Fall 2019, Issue 6

Page 1

NOVEMBER 13, 2019

VOLUME XIV, ISSUE XI

EARTHGANG PHOTOSTORY PAGE 12 Photo by GRAEME JACKSON | Photo Editor

SUSTAINABLE FASHION With the increasing popularity of fast fashion brands like Fashion Nova, Pretty Little Thing, Urban Outfitters, Topshop, e.t.c. there's been a growing conversation about the consequences of these growing fast fashion brands. TBL gives you tips on how to have a rockin', sustainable sense of style. OPINIONS | PAGE 11

LATRICE ROYALE This past Thursday, iconic drag queen Latrice Royale visited UCSB for a performance and an intimate conversation about her long career, including the various struggles she experienced that have inspired her performance. A&E | PAGE 6

BottomLineUCSB.com @tbl.ucsb facebook.com/tblucsb/


of Fire Prevention and Safety JADE MARTINEZ-POGUE | National Beat Reporter

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n Oct. 31, the Maria Fire ignited around 6 p.m. in Ventura County, burning close to 9,500 acres of land previously burned seven times in the past 52 years. With the Kincade Fire burning up north, California is in the midst of another destructive fire season. While the cause of the Maria Fire is still under investigation, it has already made a lasting impact and has caused disturbing flashbacks for the residents of surrounding areas. Fourth year UCSB student Bethany Lyche and her family have been evacuated from their home in Thousand Oaks five times — two of those times being in the last two years. “Growing up, fires were an almost guaranteed part of Octobers. I used to joke with my cousins that we know it's Halloween-time once we start smelling the smoke,” Lyche said in an interview with The Bottom Line. Brush fires have been occurring in California for thousands of years, but the recent influx of

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residents in areas that were not as populated before has put California at an increased risk for damage during fire season. Bryant Baker, conservation director for the Los Padres National Forest Watch, pointed out that thousands of homes have been built in high-fire severity zones; areas that have burned frequently and are at increased risk. “Human activity has drastically increased fire frequency in our region due to sprawling development and an associated surge in fire ignitions,” Baker said in an interview with The Bottom Line. “Fire suppression over the last century has been largely unsuccessful in limiting the consequential increase in burned area.” He also noted that high-intensity wildfires are a natural feature of chaparral landscapes, such as the Los Padres National Forest. The chaparral is adapted to the fire regime, meaning infrequent and high intensity, but not fire itself. Though with the area burning so frequently in recent years, there is not enough time

for the vegetation to grow back in between fires. This is detrimental because a variety of more flammable non-native grasses and weeds have grown in their place. The damage of fires reach far further than just the destruction of ecosystems. Because of her first-hand experience with fires, Lyche has seen health issues, from Valley Fever to PTSD, develop in her community as a result of these fires. Families have been forced to choose between trying to rebuild their homes and regain everything they lost, or leaving their town all together. Major insurance companies in Ventura County have dropped clients from fire insurance due to the high risk and fire history in the area. These yearly natural disasters in California have gained national attention. In a recent tweet by President Trump on Nov. 3, he stated that he will not be giving out any more federal government aid to California for fire recovery and prevention. “The Governor of California has done a terrible job of forest management. I told him from the first day we met that he must ‘clean’ his forest floors,” the tweet said. The tweet was followed by two more tweets criticizing Governor Newsom and announcing the discontinuance of funding. “Every year, as the fire’s rage & California burns, it is the same thing- and then he comes to the Federal Government for $$$ help. No more. Get your act together Governor,” said Trump’s

tweet. In reaction, Newsom pointed out that Trump’s disbelief in climate change makes him unqualified to speak on this topic. “You don’t believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation,” Newsom said in reply to the President’s thread. When asked about his thoughts on this interaction, Bryant Baker points out that Trump has been “all over the place” with this issue and made similar remarks last fire season. He noted that all the major fires haven’t been occurring in forested areas, making Trump’s statement irrelevant to the topic. “It keeps coming back that this is some sort of forest management problem, but this is a much more complex issue,” Baker said. Many causes of recent wildfires have been accredited to shortages in electric wiring in the mountains. The massive Camp Fire in 2018, which killed 85 people and destroyed about 19,000 homes and other buildings in Northern California, was caused by electrical transmission lines and faulty equipment. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was faulted for this fire and racked up an estimated $30 billion in liabilities. To try and prevent another devastating natural disaster, PG&E recently implemented a power shutoff in Northern California affecting about 179,000 customers. These shutoffs are classified as Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS, and are enforced in dry conditions with

