Vol. 66, Issue 9 by The Paisano

Vol. 66, Issue 9

Est. 1981

October 24 - October 31, 2023

THE PAISANO

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

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‘Roadrunners unite, take back the night’ Jessica McLaren/The Paisano

PEACE Center hosts Take Back The Night to empower those affected by dating and domestic violence By Jessica McLaren News Editor

tudents, faculty and staff gathered in the Student Union Paseo last Tuesday to support survivors of domestic violence and explore the resources available to them on and off campus at the annual Take Back the Night event. The event featured a variety of activities, including a resource fair, two performances by Overly Chromatic, a march around campus, poetry from the Student Poetry Society and a speak-out. Take Back the Night is an international event and nonprofit organization that hosts hundreds of events, including marches, rallies and vigils, in more than 30 countries annually. At UTSA, the Center for Collegiate Recovery, the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services coordinate the event each year. Since 2013, the Recovery Center (JPL 4.02.08) has offered support and services to students recovering from substance abuse disorders and other addictions. Established five years later, the Center for Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Consultation and Empowerment, or the PEACE Center (SU 1.02.04), is part of UTSA’s initiative to expand the resources necessary to address sexual misconduct prevention and victim advocacy. Both initiatives fall under Wellbeing Services, whose mission is to collaborate with staff, faculty and student groups to promote and support student success, health and wellbeing. The event began with an a cappella performance of “Night Changes” by One Direction from UTSA’s competitive team, Overly Chromatic. “The word [night] was originally meant to be taken literally to express the

fear that many women feel during the night,” Campus Victim Advocate Ashley Fitzgerald said. “But [it] has since changed to symbolize our fear of violence in general.” In describing the history of Take Back the Night, Fitzgerald explained that domestic violence marches did not always include men, as the deliberate inclusion of women “demonstrate[d] that women united can resist any environment.” However, many activists argued that male allies and survivors should be able to march for victims and supporters of all identities. “The mission of Take Back the Night has since grown to encompass all forms of violence against all persons,” Fitzgerald said. “The common purpose is to advocate for the right of everyone to feel safe from sexual violence, domestic violence and gender-based violence. As you march tonight, remember your voice, your channel [and] your presence will allow another person to tell their truth.” Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice provided UTSA with a threeyear, $300,000 Campus Program grant to fund programming aimed at “reducing incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking among college students.” According to Senior Vice Provost of Student Affairs and Dean of Students LT Robinson, UTSA has since utilized this grant to expand the President’s Initiative on Preventing Sexual Assault and Misconduct to include services and education. “This is a campus-wide effort focused on ensuring that we have strengthened policies, effective education and impactful advocacy resources that support survivors,” Robinson said. “We understand that advocacy is a step forward

— in healing and empowerment.” Following introductions from Overly Chromatic and each key speaker, the resource fair provided students with the opportunity to explore the resources on campus that help promote student safety and wellbeing. Each resource was presented by Prevention Specialist Danielle Rominski. The UT Health Wellness 360 clinic offers students free health and mental health care, and the UTSA Police Department provides services like the Rowdy Watch Student Patrol for when students do not feel safe walking alone on campus. Additionally, the Behavioral Intervention Team was present to teach students about the importance of reporting disruptive or unusual behavior on campus. The Office of Equal Opportunity Services (Title IX), which investigates complaints on the basis of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct, and the Center for Civic Engagement, which organizes civic engagement initiatives on and off campus, were also in attendance to answer questions and hand out promotional items. Delta Xi Nu, a multicultural sorority at UTSA, was present to show their support and endorse their philanthropy event, Little Black Dress. The annual event, which took place last Friday, aims to bring awareness to domestic violence against women. In addition to the support and resources provided by UTSA, the event promoted a variety of off-campus organizations that support and empower survivors of domestic or sexual violence. These organizations include Planned Parenthood, which offers confidential and affordable reproductive health care services at five locations across San Antonio, the Rape Crisis Center, which

SGA prepares for Homecoming and discusses student affairs

The various committees of SGA reported on what they are currently working on. Chair of Academic Affairs Maribel Martinez spoke to Academic UTSA’s Student Government Association (SGA) Innovation on implementing and utilizing Canvas in gathered for the fifth time this semester to classes, as teaching assistants and graduate discuss the upcoming homecoming week, students have trouble navigating between address various student concerns and the separate apps for students and deal with internal affairs. professors. There was also talk On Oct. 19, SGA held a student of educating faculty on artificial general assembly to cover intelligence and plagiarism. topics relating to school spirit Chair of Business Affairs Daniel and student issues. Toward Rounds was concerned about the the beginning of the meeting, lack of consistency and usability President Zachary Nepote of gift cards at restaurants on encouraged members to get campus, such as Starbucks and involved in their college. Nepote Chick-fil-A. also called for student workers Rounds also clarified the function to share their input with SGA, of the Swipe Out Hunger program, and for senators to advocate for free explaining that donated meal swipes are Co u A rtesy o textbooks in association with open f UTSA SG doubled and converted to money that is given educational resources. The call to action was to the Whataburger Resource Room. The program intended to motivate members to help the SGA reach benefits greatly from students with unlimited meal its goal of serving the student body. swipes, as they are “losing nothing.” Students can The executive board proceeded to discuss events for donate meals until Oct. 31. Homecoming 2023, which will take place from Oct. In relation to new business, Financial Affairs 21 to Oct. 28. Events mentioned include Homecoming nominee Paul Gonzalez answered questions from Blitz and Rowdy Prize Cab on Oct. 24 at the Downtown the assembly on business engagement and goals and Campus, Spirit of the Roadrunner and the proposed duties pertinent to the position. athletic fee increase voting on Oct. 25, Rowdy Prize Gonzalez brought up the idea of an emergency fund: Cab at the Main Campus on Oct. 26, BestFest with “Let’s say a hurricane crashes into us, we’re negatively special guest Waka Flocka Flame on Oct. 27 and affected. Is there a fund in there that’s gonna help more. The full list of events is available at utsa.edu/ the students or SGA get back on its feet in case of homecoming/events.html. drastic measures?” After a short deliberation period, Speaker of the Senate Karli Robertson held an Paul Gonzalez was confirmed with a position in the informal vote on a $200 donation from the SGA budget Financial Affairs committee. to Family Services’ Adopt-a-Family program, which Following this confirmation, Ethan La Borde was would provide gifts to children and their families this sworn in as senator for the College of Business, Nathan upcoming holiday season. Another informal vote was Strasser for the Klesse College of Engineering, Arynei held on interest in a self-defense course targeted to Nance and Chelsea Montemayor for the College of senators from UTSA PD. Both ideas received positive Liberal and Fine Arts and Belicia Vasquez for Junior support. Graduate senior Madeline Snyder was then Classification. awarded senator of the month. See SGA on page 2

By Faith Kouadio Staff Writer

provides free services such as confidential counseling and 24-hour crisis intervention, Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc., which provides support and resources to victims of domestic violence and Awaaz San Antonio, whose mission is to promote healthy relationships and empower South Asian families affected by family violence.

