2.27.18 by The Paisano

5 | Arts & Life

7 | Sports

Ciudad, a crecer: Dolor creciente

UTSA men’s basketball downs Southern Miss.

Vol. 57, Issue 8

Est. 1981

February 27 - March 6, 2018

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio Community /ThePaisano

/PaisanoOnline

@PaisanoMedia

@ThePaisano

www.Paisano-Online.com

Current grading system detrimental to students, SGA says By Gaige Davila Co-News Editor The UTSA Student Government Association passed a resolution, GA 111, during their Feb. 15 meeting asking UTSA to abandon the plus/minus grading system. Currently, UTSA faculty have the option to use the plus/minus grading system to grade coursework, instituted in Fall 2011, after being approved by the Faculty Senate on May 10, 2010. The resolution states that the plus/ minus grading system creates “real and visible disparities between students of different instructors, departments and colleges.” Some universities are now reevaluating their use of the grading system. According to the resolution, SGA had previously passed a resolution in November 2010, GA 104, “expressing dissatisfaction” with the Faculty Senate’s then-approval of the plus/minus grading system. Providing reasons for their dissatisfaction with the plus/minus grading system, SGA stated in the 2010 resolution that implementing the plus/ minus system would be inconsistent among instructors and that an “A+” does not award 4.33 grade points on a 4.0 grading scale. In a Dec. 3, 2010, memo, John H. Frederick, then-provost and vice president of academic affairs, told department chairs that “although not explicitly stated in the policy, the intent

Members of the Student Government Association work in their office to draft memorandums.

is for this (grading system) policy to be ‘permissive,’ but not ‘restrictive.” Faculty had the choice to use the plus/minus grading system in their courses. Faculty members are required to explain how grades will be distributed in their courses via course syllabus.

“I think it only benefits students who are receiving high C’s or B’s,” Kyli Wallace, sophomore pre-nutrition major, said. “People who are getting low A’s aren’t receiving the full points for GPA (if there wasn’t a plus/minus grading system).”

Photo Courtesy of Joseph Mabry

Continued on page 2 See “Plus/minus”

Memorandum memorializes Parkland shooting victims By Samuel De Leon Co-News Editor UTSA’s Student Government Association (SGA) published its memorandum and call to action regarding the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida after its most recent meeting. The memorandum details the SGA’s sympathies with all of those affected by the shooting. In what has become the second-deadliest shooting at a U.S. public school, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz killed 17 students and teachers and injured an additional 14 students and staff. The SGA documented each individual who lost their life in the horrific incident and described the actions by heroic individuals who lost their lives. “We would like to pay tribute to those on campus who sustained injuries and lost their

lives so that others could live,” the memorandum said. “These acts of unselfish heroism among the many others are undoubtedly admirable.” The tragedy heralded a storm of political backlash as many Americans called for an increase in firearm regulations; others called to arm more people in an attempt to prevent catastrophes such as this one from happening again. President Donald Trump tweeted out his condolences and prayers to families of those who had lost loved ones in the tragedy. Trump later addressed the nation, calling for the banning of bump stocks and tighter regulation on the sale of firearms. He sent a slew of tweets to the public concerning what he would change about the current gun laws and what he believes would better serve the victims of the Stoneman

Douglas shooting. “I will be strongly pushing comprehensive background checks with an emphasis on Mental Health,” Trump tweeted on Feb. 22. “Congress is in a mood to finally do something on this issue–I hope!” The president called to raise the age to be able to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21 years old, and he promoted the arming of teachers. “Highly trained teachers would also serve as a deterrent to the cowards that do this. Far more assets at much less cost than guards. A ‘gun free’ school is a magnet for bad people,” Trump tweeted. “If a potential ‘sicko shooter’ knows that a school has a large number of very weapons talented teachers (and others) who will be instantly shooting, the sicko will NEVER attack that school.” The SGA’s memorandum

called for unity with the victims and their families, but they also called for greater action by the United States government. “In addition to sending our thoughts and condolences, we also implore the United States government to address the rampant gun violence, such as this, in our country,” the memorandum read. “We ask that the proper steps be taken so that never again will children have to live in fear in a place where they should feel protected and where they should worry about nothing other than receiving a great education.” Terralyn Wilburn, SGA Student Affairs Chair and author of the memorandum, wrote the document to make a difference in the political noise surrounding the tragedy. “The memorandum extends our utmost support to the courageous survivors, who in

the midst of their grief, made the decision to take a stand to ensure gun violence becomes a thing of the past,” Wilburn said. “We support their right to peacefully protest as well as their right to voice their opinions to the government. We ask the government disregard partisanship and come to a compromise with the purpose of protecting citizens.” UTSA students also have started the #MarchForOurLivesSA as well as organized a planning session to be held March 2 for a March For Our Lives event scheduled for March 24. Students interested in being a part of the event may attend the planning session at the UTSA Downtown Campus’ Buena Vista Building room 1.328 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Chase Otero/The Paisano

F e bru ar y 27 - M arch 6, 2018

2 | news@paisano-online.com

UTSA The Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund is supporting UTSA researchers who are working towards making new discoveries in brain health. Support from the fund will allow researchers to generate stem cells that can be used in regenerative medicines such as treatment for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. The Voelcker Fund is also working with the UTSA Center for Innovative Drug Discovery to make UTSA’s drug testing library as diverse as possible.

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott granted clemency to Thomas Whitaker who was on death row for the murders of his mother and brother. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles recommended this change of death sentence to life in prison for the first time since 2009, and it was the first time a governor has accepted the recommendation since 2007. Abbott’s order for clemency was granted less than hour before Whitaker’s scheduled execution.

U.S. Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto cancelled his plans to visit the White House to meet with President Trump after an approximately 50 minute phone call between the two presidents. Trump refused to publicly affirm Mexico would not fund construction of the border wall and Peña Nieto would not agree to fund it. Neither of the two presidents were willing to compromise their position on the construction of the border wall.

