Spring 2020, Issue 4 by The Bottom Line (UCSB)

APRIL 29, 2020

VOLUME XIV, ISSUE XXI

CUT SHORT

BottomLineUCSB.com @tbl.ucsb @tblucsb

n April 1, UC Santa Barbara’s (UCSB) Department of Undergraduate Education and Academic Advising division sent out an email notifying students that undergraduate departments could “opt-in” to a policy allowing students to take their major classes as pass/no pass (P/NP). On April 17, the deadline for departments to choose to opt-in to the pass/no pass system expired. Several prestigious universities includingUC Berkeley, Columbia, and Yale have adopted the universal pass/no pass system, which makes all undergraduate classes, regardless of major, available as pass/no pass. While schools typically restrict pass/ no pass units to only a fraction of total units accumulated, some administrative boards have assessed the current pandemic as an exception to this regulation. “The campus has faced tremendous challenges in light of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said UC Berkeley’s administration in an email sent out to students on March 20. “Guiding the decision making has been the principle of prioritizing the health and wellbeing of the community.” UCSB’s administration chose to leave the P/NP grading option up to each department. Departments that chose to optin include the mathematics, psychological &amp; brain sciences, and history of art and architecture departments. At face value, establishing a universal pass/no pass system seems to be an overreaction to circumstances that supposedly only require students to stay inside. But, the effects of COVID-19 on the student population are not confined to the vague inconveniences of quarantine. With the shutdown of most on-campus operations as well as businesses in Isla Vista, many students have found themselves out of jobs. Many students depend on their wages from these jobs to pay rent, subsidize tuition, and buy basic necessities like groceries and textbooks. Some of these students also do not qualify

2 | OPINIONS

for any governmental help if they are claimed as dependents by their parents, making their living situations even more stressful. Some students also lack the advantage of a stable learning environment. Students staying in Isla Vista may live with multiple people, some of which may or not fully adhere to the conditions of the stay-at-home order and jeopardize their other housemates. Some students living at home live in small apartments with little Internet access or a lack of quiet space. People have also witnessed an incline in domestic violence cases during the stay-at-home order; for school administrators to not consider how potentially dangerous a student’s home life may be is extremely irresponsible. Additionally, redesigning a traditional class as an online course does not always translate smoothly. Not everyone is an autodidact; online school is not always feasible, especially when considering students with learning differences and other unusual circumstances. Some professors have restructured their courses while taking the varying privileges of each student into account. Yet even with the awareness that some professors have towards the advantages — or lack thereof — that their students have, others fail to recognize that the pandemic has made it increasingly difficult for students to perform at their highest potential. Students have rallied against departments deciding to opt-out of the pass/no pass system with waves of concerned emails, most of which have been met with the same negation. Recently, secondyear economics student Hao Nguyen drafted a _petition for the economics department to opt into the pass/no pass system. At the time of writing this article, the petition had 741 signatures. “When asked about their decision, the department chair claimed that ‘it is not possible’ to take courses in the major as P/NP, offering no further explanation even though this is clearly not the case,” said Nguyen in the petition’s description.

“We are asking collectively that UC Santa Barbara's economics and economics and accounting department optin to the P/NP waiver for the spring 2020 quarter [to] offer fair grading treatment to all the departments on campus, to reduce some of the stresses placed on economics students, [and to] keep economics students' GPA competitive and give them a fighting chance in the job market against the other 22M unemployed people who have experience.” By adopting a universal pass/ no pass system, UCSB would demonstrate awareness towards the nuanced ways in which COVID-19 impacts their students. The pandemic hasn’t simply forced us to stay inside; students may struggle learning material independently or need to fight for their own livelihoods during this time. The virus is not the only assailant in this crisis; a universal pass/no pass system would create a level playing field.

Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor Illustration by Alyssa Long | Art

Director

GRADING All UCSB Academic Departments Should Allow Pass/No Pass Grading LAUREN LUNA | Staff Writer

n April 22, the UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) Orientation Programs &amp; Parents Services announced on its website that the two-day freshman and one-day transfer orientations would be moved online. The Bottom Line spoke with Tricia Rascon, director of orientation programs, regarding the implications of this change. Rascon began the interview by speaking about the difficulties of moving online. “It was challenging at first for the orientation team to wrap our minds around the concept of going entirely online, and it was an

emotional decision as well.” Rascon knows how excited the orientation staff was for the summer, and it was disappointing to not be able to do this work on campus. “Once we made the final decision to move forward, the pieces started falling into place, and the staff has been incredibly positive. All of our sister UC campuses that have summer orientation sessions have made this change as well, so there is a network of support and ideasharing that is invaluable.” W h e n a s k e d about whether or not t h e

orientation program would have to hire more staff, Rascon said, “Fortunately, we will be able to run an online orientation program with the same number of student staff we originally hired and have been training since the start of spring quarter.” With the transition to online,

