Winter 2020, Issue 6 by The Bottom Line (UCSB)

FEBRUARY 26, 2020

VOLUME XIV, ISSUE XV

Honoring

Black History PHOTOSTORY PAGE 14 Photos by GRAEME JACKSON | Photo Editor

HISTORY OF THE BLACK STUDIES DEPARTMENT Since its founding, UCSB has long been considered a predominantly white institution. TBL explores the history behind the founding of the Black Studies Department, and the courage displayed by black students who took steps to make their voice heard on campus. NEWS | PAGE 2

ANITA HILL COMES TO CAMPUS On Feb. 19, civil rights and women's rights icon Anita Hill came to campus to discuss the circumstances surrounding her rise to fame during the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings almost 30 years ago, as well as highlight the importance of today's #MeToo movement for women in the workplace. FEATURES | PAGE 4

CULTURE VULTURES & CATFISHING In today's world, black culture and black aesthetics are frequently accused of being appropriated by non-black people. TBL's opinions editor Raymond Matthews explores the cultural consequences of this appropriation and its farreaching impacts on society. OPINIONS | PAGE 10

facebook.com/tblucsb

BottomLineUCSB.com

@tbl.ucsb

The History of UCSB's

Black Studies Department KYLE DENT | Assistant News Editor

s a research university that joined the University of California (UC) system in 1944 and later expanded to the remnants of an old World War II base which occupied Chumash land, our campus has always been surrounded and entrenched in whiteness. Unsurprisingly, the first black students had to fight tooth and nail for the administration to acknowledge them as well as black studies as a valid discipline. In the spring quarter of 1968, the Afro-American Student Union submitted a document to the UC system titled, “Proposal For Establishing a Black Studies Program to the University of California,” which provided a clear outline for why black students needed a center to educate themselves on their history, and create

2 | NEWS

a better future. Gaining the knowledge to understand and end the oppression black people face for future generations was an important element of the proposal: “Universities are the wholesale producers of a designated mentality conductive to the perpetration and continuation of America’s present national life … there is little need to detail the sad circumstances of our plight in American society.” “We, the young, must shoulder the major portion of this burden; that we, the young, are the key link to the survival of our kind; that we must therefore call unto and surround ourselves with resources of all kind and material which will aid us in preparing for this great task. A qualitative change in our education is necessary to this end.”

The proposal also outlined classes and how many units they’d be worth, how recruitment for the major would work, and extension programs between campuses. However, UC administration all but ignored the students, accepting none of their demands. The black student body had to turn elsewhere to make themselves heard. About six months later, on Oct. 14, 1968, sixteen black students held a public demonstration. At 6:30 a.m., the students quickly occupied the computer center in UC Santa Barbara's (UCSB) North Hall. This was one of the four computer centers in America at this time, and allowed for that era’s only form of “internet” to run, as well as housing student records and the like. As such, this was a hotspot on campus, and the black students knew this. They planned the “high-risk” operation two weeks in advance, learning about exit routes out of the building in case of police intervention. They occupied the building for hours, refusing to leave until their demands were heard, such as the establishment of a black students department, and appointing a black woman within the Educational Opportunity Program. Many black and white students surrounded the building,

with many oﬀering supporting chants, decrying police presence, and tossing food up to those inside. After many hours of the administration failing to satisfy the occupants, they eventually agreed to seven out of eight students demands, and the students left North Hall. A year later, the students and administration wrote “A Proposal for a Black Studies Program at UCSB,” to structure the new black studies department on campus. This did not spell a perfect peace for black students, however. In October of 1969, UCSB’s Black Student Union (BSU) called for the chair of the black studies department to step down, citing his lack of black faculty and advisers in the department. After statements from both parties, he stepped down, though the next chair was not highly favored either. The department also faced judgement from other disciplines on campus that felt ethnic studies were an unnecessary field, and professors who’d use their experience in the department as a resume builder to further their career. The department dealt with constant incursions by administration and outside faculty. Five years after its inception, UCSB’s administration declared the department wasn’t researching and performing exactly as the UC would like. The black studies department had to demand more faculty and human resources to meet the university's requirements, which the school barely accepted — it has never been an easy road for black

studies. However, in 1974, Gerard Pigeon took over as chair of the black studies department, and it grew immensely over his 26 years, with six valedictorians, over 4,000 enrolled students and ranking for top 10 for faculty research. During his tenure, he was well-loved by students and staﬀ for participating in protests, like a hunger strike to improve ethnic studies requirements. The department now “assumes a matrix model, bringing together scholars from an array of disciplines concerned with the Black Diaspora (the United States and Caribbean), as well as Africa," to encourage a holistic view of blackness. Now, the department is considered ninth in the nation, and led to the development of other ethnic studies programs as well as gender studies at UCSB and within our country as a whole. Throughout the generations, our black studies program has made their message clear: they will be heard, and they will get what they deserve. Illustration by Lauren Luna | Staff Illustrator