World China’s Communist Party wants to abolish the twoterm limit on the presidency, which would mean the country’s current president, Xi Jinping, could stay in power indefinitely. The current term for China’s presidents are five years, and Jinping has the support he needs to extend his time in office. The Central Committee’s proposed amendments to China’s constitution, which also includes changes to the preamble, are predicted to be passed by the party-controlled legislature.

Business A lawsuit between David Doar, a man from North Carolina and a Volkswagen unit in the U.S. was settled on Feb. 23. The case was settled by both sides agreeing on dismissal. Doar had been suing Volkswagen over fraud because the car he purchased was equipped with software that conceals excess diesel emissions and unfair trade practices. About 2,000 Volkswagen owners are pursuing court claims, and the next trial involving a diesel owner will be on June 4.

Former President Barack Obama votes on an the electronic voting system common in U.S. elections.

Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons

Professor talks vote counting machine vulnerabilities By Heather Montoya Assistant News Editor Since the inquiries of a potential hack of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in the 2016 presidential election, suspicion of the reliability of the current voting machines has risen. According to associate professor Max Kilger who does his research and publishing in cyber security, the investigation of the DNC hack is a traditional cybersecurity investigation trying to find out how the hack happened, what was taken and who is responsible. “There is a fair amount of evidence that there was indeed a hack and it was probably nationstate sponsored. The indications are, at least backed to some extent, by Russia,” Kilger said. Current voting machines are mainly self-contained, meaning they do not connect to anything. This makes them more difficult to hack directly, because they are not connected to the Internet. “There are some exceptions, and people are worried about those exceptions,” Kilger said. Even though directly hacking the machines is difficult, Kilger says it is possible to indirectly hack the machines by simply

using a thumbdrive. “Voting machines have to be programed, so you have to take something like a thumbdrive and program it, and then programming comes from a computer and the computer could be connected to the Internet, so there are ways to transverse or travel into the voting machines that aren’t direct. “Another concern is that voting machines have a history of not being the most secure machines in the world,” Kilger said. “They are reasonably and easily hackable if you know what you’re doing.” Not only are the individual votes able to be hacked, but the results of the votes can be hacked as well. “The results of the voting machines have to be tabulated somewhere, you have to collect all the votes, so there are essential tabulation areas for cities, counties and states, and they are typically computers, and computers are vulnerable,” Kilger said. “If they are connected to the Internet, that is quite bad, that makes them quite insecure.” Another issue involves voter registration bases because they are typically on computers that are often connected to a computer network that at

Plus/minus Continued from Page 1 Miranda Hairgrove, UTSA senior, said, “I personally dislike it, because I think if you earned an A, you should get the full credit for an A. “It’s kind of antagonistic to tell students that, even if they’ve earned a specific grade, they won’t get full grade point average points for it because they did meet an arbitrary minimum.” Some students don’t think a grading system is conducive to a university at all. “Grading systems as a whole should be abolished,” Javon Robinson, senior cyber security major, said. “They’re counter productive and stifle innovation and creativity, and reduce a student’s worth to an arbitrary grade.” In 2014, the Faculty Senate Academic Policy & Requirements (APR) committee recommended not to approve a proposal by SGA to amend the plus/minus grading system to make ‘A+’ grades equal to 4.33 grade points, citing that only law schools accept an ‘A+’ as 4.33 grade points. “The view was that ‘A+’ has the positive effect on transcripts of further impressing potential employers & families,” a memo written by Bennie Wilson, then-chair of the APR committee, stated. The memo also also said that “there [was] no perceived significant dissatisfaction with the plus/ minus grading system at UTSA,” in providing reasons for not approving SGA’s proposed amendment. The resolution has quoted the graduate council, saying they are currently working with the University Provost C. Mauli Agrawal, who “has indicated that he supports dropping the plus/minus system at the graduate level.” The SGA resolution is going to be discussed at the Faculty Senate meeting. SGA stated they would provide a resolution of options within six weeks of the resolution’s passing.

some point is connected to the Internet, making the information hackable. The software of voting machines is the most hacked component, but the electronic components can be compromised from their manufacturers and are an issue in voting machines as well as in military and defense equipment. “You never know who is going to put a piece of malicious code into a chip that finds its way into your device. And it may be difficult to find,” Kilger said. “Who actually commits the hack may be one set of actors, people who are skilled in avoiding computer security systems. Then, who is behind them, maybe it’s a nation-state, maybe it’s a political party, maybe it is a political action committee, maybe it’s an individual.” Hackers are also able to compromise machines in different places and hide behind the multiple links, which contributes to the difficulty in attributing the hack. There are several strategies hackers could use in interfering with elections. The 2016 election used a complex strategy that involved hackers generating disinformation about a party, candidate or both on social

media sites. “Some of the objectives of some of the strategies appear to be to create as much chaos as possible,” Kilger said. Due to the potential of voting machines to be hacked, some information security experts are recommending going back to paper ballots, “it’s much harder to hack hand-counted paper ballots,” Kilger said, “but it depends on the ballot, if it’s a traditional check a box kind of thing and not punch a hole in something, then you don’t have chad issues.” In order to make voting machines less susceptible to hacking, more time, effort and money are required. “No matter how much you harden the machines, there may always be a way to get in, but it is reasonably common sense to put money and effort to making them reasonably secure and resilient,” Kilger said. Kilger encourages students to still go out and vote even though interference in voting may still occur. “Regardless of what you hear, vote. Even though there is that potential of interference, it doesn’t matter, voting is the most important thing you can do. Don’t let this discourage you.”