those without reliable technology may suffer. Rascon acknowledged this in her interview. “We understand that students may face obstacles in participating. We will have an alternative online orientation module for freshmen and transfer that will open after the live virtual sessions have finished. This module will be selfpaced, and students can return to it as many times as they need or want.” With orientation meetings, parents are not allowed in the room due to students’ rights to privacy as per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). “It is crucial that even in an online setting, where students are likely participating at home with family members nearby, their right to academic privacy is still being upheld,” said Rascon. Normally during inperson sessions, students on the orientation team weren’t able to take summer courses due to how inflexible their work schedules were. However, Rascon mentioned, “Now that we are moving online and session A classes will be remote learning, staffers have the ability to take courses that are offered asynchronously.” Rascon and her orientation team of administrators plan to be flexible with students and staff who cannot commit to the time period. “We will be flexible with students as they navigate participating online and maintaining commitments at home or managing technical difficulties. One positive thing about moving to an online program is that it provides

Digital Orientations UCSB Annouces Shift to Online Freshman and Transfer Orientation MADISON KIRKPATRICK | Campus Beat Reporter

opportunities for a student to connect with their 'O-Staffer' and ask for help or support.” The amount of student concern and backlash has been small, mentioned Rascon. “I understand that it’s still early in the process, however (our reservations system opens on May 15). As an orientation team, we are prepared to pivot and make changes based on student needs. We’re committed to giving students the best experience possible under these circumstances.”

Rascon ended the interview with some Gaucho pride and hope for the future. “As a former Gaucho myself, I know our campus community is special. While having to greet incoming students and their families virtually is not ideal, I’m confident that our team can still convey the spirit, energy, and academic excellence of UCSB that drew students to our campus.” Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor Illustration by Alyssa Long | Art Director

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 A & E Editor | Sheila Tran Science & Tech Editor | Xander Apicella Opinions Editor | Raymond Matthews Video Editor | Fabiola Esqueda, Arianna McDonald Photo Editor | Graeme Jackson Art Director | Alyssa Long Campus Beat Reporter | Madison Kirkpatrick

A.S. Beat Reporter | Kyle Dent I.V. Beat Reporter | Edward Colmenares National Beat Reporter | Jade MartinezPogue Investigative Beat Reporter | Andrew Hernandez Layout Editors | Melody Li, Amanda Wang, Esther Liu, Brian Nakajima, Olivia Berriz, Krystal Chen, Sofia Lyon

NEWS | 3

AS ELECTION

RESULTS

WHO WON THE ELECTIONS? NOE PADILLA | News Editor

ast Thursday, 6,243 students at UC Santa Barbara voted in the Associated Students (AS) spring general election. Elections were held to fill five executive positions and 24 legislative positions, as well as a series of reaffirmations and ballot initiatives including the creation of an international student senator. This election was notable because of the fact that campaigning was conducted entirely online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst fears that voter turnout would be low because of the online nature of spring quarter, Thursday’s election saw 28.84 percent of undergraduates vote in the election, exceeding the 20 percent voter threshold needed to validate the results. Unsurprisingly, this year marked the lowest voter turnout of the last five years — marking a decrease from 2016’s 32.07 percent of undergraduates, 2017’s 35.86 percent, 2018’s 39.7 percent, and 2019’s 32.35 percent. The election saw a split AS Senate for the 2020-2021 school year, with Campus United (CU) taking 14 Senate seats, Isla Vista Party taking 12, and the remaining two being filled by Independent candidates. Notably, the executive board was divided equally

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among both parties. Daevionne Beasley, a thirdyear sociology major, and Tianna White, a third-year political science major who are both from CU, were voted in as the president and internal vice president respectively. Meanwhile, the offices of external vice president for statewide affairs and external vice president for local affairs were filled by IVP candidates Alia Reynolds and Yasamin Salari respectively. The last executive position, student advocate general, was awarded to Melissa Perez. Information on each of the incoming executive officers’ platforms can be found in a series of candidate interviews on The Bottom Line’s website. An interesting element to this year’s election ballot was the inclusion of two new constitutional amendments, the addition of two international senator seats in the Associated Students Senate as well as altering the voter requirements for lock-in fees. Both measures passed with approximately 89 percent of the voter's support. The international senator measure was authored by Off-Campus Senator Tyler Ferguson and presented at the Jan. 29 AS Senate meeting. According to the bill, the addition of two international student senators

will address the unique barriers international students face by “ensuring international students at the university have equal opportunities to achieve academic and social success.” Although the constitutional amendment was approved in this year’s election, the international senators may not appear on the board until the 2021-2022 academic year unless senators are assigned within the upcoming academic year. At the same AS Senate meeting, Off-Campus Senator Tianna White presented a revision to AS Legal Code which would alter the lock-in fees for organizations on campus. “Existing lock-in fees, when up for reaffirmation every two years, shall have a 51 percent threshold rather than 60 percent, with 20 percent of the student body voting,” read the proposal. Beginning next year, campus organizations will only need a simple majority in order to win their reaffirmations. Regarding this year's reaffirmations, all campus organizations were reaffirmed. Those organizations included: AS Food Bank, Department of Public Worms, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Finance Board/ Student Organization Program Funding (Finance and Business

