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Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Volume 162 No. 8 SERVING SAN JOSÉ STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1934
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GRAPHIC BY KAYA HENKES-POWER
Mindful students meditate
By Kaya Henkes-Power STAFF WRITER
The Student Wellness Center hosted its weekly “Mindful Mondays” event on Monday evening. Facilitated by Dr. Sarah Strader-Garcia, a licensed professional clinical counselor and registered expressive art therapist, the event is for students to learn ways to lower stress levels and feel energized through guided meditation and expressive art, according to the San José State University event calendar. Strader-Garcia attended the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology for her graduate program where the school encouraged a holistic approach to her practice. “I love yoga, I love meditation and I just think it’s so powerful,” she said. “Why not incorporate that into helping someone with their thoughts?” During “Mindful Mondays”, Strader-Garcia takes 10 minutes to teach students a short lesson about the importance of meditation and its purpose. Following her short lesson, students practiced guided meditation with gentle music playing. Guided meditation is when someone forms mental images through meditation by thinking of senses including smells and physical sensations in the body
or visualizing places that help them relax with the assistance of a teacher or guide, according to the Mayo Clinic. Strader-Garcia said she uses guided meditation as a way for students to connect creatively without overthinking. “I do a guided meditation (so) we’re really in our bodies and not our minds,” StraderGarcia said. “(It's) important to feel grounded like that and approach the creative process from an embodied state.” After the guided meditation, students had the option to write or draw about the experience with materials provided by Strader-Garcia. Once students were done with their creative expression, they reflected as a group on what the process was like for them. Expressive art therapy is a multifaceted approach that uses different creative methods such as art, music, drama or dance as a way for people to achieve personal growth, according to Verywellmind.com. “I think art is so healing and it’s such an amazing way to express yourself,” StraderGarcia said. Art therapy is a formal practice that was established in 1942 by British artist Adrian
Hill where it was observed through tuberculosis patients whose drawing and painting practices provided them a sense of freedom that they lacked while bedridden, according to the Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic. Art therapy was also used in mental institutions through the work of British artist Edward Adamson. This further connected artistic expression with emotional release, according to the same website.
students to come to the event whenever they like. StraderGarcia said that she wants students to feel like they can express whatever they want with no pressure. Strader-Garcia said she meditates every morning and in-between counseling sessions with students. “It (meditating) helps me be more present with the person that’s in front of me,” StraderGarcia said. “I think that’s so important because I think the biggest gift we can give people is our time.” Design studies junior Azucena Nieto-Vera has been attending this event for two weeks and said that Dr. Sarah Strader-Garcia it has helped her Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and get out of her dorm Registered Expressive Art Therapist and become more comfortable in San José. Strader-Garcia said that After learning about the expressive art therapy uses the event through an email, Nietoright side of your brain, which Vera said she wanted to see is the creative-side of the brain, what things she hadn’t tried on so it can bring you into a deeper campus before. knowledge of yourself and give “If I were to just walk to you a new perspective on daily class I see buildings but they struggles. feel very closed off,” Nieto-Vera “I think for a lot of students said. “But now, I know what it it’s a great first step to know looks like in here and I know ‘Oh I’m a counselor and I’m not what is in here.” scary’,” said Strader-Garcia. Strader-Garcia said events This event is considered a like these can help with stress drop in event, which allows relief among students, in hopes drop-in
It (meditating) helps me be more present with the person that’s in front of me.
that they walk away feeling calmer and rejuvenated. “We’re (always) going from one place to another and it’s really important to slow down and we’re not taught that,” Strader-Garcia said. Research has shown that eight in 10 college students experience frequent periods of stress and 61% of college students have sought counseling for anxiety, depression, academic performance, family issues and relationship problems, according to The American Institute of Stress. After attending “Mindful Mondays”, Nieto-Vera said she was flooded with even more resources. “Before this, I was too scared to come in,” Nieto-Vera said. “Now it’s like I don’t feel as burdened by the need to come in and use the resources they have.”
