University of California, Santa Barbara || Volume XIII, Issue VII || Nov. 14, 2018 || BottomLineUCSB.com
NEWS
FEATURES
OPINIONS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
SCIENCE & TECH
PHOTO
VIDEO
International Food Fest 2018 FEATURES
Page 5
Photo by Paul Ruiz | Staff Photographer
Local Plants: Why They’re Important TBL takes a nature walk through campus and Isla Vista, showcasing local biodiversity and it’s significance to our native environment.
S&T
Page 6
Bluegrass with the Salt Martians American-roots bluegrass band The Salt Martians entertained students Wednesday afternoon at the UCSB Music Bowl.
A&E
Page 9
TBL | Nov. 14, 2018
2 | NEWS
Student Body to Have Vacant EVPSA Position of EVPSA to Remain Vacant Until Spring 2019
With the fall 2018 Special Election having come to a close, the UC Santa Barbara student body will not have an External Vice President for Statewide Affairs (EVPSA) until the spring 2019 Associated Students Elections, with A.S. Senate, A.S. Elections Board, and the EVPSA office mobilizing to address the vacancy. According to EVPSA Campus Organizing Director Alexandra Gessesse, the most pressing consequence of the vacancy is the disappearance of “a student representing our larger campus’ need” on issues such as rent control, tuition rollback, and police force both on and off campus. During Senate’s public forum this week, Elections Board Chairs John Paul Renteria and Davis Quan stated that the Board will be discussing the possibility of another EVPSA special election during the fourth week of winter quarter 2019. However, Gessesse said “by the time that election is over, spring elections would start, giving the newly elected EVPSA maybe an eight to 10 week term in total. While it might sound better to have a short-termed one than not one at all, it would only cause more chaos in our office.” Madeline Loudon, a third year history of public policy ma-
jor and runner up of the spring 2018 A.S. Elections, ran as the sole uncontested candidate during this fall special election. The final voter turnout of the Fall special election was 10.55 percent, six percent shy of the required 16 percent needed to validate the results. According to Quan, the Board came to the 16 percent number by averaging past voter turnout and “consulting sources to confirm that the threshold was at a good number.” “The students have done the most. The lack of voter turnout in this Special Election is not voter apathy, it is voter exhaustion,” said Gessesse in an email sent out to all A.S. Entities. Addressing the Chairs, Proxy Dhishal Jayasinghe proposed that Senate update A.S. Legal Code to provide for a “plan of recourse” in light of potential emergencies such as the EVPSA vacancy. Gessesse states that Senate has been “proactive and hands-on” in writing legislation that helps the EVPSA office get access to financial resources to continue operations. In fact, Senate passed a resolution on Friday, June 29 that split the duties and funds of the EVPSA amongst several individuals. Currently, the EVPSA office is working on the UCweVote campaign, which aims to register students to vote, provide voter education, and get out the vote on Election Day. They are also
TBL 2018-2019 STAFF Correction: In Volume 13 Issue 6, Zion Soloman was incorrectly referred to the pronouns she/hers instead of the preferred pronouns them/theirs in the article “Transgender Community Unites to Raise Visability and Protest Transphobic Legistalation.”
working on FundTheUC project, which focuses on tuition rollback. Additionally, the office is rekindling relationships with cultural organizations to further the Racial Justice Now and ACQUIRE campaigns to connect resources back into campus communities. Lastly, the office is working to address rent control at the statewide level. “We are having our next University of California Student Association (UCSA) Board Meeting this weekend at UC Merced, where we will be briefed on potential changes, updates, or improvements to legislation that the EVPSA would have been vocal for,” said Gessesse. Since there is no EVPSA, a team of representatives will be attending the meeting. “The three officers [in the EVPSA office will attend the Board meeting] with a legislative liaison, ACQUIRE Chair, RJN Chair, Campus Organizing Director, UndocuCoalition representatives, and two others,” said Gessesse. The representatives will try to stand in and advocate on legislation as the EVPSA would have. For now, Senate and the EVPSA office will continue to work together despite the EVPSA vacancy. However, the office will have to wage through much bureaucracy due to the lack of executive power.