Committee), Isla Vista Arts, Program Board, Queer Commission, and United States Students Association (USSA). Notably, USSA barely passed reaffirmation by receiving 63 percent of the vote, three percent above the minimum 60 percent. There was only one fee initiative on the ballot this year, and it came from the Department of Public Worms/Compost and Gardening Program. The Department of Public Worms asked for a quarterly fee increase from $1.29 to $2.69 per student. The fee passed with an approval rating of 77 percent of the votes. Finally, regarding the candidates for senator seats, CU took 14 seats, IVP took 10 seats, and an Independent took the last seat. The 71st Associated Student Senate will be comprised of student representatives as follows: Transfer Senator • Ahura “Ahu” Nezhad (CU) Collegiate Senators • Daniel Mitchell (CU) - College of Creative Studies • Surya Pugal (Independent) College of Engineering • Aimee Wang (CU) - College of Letters & Science • Jose Gonzalez-Herrera (IVP) - College of Letters & Science • Hayley Slater (CU) - College

of Letters & Science • Shva Star (IVP) - College of Letters & Science On-Campus Senators • Dania De Ramon (IVP) • Taylor Tait (CU) • Adam Bagul (CU) • Anusikha Halder (IVP) • Gurleen Pabla (CU) Off-Campus Senators • Kyremina “Ky” Youssef (IVP) • Fabian Oseguera (CU) • Dylan Martinez (CU) • Catherine Flaherty (CU) • Yuval Cohen (CU) • Nathan Le (CU) • Eileen Tran (IVP) • Karsten Kolbe (CU) • Esmeralda “Esme” Quintero (IVP) • Jackson Tofft (CU) • Emanual “Manny” Roman (IVP) • Angel Diaz (IVP) Off-Campus University-Owned Senator • Bee Schaefer (IVP) More in-depth results about the spring general election results and the specific voter percentage associ ated with each candidate, as well as the various ballot initiatives, can be found on AS Election Board’s we site. Lauren Marnel Shores contributed reporting to this article. Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor

Combating Anti-Asian Racism UCSB MULTICULTURAL CENTER HOSTS COVID-19 ACTIVISM WORKSHOP ETHAN YU | Contributing Writer

rom unavoidable racist jokes on Facebook and Twitter to uncomfortable stares at the supermarket, xenophobic affronts have become the new normal for many Asian Americans. On April 23, the UCSB MultiCultural Center (MCC) along with UCSB faculty and students hosted a virtual workshop to address the recent racism against local and global Asian communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This event was the first in a planned series of virtual discussions on forms of political action during the pandemic, and it started off with a large turnout of over 130 people. Despite the difficulties of maintaining a dialogue via Zoom, the event created a safe, open space for people to freely speak their minds on recent xenophobia. Many people in the Zoom chat raised concerns about the

Trump administration’s aggressive naming of COVID-19 as the “Wuhan” or “Chinese Virus,” the future of relations between the Asian and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, and the numerous microaggressions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) encounter daily. Rose Hoang, a third-year global studies and Asian American studies double major, began by showing numerous posts from the UCSB Free & For Sale Facebook group that exemplified the kind of xenophobia and microaggressions Asian students have been facing at UCSB since midto-late January. One post from January linked a petition to shut UCSB down because of the high amount of Chinese international students while others made inappropriate jokes like offering cheap rideshares to Wuhan, China. It

is also hard to forget the xenophobic treatment many international students faced for wearing masks on campus, despite the fact that face masks have been proven to decrease the spread of COVID-19. These individual acts reflect a larger issue in the way the UC administration as a whole permits and normalizes racism and xenophobia within our communities. It was only last January when UC Berkeley released a flyer stating that “xenophobia [and] fears about interacting with those who might be from Asia” are “normal reactions.” Hoang in particular called out Chancellor Yang and the UCSB administration for failing to address the many needs and concerns of international students since last quarter. While it’s shocking for many people to see such blatant anti-Asian sentiments within university settings, the panelists explained how this pandemic is a cold reminder that racism as a whole in our country is a complicated narrative that intersects with all races, genders, and classes throughout American history. Dr. Charmaine Chua, an assistant professor in the global studies department, explained how the narrative of “anti-Asian pathogen racism” follows three classic scripts: the fear of the invading foreigner, the anxiety of the enemy within, and the preoccupation with the pure, white body. Jason Oliver Chang, a history professor at UC Berkeley, emphasizes that these scripts aren’t new; they are only modern renditions of “Yellow Perilism,” the systematic othering of Asian American bodies to continue their political