“As you march tonight, remember your voice, your channel [and] your presence will allow another person to tell their truth.” After each resource was introduced, Overly Chromatic returned to the stage to perform a cover of “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims as signs reading “‘No’ is a complete sentence” and “Tell your story: speak out” were distributed to the group for the march around campus. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is held throughout October to unite communities and advocacy organizations to end domestic violence. There are many ways to get involved and help prevent violence on campus, such as attending Green Dot Bystander Intervention training, participating in a rally or joining the Coordinated Community Response Team at UTSA. For more information regarding UTSA’s Safe Campus resources, visit utsa.edu/safecampus/.

Bomb threat hoax causes cancellation of classes By Amber Serio Assistant News Editor UTSA was forced to evacuate three buildings after a bomb threat was made to the Main Campus last Tuesday. Students were made aware via text alert that the Main Building, Business Building and Flawn Sciences Building were going to be inspected by law enforcement officials. This resulted in all classes within these buildings being canceled until security sweeps were conducted. Although law enforcement officials were under the impression the threat was not credible, they proceeded to take the necessary precautions to ensure the university’s safety. As a result, UTSA’s Police Department and the San Antonio Police Department’s bomb squad and canine unit conducted a

full sweep of each building but did not find anything suspicious or dangerous. All three buildings resumed their normal operations by 4 p.m. President Taylor Eighmy responded to the incident in an email to all students, staff and faculty stating that they “are working closely with the San Antonio Fusion Center, the FBI and other law enforcement to probe the origin of this threat as a criminal investigation.” He also encouraged UTSA students to stay aware of their surroundings and pay close attention to the alerts sent out via text and posted on the university’s social media accounts. If students have concerns or see anything suspicious at any time, they are advised to contact UTSA’s Police Department at (210)458-4911.

UTSA launches new dual degree program in medicine and AI

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Continued SGA

All the senators broke out for 15 minutes to identify and raise needs pertaining to their constituency. The freshmen cohort found a lack of inclusion and community, particularly for first-gen and non-San Antonio natives, and access to expensive textbooks as major issues. The speaker for the sophomores found no urgent issues, however, they noted the benefits of more career materials to prepare for junior year. In turn, juniors requested more resources and awareness for internships other than the Career Center and Handshake. Seniors felt blindsided by the graduation process and commented on the possibility of a seminar or workshop integrated into the curriculum to prepare for post-graduation. Graduate representatives felt that many graduate students are unaware that SGA represents them as well, and that graduate events

NEWS

hardly get any advertisement. Finally, representatives for various colleges brought up their concerns. The College of Business spoke about the expansion of economic electives, growth and possibly moving the entire school downtown. The College of Engineering was concerned about internal disconnect and animosity between majors, and external disconnect from the rest of UTSA. COLFA addressed the internship process and how online classes were antithetical to learning and fostering relationships with peers, and the College of Science requested more consistency across labs from TAs and the professors who oversee the labs. The meeting concluded with a summary of topics covered and final mentions. Conversations will continue at their next general assembly meeting on Nov. 2 at 5:30 PM in the Harris and Travis Room in the H-E-B Student Union (2.202 and 2.212).

President Eighmy offers guidance after violence in Israel By Noah Willoughby Staff Writer

President Taylor Eighmy shared a message with the UTSA community two weeks ago regarding recent altercations in the Israel-Hamas war to remind students of the support and resources available to them on campus. On Oct. 7, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, told his country, “Israel is at war” after a group of Hamas soldiers surprise-attacked Jerusalem. “Many members of our university community are directly impacted,” Eighmy said. “Even for those not directly affected by the violence, there are feelings of sadness, fear, and frustration that take a heavy emotional toll.” UTSA has restricted all universityrelated travel to Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip until further notice because of the continuing development of the situation. The university does not currently have any students or faculty in the region on university-sponsored programs, and they are carefully monitoring conditions for those traveling elsewhere abroad. “As we witness the aftermath of the devastating terror attacks on Israel and the war now underway in Israel and Gaza, we feel a profound impact on our campus community,” Eighmy said. “Violence against the innocent is unconscionable, cannot be supported, and is inconsistent with our core values.” Eighmy stressed in the statement that “[the campus community’s] health and wellbeing remain [the university’s] highest priority” and urged members of the

community to utilize UTSA’s available resources and check in on one another. UTSA’s Mental Health and Counseling Services provides short-term individual counseling, group counseling and psychiatry. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, confidential service provided to UTSA benefitseligible employees and their dependents. The EAP offers counseling, referrals and consultation services to assist in resolving work or life issues in order to live a more balanced life. Global Initiatives provides group advising sessions throughout the year to assist international students during their time at UTSA. International Student Services Advisors are also there to assist on an individual basis through virtual or telephone appointments. Eighmy commented on the situation by stating, “As we reflect on this tragedy and our place as a campus community, now more than ever it is important that we stand together to uphold our collective values of respect, integrity, and inclusiveness.” He encourages students, staff and faculty who experience discrimination or harassment to file a report with the Behavioral Intervention Team or on the UTSA LifeSave app so that appropriate action can take place. UTSA will continue to share support resources and updates as necessary during this crisis. To learn more about Eighmy’s commentary about the event and links for the services listed above, visit utsa. edu/today/2023/10/story/utsa-providescommuntiy-guidance-following-israelattack.html.

