Spring 2019, Issue 3 by The Bottom Line (UCSB)

APRIL 24, 2019

VOLUME VIII, ISSUE XIX

OUT OF the

BALL PARK

SPORTS

Page 12

Photo by KEVIN ZENG | The Bottom Line

A CLOSER LOOK: A.S. EXECUTIVE CANDIDATES With voting now open on GOLD through April 25, TBL sat down with the 2019-2020 A.S. presidential candidates.

NEWS | PAGE 3

PAN ASIAN NETWORK PRESENTS DEMANDS On April 18, Pan Asian Network marched through Cheadle Hall with demands for greater Asian American resources and increased visibility.

NEWS | PAGE 2

BottomLineUCSB.com

PAN ASIAN NETWORK PRESENTS DEMANDS ANNETTE DING | News Editor

ast Thursday at noon, the Pan Asian Network (PAN) hosted a rally at cheadle, presenting a list of demands on behalf of the pan Asian community to Margaret Klawunn, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, along with other members of UCSB administration. Chancellor Yang was engaged in another meeting though PAN had notified him of their plans prior. The demands called for a bolstering of the Asian American Studies Department and an increase in campus programs and resources that address the needs of Asian students on campus. PAN began with student interest in town halls hosted by the Asian Pacific Islander (API) Task Force. Formed in 2017, the API Task Force is a collective of undergraduates, graduates, staff, and faculty working to understand and support the needs of the pan Asian community on campus. PAN board member and fourth-year sociology major with a minor in Asian American studies, Jasmine Lee described her initial reaction to attending an API issue focused town hall, explaining, “For me, personally, seeing the town hall was like ‘wow, I never see Asian-identified people coming together for political issues.’ So I think that this is a moment we should definitely capitalize off of.” The relative silence surrounding Asian issues is a familiar one. During her rally speech, professor of Asian American studies and API Task Force member Diane Fujiano acknowledged the hurdles facing PAN’s demands, say-

2 | NEWS

ing, “one of the pushbacks it that we’re going to be called model minorities, with so many Asian Americans on this campus and elsewhere, why are there services needed for Asian Americans?” This lack of awareness that there is a problem is a problem in of itself. In an interview with The Bottom Line, Fujiano stated “there’s not a language or vocabulary to talk about the kinds of problems that Asian Americans are facing,” that there is a misconception that “college is serving Asian American communities well.” Referencing the demands presented in 2017 by the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition (AAPIC), which included mental health services, administrative support, and support for undocumented Asian American students, Fujiano noted that “these [the PAN demands] are the most comprehensive, far reaching set of demands.” PAN’s demands are more comprehensive than those of 2017, not just in that they demand more, but that they demand more for more people. At the very beginning, the demands states who it includes; those of Southeast Asian, South Asian and Pacific Islander descent, along with those who identify as Asian American, multi-ethnic students, international students from Asia, immigrants, refugees, undocumented students from Asia and first-generation students of Asian descent. The demands further states that “members of the UCSB Pan Asian Community are still experiencing isolation from their

culture, their identities and each other.” Inclusivity and equal representation amongst the pan Asian community has been and is a difficult struggle, in no small part to the pervasive model minority myth. The need to address this drew many of PAN’s eight board members to their cause. “I don’t consider myself to be Asian, “ admitted Smita Narasimhan, a PAN board member and second year psychology and brain sciences major, “because that term comes with a lot of preconceived notions of what you’re supposed to look like, the language that you’re suppose to speak, and the food you’re eating.” Echoing Narasimhan, PAN board member and first year pre-sociology major Vince Feliciano said “Because I’m Phillipino, I’m Southeast Asian, even though I factually know that I’m Asian, I never registered myself as Asian. It wasn’t until PAN that I realized we can bridge that gap, that you can consider yourself Asian without sacrificing the distinct identity you have.” In their efforts to form a representative and cohesive effort on behalf of the pan Asian community, a lot of attention was paid to PAN’s use of language. According to Fujiano, “the students were very deliberate in thinking about vocabulary, thinking about the meaning of language, thinking about who’s included and who’s excluded with language, recognizing that there’s no perfect wording…they wanted this to be something that makes sense for many many groups.” “We choose ‘Pan’ Asian because the word ‘Asian’ itself his-