and economic exploitation. Dr. Chua continued by pointing out two major misconceptions within our popular discourse: the naming of the “Chinese Virus” and the orientalization of Asian food. When public officials blame the virus on Chinese people or their “exotic” culture, they support white supremacist ideologies that privilege certain cultural customs over others, making Western culture the normative standard. To discuss the governmental issues of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or the need for hygiene and sanitation regulation in wet markets is important, but racist remarks calling COVID-19 “Kung Flu,” as one White House official did in front of an Asian American reporter, or calling Chinese people disgusting for eating uncommon animals, is nonconstructive. Dr. Diane Fujino, an Asian American studies professor at UCSB, stressed that calling out racism is necessary, but what is more crucial to stopping injustice and discrimination is attacking the structural bases that permit mass inequality and that have been established since the inception of America. From the passing of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act to the medical gazing of Asian Americans living in Chinatowns as vectors of disease during the 19th and 20th century, this kind of treatment towards Asian Americans isn’t new nor special. Rather, it reflects how the hegemonic order can easily flip the narrative of the “model minority” and the “Yellow Peril” on marginalized groups so quickly. What are we supposed to take

away from all this? In the midst of COVID-19 the call for mutual solidarity between white, Black, Asian, Latinx, and POC is greater than ever. “IT IS TIME FOR US TO BE ON THE FRONTLINES OF FIGHTING RACISM AGAINST ALL GROUPS," SAID DR. FUJINO. Not too long ago, democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang said that Asian Americans need to wear their “red, white, and blue.” But Dr. Chua disagrees. “The onus is not on us,” says Dr. Chua. Asian Americans should not feel that they have to prove their “patriotism” when the U.S. establishment has for so many years “pursued racist legislation” against its own people, she says. Rather, it is the duty of all Americans to stand up against bigotry out of mutual care, not self-interest. Dr. Chua ended by echoing Naomi Klein’s deconstruction of "Capitalism and Freedom" by Milton Friedman, turning his words on their neoliberal head, and promising a glimmer of social hope: “Only a crisis ... produces real change ... [The goal of the activist is] to keep [the struggle for justice] alive and available until the politically impossible becomes the politically inevitable.” More information on events like this available on the MCC’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ucsbmcc/. Resources can be found in the following links: Asian Resource Center & MCC. Illustration by Alyssa Long | Art Director

FEATURES | 5

F o o t d r s o f to Try Com During

Quarantine CELINE PUN | Contributing Writer

uarantine in Isla Vista makes me miss my mom’s cooking and dinner parties with my friends. The cozy atmosphere of catching up was humming, stress melting. Pausing long study sessions to grow with kindred spirits—who wouldn’t long for this? Now, all has evaporated and there is nobody to bet for doing the dishes. I am left to cook, because I have to eat and Postmates hurts my wallet. To quell this icy longing, I resort to my comfort foods. When I invest effort into making a dish pretty, tasty, and good for my body, meals spark joy again. So, here are some of my favorite comfort foods. I hope they may spark joy for you too.

6 | FEATURES

Corn Chowder A savory medley of sweet corn, cubed potatoes, and scallions. This is the hearty soup that reminds me of home: doors wide open to aerate an aromatic kitchen, a wooden spoon peeking out the silver pot, late waking sisters with hunger-flowing gratitude. My mom makes this into egg flower soup with wispy eggs and shredded rotisserie chicken, but with a plantbased alternative, I appreciate knowing no animals suffered for the meal. When I discovered the dining commons served corn chowder during the colder months, I would check the menu everyday, going out of my way to get a taste of the chowder again. The chunky soup is elevated with a bowl of steaming jasmine rice or toasted bread. Also, watching a cozy movie like “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” makes this dish sweeter.

Ramen Kimchi Fries Vegan Mac Cheese

and

An exhilarating dance between any small cut pasta and a cheesy sauce — with a spicy kick. This potato and carrot sauce is godly: pureed with a medley of spices and heaven (aka nooch). Under low-lighted dinner parties, my friends and I made this numerous times and every time, they were shocked by how pleasantly the cheese sauce hits. For me, the dish tastes best amid conversation. Adding something crunchy like roasted chickpeas, fried vegan sausages, or panko crumbs elevates this experience.

A generous handful of kimchi is crunchy and refreshing, but once it ignites your tongue, the warm fries and gooey cheese is comforting. After midterms or to cheer up a sad friend, my friends and I would bounce to Mojo’s Teahouse for boba, accompanied by kimchi fries. It is astonishingly time consuming to well… consume — it’s after all, a finger food to occupy mouths between long conversations and breaths. I was devastated when Mojo’s fryer broke for a long time, so I decided to recreate it. Although this home recipe may not have the same ambiance as eating it at Mojo’s, pleasure still radiates from every bite.