gust winds that create a heightened fire risk. “When you really look at these power and utility companies, you can go back several decades to see there has been a lot of failure to maintain and modernize their equipment,” said Baker. “It has become a serious problem.” To prevent natural disaster tragedies from creating long-lasting damage and to make them more containable, Baker suggests putting more money into retrofitting existing homes with fire-safe material such as double-paned windows. He also questions whether or not county government and cities should even be approving new developments in areas that have been burned historically and are difficult to defend. “We still have a lot that we have to learn from the last few years and the last few decades of fire damage,” Baker said. A lot of work is still essential in creating safer climates in California during fire season and it is important to remember the very real and vast repercussions of California wildfires. “A lot of people hear about fires in the news, and that coverage only lasts for as long as the fire is active,” said Lyche. “But for those who have experienced and been directly affected by the destruction of these fires, the actual duration of the fire is only one aspect of the tragedy.” Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor


A CALL TO OUR CAMPUS

COMMUNITY From the MultiCultural Center Council The MultiCultural Center Council is a coalition of 50+ diverse student organizations whose goal is to create and maintain a safe and inclusive campus community, deeply rooted in anti-racist and antioppression work at UCSB. We have and continue to face threats to our safety due to incidents of hate violence, discrimination, bias, and microaggressions. The MCC Council will not tolerate such acts to persist in and against our community. The MCC Council invites the larger UCSB campus to stand with us against any forms of hate and ignorance that compromise the safety and belonging of marginalized communities.We will not condone anti-blackness. We will not condone anti-semitism. We will not condone Islamophobia. We will not condone transphobia. We will not condone homophobia. We will not condone anti-immigrant sentiments. We will not condone ableism. We will not condoneracism. We will not condone sexism. We will support undocumented students. We will embrace students of all ethnic, gender, and religious identities. We will continue to provide spaces for the free and open exchange of opinions and ideas. We will continue to advocate for resources that uplift students of historically marginalized communities. As we move forward, we must reaffirm these commitments within ourselves in order tobuild a stronger community, to uphold the values of an inclusive campus, to give students opportunities to voice their concerns, and to honor all communities. We, at the MCC Council, are not asking you to do anything we aren’t willing to do ourselves; we are asking you to join using working together to cultivate a safe and inclusive campus community for all. Sincerely, MCC Council

Endorsed by​: American Indian Student Association, American Indian Graduate Student Association, Association of Multiethnic People, Black Student Union, Chi Delta Theta, DeltaSigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Hermanas Unidas, Hong Kong Student Association, Iaorana Te Otea, IDEAS, Kapatirang Pilipino, La Escuelita, Lambda ThetaAlpha, Latin Sorority, Inc., Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc., Lambda Sigma Gamma Sorority,Inc., Latino Business Association, Legal Education Association for Diversity (LEAD), LosIngenieros, M.U.J.E.R de UCSB, UCSB Muslim Student Association, Nikkei Student Union,Persian Student Group, Pilipino Cultural Night, Queer Trans Asian Pacific Islanders (QTAPI),Raices de Mi Tierra, Santa Barbara Hillel, Seoul’d Out, Sigma Alpha Zeta, Southeast AsianUnion (SEA-U), Taiwanese Asian Student Association (TASA).

TBL 2019-2020 STAFF Editor-in-Chief | Lauren Marnel Shores Managing Editor | Arturo Samaniego Executive Content Editor | Jessica Gang Senior Layout Editor | Mikaela Pham Senior Copy Editor | Sheila Tran News Editor | Noe Padilla Assistant News Editor | Danielle Yoon Features Editor | Alondra Sierra

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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 | Vanessa Su Science & Tech Editor | Xander Apicella Opinions Editor | Raymond Matthews Video Editor | Arianna McDonald Photo Editor | Graeme Jackson Art Director | Alyssa Long Campus Beat Reporter | Madison Kirkpatrick

A.S. Beat Reporter | Kyle Dent National Beat Reporter | Jade Martinez-Pogue I.V. Beat Reporter | Edward Colmenares Investigative Beat Reporter | Andrew Hernandez Copy Editors | Annie Huang, Linda Chong