torically is assumed to be East Asian-driven and it’s not enough acknowledgement to people of other groups,” stated Lee. This sense of awareness was not limited to the distinct Asian identities that comprise the pan Asian community, but also included the other minority groups that are marginalized. During poster prepping last Tuesday, Feliciano brought up student he had met while tabling at the Arbor for PAN the week prior, “he [the student] was worried that by raising concerns specific to pan Asian students we are focusing too much on dividing oppressed groups on campus, rather than focusing on the unity,” said Feliciano. In response, Feliciano assured that “that is something that I just want to be clear is very much in opposition to what we want to do. Our goal is to ensure our voices are heard and to inspire other peoples’ voice as well.” Aware of this potential critique, PAN members chose their poster slogans and rally chants carefully, using language that was inclusive and could be applied generally instead of identifying as specifically Asian, such as “we deserve better” and “we are diverse.” The perceived conflict between the interests of different minority groups is nothing new but nor is strength of solidarity across oppressed and minority groups. “I think that it is always a trap to think that when one group gets something, another doesn’t” stated Fujiano. As a professor of Asian American studies, Fujiano specializes in a variety of histories, including Black Power studies, the Black Radical Tradition, and Afro-Asian solidarities. Up until last year, she was also the director of the Center for Black Studies Research at UCSB. “Historically the Black struggle has opened up many opportunities for many groups,” began Fujiano, as she referenced the San Francisco State University strike of 1968-69 lead by its Black Student Union that successfully de-

manded for equal access and representation in higher education of all people, including ethnic minorities. “They [the Black Student Union] didn’t want it [the strike] to just be for Black students, so they started the Third World Liberation Front in which three of the six groups were Asian American” said Fujiano. Closer to home, Fujiano noted the solidarity behind the formation of UCSB’s Student Resource Building, “In the late 80s on this campus, there was an issue with the Nexus, on its front page, having a story about Asians eating dogs. And out of that came mobilization, the students with other supporters got the Asian Resource Center.” “But they said they didn’t want to just do something for Asian Americans” continued Fujiano, “so out of that came all the resource centers and the student resource building.” According to Fujiano, PAN’s present demands are as much a result of AAPIC’s efforts in 2017 as the UCSB’s Black Student Union’s mobilization in 2013 and their more recent success this year with the approval of funding to implement the Office of Black Student Development. “We don’t have to be pitted against each other” Fujiano concluded, “we can help each other.”

For more coverage on the event, watch The Line’s video on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/tblucsb/ videos/352376025413547/

a look inside:

A.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

With the Associated Students (A.S.) Spring 2019 General Elections voting now open, here’s what the executive office candidates told The Bottom Line in regards to why you should vote for them. Gauchos can vote on GOLD starting on Monday, April 22 at 8:00 a.m. until Thursday, April 25 at 4 p.m.

s u p m Ca nited U

Photo Courtesy of Alison Sir

ALISON SIR

ampus United’s Alison Sir, a third-year political science major and member of UCSB’s Technology Management Program, is running to become the first Asian American female elected A.S. President at

UCSB. The daughter of first-generation Korean immigrants, Sir has emphasized her passion for voicing the needs of underrepresented communities as a central focus in her campaign. “A.S. has a duty to amplify the voices of others and do outreach to the community in order to educate students about the amazing resources it provides,” said Sir in an online statement to The Bottom Line. Sir’s election platforms address a number of prevalent issues in the UCSB community. If elected, Sir promises I.V. vending machines to tackle food insecurity and a free subscription to the mental health app Headspace Student for every Gaucho. Sir has also pledged to implement a Blue Light system in Isla Vista and to work to reduce housing costs and student textbook fees by supplementing them with digital readers. Sir brings an expansive resume along with her on the campaign trail. She currently holds positions as a UC Global food initiative food intern and the Vice President of Finance on UCSB Panhellenic. She also served as an off-campus senator for A.S. her sophomore year. “My experience inside and outside of A.S. has taught me the skills necessary to elevate voices on an administration level and keep student leaders accountable,” stated Sir. Sir has also demonstrated an entrepreneurial ability that could carry over to her position as president. As part of TMP, Sir launched an online platform called Cadette, which aims to connect female college undergrads with established women in a variety of professional fields. “I have a fresh perspective on AS that will help me implement tangible solutions to pressing issues,” she stated. ”Campus United’s Alison Sir, running to become UCSB’s first Asian American female A.S. president, aims to tackle food insecurity and mental health.”