If you ask me what comfort food sparks the greatest joy, it is ramen, the savory soul of my childhood. My dad (a chef ) always offered to make this for us on his days off. To heartily cook it, he takes our order, listing all the possible ingredients in our fridge. My sisters and I loved eating this umami meal while watching “Running Man.” It’s an extremely difficult dish to mess up, especially when you’re solely making it for yourself. Whenever my mom would come visit me at Santa Barbara, we ate out at Nikka Ramen — ordering the same vegetable ramen — and caught up: she gossiped about my sisters and I spilled highlights of my college life. Illustration by Grace Park | Staff Illustrator

Fiona Apple’s Modern Classic, Eight Years in the Making

FETCH THE BOLT CUTTERS AARON HOSSEINI | Contributing Writer

6 | FEATURES

ome of the most profound artistic statements need not rely on striving to embrace grandiosity to be deemed truly masterful or distinct. Though many ambitious musicians that come to mind when discussing the discography of American singer-songwriter Fiona Apple — notably Björk Guðmundsdóttir, Iceland’s shape-shifting musical goddess, and the adventurous and dreamlike Kate Bush — present ambitious creativity with grandiose visions in mind, Apple excels as an artist with an expression that is more subtle, but equally profound in its own right. Fetch the Bolt Cutters, Apple’s April 17 release, is a showcase of talents taken to staggering heights of sublimity as the unconventional and accessible blend and twist into one another. A way is paved for a record confrontational, daring, and flourishing with and beyond its myriad of musical influences as it reestablishes its creator as one of the most powerful and creative feminist voices in the medium. The project sees her standing toeto-toe with the likes of Joanna Newsom, Kate Bush, Björk, and PJ Harvey. Fiona Apple’s distinct sonic identity can be summed up by three characteristic traits — all of which are amplified to greater volumes on her newest record. The first is the striking display of percussion instrumentation, an unstill backbone that serves as the skeletal surface upon which the other two prominent elements — Apple’s signature jazz-inspired piano melodies and her vivacious vocals — betray their liveliness. “Shameika” and “Relay” deliver effortlessly, with a liveliness at the core akin to a Tom Waits ballad off of Bone Machine, but with Apple maintaining her own brand of artistry. When Apple embraces the chorus, “Kick me under the table

all you want, I won’t shut up,” in “Under the Table,” she means to echo these sentiments of self-liberation throughout the entire record, not solely that track. Even her dogs join her on this journey, being credited as backing vocalists for some of her productions. If the haunting human vocalists who join Apple on tracks such as “Newspaper” and “Heavy Balloon” don’t emphasize the prevalent theme of human connectedness and the complexity of the depth (or shallowness) of individual relationships, then the lyricism itself achieves just that. “For Her” is perhaps the epitome of such searing, honest, and intensified lyrical expression, a powerful poetic message intended to unearth the brutalities of female defilement often neglected or completely dismissed by society. To call Fetch the Bolt Cutters a faultless record would by no means be a preposterous claim; every song, from the beginning, middle, to end, serves a purpose in the grander scheme of the record. Though the one-eyed glare of the songwriter on the playful cover seems to impose some premature frivolity upon a listener’s ears, Apple ensures that what lies beneath it is far more human and personal, nothing in the slightest to be ridiculed or be deemed humorous. The title itself, a quote from a sex-crime show titled “The Fall,” is a layered reference to the plethora of qualities Apple presents on this record. She sets her caged individuality free, her creativity looser than it already had been, and unleashes a furious release of emotions from her own (and many others’) long-tortured psyche. She’s already fetched the bolt cutters for herself — now, she wants to fetch them for everybody else. Illusrtation by Alyssa Long | Art Director

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 7

THROWBACK MOVIES TO BINGE During Quarantine Aiyana Fraas | Contributing Writer

s the weeks in quarantine continue to lengthen, many students are looking for ways to distract themselves. It seems like scrolling endlessly through Netflix’s offerings without ever choosing something to watch has become a new pastime. Our current reality makes it impossible to do certain things we took for granted in the past, but it does grant us copious amounts of time to binge-watch movies. Read on below for a list of throwback movies from 2008-2013 that Netflix has hidden in its archives. Dive into nostalgia by watching these over a Netflix party with your family and childhood friends. This article contains minor spoilers for "Bolt," "Julie & Julia," "The King's Speech," "Silver Linings Playbook," and "Snowpiercer."

“Julie & Julia” (2009) Many people have turned to cooking as a hobby now due to spending more time at home. There’s no better way to gain cooking inspiration than by watching “Julie & Julia.” This movie, which stars Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, follows two different plotlines connected through food. The story follows the struggle of a food blogger who attempts to make and write about every dish in Julia Child's first book within one year. Simultaneously, the movie also highlights the life of Julia Child as she becomes the most well-known chef of her time.