Texas book ban sweeps the state as new law goes into effect

Kayla McCutcheon/The Paisano

By Noah Willoughby Staff Writer On June 13, Governor Gregg Abbott signed House Bill 900, known as the Restricting Explicit and AdultDesignated Educational Resources Act. This Bill will go into effect on Nov. 1 and will ban “sexually explicit material” in school libraries. HB900 defines “sexually explicit material” as any communication, language or material that describes, depicts or portrays sexual conduct. This does not include library materials that are directly related to the curriculum under the Education Code of Public Education. HB900 passed with a 9552 vote with one representative who abstained. Through this bill, library material vendors will have to apply ratings to their books in the categories of “sexually explicit” and “sexually relevant,” with the “sexually explicit” rated books being the ones getting banned and pulled from library shelves. The “sexually explicit” rating also includes “patently offensive,” which state law defines as materials that are an affront to the current community standard of decency. The “sexually relevant” rated materials would require students to gain approval from their parents/ guardians before checking them out. This rating has the same definition as “sexually explicit,” but it does not include the “patently offensive” wording and will target books and materials that generally reference sexual themes. Book bannings in Texas were amplified after a situation in rural Hood County went under fire in 2021. The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into the Granbury School District and found that the superintendent was secretly ordering librarians to remove books with LGBTQ+ themes. In 2022, Texas rated the highest in book ban attempts according to the American Library Association (ALA). The ALA found that Texas had 93

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attempts to restrict access to books and within those numbers, 2,349 titles were challenged with Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” having the most. “The Bluest Eye” is a novel about an eleven-year-old African-American girl who is convinced she is ugly and yearns to have lighter skin and blue eyes. Book bans across America continue to increase, and according to PEN America, there were 3,362 instances in the 2022-23 school year where a book was banned in K-12 public schools — a 33% increase from the previous year. With the book bans affecting K-12 public schools, this does not have a direct impact on UTSA or other college campuses. However, in recent highereducation legislation, some colleges and universities have taken a step towards censorship over discussion and teaching topics in classrooms that portray the same themes as the books that will be banned in the form of “gag orders.” Gag orders are state legislative efforts to restrict teaching about race, gender, American history and LGBTQ+ rights. These bills affect both K-12 public schools and public higher education. Pen America states that in 2022, 39% of these bills proposed were geared towards censorship on higher education campuses, which is higher than the previous year with 30%. One of the gag orders signed in 2022 was Florida’s House Bill 7, which prohibits curriculum that includes concepts such as that anyone is “privileged or oppressed” based solely on “their race, color, sex, or national origin” or that anyone is “inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously,” by virtue of “their race, color, sex, or national origin.” UTSA has not made a statement about the recent passing of HB900 or moved in any steps toward a gag order. To learn more about HB900, visit capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/ pdf/HB00900F.pdf#navpanes=0.

State of the City Week of 10/24/23

By Izabella Ali Bocas Contributor Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay up-to-date on the happenings around town? Look no further. Highlighting notable stories from external San Antonio news sources, State of the City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topics range from the mold in the Alamodome to thousands of vacant buildings in San Antonio being considered dangerous. The Alamodome’s $1 million mold problem After 30 years standing, the Alamodome has leaks that have created water damage to the ceiling. The damage consists of 3,160 square feet of ceiling containing non-toxic mold. Most of the mold is in corners of stairwells and on its fifth-floor concourse. On Thursday, the San Antonio city council passed a $1.2 million contract for “mold remediation services” for the stadium. Initial leaks were found on the stadium throughout the summer, yet no damage to the roof has been found. The leaks have since been patched and mold cleanup will be completed soon. San Antonio International Airport conducts emergency exercise The San Antonio International Airport held a training exercise last Wednesday that simulated a plane crash. The training is mandated every three years by the Federal Aviation Administration. This exercise involved 35 emergency units that responded to parts of a Boeing 737 aircraft that would be scattered on the airport field with 100 occupants on board. This exercise was used as a test of communication for the responders which was successful . Congress calls to protect San Antonio Missions from vandalism Congressmen Joaquin Castro, Henry Cuellar and Greg Casar made a call to protect and preserve the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park from vandalism. This call to action was created after numerous vandalism incidents have occurred at the missions in recent years. A significant incident that happened over the summer was at Mission San Jose when the historic rose window was broken. The number of concerns has been consistently increasing within the past few years. These Congressmen are concerned about whether or not the Missions will survive another 300 years if the vandalism persists since repairing the damages is not simple or inexpensive. Thousands of buildings considered vacant or dangerous More than 11,000 buildings in San Antonio are considered vacant and dangerous. These unused buildings result in an increased number of calls being made to the San Antonio Fire Department every year. The breakdown of the vacant buildings comes out to 9,980 structures that are vacant or overgrown with an additional 1,178 being considered dangerous. With most of the buildings being in Districts Two and Five, the respective city council leaders are speaking about the issue. This data does not include every building, only the ones that have been identified. Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

UTSA breaks ground on San Pedro II By Elizabeth Hope Staff Writer

The groundbreaking of San Pedro II, also referred to as the Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Careers building, was a ceremonious event to introduce this new academic building to the UTSA downtown campus and the city of San Antonio. The event took place last Wednesday on the San Pedro Creek across from the San Pedro I building. San Pedro II is being built to advance, bolster and connect San Antonio’s business community and university students. The new development underscores UTSA’s commitment to providing career-focused education and its role in strengthening ties with the local technology industry and the broader San Antonio community. “We are eager to spur San Antonio’s economic development through internships, career focused learning, all that contributes to the upward mobility of our students, their families and our entire city,” UTSA President Taylor Eighmy said. “We are in a special ecosystem here, these two buildings are here to amplify that ecosystem.” The building will construct many new possibilities and opportunities for the students and workers of San Antonio. “San Pedro I and San Pedro II at the south west campus represent an excellent opportunity for higher education in our

community,” Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai said. “This new building and the programs it imposes will make Bexar County an even better place to study, work and live. It is the next step to expanding the ever growing partnership between the county and UTSA.” The creation of San Pedro II and San Pedro Creek Culture Park was imagined by former Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. In 2013, Nelson stood on the creek and looked at what used to be a drainage ditch and said “we need to do something about this.” The county put up $250 million and worked with the San Antonio River Authority to complete the project. The San Pedro II building will consist of an immersive and hands-on learning environment. San Pedro I houses the National Security Collaboration Center and School of Data Science with programs in cybersecurity and data science. These two buildings will intersect and connect classrooms and meeting spaces. The new development will integrate supplemental interdisciplinary and collaborative programs in business, engineering and different sciences. The event ended with a groundbreaking globe float to honor the innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship that San Pedro II will advance for students, staff and community. For more information on the development, visit bold.utsa.edu/destinationdowntown/.

Elizabeth Hope/The Paisano

Student voting for Have you had issues proposed athletics fee: with your off-campus student apartment? Oct. 25 and 26

How to vote: Voting will take place on rowdylink.utsa.edu from 12 a.m. on Wednesday to 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. Students should log in using their myUTSA ID. Visit utsa.edu/everyonewins or read paisano-online.com for more detailed information on the proposed increase.