a t s i V Isla arty P

Photo Courtesy of Zion Solomon

ZION SOLOMON

second year history of public policy major and religious studies minor, Zion Solomon is the Isla Vista Party (IVP) candidate running for A.S. President on platforms of academic excellence, career development, financial aid advisory, queer/trans fund, and A.S. LIVE. “I’m running for President because I think I’m the most qualified person in the association for this position,” said Solomon, “People should vote for me because not only am I ready for this position, I know what this position entails. I already know that I will be going to University Office of the President and meeting Janet Napolitano and I already know what issues I want to press.” Currently serving as both On-Campus Senator and Chair of A.S. Finance & Business, Solomon states that “sometimes the university administration is out of touch on student needs, so the movement starts from associated students. A.S. is where students can take on their own leadership and say this is what we need for our own community.” In response to the question “If you could only accomplish one thing in your position, what would it be?” Solomon offered, “I would focus on branching to other university departments and connecting them to A.S. so that A.S. isn’t just this isolated organization. You can go to A.S. to hear about all the resources that serve students, not just those that come from A.S. ”In terms of connecting A.S. to other departments, Solomon wants to have the financial aid advisory service reach out to career services to establish peer mentors in their office. According to Solomon, one of their proudest projects was the “The King’s A+ For Excellence Awards,” a $500 award each to five student leaders who each exhibit “outstanding contributions to A.S or the student body as well as academic excellence.“ [With the project], I was able to recognize someone who put their all into the association, LaDonte King, but also promote academic excellence, and that’s what I’m also trying to do through my platform. LaDonte always reminded us that we’re here as students first and that's what I want to remind students.”

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 Features Editor | Victoria Penate Arts & Entertainment Editor | Addison Morris Science & Tech Editor | Hannah Maerowitz Opinions Editor | Jessica Gang Video Editor | Fabiola Esqueda Advertising Director | Tanya Gosselin Marketing Director | Erica Kaplan

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NEWS | 3

Celebrating Earth Month in Santa Barbara VICTORIA PENATE | Features Editor

UCSB’s Environmental Affairs Board will be hosting Isla Vista Earth Day on Saturday, April 27, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

4 | FEATURES

s spring quarter continues and natural surroundings continue to bloom, Earth Day (April 22) approaches. This year’s Earth Day festivities will be more extensive than usual, because this will mark 50 years since the 1969 oil spill which inspired the holiday. As is tradition, Santa Barbara’s Community Environmental Council will be hosting a weekend-long Earth Day Festival, held this year on April 26-28. The festivities, which will be free to attend, will begin on Friday with “Evening in the Park” — an event which will feature several musical performances, food vendors, a beer and wine garden (remember to bring your reusable cups!), and food vendors. This year’s theme for the festival will be, “Educate. Inspire. Act.,” a sentiment which is reflected in the activities in store for attendees. During the Saturday and Sunday portion of the festi-

val, the main performance stage will continue to feature a variety of musical artists while an extensive list of exhibitor booths will be set up according to the categories, “Eco Marketplace,” “Public Square,” “Kids Corner,” “Green Car Show,” “Great Outdoors,” “Homegrown Roots,” and a food court featuring seventeen local businesses. The SB Community Environmental Council will also be participating in a broader “Earth Month” celebration, featuring several other eco-conscious events. These will include an installation titled “The Spill that Rocked the World” — which may be viewed on the weekend of the festival, along the Alameda Park section of Anacapa Street — as well as a Climate Crisis Summit, welcoming activists to convene on April 28 at the Alameda Park Pavilion. The Earth Month programming will extend onto UCSB’s

campus as well, with an event titled “The Secret Lives of Plastic,” to be held from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on April 30. The day-long event, which will occur in Corwin Pavilion, will be structured as a conference, offering the opportunity for all interested members of the community to gather and learn from one another. During the conference, there will be a film screening of “Oceans: The Mystery of Missing Plastic.” UCSB’s Environmental Affairs Board will be hosting Isla Vista Earth Day on Saturday, April 27, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; this annual event is held in Anisq’Oyo Park. Activities will include musical performances, environmentally friendly arts and crafts, and a pop-up thrift shop. This year is made special in honor of the fifty years of progress made since the Santa Barbara oil spill which was the catalyst for Earth Day. This considerable amount of

Earth Day-related programming in the UCSB and greater Santa Barbara area communities is reflective of a rich history of environmental concern tied to the region. Currently, according to the official Earth Day website, the event has become “the largest secular observance in the world,” with people in 192 countries participating in climate-related observance and change on this day each year. This is particularly astonishing when considering that it all started with one activist, Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, and his determination toward environmental consciousness after observing the oil spill here in Santa Barbara. Photo Courtesy of Andrew Hill | Community Environmental Council