“Bolt” (2008) This Disney movie was released in 2008, a year that was filled with great animated movies including “Kung Fu Panda” and “WALL-E.” Unfortunately, this means that “Bolt” often doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves. This heartwarming and unique movie is about a Hollywood dog, voiced by John Travolta, who has lived his life believing he has superpowers. When he is suddenly thrown into the real world, Bolt must make his way back to his beloved owner with the help of a street-smart cat and fanatic gerbil. Curl up next to your pooch on the couch and enjoy this uplifting film.

“The King's Speech” (2010) If you are a fan of shows like “The Crown” and “Downton Abbey,” you’ll probably love “The King’s Speech.” This movie has an A-list cast that includes Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush, and Colin Firth. Colin Firth won multiple prestigious awards for his role as Prince Albert, a man who must overcome his debilitating stutter to ascend the English throne to become King George VI. This historical film depicts the personal life of King George VI and his journey as he comes to terms with a life he never prepared for.

“Silver Linings Playbook” (2012) There are romantic comedies, and then there’s “Silver Linings Playbook.” A combination of humor, drama, and romance, this movie constantly keeps viewers engaged. Throughout the movie, the relationship between Pat Solitano, played by Bradley Cooper, and Tiffany Maxwell, played by Jennifer Lawrence, develops under tense circumstances as Pat deals with bipolar disorder and his crazy, football-fanatic family. A compelling and original story, this movie is a great way to distract yourself from any trouble you might be having with your own relationship.

“Snowpiercer” (2013) With his 2019 Oscar win for “Parasite,” director Bong Joon-ho has suddenly become something of a global icon. But the South Korean director has been making thought-provoking movies for a very long time. “Snowpiercer” is set in a dystopian future in which the entire earth has been covered in snow. One of the only surviving populations of humans live on a train that they are convinced must constantly move for their survival. The train runs on a hierarchical system, with the slums at the back of the train and those of higher class living closer to the conductor. You might be tempted to watch this film multiple times, as is the case with many of Bong Joon-ho’s movies, just to catch all the nuances and hidden meanings. Illustration by Christine Ho | Senior Layout Editor

Keeping Connected Through Tech KAYLA CURTIS-EVANS | Staff Writer

OVID-19 has caused lots of uncertainty, but not all that has resulted from the virus has been bad. Social distancing has brought forth all kinds of new ways for students to keep in touch with loved ones, friends, families, and even teachers through technology. Family game nights have been elevated to virtual trivia, movie nights have been upgraded to shared-screen date nights, and workouts feel just as intense through group livestreams. It is important for students who are used to being on a lively campus and seeing their friends and acquaintances every day to try to keep in touch with those they care about. It is also important for people who may not be able to see their families during these times to stay connected. Here are ways of keeping connected in a time where social interactions are important for mental health and overall wellbeing. Zoom Zoom has become a very popular video chat application for those practicing social distancing. It is free and provides its users with unlimited call and chat features, which makes it accessible and efficient for group family calls, birthday celebrations, catching up with friends, and even classes. UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) students are very familiar with this because most live classes have been instructed through Zoom. The platform’s ability to host up to hundreds of people within just one call makes it seamless for hosting large classes or even game nights with multiple players. Even many UCSB advisors have gone remote, hosting advising sessions or academic assistance through Zoom. Zoom also allows a “share screen” feature, so fun games like “Jeopardy” or “Scattegories” are a great idea to keep connected while being entertained. This

feature also makes for the perfect setup for a group movie night or a date night. You can connect with all of your friends, pick a movie, and relax from the comfort of your own homes while enjoying the same film. Aside from Zoom, many streaming services like HBO GO, Apple TV, and SHOWTIME are offering free trials for the time being and even some are granting full access to all of their shows and movies.

8 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Multiplayer Games Another amusing entertainment idea and a great way to keep connected through these turbulent times are multiplayer games, like the Apple app titled “Psych.” It allows players to join and play virtual games together from any location, even if all of the players are physically in different locations. The game rules are similar to “Cards Against Humanity,” so many quick rounds can be played over and over again. It makes for a convenient way to stay in touch with others who may not have access to video chats or a computer.

Classes on Instagram and YouTube If a more productive method of keeping connected while social distancing is what you are looking for, then Instagram and YouTube are the perfect places to look. Many well known fitness gurus or internationally known gyms, such as Barry’s Bootcamp, have offered free online live workout classes. These classes are streamed for 24 hours for the entire day, so if you are not a morning person then you can tune in even at night. This allows families or entire groups of friends to stay fit together virtually. Instagram TV also provides many live cooking classes and recipes that individuals can follow along to from their own kitchens at home. It can sometimes feel difficult to cure boredom or stay in touch with those you care about when social gatherings are discouraged, but these various forms of virtual activities are the best substitute

for in-person interactions right now. Keeping connected through technology is not only assuring the safety of others, but it also allows us to find new ways to bond with our families or friends. Illustration by Drew Buchanan | Staff Illustrator