Fe b ru a r y 2 7 - Marc h 6 , 2018

editor@paisano-online.com | 3

opinion Maintain the plus/minus grading system Editorial The UTSA grading system currently includes pluses and minuses; however, the Student Government Association (SGA) is proposing that the university adopt a different system. The SGA proposal explains that a change to a whole-letter grading system will improve students’ opportunities of getting into graduate and professional programs. It will allow students with borderline grade percentages to earn higher marks; for example, a student can earn a

4.0 even if he or she had a 90 percent average. Moving to whole-letter grading system is not in the best interest of UTSA students. A plus/minus grading system improves the reputation of both the university and its students. The transcripts for students applying to graduate schools indicate that UTSA uses a plus/ minus system. If an admissions officer is comparing a UTSA student with a 4.0 to a student with a 4.0 from a school without a plus/minus grading system the admissions officer would have reason to favor the UTSA student. When an admissions of-

ficer views a UTSA student’s 4.0 grade point average they know they earned all ‘A’s. The plus/minus grades award UTSA students’ efforts with more value. Without the system, a student who earned a 90 percent in a class is awarded the same letter grade as a student who earned a 100 percent. This lack of distinction disincentivizes students to excel beyond the 90 percent mark. The plus/minus system is more fine tuned. Proponents of the whole-letter grading system argue the plus/ minus system hurts a student’s odds of becoming recognized for academic achievement.

Boycott, divestment and sanctions Commentary

By Justice Lovin Senior Copy Editor There are a lot of terrible things going on in the world today—horrible, awful things that any decent person feels an obligation to condemn and fight against when they learn about them. There are so many things one can’t possibly do something about all of them. That’s the beauty of the boycott; you can help people by not doing something, in this case, by not buying products from companies that fund immoral and unethical practices both here in the U.S. and abroad. One particular boycott, which deserves much more support than it’s gotten lately, is the BDS movement lead by the anti-apartheid activists in Palestine. The BDS, or boycott, divestment and sanctions, movement calls for people all over the world to withdraw their support from products and businesses that give money to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and for international sanctions to be used against apartheid in the Middle East as they were against South Africa in the ‘80s. Critics of the BDS movement will typically call it anti-Semitic, but this is untrue. The BDS movement does not seek to create ethnic or religious persecution but rather to end it. The non-government organization Human Rights Watch has repeatedly condemned Israel for major violations of international human rights laws including “unlawful killings; forced

displacement; abusive detention; the closure of the Gaza Strip and other unjustified restrictions on movement; and the development of settlements, along with the accompanying discriminatory policies that disadvantage Palestinians.” Other critics will make some version of the ‘violence on both sides’ argument. This also is inaccurate and inappropriate. While it is true that some Palestinians have retaliated with violence, they have not done so on nearly the same scale as the violence they have been subjected to. A Vox article claiming to document “every person killed in the Israel Palestine conflict since 2000” shows that between 2005 and 2014, 96 percent of those who were killed were Palestinians. Moreover, a UN human rights council report has concluded that the Israeli armed forces have “sought to construct a scope for their activities that, in the Mission’s view, was designed to have inevitably dire consequences for the noncombatants in Gaza,” which is to say that in addition to arresting and imprisoning hundreds of Palestinian children, the IDF has targeted civilians and done so on a much larger scale than Palestinian forces have. The Israeli state is a racist, colonial state. It has different laws and rights based on the ethnicity of citizens. It is currently perusing the deportation or incarceration of 40,000 African refugees who, if deported, will almost certainly be killed or subjected to human trafficking. For decades, Israel has pursued policies intended to subjugate and displace the indigenous Palestinian people. As such, any moral person ought to condemn and oppose the IDF. The very least one can do is to abstain from supporting apartheid by participating in the BDS movement.

When UTSA moved to a plus/ minus grading system in 2011, Mathematics Department Chair Dr. Sandy Norman expressed these sentiments in an interview with the Paisano. Norman pointed out that in the plus/minus system “there are students who would have gotten summa cum laude in the old grading system who might not even get magna cum laude (which requires a 3.75 GPA) in the plus/minus system.” It is true; earning summa cum laude, among other recognitions, is more difficult in a plus/minus system, but we believe the effort is worth the added value UTSA

transcripts receive from a plus/ minus system. The SGA’s argument that UTSA students’ odds of earning a scholarship may be negatively affected by the plus/minus system is valid, because a scholarship committee isn’t as likely to make the distinction between a plus/minus school the same way admissions officers do. Nonetheless, our current grading system ought to be maintained. We believe a more fine-tuned and accurate grading system strengthens the overall value of UTSA students’ transcripts and is in line with the goals of our academic system.

Rape: definitions matter Commentary

By Emily Hubbard Staff Writer People tend to turn a blind eye to rape, and it’s unacceptable. Rape physically, mentally and emotionally affects millions of men and women around the world, but the way it’s codified in the law influences how it is interpreted. With rape appearing more frequently in the media, it is the perfect time to educate and inform ourselves. The definition of rape on the federal level hasn’t been as direct as some may think. States have even revised the definition throughout the years. On Jan. 6, 2012, the United States Department of Justice updated the definition of rape for the first time since 1927. The definition of forcible rape before the revision was, “the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will,” which is narrow and outdated. The problem with this is that it is so vague, implying rape is only defined as between a man and a woman, as well as excluding men from being victims. In 2012, the revision became “the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” The new definition includes any gender of victim or perpetrator while also recognizing that rape does also include objects being forced, not just sexual organs. The new definition also makes sure to include instances in which the victim is

not able to give their consent because of mental or physical incapacity. Many rapes are facilitated by drugs or alcohol which leave the victim unable to comprehend, let alone give consent. Lack of consent does not mean physical resistance must be demonstrated, now the definition is more inclusive of the reality of the situations. In Texas, rape is defined as “intentionally or knowingly causing any of the following: penetration of the anus or sexual organ of another by any means without that person’s consent; penetration of the mouth of another person by the sexual organ of the actor without the person’s consent; or the sexual organ of another person, without that person’s consent, to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus or sexual organ of another including the actor.” It is important to understand the definitions but also understand the victims. Victims can often be dehumanized, stereotyped and questioned on their experience by people who are often ignorant to the issue at hand. In contrast, we need to show understanding of each person’s individual circumstance and work to help others through their trauma. People tend to see life through rose colored glasses. If it doesn’t affect them, then it doesn’t exist. This mindset is the predominate issue when it comes to cases such as rape. People love to play the blame game, but the clothes you wear and the way you present yourself does not make you any more of a victim than anyone else. Nobody deserves to be raped or taken advantage of and it is never the victim’s fault. Survivors deserve to be listened to. As their voices are being heard, meet them with support, understanding and validation. If you or someone you know may need help, contact the Rape Crisis Center at (210) 349-7273.

