Vol. 68, Issue 3 by The Paisano

Vol. 68, Issue 3

Est. 1981

THE PAISANO

February 6 - February 13, 2024

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

@paisanomedia

/ThePaisano

@ThePaisano

paisano-online.com

wrap it up SAn antonio San Antonio ranks 19th in national STD rates

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

By Naydine De La Fuente Copyediting Coordinator

n unsettling statistic looms over the city of San Antonio: its ranking as the 19th highest city in the nation for sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The staggeri n g S T D

rates in San Antonio are currently an extremely pressing issue. In an article by the San Antonio Current, the city was revealed to be the highest-ranking city in Texas, aside from Laredo, for STD cases. Statistics gathered from Innerbody Research, a health information site, concluded there were 1,178 STD cases for every 100,000 residents in the Alamo City. In all, 12,625 reports of chlamydia, 1,190 cases of gonorrhea, 1,056 cases of syphilis and 333 new cases of HIV were reported in the city, according to data gathered in 2021. Since there has been a 28.6% nationwide increase in syphilis cases over the previous year, concerns have been raised regarding the rising number of STD cases. More information showed that since 2001, there has been a 464% increase in congenital syphilis cases — a condition in which the virus is transferred from mother to child. UTSA’s Wellbeing Education Coordinator and Wellbeing Services personnel Jaime Singh further discussed the issues of STDs and STIs in San Antonio and the

various services regarding sexual health offered at UTSA for students. “Wellbeing Services is a department focused on the education and prevention of certain health disparities that college students may face,” Singh said. “We have three wellbeing education coordinators [and] one prevention specialist that focus on any sort of health topic, [such as] sexual health, stress, nutrition, physical wellness and mental health.” When asked about his opinion on the rising cases in San Antonio as a medical professional, Singh said, “With the increased access to sexually transmitted infection testing, obviously we’re going to see an increased rate [of] STIs in the city, the country and the university, even because we also have an on-site campus clinic.” He added, “The stigma about getting tested is [decreasing], so more people are going to go figure out their status and students now are more willing to be open about their sexual health status because it’s not something to be ashamed of.” Although he acknowledged the upside of more inclusive and diverse testing, Singh did recognize, in turn, the negative aspect of it, which is the immense increase in reported STD cases. The San Antonio Current statistics also display how the study’s examination of syphilis rates reveals treatment imbalances that people of color face. Communities

of color often have higher infection rates and less access to medical testing and treatment, as evidenced by Innerbody reports. Within the reports, it was observed that non-Hispanic Black individuals accounted for 31% of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis cases, despite making up approximately 12% of the U.S. population. Singh gave insight on the statistics, saying, “There is a resource imbalance when it comes to certain amenities that are available in neighborhoods and communities that people of color don’t have readily available access to.” He further expressed his thoughts on what he believes to be the reason behind these alarming statistics. “When it comes to proper sexual health education, which is the main prevention technique when it comes to preventing STDs, the state of Texas is not the greatest, and by that, I mean, they don’t provide any [support], if at all. So then, of course, that affects the neighborhoods with people of color because they have a ‘quote-unquote’ lower quality of schooling than people who live in more affluent areas.” “There is a systemic issue that can theoretically be solved, but it takes a village, including the state, to step in and provide the necessary resources to help these marginalized communities,” Singh concluded. Singh also provided an extensive list of different resources and advice to ensure students and individuals are aware of the preventative measures for STDs. One of the many things students have access to is the Wellness 360 clinic on UTSA’s Main Campus, where individuals can test for different STDs and even get a full STI panel done, all free of charge. Alongside free testing, the clinic can also write prescriptions, provide infor-

mational pamphlets on specific STDs and do follow-ups with students. On campus, Wellbeing Services makes sure that condoms are easily accessible to students and has partnered up with student organizations and outside departments, like San Antonio Metro Health, t o provide resources such as condoms and other prophylactic barriers to help mitigate the increase in STIs. Various workshops and presentations are also open to the public that discuss various topics surrounding sexual health, such as the proper ways to put on a condom or presentations by health professionals to answer any questions about sexual health. If students are not comfortable using campus resources, Wellbeing Services has outside partnerships with Kind Clinic and Metropolitan Health Districts where individuals can receive the same help offcampus. To learn more, visit the Innerbody site to keep up with crucial medical news and statistics, and visit the UTSA Wellbeing website to learn more about the resources they offer.

SGA presents campus-orientated agenda Spring 2024 commencement By Jake Mireles Opinion Editor

On Thursday, Feb. 1, Student Government Association (SGA) President Zachary Nepote delivered remarks on the past achievements of SGA and his administration’s future goals during the Spring 2024 State of the Student Body Address. To preface the o r g a n i z a t i o n ’s more recent accomplishments and future goals, Nepote started the address by highlighting SGA’s role on campus and some of its notable achievements. “Each semester, [SGA hosts] elections for class senators and college senators. T h e s e

senators serve on committees that directly impact you in academic affairs, business affairs, student affairs, sustainability [affairs] and downtown affairs. They provide feedback and advocate for the needs of our students,” Neptote stated. When commenting on the past achievements of SGA, Nepote stated that SGA had facilitated the vote for the university mascot in 1977, advocated for the construction of a university center in 1979, helped sponsor the very first Fiesta UTSA in 1980 and advocated for installing the roadrunner statue in the Sombrilla in 2010. “Thus, for almost five decades, students here at UTSA [have had] a group to fight for their needs,” Nepote stated. Speaking on the current goals of SGA, Nepote stressed the importance of increasing access to free textbooks through the Open Education Resources initiative. “Since March [of] 2023, our executive team, directors and senators have heard countless stories about how unaffordable starting each semester is. We have been working tirelessly with UTSA administration to reduce attendance costs through expanding Open Education Resources,” Nepote stated

By Amber Serio News Editor

Roadrunners and their families can now mark their calendars for the Spring Commencement ceremonies that will honor the Class of 2024 on Friday, May 17, at the Alamodome. Graduating Roadrunners are also invited to participate in Grad Fest. This series of events ensures graduates are prepared for their commencement while also being aware of the many ways UTSA honors its graduates. During Grad Fest, students are able to order their cap, gown and regalia, learn more about the

Continue reading at paisano-online.com

Jake Mireles/The Paisano

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

Alumni Association, receive guidance on the best loan repayment strategies and connect with the Career Center on making successful career decisions and job-hunting methods. As the commencement date nears, additional details regarding what time the specific college ceremonies will take place are planned to be updated on the UTSA Commencement website. Additional festivities are set to kick off earlier that week, with special events and activities planned from May 14 to 17.

2 | n e w s@ p a i sano-online.com

Fe b r u a r y 6 - Fe b r u a r y 1 3 , 2 0 2 4

NEWS

Local non-profit SA2020 to close after twelve years of service By Faith Kouadio Staff Writer

SA2020 announced on their blog on Jan. 30 that they would be dissolving on March 28. The social equity and data tracking organization elected to cease operations following a drift in vision and practice with city officials. The blog post reveals that as they grew, they experienced “relentless institutional backlash” for their strengthened efforts to advocate for racial equity. The group shared their frustrations with leaders of local institutions, citing that their work was more than a talking point and required practical application in the city. The non-profit began in 2010 under the previous mayor, Julián Castro, as nearly 6,000 San Antonians shared a vision for the city by 2020. Since 2012, SA2020 has partnered with over 100 local organizations to help report data in nine key areas, using 51 indicators to measure progress. All of the information was rolled into a yearly release of the Community Data. The Community Data was considered during policy-making and utilized in the community, such as when creating a relief guide during the Great Texas Freeze or providing a one-stop voting resource. In 2021, SA2020 renewed its mission by setting goals with the support of over 12,000 San Antonians for 2030. However, that year also began with controversy due to the introduction of Proposition B (Prop B). Prop B was balloted in May 2021, asking voters whether they supported repealing the authority for collective bargaining of San Antonio police officers. It asked if voters would like to repeal the process of allowing police unions to negotiate their contracts while maintaining that police cannot strike or stage lockouts. The police reform group, Fix SAPD, headed the proposal in

hopes the proposition would hold SAPD accountable by stifling the possibility of bypassing disciplinary measures through willfully poor contract negotiations. SA2020 supported Prop B in an Instagram post: “From 2006 to 2017, 70% of police officers fired for misconduct — including violence against San Antonians — were rehired. A Washington Post investigation found that fired police officers in San Antonio are rehired at the highest rate among large police departments in the country. This lack of accountability betrays the trust of the public.” In March 2023, SA2020 supported Prop A, nicknamed the ‘San Antonio Justice Charter.’ The ballot looked for support on several topics: the appointment of a city justice director, who would oversee that the other requests of Prop A be followed, prohibiting police officers from taking action for certain marijuana possession misdemeanors or enforcing criminal abortion laws, banning police from using no-knock warrants and chokeholds and replacing arrests with citations for certain misdemeanors. Prop B narrowly failed with a vote of 51.2%, and Prop A failed with over 71% opposition. In Aug. 2023, the city revealed a budget of $3.7 billion, of which SA2020 would receive none of their usual allotment o f $150,000 for data maintenance. The money went

into creating a new data analyst position within the city’s diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility department that would “report on key SA2020 metrics as part of the city’s annual equity report.” A few months later, in Nov. 2023, SA2020 faced enormous backlash as it posted a statement on Facebook denouncing the involvement of the city of San Antonio and the government at all levels in “enabling Israel’s occupation in Palestine through policies, billions of dollars in military assistance, delegation trips and rhetoric.” The non-profit ended the post: “There is no visionary future in San Antonio, Texas, without a free Palestine.” The post threatened their non-profit status, and 20% of their partners withdrew their partnership. Executive Director Kiran Bains says, “We can’t be a global city; we can’t model integrity, which is a value that our local government says it has, to model ethical behavior; we simply can’t do that if we’re not outspoken and we’re not recognizing the role we have in San Antonio to end violence in other parts of the world.” The city proceeded to create its own community vision, referred to as a “Target 50 Plan,” which aimed at improving San Antonio by 2050. Bains calls the creation of City Hall’s community vision “deeply problematic,” as “[City Hall] cannot do institutional accountability because that has to be an

