What role has basketball played in your life?

A major role. It pretty much is my life. I really don’t do too much outside of basketball.

Playwriting award named after LMU theatre professor J. Royer from Page 1

“She is a writer, dramaturg and director. But most of all Judith Royer serves her fellow human beings through rigor and kindness,” said Sorensen, a professor of theatre at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, said. “She speaks up for social injustice. She gives of her time and talents to nurture and nourish students and colleagues alike. Her influence in her own university, throughout the nation and the world is significant.” With over 40 years of experience in teaching playwriting, acting, directing and producing, Royer has directed over 35 revivals and 40 original scripts in the U.S. and the U.K. An immediatepast member of the National Playwriting Committee for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Royer

via Judith Royer

Royer has been a theatre arts educator for over 40 years. was awarded the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion for her work in nurturing new plays and playwrights around the country. One class taught at LMU by Royer is “Voices of Justice,” a class where students delve into

issues of restorative justice. Through interviews with clients from agencies such as homeless service Safe Place for Youth (SPY) and The People Concern (OPCC), and Francisco Homes, a transition home for the formerly incarcerated, students are made to create a performance at the end of the semester based on the stories they have been told. Each semester “Voices of Justice” tells stories through performance, tackling different issues of restorative justice, a few being human trafficking, immigration and homelessness. “I’ve had a class with Judith almost every semester [since I’ve been a theatre major],” said Natasha Aquino, a senior theatre major. “Judith has a spirit that doesn’t quit. She fights for herself and for others. And with a heart as good as hers, she’ll never quit on you if she knows you got the same spirit in you.”

Boy Scouts of America to end gender exclusive clubs

Girls will be allowed to join Cub Scouts Did you play any other sports growing up? What starting next year.

4 6

drew you to pursue basketball?

I played football when I was younger and then my mother put me in basketball to keep me busy, and I just fell in love with it.

Who is your role model?

5

Like, who I model my game after? Probably Draymond Green. Or Dion Waiters. Those are my favorite players.

What’s your favorite basketball team and why?

The Cavs [Cleveland Cavaliers] or the Lakers because basically my brother plays for the Lakers.

7

It seems like you are really close with Lonzo Ball [Lakers] and his brothers. What’s it like seeing them gain a lot of attention in the media?

It’s good. We knew it would happen sooner or later. That’s just who they are as a family.

8

Has their newfound fame changed your life in any way? Yeah, well, basically, their fame is the reason I have so much attention towards me right now.

9

Is the NBA your next goal? What would be your dream team to play for? Yeah, hopefully. And any team to give me a paycheck.

10

What’s your favorite thing to do in L.A. on the weekends? Go hang out with my friends. I’ll start to go to some Lakers games when the regular season starts.

11

Where do you see yourself in five years? Playing basketball professionally.

Want to read even more questions

WANT MORE QUESTIONS?

with Scott? Check them out at laloyolan.com.

Emma Yee News Intern @LALoyolan

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) announced last Wednesday that they will be allowing girls to join Cub Scouts next year and establishing a pathway for girls to earn the rank of Eagle Scout beginning in 2019. Cub Scout Dens, the smallest unit of scouts, will remain single gender. The larger Cub Scout Packs will have the option to integrate all genders or remain single gender, according to CBS News. The BSA cited that girls could thrive in their curriculum as the basis for the change, as well as minimizing the number of after school stops made by parents. The announcement followed other recent changes including the acceptance of transgender scouts, gay scouts and volunteers, according to The New York Times. The biggest critic of Wednesday’s announcement has been the Girl Scouts of the USA, the exclusively female equivalent of BSA. Girl Scouts leadership has suggested that this announcement is an attempt to boost earnings after financial hardship due to sex-abuse settlements. The Girl Scouts advised the BSA to involve underrepresented groups within their organization, such as Black, Latino and Asian boys, especially those from low-income backgrounds, as reported by CBS News. While the Girl Scouts offered no direct response to the BSA announcement, an implicit response was posted to the organization’s blog. “The need for female leadership has never been clearer or more urgent than it is today—and only Girl Scouts has the expertise to give

via Wikimedia Commons

The announcement followed other recent changes including the acceptance of transgender scouts, gay scouts and volunteers. girls and young women the tools they need for success.” “I’m all for gender equality, but equality doesn’t necessarily always have to mean merging,” senior business management major and Eagle Scout Niko Klein said. “I think that [singlesex time] can be beneficial to growth… the Girl Scouts should provide an equally robust program for girls, relative to what boy scouting provides boys. Maybe even change the name of girl scout’s ‘Gold Award’ to ‘Eagle Scout,’ so equally deserving girls get the recognition they deserve.” Others offered praise to the announcement. Sixteen year old Sydney Ireland, an unofficial member of Boy Scout Troop 414 in New York City, plans to become an official member.

She received notoriety after starting a change.org petition in 2015 calling for the BSA to allow her to become an official member, which has received 9,000 signatures, according to the L.A. Times. When asked by the L.A. Times why she is not interested in joining the Girl Scouts, she explained that the curriculum of Boy Scouts fit her interests more so than the Girl Scouts. “I couldn’t be prouder of the decision, and I think it’s going to prove to be a great one,” said sophomore civil engineering major Eagle Scout Aaron Radulski. “The experiences and opportunities that scouting can bring to one’s life should be available to everyone, and the more diverse any organization is, the better it functions.”


LIONS FOR RECOVERY

Fall 2017 Meeeng Schedule MONDAY

TUESDAY

7pm-8pm, Marijuana Anonymous. 6pm-7pm, Alcoholics Anonymous. The Boardroom, Malone 455 University Hall, Room 3999 (McIntosh Center)*

WEDNESDAY 9pm-10pm, SMART Recovery. Von der Ahe, Conference Room 241

FRIDAY 5pm-6pm, Narcoocs Anonymous. Leavey 5, Room 307

*October 3 rd, 10 th, and 24 th meeengs will be held in University Hall Room 1859

THURSDAY 12pm-1pm, Alanon. Leavey 5, Room 307 4pm-5pm, Alcoholics Anonymous. Leavey 5, Room 307

FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL: RECOVERYYLMU.EDU

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS ISSUE


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What LMU can (and does) do for LGBTQ+ Students and faculty share their thoughts on campus inclusivity. Robyn De Leon

Assistant Social Justice Editor @LALoyolan

October is dedicated to reflecting on the history of the LGBTQ+ community. Freshman enigineering physics major and proud bisexual Ashley Agrello offered her insights on LMU’s support for its LGBTQ+ community in the present day. Praising the school for how inclusive the faculty is, for Agello, LMU doesn’t just talk the talk, but walks the walk. One such example, according to Agrello, is how faculty members care about acknowledging pronouns and not shying away from important topics in the classroom. She noted programming and events held by organizations such as the Gender-Straight Alliance (GSA) and LGBT Student Services (LGBTSS), like last month’s Welcome Home BBQ and last week’s National Coming Out Day. “The way that that we’re really bold and upfront about things ... the fact that we don’t really hide things for that is really nice,” said Agrello. Argello also called attention to those identifying as non-binary, stressing the importance of respecting and being inclusive of people who don’t identify with their assigned genders or as male or female at all. The goals and aspirations toward inclusivity and positive engagement with LGBTQ+ issues on campus aren’t exclusively held by the students of this community, but also by LMU as an institution. Junior biochemistry major Dillon Rinauro commended the University for positively working with the LGBTQ+ community. “The [LGBTQ+]community seems to be really active, really engaged. It feels really welcomed which is nice especially as a school with a Catholic identity to it,” said Rinauro. He recalled how LMU secured bathrooms for all genders after the Trump administration’s bathroom policy withdrew the protections for transgender students that had been implemented during the Obama era. Public bathrooms on campus were made all-gendered so transgender and non-binary students could proceed safely and comfortably.

Lauren Holmes | Loyolan

Events like last year’s Welcome Home BBQ (above) invite a sense of solidarity, fun and pride for for both students and faculty in LMU’s LGBTQ+ community.