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OPINION

Choose public, keep Texas schools funded Editorial

Texas Senate passes bill to implement school choice programs in Texas

n Oct. 9, Governor Greg Abbott ordered a special session to begin in the Texas Legislature with the intention of passing school choice legislation. This special session comes after House Bill 100 — which had a similar goal of implementing a voucher system — failed to pass in the regular legislative session this past summer. During this session, Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) authored Senate Bill 1. According to the Texas Tribune, SB1 would “create education savings accounts, a voucher-like program that would allow families access [to] $8,000 of taxpayer money to pay for private schools and other educational expenses such as uniforms, textbooks, tutoring or transportation, among other things.” In an effort to convince skeptical lawmakers to support SB1, Senate Bill 2 has also been introduced in tandem. SB2 would provide a $5.2 billion infusion into the public school system. According to the San Antonio Report, $3.8 billion would be allocated for a one-time teacher salary increase, $400 million for school safety

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funding and $975 million for other basic funding needs. SB2 would also increase the allotment per student that districts receive by $75, from $6,160 to $6,235. This falls short of the $1,000 per student increase that many education organizations requested. Abbott’s endless crusade to pass school choice legislation will only further exacerbate the problems that

Jon seeking attention Commentary By Allana Llabres

Assistant Social Media Manager Jon Romano was 16 years old in 2004 when he opened fire at Columbia High School in New York. This shooting was quickly stopped, and only one teacher was injured. Now, Romano is a 35-year-old who was released from prison in 2020 after serving 17 years for the school shooting. He took to TikTok in hopes of redeeming himself, his bio stating, “After being a part of the problem, it’s time to be a part of the solution.” Romano posted a video on TikTok on his account “jonseekingpeace” about his shooting, showing the halls of the school as he explained his thought process throughout. The video went viral, and Romano has now amassed over 276,000 followers on the platform. Romano continues to make videos about mental health, dealing with trauma, preventing tragedy and more. Through his videos, Romano has openly stated that he is a school shooter; however, he has also said that he regrets his decisions. He stated that “[he] knew that [he would] be traumatizing them.” Many people on the platform have spoken out against Romano, asking “why [there is] an admitted school shooter on [TikTok],” while also calling him out for using his victim’s trauma for his own benefit. In today’s age, it is relatively easy for someone to become a micro-influencer, and these people can be surprisingly influential in young people’s lives.

Allowing Romano to continue to influence others is damaging. Romano’s entire platform is built on the trauma of his victims. He has stated that many of his victims have reached out to him in the past 20 years, addressing the trauma that he has caused them and that they are disturbed after every mass event. Romano is getting what he wanted all along. In his video showing the halls of the school, he explains beforehand that he had no intent to kill anyone, but he wanted to “die in front of other people” and that he knew he would be traumatizing them, but he wanted to “share [his] pain with others.” Essentially, all Romano wanted 20 years ago was attention, which he is now gaining at the expense of his victims. While he has addressed that he has spoken to former peers, he has not acknowledged how his victims feel about him using their trauma to gain a following on social media. Romano often avoids questions about this topic, instead sharing that his platform’s purpose is to address mental health issues, as that is what caused him to become a school shooter. Many people on TikTok have called out Romano, claiming that he is manipulating the Riley Carroll/The Paisano story to make it seem like he is the victim. In all, nobody truly knows what his intentions were that day in 2004. In any case, a school shooter should not be given any type of platform in the way that Romano has.

Planned Parenthood vs. Texas

Commentary

By Carley Martin Staff Writer

In 2022, the state of Texas filed a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood, alleging that the organization improperly billed Medicaid for $10 million during the time the state was attempting to remove Planned Parenthood from the program. Texas is pursuing $1.8 billion as part of the lawsuit. However, Planned Parenthood says this claim is false and that there was an injunction in place still allowing the organization to bill Medicaid during the time stated. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk heard arguments back in August but has yet to make a decision regarding the case. Just as Planned Parenthood says, this lawsuit is bogus. There is no evidence that they defrauded Medicaid, and there are countless documents proving their innocence. Despite the organization ceasing abortions due to a Texas law that prohibits abortion, conservatives are still trying to shut them down. That is why they chose Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, because it is known that he previously worked on anti-abortion cases as a religious liberty lawyer at First Liberty Institute. They are hoping that his obvious bias will sway the lawsuit in their favor, despite not having a real case. A recent study conducted by ValuePenguin determined that Texas is the worst state in the country

Texas public schools face. According to Texas AFT, Texas ranks 36th in the nation regarding per-pupil funding in public schools. School choice legislation and voucher programs are extremely expensive and send taxpayer money to schools that are unregulated by the state and receive no public accountability. Dangling public school funding in the faces of Texans with the intention of using it to pass harmful legislation is deceitful and an insult to the valuable educators who struggle to make ends meet while providing one of the most essential services in our nation. As citizens, we cannot stand idly by while the legislature acts to drain public schools. Texans need more school funding without the quid pro quo of Abbott’s school voucher legislation. We must insist that our state funds public schools and keeps taxpayer money out of unaccountable private institutions. You can find the contact information for your local representative’s office at house.texas.gov/members/ and senate.texas.gov/members.php.

Separate the art from the artist Point vs Counterpoint By Lauren Hernandez

Assistant Arts & Life Editor In this modern age, we must separate the art from the artist, or there will be fewer books, artworks and musicians that we can enjoy and learn from. Separating the art from the artist involves differentiating appreciation for an artist’s work from their actions; this act is essential to continue absorbing art. People can and will make mistakes, and these mistakes are often inexcusable. Nonetheless, their art does not condone their faults. As long as people acknowledge an artist’s wrongdoings and approach their work through a critical lens, they should be able to enjoy the music they listen to, the movies they watch and the art they enjoy without feeling guilty. Art is not just temporary pop culture. It lasts forever and is a vital way for us to learn about past societies and cultures. As long as we educate ourselves on the true histories behind art and push for education systems to do the same, we can encourage the longevity of these artworks and allow them to evolve with our society instead of leaving them in the past. This does not mean that all past works are deserving of being taught in schools

today. Rather, it means that we should look at the work as a whole and not throw it away because we imposed the views of the artists onto their art. One of the biggest examples of separating art from the artist is in literature. Famous authors like Hunter S. Thompson and Ernest Hemingway were misogynistic. Truthfully, their misogyny sometimes does seep into their works, but Thompson and Hemingway are still brilliant authors. Enjoying their novels does not condone misogyny. As long as their flaws are acknowledged, there is still so much to learn from their innovative writing techniques. There are also many feminist critiques of these authors’ works that allow us to separate the art from the artist and view these works through different lenses. In discussing the connection between artists and their art, it is important to remember that societal standards are always changing. Take the poem “Howl,” for example. The publishers of “Howl,” written by Allen Ginsberg in 1956, were put on trial for obscenity because the poem’s content surrounded drugs and homosexual practices. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

Read the counterpoint online

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regarding high-quality prenatal and maternal care. If Texas wins, this will completely bankrupt Texas’ Planned Parenthood facilities, forcing them to shut down. This would be devastating for Texans who rely on them for basic healthcare, such as access to birth control and STI testing. Judge Kacsmaryk needs to do his job and rule in favor of Planned Parenthood, and conservatives need to stop coming after the organization for the simple act of providing healthcare to people in need.