F e bru ar y 27 - M arch 6, 2018

4 | editor@paisano-online.com

Black History Month: week four

Commentary

By Kimiya Factory Staff Writer Here we are at the end of an amazing month, abundant with historical and present examples of black bliss. It is incredibly hard to completely capture every crack and crease of such a colorful story, but in my opinion, I saved one of the best for last. Get ready for your mouth to water, because I’m about to dive into the “don’t run in my kitchen” and “baby, go on and get you another plate” aspect of black

culturesoul food. What exactly is soul food? According to Urban Dictionary, soul food is “an African-American cuisine usually including macaroni, fried chicken, collard greens, yams, mashed potatoes, rolls and occasional sweet peas. Typically it is mastered by one’s grandmother and cannot be duplicated by anyone else.” While Urban Dictionary was mostly correct, I’ll tell you what soul food really is. Soul food isn’t just food one simply consumes, soul food is the memories attached to food that melts in your mouth. Soul food is the growling of stomachs from having to smell collard greens simmer in the pot all night so they’ll be ready by the morning. Soul food is the bite you take of slow cooked meat that falls of the bone, coated in barbecue sauce, as your uncle eagerly waits for a satisfied reply from your messy lips. It is the Kool-Aid your mother blames for your cavities, yet

no one stops you from drinking. It is the pinch on the arm from your mother that warns you to stop wiggling around during the closing prayer at church because you can’t stop thinking about the strawberry cream cake waiting for you at home when the service ends. And specifically, for college students, soul food is the warm hug you’ve been waiting for after weeks of ramen that first year. It is the “what the hell was I thinking when I left home?” withdrawals we are all guilty of. For me, soul food was the tears I broke into after the first spoonful of candied cabbage that entered my mouth on my the first trip back home since I had left for college. My mama raised my head, wiped my tears and told me, “baby , you may not always be able to have my cooking, but you’ll always have every memory that came with it.” She’s right. She always is. Soul Food is one of the many avenues

of love the black culture celebrates in the month of February. I’m pretty sure I’ve made it clear that food is not only what it contains; it can be much more especially to any culture that had no choice but to find it dear. If you’re ever craving some rich and hearty goodness, check out my favorite soul food restaurant in San Antonio, Mrs. Kitchen Soul Food Restaurant and Bakery; it hits very close to any home. Lastly, to all the readers who have followed the stories of myself and many others this month in the Paisano’s Black History Month column, I hope I have painted images you can begin to love and see for yourself. Thank you for allowing your eyes to race along the lines of what I and many others really have to say. It means the world. Love, Peace and Hair Grease; Yours truly.

In conclusion Commentary

By Kenyatta Battle Editor-in-Chief’s Assistant With Black History Month’s conclusion, I feel it is important to reflect on its impact. It should not just be viewed as important for African Americans. No, it should be considered important to all Americans. Black History Month is a time when African Americans are recognized for their numerous accomplishments and contributions to American society. The United States as we know it would have never been realized without African Americans. African Americans helped build this country. We built the White House, created the pacemaker, performed the first successful open heart surgery; we are also inventors of many day to day objects, such as, America’s first clock, automatic elevator doors, blood banks, the gas mask, ice cream, modern toilets, potato chips, traffic lights and the process of manufacturing carbons, which improved the method for production of carbon filaments used in the lightbulbs. The list goes on and on. Many objects we use and love were invented by African Americans and the primary purpose of Black History Month is to bring attention to the accomplishments and contributions of black men and women. Therefore, Americans can learn to love and appreciate one another’s cultures.

Black History Month was created by Carter G. Woodson. It was originally known as “Negro Week” and was chosen on the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Woodson also invented “Negro Week” because he noticed that black people were underrepresented in the books and conversations that shaped the study of American society. “If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world and it stands in danger of being exterminated,” Woodson said. Carter G. Woodson invented “Negro Week” to promote achievements by black Americans and other people of African descent. The civil rights movement and a growing awareness of black identity helped Negro Week evolve into Black History Month in many black communities. By 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, as he called on the public “to seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” In contemporary times, we still tend to take Black History Month for granted. We question why Black History Month even exists, and many people just want it to end; however, this Black History Month let us be different. Let us be grateful for those wonderful black men and women who sacrificed so much for us. Let us give them praise for their contributions and accomplishments to American society. Let us teach their historical events that transpired in the past; lastly, let us not just celebrate black history for a month. Let’s celebrate and appreciate black history everyday because without it we may not be here.

Photo

The Paisano Isaac Serna | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com Ethan Pham | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com Kenyatta Battle | Editor-in-Chief’s Assistant

News Gaige Davila | Co-News Editor News@paisano-online.com Samual De Leon | Co-News Editor News@paisano-online.com Heather Montoya | Assistant News Editor

Chase Otero | Photography Editor Photo@paisano-online.com Ricky Galindo | Assistant Photography Editor

Online Kat Joseph | Multimedia Editor Multimedia@paisano-online.com

The Paisano The Independent Student Newspaper for the UTSA Community

Have Something to say? Write a letter to the Editor!