New polling center seeks residents’ views

By Kara Lee Graphics Editor

UTSA introduced a new Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR) to understand what issues are most important to San Antonio residents. The reason behind the new polling center is to gauge the ideas, principles and priorities of people who live within the city. The research center is located at UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts (MS 3.02.49). The center’s three objectives are to conduct quality opinion polling among San Antonio residents, use sample vending to support internal and external research goals and provide UTSA students with learning opportunities with transferable skills. Bryan Gervais, CPOR director and associate professor of the UTSA Department of Political Science and Geography, said, “This is a full-scale academic public opinion research center that can produce localized polls that represent the major concerns and issues faced by San Antonio and Bexar County residents.” Gervais added that, “We looked at a lot of survey research

centers and polling institutes across the county that were housed in academic settings as models, and we identified two elements that were going to be particularly useful to us: service to the university and service to the community.” The CPOR intends to assemble a local panel comprising thousands of Bexar County residents. The collected samples will be shared with other researchers and organizations interested in better understanding residents. “The panel will be crucial,” Gervais said. “It will enable us to provide samples and conduct polls at a fraction of the cost required for a standard survey, where you are recruiting respondents from scratch every time.” Students will conduct phone surveys on different topics. The center aims to hire and train over two dozen student workers each year. “Students are going to be central to everything we do here,” Gervais said. “This type of hands-on learning will make them more competitive in the job market.” Jon Taylor, professor and chair

of the Department of Political Science and Geography, noted that having a research center at UTSA has been a dream of his. “There is no one south of San Antonio doing public opinion polling, and the thought behind this for us is [that] we have a real opportunity to measure public opinion not only in the San Antonio metro area but, much like our counterparts in Houston and Austin, to measure public opinion throughout the state,” Taylor said. “You look at a city like Houston, which is served by highquality longitudinal studies like the Greater Houston Community Panel,” Gervais reiterated. “Due to a lack of polling infrastructure here, organizations, agencies and researchers have had to rely on sub-standard survey practices to study San Antonio area residents. We want to change that. San Antonio deserves to have a center like this, and it should have a center like this.” To learn more about UTSA’s new polling center, visit their website. To learn more about the new polling, check out the UTSA Today article.

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

independent group or process.” San Antonio loses that “independent accountability mechanism” with the dissolution of SA2020. “There is no other non-profit, not in San Antonio and also not that we know of in any large city in the country, that has a model like this that’s bringing people together,” Bains says. “What is the scariest to lose in SA2020 dissolving, [is] an organization that is releasing data every year that tells us the progress that we’re making or not making towards those shared goals, and then sounding the alarm on the types of policies that we need in order to really improve people’s lives here.” SA2020’s last effort was the creation of a 6 for 6 Policy Agenda, recommending six policies to address pressing issues that could be adopted as soon as March, six months into the fiscal year. Bains shares that transportation and mobility were the top concerns of residents, supported by SA2020 data. “We know exactly where people who most use public transit live. We know exactly where people with disabilities are highly concentrated, and that’s a perfect opportunity to really target resources.” The 6 for 6 Policy Agenda also focuses on underemployment among the workingage population and low healthcare coverage. Bains says she is most proud of SA2020 “for helping contribute to the widespread shared knowledge among policymakers and other people in positions of power when it comes to what the systemic inequities are in San Antonio and a deeper level of understanding that they have to do with both race and class.” SA2020’s data will be available on their website until September. The organization is interested in archiving its website and data for future reference. Those interested in assisting can contact SA2020 at info@SA2020.org.

State of the City Week of 2/6

By Nicholas Kingman Assistant Opinion Editor Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay upto-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 CPS Energy’s second utility price increase in two years to a 16-year-old getting charged with three felonies after calling in a terrorist threat at two local high schools. CPS Energy to raise customer’s bills City Council approved CPS Energy’s second price increase since January 2022. The 4.25% increase to customers’ monthly gas and electricity bills officially went into effect last Thursday. Customers can expect an additional $4.45 on their existing bill. Low-income residents in the Affordability Discount Program will also see an increase in their bill from $16.14 to $18.36. Residents can look at the CPS Energy bill estimator to see how much their bill will increase. San Antonio to expect a rise in gas prices San Antonians should expect to see a rise in the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in the coming week. As reported by AAA, San Antonio is $0.08 higher than the state’s average and should see $3 a gallon very soon. Experts predict that this coming summer travel season, gas will be upwards of $4 a gallon. Former student charged with three felonies A former Boerne ISD student was charged with three felonies after making a terroristic threat at both Boerne ISD high schools just minutes apart early Wednesday morning. Both campuses were promptly put on lockdown. Boerne Police swept both high schools and found no evidence of the reported bombs or weapons. The suspect was arrested Friday afternoon. Pre-rodeo festivities kick off in San Antonio The 75th San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo officially kicked off its almost month-long festivities this past weekend with the annual Western Heritage Parade and Cattle Drive. The parade started at I-35 and Houston St. and ended at the footsteps of the Alamo. The Vaquero cook-off and music followed after the conclusion of the parade. The rodeo grounds officially open Thursday, Feb. 8, and will run until Sunday, Feb. 25.

A guide to UTSA’s community resources By Laynie Clark Editor-in-Chief As a UTSA student, there are tons of resources available. Some resources are available through more widely known offices like UTSA One Stop, but others are a little more unknown. Hidden away on the UTSA website is a “Community Resources” tab that details different programs, services and opportunities geared toward Roadrunners’ safety. Public Safety Events Throughout the year, UTSA hosts different events to promote public safety. These events are to educate and mingle as they give ‘Runners time to meet one another while learning about safety. The tab lists all of the events that are happening, along with dates and locations. Community Services Inside the “Community Services” tab, there are many different links to click on. The links are grouped together like this because they are all services designated for assisting students, but they all provide a different type of service. Some of the services include “Motorist Assistance,” “Campus Safety Escorts” and “Lost and Found.” Victim Support UTSA’s Police Department offers specialized support to victims on and off campus to ensure assisted care for all students ranging from safety planning, emergency relocation assistance, protective order assistance and safety inspections. At the bottom of the tab is a list of references and phone numbers for students to utilize if they need more specific assistance. Community Alerts Spearheaded by the Department of Public Safety,

there are many different ways that students receive necessary community announcements. The first is “timely warnings,” which is a prevention intent. Timely warnings are sent out when a possible threat is on the horizon,

regardless of execution. Following timely warnings are “emergency notifications,” are sent out once an emergency is confirmed. The final two methods of communication are “community notifications” and “important alerts.” Active Shooter/Threat Responses Active threats unfortunately present themselves more than anyone would like, so it is important to know what to do when they happen. Under the “Active Shooter/ Threat Responses” tab, there are many helpful guides to keep students safe in the event of an active threat. The guides present are the “Emergency Response Guide” and an “Active Shooter Survival Video.” Crime Map The “Community Crime Map” is an interactive tool

that provides reported crime statistics in San Antonio. By looking up a specific address, you can view crime data attached to that location. The map is a bond-building tool that helps UTSAPD and SAPD communicate the local crime scene. Daily Crime Log Crime is inevitable anywhere you go. The crime log is provided to keep track of all of the campus crimes in one concise space. The log summarizes all of the nearby crimes that have happened within the last 60 days and is organized by date and location. There are no names attached to the crimes. Compliments & Complaints For any questions, comments or concerns, you are able to “submit feedback.” When submitting feedback, you are encouraged to leave dates, times and locations. If you are submitting feedback about a faculty member, you do not need to know their name, as the receiver will do their best to identify them. The feedback will be forwarded to the faculty member, and a copy will be placed in their personal file. Sex Offender Registration Information Due to different state and federal laws, UTSA is required to provide information on registered sex offenders living on campus or taking classes. By using the Texas Department of Public Safety Public Sex Offender Registry, you can search by name, address, zip code, country or higher education institution. These resource links are here to help guide Roadrunners, and it is encouraged that students utilize them. For more detailed information regarding campus resources, visit UTSA One Stop on campus or https://www.utsa.edu/ publicsafety/community-resources/index.html.