The Body Project SARAH RENARD

early everywhere one might look, there are examples in the media of women with seemingly perfect skin, facial features and body types — and what may teach many women is that these things are important, or even necessary, to be considered beautiful. So, how can body acceptance become a more accessible reality at UCSB? In one important step toward this goal, a new UCSB Health & Wellness-sponsored group has been formed called “The Body Project.” This

project aims to create a campus wide impact in body acceptance for all students. Body dysmorphia is a prevalent issue for young adults in particular, as they mature and learn to navigate societal expectations, and the environment at UC Santa Barbara is no exception to this. Though negative social stigma surrounding body positivity may not be as conspicuous as other campuses, harmful body shame still exists for many members of this community and it is important that this issue be addressed.

The Body Project, which will offer two “sessions” of timeline for its meeting groups, will include weekly meetings that will run for four weeks. Group one will meet on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m., during weeks three through six, and group two will meet on Tuesdays from 4p.m. - 5p.m. during weeks five through eight. Women in the community will be welcome to discuss the societal ideals surrounding women’s’ bodies, and how these ideals affect everyday perceptions of them. Members will also

be encouraged to discuss ways that students on campus can foster healthier perspectives on their own bodies, and what steps they can take to act accordingly in spreading positivity to other members of their community. In an interview with The Bottom Line, team coordinator Arzoo Manandhar explained the origin of UCSB’s “The Body Project.” It was inspired by a research project at the University of Oregon, in which a group had been effective in its mission. After hearing about this success at a conference, Manandhar’s

boss encouraged her in the idea of starting their own group to reach out to the female students at UCSB, hoping that it would have the same beneficial outcome it had at the University of Oregon. Manandhar stated that she believed that this project has the potential to be truly helpful for female students on campus, particularly since as students, many members of the community are still in the highly transitional stage of defining their identities as adults. As a result, it is crucial that a positive outlook on appearance is nurtured throughout this stage, strengthening the foundation of a firm self-confidence going forward. “I think with this project students will come out of it with a positive outlook on their body and learn to appreciate what our bodies do for us,” Arzoo added. The appreciation of health as a focus, rather than as an afterthought to visual appearance, is essential — and it is important that those affected by a negative self-perception are supported in seeking a healthy mindset. With conventional beauty standards being so constantly imposed upon women of all ages, it is important that these standards are reflected on and discussed. “The Body Project” is a powerful first step in shifting away from these unrealistic standards — and toward a deeper understanding of what it means to be confident and positive about your body. Illustration by Alyssa Long | Staff Illustrator

FEATURES | 5

A Night of Stand-Up with Jaboukie YOUNG-WHITE KYLE DENT

Moses Storm, who has appeared on “Conan” and “The Jim Jefferies Show”, Young-White took the stage. He ran up onto the stage, turning on a PowerPoint behind him with the title “What is Male Feminism?” Here, he played a character named Chad, stating all the ways “men can help support women’s rights better than they can.” While the jokes felt a tad stale — bits of this nature have just been done to death — the visual aids made the performance feel surprisingly unique, and the interplay between the ridiculous images and Young-White’s character was hilarious. In fact, he used PowerPoints multiple times throughout the show, and in one, he gave a “lecture” on which bugs are gay. “How do I know they’re gay?” Young-White asked us. “Because I fucked them all.” He then dropped the charac-

6 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ter, describing his rise through the comedy world, living in L.A. for a period and doing yoga (which he equated to a “slow Electric Slide for white people.”) He expanded on his experience living in a four-bedroom apartment with twice as many people, coming out to his parents, and conning his way out of getting robbed by, according to him, “being as annoying as possible.” Each story was unique and full of good humor, but I couldn’t help but feel like I had heard some of these jokes before, or, at least, something similar. Many of the punchlines felt like they were all leading to the same place, and towards the end of the show I noticed I could guess how he would finish a bit. Samantha Alvarado, a second-year English major, felt similar. “He was really funny, but, for a bit, his performance felt kinda like… scrolling through Twitter,”

Alvarado said to TBL. She went on, “I actually like the second opener better.” However, Jaboukie spoke with such candor about growing up black, queer, and from Chicago’s South Side that the similarity of the jokes really didn’t matter. The comedy came from a place of authenticity, and never felt forced or truly scripted; he was speaking his truth while making us laugh. Mario Moreno, a second-year sociology major enjoyed the performance for these qualities. In an interview with TBL, she said, “I loved it! It was nice seeing someone [perform] who isn’t just a white dude from L.A..” Overall, Young-White produced a lot of laughs, even though at some points the jokes were slightly predictable.

comedy, UCSB students can visit Embarcadero Hall every Saturday for free comedy with Laughology.