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NEWS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024
SJSU students draw and protest 2
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3 #1: Pro-Palestinian protesters from both Stanford and other outside groups gather in the White Memorial Plaza to chant, “The bombs are dropping and they’re not stopping. If they can't sleep, then we don’t rest. Stanford, Stanford, you must divest. Stanford, Stanford, your hands are red. Guilty, guilty, too many dead. Stanford, Stanford you must divest. And if you don’t then we won’t rest.” #2: A volunteer from SJSU Students for Justice in Palestine draws on a poster to prepare for a protest against Stanford’s lack of action to promote a safe space for Palestinian students.
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#3: Four volunteers with SJSU SJP help to draw letters on a banner to spell, “HANDS OFF RAFAH.” Multiple Israeli strikes struck Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip, on Monday, according to an article published on Monday from AP News. #4: “Jewish and Israeli students are afraid to be on campus and Stanford University's leadership is doing nothing about it,” said Simona, a counterprotester from the Bay Area who was videotaping Pro-Palestinian protesters on her phone. “Anti-Zionism is indeed antisemitism and (Students for Justice in Palestine) and their supporters (are) using Zionism as disguise for Jewish hatred.”
ALINA TA | SPARTAN DAILY
PHOTOS BY ALINA TA | SPARTAN DAILY
CLASSIFIEDS
SUDOKU PUZZLE Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.
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1. "Sesame Street" grouch 6. Gold-medal gymnast Korbut 10. Introduction to physics? 14. Like some quarters 15. Vintage autos 16. Bloodhound's clue 17. Cozy and comfortable 18. 50-and-over org. 19. Beef cut 20. It's sharp 23. Prefix with cure or cycle 24. ISP with Instant Messenger 25. Ill will 29. It's sharp 33. Pays out 35. Bauxite and galena 36. Dairy air? 37. Muse's instrument 38. Rightful 39. "So be it!" 40. Schnozz ender 41. Created a web site? 43. Imbue 45. It's sharp 48. Sometime 49. Savings acct. accrual
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They make up everything!
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JOKIN’ AROUND
50. "Give ___ rest!" 53. It's sharp 57. Magic African charm 60. Gas in glass 61. Publication for the World Wide Web 62. Australian gemstone 63. Grow weary 64. Garson of "Mrs. Miniver" fame 65. Southern roots 66. Oil of ____ 67. Impudent DOWN 1. Earth tone 2. Single-masted vessel 3. Express sympathy 4. On a 2-Down, perhaps 5. Fabled fox 6. Delphic seer 7. Jacob's first wife in Genesis 8. 1990s veep 9. Slander 10. Multitalented Rita 11. Part of a student's e-mail address 12. Male turkey 13. Dadaism founder Jean
SOLUTIONS
21. "Clumsy me!" 22. Pre-coll. exams 26. Groups of people 27. Some Siouan speakers 28. River through Lake Geneva 30. Denver-to-Chicago dir. 31. Bat and ball, for example 32. Three, in Cremona 33. Instant replay format 34. Traffic cone 38. Twosome 39. Second-largest continent (abbr.) 41. Diagnostic procedure 42. Be snoopy regarding 43. Give ___ mind 44. Spice seeds 46. Anheuser-Busch brand 47. Film star Poitier 51. Shadings 52. Imitative behavior 54. Trompe l'___ 55. "Sleepless in Seattle" director Ephron 56. Book after II Chronicles 57. Rapture 58. "___ Lazy River" 59. Bread spread
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D R U M F L A R E D A F T I O N A R A C E S O B E Y E X C I T E M E N T G E A R T I L L I S S T I L E T T O S E E G N U M O A S H O R T H A I R C U T G R E A T B O O T S A L A L U L L C A N O E A R N O I D R Z O N E D I D E A S B E E H I V E S O U N D O N E O T T S A P K I N G C R A B M O R A L E E M I T F L Y L O W O V E R D A L I O T O E S M O R K S M E E R O B O T A R T Y
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024
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ALBUM REVIEW
Usher’s new album doesn’t hit home By Maya Benmokhtar OPINION EDITOR