Rinauro also offered some constructive criticism about how LMU could continue to improve its support for students from the LGBTQ+ community. He drew attention to LGBTSS and GSA for their abundance of resources that, from his perspective, aren’t being utilized by LMU or its student body as much as they could be. Rinauro also expressed concern over the availability of the Student Psychiatric Services (SPS). He claimed that quite often, SPS is overbooked and unable to take in individuals, resulting in some appointments being delayed by at least a week. This issue is not new. In 2015, the Loyolan reported on the same concerns felt among students. For him, he was able to work through difficult times and emotions with a counselor that, through her own experiences, could provide the guidance and support he needed at the time. For those who don’t find that kind of help easily through on campus services like SPS, this presents a real problem, particularly for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Mental health and wellness is especially challenging for LGBTQ+ youths who are four times more likely to attempt suicide, experience suicidal

thoughts and engage in self harm compared to their cis-gender and straight counterparts. They are also three times more likely to experience a mental health condition, according to Mental Health America. To resolve issues like this at LMU, it is not the matter of who is at fault, but of figuring out ways to improve the overall operation of SPS, according to Rinauro. That way, the mental health of students is improved. One of his ideas is to increase the number of staff members avaliable to students. Rinauro also mentioned having peer-to-peer counselors, which is essentially assigning individuals to each other as personal confidants. This was something that was brought up during last year’s ASLMU campaign — s­pecifically by then-presidential candidate senior biology and English double major Mekleit Dix and her running mate at the time, senior psychology and political science double major CJ Stone. Rinauro believes implementing a peer-to-peer counseling program would lessen the pressure on SPS and potentially ease the minds of students who aren’t comfortable with being open about their sexuality. “I think it’s great having just like a friend,” said Rinauro, who himself at one point was hesitant

to confide in a group setting about his sexuality. LMU’s Wellness Educator program functions similarly. Students who volunteer with the program are trained intensively and supervised by psychologists through SPS. Participants strive to help their fellow students learn more about mental health and wellness, sharing information about SPS and other wellness resources on and off campus. For biology professor and alumna Martina Ramirez (‘81), the question is not as much about “what LMU can do for you,” but more so about what all universities, including this campus community, can do for their LGBTQ+ communities. While acknowledging that she doesn’t know the inner workings of on campus organizations like GSA or LGBTSS, as an LMU professor, she believes faculty is often a forgotten student resource. Faculty can act as mentors to students, explained Ramiez, and neither age gaps nor professional achievements should feel like an intimidating barrier preventing that connection. This is especially true of faculty of diverse backgrounds. “I’m first generation, I’m low income, I’m a person of color and I went [to LMU] at a time where there were fewer women, fewer faculty of

color... how many of their faculty are from those backgrounds?” Ramirez said. The backgrounds of the faculty also matter to the students looking up to them because they are examples of what people like them can accomplish. Ramirez is the only public example at the moment of a LMU faculty who is open about her transition. This is something to be celebrated, but it also serves as an eye-opener for LMU and other universities’ campuses about the importance of role models with diverse backgrounds. They show students from minority and marginalized groups that despite their differences, they can still be as successful as they are, despite the many stigmas they might face. The University does a lot for its students through various programs, events and organizations. However, it can continue to foster those relationships between students and faculty, according to Ramirez, by fnding a way to connect students with faculty who are open and comfortable with ther LGBTQ+ identities. To learn more, see page 15 of the Life + Arts section, which discusses some of the history behind and cutural the contributions made by those from the LGBTQ+ community.


OPINION

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Board Millions have spoken, will we listen? Editorial Kellie Chudzinski Editor-in-Chief

Elliot Britt

Managing Editor

Isabel Ngo

Managing Editor

Matt Gaydos Managing Editor

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

EDITORIAL STAFF

Scouting for a new generation Drop the Mike Michael Teasdale Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan

I

was a Boy Scout — or Cub Scout, I should say — for about six years, from first grade up until middle school. We met once a week to learn how to shoot arrows or go camping, all in pursuit of little colorful badges that our moms could sew onto our navy blue and tan button-downs. It was cool, I guess. My dad made me do it, and I think he might have had more fun than I did. I preferred hikes of the shorter variety, I found that camping is only fun for the first night and considered every minute I spent fishing a wasted minute. I had friends who were Girl Scouts, and that sounded way more fun. They did outdoorsy stuff too, but they also learned about art and science and they had amazing cookies. The more I think about it, the more I realize I would have made a much better Girl Scout. When the Boy Scouts announced last week that they will be allowing girls to join their organization, I was elated. I remember how tumultuous my time in Boy Scouts was, but I also remember how much some of my friends loved it. I knew there must be a bunch of girls who would be much more suited for the Boy Scouts than their female-focused counterpart. To be clear, the Girl Scouts have no intention of returning the favor. They released a statement in response saying that, “Girl Scouts is the best girl leadership organization in the world, created with and for girls.” This decision comes as a well-needed relief for those of us who would have thrived in another organization, had it not been single-sex only. I don’t think Girl Scouts is in the wrong by remaining gender-exclusive,

just like I don’t think Boy Scouts was wrong for doing the same in the past. Still, not everyone agrees. “Honestly, there are no excuses for having scouting limited to just men,” said Jeff Scharberg, sophomore film production major and Eagle Scout. “It is really contradictory to most of the values scouting upholds.” In an ideal world, there would be a singular “scouts” organization that waould be open to anyone, and teach the valuable skills both current scouting organizations impart on their members. According to The New York Times gender correspondent Claire Cain Miller, “Over all, the boys seem to have more chances to Christian Boggs | Loyolan do things … [while] the girls have more Girls will now be welcomed into the Boy Scouts. badges for caring for others.” Miller then gives examples of badges that interest in the opposite sex. I can’t imagine the Boy Scouts could implement. I don’t see that sending a bunch of middle-school boys why these ideals can’t merge into one great and girls off into the woods on a camping trip organization that will continue to shape the would go particularly well. youth of tomorrow. Because of this necessary separation, the This can’t happen because, as it is now, the boy part hasn’t changed much for the boys Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts are separate who join, nor has the core purpose of the organizations who are allegedly not on great organization. Boy scouts still aim to train the terms. But the Boy Scouts of America seem to youth of today to be better global citizens. have found this untapped market of girls who Even then, maybe Boy Scouts should are more interested in the Boy Scouts way, take a page out of the Girl Scouts’ book. and now they have a golden opportunity. Both organizations have the best intentions If the Boy Scouts can shift the variety of at heart for its members, and the creation the badges they offer, they could break into of an inclusive scouts program that teaches the Girl Scouts’ market even further by children about both doing things and caring promoting inclusivity and breaking down for people would be more appealing to kids gender barriers. and parents alike. Still, there are going to have to be gender barriers. Kids in the Cub Scouts age range have little interest in the opposite sex. And, on This is the opinion of Michael Teasdale, a freshman the other side of the coin, kids in the slightly marketing major from St. Louis, Missouri. Tweet comments older age bracket might have a little too much @LALoyolan, or email ebritt@theloyolan.com.

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OPINION

laloyolan.com Page 7

EPA letting climate change run rampant JuJu on that Pete Peter Martin Opinion Intern @LALoyolan

O

ver 15 raging wildfires have swept across California for over a week, leaving 220,000 acres decimated, an estimated 5,700 structures destroyed, and 40 confirmed deaths, according to the LA Times. These are by no means typical fires, they are collectively the deadliest blaze in the history of California. Fast moving flames from high-speed winds have made escape

challenging and hesitation fatal. With so many people still missing and the fires still burning strong, California is just beginning to feel the impact of this natural disaster. But how natural is it? California weather is unquestionably changing. The Western Regional Climate Center reported that the recorded temperature in California during June, July and August was the hottest in recorded history. This summer was not an anomaly either; California’s average temperature has been increasing since the 1950s and is on track to just keep rising. These

Sourced from The National Centers for Environmental Information

The 20th century average temperature of 56.9 degrees Farenheit has been increasing since 2000. What effect has this had on fires?