For more of him, fans can watch “The Daily Show” where he acts as a correspondent alongside Trevor Noah. For more stand-up

“

omedian Jaboukie Young-White performed at I.V. Theater last Thursday night to a thrilled crowd of students. Though lacking some punch, Young-White still delivered a solid comedy set, complete with his own performative flair. Young-White only started performing a few years ago, but quickly rose through the standup comedy ranks, building up to finalist positions in stand-up festivals, like the 2016 NYC Devil Cup. The next year, Young-White took on writing jobs on the acclaimed Netflix shows “American Vandal” and “Big Mouth”. In 2017, he was featured in both Vulture and Rolling Stones’s lists of up-and-coming young comedians. The I.V. show was sold-out, and the line to enter went around the street corner. After stellar, creative opening acts by UCSB alumnus Matthew Duckett and

Illustration by Esther Liu | The Bottom Line

“

I loved it! It was nice seeing someone [perform] who isn’t just a white dude from L.A.

- Mario Moreno, Secondyear Sociology Major

UCSB’S 2nd Annual

ARTS WALK showcases

UNDER REPRESENTED TALENT NOE PADILLA

n April 17, UCSB held its second annual Art Walk hosted by the school’s Department of Music, Department of Theater & Dance, Department of Art, College of Creative Studies, Art, Design & Architecture Museum, MultiCultural Center, and the Library. The Art Walk gives the community and students an opportunity to witness some of the great talent that UCSB holds. One could experience this greatness by either watching a mesmerizing performance or losing oneself in a thought-provoking piece of art. My experience began at the library which was hosting two exhibits. The first was “In Her Own Image,” curated by UCSB librarians Chizu Morihara and Leahkim Gannettand. This exhibit highlighted the works of women throughout the history of the comic industry. The works from artists like Thi Bui, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Tarpe Mills, and many others were the focus of the exhibit. Bui depicted the struggles of motherhood in her piece. The pieces by Kominsky-Crumb showcased the struggle that women have to deal with when comparing themselves to the “ideal woman.” Another stand-out piece was Mills’ “Miss Fury” which depicted one of the earliest female superheroes created. The

exhibit achieved its goal of highlighting the women of the industry. It gave one the opportunity to reflect on the complicated history of the medium and is definitely worth a visit. The second exhibit in the library was “Anguish, Anger, and Activism: Legacies of the 1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill” which was curated by librarians Kristen LaBonte and Annie Platoff. The exhibit’s goal was to give visitors an opportunity to experience the tragedy that befell Santa Barbara 50 years ago, showing visitors the damage and repercussions of the oil spill in 1969. This exhibit’s message hit quite hard, especially as a reminder to learn from our mistakes and always respect the environment. After the library, I wandered upon a musical performance by UCSB’s Middle East Ensemble which was hosted by the Department of Music. They performed traditional Middle Eastern music mashed with familiar instrumental music. The ensemble played a piece called “Upper Egypt” which sounded like a song from Disney’s “Aladdin.” The song also highlighted the mizmar, an Epgytian instrument which is normally played at weddings. Overall, the live performance by the ensemble provided a unique and interesting experience to listen to another culture’s music. Once the performance was finished, I

walked into the Old Little Theater where the College of Creative Studies (CCS) was hosting a performance by Angelica Picazo. Picazo is a Music composition student from CCS, and for the Art Walk she performed four original works. When she came on stage, she introduced the small ensemble that she’d be conducting for her first two works, which were instrumental pieces. The second half of her performance consisted of two ballads which were inspired by and dedicated to her grandfather. She told the audience how the first piece was inspired by her grandfather’s story of coming to America and how she created it in the style of mariachi music. The second piece of the second half was inspired by how she felt in the last two weeks of her grandfather’s life. One could feel the sorrow she felt during that moment, purely by the tone of her singing. The string duet only emphasized the emotions of the piece. Picazo’s performance left the audience stunned in a moment of silence, which quickly turned into a loud applause for her and her ensemble. Finally the last two places I visited on my art walk were the Glass Box Gallery and the Art, Design, & Architecture Museum. The works showcased in the Glass Box Gallery were by graduates from Tokyo’s leading universities: Musashino Art