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The students have done the most. The lack of voter turnout in this Special Election is not voter apathy, it is voter exhaustion - Alexandra Gessesse, EVPSA Campus Organizing Director
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MINH HUA Campus Beat Reporter
Opinions expressed in TBL do not necessarily represent those of the staff or UCSB. All submissions, questions or comments may be directed to editors@bottomlineucsb.com
Editor-in-Chief | Alex Yam
Features Editor | Victoria Penate
Multimedia Beat | Dominick Ojeda
Web Editor | Docean Park
Managing Editor | Mable Truong
Arts & Entertainment Editor | Addison Morris
Photo Editor | Juan Gonzalez
Layout Editor | Natalie Dye
Executive Content Editor| Lauren Marnel
Science & Tech Editor | Hannah Maerowitz
Campus Beat Reporter | Minh Hua
PAGES: 4, 5, 6
Shores
Opinions Editor | Jessica Gang
Isla Vista Beat Reporter | Alondra Sierra
Layout Editor | Chrissy Cho
Senior Copy Editor | Spencer Wu
Video Editor | Fabiola Esqueda
National Beat Reporter | Jacob Wong
PAGES: 7,8,9
Co-News Editor | Arturo Samaniego
Advertising Director | Tanya Gosselin
Copy Editor | Sheila Tran
Layout Editor | Vivianna Shields
Co-News Editor | Annette Ding
Marketing Director | Erica Kaplan
Copy Editor | McKinsey FIdellow
PAGES: 10,11,12
TBL | Nov. 14, 2018
3 | NEWS
Resistance and Resilience: Thousand Oaks Remembrance DOMINICK OJEDA Multimedia Beat Students and faculty of UCSB joined together in remembrance of friends and family lost to gun violence, this time for the lives lost at Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks. On Wednesday night, 12 people were shot and killed by Marine veteran Ian David Long. Some students from Thousand Oaks, which Niche rated the third safest city in America as of 2018, blame the lack of gun control as the cause of the shooting. After the 2014 shooting by Elliot Rogers, California legislators passed bill AS 1014 which regulates the sale and transfer of firearms. This bill also gives the right to law enforcement to enforce a temporary gun restraining order if a court finds it necessary to keep a gun from an individual at risk of harming others. “I can’t believe we’re here again,” said Chicano studies professor Ralph Armbruster Sandoval during the community gathering at the Multicultural Center (MCC) on Friday. While some attendees were in disbelief over the occurrence of another shooting, others already had their minds strained on the future. “How many more vigils will we have to participate in?” asked Diane Puente, Associated Students Isla Vista Community Advisor, further stating how tiring it can be to continue asking “who’s got the candles” in preparation for each vigil. One student, who chose to remain anonymous, said that they could not sleep since learning about the shooting. Another resident from Thousand Oaks, who chose to remain anonymous, brought in the larger issue of divisiveness in the United States at the root of this violence. “Going through this is creating a hard time to be happy,” said Taylor Jackson, MCC programming assistant and third year sociology and Middle East studies
double major. Jackson brought up how living as a person of color is additionally stressful and scary with respects to the issue of gun violence because it affects their community at exceptionally high rates. Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Margaret Klawunn, expressed that it feels as if we are living in a dystopia. In hopes of offering emotional aid for those affected by this tragedy, Multicultural Center Director Zaveeni Khan-Marcus said to those in attendance, “We cannot take away the pain, but we can sit with you.” At another vigil that evening at the Love and Remembrance garden in I.V., CAPS Director Brian Olowude advised, “Don’t feel like it’s a sign of weakness to reach out for help.” A mental health peer offered students and community members grief resources for themselves and friends and family that may need help. Also present at this vigil, Klawunn informed students of university resources to help with the fires, such as emergency funds and short stay housing. Leading the vigil attendants in singing “Imagine” by John Lennon, I.V. Board President Ethan Bertrand changed the lyrics to include the end of gun violence and hope for peace on Earth. Having spoken at the Pittsburgh shooting vigil at Storke tower last Wednesday, Rabbi Evan Goodman found himself speaking again under similar circumstances, saying “It’s time for us to say not one more.” A term used frequently after the 2014 shooting in Isla Vista. Anyone who is having a difficult time coping with the shooting is encouraged to reach out to friends, family, or CAPS. Anyone can call CAPS 24/7 at 805-8934411 or visit their office for an in person consultation.