SCIENCE & TECH | 9

THE SEARCH FOR A

COVID-19 VACCINE BEN FIORICA | Contributing Writer

s of April 26, there have been 2 , 9 7 1 , 4 7 7 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. Of those cases, 965,783 are from the United States (U.S.), while 54,881 deaths have occurred in the country due to the virus. As the pandemic wears on and these numbers increase by day, it has become clear that a vaccine for the virus is eminently important. In order to try to prevent the spread of the virus, there have been vast stay-at-home orders imposed in cities, counties, and states throughout the U.S. Roughly 95 percent of the population in the United States

10 | SCIENCE & TECH

is currently under a stay-athome order. Despite the fact that confirmed cases in the United States are continuing to grow at around 20,000-30,000 per day, some governors have decided to begin reopening their states. While the country tries to prevent the further spread of the virus, efforts are also being made to eliminate it with the development of a vaccine. There is a global push to find and develop a vaccine for COVID-19, and there has been an unprecedented sharing of research and technology across countries. These advanced efforts to develop a vaccine have seen human trials already

begin in the United States and in other countries Despite the wide-ranged effort that is taking place to find a vaccine, estimates on when one could be developed vary widely. Some sources say that one could be found and distributed as early as this September, while others say that even the 12- to 18-month vaccine goal of U.S. leaders is unrealistic Even though there is a strong push to start reopening states and communities in order to get the economy started again, the truth is that without a vaccine or cure it will be extremely difficult to achieve this. This is in part due to the lack of testing and contact tracing currently

taking place in the United States, which are crucial steps in determining where the virus is located and containing it. With a vaccine for COVID-19 likely at least 12 to 18 months away and testing in the United States, while ramping up, still not enough according to many experts, it is important to be realistic about possible realities we could be facing. The future is uncertain, and it is best not to jump to conclusions, but it is important to keep in mind some of the real possibilities that we can encounter in the upcoming months. Just last week, Cal State Fullerton announced that it

would begin fall 2020 classes online. While this is uncomfortable to think about, there is a real chance that other universities could follow suit in the coming months. The UC system is currently in discussion regarding the fate of fall 2020 classes at UCSB, which means that the search for a cure could have immediate and significant effects on our small haven of UCSB. Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor

DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM: WHY WE NEED IT NOW MORE THAN EVER NATALIA HERNANDEZ | Contributing Writer

s the COVID-19 pandemic surges across the globe, Americans have been critical of our current system of government. We are living in an era of misinformation and uncertainty that unfortunately is costing people their lives. Frankly, the United States (U.S.) government has consistently let the American people down with its failure to respond to the pandemic quickly and responsibly. Efforts by the United States government to cover up the mishandling of COVID-19 has made the majority of Americans realize that our current free-market economy is incapable of providing for working class Americans during a pandemic. Now more than ever, people are finally willing to talk about the possibility of democratic socialism to correct for disasters like COVID-19 in the future. The United States cannot transition to a democratic socialist government despite the recent

events of COVID-19 until the right leadership invests in people and our democracy over profit. The topic of democratic socialism has recently sparked conversation within our society. In political rhetoric, the very mention of democratic socialism has been coined as the worst possible structure of government by the far right. People are not willing to discuss the possibility of democratic socialism because the chance of it coming to the U.S. is diluted by strong partisanship. Democratic socialism has been on the rise ever since Bernie Sanders joined the presidential scene. Since then, Americans have tried to picture how democratic socialism would work in the United States. Democratic socialism means that the working class would control the economy instead of the large corporations that control it now due to the free-market system that currently structures our economy. A democratic socialist regime includes universal

welfare programs and ultimately, expanding democracy into every aspect of the government. These regimes also come with a government-controlled economy which has total control and regulation over private corporations. THE POSSIBILITY OF DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM IS A TURN OFF TO MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE THERE IS ONE INITIAL QUESTION THAT COMES TO MIND WHEN WE START TO TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE, WIPED STUDENT LOAN DEBT, GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF THE MARKETS, AND INCREASED SPENDING ON WELFARE PROGRAMS: “WHO’S GOING TO PAY FOR IT?” The Trump administration failed to act on COVID-19 when the president was briefed on Jan. 22, 2020. This caused a cascade of devastating effects to the economy and the American way of life. The closure of non-essential businesses has left thousands of Americans filing for unemployment, overwhelming the system. On March 26, 2020, Congress passed the $2 trillion stimulus package as a COVID-19 relief package. The bill will provide funding for individuals, married couples, hospitals, airlines, and increase unemployment benefits. While this bill seems like “a