Layout Editor | Melody Li Pages 4, 5, 6 Layout Editor | Amanda Wang Pages 10, 11, 12 Layout Editor | Christine Ho Pages 7, 8, 9 Social Media Coordinator | Esther Liu

Marketing Director | Madeleine Korn Advertising Director | Jonathan Chavez Web Editor | Darragh Burke Comic Artist | Jake Ortega

ANNOUNCEMENTS | 3


Where K-Pop Becomes Community at UCSB SHEILA TRAN | Senior Copy Editor

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visit to a Seoul’d Out meeting will reveal an unusual sight among most campus clubs at this time of the year — staff members who greet every single general member by name. Founded in 2011, Seoul’d Out is UCSB’s first Korean music and pop culture club. Through both larger general meetings and more intimate weekly gatherings, the club offers a unique and comfortable environment for students to connect with others over a shared love for Korean pop culture. In an interview with The Bottom Line, President Yehna Cha describes the club’s focus as “both cultural and social,” with weekly events catered towards helping members bond and make new friends. The club hosts a variety of events, which include general meetings where members can play K-pop-related games and en-

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ter raffles to win K-pop albums, and participate in Korean movie nights, and even non-K-pop-related events like ice skating. While K-pop is the main focus of Seoul’d Out, its reach expands far beyond pop music. The club also aims to educate members on other facets of Korean culture through events where members can learn how to make Korean food, participate in Korean art forms like jongi jeobgi (Korean origami), and even learn the Korean alphabet. Cha shares that many members come in with a limited knowledge of K-pop, but stay because of the warm environment and interest in the cultural aspect of the club. “They want to learn more — not just about K-pop, but also Korean culture — and that’s what makes me really happy.” As a Korean-American, Cha believes her role in the club is to share her love and knowledge of

Korean culture. What makes Seoul’d Out special, says Event Coordinator Jessica Velazquez Nolazco, is its community. “I feel like when people, especially non-Koreans, first get into K-pop, they're kind of ashamed of it,” says Nolazco in an interview with The Bottom Line. “They're embarrassed to say that they like K-pop.” Although she was never embarrassed of liking K-pop, Nolazco admits that there were times during high school when it made her feel out of place. Upon entering college, she was unsure if there was a place on campus for her. That all changed when she attended her first Seoul’d Out meeting. The club provides an open environment where members can feel comfortable with sharing their interests, regardless of their background or prior knowledge about the genre. Seoul’d Out’s

demographic spans students of all ethnicities and ages — the recent Korean alphabet workshop even attracted two Ph.D students. “You don’t have to be Korean to feel like you’re part of this club,” Nolazco adds. For Nolazco, K-pop became a source of comfort and support. “I was going through a hard time when I found BTS,” she says, and shares that she was able to find strength through the positive messages in the group’s music. More than anything, though, K-pop also served as her link to a larger community. “I feel like I would be completely lost if I didn’t find Seoul’d Out. It’s like … I found my people. I can rely on these people more than just K-pop — as friends and as family.” That sentiment is shared by many members of Seoul’d Out. “Through Korean pop culture, I was able to make friends, find

a hobby, and form bonds,” says Cha. She shares that K-pop became an integral part of her identity and understanding of community. For Seoul’d Out members, K-pop is more than just a music genre. It’s a means of support, hope, identity, and friendship. It’s a link to a greater appreciation of Korean culture. More than anything, Seoul’d Out is a place where K-pop can become community. “It’s a second home,” Cha says. “You don't need to know K-pop. To anyone who has an interest in Korean pop culture or anything Korean, we're always welcoming new members.” Keep up with Seoul’d Out on Facebook and Instagram: facebook.com/seouldout instagram.com/seouldoutsb Illustration by Alyssa Long | Art Director


SANTA BARBARA'S

Museum of Natural History Commemorates Chumash Culture EDWARD COLMENARES | Isla Vista Beat Reporter

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ative Heritage Month is every November, and the month commemorates the rich indigenous culture of both the past and contemporary times. This Saturday, Nov. 9, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History took part in the celebration and hosted a Native American cultural appreciation event titled Supak’a (Chumash translation of “to cause to come together as one”). The Chumash people are a

Native American nation who were the earliest inhabitants of Santa Barbara and other surrounding California territories, such as Santa Ynez and San Luis Obispo. The purpose of the annual Supak’a “is to share … culture with the wider community [and] for future generations to continue to preserve … traditions," according to the pamphlet handed out at the event. Hence, in attendance were a total of four Chumash sects: the