Photo by Dominick Ojeda | Multimedia Beat Community members rally together to show their support for the 2016 election investigation; holding signs to protest Special Council investigator Robert Mueller
Yet Another Trump Protest, This Time in Downtown Santa Barbara DOMINICK OJEDA Multimedia Beat In response to the resignation of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General in the Trump administration, community members of Santa Barbara held a protest at De La Guerra Plaza on Thursday. As part of a national movement sponsored by MoveOn, members of the Santa Barbara Progressive Coalition and Indivisible SB gathered with other activists to show their support for the Mueller Russian investigation. CA had over 100 similar protests across the state, which was the most for that day in any state. Those who participated in these protests are fearful that the resignation of Jeff Sessions will invite Trump to appoint someone who will fire Robert Mueller and disband the FBI investigation of the 2016 election. The FBI started their investigation into the Trump campaign to determine if he or any of his associates were involved with Russian interference in the election. Although no collusion has been found, many people involved in the Trump campaign have been indicted by the FBI. Around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, protesters started their march
from De La Guerra to Anacapa street in Downtown Santa Barbara. Over 500 community members participated in the “86, 45” chant which refers to impeaching President Trump. 86 is often a term used to mean firing someone, while 45 refers to the Presidential number Trump holds. Protestors also chanted “No one is above the law,” and “Whitaker must recuse.” The interim Attorney General Matthew Whittaker is being urged by Democrats to recuse himself from the FBI investigation. This would be similar to the previous Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recused himself from the FBI probe. As the protesters marched down the block, many bystanders raised their fists in the air, honked their car horns, or joined in the the chants to show their support, with no signs of vocal opposition to the protest. Police officers blocked traffic throughout the protest route, yet the peaceful protest met no resistance from law enforcement or opposition parties. Ben Campbell, a fifth year triple major in computer science, philosophy, and classics, was one of the organizers with MoveOn for this event. After encouraging
the crowd to continue fighting after the march, Campbell spoke with The Bottom Line about how the progressive movement is not yet dead in America. According to Campbell, voting in candidates who encourage that message that “you matter, your vote matters” is essential for the progressive movement to rise in the U.S. government. Creating a strong community oriented grassroots movement is essential in sustaining the progressive movement, Campbell said. Community members Steven Lovelace and Tina Kerrigan spoke to The Bottom Line about how, as progressives, they are not yet defeated. “We are the majority,” Lovelace says. They also argue that the electoral college is to blame for the loss of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential race. Lovelace also stated that city voters are feeling discriminated against because of how the electoral votes are distributed between smaller and larger states. Campbell encourages anyone interested in changing the current political situation to volunteer at local political organizations hoping to enact change such as MoveOn and Indivisible.
4 | FEATURES
TBL | Nov. 14, 2018
Jill Hall Teaches Dog Training at
Bark Park JESSICA REINCKE
Isla Vista’s new dog park “Bark Park” opened last October and has been an amazing resource to local dog owners and their pups. One program that has helped community members appreciate the value of this new park is the free dog training being provided by the office of the External Vice President of Local Affairs (EVPLA). Last Saturday morning, community members came together with their dogs to learn from local dog trainer Jill Hall from Four on the Floor dog training. Regardless of dog training experience, Hall made sure that she taught at a pace where each team could learn something new and improve by the end of the session. While Hall normally does private dog trainings, where she consistently meets with owners and their dogs, she agreed to this more informal style of training because of her dedication to the Isla Vista community. “If you take five things away from what I’m teaching that day and even if you don’t come back,” Hall explains, “then I’ve still done something and impacted the community in some way.” Hall believes with Isla Vista becoming an increasingly dog friendly community, it is neces-
sary for residents to have access to dog training programs.