University and Tokyo Zokei University. The meaning of the exhibit wasn’t obvious. Some of the pieces depicted abstract visualization of peer pressure, while others showcased a memory from the past. If there was one theme that I found amongst all of them, it was the bittersweet taste of nostalgia. The Art, Design, & Architecture Museum had several exhibitions up for view, but there was one that I immersed myself in more deeply than the others. ¡Chicanismo!: The Sanchez Collection is a collaboration of pieces that Professor Tomas Sanchez started amassing in the early 1980’s. The display is running as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Chicana/o Studies Department. Many of the pieces in the collection highlight the talent and struggle of chicana/o artists which may have been overlooked in the past. Overall the Art Walk was a transformative experience that could only be found at UCSB. Although many of the events overlapped during the event, one still had the opportunity to experience many of the diverse exhibits and performances, learning something new and intriguing about each different artistic niche on campus. Photo by Noe Padilla | The Bottom Line

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 7

SEA PUP WASHES UP ON ANACAPA BEACH KYLE DENT

few days ago, a small seal pup washed up on the shore of one of UCSB’s beaches, near the Chi-5 residence cluster. However, the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute took action, and is tending to the seal to make sure it’s safe and ready for its re-entry into the sea. On Anacapa Beach, the baby seal was found stranded and slightly malnourished. The Channel Island Marine and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) took action, putting up an enclosure to protect the animal. Signage to protect it was added, encouraging beach-goers to stay 50 feet away from the animal, and leave pets at home.

8 | SCIENCE & TECH

The signs also included information on facts regarding northern elephant seal pups and their nursing cycles, growth patterns, and how they go about their days. Baby seals get fed by their mothers on the beach, and afterwards, their moms leave, while the pups relax on the beach. There, they sleep, roll around in the sand, and stretch until night, when they return to the ocean. This pup has since been returned to the ocean after finishing “weaning.” This feeding period with their mother typically lasts a month, where each day they find a beach to feed and relax on, before returning to the ocean at night and repeating the

cycle in the morning. Myriam Arias, a second year in the College of Creative Studies, actually caught a glimpse of the animal and its temporary enclosure. “He was so small and lonely-looking. It, like, yelled out as this bird passed overhead. I felt bad.” The Channel Island Marine and Wildlife Institute serves 153 miles of coast, saving marine mammals, like seals, dolphins, and whales, as well as turtles, that are in danger before bringing them in for rehab before releasing them back into their ecosystems. The organization also seeks to inform people on how they can best aid the sea creatures around

them. Their website states that they participate not only in rescues, but education, so as to promote positive change for our shores and oceans. Elleni Velasquez, a second year environmental studies major, mentioned her surprise regarding the Institute, telling The Bottom Line “I didn’t even know we had something like that around here. I would’ve just called the cops or something. It makes me happy people are actually doing something to bring a little life to these beaches back.” While a chief veterinarian advises the group on how to handle each individual situation and

mammal, most members of the group are volunteers who aid in maintaining facilities, formulating lesson plans for schools and events, and assessing animals. Afterwards, they’re brought into the CIMWI’s center in Gaviota. CIMWI can be contacted at their rescue hotline at (805)-5671505, or by filling out an online rescue form on their website. In addition, community members can join as volunteers by applying here. Illustration by Esther Liu | The Bottom Line

THE GAUCHO EXPERIMENT

PROMOTES MIDDLE SCHOOLER’S

SCIENTIFIC CURIOSITY NOE PADILLA

n April 17, UCSB hosted a science fair in Corwin Pavilion, for the students of La Cumbre Junior High in order to inspire young students with the opportunity to express their scientific curiosity. The program, funded by parent charity The Xperiment, paired middle school students with UCSB undergraduate mentors. who met on a weekly basis to go over presentations and workshops. At the end of the program, UCSB hosted a science fair to showcase the projects of each stu-

dent involved with the program. The science fair started at 11 a.m. and it was full of energetic middle schoolers sharing the results of their experiments to their fellow students. But once the judges came to their table, many of the students became nervous and started stuttering while presenting their results. The judges left the tables with smiles on their faces, and complimenting the students on their projects, which in turn left a smile on the students’ faces. A few of the UCSB student mentors were at the event guiding visitors to their students’ table.

The visiting young scientists of La Cumbre Junior High proudly showcase the research that they worked hard to produce to the UCSB S.T.E.M. community.