Sorry Usher, but your new album should be called “Going Home” instead of “Coming Home” because this album was not worth the eight year-long wait. Usher, an American singer and this year's Super Bowl halftime show performer released a new album called “Coming Home” on Friday. This was his newest release since 2016 and was highly anticipated by his fans as it's been a long time coming. His song “Nice & Slow” from the “My Way” album (1997) was his first No. 1 hit and his song “You Make Me Wanna” was his first Grammy nomination from that same album, selling seven million copies. He expanded his formula for success with his next release, “8701” (2001), which yielded two No. 1 singles, “U Got It Bad” and “U Remind Me,” which earned him two Grammys, according to an article by The New York Times. Throughout his career, Usher has showcased his versatility as an artist: blending R&B, pop, hip-hop and even dance influence in his music. He has consistently delivered chart-topping singles and albums that earned numerous awards throughout his music career. His number of Grammy awards and numerous Billboard Music Awards are to show for that. Despite not having any
ILLUSTRATION BY CIA CASTRO
recent album releases prior to 2016, Usher remains a highly-relevant artist and his past albums continued to be played everywhere.
Sorry Usher, but your new album should be called ‘Going Home’ instead of ‘Coming Home’ because this album was not worth the eight year-long wait. Maya Benmokhtar Opinion Editor
After all, he performed at the Super Bowl last Sunday — a big deal that shows how much weight his name still carries in the music industry.
album review “Coming Home” Rating:
His song “Love in This Club” lives in my head rent-free. One of my best shower performances is singing the chorus as loud as I
Artist: Usher Release Date: Feb. 11, 2024 Genre: [ r&b/soul, pop ]
ABOUT The Spartan Daily prides itself on being the San José State community’s top news source. New issues are published every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the academic year and online content updated daily. The Spartan Daily is written and published by San José State students as an expression of their First Amendment rights. Reader feedback may be submitted as letters to the editor or online comments.
humanly can over and over again,“I wanna make love in this club (Hey) / In this club (Hey).” Usher also performed this hit song for Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show and I was singing right along with him. However, when listening to his new album “Coming Home,” I didn't get the same excitement his music usually brings me. The song “Big” from his “Coming Home”
EDITORIAL STAFF EXECUTIVE EDITOR ALINA TA MANAGING EDITOR MELANY GUTIERREZ PRODUCTION EDITOR JULIA CHIE NEWS EDITOR ALEXIA FREDERICKSON A&E EDITOR AALIYAH ROMAN OPINION EDITOR MAYA BENMOKHTAR SPORTS EDITOR NAVIN KRISHNAN
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR MAT BEJARANO OUTREACH EDITOR CHRISTINE TRAN COPY EDITOR JOAQUIN DE LA TORRE PHOTO EDITOR PRATHAM GILL
album has a shockingly low 15,000 views on YouTube. For someone like Usher to have less than a hundred thousand or more views, it’s safe to say I am not the only one who was disappointed. Scrolling through the comments on the video, I noticed a handful of comments saying “It's okay, but I have heard way better from Usher,” and I 100% agree. Where is the Usher that makes me feel like a bad bitch who doesn't need a man by her side? Now, “Coming Home” makes me feel like I just ended my relationship and need to cry myself to sleep. If I had to pick one song from his new album as my favorite, it would have to be “Stone Cold Freak.” This is one of the songs from his new album that I feel reflects him as an artist. The track is catchy and sounds like the Usher we all know and love the most. I can see this song
STAFF WRITERS KAYA HENKES-POWER BRANDON NGUYEN MELISSA ALEJANDRES
being my new shower jam, singing into my hairbrush while swaying my hips from side to side. Out of the album's 20 tracks, there are only about three I can see myself potentially adding to my playlist other than “Stone Cold Freak.” Those are “I Am The Party,” “Please U” and “Standing Next to You.” One of the only things that saves this album from receiving a onestar rating is the fact that Usher’s voice is so soothing and he still has
On Thursday, February 8, the Spartan Daily published a front-page story with an incorrect headline and graphic. The university has not hired a new vice president for the Title IX Office. The Spartan Daily regrets these errors.