General Meetings every wednesday at 6 p.m. Our meetings are held at our off-campus building, located at 14526 roadrunner way

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OPINION

Prisoners should have the right to vote Commentary By Andrew Dotson Staff Writer

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” This quoted text is the 15th Amendment of the United States Constitution, which established suffrage rights after the end of the Civil War. More amendments would be ratified to grant women the right to vote and help prevent segregation and discrimination. People have debated for decades whether prisoners should be able to

vote while incarcerated. Universal suffrage was not originally a right bestowed upon citizens by the Constitution. Congress saw this when the South prevented formerly freed slaves from being able to vote and prohibited the votes of African Americans. The lack of any mention of suffrage led Congress to be unable to regulate it due to the 10th Amendment, which states that “the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Looking at the Constitution from a purely legal standpoint,

the 13th Amendment permits servitude for the purposes of criminal conviction and sentencing. This amendment is highly debated, and many have called for its repeal and replacement. Some states, including Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont, are ratifying changes to their constitutions prohibiting servitude as punishment for a crime. One flaw of the 15th Amendment was that it never prohibited the denial of voting rights for the currently indentured, which is how states can legally deny them the right to vote. Once a prisoner exits the justice system, they regain the right to vote due

to the language of the 15th Amendment, as quoted, “or previous condition of servitude.” A debate has stirred over compliance with the law, however, because according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 10 states, as of 2023, prohibit certain felons from being able to vote even after they have left the prison system. Many people argue that because of their vicious crimes, disregard for the law and frequent arrests, felons should lose their say in the law-making process, which is simply not right. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

The Paisano Editorial Board

Laynie Clark | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com Chloe Williams | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com Jessica McLaren | News Editor News@paisano-online.com Jake Mireles | Opinion Editor Opinion@paisano-online.com Riley Carroll | Arts & Life Editor Arts@paisano-online.com Luke Lawhorn | Sports Editor Sports@paisano-online.com Malaki Lingg | Web Editor Web@paisano-online.com Dustin Vickers | Photo Editor Photo@paisano-online.com Kara Lee | Graphic Editor Graphic@paisano-online.com Marcela Montufar Soria | Multimedia Editor William Barnes | Multimedia Editor Multimedia@paisano-online.com

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Jenna Taylor | Magazine Editor Magazine@paisano-online.com Sofia Mejia | Distribution Manager Distribution@paisano-online.com Zach Geocaris | Business Manager Business@paisano-online.com

‘Black Mirror’ is predicting the future

Commentary By Luna Infante

Assistant Opinion Editor As we begin our journey into the technological world we could have only dreamed of and our screens continue to brighten, our path begins to darken. From facial recognition to virtual reality and artificial intelligence, our future promises technological advancements beyond imagination. Although this can be beneficial, it can be equally disturbing. Many fear society’s submission to technology; it is a theme that has been portrayed in novels and television for decades. The series “Black Mirror” perfectly captures the anxieties surrounding the future of technology, opening our eyes to possibilities that seem far-fetched. However, when we analyze social media and technology in the present day, we cannot help but wonder, are these simple tall tales, or are they predictions of a dystopian future lying just a few years ahead? “Black Mirror” is a sciencefiction anthology series presenting a different storyline and set of characters in each episode. Many episodes focus on the relationship between humans and technology, showing distorted realities where society is consumed by distinctive technological advancements. Continuously, the show reflects how our addiction to social media and technology could ultimately lead to our downfall. Most episodes pave a dark path, showing how our emotions and mental health could fall victim to our creations. The show serves as a warning, preaching caution about possible realities we could be facing. As they say, life imitates art, and a handful of times, the show has often accurately depicted the direction society could be heading in and predicted advancements that later came to life. For instance, in the episode “Nosedive,” audiences are given a storyline that hits close to home. The main character,

Lacie, lives in a reality where people rate others at every interaction. People are rated from zero to five, with zero being the lowest tier and five being reserved for society’s most “important” people. The higher the rating, the more exclusive the lifestyle. Lacie becomes obsessed with achieving a 4.5 rating, as it will help her grasp the dream-like life she fixates on. She strives to achieve perfection, constantly calculating her every move, comparing herself to a 4.8 and ultimately driving herself to a psychotic breakdown. Although a social rating system seems irresponsible and harmful to adopt, it is not outlandish to imagine. This rating system resembles social media. Many young minds are becoming obsessed with presenting a picture-perfect life, only showing their best side and always putting on a facade for external validation. Most of society is set on looking posed, primped and impossibly perfect online. Social media sets unrealistic standards for beauty, financial status and lifestyle. This impacts anyone who uses social media daily. If society is always chasing the unreachable standard of perfection, how far-fetched is “Nosedive?” Is it truly a work of fiction in the age of social media addiction? The rating system presented in this episode is something China has implemented into its society. It is known as the “Social Credit System,” and while it is not as advanced as the system in “Black Mirror,” it is just as bizarre. Chinese citizens put their social credit at risk by spending too much time playing video games, posting on social media, spending money on non-essential items and more. With lower social credit, citizens might face slow internet, travel bans and other limitations. While this rating system was put in place to promote positive behavior, its flaws are clear. People should not be judged harshly for their every action or held to a standard of perfection. “Black

Mirror’s” “Nosedive” is not as exaggerated a tale as it first seems. Another example of “Black Mirror” accurately representing the harms of social media is in episode “Hated in the Nation.” In this story, social media users choose problematic famous people to label with the hashtag “Deathto.” Whoever receives the most votes under the hashtag will ultimately be killed. The users view this as a game, continuously choosing the next hated celebrity to be killed. This episode of “Black Mirror” resembles modern-day cancel culture. Although realworld cancel culture is not as intense and violent as the game in “Hated in the Nation,” it can still cause irreversible damage. If someone is “canceled” on social media, they will receive online hate for a long time. From cruel comments to death threats, cancel culture can destroy a person’s mental health within minutes, and it

can ruin a person’s career with the simple use of a hashtag. “Black Mirror” has reflected society’s dark fears surrounding technology and social media. Each episode is an eye-opener, leading us to question the direction we are heading in. Countless times we have asked ourselves, “How long until we have no privacy at all?” or “How long until AI takes over?” But it is our responsibility to decide how much control we want to give to technology. Humans are sensitive and vulnerable creatures, and we should be careful with what we create and release into a world where darkness roams in every corner. Ultimately, technology is what we design it to be, and we must not fall victim to it. Remember to put your phone down once in a while and proceed with fascinating innovations with caution. You never know what the next tap of a button could mean for your future.