“So many people get a dog and they have never had a dog so they don’t know where to start,” Hall said. She believes that the key to creating a safe community for dogs, their owners, and other residents is education through training. Thus, providing access to a training program is huge. Community members like Jenna Warner, a Santa Barbara City College business economics major, also recognize the importance of dog training as Isla Vista gains more dog owning residents. “There’s a log of high energy dogs that live in Isla Vista and giving them a way to safely release all that energy is really important and benefits everyone,” she stated. Warner has been bringing her 10 month old pitbull-husky mix, Bailey, to these trainings for two weeks and is already impressed with the changes she has seen in her relationship with her pet. Warner said, “it gave me the tools to really establish the respect and trust you need to have a really well trained dog.” While coming to all of the provided dog training sessions is recommended in order to achieve the best results possible, it is not necessary in order for
owners to see changes. Warner said, “Even if your dog is really well trained or has no training at all, there is something for everyone to get out of it.” Community members are encouraged to bring their dogs to this weekly Sunday service and gain as much dog training knowledge as possible before the sessions are over. Jill states that in addition to the importance of making dogs in the community comfortable, it is also important for owners to “feel good and empowered about training their dogs.” Though some may be concerned that the increase in Isla Vista’s dog population could come with an increase in dangerous dog behavior, such as excited lunging or barking at strangers, residents can feel at ease knowing that owners have access to proactive training resources. Jill’s dedication and the hard work that dog owners put in these training sessions demonstrates the value being placed in making sure that Isla Vista remains safe for everyone and how free dog training can benefit not only dog owners but also all community members. Thanks to these combined efforts, Isla Vista is able to become more dog friendly without sacrificing anyone’s peace of mind.
Illustration by Natalie Dye | Layout Editor
5 | FEATURES
TBL | Nov. 14, 2018
International Food Fest Gives Students a Taste for Travel
Photos by Paul Ruiz | Staff Photographer Tofu skewers from the Taiwanese American Student Association.
ANNIE HUANG The annual International Food Fest occurred on Thursday, Nov. 8 in front of the Student Resource Building. Various clubs participated by setting up food stands with cuisine from their respective cultures as a way to promote International Education Week. Reminiscent of the traditional street food stands encountered in countries such as China, Thailand, and Mexico, many UCSB students were drawn to this event out of nostalgia and curiosity. The participating clubs of this year included Education Abroad Program, Indus, International Students Association, Chinese Student & Scholars Association, Taiwanese Student Association, and Southeast Asian Student Union. Only an hour after the event had begun, the Indus booth had
already sold out of its samosas, a popular fried snack in regions across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Africa. Likewise, the International Students Association booth had sold out of their milk teas, a popular drink from Taiwan that blends freshly brewed black or green tea with a dash of cream. Luckily, they were still stocked on their steamed dumplings, a favorite appetizer among people in China as well as many others across the world, who have their own variations. One of the people in charge of the International Student Association booth was Erika Shinoda, a second year communication major who was also part of the Japanese Student Association and International Student Advising Board. According to Shinoda, events such as the International Food Fest not only allow UCSB students to experience the cultures outside of their
own, but also give international students from foreign exchange or transfer
programs experiences that make them feel more at home at UCSB. In a nearby booth, the Taiwanese Student Association sold scallion pancakes, a fried dish made of flatbread and green onions originating from China but equally as popular in Taiwan. In fact, it seemed quite popular
among the UCSB students as well, as the savory smell and the constant sizzles of the pancakes hitting the hot pan
drew in many interested customers. Another booth that attracted customers with the scent of spices was the Southeast Asian Union selling Thai curry. As stated by Miso Jang, a fourth year sociology and Asian American studies major minoring in education, curry is a food that encompasses many different cultures because of all the different ways one can prepare it. Despite its origins in the Indian subcontinent, it is also popular within Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Africa, the West Indies, and even the United Kingdom. The purpose of the Southeast Asian Union is to promote the visibility and voices of Southeast Asians such as Thai, Laos, and Cambodian students, which tend to be underrepresented in Asian American culture. International Education Week, created by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education, drives students to broaden their experiences as global students of the world. All cultures are encouraged to be celebrated as often as desired in order to prepare future leaders for study abroad and exchange experiences.