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Correction
PRODUCTION CHIEF MIKE CORPOS NEWS ADVISER RICHARD CRAIG
his vocals to account for. I do not doubt that Usher's talent, charisma and longevity in the industry have solidified his status as a music icon. Despite this album not being one of his personal bests, his contributions will continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
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CORRECTIONS POLICY The Spartan Daily corrects all significant errors that are brought to our attention. If you suspect we have made such an error, please send an email to spartandaily@gmail.com. EDITORIAL POLICY Columns are the opinion of individual writers and not that of the Spartan Daily. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.
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OPINION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024
Dogs do not belong on first dates Dylan Nichols COLUMNIST
You know you’re in the doghouse when your blind date greets you with two movie tickets, one for her, and the other for her Great Dane. After exchanging pleasantries I addressed the elephant in the room, or in this case, the Marmaduke-sized pooch. “Who’s your friend?” I asked. “This is Baxter,” Julia (not her real name) said. “He goes everywhere with me.” Now, dating in your 20s is hard enough. After many romantical trials and errors, I’ve discerned some major red flags to avoid. Firstly, going to the movies is never a good idea when you’re meeting someone for the first time. You end up awkwardly stuck, sitting next to a complete stranger for two hours whom you’re unable to chat with. From a male’s perspective, there’s also the unspoken hesitancy to attempt the ole, putting my arm around her shoulder as if I was stretching routine. Either way, avoid any first dates that involve going to the movies. After fully comprehending that Julia was serious about Baxter’s accompaniment to see “John Wick: Chapter 4,” with us, we walked toward the ticket booth. Once I bought my ticket, we headed into the movie theater. Before we were granted entry, Julia instigated an argument with the minimum-wage ticcket--rip -ripping, g, theater th heater er earning,, ticket-ripping,
GRAPHIC BY MAYA BENMOKHTAR
employee who was merely trying to do his job. He forbade Baxter’s entry into the theater, as it was a part of their policy. After a five-minute argument, lines of impatientlooking people queued behind us and an additional dispute with the theater’s manager, Julia managed to get us in, Baxter included. Finally, we found our seats and the movie started. I had hoped my troubles were over. Little did I know they had just begun. About 10 minutes into the movie, I boldly tried the armaround-the shoulder yawning maneuver. I knew my advances were swiftly denied when I heard a sudden, low-pitched gro owl from m Baxter, B er, not n Ju ulia. ulia growl Julia.
Baxter’s bared teeth and snarling growl were enough warning for me to back off. So there I was, sitting next to a beautiful woman, unable to make my move because of Baxter the cock-blocking Great Dane. Not to mention “John Wick: Chapter 4,” is almost three hours long. I had to think of a way to outsmart Baxter so he’d quit hounding me. “Perhaps I could subtly hold her hand without Baxter the bodyguard noticing . . . ” I thought to myself. Alas, my attempts were thwarted again. Except this time, Baxter popped up, barked and nearly gave me a heart attack. Although it would've been n to sneakily sneakkily hold hold Julia’s Ju s nice
hand, I decided it wasn’t worth losing mine. Feeling daunted and defeated after two failed flirtatious attempts, I counted my losses, placed my hands out of Baxter’s reach and watched the movie. All the while, his baleful gaze kept a close watch on me, like a chew toy ready for shredding. When the movie finally ended and we started heading home, I couldn't have been more relieved. Our date had not gone as well as I’d expected it to, but all my fingers were accounted for, so I couldn’t complain. Before dropping Julia off, we parked in front of her place, with Baxter in the back seat, I stupidly thought a third-timesthe-charm advance at romance mi justt prevail vaill. I was w sorely ly might prevail.
mistaken. “If I were to quickly try and kiss you goodbye, would Baxter attack me?” I asked, in hopes that she might suggest exiting the vehicle as an alternative smooching solution. “Yes,” Julia firmly replied. “That’s what he’s trained to do.” So, dear readers, although dating in your 20s can be hurtful and hard, I guarantee you that it’s not as hard as Baxter’s bite. Tune in next week as I continue my ill-fated search for love. Spoiler alert: it involves the Heimlich maneuver.