The Editorial is the official opinion of The Paisano editorial board. Commentaries are the opinion of the individual writer. 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 the UTSA Main Campus. Additionally, Paisano publications are distributed at a variety of off-campus locations, including Tripoint 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 © 2023 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.

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arts & life Malaki Lingg/The Paisano

SAMA showcases 250 years of American art Arte de San Antonio By Malaki Lingg Web Editor

an Antonio Museum of Art’s (SAMA) new exhibit “American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection” takes visitors through 250 years of American art with over 100 pieces overall. “American Made” features acclaimed artists such as Robert Henri, Grant Wood and Loïs Mailou Jones and showcases multiple periods of American art and abstractionism, cubism, modernism and impressionism styles. The exhibit opened on Oct. 14 and features art from the DeMell Jacobsen collection. The

collection was started by Diane DeMell Jacobsen in honor of her late husband, Tom Jacobsen. T h e exhibit was organized by the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee, and the Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, allowing the pieces to come together as a traveling exhibit. Previously, “American Made” has been featured in mu-

seums across the United States such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Smithsonian

American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. The exhibition opens with portraits from the American

“Diana and Hound” circa 1930 by Wilhelm Hunt Diederich

Colonial era, featuring artists like Benjamin West and Sarah Miriam Peale. Then it moves on to feature mid-19th-century American landscape paintings depicting coasts and shores from across the country. Some landscape artists included are William Bradford and William Trost Richards. The exhibit also features floral works by Adelheid Dietrich, sculptures by artists like Paul Manship and surrealist works by Francis Criss and others. “American Made” is open from Oct. 14 to Jan. 7, and is

available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays. SAMA ticket prices are $20, with an additional $5 charge for access to the exhibit. SAMA is free to visit, excluding the charge for “American Made,” from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sundays and from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays for Bexar County residents. For more information on SAMA and “American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection” refer to https://www.samuseum.org/.

Allegresse, circa 1930 by Bessie Potter Vonnoh

8 low-budget Halloween costumes Spare Change By Kaitlyn Grace

Staff Writer The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing colors and Halloween is right around the corner. It is the perfect time to pin down that perfect Halloween costume. However, for college students, this is no cheap task. Have no fear, there are ways to pull off excellent costumes even on a low budget. Here are a few creative options you can use to create a great Halloween costume. A ghost This is the ultimate low-budget costume because you only need an old sheet and a pair of scissors. To turn yourself into a ghost, cut holes into the sheet for eyes and make sure the sheet covers most of your body. Now you are ready to haunt the streets on Halloween night. A Sim This funny Halloween costume will turn you into a Sim from the iconic video game series, The

Sims. The internet has plenty of inspiration on how to create the diamond that floats over Sims’ heads, and you can simply create one for yourself using a headband and green paper or cardboard. Alongside the headband, you can dress in whatever outfit you like. A meme The opportunities are endless if you choose to dress up as a meme. You can turn to Pinterest to find inspiration for different meme outfits, whether it is from The Office, Spongebob or even costumes based on old Vines. Because there are so many memes to choose from, you can decide how simple or in-depth you would like your costume to be. Perhaps some of the items you need are already in your closet.

A construction worker This is another simple costume

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

since all you need is a vest and a plastic

hard hat, both of which you can get on Amazon. If you own tools or can borrow them from someone you know, you can carry them around as an accessory. A mummy Like the ghost costume, you can use old sheets to turn yourself into a mummy. Cut the sheets into shreds and wrap them around your body. Toilet paper is an option as well if you do not have sheets you can use. You can also take it a step further and use red paint to make the strips look bloody. Wear solid colors underneath and your costume is complete. A chef For this, all you need is an apron and a chef hat. These are items you probably already own, or at least know someone who does. Carry around a wooden spoon or spatula and you are good to go.

A butterfly Though this might sound like it would be an expensive costume, you can get a pair of wings and a headband for a reasonable price on Amazon. Pair these accessories with a dress or any other outfit of your choosing and some colorful makeup. A cowgirl/cowboy Many Texans already own a pair of boots and a cowboy hat; if this is you, then you have the makings of a great costume. All you need is a vest, a shirt to go under it, and a simple pair of jeans. If you want, you can also get accessories like a bandana to go with it. Halloween costumes do not have to be expensive to be fun. Many costumes can be put together with little money spent, or even from items found in your own home. The internet has inspiration for all sorts of DIY and low-budget costumes so you do not have to miss out on the Halloween festivities.

Happy dirt week Dirt Buyer releases newest album; ‘Dirt Buyer II’ Reviews By Lauren Hernandez

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

Assistant Arts & Life Editor Sometimes, when you call your idols they answer. Joe Sutkowski, frontman of the New York-based band Dirt Buyer, answered my call on the release day of his second album. “Dirt Buyer II” debuted on Friday, Oct. 20, and it is remarkable. Dirt Buyer’s music is like a deep breath after a long night of crying. They embody that heavyhearted feeling of love and the guttural pain when it is taken from you too soon. Sutkowski’s voice is natural, like a walk through a misty forest. His lyrics are reminiscent of romantic poetry and his guitar tells its own story in each song. “Dirt Buyer II” is a hopeful, stronger and more honest continuation of the band’s first album, “Dirt Buyer.” Like their first album, “Dirt Buyer II” begins with a theme song. “Dirt Buyer II Theme” sets up the rest of the record, building slowly, with instrumentation growing heavier as the rhythm sways. Compared to the theme song of their first

album, “Dirt Buyer II Theme” is filled to the brim with remorse and regret. “I wanted to paint a super strange and fantastical picture using some weird imagery and just kinda running it on as far as I could take it,” Sutkowski explained over the phone. “I feel like I kind of shut my brain off when I’m writing songs like that.” Sutkowski builds his songs like a poet builds their poems, “dumping a bunch of puzzle pieces on the table and then going through and putting them together.” Sutkowski stated that the first two songs of the album are his favorites because of the lyrics. “I just really like the words in those songs,” he said. “I’m very proud of them.” Personally, I think the album’s best moments come a bit later. But first, who even is Dirt Buyer? Why should we care? Dirt Buyer consists of Sutkowski, who shares the stage with bassist Tristan Allen and drummer Mike Costa. But before that, the band emerged as a project between Sutkowski and Rubin Radlauer, who is most well-known for his band Model/Actriz.