Top: A rice and curry dish from Japanese Student Association. Bottom: A rice and curry plate from the Southeast Asian Club.
6 | SCIENCE & TECH
Campus Plants: Hist HANNAH MAEROWITZ Science & Tech Editor
With classes that educate students about biodiversity to the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER), UCSB has proven that it values biodiversity. Even going so far as to uproot invasive species, the university prioritizes native plants in its landscaping. The Santa Barbara area has a Mediterranean-like climate featuring warm and dry summers and cool and wet winters. This climate is conducive to growing a variety of cacti, tree, and flower varieties, which supports the goals of supporting biodiversity and facilitating native plant growth.
cycad Cycads are a part of an ancient group of plants that have now become endangered, although they are still present in some public and private gardens throughout the world.
Birds of P
Birds of paradise are native to South Afr spring. They are commonly used in lands
prickl
Prickly pear cacti are native to Southern Calif medicine and are eve
TBL | Nov. 7, 2018
tory and Relevance
Paradise
rica and bloom during the fall, winter, and scaping due to their ornamental flowers.
ly pear
fornia and Mexico and are commonly used in en prepared as food.
Photos by Juan Gonzalez | Print Photo Editor
iceplants Iceplant (carpobrotus edulis) is native to the coasts of South Africa, which has a similar coastal environment to coastal California. It was introduced to California as an erosion stabilization tool for railroad tracks. However, it spreads easily, which has resulted in it shifting from being functional to being invasive.
Flame vine Pyrostegia venusta, colloquially known as “flame vine,� is fast growing and can be coaxed to grow in different shapes and formations if it is positioned on fences, gates, etc. Due to its rapid growth, it has become invasive in California.
8 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TBL | Nov. 14, 2018
Illustration by Shiloh Kluding | Staff Illustrator
ME TOO MOVEMENT FOUNDER EDUCATES AT UCSB CARMIYA BASKIN Staff Writer Crowds of people filtered into Campbell Hall on Monday night to hear Tarana Burke, the founder of the “me too” movement, share her journey as a community organizer and speak about the evolution of her campaign. The talk, presented in association with the UCSB Feminist Studies and Black Studies departments, started off with an Arts & Lectures staff member introducing Burke and ended with a question and answer session. Burke is a social justice activist and the senior director at Girls for Gender Equity (GGE), a grassroots organization that promotes the well-being of women and girls. A survivor herself, she created the “me too” campaign in 2006 at her youth organization, Just Be Inc., which seeks to help young women of color who have survived sexual assault and abuse. Actress Alyssa Milano, via a Twitter post, amplified the term “me too” in the wake of the sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein. The expression has since gained traction and popularity in the media, garnering a
Wikipedia page and a new website. A standing ovation greeted Burke as she walked onto the stage with grace and comfort. During her empowering and educating speech, Burke pointed out that the movement is a rallying cry for people everywhere who have survived sexual assault and harassment. Originally from the Bronx and hailing from an average working class family, Burke noted that her ability to identify injustice was sharp from a young age. She encountered instances of sexual violence early in life but she believed she could not produce real change. However, when she was a teenager, she joined 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement, a group dedicated to inspiring the younger generation to be community leaders. “I had an adult saying to me, ‘You have power now,’” Burke recalled. At 21st Century, she said the heart of her work was through a program called “Sister to Sister, Brother to Brother,” which provided a space for brown and black adolescents to discuss their lives and exist safely. At least one
person every year shared an experience of sexual violence, Burke noted. Later on in 2003, Burke cofounded Just Be Inc. and sought out resources to help survivors, including herself. When she approached the South Alabama Rape Crisis Center, which was next to a halfway house, she said that the woman cracked open the door and stated, “We don’t take walk-ins.” After the gasps and murmurs from the audience had quieted, Burke announced that this was the moment when the “me too” movement was born. She said, “‘me too’ was about this deep empathy I felt about these young people, these girls, these children.” Of survivors Burke said, “They need someone to speak healing into their lives. They need to be seen, they need to be heard, they need to be believed.” The “me too” movement spread by word-of-mouth and through workshops with the young participants. In 2006, Burke said she created a MySpace page for the movement as a way to communicate with folks around the country. Although the website was originally started for