Board of Supervisors

Creates Law to Allow Residents to Sell Homemade Meals LAUREN LUNA | Staff Writer

n Jan. 28, the Santa Barbara County board of supervisors made a unanimous decision to implement a law allowing independent vendors to sell food and beverages with the proper credentials in Santa Barbara. These businesses, also known as microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs), exist within single family homes and can sell foods to the public. The days of sidewalk lemonade stands have passed; vendor’s permits and other civic regulations have made the spontaneous production of homemade goods nearly impossible for small-scale businesses. But, the implementation of legal resolutions like AB 626 have broadened the definition of “food facilities” to include MEHKOs. In Santa Barbara County, numerous MEHKOs have operated on extralegal grounds. The board of supervisors’ decision establishes a “pathway to legal compliance,” according to Santa Barbara Independent’s Delaney Smith.

The resolution directly states that it will include a “microenterprise home kitchen operation within the definition of a food facility, and would define a microenterprise home kitchen operation to mean a food facility that is operated by a resident in a private home where food is stored, handled, and prepared for, and may be served to, consumers, and that meets specified requirements, including, among others, that the operation has no more than one full-time equivalent food employee and has no more than $50,000 in verifiable gross annual sales.” In layman’s terms, AB 626 defines what a microenterprise food operation is the qualifications necessary for it to sustain business. Ultimately, the county decides how broad the qualifications are for MEHKOs to operate. The decision made by the board of supervisors essentially granted the maximum freedom within the outlines of AB 626 for independent vendors to operate. When it comes to how this policy aﬀects Isla Vista (I.V.) the

TBL 2019-2020 STAFF

results of the resolution won’t be entirely clear for a while after the board’s decision. One positive anticipated outcome of the resolution is the growth of local businesses in Santa Barbara County. In an age where sustainability initiatives have tremendously grown in awareness, this resolution reflects a potential turn towards small, local enterprises instead of large chain corporations. With places like the IV Food Co-Op, where funds are directed towards the Isla Vista community itself rather than business profits, this redirection from big corporations isn’t new to the city. This resolution also presents possible competition for other small businesses, one notably being I.V. tacos. Yet the scale of MEHKOs compared to the scale of more established vendors may not present as large a change to the consumption from the latter category. If anything, the board’s decision may simply create a larger platform for people looking to build a career in food service.

MEHKOs have begun to take a larger role in the Isla Vista community as of late. On Super Bowl Sunday, for example, chili dogs were sold to local Isla Vista residents. Supervisor Joan Hartmann is thrilled that this decision has integrated MEHKOs into the legal network of food enterprises in Santa Barbara county. Here is her directly released statement on the decision: “I'm excited that the board of supervisors unanimously voted to opt into a new state law (AB 626) to allow for microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs). County staff is now in the process of crafting what our ordinance will look like. Permitting small-scale home food production will put existing operators on a fair pathway for compliance with safety standards and can create economic opportunities for interested home-cooking entrepreneurs. The board also directed staff to explore new options to allow wine tasting rooms to add small kitchens and begin offering

expanded food options to their patrons. There is also potential for I.V. residents to participate in this enterprise. I encourage anyone interested in a home kitchen operation to reach out to the County Public Health to enroll in food safety education training for safety standards.”

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

Layout Editor | Melody Li Pages 13, 14, 15, 16 Layout Editor | Amanda Wang Pages 1, 2, 3, 4 Layout Editor | Christine Ho Pages 5, 6, 7, 8 Social Media Coordinator | Esther Liu

Marketing Director | Jonathan Chavez Advertising Director | Madeleine Korn Web Editor | Annie Huang Comic Artist | Jake Ortega