increasing temperatures are by no means an isolated incident, they are indicative of a warming globe. Earth’s average surface temperature has increased by two degrees fahrenheit since the late 19th century, a shift that climate scientists attribute largely to higher levels of carbon dioxide and other man-made emissions in the atmosphere. The recent California wildfires cannot be blamed solely on climate change, but climbing temperatures greatly exacerbate the problem. According to the U.S. Forest Service, years of drought have left 102 million trees dead and vulnerable to wildfires. This summer created the perfect combination for the sheer destructive power of this month’s wildfires. This pattern of natural disasters aggravated by climate change can be seen all around the country. Hurricane Harvey swept through Houston leaving at least 88 dead and an estimated $200 billion in economic losses. Puerto Rico similarly suffered catastrophic damage and civilian deaths at the hand of Hurricane Maria. Higher temperatures lead to increased evaporation rates which leads to more rain outside of drought areas, and increased ocean temperatures lead to larger and more violent storms. Other western states are suffering from similar unprecedented wildfires. Climate

change is no longer some abstract problem for a future generation, it is happening now. Billions of dollars in damages and hundreds of lost lives are the very real impact of our changing planet. In the midst of these catastrophic environmental disasters, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is fixated on denial and deregulation. On Oct. 10, as wildfires raged across California, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt repealed the Clean Power Plan. Initially proposed in 2014, this signature Obama administration program was designed to combat human induced climate change through the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. While troubling, this news is far from a complete shock. The EPA, under the Trump Administration, has been consistently hostile to any action that could be considered environmental protection. The sheer scope of environmental disasters currently wrecking the United States, should elicit an active response from the government. Instead, the EPA has decided that now is not the time to talk about climate change. During an interview with CNN leading up to Hurricane Irma, Pruitt said, “To have any kind of focus on the cause and effect of the storm versus helping people, or

actually facing the effect of the storm, is misplaced. To use time and effort to address it at this point is very, very insensitive to this people in Florida.” Pruitt’s refusal to acknowledge the dangers and impact of climate change has not gone unnoticed. “Politicians like Scott Pruitt are only responding to the immediate effects of disasters instead of addressing the main problem and establishing a resilient society,” said freshman environmental science major Rebecca Davenport. “Not only are politicians refusing to take proper action on climate change, but many of them are still refusing to link global warming with anthropogenic action.” According to Pruitt, a search for preventative measures is insensitive and disrespectful. But far more disrespectful is letting Americans lose their homes, businesses and even lives to preventable disasters. Climate change can no longer be viewed as an abstract force of questionable danger; it is a real threat that has killed hundreds of Americans and cost them billions of dollars. And right now, the EPA is doing nothing. The U.S. government has a responsibility to protect Americans, and Scott Pruitt is letting them down. This is the opinion of Peter Martin, a freshman political science major from San Jose, California. Tweet comments @LALoyolan, or email ebritt@theloyolan.com.

Weinstein is just one of many Jenny from the Block Jennifer Lee

S

Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan

crolling through my Facebook feed, I’ve run into several posts that simply read, “me too.” My confusion quickly turned into dismay as I realized that each post was someone’s confession that they too had been a victim of sexual abuse, harrassment and/or assault, just like all of the women coming forward with allegations about ex-Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Learning that this treatment of women in Hollywood is so rampant has been an incredibly surprising experience for many people, while others are frustrated that this is what it takes people to notice. According to a New York Times article, Weinstein has sexual assault allegations dating back to the ‘80s, and that there are at least seven unnamed cases where Weinstein paid off the women for their silence. “Finally I just gave up. At least I was able to stop him kissing me,” said British actress Lysette Anthony in a recent CNN article. “As he ground himself against me, I kept my eyes shut tight, held my breath, just let him get on with it.” I’m not even going to attempt to cover all or even most of the stories of the women, but I encourage you to read every single one of them. Every day more women are coming forward to make statements to the police and to the rest of Hollywood that yes, he did this to “me, too.”

What people need to understand is this: Corrupt people cannot be allowed to remain in positions of power. And corrupt people will do everything in their power to keep it. “It’s not hard to not be a creep. It is very easy not to act like that.” said director and producer Judd Apatow during a recent Hollywood Reporter roundtable discussion centered around the tragic news. “You can respect people. You can respect women. And it’s easy,” said Apatow. Weinstein’s actions were so much more than just creepy. He treated women inhumanely, as objects, as if they had no free-will, no mind to decide what was best for them. This is sick and twisted behavior, yet it is not uncommon. Many are connecting the dots to other influential men who have allegations of sexual assault toward women, including Woody Allen, Bill O’Reilly, Roy Price, Casey Affleck, Roman Polanski and Donald Trump just to mention a few. We all seem to know that what they are doing is wrong, yet Woody Allen is still making movies, Casey Affleck won an Oscar, Weinstein continued to run Hollywood. The question is, how did these men get away with harming others without any consequences to their career? “Bill Cosby had a lot of agents. He had a lot of people that were writing checks to women,” said Apatow. In Hollywood, this disgusting system seems to continue time and time again, and the truth that’s coming out seems to be just the tip of the iceberg. It’s become too easy for elite men to pay their way

out of any wrongdoings with a literal check —checks which seem to be at an unlimited supply for those in such positions. Fr e q u e n t l y, those who try to speak out against him are almost i n s ta n ta n e o u s l y defamed. In 2015, Italian Cameron Woodard | Loyolan model Ambra Harvey Weinstein, Casey Affleck and Bill O’Reilly aren’t the first elites in the Battilana Gutierrez industry to have sexual assault/harassment allegations come out against them. claimed Weinstein allegedly groped assault. It’s honestly too terrible of discriminate against millions of her, and when questioned he said, a thing to even speculate on. Americans. Yep, it’s time to talk “Don’t ruin your friendship with “Actors are in a very vulnerable about Trump, but don’t worry I’ll me for five minutes.” Weinstein state when acting and having to be brief. further expressed that he was worry about being exploited by According to the Washington “used to” fondling breasts. Cool. the very person who should be Post, Hillary Clinton called Trump Imagine being in the shoes of one protecting them and rooting for out as a creep, saying “We just of his victims. You want to come them [it is] something that they elected someone who admitted forward with the information, but should not have to worry about,” sexual assault to the presidency.” who will believe you over someone said senior theatre arts major She has nothing to gain from this, so prestigious and powerful? Let’s Olivia Treece. and it isn’t to bash his good name. say you get the courage to speak One of the only ways to usurp She is simply trying add to the out, but before you know it your the corrupt and powerful is to stop current conversation. career is ruined. Gwyneth Paltrow supporting them by decreasing the If Trump is able to ignore a didn’t say anything because she demand for them. The argument woman’s humanity and free-will was worried about getting fired. that you can like someone’s work, long enough to grope her, we have If you cooperate with him, and but not like as a person is bullshit, a problem. receive the checks, you’re stuck at least in this context. Someone The only other alternative to living with the memories of the could make the best movie ever action we have is time. It took terrible things he did to you, and to come out of Hollywood, but if decades and who knows how the terrible things he going to do to they treated people inhumanely in many tormented women to finally other innocent people. There is no the process, their work should be expose Weinstein, who is still way out. thrown in the trash. If people stop denying all charges according to The film and theater programs going to see movies Weinstein is CNN. Of course. We have run out here at LMU highly encourage associated with, he won’t have so of time. We have to take action. internships in the industry. This much influence. This is the opinion of Jennifer Lee, a junior means that students you know, If people stop approving of screemwriting major from Sacramento, your friends and colleagues, could Trump, he won’t be able to grope California. Tweet comments @LALoyolan, be subject to such harrassment and women without their consent or or email ebritt@theloyolan.com.


OPINION

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‘I had to defend my existence.’ Briana Ortiz as told to Olivia Round

Interim News Editor @LALoyolan

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riana Ortiz was in freshman dance class at her all-girls high school when the teacher left the room and two of her peers cornered her and sexually assaulted her. Me, too. She made eye contact with some of her classmates and begged them to help her, for anyone to stand up for her. But nobody did. Me, too. Briana told her dad first. He wasn’t quite able to process her words or the reality of his daughter’s pain. She told her mom and her aunt next, and they held her hands as she cried in the middle of a restaurant. Me, too. The principal at Briana’s school told her she needed to “toughen up.” Me, too. Briana’s friends told her to stay quiet. So she did. Me, too. Usually outgoing and bubbly, Briana felt reduced to merely a victim. She locked herself in her room and asked her parents to homeschool her. She stayed quiet, until she couldn’t anymore. Me, too. Fast forward two years, the night before Briana took the PSAT as a junior in high school, and she wasn’t at home studying like the majority of her peers. Instead she was sitting inside a courtroom, trying to convince a room full of people that what had happened to her wasn’t okay. The defense attorney told the room that Briana wanted to be assaulted. He accused her of

Sophie Broide | Loyolann

Junior communication studies and Chicana/o and Latina/o studies double major Briana Ortiz speaks up about her experience with sexual assault in order to give strength and support for other victims. making herself a victim to further the anti-bullying campaign she started as junior vice president. She wanted it, he said. She asked for it. She deserved it. Me, too. One of the girls who assaulted Briana took a plea deal and did the First-Offender’s program, and the other was found to be guilty in trial. Briana remembers the days in court as a final plea to defend her humanity. Now, sophomore communication studies and Chicana/o and Latina/o studies double major Briana finds strength in the pain her assailants inflicted upon her. You can see it in her eyes when she talks about her past. The hurt is still there, but it no longer holds her back.