3 | o p i n i o n @p a isano-online.com

Fe b r u a r y 6 - Fe b r u a r y 1 3 , 2 0 2 4

OpiNION A disappointing step towards re-criminalization

Editorial

Paxton overreaches to strike down voter’s wishes

n Wednesday, Jan. 31, the office of Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that they would be suing five cities — Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Denton and Elgin — for passing local ordinances that would decriminalize low-level marijuana possession within city limits. According to the Texas Tribune, Paxton stated that “the cities violated state laws and the Texas constitution concerning marijuana possession and distribution, claiming it to be unlawful for municipalities to adopt ordinances inconsistent with laws enacted by the Texas Legislature.” These ordinances, passed during the 2022 midterm elections, received overwhelming support from voters. “Austin received an overwhelming 85% of votes in support. In San Marcos, about 82% of votes were in favor. Elgin followed with almost 75% of votes in support. Denton, home to two universities, had about 71% of the votes in favor. Killeen had close to 70% in support,” according to the Texas Tribune. These ordinances serve to decriminalize low-level marijuana offenses, banning arrests for possession of

Noah Willoughby/The Paisano

less than four ounces of marijuana or possession of drugrelated paraphernalia. These ordinances are an essential step to reverse the

Return of the old for a new ERA Commentary

By Faith Kouadio Staff Writer

The topic of sex and gender in society has branched out every which way and people seem incapable — or unwilling — to move past the divide. Progressives vie for a cultural expansion of gender identity separated from sex, provoking a sharp increase in the revival of traditional philosophies and conservative policies. However, like a sick tree, once all the external factors have been considered and ruled out it is time to check the health of its roots, and revisit and finalize the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Activists Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman were fresh off a win granting women the right to vote when they proposed the

revolutionary amendment to the constitution in 1923 to ensure that the “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” Every year until 1970, the ERA was proposed in Congress until it was finally passed in March 1972. Future generations of women nationwide were expected to enjoy the full scope of freedoms the ERA set the stage to guarantee, like the right to an abortion, divorce or property ownership, laws against discrimination in employment and more. The sexual revolution of the late ‘60s and ’70s shifted cultural norms accordingly. Through unrelenting pressure from conservative activists like Phyllis Schlafly, the ERA failed to ratify by the deadline in June 1982 and cement its place in the constitution. Today, the consequences manifest as the liberty of states and the Supreme Court to pass bills and judgments around these issues as they suit them, such as the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Yet the culture and values of many have moved on without reflection in the law, creating a serious disconnect with rippling effects. As a result, debates around what laws should be passed refuse to concede to the common good and focus on propagating an impossible and irresponsible vision for everyone to achieve. Kara Lee/The Paisano

Continue reading at paisano-online.com

Just a prop: celebrities’ classist consumption Commentary By Taylor Fromel Contributor

Grapes: A good source of vitamins C and K, a perfect snack to throw in a lunch, the main ingredient in wine and apparently now a perfect subject for decor. Recently, concern has been raised regarding the misuse of food and the vast amount of food waste produced, specifically in wealthy households. On Jan. 4, 2024, Kim Kardashian posted a picture on her Instagram story of a table centerpiece consisting of a gold bowl with roses in the center and bunches of purple grapes surrounding it, spilling from the edges of the bowl. The multiple bunches of grapes pictured in Kim Kardashian’s post clearly were not meant to be eaten. The grapes were there solely for the aesthetic they provided. This instance shows the enormous abundance of things, like food, that some people — specifically celebrities — can acquire and disregard. This has been seen as an insult to many, as several people are losing their ability to provide for themselves and their families in America’s shifting economy. Unfortunately, this trend in celebrity culture has not popped up recently and looks like it is not stopping anytime soon. In 2023, Taylor Swift was in attendance at the Grammys as she was nominated for “All Too Well: The Short Film,” breaking history by winning in her category with an independent directing credit for her own film. Before this, the host, Trevor Noah, was going around to the guests and making jokes. He brought attention to Swift’s fans’ issues with Ticketmaster earlier that year and how her fans caused changes within the company’s

policies. He then asked if Swift could get her fans to handle the price of eggs. It is shown that Swift is very clearly confused by the joke and doesn’t know exactly how to respond. Why was that? Because celebrities like Swift and Kim Kardashian are so far removed from what the average person struggles with on a day-to-day basis, they do not understand jokes about the extreme price of eggs or how posting blatant food waste for thousands to see would come off as offensive and tone deaf. Getting to ignore these types of issues and avoid being held accountable is a privilege that not many people have, or should have, for that matter. Adding to this rapidly growing issue, not long after Kim Kardashian gladly exhibited her impartial stance on food waste, Khloe Kardashian seemed to agree, posting a photo on her Instagram story presenting an orange and yellow bouquet of flowers with vibrant orange slices littered throughout. The oranges in the bouquet were simply there for people to see, nothing more. Some may argue that this is not too big of an issue, as celebrities are so far removed anyway. What does it matter what they do and show? While this is true, no one can physically stop these celebrities; what they do and show matters because of the mass influence they hold on social media and other platforms. This issue in celebrity culture is something that should be a bigger cause for worry. Celebrities are humans like everyone else and need to be held accountable when displaying things like food waste and overconsumption on such influential and widespread platforms.

negative stigma around marijuana usage. According to the Center for American Progress, for the past 20 years, the United States has averaged 600,000 marijuanarelated arrests. Black individuals are also four times more likely to be arrested for a marijuana-related offense than their white counterparts, despite evidence showing similar usage levels across both demographics. The ordinances also allow resources to be more efficiently distributed for public safety needs. Police officers can focus their time and resources on preventing more serious crimes and offenses. Paxton’s lawsuit is a severe governmental overreach that cannot go unanswered. These ordinances were passed with the full support of the popular vote and deserve to be upheld. As citizens, we must advocate for these ordinances to stay in place to respect the sovereignty of the voters who passed them and to help alleviate the negative effects of the low-level criminalization of marijuana. We must urge Paxton to drop the suit, and respect the decision of voters. You can find the contact information for Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office at https://www. texasattorneygeneral.gov/contact-us.

The modern slavery of prison labor Commentary

By Noah Hernandez Contributor Nearly 800,000 people’s basic human rights are being stripped away, forcing them into a multibillion-dollar industry scheme to exploit the labor of U.S. citizens. The citizens in question and the industry at hand? U.S. prisoners and the U.S. prison system. This prison labor industry has its hands in nearly every sector of American consumption, ranging from federal military equipment to the meat used in McDonald’s cheeseburgers. At the heart of this goliath’s empire is the rampant and perverse use of prison labor that is grotesquely unfair, unsafe and severely underpaid, so much so that it should be seen as a form of modern slavery. There are many issues with prison labor, but perhaps the one that harkens back the most to what we had believed was a bygone era is the practice of working without pay. Or, in this case, very little of it. Prisoners are forced into conscripted positions with a pay range of $0.12-$1.15 per hour, according to a 2003 study, and nearly 20 years later, the pay rate has remained unchanged. Further, several states, such as Arkansas and Texas, do not require compensation for the incarcerated. To make matters worse, many behind bars are nickeled and dimed for even the most integral necessities. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, it was found that “correctional” facilities charge $13.55 per medical visit in Texas, which, as aforementioned, does not pay those incarcerated a cent. Aggrandizing the issue further, any form of communication or money wiring is also racked with fees, with calls being charged as much as $9.99 for a 15-minute session in Kentucky and $5 in fees for every $20 sent to prisoners in Florida. In addition to the unethical payment methods, inmates do not have a choice in the matter, as those who refuse often face extended sentences or even physical harm. A story presented in the Associated Press recounted a harrowing narrative in which a prisoner was clubbed, cuffed and then clubbed again for simply refusing to work. Yet this is not a lone story, as another tale from behind bars told in “The Indicator” from NPR’s Planet Money recounts one man who was forced to work 12-hour shifts without days off regardless of his ongoing battle with HIV. The story goes on to describe the various punishments that awaited those who did not follow orders, such as being placed in solitary confinement or being put in violent housing situations. One may ask how this practice is happening without government intervention. Ironically, the issue stems from the amendment that abolished slavery in the first place. “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the United States…,” rings out the line that marked the end of one of the most gruesome and heinous periods of human history. The addition of the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in its former form, but what is being called the “Slavery Loophole” has found a way to reignite the sins of the past, creating a modern form of indentured servitude that many are denouncing. The “Slavery Loophole” refers to an exemption stated in the 13th Amendment, specifically that the practice of slavery is not permissible “except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.” In layman’s terms, slavery is allowed to continue into the modern day without any legal repercussions. To press the issue further, many of these prison work camps are placed on the same plantations that used slave labor a century and a half prior. An Atlantic documentary entitled “Angola for Life: Rehabilitation and Reform Inside the Louisiana State Penitentiary” showcases one of these scenes, with the first few minutes displaying a primarily black prison workforce harvesting various crops. As the documentary progresses, it feels almost as if one has slipped into the past, being shown scenes that feel like they should be in a textbook. Slavery is supposed to be over, and yet today there are still prison guards on horses guarding indentured servants as they work without pay. In moments like these, we see this problem in its truest light. We begin to see that the prison labor system is truly a modern version of slavery and another blight on America’s already tattered and stained record.