One of those mentors was Mira Konkoly, a first year global studies major. She originally came in as a computer science major, but realized the major wasn’t for her. She preferred teaching, which is what led her to joining the Gaucho Experiment. “The kids at La Cumbre are so awesome, they’re super sweet, totally into learning, and love having college kids come in,” said Konkoly. “I think it was such a fun experience to have.” Konkoly was the mentor to four students, one of which was an eighth grader named Rebeca. This was Rebeca’s second year be-

ing in the program. At this year’s science fair, Rebeca wanted to showcase the longevity of different colored hair dyes. She specifically wanted to determine if red hair dye would fade faster than purple hair dye. In both tests, the hair was being washed on a daily basis, and after 10 days she got her result. Her experiment showed that the purple hair dye actually faded faster compared to the red hair dye over the span of 10 days. When questioned further on why the purple hair dye may have faded faster, she shrugged and determined that, “it may have been

because we bought two different brands of hair dye.” “I’ve had a great time in the program,” said Rebeca. “I’ve learned a lot and had fun.” The Gaucho Experiment currently has 80 mentors and teaches about 100 kids. The program has two sister programs at UCLA and UCI, and will have recruitment for the program at the beginning of the fall quarter. Photos by Kevin Zeng | The Bottom Line

SCIENCE & TECH | 9

Getting to Know Your Neighbor ur

jo Bon

Nihao Hej

Jambo

Guten Ta

HANA CHURAY

shift in cultural values. Some things about Arab culture that I love include the core value of hospitality, carrying forward the idea of “what’s mine is yours,” or the priority on family as an unbreakable bond. This is what makes the Arab communities even on campus so close, holding true to our background. Despite the depth of culture ingrained in Arab upbringings, some of the most frequent things I’m asked when I say I’m from the Middle East are centered around stereotypes. Whether I can drive as a girl or if I grew up playing sports in an encouraging environment are questions people immediately jump too. I think it’s very easy to settle with a stereotype, if that’s the way it’s portrayed so often in the media, however some of the

Marhaba

HoLa

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: he international community comprises 12 percent of the undergraduate population at UCSB, with a vast array of ethnicities and international students coming from 79 different countries. While the bulk of these students are Chinese, there are many different ethnic minorities within this small percentage. The Middle Eastern community is one of the least represented of these ethnic groups, with Iran being the only Middle Eastern country on UCSB’s “Top ten originating countries” for international students, comprising only one percent of the undergraduate population. Although there are many similarities, coming from an Arab background to an American environment prompts quite a large

Ciao

most rewarding conversations I’ve had since being at UCSB revolve around people trying to understand my culture, and not just assumptions. Admittedly, in this global climate, the Middle East has many controversies. However having spent my whole childhood in the UAE, which felt like the safest place I know, it’s incredibly difficult to handle the dichotomy in perceptions as an Arab-American. According to Gulf News, the UAE is the safest country in the world, with 96.1 percent of people having said they feel “safe and secure.” Yet, I’m constantly asked questions about what wealth status I must have to live there and what it’s like being a girl in such a country. The differences between Arab countries and Western

HANA

countries come down to cultural beliefs, which don’t necessarily shift people’s everyday lives, making countries seem more similar than not. Another aspect Arab students encounter when coming to the U.S. is the automatic assumption that you are Islamic if you come from the Middle East, irrespective of actual religious beliefs. Religion is not an ethnicity, yet in the Arab sphere it is treated as such. The concept of racialization, specifically attached to Muslims and the racial categorization they face in the Western world, is a growing phenomenon, creating a greater divide between Islam and the West. With reference to “The Islamophobia Election” article, racialization is a key determinant in

the negative perception of Muslims in the West. There’s an aspect of empathy and compassion that needs to be held to a higher degree, especially in regards to international students of all ethnic groups. Leaving our homes so far behind in the pursuit of distinguished higher education isn’t an easy step, nor is acclimating to this new culture. Thus, the warm support and sense of community that UCSB is so highly known for is a key part of this cultural transition. As opposed to sticking to what we think we know, there’s a certain reward in challenging what we think to depthen our understandings of the world.

Comic of the Week

10 | OPINIONS

Comic by Jake Ortega | Comic Artist

Missing the

New State Street Location is Welcome but Flawed

TARGET

MADISON KIRKPATRICK & JADE MARTINEZ-POGUE | Staff Writers

rowing up in northern California, my daily morning drive to school consisted of passing parks with green grass, huge trees, and a big red Target building on almost every corner. Target stores were such a staple to my childhood life that one of the saddest parts about moving to Santa Bar-

bara for school was its clear lack of Target stores. When I heard the news of Target taking over the old Kmart in Goleta, I was through the roof excited. So when the new location popped up on State Street earlier than anyone was expecting, I could not wait to make my first Target trip in my college town.