She has reclaimed herself. But there are so many women unlike Briana — those whose pain doesn’t just lurk in the corners of their mind, but consumes their entire existence. Those are the women Briana wants to speak up for. She believes that “because we live in a heteropatriarchal society, we are accustomed to making sure that men are comfortable, [and] this needs to stop. Men, people in general, need to stop being comfortable and passive about sexual assault and sexual harassment.” While Briana does her part by sharing her personal stories to educate others and advocate for survivors, she recognizes that those who choose

not to share their stories are just as strong and resilient. At LMU, Briana is a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. and RESILIENCE, an Intercultural Facilitator for EIS and a mentor in El Espejo. The “me, too” campaign, started over ten years ago by activist Tarana Burke and revived by actress Alyssa Milano, gave people, including Briana, the chance to speak up. Milano tweeted the words on social media “in response to the Harvey Weinstein scandal and its ensuing fall out,” CNN reported. The phrase seemed to cover Twitter, Instagram and Facebook timelines almost overnight, with hundreds of thousands of people participating. Some people felt that victims shouldn’t have to out themselves in order to make people aware of how big this issue is. Others

said people are already aware of the immensity of the issue, but choose to ignore it — and a social media trend won’t change that. Briana, however, just wants people to know that it happens, every day. And it doesn’t always happen how we see it on TV — in a dark room with a perverted 40-year-old man and a pretty young girl. Sometimes it’s in a high school classroom. Sometimes people see it happen but choose not to look. Sometimes people in power try to strip victims of their voice. Briana hopes that changes. Me, too.

This is the opinion of Olivia Round, a junior political science major from Missoula, Montana and Briana Ortiz, a sophomore communication studies and Chicana/o and Latina/o double major from El Paso, Texas. Tweet comments @ LALoyolan, or email editor@theloyolan.


Future teachers, counselors, and principals:

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Eastvale STEM Academy, Medical Biology Class, Director: Kim Lu Lawe, Ed.D. ’16

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Hilton Distinguished Entrepreneur Lecture Series

with Chet Pipkin

Founder, Chairman and CEO of Belkin International

Thursday, October 19 6 p.m. | Hilton 100 Technology entrepreneur and innovator Chet Pipkin founded Belkin in his parents’ garage in 1983. Even back then, Chet’s passion was driven by identifying and solving unmet customers’ needs. Based in Silicon Beach, Belkin operates under four distinct brands – Belkin, Linksys, WeMo and Phyn – and offers a people-centric approach to innovations and passion for delightful user experiences. Chet will share how he built one of the most innovative companies in the world, challenges he encountered, and important connections he made along the way.

In 2014 a group of LMU students passionate about the Fair Trade movement passed a resolution that supports Fair Trade products within the mission and policy of LMU. WHY FAIR TRADE? Fair Trade works

to enable indigenous artisans, workers and farmers to develop sustainable livelihoods in their traditional rural environments through worker-owned cooperatives and family farms. As a Fair Trade University, we are committed to educating the LMU community and upholding the Fair Trade Commitments throughout campus.

Proud supporters of Fair Trade products on campus include: • Green Mountain Coffee Cart • Einstein’s Caribou Café • WHHL Starbucks • The Lion’s Den • Coffee Bean and Tea Cart • Iggy’s Diner • Bookstore • Lair Marketplace • Campus Department Break Rooms

Interested in getting involved?

Come to the Oxfam Club Meeting on Monday nights @7:30pm on the second floor of CSA and join LEO!




Graduate School and Health Professions FAIR

October 24, 2017 Noon - 3 p.m. UHall Atrium

Meet with representatives and explore programs across many fields of study. Research application and admission requirements and fellowship opportunities. Learn about graduate admissions exams and resources for test preparation.

70+ SCHOOLS ATTENDING, INCLUDING: American University Chapman University Claremont Graduate University Columbia Journalism School Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Florida State University College of Law Gonzaga University School of Law Keck Graduate Institute Loyola Law School Loyola Marymount University Pepperdine University University of California Davis School of Law University of California Los Angeles University of La Verne University of Southern California University of Utah Vanguard University

Join us on: lmu.joinhandshake.com Questions? Contact us at 310-338-2871 or email us at careers@lmu.edu Follow us: @lmucareers

LMU LA

Career and Professional Development

Charles Von der Ahe Building, Suite 135 1 LMU Drive Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659


laloyolan.com Page 14

THE UNDECLAREDS

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

SMUG SUNDRIES

UNNECESSARY JAPES

By Abby Pollak, Staff Cartoonist

By Christian Boggs, Staff Cartoonist

By Kay Reilly, Staff Cartoonist

By Cameron Woodard, Staff Cartoonist


life+arts What LGBTQ+ icons can teach society today

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Cory’s Content

Cory Hutchinson

Asst. Life+Arts Editor @LALoyolan

W

ith the recent start to LGBTQ+ History Month, this is a time to remember all of the sacrifices, tragedies and successes that have paved the way for members of the LGBTQ+ community today to be fearless and comfortable in their own skin. However, fearlessness and comfort are not always the case for those who are victims of abuse, bullying and other forms of unnecessary hate and aggression. LGBTQ+ men, women and those who identify as non-conforming gender identities are faced with opposition in certain parts of the world where progression and acceptance don’t come as easy as they do in Los Angeles or other liberal areas. Some LGBTQ+ people have great privileges if they’ve grown up in a more socially accepting area and often are unaware of how violent some forms of opposition, such as stoning, imprisonment and death, can be. However, these individuals can use their privilege to actively support and stand in solidarity with those who are unheard in order to further their rights and attempt to release them from the oppressive grips of prejudice. Without brave figures like Audre Lorde, Matthew Shepard and Marsha P. Johnson — to name a very small few — or important films like “Paris is Burning” and historic moments like the Stonewall Riots, there wouldn’t be pride festivals, history months, just laws or crucial discussions that shape the future of current and coming generations of LGBTQ+ people. These names and places all greatly contribute to a necessary honor that needs to be paid by those of us that breathe a little easier today than we would’ve had we been born decades ago. So, in honor of the historic icons that came before us or who are currently making waves in society, some LMU students shared their personal icons in the LGBTQ+ community that inspire the notions of strength, love and compassion. Eva Amantea, a junior communication studies major, said, “The first time I heard the word ‘transgender’ was in ninth grade when I came across the story of YouTuber Jazz Jennings — one of the most authentic people whose story I know.” For those who don’t know about Jennings, she was assigned male at birth, but always knew her core identity was female and began to

Kay Reilly | Loyolan

As a result of powerful events like the Stonewall Riots, discourse on feminism, sexuality and gender are more protected and necessary for progression. transition at the age of five. “To discover something so crucial to your identity at such a young age, and to understand the concept of living your life as your authentic self is one of the most beautiful things we can do. Thank you, Jazz, for teaching us that our feelings and visions for ourselves do matter and are valid — no matter our age.” Junior film and television production major Colton Kugler is a fan of athlete and current LGBTQ+ icon Gus Kenworthy. “On top of being wickedly talented on a pair of skis, charmingly handsome and from the prettiest town in the best state — Telluride, Colorado — Kenworthy’s greatest inspiration to me comes from his honesty in the public eye as an openly gay athlete,” Kugler said. Kenworthy won the Silver Medal in freestyle skiing in the 2014 Winter Olympics and then came out publicly in 2015 as the first openly gay elite action-sports star, “hoping to be a role model for kids in the same difficult position,” Kugler said. Kugler empathized with Kenworthy’s struggle of being signed by major sponsors and seen as an all-American hometown hero that had a lot to lose by coming out. “He was struggling through

depression and self-doubt before ultimately choosing the way of truth through sharing his full self,” Kugler said. As a role model for Kugler, Kenworthy trancends the stereotypes and challenges associated with the professional sports industry in terms of embracing athletes who are different. Not only is Kenworthy outspoken on political issues, but he was also recognized for saving stray dogs in Sochi during the 2014 Winter Olympics that were going to be euthanized. Kugler sees Kenworthy as a humble, badass, trailblazing and considerate man that has an admirable vision for the future, “one he’s no longer afraid to share,” Kugler said. As for more historic figures, junior biology major Blake Colton shared that his two favorite LGBTQ+ icons are Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. “I couldn’t decide between these two trans women of color because I feel like both have influenced queer activism and my journey as a queer person due to the way in which they acted out against oppression and then had their activism nearly erased from any mainstream outlet of queer liberation,” Colton said.