READ MORE COMMENTARIES ONLINE AT PAISANO-ONLINE.COM

Fe b r u a r y 6 - Fe b r u a r y 1 3 , 2 0 2 4

4 | o p i n i o n @ p a isano-online.com

OpiNION Funding the future

The Paisano

Commentary By Allana Llabres

Social Media Manager After four special sessions, Governor Greg Abbott has caused dismay for the public yet again. After his unsuccessful fight for school vouchers, Abbott has continued to deny public schools funding with the $33 billion budget surplus. Though many people, including citizens and other politicians, have spoken out against Abbott’s wish for school vouchers, he will not give up. His refusal to allow public schools to receive funding from the budget surplus is only the beginning of his temper tantrum. Instead of using the surplus to fund public schools, Abbott has turned to property taxes. This makes the issue complex, as public schools in Texas are primarily funded through local property taxes. If Abbott uses the budget surplus to eliminate property taxes, it is unclear how school funding would come about as a result. Representative Brian Harrison explained that “the money to pay for

schools would just come from the new mechanism of taxation.” If this is the case and schools become funded through other means of taxation, what is the point? Taking taxation away from one place only adds an expense elsewhere. This would only become a cycle, and Abbott would become a dog chasing his tail. Funding for public schools has been an ongoing issue for years now. Texas has been growing as a state, and so have the schools; however, funding for these schools has not been reevaluated or changed in four years. Many districts are finding it hard to balance their budgets across their schools, even those in wealthier communities. As of 2021, Texas is ranked 40th out of 51 states, including Washington, D.C., for educational funding. Texas’ schools have been fighting for funding for quite some time now and state legislation has denied them again and again. It is clear that school funding is not

a priority to Abbott or the rest of the GOP in Texas, but these schools are key pieces of building up our future generations, and we should be taking better care of them.

The digital age has brought many advancements with it, most of them improving people’s quality of life worldwide. One of the most popular of these advancements is streaming. Streaming services allow people worldwide to access a wide variety of media at any time, including music, movies, books and much more. The concept of having a library’s worth of media at your fingertips is amazing, but the greed that comes with it is less so. Companies exist to make money. So the concept of paying for a product is not an absurd one. What is absurd is that companies continue to raise prices while removing features. For example, in 2023, Netflix prevented its users from sharing accounts. This change angered many users, making it nearly impossible to use the same account in multiple locations. On top of this change, they raised the price of their basic plan from $9.99 a month to $11.99, making it more expensive for users who were burned by

password sharing to buy a new plan. Even with the unfavorable changes made to their platform, Netflix saw a substantial revenue spike. According to Forbes, “Netflix reported revenue of $8.5 billion for the third quarter of 2023—up 8% compared with 2022 and beating expectations due to the sheer number of new members.” Netflix is not the only streaming service raising prices. Disney Plus, Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Peacock and Max have raised their prices or introduced ads to keep costs down. On top of that, Max has removed multiple shows, including originals, from their library. These shows were not removed due to contracts expiring or losing the ability to stream them, but rather to save money on licenses. One of Max’s parent companies, Warner Bros., shelved the completed “Coyote vs. Acme” film to opt for a tax write-off. Only after large fan backlash did Warner Bros. take back the cancellation of the movie, announcing that they would sell the film to another streaming service. Despite all of the price increases

Commentary

By Naydine De La Fuente

By Elizabeth Hope

Copyediting Coordinator

Staff Writer

Amber Serio | News Editor News@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 Jenna Taylor | Magazine Editor Magazine@paisano-online.com Mariana Ramos/The Paisano

and unfavorable changes, streaming services remain giant money makers for their respective parent companies. People refuse to draw the line and stop their subscriptions, even when a much cheaper option is available. Local and school libraries often have DVD sections filled to the brim with films and TV shows from multiple generations. For example, the University of Texas at San Antonio’s (UTSA) John Peace Library has a vast DVD collection, spanning multiple genres and age ratings, and are free for UTSA students to check out and watch on their own time. There is one issue. DVDs require a specific piece of technology to watch that is not commonly found anymore, a DVD player. Fortunately, the John Peace Library has DVD players available for students to rent, and both Playstation and Xbox consoles are compatible with both DVD and Blu-ray. Despite DVDs being less accessible than modern streaming services, they provide a free way to watch a wide variety of media, all without fear of them being removed next month.

Serious business, UTSA’s food unserious tactics inclusivity is exclusive Commentary

Chloe Williams | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com

Riley Carroll | Arts & Life Editor Arts@paisano-online.com

Commentary Contributor

Laynie Clark | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com

Jake Mireles | Opinion Editor Opinion@paisano-online.com

Stop streaming services’ selfishness By Ryan Welch

Editorial Board

tasting vegan options are available at college is more important than satisfying the requirements of current vegans; it is about offering appealing foods that will invite others to enjoy more sustainable, compassionate food choices, and hopefully, offering the kinds of foods that cast an accurate representation of veganism, so those interested will feel more inclined to adopt the diet.” All of this applies to allergies too. Being vegan or vegetarian is a choice, but having allergies is not. Not providing alternative options can be frustrating and disappointing, especially when we live in such an inclusive time. UTSA needs to cater to all their students’ needs and provide them with a good meal that will power them through their school day.

As a vegan or vegetarian, finding In our day and age, we hold social media on a high pedestal. It is a constant in our lives something to eat on campus that — whether it is used to view funny videos, will make you feel full and happy learn about the newest trends in pop culture or is a struggle. Overall, UTSA offers share our different experiences. Now, different a nice selection of dining services organizations and companies are utilizing various on campus. Depending on what online platforms in an attempt to expand their you are craving, you can find that audience and advertise their work and products. cuisine. Despite this, the vegan But the question we must ask is whether these and vegetarian alternatives are companies should stick to a more professional extremely limited. internet identity or a casual and humorous one. Each restaurant usually only With the use of online platforms, anyone offers one vegetarian option or has the ability to create an online persona and nothing at all, and there is nothing display a particular image they want the public that is technically vegan unless to perceive. With so many social media apps you severely customize your available, businesses can advertise themselves in meal. Having one option at a few various ways. restaurants can be boring and very Looking through all the different online platforms, TikTok is one of the most popular apps unsatisfying. Eating the same thing as of now, with various accounts owned by several every day is very restricting and different companies. One of the app’s most welltiring. liked business accounts is Duolingo, a popular According to the Vegetarian Continue reading at language-learning platform. The app’s TikTok Resource Group, “ensuring great paisano-online.com account has become a hub for entertaining content that cleverly intertwines language learning with the world of plastic surgery, Dr. Miami has stood out not only pop culture references and inside quips. A few posts make for his surgical skills but also for his ability to connect with fun of Duolingo’s running joke about robbing people of their a broader audience through social media. TikTok, known for families if they do not finish their daily language lessons or its diverse content, has become a platform where Dr. Miami’s about their mascot cleverly answering people’s comments. charisma and expertise shine through. An article by Brand Vision Marketing even applauds the With the help of his social media manager, Santina, his company’s marketing strategy, stating it “has been highly account is full of videos containing popular TikTok trends influential in attracting and retaining users, making it one of the most successful campaigns for an online language-learning and trending audios for his skits. Dr. Miami’s humorous and service.” Either way, TikTok users love seeing the recognizable carefree persona on TikTok not only humanizes the field of plastic surgery but also helps viewers relate to it on a more green bird on their feeds. Aside from all the different company profiles, TikTok is also personal level. home to various influential and well-known individuals. In Continue reading at paisano-online.com

Zach Geocaris | Business Manager Business@paisano-online.com Jada Thomas | Marketing Manager Marketing@paisano-online.com Allana Llabres | Social Media Manager Socialmedia@paisano-online.com Naydine De La Fuente | Copyediting Coordinator Copyediting@paisano-online.com Rylan Renteria | Distribution Manager Distribution@paisano-online.com

Assistant Editors Nicholas Kingman | Assistant Opinion Editor Lauren Hernandez | Assistant Arts & Life Editor Haley Aguayo | Assistant Sports Editor Genevieve Vega | Assistant Multimedia Editor