Send your letters to Editor@paisano-online.com Advisory Board

Staff

Arts & Life

Sports

Enrique Bonilla | Arts & Life Editor Arts@paisano-online.com

Frank Leal | Sports Editor Sports@paisano-online.com

Katrina Clements | Assistant Arts & Life Editor

Connor Zimmerlee | Assistant Sports Editor

Business

Will Stransky | Business Manager Business@paisano-online.com Valery Assad | Marketing Manager Marketing@paisano-online.com

Jenelle Duff | Advertising Liason Ads@paisano-online.com Kristy Olson | Social Media Coordinator Amanda Avalos | Marketing Staff Ray Hagimoto | Marketing Staff The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization. The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods. The Paisano is distributed on all three UTSA campuses — Main, Downtown and the Institute of Texan Cultures. Additionally, Paisano publications are distributed at a variety of off-campus locations, including Tri-point and a variety of apartment complexes near the UTSA Main Campus. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed to: 14526 Roadrunner Way Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210)-690-9301 © 2018, The Paisano The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Handbook of Operating Procedures states in 5.03 that: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will not exercise control over the format or content of Student Publications, but will regulate distribution on campus. Student Publications will be free of censorship and advance approval of copy, and their editors and managers are solely responsible for editorial and content policies and decisions. Editors and managers of Student Publications will not be subject to arbitrary suspension/expulsion or removal from their positions within a Registered or Sponsored Student Organization (Student Organization) by the University because of student, faculty, administrative, or public disapproval of editorial policy or content. Student Organizations that distribute Student Publications are afforded the same rights and privileges as Student Organizations that do not distribute Student Publications.

Fe b ru a r y 2 7 - Marc h 6 , 2018

arts@paisano-online.com | 5

Arts & Life Ciudad, a crecer: Dolor creciente

Column

Development on the east side makes and breaks the American dream for different gente. Ryan Thompson Staff Writer

Amber Chin/The Paisano

By Ryan Thompson Staff Writer

t is the American Dream to one day be able to afford a better life for our children and those we love. The dream to introduce them to a higher standard of living, to raise them in a better, more affluent neighborhood with better education and opportunities. But what if the home that had nurtured you for your entire life had become a part of that better and more affluent neighborhood? Now, you can’t afford to live in it. This narrative is transpiring in the suburbs of almost every major city in America. Your city’s policy makers may call it Urban Renewal or Economic Development, but it’s least ambiguous name is gentrification. Merriam Webster defines gentrification as “the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents.” Now, the word “gentrification” is among the most controversial and painful of words for a community. There are advocates who believe a revitalization of the city and its residences is positive and necessary, and then there are critics who believe the displacement of these residents is rash and discriminatory–and both are valid arguments. However, there are some very true and harsh realities of gentrifi-

cation. It is much larger than one community or one city; gentrification is a systematic and intentional process taking place all over the Westernized countries of the world. Gentrification is hypothesized to have begun with urban decay and deterioration of inner-cities during the post-war period. Inner-city communities, largely occupied by minorities, were neglected by the city, given little to no policing and allowed to run rampant with drugs, crime and poverty as “white flight” to the suburbs saw the wealthiest, most educated residents moving outward. Now, many have made the opposing argument that these inner-city community members didn’t properly maintain their homes, but with discriminatory practices such as redlining–a practice by which banks and insurance companies deliberately refuse or limit loans, mortgages and insurance within specific geographic areas, especially those heavily concentrated by minorities–many homeowners weren’t fairly awarded the opportunity to do so. “It intensified after World War II. Banks would take urban maps and draw lines around areas that they would not grant loans to, and those were significantly minority neighborhoods. Some have suggested that it was a part of a grand conspiracy to weaken those neighborhoods and later prepare them

for gentrification,” former UTSA professor of geography and political science Gary Houston said. Toward the end of the 1960s and early ‘70s, the stress of the high cost of commuting, rising gas prices and rising transportation fares juxtaposed with the low cost of purchasing old downtown properties and revitalizing them began to make downtown real estate increasingly attractive again, now fast-forward to present day and regression back toward inner city can be seen all over the country. San Antonio gained 24,473 residents between July 2015 and July 2016, ranking third among the 15 U.S. cities that recorded the largest numeric increases in population that year according to the U.S. Census Bureau. From an economic lens, a growth of this magnitude looks great on paper, but it begs the question of just where these new residents are going, especially in light of the city’s major housing shortage. “As it turns out, the most desirable neighborhoods tend to be those that are close in, those near the central business district,” Houston said. And the fact of the matter is, when high income buyers suddenly find a neighborhood attractive, low-income citizens are forced out. Either their property taxes become too

high and they are forced to flee as a means of survival, or they are persistently harassed by developers to sell their homes. “When your property becomes worth a certain amount, and you’re living on a fixed income and the property values are increasing around you, many people find that they can’t afford not to sell,” Houston said. The city of San Antonio’s intentional plan to attract middle class and more affluent residents into desirable inner-city neighborhoods shifts existing residents, who can’t sustain this new standard of living out and demographically these neighborhoods are majority minorities. In the largest majority Hispanic city in the United States with a Hispanic population of an estimated 63 percent, that is no modest statement. In response to the removal of low-income citizens from their homes, it would be expected that there would be somewhere designated by the city for them to go.

Continued on page 6 See “Ciudad”

Visiones de Marzo en San Anto Museums and galleries of San Antonio celebrate Contemporary Art Month by showcasing works from Texas artists.