Colton’s introduction to Rivera came from her “Y’all better quiet down” speech. Colton feels that the speech was a crucial introduction to her activism because he strongly associated with the impact of Rivera’s conviction and anger in many of her speeches. “Additionally, after learning about Marsha P. Johnson in my first Women’s and Gender Studies course, I was shocked and ashamed that, as a queer person, I had never even heard the name of one of our pioneering voices during the fight for queer liberation,” Colton said. He picked these two figures because of the influence and lessons left by these women fighting for a cause that he believes carry into today’s social issues, “[the impact is applicable] to them and the queer bodies that they passed the baton to.” Colton also touched on an important point about systematic oppression. Colton was horrified at the fact that the impact made by women like Rivera and Johnson was removed from discourse about gay liberation in American history, which Colton said “is not an isolated incident.” He commented that the removal of trans people and people of color is something American history is well known for. Colton pointed to the heated controversy over the Netflix documentary about Johnson as an example of how trans people should be immoralized. Filmmaker David France premiered his documentary, “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson,” on Netflix on Oct. 6, causing much debate and controversy amongst the fans of Johnson and the competing filmmaker, Reina Gossett. Gossett’s film was underbudgeted and she accused France of stealing the years of research she did in order to launch his film. Gossett elaborated on her Instagram why trans art should be made by trans people, arguing that it would be much more of an art

piece than a story of a trans person in cisgendered world, lacking a crucial view for empathy amongst the audience. For individuals outside of the LGBTQ+ community, there is a great importance and reliance on allies. Ideal allies emphasize that no person or group should stand alone, and that acceptance and love are always sronger when people come together. Being an ally is more than just accepting somebody’s sexuality and gender identity. It’s about actively standing up for them in times of opposition and emotionally supporting them — treating them as if they are a regular person, because that’s what we all are. Gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, cisgender and everything in between — we are all just normal people. This notion applies to race and ethnicity as well, and is as equally important as sexuality and gender identity. These identities often intersect in social issues as well. It’s easier for a white individual to be accepted as gay or lesbian than it is for a Black, Asian, Latinx or Native American individual. Basically, being an ally is all about recognizing privileges and using them to further the quality of life of those who do not have those same advantages. No matter your background, identity or experiences, they are all valid and LGBTQ+ History month is especially important in celebrating differences that make us unique. While we are supporting our friends or family, it’s also important that we honor the memories of the people that have been victimized and even killed so that we could live in a society that promotes thoughtful discourse on a topic such as this one. Let’s continue to stand up for the livelihood of our neighbors and practice love and respect. This is the opinion of Cory Hutchinson, a sophomore sociology major from Palm Desert, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to tgage@theloyolan.com.


life+arts

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Del Rey Players tackle ‘The Curious Savage’ Midnight in Paris Paris Shepherd Life+Arts Intern @LALoyolan

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he stage is set in the Del Rey Theater. Popular tunes circa our grandparents’ youth set the mood while the audience patiently waits for the show to start. The lights dim, and suddenly any remnant of a conversation disappears into the night. The audience’s eyes soon fixate on the stage before them as the actors expose the wacky world that is “The Curious Savage.”

“I always love coming into a new production here and connecting with fantastic cast after fantastic cast.” The show was performed by the Del Rey Players (DRP), who pride themselves on being a quality student-run theatre group on campus since 1931. “The Curious Savage” is a comedy written by John Patrick. This production of it is directed by junior theatre arts major, Maren English.

Realities are flipped in this comedy, and the illusion of normality appears to be missing as the audience enters into The Cloisters, a mental institution and the shared worldview of the inhabitants. Here, each inhabitant suffers from some mental ailment that uniquely skews their perception of reality. Each of the inhabitants’ lives are disrupted by the arrival of Mrs. Ethel P. Savage, played by Giselle Durand, a freshman theatre arts major. Mrs. Savage is an elderly widow who has been wrongfully admitted by her three stepchildren, Titus (played by Nick Alling, a sophomore marketing major), Lilly Bell (played by Kat Connell, a junior theatre arts major) and Samuel (played by Connor Correria, a junior theatre arts major). The three siblings believe that their stepmother has lost her mind when she tells them that she plans to use her money to fund average people’s pursuit of seemingly ludicrous dreams. This ultimately leads to Mrs. Savage hiding the inheritance in a teddy bear that she carries around with her and refusing to tell her stepchildren where she’s hidden it. But before the siblings are able to get their hands on the money, someone steals it. English is one of four students that has been chosen to direct a DRP show during the 2017-2018 school year. I was fortunate enough to catch English before the performance on Oct. 12. “It’s been just incredible the entire time because I really love

“The show ‘has a lot of underlying messages that have to do with mental health, which starts a conversation.’” directing,” English said. “This is definitely the part of the theater that I want to go into... Not only because it happens to be a really special show to me, but also because I think it has a lot of really cool messages, as well as smart humor.” She went on to explain that because this is a student-run show, the students acting in this production aren’t given any type of compensation. The student actors are performing solely for the experience. This is Alling’s third appearance in a Del Rey Players production, and he would like nothing more than to continue working with them. “I always love coming into a new production here and connecting with fantastic cast after fantastic cast,” Alling said. “Acting in these plays gives me the chance to make great friends, all while doing something that I love. There is no downside in my eyes. I mean, aside from some very long nights of rehearsal, but that’s just part of the commitment.”

The plays comedic tone continued throughout the entire performance; however, the topics discussed in the story simultaneously touched on mental health, as well as how those suffering from mental health are viewed by society, adding an element of seriousness. The contrast of inhabitants leaves the audience wondering who the crazy ones are after all. English made it very clear that this play was intended to create a conversation about mental illness. She said the show “has a lot of underlying messages that have to do with mental health, which starts up a conversation about that as well as other topics surrounding this issue.” English hopes that this show will help anyone experiencing mental illness to not feel so alone. Not only were the characters used in ways that highlighted aspects of mental health, but casting also played a huge role in enabling the audience’s understanding of this topic’s importance. I, along with other members of the audience, felt that the cast really embodied each of the characters to the fullest extent. Sophomore screenwriting major Ariana Skeeland felt that this production “couldn’t have been more perfectly cast.” She also commented, “I loved the story and how the characters who were socially outcasted and perceived as being ‘less there’ actually had a higher quality of life than the characters that were perceived as being ‘normal’, which really resonated with me.” The audience’s overall

approval continued to be expressed by various students. Sophomore screenwriting major Sarah Rasmussen shared her thoughts of the performance, saying that she had initially attended the play for a class, but ended up really getting into it. She felt that the cast did an excellent job performing. I agree with Rasmussen. The stage action and acting worked perfectly in communicating the play’s message. “The Curious Savage” will continue its run through the weekend of Oct. 19-21 starting at 8 p.m. in the Del Rey Theater, so there’s still time to see it. There is a charge of $10 for general admission; however if you are a Del Rey Players member, the cost goes down to $5.

“There is no downside in my eyes...” I encourage you to close your laptops this weekend and, instead of binge watching online media content, come out and support your fellow students at the Del Rey Theater. If you take me up on this offer, I guarantee that you will leave the theater totally satisfied.

This is the opinion of Paris Shepherd, a junior communication studies major from Ventura, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to tgage@theloyolan.com.

Jason Munoz | Loyolan

The Del Rey Players have a long legacy of great student performances since their founding in 1931. They continue the tradition in their latest play, “The Curious Savage.”


life+arts Hollywood Masters delivers another iconic guest

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Just Jacob

Jacob Cornblatt Life+Arts Intern @LALoyolan

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w o weeks ago, when Helen Mirren came to participate in LMU’s “Hollywood Masters,” students lined every sidewalk near SFTV, waiting to get in. Today, when director Darren Aronofsky hit the stage, there were significantly less people, yet the anticipation in the air was at an all-time high. Aronofsky has certified himself as one of the most controversial studio filmmakers working today. Influenced by the films of 1970s Europe, the auteur famously hides his art house style under the guise of mainstream genre flicks. His following grew with the success of 2010’s “Black Swan” and this year’s “mother!,” but it has still remained relatively small; his fans make themselves known, however, and eagerly anticipate his films in the years leading up to their release. Aronofsky’s easilyidentifiable style and decadeslong experience in the industry make him an excellent addition to this season of “The Hollywood Masters.” Austin Bruns, a junior film production major, said “The first film [of Aronofsky] I ever saw was ‘Black Swan,’ and it terrified me, so I immediately went and watched all of his other stuff.” His eagerness to see the filmmaker himself was only increased by a desire to know more

about Aronofsky’s development process. “His films and endings are so moving — I really want to know the secrets behind them,” Bruns said. Like Bruns, SFTV students were buzzing with questions. Only four lucky ones, however, had the chance to ask them. Before the event, junior screenwriting major Ryan Solomon told me, “I am very excited to ask Aronofsky a question. I’m a huge fan of his work.” He didn’t give me early access to his question, but as the lights went down, it was only a matter of time before he was able to ask the master. Finally piled into the Mayer Theater, students sat quietly, waiting for host Stephen Galloway and his guest, Darren Aronofsky, to walk onstage. When he eventually was settled in his seat up front, Darren Aronofsky made two things very clear: he was a surprisingly funny and grounded man, and his passion for his craft was undeniable.Aronofsky was quick to laugh both at and with Galloway. At one point, as Galloway was asking deep-rooted questions about Aronofsky’s philosophical outlook, he laughed and said, “I really thought I was going to be able to bullshit my way through this.” While Helen Mirren’s “Hollywood Masters” interview focused more on the context of her career and life, Darren Aronofsky’s focused more on his actual films. Galloway asked questions about his films chronologically — intentionally skipping the terrible 2014 biblical adaptation “Noah”—