Read More Online 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 © 2024 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 r u a r y 6 - Fe b r u a r y 1 3 , 2 0 2 4

5 | a r t s@p a i sa n o-online.com

arts & life Six pet-friendly spots in san antonio SA Gems

By Bela Ross

Staff Writer

et parents, are you looking for somewhere to take your loyal companions? These are the top six places around San Antonio to take your furry friends. Unless otherwise stated, all pets will have to remain on leash at these establishments, and it is expected for all pets to wear a collar, be up to date on vaccinations and that owners clean up after them. 1. Pups and Pals Bar & Grill Pups and Pals is a bar, restaurant and dog park all at 13838 Jones Maltsberger Rd. Their menu includes options for humans and dogs of all ages. They have areas available for dogs to be on or off leash between their patio and two dog parks with agility equipment. They open at 3 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends. Sundays through Thursdays they close at 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays they close at midnight. 2. Pinkerton’s Barbeque Located at 107 W. Houston Street, Pinkerton’s Barbeque is right next to Legacy Park and has outdoor seating available. Pinkerton’s has been featured in Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ joints list, Travel Channel, Food Network and Cooking Channel with gleaming reviews. 3. Roadmap Brewing Co. For readers who are over 21, Roadmap is a beer brewery open to having dogs indoors. Mondays through Wednesdays, they have weekly events each starting at 7 p.m. with two dollars off pints for participants in the run club, cycle club and free yoga. On Thursdays, at 7:30 p.m., they have free trivia with prizes for the top three teams and there is a food truck on the patio. Roadmap Brewing is located at 723 North Alamo St. 4. La Cantera The public spaces and common areas of La Cantera are open to well-behaved pets. On their website there is a large selection of approximately 90 pet-friendly stores and a list of restaurants with patios that allow pets. 5. Historic Pearl The Pearl downtown is a popular place to visit with or without a pet. There is plenty of outdoor space to settle down or explore, including the River Walk. The weekend markets are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. The Saturday markets have booths from local farmers and ranchers, and the Sunday markets are centered around local artisans. 6. The Block This is the closest option to the UTSA campus, located at 14530 Roadrunner Way. They have over five food trucks and a patio bar available. Hours of operation vary but include every day of the week except Mondays. These are some great places around town to bring your pet along with you. Visit several in one day and make an adventure out of it. Going out to the spots mentioned is a sure way to have fun with your dog, and to meet some other pet parents.

By Bria Collins Staff Writer

Riley Carroll/The Paisano

Craft and code Read at paisano-online.com

Michelle Segura/The Paisano

Cheap Valentine’s Day gifts for your partner Spare Change By Chloe Williams

Managing Editor Valentine’s is a day of appreciation and celebration of love, but it can also break the bank. The 2024 predicted Valentine’s spending in the U.S. is just under $26 billion, but giving gifts to your loved ones does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Follow along as we highlight five different inexpensive gift ideas to make your partner’s Valentine’s Day. 1. Forever flowers Give your partner flowers that last forever. Options include making paper flowers, buying or making crochet flowers or purchasing a set of LEGO roses to build with your partner. 2. Make a booklet If you are looking for a quick and heartfelt gift this year, buy a fillable “gift journal.” These journals have prompts to fill out to share all the different ways you love your partner. Another option would be to DIY this journal with your prompts. Creative ways to do this include on a deck of cards or on the back of printed photos. If you have more time, complete a scrapbook with photos and write about all of your favorite memories as a couple.

3. Clay creation Using air-dried clay is cheaper and easier than it seems. Pick up some Crayola air dry clay and cheap acrylic paints and get to work. Memorable clay creations for your partner could be a personalized trinket dish, an ashtray,

Especially if you are not known for baking, this gift can mean a lot to your partner. Head to Pinterest and search for a yummy but easy Valentine’s Day sweets recipe. Bake with love and share with your partner. This gift idea could also be a great one to share with your friends or coworkers. 5. Personalize something A personalized gift can never go wrong. Etsy offers thousands of options for personalized Valentine’s Day gifts that can be catered to any of your partners’ interests. Etsy can get expensive, so it is important to shop around and see if you can DIY. Some solid options include personalized candles, a location map showing where you met, matching socks or underwear, music code keychains for your song, custom photo keychains and custom Pokémon cards. Whatever you choose to buy or make your partner Chloe Williams/The Paisano this Valentine’s Day, do it their pet or favorite animal and so with care and love. This day may much more. The most important be about big spending for some, but thing about anything homemade is at its root, the holiday is meant to that it is made with love. show your love and appreciation for 4. Baked goods your relationship. If you are looking With a holiday as sweet-driven for inexpensive ways to celebrate as Valentine’s Day, catering to your Valentine’s Day, check out last year’s partner’s sweet tooth is important. Spare Change.

‘Come to Saltburn’

A cinematic triumph for the bold and curious By Haley Aguayo

Assistant Sports Editor Spoiler warning: This article discusses spoilers about the movie “Saltburn.” The highly anticipated film “Saltburn” was one of the most talked about movies released last year, and rightly so. The story follows Oliver Quick, played by Barry Keoghan, as he is invited to summer with Felix Catton, played by Jacob Elordi, at Catton’s family estate, Saltburn. The chemistry between Keoghan and Elordi’s characters is truly undeniable. Despite deceitful ploys from one to become closer to the other, their two characters disagree on what kind of relationship that chemistry stems from. With an improvised grave scene and an unpredictable moment as bathtub water slowly slips down a drain, accompanied by an elated yet despondent soundtrack, the true meaning and rhetoric remain unknown to

most viewers except the director, which makes this movie worth exploring. The brilliant, highly detail-focused mind behind the film is

none other than director Emerald Fen nel l, who can expla in the reason for every object placed in a scene. Fennell provides the characters in this movie with so much depth, an asset that movies cannot always manage within a short time frame. Fennell captivates the audience with shocking scenes

that make it hard to look away, turning viewers into voyeurs, much like the protagonist, Quick. Meager infatuation grows

Jenna Taylor/The Paisano

into sick submission as Quick gives into his desires and obsession as his summer with the Catton family progresses. Much like Quick, the audience is bewitched by titillating grandeur, toned, taut bodies and a sense of familiarity, as this movie takes place in 2007. A sinister undertone with a

Reviews touch of humanity develops as characters with a savior complex fall victim to one suspected to be innocent. Like a deer in headlights, Quick is thrown into the spotlight as he attempts to

charm his way through Saltburn. Despite the exclusivity that comes with amassing wealth, such as the Catton’s, Quick takes it upon himself to insert himself into the lives of those who reside at Saltburn. From antler-wearing prey, Quick becomes the predator as he pines for a fortune he was not fortunate enough to be born

into himself. For a family that prides itself on being so well-versed in art, literature, culture and history, members of the Catton family know little of their unforeseeable fate as a masterful, menacing plan begins to take refuge in Saltburn. Because of this, an auspicious sense of safety crumbles as each family member finds less solace in their magnitude of wealth after the untimely death of a loved one plagues the estate and everyone in it. To quote the butler, Duncan, “Lots of people get lost at Saltburn,” but not everyone will find true happiness in accomplishing their goal of making it their permanent home to the extent that characters in this movie did. This movie is not for the faint of heart, but instead for those curious enough to spend time inside the twisted mind of someone who has been engulfed by opulent desires.

6 | a r t s@ p a i sa n o-online.com

Fe b r u a r y 6 - Fe b r u a r y 1 3 , 2 0 2 4

Arts & Life Storm Goodman/The Paisano

Let the music get harsher

Bewitched San Antonio hosts third-anniversary show Reviews By Malaki Lingg

DJ set from Augustus Muller of Boy Harsher. The show took place in the thirdfloor ballroom, with the club opening at 8 p.m., and ballroom access and performances starting at 9 p.m. Within the first hour, Bewitched had DJs Nicole Noir and Bad Acid 303 perform before and in between sets of the slated musicians. To start off the night, Zen Hander came out and brought out the energy from the crowd. Hander’s darkwave influences helped set the tone for the night, as expected, and brought a unique club experience for those participating. Semantix came on second and brought with him an amazing stage presence. He quickly entered the stage, set up his instruments and then threw the crowd in for a loop by equipping a beige mask for the majority of his set. Each song had both Semantix and the crowd jumping along to the dark, electronic body music he was throwing down. Third came Mvtant, who nailed his performance. While Mvtant and the stage techs were setting up, the audience seemed confused, as they had put his keyboard and Malaki Lingg/The Paisano processors in front

Web Editor Local shows are a part of what makes or breaks a music scene. A lack of shows or talent, and you may have a dying scene on your hands. Luckily, the dark club scene in Texas is being kept alive by Bewitched. Bewitched is a DIY event collaborator for music and the visual arts, specifically those with a darker tone. Genres like darkwave, new wave, goth and more are sounds that Bewitched works to uplift by bringing together local acts. After being a longtime staple of the Houston scene, Bewitched left its home and expanded its efforts to San Antonio. With three years having passed since Bewitched San Antonio first began operating, they decided to commemorate the occasion with a show. On Feb. 2, Bewitched hosted its third-anniversary party at Bonham Exchange downtown. The show featured local DJs, traveling Texas acts and even a special solo

Malaki Lingg/The Paisano

of the stage in the crowd. It was quickly known to be intentional, as he started his set with a wave of intensity and aggression that no other performer had that night. Every moment had him moshing and bopping to the dark electronic music he was throwing down. By the end of his set, he collapsed on the floor, having given it his all. To end the night, Gus of Boy Harsher did not disappoint. For two hours, he slung out dark electronic bangers, one after another. Throughout his set, the tired crowd remained locked in until the very end, showing their dedication. And while it is disappointing not to see a full Boy Harsher set, being able to see half the duo was more than enough. Bewitched hosted the perfect celebration for their third birthday in the 210. They showcased great local and amazing Texas acts and brought in a phenomenal artist that fans of these dark club sets adore. Bewitched showed its love for San Antonio with this show, and San Antonio returned the love by showing up in full force, making this the most popular Bewitched event to date. With their third anniversary being over, you can only sit and wait until their fourth.