By Aurelio Minesinger Staff Writer

Contemporary Art Month (CAM) will begin with a group exhibition of San Antonio artists whose work will collectively create a new audio-visual experience in the octagonal room immediately to the left of the main entrance of the McNay. The McNay is a wonderfully revived SpanishColonial mansion not far from downtown. This exhibition, curated by Jacqueline Edwards, opens Thursday March 1. It will contain work by four artists, focusing on identity and culture, especially from the perspective of young artists of color. Work from Austin based artist Deborah Roberts, Calvin Presley and notable UTSA alumni Rafael Gutierrez and Xavier Gilmore will appear in the exhibit. The works they present will include video installations, collages and immersive soundscapes. The McNay will also host Raul Gonzalez later during CAM from the 16th to the 18th. Gonzalez will be turning a pre-designated space in the Leper auditorium into a dance floor meant to directly engage the audience and elicit participation. It will occur during a family day the McNay will be hosting, so make sure to dress appropriately and have a

good time. March 1 will mark the opening of a number of contemporary exhibits across the city, including galleries like Cinnabar at the Blue Star complex, which will host an opening for work by Sarah Fox, a UTSA graduate whose works will consist of vibrant representations of hybridized creatures representing the female identity and empowerment through agency in sexuality. Her solo exhibition opens at 6:30 p.m. That Thursday will also be the opening of, I only like Spiderwebs and Dice, an exhibition of new work by Ross Hutchinson. A Houston-based artist whose pieces explore ‘banality and repetition’ through new arrangements. The opening begins at 7 p.m. in Corporate Gallery and ends at 10 p.m. It will be open to the public on both Saturday and Sunday. A group show on the second Saturday of the month, curated by Arturo Almeida and presented by Freight gallery, will include the work of several alumni and UTSA professors including Humberto Saenz, Juan Mora, Martin C. Rodriguez, Rhys Munro and Ana Hernandez Burwell. Each participant will

be presenting two new works at the opening reception, occurring between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on March 10. Another group show on March 23, Megan Solis, a San Antonio resident and UTSA alumna, will be collaborating with 12 other performers to create a “happening” in Homebase. It will take place in the upstairs galleries of the Blue Star complex. It will be happening between 6-8 p.m. For those readers that don’t feel like leaving the couch, a feature on Whataburger’s website will showcase the work of Raul Gonzalez starting on March 1. So check it out. It includes images of his Whataburger inspired screen-prints and a 500 word essay about his work. If you’re not sure what to do this month, go to one of these events, interact with your colleagues and show your support for the local community and artists who contribute to the unique culture of San Antonio.

Visit us at the UTSA Graduate Health Fair on March 1 Texas Woman’s University offers nationally ranked programs at our Denton, Dallas and Houston campuses. We want our graduate students to make a difference in the world. Whether your goal is to research life-changing discoveries, practice health care, teach others or climb the corporate ladder, we

Preview of works by Raul Gonzalez from hs personal studio. Photos by Aurelio Minesinger/ The Paisano

have the right graduate degree program for you.

twu.edu

F e bru ar y 27 - M arch 6, 2018

6 | arts@paisano-online.com

The Weekend March Ciudad Continued from page 5

Oh, What a Night! / Free 6 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex

R. Tatum presents the first Thursday celebration of the completion of the 89 ft hallway mural created by 25 local artists. No Whites Allowed Zine Release / Free 8 - 11 p.m. La Botanica A new zine promoting black, brown and queer creatives.

1 NO WHITES ALLOWED

Project Pat / $20 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. The Rock Box Project Pat of Three 6 Mafia playing a limited capacity show for 500 people. Hovvdy & Quiet Hours / Free 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. Lowcountry

Austin duo Hovvdy and local band Quiet Hours showcase their alternative sounds. Monarch Fest 2018 / Free with zoo ticket 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. San Antonio Zoo

Festival with games, crafts and milkweed seed to learn how to help prevent the extinction of the monarch butterfly.

To feature your event in “The Weekend”

email the arts editor at arts@paisano-online.com

According to Metrostudy data, in 2013 40 percent of construction started in San Antonio were in the under $200,000 price range, and in 2017 that figure dropped to 17 percent. So not only are lowincome citizens being displaced from their current homes, but there are no affordable homes for them to acquire in the wake of their displacement. This is occurring rapidly all around San Antonio, the latest victim being the Eastside community of San Antonio. “We are going to witness the largest displacement of people since the building of the Alamodome,” Eastside Resident Salena Santibanez said, alluding to a $186 million construction project that displaced generations of local families. Take for instance the Dignowity Hill neighborhood, a historic area for working-class African Americans and Chicanos with a history far too long to summarize, that is experiencing a surge of gentrification and has now become one of the most expensive neighborhoods in San Antonio. But just across the tracks sits a neighborhood that is

largely inhabited by immigrants and working class citizens with a median residential income of $17,000 a year. It is impossible for these citizens to sustain this area as the cost of living rises, and even more impossible for them to flee as their property’s value plummets. Santibanez referenced a home across the street from Booker T. Washington Elementary that has sat vacant for over five years. “Could you imagine if a family lived there, and all they had to do was walk across the street to send their child to school?”

“Instead, the city has turned a blind eye, and children have to walk by this house and witness needles and condoms on their way to school.”

-Selena Santibanez

“Now, a block away is a house that was flipped and put on the market for $250,000. Of course, it does not sell. It is just sitting there decreasing the property values around it.”