Barbareño Band of Chumash Indians, the Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo County and Region. Entering the museum grounds, the phrase “'apí kiy tiyep štaš hi ši'y iš'išna'nitš hi kiy nohnonotš” (Barbareño Chumash translation of “let us tell each other of the customs of the ancient people”) was proudly paraded on a large welcoming banner, greeting every guest that trickled in. In total, there were nine demonstration event stations, each showcasing a different aspect of Chumash culture and sectional identity such as a tomol (plankbuilt boat) display, a Chumash films presentation, an exhibit on the Chumash staple diet of regional plant and animal foods, and four stations introducing each sect. Within these four stations were traditional arts and crafts pieces from each Chumash band:

weaved Juncus plant baskets with complex symmetrical patterns, cultural board games made of wood/plant fragments, etched stone necklaces with geometrical decorations, handcrafted musical instruments, and various other miscellaneous tools used in everyday Chumash life. The station dedicated to the Chumash diet thoroughly explained conventional hunting, harvesting, fishing, storage, and cooking techniques utilized for centuries. Chumash men would disguise themselves with deer “stuffed decoy headdresses” and mimic deer movements when hunting. Harvesting was achieved by burning excess vegetation, collecting wild red maid seeds, and utilizing a honed wooden stick to scatter and plant surplus seeds. Large woven baskets were used to store food temporarily while caves were used for long-term storage. Tomols were fundamental in the fishing process as these large canoes delved into seas with multiple fishermen using nets and harpoons. Cooking the fish, and

other foods, required a special type of stone, known as steatite, which could sustain high temperatures and allowed for watertight woven baskets to boil over its heat. Beyond the toilsome lives of the Chumash, there was plentiful time for song and dance within the tribe, some of which were exhibited at Supak’a. During the peak time of Supak’a, Chumash men and women of all ages gathered in a line and sang customary native songs with guttural and far reaching tones in timed unison. The lead singer of the tribal line made it a point that video and photography were not allowed, as it is considered disrespectful to broadcast the line through social media. It was explained to be a live-only illustration of Chumash vocals. For those interested in being part of this historic native tradition, Supak’a will take place again next November at Santa Barbara’s Museum of Natural History. Illustration by Alyssa Long | Art Director

5 | FEATURES


Latrice Royale

Inspires UCSB Students at Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall RAYMOND MATTHEWS | Opinions Editor

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ver since season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Latrice Royale has been an icon in the modern drag community, inspiring both established as well as up-and-

coming queens over the course of her long career. Latrice visited U.C. Santa Barbara this past Thursday for a performance followed by a Q&A session centered around her ca-

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reer in drag, as well as her personal journey from incarceration to self-acceptance through drag. The night started out with Latrice’s spirited lip sync performances of “Respect” and (You

Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” both of which paid homage to one of Latrice’s biggest inspirations: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. Latrice draws inspiration from the aesthetics and performance styles of black soul singers from the 60’s and 70’s; from her elaborate eye-catching hairstyles, glamorous flowing gowns, and emotive facial expressions and choreography, Latrice truly captures the spirit of these performers. But beyond aesthetics and choreography, Latrice also embodies the spirit of joy, pain, and persistence that soul music is known for in her stage presence. Latrice stated that she resonates with the messaging in soul music due to her experience in the prison system, during which she drew strength from the empowering narratives found black soul music. She explored the relationship between black performance art, the prison system, and LGBTQ+ identities in her recent documentary, “Gays in Prison,” in which she reveals her own experiences in jail and explores the stories of gay men and transgender individuals both inside and outside the prison system. Latrice also spoke to the audience about these experiences after her performance, and despite her undeniably entertaining lip sync, this discussion was definitely the most engaging portion of the event. Latrice cited her time in prison as the darkest period of her

life, during which she felt alone, isolated, and cut off from the community that she had once embraced through drag, prior to her arrest. In order to keep in touch with the individuality that prison tried to take from her, Latrice took solace in music, and listened to her icons like Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin to remind her of her drag persona and draw strength from creative expression. Moving forward, Latrice started to view drag as a means of communicating both with the world and herself through performance art. Presenting herself through the glamorous, dramatized lens that drag offers has allowed her to channel her biggest inspirations and give voice to LGBTQ+ and black communities in ways that resonate with larger audiences. Latrice’s personal journey in drag reflects a broader truth that creative, individualistic expression, however unconventional, has become an invaluable cultural staple in LGBTQ+ communities of color. Illustration by Esther Liu | Social Media Coordinator