The movie musical exception

‘Pretty Woman: The Musical’ takes the spotlight at the Tobin Center Reviews By Laynie Clark

Editor-in-Chief “You and I are such similar creatures.” “Pretty Woman: The Musical” graced the Tobin Center stage on Jan. 31, giving the audience a show to remember. Last January, a different touring group came to the Majestic Theatre and performed the same show, but it was nothing compared to this one. The musical is a reimagined version of the well-loved 1990 romantic comedy “Pretty Woman,” starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The story follows a witty street worker as she stumbles upon a rich, humorless man. They strike up a business deal that leads to the romance of everybody’s dreams. As soon as the show began, the

energy in the room was electrified. The ensemble dancers were fierce and fabulous, catching the eye of every audience member as they moved with precision. Emerging from the ensemble, the audience was met with the stunning female leads, Ellie Baker and Rae Davenport. Davenport brought a fire to the stage that nobody was prepared for; her vocals were exhilarating. Baker, portraying the iconic Vivian Ward, lit up the room with an energy that could not be tamed. Confidence poured out of her every move, igniting the cast around her. Her male co-star, Chase Wolfe, reciprocated this energy. The chemistry between Wolfe and Baker was clear and natural. Nothing felt forced, which can be difficult to do on a stage without going overboard.

While some of the songs were forgettable, by no fault of the cast, the show’s production is what kept it alive. The ever-changing set and vibrant light plots played the perfect counterpart to the actors, elevating their already perfect performance. In addition, the costume designs were exactly like the original film, allowing the audience to reminisce about one of their favorite love stories. Making movies into musicals is usually a disaster waiting to happen, but “Pretty Woman: The Musical” is the exception. What was once a short, semi-dry film is now an energetic musical destined to make people laugh. This tour will continue in nearby cities; tickets can be purchased at https://tour. prettywomanthemusical.com/.

‘Argylle’: The cat should have stayed in the bag Reviews By Ezequiel Peña Contributor

When it comes to movies that start the year, Hollywood distributes films they do not think will make much money. Rarely do they send out films that are made with a higher budget and need to make money to break even; take “Deadpool,” for example. This time, Apple Studios took a $200 million risk with “Argylle,” an action romantic-comedy about an author who sees her work come to life in the form of an espionage scheme. Unfortunately, the film takes its convoluted story too seriously and jumps the shark a few too many times to be enjoyable. Director Mathew Vaughn is no stranger to making ridiculous action films, and despite his many flaws as a director, he knows how to entertain an audience one way or another. One of the positives I can say about the film is how Vaughn makes excellent use of color. There is a wonderful vibrancy that is always on screen. Another thing that he is fantastic at is action, which, despite being implausible while watching, is fun nonetheless. However, “Argylle” ends up having more negatives than positives. One of the biggest is that the film is constantly throwing twists at you. In a good film, this can be engaging, as it constantly keeps the audience guessing, but here it just comes off as being a desperate attempt to fool the audience. Another great con would be the computer effects, which hinder a lot of the action scenes by making them less believable, constantly making the audience wonder where the $200 million went. It is a shame because the cat used in the marketing looks cute in all the posters and trailers, but when watching the movie, the effects on the feline look so bad that it looks more like roadkill reanimated like a puppet. The film could be a good time for those who want to turn off their brains and enjoy goofy espionage, or for those who want to find a way to kill two and a half hours. But for most, it is just a film that leaves you wanting more.

Catch up with REviews at paisano-online.com

‘Ferrari’: a ‘Marriage Story’ for car people Reviews By Marcela Montufar Soria

Multimedia Editor Spoiler warning: This article discusses spoilers for “Ferrari.” Starring Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari, founder of car manufacturer and racing team Scuderia Ferrari, and directed by Michael Mann, “Ferrari” (2023) is not your typical car movie. The film does not tell the life story of Ferrari and how he started his company; rather, it opens a window into a short period in his life in which he faced financial and marital difficulties. It paints a portrait of a time when the iconic brand was near the brink of collapse and the emotional state of its founder was floundering along with it. General audiences might struggle to understand the film if they lack historical knowledge of the company and of Ferrari’s personal life. Still, they will get the hang of the plot around halfway through. Anyone with a love of cars, especially red ones, will walk out of the movie content with at least that aspect of it. That said, the movie’s main triumph is in the acting of Driver and Penelope Cruz, who portrays Laura Ferrari,

blowing the audience away with heartfelt performances of deeply flawed people. The movie is focused on grief, dealing with the death of Ferrari’s only legitimate son, and the weight of family. Shailene Woodley portrays

vice chairman of the company. Woodley’s role is not as demanding as the main leads, but she gives a stellar performance either way. The pace of the movie is slow at times, and for those not interested in Ferrari’s marriage, it can get boring. When it comes to the racing aspect, the movie does not shy away from the commonplace dangers faced by drivers in those days, showing gory car accidents that frighten the audience in masterfully directed scenes that show the suddenness of such events. The climax of the movie is the recreation of a graphic, fatal accident, witnessed by various civilians. The film shows some of the immediate aftermath but o san Pai then ends abruptly without resolving issues for e h ee/T L a Ferrari or his company. r Ka The movie is worth a watch if you are a fan of racing and raw, visceral acting. But it is not a film that will appeal much to general audiences or leave any cultural impact. Lina Lardi, Ferrari’s mistress and mother of Ultimately, audiences still have to wait for a good biopic Piero Ferrari, the illegitimate son of Ferrari and current of Scuderia Ferrari and its role in the world of racing.

7 | sp o r t s@ p a i sano-online.com

Fe b r u a r y 6 - Fe b r u a r y 1 3 , 2 0 2 4

sports Farewell, Frank Harris With his playing days behind him, Harris plans to stick around

Stephen Saenz/The Paisano

By Rylan Renteria

Distribution Manager t requires a special kind of human being to become a program legend. Your impact must be felt — not just on the field, but off of it as well. In the case of Schertz native Frank Harris, he is all that and a little more. The former quarterback will soon become synonymous with the UTSA football program, and his story of resilience and loyalty will be told as long as the Roadrunners are

Rylan Renteria/The Paisano

F1 rejects American legacy By Marcela Montufar Soria Multimedia Editor

On Jan. 31, Formula One (F1) Management released a statement explaining why they rejected the application of Andretti Cadillac to compete in the F1 World Championship. The team had already been approved by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of motorsports that oversees F1 racing. San Antonians are probably familiar with the Andretti Indoor Karting & Games entertainment hub off Loop 1604, owned by the Andretti family. Mario Andretti is an American racing legend, winning the F1 World Championship in 1978 and also competing in other categories such as NASCAR and IndyCar. Andretti Cadillac is a partnership between Andretti Autosport and General Motors’ luxury car brand Cadillac. F1 teams generally partner up and share a name with their power unit and/or engine provider, such as Sauber Ferrari or Lotus Renault. Andretti Autosport is headed by CEO and Chairman Michael Andretti, son of Andretti and fellow racing legend. They currently have teams competing in various categories, including the IndyCar Series and Formula E, and have been trying to get into F1 for years. In their statement, F1 Management outlined their reasons for rejecting their bid, asserting that the team would not provide any value to the championship as they do not believe that it would be competitive and do not think that an 11th team would benefit the sport at the moment. Currently, there are 10 teams on the F1 grid, but historically there have been more. There are many reasons why having more teams is beneficial to the sport. For one, it allows for more driver rotation and provides more seats for rookies. The 2024 F1 season will be the first to have a repeat driver lineup, with every team racing with the same drivers as in 2023. Coupled with the lack of retirements among older drivers, such as world champions