the kids, adult survivors contacted Burke to thank her for starting the campaign — this outreach led her to realize that the needs of survivors, including herself, did not change even as the people grew older. Furthermore, Burke stated, “the people most affected need to be at the center of the work.” The “Me too” movement started organically and expanded; the only difference between then and now, she noted, is that people did not care back then. She said she is not surprised by the statistics surrounding sexual violence but rather by the sustained national dialogue on the matter. That being said, she mentioned that the #MeToo hashtag has become a reaction to a movement rather than a persevering movement itself. Towards the end of her talk, Burke read the UCSB Vision and Mission Statement and, although she expressed her appreciation for it, she challenged it. In the context of sustainability, she questioned how the administration is handling sexual violence on campus saying, “Students, the solution should be built around you.” She additionally highlighted the Kavanaugh hearings saying, “we
need to lay our burdens down at the feet of the people who deserve to take responsibility.” Amid exasperated jokes about the Trump administration and witty comments about Black culture, Burke encouraged the audience to talk about the movement differently and not to become distracted by the noise in the media. She said, “the ‘me too’ movement is a people’s movement, a survivors’ movement… If you claim it, it is yours.” She emphasized that individuals define what healing looks like to them and that “it is possible, it is a life-long journey, and there are a myriad of ways to get there.” She asserted that individuals have a moral imperative to help and support one another. In order to affect positive change, people must show the ones in power what leadership looks like. Right before a standing ovation and cheers from the audience, Burke concluded her speech by saying, “if you’re willing to do that work, I can only leave you with these two words: me too.”
9 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TBL | Nov. 14, 2018
Bluegrass with the Salt Martians ADDISON MORRIS Arts & Entertainment Editor Every Wednesday at noon, the Multicultural Center and the Ethnomusicology Program in the Music Department host a different musical group to play in the UCSB Music Bowl as part of their World Music Series. Last Wednesday, the Salt Martians, a Santa Barbara-based band, entertained students, staff, and other attendees with their tasteful and otherworldly bluegrass tunes. With Ken Gaston on guitar, Doug Toews on mandolin, Tim Mullins on banjo and dobro, and Aaron Douglas on string bass, the Salt Martians produced their American-roots bluegrass by combining bona fide instrumentals with great vocals. In fact, all the members both sang and played an instrument. Plucking and trilling, the four old men started right off on Wednesday, playing fun country jingles that entertained awaiting audiences and even attracted initially uninterested passersby. Second year environmental studies major Cambria Wilson told TBL, “I was just walking by and saw this. I didn’t know we had it; it’s so cute. My grandpa listens to stuff like this.” Indeed, the band’s nostalgia factor undoubtedly charmed the crowd. Rose-tinted sensations like “Lord Won’t You Help Me,” “Please Don’t Break My Heart,” and “Cheyenne” reminded older listeners of the good ol’ times, providing a present moment of idyllic elation. However, younger listeners could get down to the cheery songs as well. Many students showed up to do their homework in the carefree environment, using the band’s exuberance to fuel energy for their studies. What’s more, the band did
not just play renditions of other artists’ songs; they also played some of their own. One member cleverly and proudly announced that he wrote all of the lyrics for one of their numbers. Only once the song ended did the audience realize his wit — the song was purely instrumental. Moreover, the band’s ability to play live music, completely unaided by mixing boards or enabling technology — aside from their classic instruments — appealed to many young listeners who felt tired with the overedited, inauthentic mixtapes of today. Second year communications major Dalia van Zyll said, “I don’t often listen to bluegrass, but I love any music made with real instruments, not computers.” It seemed that across the board, from the old to the very young (some parents even brought their small children to campus for the event), The Salt Martians were a sensation. Combining country bluegrass with California sun, a live performance with real instruments, and current excitement with old tunes — all while handing out Hershey’s candies — The Salt Martians and their MCC and Music Department hosts truly exemplified the Reese’s slogan: ‘two great tastes that taste great together’. All in all, the MCC and Music Department’s World Music Series is a wonderful addition to UCSB’s lineup of weekly events. Showcasing local artists who specialize in diverse regional genres, the performances expose students and other attendees to new musical flavors from both close at home and all over the world. Today’s show spotlights the UCSB Gamelan Ensemble while next week’s features the UCSB Gospel Choir. Simply stop by the Music Bowl at noon to check them out.