and went in-depth about where each story came from and how it impacted the artist as a filmmaker and person. Aronofsky half-jokingly praised his new film “mother!” as much as possible. There was one point where Galloway referred to both “The Wrestler” and “Black Swan” as Aronofsky’s masterpieces, to which Aronofsky said, “No, ‘mother!’ is my masterpiece.” Another thing he was passionate about was the situation around Harvey Weinstein. He said that he was “horrified and disgusted” by Weinstein’s actions, claiming that he knew nothing of it and wouldn’t stand for it if he had. Towards the end of the hourand-a-half taping, the four aforementioned students asked their questions. The excited Ryan Solomon stepped up and revealed his question at last: “Is there any criticism you’ve received that you completely disagree with?” Aronofsky didn’t answer the question directly, but instead said that he read a review claiming that “mother!” was the worst film of the century, to which he says he was happy because he finally got first place for something. The most memorable question came from freshman film production major Matteo TelloiWeinfeld, who said “I have a paper due in 30 minutes about the use of costumes in ‘Black Swan,’ so my question is how did you use costumes in ‘Black Swan?’” Both Aronofsky and the audience laughed at this comment. “Well, you’re going to get an F,” said the director before answering the question. He added, “If I

Andriy Makukha | Wikimedia commons

Director Darren Aronofsky was the second guest of the season. weren’t about to get on a plane for Stewart (“Star Trek: The Next South Korea, I’d come to your class Generation,” “Logan”) will hit the stage in the third episode of season with you.” Darren Aronofsky proved to eight of “The Hollywood Masters.” be an informative, practical, and For now, you can stream the entire entertaining guest in this year’s first season on Netflix. “Hollywood Masters” program. Whether students were fans of This is the opinion of Jacob Cornblatt, a freshman film production major his or not, they found advice for from Gaithersburg, Maryland. Tweet themselves within his stories. comments to @LALoyolan or email On Oct. 25, beloved actor Patrick comments to tgage@theloyolan.com.

What not to wear this Halloween Young & Jaided Jaida Macklin

Asst. Life+Arts Editor @LALoyolan

I

t’s that time of the year: Halloween. The time will soon be upon us in which drunk college students will roam the streets wrecking havoc like candy hungry zombies. There’s still a countdown, two weeks until the big weekend, and I know a lot of you don’t have any idea what to dress up as. I don’t know either, but I do know what you shouldn’t do. Check out my top six costume ideas that do not make you edgy, cool, funny, or anything but a jerk. Follow me and you won’t get death stares or candy pelted at you for being culturally insensitive (that’s my nice way of putting it).

6. Sexy Native American Princess or “Pocahontas” Ah, what a classic. The extremely insensitive portrayal of the American indigenous people. Someone really looked past all the tragedies that white people have put them through and said, “You know what would be fun? Using this group of people as a costume, and not just any costume, a sexy costume.” Well, newsflash: It’s really ugly. Take off the mass-produced feathered head dress, the dream catcher necklace and the face paint. It’s embarrassing. 5. That black character from that one TV show you love Nope nope nope! We barely get positive representation as it is. You don’t get to ruin it by doing a bad impression of Crazy Eyes from “Orange is the New Black.” In fact, unless you’re black, stay away from any and all black

people. I don’t want to see any Beyonces, wannabe gangsters, Penny Proud from “Proud Family” or anything similar unless you have melanin. 4. A “terrorist” This is so disgustingly racist and offensive. It’s almost 2018, I don’t know why people can’t get this simple concept through their heads: Just because someone is Muslim does not mean they are a terrorist. In fact, the real terrorists in America are straight white men. Insert shrug emoji. 3. Geisha/Ninja Okay, we get it: you couldn’t think of any other Asian stereotype besides the two most common ones. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone of Asian descent dress up like this, so it’s definitely not okay for you to do it. Also, the geisha costume itself is an inaccurate,

over-sexualized take on Japanese culture at best. Stick to eating your sushi with chopsticks, if you want to feel cultured so bad. 2. Chola/Cholo Again, this does not make you edgy. Ya’ll want to dress up as whatever preconceived Latinx stereotype you have, but won’t stand in solidarity with #DACA and think it would be good for the country if we built a wall. Despite what Kylie Jenner thinks, it’s not cute on you. Cut it out.

1. Mental Asylum Patient In case you didn’t know, mental health is not a trendy joking matter. I know “American Horror Story” and “Scream Queens” might make you think otherwise, but it’s not. Some people really struggle with these kinds of issues, and you dressing up in a straightjacket and flailing around like a fool isn’t helping

anyone. Just try something else.

As you can see, these are all super “dope” costumes that are not only socially acceptable, but edgy and quirky. I bet that you’ll even win coolest costume of the night. That was sarcasm if you couldn’t tell. A feature of you being dragged (verbally, of course) on someone’s Snapchat is the only thing you’d win if you wore one of these horrendus monstrosities. My Snapchat, in fact. At the end of the day, there are so many people and characters for you to emulate without offending an entire group of people. If you don’t know, keep thinking. And remember, kids – Google is free. Happy Halloween! This is the opinion of Jaida Macklin, a sophomore English and theatre arts major from Chicago, Illinois. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to tgage@theloyolan.com.

Aurora Occelli | Loyolan

Considering

the

history

and

ramifications

of

who

you’re

dressing

up

as

can

prevent

you

from

making

a

grave

mistake

this

Halloween.


life+arts

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Study abroad leads to self-growth: Here’s why Baker’s Bits Hannah Baker Life+Arts Intern @LALoyolan

I

magine having a picnic under the Eiffel Tower at sunset, or buying a less than $50 ticket from Barcelona to Ibiza or going on a pub-crawl to the best dive bars London has to offer. These things sound like a distant dream, one in which you might think you’ll never get the chance to experience. Lucky for you, you can easily achieve any one of the instances listed above by studying abroad. Now that homework, tests and classes are finally beginning to feel tedious, some students are starting the early stages of prepping for their semesters abroad. One of the greatest things about studying abroad as an undergraduate is getting the opportunity to see a different

part of the world while simultaneously getting credit for school. Sure it’s not all fun and games, you still have to complete course work and maintain good grades, but studying abroad can be a great way to experience personal growth while potentially having the best time of your life. No matter where you chose to study, you’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in a drastically different culture and way of life that differs from the one here on the Bluff. It might feel alien and uncomfortable at first and you might get homesick, but when the time comes to pack your bags and head home you’ll most likely be dreading it. Some fellow LMU students share their experiences about how studying abroad allowed them to grow in ways they had not initially expected. “It really made me grow up and just feel like an adult. I’ve always travelled, but it was always with my family,” said Alex Gassner, senior marketing major,

about her experience studying in London. Gassner brings up another pro to studying abroad: the fact that you get to be completely on your own and independent from the comfort of your family. Alex continued, “the program that I did allowed us to have an internship for half of the semester. I had to commute an hour to and from work three times a week and take the tube during rush hour. I felt like such a Londoner. It was absolutely amazing to experience another culture’s work environment.” Senior communication studies major, Callie Yahyav said, “studying abroad broadens your cultural horizons by a landslide. Not only are you immersed in an entirely different culture — you begin to adapt to a totally different life style.” She continued, “specifically as a communication arts major studying and working abroad, I learned how people from different backgrounds and cultures interact in a diverse

environment, which is a learning experience you cannot get anywhere else,” Yahyav said. “I highly recommend it to potential onlookers. I feel much more culturally aware and look at the world in an entirely new way,” said Yahyav. Senior entrepreneurship major, Marcus Alburez, shares the positive impact his study abroad experience was. “The unique thing about study abroad is that it opens your eyes to the reality of the world outside of the LMU bubble. You meet people from around the world, you get to travel to amazing places and learn about concepts that you would have otherwise not learned about,” Alburez said. “A highlight of my study abroad experience was taking an art history class on modernist and then taking the metro down to the Reina Sofia — one of Europe’s premier art museums ­—to actually look at the pieces we were learning about.” LMU hosts a Study Abroad Fair every year and this year’s is

quickly approaching. It will take place in Alumni Mall on Nov. 7. Then the first Study Abroad 101 for summer study abroad takes place Oct. 20 in Charles Van der Ahe Building room 130 from 1011 a.m. If you’re worried about the financial aspects of studying abroad, don’t worry because there is a Study Abroad Financial Aid info session on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. in the Charles Van der Ahe building room 190. Any one of these events is a great way to learn more about what studying abroad consists of and more importantly what it can do for you. If you want to learn more about LMU’s study abroad programs, refer to the website where you can learn in detail about funding and other student experiences.