huge win” as Trump would put it, it took far too long to start preparing for the hits the pandemic was going to bring to millions of Americans. The stimulus package is almost like a bandage the government wants to put on the disaster it created. The first wave of stimulus checks weren’t issued until April 15, and even then, these checks will only go to some Americans and will be delayed due to the president’s selfishness in insisting he sign them. That’s the problem with capitalism. Only some people will reap the rewards of their labor. Only some people can keep their jobs during a pandemic, and only some people can have access to testing. With the negative side effects of capitalism in mind, there will be consequences when the pandemic eventually ends. What will this mean for the future of our government and our economy? Why can’t we normalize investing in welfare programs for the good of the American people? This has brought Americans to terms with the reality of a free-market economy. In the face of a pandemic, it is creating even more disparaging income inequalities throughout millions of families who have been hit hardest. Essential workers are getting paid less than people on unemployment, people are living on food stamps, some people get to keep their jobs whereas others are laid off, and most college stu-

dents aren’t included in the stimulus package. This pandemic will change the American way of life forever. It’s time to start internalizing how the phrase “profits over people” dictates our way of life and how we are now living with the consequences of it. COVID-19 will not force us into a democratic socialist economy no matter how bad this continues to play out and kill millions of people around the globe. Even with a deadly virus, conservatives are marching in the streets trying to take back the supposed civil liberties the virus has apparently taken away. Our capitalist society will remain unchanged until the correct leadership takes over the government and decides to put people over profits. Party politics are what stand in the way of adopting a democratic socialist regime and should be something to consider since events like COVID-19 are bound to happen in the future. Our current leadership is concerned with profits, which is why Trump and multiple governors insist we reopen the economy, which will only create a horrific disaster compared to the current state the country is in. Unfortunately, until this is realized, millions of people will lose their lives before any real change happens. Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor Illustration by Alyssa Long | Art Director

OPINIONS | 11

MAILE BUCKMAN | Contributing Illustrator

Fashion Forward

MASKS

for Your Next Grocery Run ECHO DIEU | Staff Illustrator

12 | ILLUSTRATION

As a young fledgling I was taught: I am special And I will do great things. I am amazing, smart, and adept And I have potential. I can see myself towering above seas of flowers And wading out of the sea of people To climb onto my own stage. I revel in the masses of fond gazes Upon my budding talent. So I have believed this way, Until the day it all came. How many people have I seen? Just how many people are there in the world? I’ve flown as far as I thought special wings should travel, I’ve exhausted as much strength a special ‘un ought to, Yet when I landed I realized that perhaps special means non’.

The Fledgling

This little fledgling has learned It takes so much hard work, so much perseverance, So many rounds fighting off demons, So many illusions and shattered dreams, Just to be ordinary.

Poem by ECHO DIEU | Staff Illustrator

The Men at Day 40

And now I fight to stay bobbing up and down Among the sea of flowers.

Poem by AARON HOSSEINI | Contributing Writer

(...Two and ½ go.

And they are here again, not as but at One. They’ll have to rinse and wait, for or as these Two, too, or truly shoulderless, fun Men, Garmented as a demon and angel in-between, make their

entrance.

With a single entry, they’ll make, do, and make do, Until or tomorrow they’ll make more and their exit fine. Rose-tinted sunglasses, fake and free, are worn on one; Tear-inducing aviators shy away divine eyes of the other’s self. Yet a scythe is wielded upon their muffined hands. They are Men who strangle, with great precision, at Block 40. Now they lie, ground-pinned, with great indecision, at Aisle 40, to a One-eye-mangling and mangled wolf Blotched with human teeth, cartilage in appearance, unquenched blackness marking a half-face likewise, only to let another more. . .) count 140 words again and again. Illustration by ALYSSA LONG | Art Director

ILLUSTRATIONS | 13

Athletic Facilities During COVID-19 Photos by GRAEME JACKSON | Photo Editor

- Harder Stadium usually plays host to UCSB’s Spring events like Extravaganza and preseason soccer training.

2 - The Big West Conference postseason tournament was cancelled March 12th, leaving UCSB’s Thunderdome vacant and silent.

3 - Towards the evening hours of the

day, the Rec Cen’s bike rack is typically overflowing with bikes of students looking to get a workout. With the Rec Cen’s closure, only a handful of bikes remain.

4 - Normally flooded with club sports

teams, intramural teams, and youth sports teams, UCSB’s Rec Cen fields have closed their gates to members of the community.

2 14 | PHOTOSTORY

5 - The women’s water polo team also

had their season cut short. Many athletes preparing for fall water sports are without the UCSB facilities for preseason training.

6 - The Department of Recreation urges students to be responsibly practicing social distancing while using the few facilities left available.

7 - Normally flooded with club sports teams, intra-

mural teams, and youth sports teams, UCSBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rec Cen fields have closed their gates to members of the community.

8 8 - At this point in time, it is unclear whether or not

the seats of Harder Stadium will be filled in the Fall for soccer games.

PHOTOSTORY | 15

The Bottom adle Illustration and Recipe by MAILE BUCKMAN | Contributing Illustrator

Comic of the Week Comic by JAKE ORTEGA | Comic Artist

16 | ILLUSTRATIONS