Rex Orange County Returns to the Musical Scene with

P O N Y VANESSA SU | Arts & Entertainment Editor

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ex Orange County embodies an angsty, imperfect voice that characterizes youth, combining innocence with honesty in his new album, Pony. Released on Oct. 25, Pony is an inner look at Rex’s childish yet complex musical style, which incorporates many popular modern lo-fi music and bedroom pop sounds. Rex, who was musically inspired by artists such as Queen and ABBA in his youth, first released his work on Soundcloud in the form of an album called bcos u will never be free, which caught the attention of well-known artist Tyler, the Creator. After Rex’s hit album Apricot Princess was released in 2017, he was featured on Tyler, the Creator’s album and co-wrote songs “Foreword” and “Boredom.” Rex’s musical style has always leaned towards bouncy piano notes and guitar riffs that compliment his nasally voice. Pony does a splendid job at preserving that positive energy while adding a sense of nostalgia through softer bell sounds and synth notes. Despite this youthfulness, fans can hear Rex’s musical style shifting to that of an adult, with lovefilled lyrics and sweet references to his long-term girlfriend Thea. The album’s first track “10/10” contains repetitive yet effective lyrics as Rex croons about

“livin’ again” and wanting to be a “ten” — a statement that a majority of teenagers can relate to. Slower and melancholy, “Always” relies on Rex’s emotional vocals and light instrumentation to show a softer, mellow side to Rex, as opposed to his popular high-energy raps. Percussion-heavy and jazzy, “Laser Lights” beautifully paints a picture of teenage freedom with Rex adding his own sighs as ad-libs and in a twist, a melodic trumpet. Reminiscent of songs from Apricot Princess, “Face to Face” contains an older musical style from Rex with echoey vocal distortion and light and harmonic claps as he sings about his sweet relationship with girlfriend Thea. Accompanied by distressed, squeaky vocals in the background, Rex sings about being taken for granted by other people as an artist in “Stressed Out” with lyrics explaining how he “let them take control and take me for a fool.” Inspired by an older 80’s musical style, “Never Had the Balls” is Rex’s take on romance, containing an underlying message encouraging fans to take the first step when pursuing their dreamy crushes. Slow ballad “Pluto Projector” allows Rex to showcase his powerful singing as his second single on Pony and doesn’t disappoint with its full orchestral instrumen-

tation. Approaching the end of the album, “Every Way” reveals an intimate confession from Rex to Thea as he sings about how he will “care about [her] in every single way.” The ninth track, “It Gets Better,” is a full musical journey as it transitions from a simple, finger-snapping instrumental to an orchestral, string-filled song about how Thea changed his world and overlooks his flaws. Sticking to the orchestral theme, Rex’s last track on the album, “It’s Not The Same Anymore” marks an end of an era as he sings about growing up and having to embrace an adult lifestyle and responsibilities. Fans can now give Pony a listen on Apple Music, Spotify, and Google Play Music. Rex is currently still on his Pony Tour in his native country of the United Kingdom and is set to perform at the O2 Academy in Birmingham on Nov. 12. American fans can look forward to attending his American leg of the tour, which begins early next year in January! Illustrations by Esther Liu | Social Media Coordinator

Author’s Recommended Songs: “Face to Face” and “Pluto Projector”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 7


I HEART STEM

Conference Encourages Young Women Towards STEM Careers

ZARA FURTADO-QUESENBERRY | Contributing Writer

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lthough women who pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers face daily instances of sexism and exclusion, there is a growing community of accomplished women who are encouraging young girls to pursue their scientific interests. On Nov. 9, UCSB’s Women in Science and Engineering Club (WiSE) hosted their fourth annual I HEART STEM conference. The club invited girls from 25 local high schools to attend the $10 event, where they rotated through five to six workshops highlighting different possible career paths and topics in STEM. In an interview with The Bottom Line, Jenny, one of the organizers of I HEART STEM, explained that the conference originally started as the nationally-funded Tech Savvy Program, for middle school students. However, five years ago, UCSB’s WiSE decided to create a program for high school students to “promote STEM literacy for women.”