This is the opinion of Hannah Baker, a sophomore communication studies major from Minneapoils, Minnesota. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to tgage@theloyolan.com.

Abby Pollak | Loyolan

Studying abroad gives an opportunity to explore news places and expand your worldview. Applications for the upcoming summer 2018 study abroad program open online on Oct. 15. Financial Aid is available.


laloyolan.com Page 19

LMU library to provide pirated video resource To decrease tuition costs, LMU turns to illegal streaming services. Thomas Richmond Bumper Car Traffic Cop

The William H. Hannon Library announced that it will adopt illegal video piracy streaming sites as part of its online catalog. The existing licensed video streaming resources Swank Digital Campus and Kanopy Streaming as well as complementary on-campus student access to HBO will be discontinued for due to their irrelevance. Always one to innovate, LMU will use this opportunity as a costcutting measure to the annual tuition hikes. Vice president of marketing

and communication at LMU Macy Piesch explains that “the website administrators for Seven Seas Streaming were so excited by the prospect of their first-ever academic endorsement that they offered free ad-space for every 100th page under their domain. Why didn’t we get into the dark web sooner?” Due to these sites’ popularity in most countries with internet access, the LMU Admission Office commented that they could expect an uptick in international applications within the next five years. Ads for LMU as the “Pacific Pirate University” now adorn the streaming site walls. Campus ministry officials were too busy illegally streaming “Passion of the Christ” as to comment on whether this sanctioning of whitecollar criminal activity stands in sharp contrast to LMU’s Jesuit mission.

The library’s Tech on 2 Help Desk hasn’t expressed concern about the projected rise of piracy-based virus concern they will face. “It’s an open secret that students go onto these sites anyway,” junior computer science major and Tech on 2 worker Julie Assange said. “At least now, we’ll be able to give support to all their laptop’s viruses without jumping through hoops first. I now feel like I work at an Apple genius bar.” Hannon’s announcement was accompanied by a public event which featured a video tutorial going through the step by step guide of how to stream the pirated videos. Although the computer playing the tutorial crashed, donors in the audience saw the demonstration as a success. The lineup of guest speakers who spoke at the event will be given out once it is decrypted.

Aurora Occelli | Loyolan

LMU embraces its new image as a school friendly to video pirates.

RIP AIM, social media industry leader AIM has died; the LMU community responds with tears. Casey Lee

Bumper Car Speed Racer

Cameron Woodard | Loyolan

AIM has been buried under the popularity of other social media sites.

The social dynamic at LMU will be changing soon after AOL announced the death of AIM, an instant messaging service, which will be effective beginning Dec. 15, 2017. AIM was birthed alongside myself back in 1997 as a revolutionary service to increase the perceived amount of friends someone had. It allowed users to talk with each other instantly, without the need of both

being in the same physical place. It bred a generation of social butterflies with friend groups upwards of 1000 people by the end of their high school years. It bred a generation of people who could instantly contact their friends to have in-depth conversations similar to those on Snapchat. AIM inspired my life immensely, it sparked my interest in better software like MSN Messenger and MySpace, then Facebook and Snapchat. The speed of information delivery even inspired social media news on Twitter. AIM was truly the social life pioneer of our time, revolutionizing how people could socialize without even putting pants on or taking a shower. We sought out students around LMU to hear their

reactions on the death of AIM. Ellie Jefferson, senior social media major, expressed deep sorrow, “Life without AIM is like life without friends!” she said. I used AIM all the time, even today, to set up group events. No one ever showed up though.” To really understand the scope of this, we asked our highest profile social media user, President Timothy Law Snyder, for his opinion. “AIM was an inspiration to this generation, so LMU is in the process of making an AIM appreciation class that will discuss the events leading up to and following AIM’s industry leading lifetime.” There will be an app deletion vigil on Dec. 15 for everyone who wishes to celebrate the life of AIM.

The Bluff is a humorous and satirical section published in the Loyolan. All quotes attributed to real figures are completely fabricated; persons otherwise mentioned are completely fictional.


COUNSELING PHILO ADMINISTRATION

HIGHER EDUCATION

TEACHING MATHEMATICS

ELEMENTARY

SECONDARY EDUCATION

EDUCATION

LAW SCHOOL

DOCTORATE IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

MBA

THEOLOGICAL STUDIES

ACCOUNTING

LOYOLA

SOPHY AND LEADERSHIP BILINGUALELECTRICAL EDUCATIONENGINEERING

WRITING FOR

YOGA STUDIES EDUCATIONAL STUDIES

THE SCREEN

HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING

EXECUTIVE MBA

SPECIAL EDUCATION

WRITING AND PRODUCING FOR TV

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

CATHOLIC

ADMINISTRATION

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

EDUCATION ENGLISHSCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY BIOETHICS CIVIL ENGINEERING

READING

INSTRUCTION

FILM AND TVMARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPYEDUCATION PRODUCTIONENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

LMU Graduate Open House Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017 Loyola Marymount University graduate.lmu.edu/openhouse2017


SPORTS

laloyolan.com Page 21

USMNT’s future lies beyond the United States Matt at Bat Matt Gaydos

Managing Editor @LALoyolan

A

bysmal. Heartbreaking. An all-time low. The amount of ways to describe the United States Mens National Team (USMNT) crashing out of the World Cup qualifier in a 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago are endless. For the first time since 1986, the USMNT won’t be going to the FIFA World Cup. For the last 21 years, qualifying from the CONCACAF — the soccer confederation that includes North and Central America and the Caribbean — wasn’t a goal to reach for. It was undoubtable and expected. There was Mexico, the U.S. and then everybody else. The dust has now settled, though, and the U.S. media and fans are quickly looking towards the future. USMNT fans are known for being hopeful. They were hopeful that men’s soccer would become a significant sport in the U.S. Their signature chant is “I believe that we will win!” This support has produced immense progress for the sport in the country, with English soccer now playing on prime time channels and the FIFA video game series’ rabid sales. But hope by itself is not enough to propel American soccer to the next level. The organization needs to learn from its recent past if it’s to have a bright future, especially with seminal talent Christian Pulisic showing potential we’ve never seen before in American colors. It starts and ends with Bruce Arena, who resigned from his second stint as USMNT manager last week after the Trinidad and Tobago loss. For most of its

Should

Matty Light Matt Rodriguez Asst. Sports Editor @LALoyolan

I

t has been nearly seven months since quarterback Colin Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers, making him a free agent. Since then he has continued to make national news, claiming that he remained unsigned to a team due to his protest of the national anthem. This week, he filed a grievance against the NFL and its owners, claiming they colluded to have him remain a free agent. This marked another chapter in the long running story of Kaepernick’s rise and fall. Along with Kaepernick’s grievance, one of his loudest supporters, Jemele Hill, was suspended from ESPN for violating its social media policy

existence, the USMNT has been a non-factor in international soccer. In his first stint as manager, Arena brought a previously absent spotlight by taking the USMNT to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, beating the likes of Portugal and CONCACAF rival Mexico. It can be argued that Arena’s success was the origin of the USMNT’s ascension in the 21st century. But bringing him back to replace German-American legend Jurgen Klinsmann as manager was never going to work. It was a step backwards. Whether or not Klinsmann should have been fired is irrelevant, though he did leave the team six points adrift qualification before Arena took over. Klinsmann undoubtedly left an imprint on American soccer and its future. He brought players with American citizenships that were born abroad into the national fold like Jermaine Jones, John Brooks and Fabian Johnson, increasing the amount of players on the team playing in Europe’s best leagues. Is there really anybody who doubts that it was a coincidence Christian Pulisic — the team’s crown jewel and one bright spot amidst the negativity — was developed and given his big break at Borussia Dortmund, a German club? Meanwhile, Arena dominated the MLS in the StubHub Center, not very far from LMU, where he won three MLS championships with the Galaxy in 8 years, and coached legends like Steven Gerrard and David Beckham. The MLS went from being a joke of a league, playing on NFL pitches and using hockey style penalty shootouts, to a legitimate destination for international soccer talent. Arena deserves a lot of credit for building up