still in existence. So, let us tell it just one more time. Attending high school in the San Antonio area, UTSA was always an option for Harris. However, it was not proximity that drew Harris to the ‘Runners; it was the opportunity to write history. “It was a new program, so nothing was established. I wanted to be a part of history,” Harris said. “Back-to-back conference championships and a bowl game, we did that. That stuff is always going to be in the history books. That is why I wanted to come to UTSA.” Early on, Harris struggled to stay on the field. Three consecutive season-ending injuries began to take a large toll. Luckily for fans, Harris had the

right people around him to keep his spirit strong and his mind right. “It was a tough process. I was going to quit playing football,” Harris said. “My family was a big part of that process [in] getting through those tough times, my teammates as well. Ultimately, it was God. I figured he does everything for a reason. I just kind of sat back and let him take the wheel.” A healthy-enough Harris finally got his shot in 2021, ultimately changing the trajectory of UTSA football forever. The ‘Runners were gaining national recognition, and slowly but surely, fans began to pack the Alamodome for their hometown team. “Man, it was like out of a movie. We felt like movie stars,

it was crazy,” Harris said. “You couldn’t go nowhere in San Antonio if you had UTSA gear on without people showing some love. I grew up here; they’re diehard Spurs fans. Getting them to be UTSA fans the same way they are with the Spurs, it was a crazy feeling knowing you were a part of the team that did that.” With more attention on the ‘Runners than ever, as well as the transfer portal becoming universally accepted, other programs may have tried to reach out and attempt to snag Harris to be their star quarterback. Unfortunately for them, Harris “never considered” leaving, as the teams reaching out knew about his loyalty to UTSA. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

Rylan Renteria/The Paisano

Fernando Alonso (42) and Lewis Hamilton (39), the lack of an 11th team limits opportunities for younger drivers, with more having to settle for being reserves. The solution is not to get rid of the likes of Alonso and Hamilton, whose driving is still top form, but to create more spaces. To keep the sport dynamic, new faces must be introduced. As for being competitive, F1 did not elaborate completely on their reasoning, and it is unfair, given that the team had met all the requirements set by the FIA to even apply. Even if they were not immediately competitive, it is not a valid excuse. There are currently teams on the grid that are not competitive, such as the Haas F1 Team, that are embraced by F1 due to the sponsors they bring to the sport. The number of teams that challenge for the championship each season has always been minimal and rejecting interested parties does nothing to lessen that problem. F1’s statement mentioned that it had extended an invitation to an in-person meeting with the Andretti team to discuss their entry and that this invitation was rejected. Andretti Cadillac released a response on Feb. 2, clarifying that they were not aware that such an invitation had been extended and that had they been, they would not have rejected it. Whether genuine miscommunication or sinister corporate politics, it is unfortunate that this meeting did not take place before the application was denied. The rejection of Andretti by F1 is a blow to American fans, whom the category has been trying to woo in recent years, adding a Miami race to the calendar in 2022 and another in Las Vegas in 2023. They have also expressed interest in adding more races in the United States in cities like New York City or Chicago — all to bring in money from American sponsors and fans. Yet, this move shows their lack of respect for American motorsport, throwing aside American manufacturers and, even worse, the legacy Andretti built for himself as the most successful North American driver in F1 history.

Roadrunners fail to corral win in rodeo weekend matchup Late foul costs UTSA potential victory By Logan Martinez Staff Writer

Despite late-game heroics, the UTSA men’s basketball team’s miraculous comeback was once again cut short in its 80-76 loss to Rice Saturday afternoon in the Convocation Center. “We didn’t get off to a great start,” coach Henson said of the team’s performance. “It’s been kind of the same old thing. Defensively, we weren’t good enough.” Breaking out into a press defense, the Roadrunners (8-14, 2-7 AAC) managed to cut the once double-digit deficit down to seven with two minutes left in the second half. Spearheading the comeback were guards Christian Tucker and Jordan Ivy-Curry, who combined for 33 total points. “I think they really clicked well,” Henson said of the guards. “We got a little more attack, a little more flow.” Feeling the hot hand, Ivy-Curry continued to attack the paint, scoring an acrobatic floater to trail 76-73 with 1:10 remaining. With the Convocation Center set to erupt, the crowd was quickly silenced by a quick pull-up elbow jumper from Rice guard Mekhi Mason. Racing back down the court, Ivy-Curry found Adante’

Holiman in the left corner for a 3 to trail by two points with 33 seconds left in the game. Center Trey Edmonds committed a crucial foul to send Rice to the free throw line, where Owls’ guard Anthony Selden hit both free throws to extend the lead to four. Ivy-Curry missed a floater and two 3-point attempts at the final buzzer. Despite scoring 48 secondhalf points, UTSA could not dig itself out of its early hole. The Roadrunners fought hard in the first half, battling Rice for the early game lead. While Edmonds led the way with 10 points, the team found themselves trailing the Owls 3928 in the first 20 minutes. Continuously trying to find creative ways to score, the ‘Runners struggled to find their rhythm early. Shooting 31% from the floor and 17% from 3 in the first half, the team could muster only two points in the final four minutes. Despite the offensive struggles, Edmonds became a bright spot for the ‘Runners, posting a fast break steal and two thunderous dunks. His efforts were aided by Isaiah Wyatt, who also contributed five points to the opening effort. The Roadrunners will play Wichita State at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Charles Koch Arena.

It’s easier to play in the NBA as a foreign-born athlete By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

Let’s do a thought exercise. Imagine being born and raised in one of the 195 countries in the world where you have adapted to all of their social norms and view most, if not all, other countries as a foreign concept. Now, imagine as an adult being one of, if not the best, athletes in your home country and getting the opportunity to move to a place where society is completely different. You aren’t accustomed to their history, time zones and much less their celebrities and trendy topics. This probably gives the athlete

more of a “free mind,” almost as if they are not playing to impress anyone and are playing with house money. All their social media and loved ones are back home – wherever possible. Being away from their native land gives more of a business trip feel. This is the mindset of the top current NBA players. Of course, this is not a legend or a known fact. But that can also be because of how recent the global impact of the NBA has become. The league made more of an effort at global expansion and played in countries such as China, Israel, Russia and Italy, among others,

according to the United Language Group. With global attention, the best basketball players came to the United States to play in the NBA, where the best players in the world are now all foreign-born. As of Feb. 2, the current league MVP ladder from the NBA features six of the top seven players, all of whom are foreign-born. There are assured difficulties in being new in a country while on business. The language barrier is no doubt tough, as is being halfway around the world from your home. But it makes it easier to play basketball, at least at the highest

level. The last five NBA MVP winners have all been foreigners, with Joel Embiid, a Cameroon native, winning last year’s award and Nikola Jokic, a Serbian, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, a Greek native, winning the four other trophies. If a foreign-born player wins this year’s honor, that will make six years in a row a non-United States native takes home the trophy. This will likely continue for the next decade or so, with players like Victor Wembanyama, a French native, not going anywhere. This should not be taken out of context. Foreign athletes coming to

the U.S. and being the best players in the best leagues in the world are great for the sport. Ratings and global support for the NBA could not be higher and will likely continue as we age. But it is easier to be a great NBA player if you are not from American soil – the noise is often louder for United States natives. The famous faces sitting courtside can be distracting. Being in cities like New York or Los Angeles can be demanding. But if one is a foreigner, the Big Apple might as well be Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, Denver or Dallas, where this season’s MVP currently lies.

8 | s p o r t s@ p a i sano-online.com

Fe b r u a r y 6 - Fe b r u a r y 1 3 , 2 0 2 4

sports NFL (Taylor’s Version) By Misty Olawunmi Staff Writer

To say 2023 was a big year for Taylor Swift

is an understatement.

From her record-breaking Eras Tour to being

named Time’s Person of the Year, the buzz around her is alive more than ever. Her budding

relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end

Travis Kelce and appearances at NFL games

have garnered polarizing reactions. Some claim she is ruining the sport, even though she has

possibly contributed to higher ratings. While

Swift is no stranger to this kind of attention, the level of hatred and obsession is not warranted.

With Super Bowl LVIII just around the

corner, theories have arisen about the AFC

Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens being rigged in the Chiefs’ favor so

Swift can endorse President Joe Biden. Despite

the team’s well-documented dominance, with

six straight conference title appearances since

2018 and winning two Lombardi Trophies, this outlandish claim is one of many baffling takes on the singer.

Former NFL coach Tony Dungy proclaiming

about whether or not the NFL is showing Swift too much has been more distracting from onthe-field play than Swift herself.