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When asked about the goals of the event, Jenny said that the primary goal was to “show them what it looks like to be a woman in STEM” and “give them a breadth of what STEM can be,” introducing them to different images of a career in the sciences. She later added that “the secondary goal is to show them that science is fun,” emphasizing the interactive and experimental aspects of the workshops. Each workshop was run by two to three UCSB undergraduate or graduate students who were given the freedom to choose a topic that they found interesting in their own research. The available workshops covered a wide variety of fields and interests, from 3-D printing, to the science behind chocolate-making, to the effects of plastic on the ocean environment. The high school students chose which workshops to attend and were met with a welcoming, friendly atmosphere that encouraged questions and participation. In the 3-D printing workshop,

a UCSB volunteer passed around examples of objects 3-D printed for use in medicine, such as a spinal implant. While examining the implant, one high school student asked, “Can you 3-D print a silicone heart?” and was met with a resounding, “Yes!” The enthusiasm of the UCSB presenters created an atmosphere that made even scientifically complex concepts fun and relatable. Tucked away in a room in the far corner of the SRB was a workshop titled The Science of Chocolate. A UCSB leader tempered chocolate at a cooking station in the back, and each high school student had the opportunity to taste test a variety of chocolates, examining and writing down their distinct characteristics: the presence of fat blooms, the texture, and the melting temperature. Another workshop, The Chemistry of the Oceans, had a slightly darker theme, educating the students on the rising acidity of the oceans and the devastating impact that microplastics have on

fish and birds. Ali, a UCSB graduate student and the organizer of the workshop, was interviewed by the Bottom Line and said she hoped that the students would begin to take “a little bit of ownership over what’s happening,” and realize that “there is an opportunity for them to do something” and have a real impact. She expressed concern that while most high school students take some form of chemistry and biology, they often do not make connections between their class curriculum and real, global events that involve the same processes. Before the ocean workshop began, the UCSB volunteers led an icebreaker exercise, where they explained their own journeys in their respective STEM fields. Unfortunately but unsurprisingly, many of them recounted facing obstacles related to their gender, such as discouragement from family members who believed women could not do STEM, and being told by classmates that they

would not be able to succeed in higher levels of science. These real-life success stories of determined women overcoming sexist societal expectations showed the high school students that there is a community out there supporting and encouraging women who decide to pursue science as a career. This event was well-organized and run by enthusiastic, friendly volunteers who each were clearly passionate about their adventures in STEM. Today, although more and more women are finding success in STEM careers, our society is still plagued by sexism and gender-based job exclusion, so events like I HEART STEM are integral to ensuring that young girls have the resources and opportunities to study historically male-dominated subjects and pursue their interests.

Illustration by Esther Liu | Social Media Coordinator


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he physics department at UCSB has grown into one of the largest undergraduate physics departments in the U.S., due in large part to its amazing faculty. UCSB was not always considered an outstanding research facility, so The Bottom Line interviewed three faculty members to understand the transformation that has taken place since the school joined the University of California system in 1944. Based in Broida Hall and now boasting three Nobel Prize winners, the physics department at UCSB was founded only 30 years ago. It has become home to a variety of scientists, including both theoretical and experimental physicists. According to our three interviewees, the department has developed more freely without a lengthy past to hinder its growth. Additionally, persistent leadership in other departments has helped support and encourage the expansion of the physics department. The man in charge of it all, physics department chair Claudio Campagnari, came to UCSB in 1994 so he could collaborate with other great faculty and have access to resources that would further his work. Following past experimentation on the development of string theory and condensed matter, Campagnari is currently involved in developing a large particle collider. This advanced tool would allow physicists to identify new particles. He also supervises the building of new detectors since they cannot be purchased. Through his research, Campagnari hopes to break through boundaries by transforming the way physics is approached. As department chair, Campagnari and his board of curriculum have begun to reevaluate the teaching mission within the physics major at UCSB. Because there are so many new students drawn to physics, it has become more challenging to teach this growing number of scientists. Tengiz Bibilashvili, one of the professors helping