the MLS, but that was also the biggest problem with his return to the USMNT. Though it’s great for U.S. fans to have a domestic league worth watching, the MLS benefits everybody except the USMNT. The team’s struggles in CONCACAF, regardless of who’s manager, have a lot to do with the fact that the teams in the region as a whole have gotten marginally better. That is in part because of the MLS’s growth, players from countries like Panama, Jamaica and Honduras are now developing at a higher level. That being said, it was evident in his last pre match press conference that Arena, perhaps, holds too high of a regard for CONCACAF soccer when he said he’d like to see European coaches try their hands at CONCACAF qualifying. CONCACAF can be a bizarre route to World Cup qualification, but so is World Cup qualifying in UEFA or any of the other continental soccer federations. In South America, teams have to play in Quito, Ecuador — where high altitudes put players’ bodies under intense conditions. In Europe, teams like England travel across the whole continent to play in unkempt pitches. Regardless of what conference you are in, the best players win the most games. Players at CONCACAF clubs were chosen over, arguably, better players. Arena must have thought that CONCACAF players would lead to success in CONCACAF qualifying. That’s why Omar Gonzalez, who played under Arena for the LA Galaxy, started over Geoff Cameron, a defender who plays at the highest level every week in the English Premier League. So it wasn’t too much of a surprise when Omar Gonzalez scored an inexplicable own-goal, one that would be hard to find even at a

once again. After her tweet regarding Donald Trump and his association with white supremacists, Hill decided to fire back at Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his comments regarding his players. After taking a knee with his team several weeks ago, Jones seemed to be in solidarity with his players and team. However, earlier this week Jones reportedly said that any player that disrespects the flag will be benched that game. After that statement, some Cowboys players felt confused after Jones took a knee with them, believing they had his backing to tackle issues they cared about. “This play always work,” Hill tweeted in response to Jones for which she was subsequently suspended two weeks for. “Change happens when advertisers are impacted. If you feel strongly about JJ’s statement, boycott his advertisers.” Jones has been one of the most famous owners in the NFL for a

long time, and has great influence in the NFL. He already has another owner, Stephen M. Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins, following suit; calling for his players to stop kneeling and stand during the national anthem. Even though the players have stated time and time again that they are in no way protesting the flag or what it stands for, many NFL owners and some news oulets across the nation fail to hear them. All of these cases have brought to light this important question: Do players and sports commentators have the right to express issues important to them? Despite the recent comments by some NFL owners, the NFL Players’ Association believes the answer should always be yes. “It is a source of enormous pride that some of the best conversations about these issues have taken place in our locker rooms in a respectful, civil and

sports

stay

See Kaepernick | Page 22

via Wikimedia Commons

19-year-old American winger Christian Pulisic has emerged as a star in Germany, excelling in his time with Bundesliga’s Borussia Dortmund.

high school soccer level. Whenever I see American coaches linked with the USMNT job, I get worried. If the national team ever wants to make the jump to the next level, we need to look to Europe’s leagues. Our youth infrastructure is built to benefit the college system and MLS. That’s why Pulisic is at Borussia Dortmund and not the LA Galaxy. The USMNT needs a European

out

of

manager to groom our talent. Sam Allardyce, Laurent Blanc or any other European manager who’s willing, America wants — and needs — you.

This is the opinion of Matt Gaydos, a junior English major from Palos Verdes, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan, or email tdevries@theloyolan.com.

politics?

via Wikimedia Commons

Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick has filed grievances against NFL owners, accusing them of colluding to keep him unsigned.


SPORTS

laloyolan.com Page 22

Trump spins focus of protests towards ‘nationalism’ Kaepernick from Page 21

thoughtful way that should serve as a model for how all of us can communicate with each other,” the NFLPA said. “We should not stifle these discussions and cannot allow our rights to become subservient to the very opinions our Constitution protect. That is what makes us the land of the free and home of the brave.” Kaepernick is the one who began this discussion, when he took a knee over a year ago. Many believed he was doing this as a publicity stunt and was disrespecting the flag for his own benefit. Many believed that he should stand up and respect the flag that many individuals and family members of fans serve under. While, in actuality, he was protesting the oppression many African Americans face every day. Slowly but surely, the protest spread and the movement began to be more than just Kaepernick. Players across the country began to kneel during the national anthem, to protest something near and dear to them, something that impacted most, if not all of them – police brutality. After many years of police brutality against the African American

community reaching national news, Kaepernick used his stage to spread a message. Unfortunately, even to this day some failed to get the message; people such as our president, Donald Trump. Trump spun this matter into a nationalistic issue. He believes if you do not stand for the national anthem, you go against everything the United States of America stands for. It was masterfully done, turning anything into a nationalistic issue made it an uphill battle for the protestors. Many of his supporters fed into his lie and forgot the real reason players were protesting. They cheered when Trump called them “sons of bitches.” They called for Jemele Hill’s firing when she tweeted negative comments against Trump. And they rejoiced as Kaepernick failed to be signed by a team. This is the world we live in. Where athletes aren’t allowed to protest in fear of being called unAmerican. Where wealthy owners are afraid to back protesting players, in fear of losing revenue. Where billion dollar sports broadcasting companies are afraid to allow voices that go against the status quo to be heard, in fear of losing viewers.

In this type of climate, I guess the question many are trying to answer has changed to, Can players and sports commentators express issues important to them? My answer is, it depends. As much as we like to say everyone has the right to free speech, it is becoming apparent that it only applies if you are a “true” American, otherwise no one will listen. Many issues are spun into two simple categories of loving America and hating America. In actuality, many of these players love America, otherwise they would not criticize it. They want to see it improve rather than crumble. There are still many players protesting and many voices speaking, but more and more of them are drowned out because even if you appear to be against the red, white and blue, no one listens to you.

SEPTEMBER

2016

1

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and safety Eric Reid kneel in protest of racial injustice and police brutality, prompting athletes around the sports world to kneel or raise a fist in solidarity.

22

Kaepernick and his protest makes the front cover of TIME Magazine, he is celebrated for “patriotism."

DECEMBER

4

After a poor outing against the Chicago Bears, Kaepernick is benched in San Francisco. The game was his last in the NFL to date.

JANUARY

2017

20

Donald Trump is inaugurated as President of the United States.

MARCH This is the opinion of Matthew Rodriguez, a junior political science major from Milpitas, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan, or email tdevries@theloyolan.com.

49ers general manager John Lynch reveals to ESPN that Kaepernick will not be re-signing with the team. The quarterback enters free agency.

MAY-JULY Free agency passes and training camp begins. Despite more than 40 quarterbacks signing with teams in the offseason, Kaepernick remains a free agent.

AUGUST

12

After coming out of retirement to sign with the Oakland Raiders, running back Marshawn Lynch kneels for the national anthem. Players and teams around the league kneel, link arms and raise fists, carrying forward Kaepernick’s protest.

SEPTEMBER

11

ESPN reporter Jemele Hill accuses Trump of being a white supremacist on Twitter, prompting the White House to call for her termination. ESPN calls her comments “inappropriate.” Trump repeatedly takes to his infamous Twitter account to bash the NFL and its players who protest during the anthem, citing this as the reason for low ratings.

OCTOBER 8

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he will bench any player who “disrespects the flag.” Hill responds to Jones via Twitter by challenging her followers to boycott the Cowboys’ sponsor businesses.

9

Hill is suspended for two weeks by ESPN for violating the company’s social media policy. Which policy she violated remains unspecified. Meanwhile, the NFL changes its rule on the national anthem to include more stringent punishment for players who “disrespect” the flag.

TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE VISIT: LMUDINING.SODEXOMYWAY.COM

15

Kaepernick files a legal grievance against the NFL owners for collusion, triggered by “partisan political pressure from the Executive Branch.” INFORMATION COMPILED BY TIM DE VRIES, SPORTS EDITOR; GRAPHIC BY DIANA RAYNES | LOYOLAN



SPORTS

SCORES UPDATE W. SOCCER

LION SPORTS

M. SOCCER

2-1 L

VOLLEYBALL

3-0 W

vs Portland

vs San Francisco

2-1 W

M. WATER POLO 12-8 L

vs Gonzaga

vs. Air Force

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

Page 24

LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | October 18, 2017 | laloyolan.com

Men’s Soccer scores two in first WCC win of 2017

Emily Sullivan | Loyolan

Returning to Sullivan Field after two West Coast Conference (WCC) matches on the road, LMU Men’s Soccer scored two goals in the first 25 minutes against Gonzaga University. Senior forward Alvaro Madrigal (10) had a hand in both goals for the Lions, finding freshman forward Kris Fourcand (33) on the break for the first, and scoring the second himself.


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