NEWS | 3

Anita Hill Speaks Out About

Sexual- and Gender-Based Violence RAYMOND MATTHEWS | Opinions Editor

ivil and women’s rights icon Anita Hill visited UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) last week for a presentation on the intersections of gender and sexual violence, in an event that served as a part of the UCSB Feminist Futures Initiative. Hill rose to prominence 28 years ago for her testimony in the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Judge Clarence Thomas, during which she bravely testified that Thomas repeatedly sexually harassed her during her two years of employment as his assistant. Hill’s courage empowered women from all walks of life to fight sexual harassment and helped foster equality for women in the workplace. Today, Hill, a professor, finds parallels to her experiences in the #MeToo movement and Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s recent Supreme Court confirmation hearings. As an activist against sexualand gender-based violence, Hill believes that these types of violence need to be understood as large-scale problems that aﬀect everyone — directly or indirectly — regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. “Abuse toward women, girls, and non-binary people is a threat to us all no matter who or where we are because that type of injustice threatens everyone’s security,” Hill said. “When an individual is assaulted in a community, the entire community is threatened and

4 | FEATURES

everyone needs to take interest.” Hill noted that there has been a cultural shift when it comes to sexual- and gender-based violence that started with the #MeToo movement in 2017. “In 2017 through the valiant eﬀorts of #MeToo activists, it became clear that the extent of sexual violence around the world is incalculable. But, I’ve noticed that sex violence hasn’t significantly declined since then, partially because there’s been no robust government action to address this crisis,” she said. Hill believes that gendered and sexual violence needs to be treated as a crisis, and as such, there needs to be legislature that prevents and penalizes these behaviors. But, as Hill noted, sexual- and gender-based violence is rarely thought of as a large-scale issue that requires political action. “None of the Democratic primary candidates have spoken about sexual violence and harassment in their campaigns or in their policies, which worries me because these problems are crises and need to be solved through government intervention,” Hill said. “Judge Kavanaugh’s appointment to the Supreme Court shows that we’re nowhere near where we need to be politically when it comes to sexual- and gender-based violence.” Until there are more concrete laws that penalize and prevent gendered and sexual violence, Hill believes that we need more public education

and advocacy that would change the ways we view them. “Short of government action, we need to move the public perception of sexual violence forward quite a lot; many people still deny that it exists,” she said. In Hill’s framework, there are three specific ways that people deny sexualand gender-based violence. The first form of denial is when a person dismisses sexual assault and accuses survivors of lying about their abuse. This recently happened to Hill when someone asked her, "How does it feel to be the one witch who started all these false accusations?" For Hill, this isn’t an uncommon reaction. The second manifests when people acknowledge that there is an issue, but deem it a small is-

sue with a quick fix. “People who think this way usually think that if more women come forward, this problem will end,” said Hill. “The problem there is that more women reporting crimes to a system that’s designed not to solve said crimes won’t help anyone.” The third way people deny sexual- and gender-based violence is by recognizing that they are big issues, but dismissing them as inevitable and unsolvable, leaving the next generation to find a solution. Hill cautioned that these forms of violence shouldn’t be thought of as generational issues, as this way of thinking won’t move society toward new solutions for sexual and gendered violence. “Personally, I don’t wanna be

the generation that passes this problem down to a new generation and leave all the work of solving it to new, vulnerable groups of people,” Hill said. “This fictional ‘woke’ generation doesn’t bear the responsibility of ending sexual and gendered violence. No one generation created it and no single generation can fix it.” Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore

How to Truly Support The Black Community RISA MORI | Contributing Writer

elebrated every February in the U.S., Black History Month began as a way of remembering people and events in the history of the African diaspora, as well as acknowledging the black community’s contributions to society. But it’s important to remember that supporting and celebrating the black community isn’t confined to one month in a year. Here are some ways you can really support, respect, and celebrate black communities during Black History Month and every other day of the year. Continue conversations about black issues throughout the year: The effects of issues impacting black communities are felt year-round. The prison-industrial complex, for example, continues to disproportionately imprison black people than white, resulting in generational trauma for black families. Continue these conversations not just in the 28 days of February, but all year long. Say black when you mean black: Although people mean well by referring to “people of color,” the lack of specificity in language takes away from distinguishing between the various struggles different groups face. Different issues require different solutions, therefore combining