the department revise the physics curriculum, came to UCSB anticipating this challenge. By updating lab courses and offering a larger variety of diverse classes, professors will be able to provide more opportunities and research projects for both graduates and undergraduates. These changes will not only improve the quality of learning here at UCSB, it will also encourage more students to pursue an education in physics. Once these changes are finalized, they will affect incoming students but will not alter the curriculum or graduation requirements for current physics students. This update aligns with UCSB’s physics department’s continual presence on the cutting edge of scientific discovery. Much of this groundbreaking research is based out of the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP). Established in 1979, the KITP is now a world-renowned research facility where physicists and scientists tackle challenging universal theories — generating new fields like particle astrophysics, quantum computing, and string-theory. Lars Bildstein, the current director of the KITP, focuses on theoretical astrophysics, where he analyzes changes in the sky. Currently, he is working on creating a movie of the sky through repeated photography in order to examine patterns in space and the explosions that occur every second. Bilstein strives to build bigger telescopes that would enable scientists to view multiple galaxies at once as well as stronger computational devices to produce more accurate calculations. He also contributes to the work on MESA, an academic development program aimed at engaging disadvantaged students in STEM. This program not only helps students locally, but also internationally. The physics department at UCSB has grown and changed substantially since its founding and will continue to improve. The revised curriculum will

open up new opportunities for all students, while revolutionary research will transform science around the world. Between UCSB’s attractive campus and world-renowned reputation, more faculty and students will want to contribute to our growing programs in the future. Illustration by Alyssa Long | Art Director

PHysics

Department

Spotlight NICOLE LUU | Contributing Writer

SCIENCE & TECH | 9


How We Fail Each Other

In Addressing Sexual Violence SOFIA LYON | Contributing Writer

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n light of the university’s recent decision to begin their Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) initiative for self-defense training, upset students have accused the university of victim blaming. There appears to be a clear disconnect between intentions, one that brings more harm than good into the conversation. What must be understood about sexual violence is that no program, initiative, nor curriculum with a snappy acronym will solve it. It is important to acknowledge that the university is attempting to respond to the issue. It is clear that their intention is not to blame survivors. While the administration means well in responding to a problem greater than the scope of individual incidents, it hinges on assumptions we have about safety expectations; assumptions which invariably tread on a victim-blaming mentality. It is reasonable to expect that one has a right to safety in all spaces, regardless of the presence of substances. Since the university responded to allegations by implementing a self-defense initiative, it implies that safety is

10 | OPINIONS

not an inherent quality of public spaces. The root cause of sexual violence lies, unfortunately, far beyond the reach of UCSB’s administration. It is ingrained in our culture and education, and it’s something that must be systematically erased over time. I have no doubt that the university wants to see the perpetrators face consequences for their actions as much as the student body. But, the student body has to acknowledge the sinister cultures surrounding gender and

sexuality so that we can eradicate the mentality entirely via education. A brief clarification must be made in regards to the program being targeted towards women exclusively. After attending the discourse panel held between staff and students to discuss sexual violence on campus, it was explained that initially there was in fact a R.A.D. course offered specifically for men. The course approached subjects differently, dealing with the de-escalation of fights and other

prevention strategies. The initiative never came to fruition because there was a lack of interest from male students. While defeating or eliminating sexual violence lies beyond the realm of any one university, we can certainly do more to combat or prevent it on a small scale. A great shortcoming we see in the college’s reactions to accusations of sexual assault is the tendency towards damage-control. Damage control often manifests through short-term solutions, which is R.A.D.’s fatal flaw

as an initiative meant to decrease sexual violence. It also silences the conversation prematurely; it creates the illusion of resolution without offering a solution. The processes that collegiate departments use to deals with gender and sex-related issues also often fail students. It is not uncommon for suspects or perpetrators to graduate from college and earn their degree before the office charges them. Once a suspect is no longer a student, these cases are significantly more difficult to settle in court. To reiterate, sexual violence is not limited to college campuses, and isn’t something we can expect a single educational entity to solve single-handedly. In minimizing the crime to its individual cases, we inevitably risk diminishing its true severity within greater society. The solution lies not in discrete actions, but in promoting healthier and better expectations for safety and one’s autonomy. No one is responsible for a violent action against them; however, people are responsible for perpetuating ideologies which lead perpetrators to commit acts of violence. Photo courtesy of UCSB