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Dating in this generation is a waste of time Aaliyah Roman A&E EDITOR
If you’re looking to keep your heart intact and away from heartbreak, stay far away from dating in today’s generation. As a woman in her 20s, I can confidently say that everyone at this point-in-time is either just looking to hook-up or to find the next someone to fill the void in their hearts. I swear, if I have to tell my mom that another man has “ghosted” me, I will lose it. My mom didn’t even know what ghosting meant when I first brought it up to her. I had to explain to her that it’s when someone you’re dating cuts contact with you out of nowhere and without a reason. Do you know why my mom didn’t know what ghosting was? It’s because no one ever did that in her generation. People were at least upfront if they didn’t like you. Nowadays, people are too comfortable behind their little screens and think a simple “block” button will do the trick and they never have to worry about a person again. Back then, people were never even “talking” either. Like, what does that even mean? It sounds ridiculous whenever I have to tell my friends that I’m talking to a guy. Talking about what? People are so scared to actually admit they have feelings
for someone that they can’t even admit they are dating someone. Instead, they call it talking. The phrases we use to describe the different phases of dating absolutely bewilders me. People are just making up phrases at this point. It all leads back to a very strong and powerful phrase: “hurt people hurt people.” This generation is stuck in a never-ending cycle. It starts with one person hurting another person for whatever reason, then that other person is traumatized, doesn’t believe in love anymore, and therefore puts that pain onto someone else. This generation doesn’t emphasize the importance of healing. We’re all stuck trying to distract ourselves and move on from one person to another. When I go out clubbing, it saddens me to see that people would rather look for someone to hook up with than simply go out and have a good time with their besties. It saddens me to hear that the term “simp” has this negative connotation to it. According to an article by CNN Health, “a simp describes a person that does way too much for the person you like.” Basically, if you actually have strong feelings and care for someone, you’re dumb for it. This generation has put too much of a tough front: that they’re too cool to have emotions and I hate it. I miss the old days – How people weren’t afraid to love each other loudly and show it. Men used to do everything in their power to get the girl they liked to like them back.
Are we okay???
read
GRAPHIC BY MELANY GUTIERREZ
They would consistently buy them flowers, shower them with gifts, open doors for them, compliment them and much more. Now, it isn’t even common for boyfriends to open the car door for their girlfriends, let alone be consistent in relationships. I swear, the first time a guy opened a car door for me on a date I was astonished. In my head, I’m telling myself “Girl, that was the bare minimum!” I can’t blame some guys though, because some girls can be absolute heartbreakers. I’ve heard stories of girls not even being interested in the guy they’re dating, yet continuing to lead them on because they like the attention. Of course, a guy is going to stop showering girls with love
and affection after that, because they put in effort for someone they thought liked them back. What’s my theory on the girl? She probably misses her ex-boyfriend and is seeking that attention from other guys. Again, no one is upfront and it’s neither the boys nor the girls to blame. It’s the generation as a whole. People don’t believe in doing what’s right anymore, because they’re acting from a place of hurt. We need to start focusing on the healing process instead of running away from the pain caused by our past relationships. I understand that might be hard for some people to do because the easiest thing to do is distract yourself. I mean – who wants to feel sad? No one.
However, neglecting your emotions is far more detrimental to your mental health in the long run. Might I add that if we’re thinking long-term, you would want a healthy relationship with your partner – free from any past trauma – right? So for your own sake, and future partner’s sake, learn to grieve and accept the ending of things. That will always lead to something better. That way, the cycle of hurting one another stops and we can resume the old-school love our parents experienced when they were younger.
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