Not only does gentrification cause displacement and depreciation of property value, it has an effect on the city’s culture. These newly acquired lots are now built with modern homes and contemporary shops that aren’t consistent with San Antonio’s historical footprint. Though many of these homes and historic districts are protected by San Antonio’s Architectural Review Board, it is important to note that historically the citizens of San Antonio have truly been largely responsible for maintaining the city’s rich culture. For example, after a flood in the late 1920’s, the city government made plans to convert the San Antonio River into a storm sewer system. However, it took the voices of what is now known as the San Antonio Conservation Society and the surrounding community to speak out and save it. Imagine the city of San Antonio without its historic landmark that has since attracted millions of people to its tourist destinations and famous restaurants. “Our political and governmental leadership has not been responsible for the major cultural preservation in San Antonio. Citizens really have had to take the lead and encourage our leadership to buy into the mission

As construction takes over the neighborhood around them, these two east side residents discuss the growth in the city and recant memories of a San Antonio that becomes more distant daily. All these photos are in the same neighborhood, juxtaposing the old and the growing.

that the public has shared,” Houston said. Gentrification has the potential to push small businesses, family owned restaurants and families that don’t gross six-figure incomes out of the city, taking their culture with them–the very culture San Antonio is known for. The culture that brings hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. A city is not only the highways it encompasses or the skyscrapers it holds but more, the culture, the food, the music, the people in it’s communities, schools, churches and homes. Gentrification has historically removed the fingerprint of many cities and instead replaced it with an outline, that merely resembles the face of every other major city in America. For some, this is attractive, to live just as your neighbor does and think just as your neighbor does as well. But for many others, this is a disheartening move towards conformity and sameness. And as our city celebrates its tricentennial this year with celebrations of food, music and culture, it seems as though they may have forgotten about the abuelitas and the tios who kept this celebratory rich culture alive.

All photos by Ryan Thompson/The Paisano

Fe b ru a r y 2 7 - Marc h 5 , 2018

sports@paisano-online.com | 7

Sports UTSA men’s basketball downs Southern Miss. Roadrunners stay hot with wins over Southern Miss & LA Tech By Ryan Garza Staff Writer

he Roadrunners were back in action last Thursday when they took on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in their second to last home game of the season. UTSA was firing on all cylinders as they walked away with a 64-56 victory. UTSA came into the game riding the momentum of an exhilarating overtime win against Charlotte the week before. The Roadrunners have been hot and are 4-1 overall through the month of February. Freshman guard Jhivvan Jackson became UTSA’s all-time leading freshman scorer with 518 points this season and five games left to play. Jackson also picked up his seventh Conference USA Freshman of the Week award. Southern Miss came into the game having lost three of their past four games but already boasting a win over the Roadrunners from Jan. 6 when the two played at Southern Miss. Offensively, the ‘Runners got off to a blazing hot start when Junior forward Nick Allen got things going early by putting up 12 points and knocking down two three-pointers in the first 10 minutes of the game. On the defensive side of the ball, UTSA held Southern Miss to only nine points through the first 12 minutes of the game and forced the Golden Eagles into terrible possessions and six turnovers. With less than five minutes

Ellyson Ortega/The Paisano

Freshman guard Keaton Wallace goes up to the basket for an easy layup.

to go in the first half, Southern Miss finally found their groove and went on a run to end the second quarter and bring themselves to within 12 points to close out the half. Allen and junior guard Deon Lyle were the leading scorers for the Roadrunners in the first half, scoring 14 and eight points respectively. UTSA led the entire first half of the game and were able to shoot 40 percent from the the floor. With almost 10 minutes left in the game, UTSA saw the lead melt away as what seemed to be a blowout turned into a slim four point ‘Runner lead. This was in

part due to the Golden Eagles’ junior guard Tyree Griffin, who led his team with 12 points and three assists that night. However, a huge momentum shift with nine minutes left in the game saw the Roadrunners go on a 11-0 run to gain some breathing room down the stretch. With the game winding down and a little under a minute left in the game, the Roadrunners found themselves with a slim five point lead and were hanging on for the win. The late second half 11-0 surge was all that UTSA needed to secure a 64-56 win over Southern Miss and move the

‘Runners to 16-12 overall and 9-6 in Conference USA. Nick Allen had a double double, scoring 18 points and bringing in 11 rebounds. Deon Lyle scored 14 points and had six rebounds in the Roadrunners win last Thursday. The Roadrunners would then take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Saturday in their final home game at the Convocation Center this season. Halfway through the second half of the contest, guard Deon Lyle helped spark the UTSA offense with two three pointers and led the ‘Runners to a 74-64 victory. Lyle led the way with five

three-pointers and 17 points total with seven rebounds to go along with that mark. Sophomore forward Bryon Frohnen and freshman guard Keaton Wallace both finished with eight assists and 10 points each while as a team the ‘Runners shot 47 percent from the field. The Roadrunners are now 1712 overall and 10-6 in conference play this season. The final two games of the season will both be played on the road at North Texas this Thursday and Rice this Saturday. UTSA will clinch a first round bye if they are able to win out and Marshall loses their last two games.

UTSA baseball falls to nationally ranked Texas Tech By Frank Leal Sports Editor

After a strong 2-1 start to their season, UTSA baseball had a huge challenge in front of them as the Texas Tech Red Raiders made the trip down to San Antonio to face off against the Roadrunners in a three game series. Texas Tech entered the series ranked third in the nation and were able to sweep the ‘Runners, as they improved to a perfect 7-0 while sending UTSA on a three game losing streak. Although the two teams were

originally slated to face off Friday through Sunday, heavy rainstorms throughout much of Texas forced Friday’s highly anticipated matchup to be pushed back to Saturday at 8 p.m. Due to the wet conditions of Roadrunner Field, the first two games of the series were played at Wolff Stadium, home of the San Antonio Missions. In game one, the Roadunners were shut out by a score of 5-0 by the Red Raiders. Texas Tech’s starting pitcher Davis Martin proved to be too much for the UTSA offense to handle, as he only allowed three hits through five innings of work while striking out five batters.

UTSA first baseman Ben Brookover keeps a Texas Tech baserunner close.

Even after Martin came off the mound, relieving pitchers Caleb Killian and Jose Quezada didn’t make life any easier for UTSA. The relief pitchers only allowed one hit between the two of them and struck out four batters. As a result, the ‘Runners were unable to get anything going offensively. UTSA ace Chance Kirby surrendered only four hits but gave up three runs through five innings of work on the mound. Kirby also walked five batters on the day. The UTSA star pitcher is off to a rough start in 2018, and he is now 0-2. On Sunday the two faced off again in game two of the series.