“people of color” into one group can spread false information. “I definitely prefer the word ‘black’ than ‘African American’ because African American only has the scope of the U.S., which excludes the struggles of black people all over the world,” said Daevionne Beasley, a third-year sociology major at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) and the Associated Students external vice president of statewide aﬀairs in an interview with The Bottom Line. “It’s okay to say ‘black’ and it’s especially important when it comes to talking about black people globally.” Support black people in STEM: Professor of black studies and Director of the UCSB Center for Black Studies Research Sharon Tettegah believes much of the focus on black academia leans towards the humanities and social sciences. She urges people to take notice and support black students and scholars in STEM. “There are a lot of people doing research in STEM fields that look at various aspects of the black or African diaspora,” said Tettegah in an interview with The Bottom Line.”For example, a group of students studying environmental issues were looking at

the eﬀects of fracking in the black community. I would like to see more students have an interest in addressing big issues in the black community.” Support black as a form of justice, not

pity: “You shouldn’t buy a black person’s piece of work just because they’re black, even if it’s not good art,” said Beasley, echoing the sentiments of Michelle Nicole, educator and co-founder

of Passion and Power who challenged her Instagram followers to support black people as a form of justice and not of pity. Actions like eating at a blackowned restaurant, supporting black student organizations, celebrating black creatives, or writing about people in the black community, won’t mean anything unless there is the intention to educate yourself about black issues and the black community. “Realizing that black people have been denied the rights for generations to own property and businesses, and give their kin generational wealth is definitely something to keep in mind when buying from black owned-businesses or creatives,” said Beasley. Educate yourself on the black experience: Take a black studies course, or a few, to learn more about black people in the world — such as their history, culture, and sociology. Learn about black academia through the Center of Black Studies Research, which supports interdisciplinary research and community engagement of black scholars. “People stay within their own communities,” said Tettegah, “so we all need to take some prac-

tice at associating and getting to understand people from diverse groups and get rid of stereotypes.” Professor Tettegah also suggests visiting The History Makers website, a digital collection of black stories across all disciplines. Listen to the black community: Taking a black studies course is just a foot in the door. To begin to have an awareness of and understand black epistemologies and existence, educate yourself by listening directly to black people. When writing on black communities, for example, reach out to black writers, or if written by someone outside of the black community, take the time to listen to stories directly from the black community and consult with them. “Immerse yourself, get involved, learn more about [black] culture and really learn about it with open eyes and not judgement,” said Tettegah. “You learn a lot just by interacting with other people. Immersing with the company of people on a regular basis lets you understand a little bit, just the tip of the iceberg. It takes time.” Graphic courtesy of Black Student Union

FEATURES | 5

Inspring Black Films for KAYLA CURTIS-EVANS | Contributing Writer

ilm connects us to each other — so it might come as a surprise to some that the diversity we see in real life is not always reflected on screen. However, in the past few decades, film has come a long way in the realm of representation and opportunity. The Bottom Line celebrates this growth by compiling a list of movies to watch in honor of Black History Month. These movies are considered notable films in the black community because they showcase the immense transformation and success that black directors and writers have experienced in the past few decades. In addition, they also depict strong and dynamic black protagonists, who represent the black community in

a respectful and empowering way. The first film on this list was released in 1961, and is called “A Raisin in the Sun.” This film was an adaptation of a play written by Lorraine Hansberry, the first African American female author to have a play performed on Broadway. “A Raisin in the Sun” serves as a contrast to more modern films on this list, including “Selma” (2014), “Get Out” (2017), and “Black Panther” (2018). “Raisin in the Sun” (1961) follows a lowclass black family living in Chicago in the 1950s. They aspire to move into a neighborhood of predominantly white families, and this causes conflict. The Younger family’s ability to withstand discrimination and gain strength

6 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

through hardship is inspiring and drives the story forward. The theme of the immense strength contained within the black community continues throughout each of the other selected movies. “Selma” (2014) depicts the Montgomery, Alabama voting rights marches led by Hosea Williams, John Lewis, and activist Martin Luther King Jr. This film gives its audience an up-close and personal look at the battle for equality that African American individuals waged during the civil rights area through its incredibly moving scenes. “Black Panther” (2018) is also a film about power. Featuring an outrageously talented cast, this sci-fi/fantasy movie tells the story of an African king who has

returned to his native nation to claim the throne after his father passes away. However, when an enemy appears, he rallies the members of his kingdom, and their collective power ultimately leads them to success. This film features Academy Award-nominated actor Daniel Kaluuya, who is also part of an exceptional story in the 2017 film “Get Out.” “Get Out” is one of the most compelling and nuanced films that has been made recently. It portrays a metaphor for the narrative of helplessness that black individuals may feel in everyday life — they are stuck in “a sunken place” without any way to escape. Daniel Kaluuya portrays his character with so much depth, that although it is an eerie story, audi-

ences cannot peel their eyes from the screen. Each of these movies follow similar themes that focus on strong black characters reclaiming their identities, rights, and standing up for themselves in the face of adversity. The resilient representations of black characters in these movies are highly influential. These stories have impacted the media industry in large ways, showing that not only can black actors tell stories well, but also black filmmakers are able to create groundbreaking stories. By celebrating black films, we commemorate the inclusiveness, empowerment, and hope that characterize the black community. Photo Courtesy of WikiMedia Commons