See Dirt on page 6

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Arts & Life Creativity meets coffee

SA Gems

By Nichole Martinez Contributor

Offering more than a cup of coffee, Curator Coffee, located on the northeast side of San Antonio, also serves as a gallery with ceramics on display from local artists. Yuli Chang, owner and ceramicist, left her job and dedicated herself fully to creating Curator Coffee. Beginning with pop-up events, she opened her own shop in 2021. Creativity is something Curator Coffee tries to embrace by encouraging its baristas to create curated drinks. Having faced challenges herself with selling her art, she understands that artists go through the same situation. When entering the store, there are various ceramics such as mugs, dishes, home decor and pottery

tools. Chang finds ceramic pieces to showcase and sell in her coffee shop. In addition, she also sells some of her own pieces. They also host ceramic events throughout the months, featuring an instructor who teaches a small group to make either a candle holder or vase. Anyone can sign up no matter their skill level — all that is needed is to stop by the location or sign up online with a required fee. Beyond helping local artists, Curator Coffee supports small businesses by selling baked goods from bakeries in the area. Occasionally, the shop also hosts The Market SATX, where various vendors have popups selling homemade earrings or crocheted clothing. Continue reading at paisano-online. com

Genevieve Genevieve Vega/The Vega/The Paisano Paisano

‘Evil surrounds my heart’ A review of ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Reviews By Ray Rodriguez Staff Writer

Killers of the FLower Moon Storm Goodman/The Paisano

Continued Dirt

Sutkowski explained that the duo’s first Dirt album “was kind of an accident.” “We were playing a lot of different kinds of music and we were planning on having a fake record label where we were just all the bands. We kind of stuck with the emo band that he called Dirt Buyer because it was the most generic East Coast emo band name he could think of. But it became a really serious project and I ended up moving to New York with little to no plan, I just knew that I had to be here — It turned out to become my life.” Since their first album in 2019, Sutkowski’s mindset, songwriting and inspirations have evolved tremendously. “How have you changed since 2019?” I asked. “Oh man, a lot, a lot of therapy.” On his newest album, Sutkowski shared that, “Dirt Buyer II deals with a lot of disdain. Feelings and sentiments of trying to grow as a person and just dealing with the day-to-day, you know, just the eternal plight of existing in the first place.” The second album was more than just a “passing project.” Sutkowski’s songwriting was intentional and refined. “It feels like an evolution, it feels like a very natural next step for the sound of Dirt Buyer, and it’s like the next chapter in, just my self-discovery. It feels very complete, and like the end is the end of that time of my life.” Sutkowski’s inspirations are varied, drawing from bold, fingerpicking blues to 60s and 70s Brazilian music. He draws a lot of his technique from solo jazz guitarists like Joe Pass and Chet Atkins. Lyrically, Sutkowski is mainly inspired by 90s singer-songwriter bands such as Sparklehorse, or slow-core bands like Duster. He likes Alex G and early Leonard Cohen, too. “I like old souls, you know?” he said. “People who can just write the shit out of a song.” His biggest inspiration is William Blake’s “Songs of Innocence and of Experience.” “That’s like my Bible,” he explained. Performance-wise, his inspirations are even more diverse. Sutkowski recited a story of seeing My Chemical Romance on their “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge” tour in 2005, and he was “totally blown away.” He also discussed a live video of Muse playing a sold-out show at Wembley Stadium. “They take up the entire stage, just energetically speaking,” he said, elaborating on how they taught him the power of a trio and making the most of any situation. Sutkowski also grew up around a lot of music. In the ‘90s, his dad fronted the Glenn Miller Orchestra, “So I grew up around a lot of jazz and seeing him perform.” “Oh also, he was f–cking awful.” Continue reading at paisano-online.com

In a scene from Martin Scorsese’s late-career masterpiece, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Mollie Burkhart, played by Lily Gladstone, an Osage woman who has just experienced horrific tragedies in her community perpetrated by white Americans looking to steal oil-rich land from the Osage tribe, walks through a train station. She is out of place. White men walk back and forth through the platform, staring at her as if she is an outsider. Her people lived there for generations before the first white settlers landed on the continent, but still, she is looked at as if she does not belong. “Evil surrounds my heart,” she thinks to herself. “Many times I cry, and this evil around my heart comes out of my eyes. I close my heart and keep what is good there, but hate comes. They say I ought to kill these white men who killed my family.” In another scene, our primary protagonist, the deplorable Ernest Burkhart, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, husband of Mollie, returns home from the war to his uncle, William K. Hale, played by Robert De Niro, an even more vile monster masquerading as a kind-hearted rancher. Hale swiftly recruits his easily manipulated nephew into a malicious scheme to steal inheritance money from the newly rich Osage community. He instructs his nephew to read a book about the history of the Osage people in Fairfax, Oklahoma. “Oklahoma, where famine walks by day, and hungry wolves by night,” the book reads. “Can you find the wolves in this picture?” With his latest film, Scorsese has firmly placed himself with the likes of Ingmar Bergman, Akira Kurosawa, Stanley Kubrick, etc. as the greatest directors to ever live. His career has already been sensational, both to the general public and the film-obsessed, with crowd-pleasers such as “Goodfellas,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “The Departed” and his more art-house leaning works, including “Raging Bull,” “The King of Comedy” and “Bringing Out the Dead.” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” however, is something else entirely. The film recounts the true story of a series of killings of the Osage tribe, perpetrated by White men in Oklahoma in a plot to steal the tribe’s land and the oil underneath it. It is a story without twists or turns, intentionally void of suspense. You see every beat of the story coming from miles away. The inevitability of the injustices and violence Indigenous people face is not used as entertainment value, but rather as a devastating reminder of the roots of the nation. The film is three hours and 26 minutes, and it absolutely feels like it. It traps the viewer in its horror, where the wolves feast on the innocent and everyone stands on the sidelines, watching idly. “Killers” may hold the record for most onscreen murders within his entire filmography, but none have an ounce of the entertaining energy as “The Departed.” Instead, they are presented matter of factly, without sensationalization or style. At one point in the film, a law enforcement character explains that most people equate killing a Native American as the same as killing an animal. Nothing about this story is exciting or entertaining, and it should not be. In the film, the FBI, led by the phenomenal Jesse Plemons, steps in to “solve” the murders. Not because genocide is being committed

against the American people, but because they paid them several thousand dollars to step in. Speaking of Plemons, every performance in this film is beyond excellent. DiCaprio leads the movie in his most despicable role yet, as a greedy buffoon who allows his uncle to trap him in a prison built by his own evil deeds. De Niro warps his current persona of a kind grandpa into the most spinechillingly evil malignant presence he has ever portrayed or has ever been featured in a Scorsese film. The true stand-out performance is Gladstone as Mollie, who performs her tragic role with power and truly gut-wrenching humanity. DiCaprio and De Niro’s relationship and the atrocities the two commit take up most of the film’s runtime. Their chemistry together is gripping, and despite not liking either of them, I was completely entranced in every scene they shared. The casting is also incredibly interesting when viewed as a statement about Scorsese’s career. In my view, the film works perfectly as a confirmation that Scorsese’s films all tell the story of America, a nation run by gangsters and rotted by greed and hatred. DiCaprio previously