Once again, UTSA was unable to generate any kind of offense at the plate as they were shut out for the second straight game. John McMillon took the mound for the Red Raiders and struck out six UTSA batters while only allowing three hits. UTSA’s Trent Bowels was able to pick up a pair of hits including a double off the centerfield wall, but the ‘Runners were unable to capitalize off them. Steven Dressler got the start in game two for UTSA and logged a quality performance on the mound. Dressler only allowed three runs and pitched for almost seven complete innings, throwing 99 pitches. He struck out five

Ricky Galindo/The Paisano

batters in what was an impressive performance, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough. Dressler did not get any run support from his offense, and as a result, those three runs would be enough for Texas Tech to take the 3-0 victory over the ‘Runners. On Monday, the series finally shifted back to Roadrunner Field at UTSA. Having been shut out through 18 innings of baseball, the ‘Runners were eager to finally put some runs on the board against the number three team in the nation. After falling behind 7-0, UTSA’s second baseman Bryan Arias finally broke the scoring drought with a big two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to bring the score to 7-2. In the bottom of the sixth with the bases loaded, UTSA freshman Jonathan Tapia crushed a double off the wall to clear the bases and push across three more runs for the ‘Runners. Soon after, Arias came through again and hit a base hit to bring in Tapia and make the score 8-6. However, that was as close as the ‘Runners would come. Texas Tech added a couple more runs in the later innings to win 10-6 and complete the sweep. In what many thought would be a blowout, UTSA showed they could hang with one of the best teams in the nation. UTSA baseball will be back in action Tuesday Feb. 27 when they take on the Longhorns in Austin.

F e bru ar y 27 - M arch 5, 2018

8 | sports@paisano-online.com

Spurs struggle as playoff race heats up

Kawhi Leonard rises up for a dunk in a game against the Magic. By Kenyatta Battle Editor-in-Chiefs Assistant

After being swept by the Golden State Warriors in the conference finals last season, the San Antonio Spurs transitioned into the offseason. Many NBA analysts believed that the Spurs had a good chance of beating the Warriors if it was not for Zaza Pachulia injuring Kawhi Leonard in game one of the Western Conference Finals. So in the offseason when the Spurs did not target any big time free agents no one was surprised. Instead, they re-signed Patty Mills, Pau Gasol and they

acquired free agent Rudy Gay. The Spurs also decided to let their former forward Jonathan Simmons sign with the Orlando Magic. After these off-season moves, the Spurs looked ready to challenge the Golden State Warriors. However, on Oct. 13, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said that Kawhi Leonard would miss the season opener, and that there was no time table for his return. A week later, Kawhi was recorded struggling to walk up some airplane stairs. On Nov. 15, the Spurs finally reported good news about their star Kawhi Leonard’s injury saying, “he will be back sooner than later.”

Jose Garcia/Flickr.com

On Dec. 12, Kawhi finally made his season debut; however, his return would be short lived. Leonard only played nine games, and in those games, he averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block. Leonard’s highest scoring game was his last, in which he had 25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and four steals in a win against the Knicks. A few weeks later, Kawhi was listed as “out indefinitely” and is said to be continuing rehab on his right quadriceps. On Feb. 21 Coach Popovich discussed the likelihood of Kawhi’s return. “I’ll be surprised if he returns this season. We only have X number of games

left this season, and he’s still not ready to go. If by some chance he is, it’s going to be late into the season,” Coach Pop said. Kawhi has been medically cleared to play, but numerous reports say he is choosing not to play due to his injury. Kawhi is not the only player on the Spurs roster to be injured. Numerous Spurs players have been injured. Most notably, Rudy Gay and Tony Parker. Gay has missed approximately 15 games this season due to a heel injury. Before his injury, he was expected to be a key piece in helping the Spurs beat the Warriors. Gay is likely to return to the lineup in the coming games, and

with Kawhi out indefinitely he will play an integral role in the Spurs rotation moving forward. Parker has also been injured. According to Coach Pop, Tony Parker’s injury is similar to Kawhi’s injury. “What’s really strange is that [Tony Parker] has the same injury but even worse,” said Coach Pop. Parker injured himself last year during the NBA Western Semi-Finals last season, and did not return to his first game until Nov. 25. Since his return, Parker has averaged 8.5 points and 4 assists per game. He has also been demoted to a bench role behind rising star DeJounte Murray. Despite missing their best player Kawhi Leonard and being plagued with injuries, the Spurs still sit at the third seed in the Western Conference with a 3525 regular season record. This is in large part due to the improved play by forward Lamarcus Aldridge. Aldridge is averaging 22.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and shooting 50 percent from the field per game. All these statistics are up from a season ago. Though the Spurs are sitting in a good spot in the Western Conference, they are far from comfortable. Their team is still completely dilapidated, and it is beginning to show. The Spurs have lost four of their last five games, and are only a half game ahead of the Timberwolves for the third seed. “This is the last 23 games of the season,” said Coach Pop. “It doesn’t do any good to be wishing and hoping that somebody is going to be added that saves the day. That’s all silly stuff. These guys gotta go play for themselves and do what they do.” In order for the Spurs to maintain their third seed spot, they must overcome their struggles before facing tougher competition down the stretch.

Join us for a talk about how our DNA informs the way our ancestors populated the planet and how research can change industry and perceptions. An esteemed geneticist, anthropologist, author and entrepreneur, Dr. Wells’ work with National Geographic Society and the Genographic Project launched the consumer genomics industry. He is an adjunct professor in integrative biology at UT Austin, founder and CEO of consumer genomics startup Insitome, and owner of iconic blues club Antone’s.