By Logan Martinez

appearances are not always directed at the right

Entering his third year of college basketball, the journey of UTSA men’s basketball junior PJ Carter has been nothing short of inspiring. Transferring to UTSA from Georgia Highlands Junior College, the guard has been no stranger to adversity throughout his collegiate career. Though his voyage has been one of countless ups and downs, Carter has remained positive through it all and is thrilled to have found a home at UTSA. “My collegiate journey has definitely been a rollercoaster,” Carter said. “But honestly, I love it here in San Antonio. I think it’s a perfect fit for me.” Coming out of Langston Hughes High School in Fairburn, Ga., Carter committed to Campbell University with hopes of achieving his lifelong dream of playing Division I basketball. Despite earning player of the year accolades, Carter saw very little playing time in his brief stint with the Camels. “It’s nothing I would wish on anybody,” Carter said of his experience. “There were a lot of tough days, just from a mental standpoint.” Faced with adversity, the 6-foot-5 guard continued to work on improving his game, staying another year at Campbell. Though supremely confident in his on-court abilities, Carter became disappointed in his lack of opportunity with the Camels. “I knew it was going to be a learning curve, that’s why I thought I needed to stay another year,” he said. “It really didn’t go as planned though, I fell out of love with the game. I needed a change.” Wanting a change of scenery, Carter transferred to Georgia Highlands Junior College. In a symbolic fresh start, he made the most of his opportunity, scoring a team-leading 16 points per game, all while coming off the bench. Leading his team to the championship final, Carter credited the coaching staff for allowing him a great opportunity. “I had an opportunity, and they allowed me to play my game,” he said. “I got to build my confidence back up and get back to my normal self.”

Any legitimate complaints about her many

source. Why blame Swift when she is there to support Kelce and the Chiefs by extension?

She is doing what many other celebrities

have done for decades. The media and the NFL milk Swift’s appearances to their benefit, as

she provides a largely untapped audience to

market to. It is not hard to see why because of the potential engagements on social media

and possible revenue pictures and videos of the singer could bring; however, the coverage can seem excessive at times.

Despite a New York Times analysis of the

amount of screentime Swift had during the

games, it does not cover the scope of attention she has received outside of the games by sports media. This is not surprising because of how high her status has gotten. Even when she is

not the main focus of a story or event, Swift always captures onlookers’ attention, whether or not she is present.

Her influence cannot be underestimated, but

she is an example of why fans are not interested

it should also not be overestimated to the point

mark, as she attracts new viewers who could

plot. She is not the problem, nor is she the

in the NFL is another take that also misses the become future fans. Ironically, the discourse

PJ Carter’s inspiring journey to find a home

of believing conspiracies about an elaborate person to blame.

Spurs show their youth in final minutes to Magic

Staff Writer

Rylan Renteria/The Paisano

With his confidence restored, Carter committed to UTSA in the summer of 2022. Eager to get back into the realm of DI competition, the guard spoke glowingly of his reasons for choosing San Antonio as his new home. “The play style they have here, it felt like a perfect fit for me,” he said. “I wanted to be a part of something special. That’s really why I came here.” A truly perfect fit, the junior has seemingly done it all for the Roadrunners this season. Whether providing great energy, scoring in clutch situations or explosive scoring off the bench, Carter has had no trouble adjusting to UTSA’s playstyle. His unselfishness and willingness to win have made him one of the key pieces on this year’s team, as the guard has remained adamant that he will do whatever it takes to win. “I’m just a whatever the team needs type of guy,” he said. “You know, if y’all want me to come off the bench or be an energy guy, I can do all of those things.” Despite constant adversity, Carter believes he has found his home at UTSA. The guard has continuously praised the university and the city for its laid-back atmosphere and welcoming energy. “I love it here,” he said. “It’s more chill, you know. More my speed. I think it’s a perfect fit.” The Georgia native’s journey has been filled with countless adversities and hardships. Through it all, Carter has remained confident and positive in his abilities and has proven to be a truly inspiring player. Rylan Renteria/The Paisano

Photo courtesy of NBAE/Michael Gonzalez

San Antonio’s 4th quarter run falls short due to late-game turnovers By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

The 17,081 fans at the Frost Bank Center saw

the complete San Antonio Spurs’ experience on Wednesday night.

help dig their hole.

The team stayed together, though, igniting a

15-0 run in the final frame to cut the deficit to 99-96.

“Pop always preaches ‘All 48 minutes,’ and

From a tight first-half game to a lackadaisical

that’s what we did,” Vassell said of the rally.

that turned into a turnover frenzy in the final

many turnovers, dropped possessions and just

third quarter to a late fourth-quarter comeback

“We got to play better in that third quarter. Too

two minutes, the Spurs showed it all in a 108-

basically had [Orlando] doing layup lines. It’s

98 loss to the Orlando Magic.

San Antonio (10-38) was led by guard

Devin Vassell, who had a game-high 26

points. Rookie forward Victor Wembanyama contributed 21 points along with running mate Jeremy Sochan, who added 18, making them

the only three players to score double figures

for the Silver and Black. Orlando (25-23) had five players with double-digit scoring, led by

former No. 1 overall pick from the 2022 NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero (25).

As young teams often do, the Spurs had

trouble turning the ball over, amassing 19 giveaways to the Magic’s 16. Orlando was able to cash in San Antonio’s miscues into 23 points, which is where the ball game lies.

“We’re at a point in the season where we

learn a little bit ourselves, but you know the 40-plus games are catching up on us, and we

need to stay focused on every one of them,” Wembanyama said of the team’s turnover

problems. “Each game counts, and we can’t just not pay attention to this because this has

been one of, if not the biggest problem all year.”

The Spurs found themselves trailing six

Full-team effort propels Roadrunners tough to come back in the fourth quarter down past Mean Green 20. We did a great job obviously cutting that lead back down and making it a game. But we kind of shot ourselves in the foot with that one.”

Sure enough, in a three-point game with 3:27

remaining in the game, the Spurs showed their youth.

San Antonio allowed the Magic an extra

offensive possession after failing to get a defensive rebound, which resulted in two free

throws from Wendell Carter Jr. Wembanyama

then committed a turnover, leading to a basket for Orlando’s Markelle Fultz. Cedi Osman lost

the ball out of bounds, Vassell missed two free throws and Wembanyama had another turnover to let the game get fully out of reach.

Coach Gregg Popovich noticed some

similarities in the Spurs late-game collapse.

“We have a tendency when we get down

— it’s not a selfish thing, but just an unwise thing — that we’re going to do it on our own,” he said. “We’re not built like that right now.

We got to do it together. But we’ll forget that

because people try too hard to do it on their own.”

Though another disappointing finish finds its

points at halftime and later down 25 in the third

way into the loss column, the Spurs can lean on

from 3-point range alongside the giveaways to

final 2.5 months of the season.

quarter. San Antonio began the game 3 of 21

Udo shines as UTSA snaps UNT’s 7-game winning streak

their season progression as motivation for the

By Aramis Santiago Staff Writer

On a night commemorating forward Elyssa Coleman leading the UTSA women’s basketball team all-time in blocked shots, the Roadrunners secured a hardfought overtime victory against North Texas, winning 75-67 on Wednesday and snapping the Mean Green’s seven-game winning streak. Idara Udo emerged as a key player for UTSA (11-9, 5-4 AAC), delivering a doubledouble with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Udo’s impact on both ends of the court, especially on the offensive boards where she notched six offensive rebounds, was a major factor in the team’s success. “I settled down and got my feet under me,” Udo said of her standout performance. “Just being determined to get stops and help my team get the ball back on defense.” Entering Wednesday’s game, bench contribution was perceived as a potential weakness for the Roadrunners, with concerns

about depth and the ability to sustain performance without the starting lineup on the floor. However, these concerns were momentarily put to bed during tonight’s game, particularly in the first half. UTSA’s reserves stepped up significantly, contributing 18 of the team’s 35 first-half points. Key contributors from the bench included Alexis Parker with six points, followed by Hailey Atwood with five points and Cheyenne Rowe with four. “We didn’t have that in the last couple of games,” Roadrunners’ coach Karen Aston said, acknowledging the team’s recent lack of bench scoring. “Some of it is on the feel. Do you feel the energy coming off the bench? Do you feel like people are ready? I thought that we were tonight.” These contributions were vital in UTSA’s seven-point halftime lead, offering a cushion that would soon be tested by a challenging start to the fourth quarter. The Roadrunners encountered a significant scoring drought,

going almost five minutes halted at 49 points. Despite the offensive struggles, UTSA managed to regroup in the critical moments of the fourth quarter. Key baskets from Udo, Coleman and Sidney Love shifted the dynamics back in the home team’s favor. This resilience was particularly important as UNT tied the game at 56 to force overtime. In the extra period, the ‘Runners found a renewed vigor in their offense. Alongside Udo, Aysia Proctor stepped up in a big way, scoring seven of her 11 total points in overtime. Combining Udo’s inside presence and Proctor’s scoring allowed UTSA to regain control and pull away from North Texas. The Roadrunners showcased a remarkable defensive performance, holding North Texas (17-4, 7-2) to just 29% shooting from the field. UTSA also limited the Mean Green’s offensive threats, holding UNT’s leading scorer, DesiRay Kernal (17), to three points on 0 of 9 shooting.