Sustainable Fashion for Unsustainable Students LAUREN LUNA | Contributing Writer

F

ast fashion has been around since the beginning of mass-produced retail. Coming off the runways and straight onto sale racks, fast fashion seems like a great deal on stylish clothes at face value. Brands like Zara, H&M, and Topshop profit off consumers' desire to maintain an updated wardrobe, and even online stores like Fashion Nova, Boohoo, and Princess Polly have captured the public eye. Lately, fast fashion has become a heated debate topic amongst the public. It’s no secret that the materials used in cheaper clothes are less durable than their pricier counterparts. As cheap fabrics wear down over time, they eventually need to be replaced. So, big companies

get more money in their pockets, and buyers get a new tank top that unravels within five washes. People have also raised ethical concerns over fast fashion, particularly in how they source their labor. As brands crank out new designs by the minute, they employ a relentless work force to meet the consumers’ demand. But, the conditions in which companies sustain this labor are questionable. Some fast fashion brands have even employed workers for 14 - 16 hour shifts a day for seven days a week. More and more people are beginning to recognize the problems with this phenomenon. For example, fast-fashion-giant Forever 21 filed for bankruptcy protection this September. Some attribute this uncanny

demise to Forever 21’s lack of touch with younger customers. As people become more aware of the social and environmental consequences of their decisions, they move onto new frontiers. Sustainable clothing, unlike fast fashion, sells classic, well=made pieces in smaller waves. While sustainable clothing seems like a simple fix to the fast fashion problem initially, it comes with a series of implications for its buyers. Because sustainable fashion spends more on materials and labor, they hike up their prices to keep up with resource costs. One short dress from Reformation, an L.A.-based sustainable brand, may cost up to $218. Many millennial and Generation Z buyers have turned to sustainable brands. But, many within this age group lack the funds for this retail. Some argue that the sustainable clothing movement compels people to spend exorbitant amounts of money on clothes they cannot afford; thus, a few have even called this fashion movement classist. People raise questions for the sustainable clothing movement regarding its credibility. While companies may claim to be sustainable, it may be difficult to be completely transparent about resources with the public. The public, in turn, may not be so quick to trust that these brands are really sustainable. Others raise the argument that no

clothing brand can be truly sustainable because every clothing article made produces a carbon footprint. So the problems with fast fashion and the problems with sustainable fashion leave our age demographic in a conflicting place. However, sustainable fashion is not the only “sustainable” option for young people. Here are some suggestions for the near future: 1. Buy from local brands. Chances are that if there’s a company based in the same area where you live, the company hasn’t grown enough to need to turn to cheap labor to meet high demand. Additionally, local brands have far lower transportation costs than their fast fashion counterparts, reducing your carbon footprint that you leave when you buy new clothes. 2. Go thrifting. Chances are that you’ve been to the second-hand store before, and thrifting is quickly rising in popularity. When you thrift clothing, you not only get to choose from unique, timeless pieces, but you also extend the life of a piece of clothing. Two popular options in this area are Crossroads Trading Company on State Street and Goodwill in Goleta. 3. Sell your clothes online. With the rise of apps like Depop and Mercari, selling from the internet has never been more accessible. 4. Have a clothes-swapping party! If buying and selling on-

line isn’t feasible, clothes-swapping parties are a fun and sustainable way to find new clothes and hang out with some friends. Not to mention, it’s entirely free. 5. Reduce how much you buy. How many times a month do you think you’ll wear that pair of pants? By avoiding impulse purchases, you’re keeping money in your pocket and cutting back on consumerism. It works out much better in the long run. 6. Watch what your clothes are made of. According to fashion YouTuber Ashley (a.k.a. bestdressed), a plain 100 percent cotton T-shirt, even if from a cheaper store, can go a long way if taken care of properly. 7. Allocate your purchases wisely. A more basic piece of clothing will likely stay in your wardrobe longer than a trendier one. Invest in durable jeans, T-shirts, and casual shoes, and buy more updated pieces sparingly. There’s no problem with wanting more clothes in vogue, but it’s important to keep a good mix of foundational pieces and stylish accents in your closet. Illustration by Lauren Luna | Contributing Illustrator

OPINIONS | 11


The duo’s outfits embodied the sonic feel of their Mirrorland album, taking influence from Afrobeat and RnB while simultaneously retaining a traditional Hip-Hop aesthetic.

EARTHGANG Photos by SANNE MOLENAAR | Contributing Photographer

WowGr8’s passion for performing is truly evident as he relishes every moment on stage. Guapdad 4000 is embraced by the ecstatic crowd as he warms them up for the headliner.

PHOTO | 12


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