From left to right, Doug Toews on mandolin, Tim Mullins on banjo, Aaron Douglas on string bass, and Ken Gaston on guitar cheerfully strum away.
The Salt Martians played for a small but enthusiastic gathering in UCSB’s Music Bowl.
Photos by Addison Morris | Arts & Entertainment Editor
10 | OPINIONS
TBL | Nov. 14, 2018
Talking to Parents about Politics TOMAS PALPALLATOC Staff Writer For the last few years politics has become increasingly polarized, with activists on both extremes of the political spectrum. With the ideological gap between the two main parties widening, many issues lead to disagreements between family and friends alike. This is especially true with issues such as Donald Trump’s presidency, gun control, climate change, abortion, and immigration. With Thanksgiving coming up, many college students will have to face the inevitable awkwardness of conversations on politics with their parents and extended family. Statistically, most millenials and members of Generation Z will lean Democratic. Their parents, however, who are most likely Generation X or Baby Boomers, will lean Republican. Of course this means that there are bound to be passionate conversations over the dinner table, but oftentimes these turn into shouting matches over who can proclaim their beliefs loudest. These kitchen table arguments are a microcosm of what politics seems to be lately. After all, people are likely to refute views that disagree with theirs even if they are backed objectively by facts. In this type of situation, nothing gets solved. The truth is that no matter how passionately you feel about a topic or solution, the answer, like most things, lies somewhere in the middle. So instead of spending all your energy trying to refute the other side, take a moment to listen and consider an opposing view. I am lucky enough to be on the same side of the political spectrum as my mom, but that doesn’t mean we never get into disagree-
ments over politics. But what I treasure about our relationship is that we don’t tear each other apart over them. Politics is a topic that affects all of us. Your parents are one of the main links between the voices of two generations, and keeping that dialogue is important. My message to those who are not as lucky as I am is to simply be loving. Informing yourself on politics requires a certain degree of humility. Sometimes it means admitting you’re wrong, but that’s never a bad thing. It means that you’ve opened yourself up to ideas and improved your own. There is no bad political stance, there is only more and less informed. Your parents might disagree with you on certain topics, and maybe are even less informed than you. That doesn’t necessarily discredit their opinions. We like to think that the only true “fake news” comes in the form of “Fox & Friends,” but in reality, sensationalist and biased reporting has always and will always exist everywhere. When our beliefs are reaffirmed by everyone and everything around us, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that you cannot be wrong. Do not fall in that trap if you want to become a true political activist. Spreading your beliefs with no backing or reasoning is worse than doing nothing at all. No matter what your parents’ political alignment or knowledge is, they are still the people that raised you and loved you. Politics shouldn’t define a person; it is simply a piece of us, not our personality. If they are not willing to be as magnanimous, then there’s nothing you can do. But for those who can, don’t push away the people close to you just because you don’t mark the same boxes on a voting ballot.