“With his latest film, Scorsese has firmly placed himself with the likes of Ingmar Bergman, Akira Kurosawa, Stanley Kubrick, etc. as the greatest directors to ever live.” led “The Wolf of Wall Street,” a film about a conman who exploits vulnerable Americans to get himself and his buddies rich. He does the same in “Killers,” but without the exhilarating highs found in the aforementioned film. De Niro portrays a deceptively compassionate mentor to the Fairfax, Oklahoma community, who harnesses a deeprooted evil inside of him, as do other characters he portrays in Scorsese’s filmography, such as Travis Bickle and Jake LaMotta. With this in mind, I read the film as a reckoning between Scorsese and the violence he showcases in his movies. He never celebrates male violence or toxic masculinity, but even the ways he portrays them lead many ignorant young men to view these characters as role models. Without spoiling the ending of the film, it reinforces this reading. As previously mentioned, “Killers” possesses all of the hallmarks of another crowd-pleasing Scorsese crime epic, but removes the flare and the sensationalization. It instead focuses on the real-life victims and the brutality at the heart of America. That is what “Killers of the Flower Moon” is really about — America. The story of early America and the genocide committed against Native Americans is told in microcosm through the soul-crushing betrayal of Ernest against his wife Mollie and the Osage people, a story that did not happen all that long ago and the ramifications of which we feel today. It is a story of wolves preying on the innocent, out in the open. Most people just let it happen, and in the end, the wolves won. History is written by the victors, and now the wolves surround us.

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sports UTSA gets first victory over FAU, remains undefeated in AAC

Quarterback Frank Harris celebrates affter scoring a touchdown on Saturday against Florida Atlantic. Harris completed 26 of 35 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in UTSA’s 36-10 victory.

Photo courtesy of Jacob Hernandez/UTSA Athletics

Roadrunners over .500 with five weeks remaining in season By Rylan Renteria Staff Writer

OCA RATON - Frank Harris threw for 261 yards on 26 of 35 passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions to lead UTSA past Florida Atlantic 36-10 on Saturday evening at Florida Atlantic Stadium. The Roadrunner (4-3, 3-0 AAC) defense had four sacks, two interceptions and held an explosive Owl offense to 162 total yards. The UTSA offense started the game with a near perfect drive. Harris led UTSA down the field in 14 plays and capped off the drive with a 15-yard rushing touchdown from running back Robert Henry. Florida Atlantic (3-4, 2-1) responded with a

37-yard field goal from kicker Logan Lupo. Harris threw his two interceptions on backto-back drives that gave the Owls momentum, with one being returned for a touchdown by Owls defensive lineman Latrell Jean. The Roadrunners responded with 22 unanswered points to get their first victory against Florida Atlantic. The run started early in the second quarter when kicker Chase Allen nailed a 34-yard field goal. On UTSA’s next possession, Harris connected with receiver Willie Mccoy Jr on a 19-yard touchdown pass. UTSA handled business in the second half thanks to an outstanding defensive performance. This is the second straight game that the ‘Runners defense had multiple interceptions, after having zero in the first five games. UTSA also notched their first safety of

the season, courtesy of defensive lineman Joe Evans. “I want everyone to keep talking about how bad we are,” UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said after the game. A late touchdown from running back Rocko Griffin would be the final nail in the coffin for the Owls as UTSA won its third straight game

36-10. UTSA is now on a 13 game winning streak against conference opponents, including two Conference USA championships. The Roadrunners will next face the East Carolina Pirates in the teams’ first ever meeting. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, at the Alamodome.

Spurs win final preseason game Photo courtesy of Reginald Thomas II/San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio to host Dallas in the season opener on Wednesday By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

PART OF AT UTSA LIBRARIES

SAN ANTONIO – After finishing as the bottom two teams in the NBA’s Western Conference last season, San Antonio and Houston come into the 2023 season hoping for improvement. Through four preseason games, the Spurs and Rockets played each other twice, with each team walking away with a win. Houston took the first game on Monday night, winning 99-89 and having five players finish with double figures scoring. San Antonio rested notable players such as Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell, with Zach Collins leading the team in scoring with 18 points and Jeremy Sochan behind with 13 points. The Spurs turned things around on Wednesday night, beating the Rockets 117-103. Both Wembanyama and Vassell returned to action in the team’s final home preseason game, with Vassell exploding for 25 first-half points. Vassell began the game with four quick 3-pointers to set up his electric offensive performance. “Once I start shooting those it just opens up everything,” Vassell said. “I can get to the lane, everything opens up. They got to come out to me, everybody else is open.” Wembanyama was the Spurs secondleading scorer, finishing the game with 15 points and two threes of his own. The 7-foot5 forward was also showing off his guard skills, often bringing up the ball and even completing a nutmeg. Though the preseason can always be chopped up as meaningless, there have been a lot of takeaways for the Spurs less than a week out from the start of the regular season. San Antonio has gone 2-2 through four of the five games on the preseason schedule.

The addition of Wembanyama has caused the Spurs to toil with the starting lineup. Along with the Frenchman in the front court is Zach Collins, who made several starts in the latter half of last season. The first four-game experiment has gone well according to head coach Gregg Popovich. “They better play well or we’re in trouble,” Popovich said of the big man duo. “Those are the big guys. They’re tall, they’re big, they’re going to start. They’re getting used to each other, trying to figure out where to be in relation to the perimeter players.” Popovich also added that his team is still young and will learn to finish games better as time comes. The Spurs led by as many as 23 points early in Wednesday’s game before allowing the Rockets to cut the deficit to single digits. “We’re not mature enough to understand that it’s a 48 minute game,” Popovich said. “It got easy there in the first quarter. Started the second quarter, turned it over, stopped moving, stopped cutting –– they’re young. That’s where we have to be on top of them so they realize that.” Along with Wembanyama and Collins, Vassell, Sochan and Keldon Johnson will fill out the starting five. With the start of the NBA season around the corner, Wembanyama likes where things are going with the starters. “I think we experienced the type of spacing we are going to get for the season,” Wembanyama said. “Of course, there’s some adjustments, but we had shots falling, especially from [Vassell]. When we play together, everything is smooth.” The Spurs will finish off their preseason schedule with a game against Golden State on Friday. San Antonio will return home to open the regular season against the Dallas Mavericks at 7 p.m. Wednesday, at the Frost Bank Center.

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sports