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On April 7, the Target store in Santa Barbara opened its doors to the public. Lots of uproar led the city to open the long awaited shop. However, it certainly has not been a hit with everybody. The store has gotten mixed reviews from consumers, and an article by the Santa Barbara Independent takes issue with some aspects of the new store, including lack of parking and merchandise. The new Target store is on the small side compared to most of the Targets I have visited, but it tries to make up for this by having two stories instead of one. The lower level consists of food items, home decor, and clothing. The upstairs section has kids toys, makeup, and toiletries. The two-story building made possible my favorite feature of this new location — the cart escalator. Because everyone knows you can’t just buy one thing at Target, oftentime customers walk around the store with a cartload of items. This appears to pose the problem of how you get the cart to the upstairs section. This Target installed a cart escalator to help transport your items from one level to another. All you do is push your cart through the doors and it follows a track paralleling the normal escalator. The joy gained from watching your cart go up an escalator by itself while standing to the side

is a strange pleasure that I never knew I craved. Despite the thrill of being Santa Barbara’s first Target and the amazing cart-escalator, there are a few ways in which the new store is lacking. While the store has added space from the second story, both levels are so compacted that it makes navigating the crowded store with a cart difficult. To add on to the spatial issues, the parking lot is very small and hard to pull into. Because this location is on State Street, most students visiting the store will have to drive there. This creates a problem when the store is crowded, as it is easy to imagine the stress of parking making one’s trip slightly worse. Another issue is its stock. I wish there was a wider selection of merchandise and more of it. The alcohol section takes up a significant amount of space that could be shared with more widely accessible, all-ages items. What they have is beneficial, but it would be nice to have more things like frozen and canned foods, which are things that can be stored for a long time. This would especially be helpful for college students who tend to purchase non-perishable foods. It might help if it were located in a more convenient location. Though the bus drops off right

in front of the store, there is a long bus commute to get there. As someone who rides the bus, it upsets me that I have to spend 20 minutes traveling to an obscure location. Also, the distance can be an issue if you need something immediately and you are on a budget. Despite the minor flaws in the design of this Target, having a location in Santa Barbara is exciting at the very least. Having added another option to convenience department stores in the area, Target’s opening is something to be enthusiastic about. The store does not mean much for UCSB besides students who love Target like myself. It certainly has its issues, but it will suffice until the Goleta store opens. Despite these problems, the store has many good qualities. However, it may be a trip you only want to make occasionally depending on your personality and needs. I will continue to go but I will be much more excited to see the Goleta store open.

OPINIONS | 11

UCSB Sweeps UC Davis,

TIES SCHOOL RECORD Photos by KEVIN ZENG | The Bottom Line Reporting by JACOB WONG | National Beat Reporter

UCSB, riding a program-record tying 12

game win streak through the weekend, vaulted to No. 7 in the nation after sweeping the UC Davis Aggies in a three-game series (9-8, 7-0, 4-3). The first game on Thursday, April 18, was a back-and-forth affair â&#x20AC;&#x201D; after the Aggies (11-21, 3-9) jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning, the Gauchos (30-5, 8-1) came storming back to tie in the third and pulled ahead for good in the eighth inning on an Eric Yang (Jr.) sacrifice fly. The second game of the series featured a

1 Jason Willow takes a crack at the ball. 2 Kyle Johnson finishes his swing. 3 Jack Dashwood pitches the ball. 4 Andrew Martinez catches a pop fly.

masterful performance by starting pitcher Jack Dashwood (So.), who took a perfect game into the seventh to lead the Gauchos to a dominating 7-0 victory. Even after the Aggiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tanner Murray broke

SCOREBOARD UCSB 9 7 4

UCD 8 0 3

up the perfect game with a leadoff single in the seventh, Dashwood remained unfazed, allowing only one more hit over the final three innings en route to a complete game shutout. The Gauchos closed out the series on Saturday with a tight 4-3 win on the arm of another strong pitching performance by starter Rodney Boone (Fr.), who allowed two earned runs over seven innings. UPDATE: The Gauchos defeated CSU Bakersfield 4-1 on Monday, April 22, extending its winning streak to a program-record 13 games.

SPORTS | 12