Image Courtesy of Liftarn | Good Free Photos
11 | OPINIONS
TBL | Nov. 14, 2018
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SYSTEM NEEDS
Affirmative Action
Illustration by Annette Ding | Co-News Editor
JESSICA GANG Opinions Editor Over the past few weeks, the court case SFFA v. Harvard has dominated national headlines and forced the issue of admissions-based affirmative action back into the spotlight. The plaintiff in the case is Students for Fair Admissions, a coalition of Asian-American students organized by conservative legal strategist Edward Blum. SFFA’s lawsuit alleges that Harvard’s policy of race-based admissions decisions has unfairly discriminated against Asian-American students, and the group demands that Harvard (and all universities) no longer consider race in their admissions processes. The case, which is predicted to eventually make its way to the Supreme Court, is widely expected to determine the future of affirmative action at universities. At UCSB, the university’s policy in regards to race-based admissions falls in line with that of the University of California as a whole. While federal law dictates that schools are allowed to use race as a factor when making admissions decisions, the UC system is currently unable to formally practice affirmative
action because it must follow Proposition 209, a California state law. Proposition 209 forbids institutions in California from considering race, ethnicity, or gender in public education, amongst other sectors. When the law was first enacted in 1998, African-American and Latinx enrollment plunged at UC schools, particularly at UC Berkeley and UCLA, the two flagship schools of the UC system. However, over the past few years African-American and Latinx enrollment has reached pre-Prop 209 levels, helped in large part by aggressive efforts to boost outreach at low-income schools in California, which are primarily populated by African-American and Latinx students. Yet, UC schools are still struggling to find a way to effectively increase diversity across campuses while still ostensibly refraining from making admissions decisions based on students’ race or gender. The University of California was founded primarily to serve California residents, and even 50 years later, this should be one of its main priorities. UC schools have a duty to ensure that minorities are represented across all of
the UC’s nine campuses, and currently, more than half of all graduated high school seniors in California are Latinx or African-American. But during the last state review (admittedly conducted in 2008) only six percent of African-American and sevent percent of Latinx students were eligible for UC admission based on test scores, completion of college-prep courses, and GPA. Over the past two decades, the UC system has spent almost half a billion dollars on efforts to diversify their student body through race-blind programs, which range from educational outreach to training at low-income schools. In spite of the extensive (and much needed) work that the UC system has been doing in low-income schools, there is no way to guarantee that racial diversity is being achieved through these methods. UC President Janet Napolitano has previously stated that the UC system’s inability to practice affirmative action in the open “has made it impossible to create a student body with an appropriate ethnic and racial balance.” The UC system has lobbied to repeal Proposition 209, with little success.
But the situation has been complicated by the fact that in the two decades since Proposition 209 was signed into law, another demographic that has begun to thrive at UC schools: international students. In fall 2018, the majority of international students admitted to UC Berkeley were from China - 2,448 students in total. For comparison, India (the second most popular country of origin for international students) had only 631 admits. Chinese international students boast extremely impressive academic achievements, and pay an almost unfathomable amount of tuition. In their own way, they also bring a much-needed boost of diversity to campus. These are the people, SFFA argues, that are most negatively impacted when universities choose to consider race in admissions decisions — people who consistently demonstrate high academic achievement, but risk being rejected in favor of minority students with more average statistics. But it’s important to realize that affirmative action isn’t meant to discriminate against those with high test scores, it’s meant to allow members of all different ethnicities to have
an equal opportunity to study at world-class institutions. Asians and Asian-American students are not the enemy of African-American and Latinx students. The only real enemy students have to face is the systematic racial inequality that has plagued the United States for decades. The UC system has to strike a balance between catering to California residents and upholding its reputation as the best public school system in the world, and practicing affirmative action guarantees that every high school student has the same chance at admission. In an ideal world, every university would be equally diverse, while still servicing the brightest minds possible. Unfortunately, the long history of socioeconomic inequality in the US means that this goal is currently not feasible. However, instituting a formalized system of affirmative action brings the UC system one step closer to making this dream a reality.
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TBL | Nov. 14, 2018
Modern Man Photos by Soraya Lugo | The Bottom Line
The up-and-coming band, The Modern Man performed at UCSB’s Storke Tower on Thursday at noon. The young band incorporated rock and alternative sounds into their own upbeat style. Students gathered on the stairs to enjoy their music between classes, and for a lunch break. The band gave smiles and free pins to students after their show, hoping they gained some new followers.
Students were drawn to The Modern Man’s performance with the band’s high energy.
Vocalist Christian Sullivan gave a passionate performance during Thursday’s show.
Nick Joun plays the last song of their set with their well-known flower headbands on.
Bassist Michael Ruiz grooves while playing the guitar.