ICONIC BLACK ARTISTS From Louis Armstrong Lamar VANESSA SU | A & E Editor

usic has always been a universal art that allows people of various backgrounds and lifestyles to connect and share their culture with others. The music industry today has been influenced by key African American culture and musicians, who deserve to be credited for the way they shaped various genres of music like jazz, hip-hop, and pop. One of the most influential jazz musicians, Louis Armstrong was famous for shaping not only jazz music in America but also for creating a path for more black musicians to start performing during the mid-1900s, which was a racially divided period of time for black entertainers. Often using his own charismatic vocals in his songs, his songs continue to be the beloved favorites of jazz-lovers in America and across the world. With classic songs such as “I Will Always Love You” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” pop star and icon Whitney Houston has long been one of the best-selling singers in the world. Her vocal fluidity and emotional

delivery allowed her to become cited by many artists as an influence in their love for music and a strong force that drove America to fall into a craze for pop music. A voice for activism and social issues, Tupac Shakur, also known as 2Pac, is one of the most significant figures in the world of hip-hop and rap music. Often referenced in rappers’ lyrics, 2Pac inspired many musicians to speak up on society’s problems such as poverty and racial discrimination while crafting unique rap and advancing the hip-hop scene in America. To this day, the brave messages embedded in his lyrics continue to inspire teenagers around the world. Widely known for her powerful dance-filled performances and strong feminist voice, Beyonce has been a black role model and is often referenced on the Internet for her empowering music and content. Starting from her musical journey as part of group Destiny’s Child, she consistently impresses audiences globally and is an artist whose name will go down in history as an inspiration

to many aspiring artists. Since his debut album good kid, m.A.A.d city, Kendrick Lamar has become one of the most common artists heard blasted anywhere from college parties to dance studios. His trap-heavy tracks filled with poetic lines and elements of musical genres such as jazz, soul, funk are timeless favorites that led him to be the first non-classical music and non-jazz artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music. Beyond those mentioned in this article, many respected, wonderful black musicians have contributed musically and stylistically to various genres of music popular in America and around the world. The universal ability of music to speak to people can be attributed to the hard work and creative genius of these musical minds, whose works are influenced by black pride and history, spreading a message of strength to the world. Photo Courtesy of Jared Rezak

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 7

UCSB's Environmental Studies Department

Celebrates KAYLA CURTIS-EVANS | Contributing Writer

his weekend, UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) faculty, staﬀ, and students will be celebrating the 50-year anniversary of the environmental studies department, which will be hosting a number of special events and lectures to commemorate the event. This signifies an important landmark in UCSB history, as the environmental studies department has been highly influential on campus and even nationwide. The program was created in 1970 as a response to a nearby oil spill in the Santa Barbara Channel in February 1969. The event brought attention to environmental conservation and preservation. People, especially faculty, began looking for more ways to show consideration for the environment. UCSB’s environmental studies department was one of the first in the country. Now, five decades later, the department consists of over 8,000 undergraduate students and alumni who are passionate about learning more about the Earth and how to protect it. Classes within the department motivate students to become future leaders and problem solvers. The program even created shockwaves outside of UCSB, influencing other institutions all over the country to create similar

8 | SCIENCE & TECH

programs. In an interview with The Bottom Line, David Pellow, head of the environmental studies department, shed some more light on the influence of the department and the upcoming celebration. “Our students, faculty, and staﬀ have long been at the forefront of supporting campus-wide environmental initiatives since our founding, including the greenhouse and gardens, the fossil-free UC campaign, and many others. UCSB's environmental studies program has literally created and transformed the academic field of environmental studies.

Our alumni are founding and directing major non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies, and environmentally friendly corporations.” Pellow goes further to explain how alumni have transformed their education into something bigger than themselves, stating that the environmental studies department alumni are leaders in all sectors. “They are promoting smart city and county planning, changing how companies invest to ensure pro-ecological outcomes, expanding opportunities for students throughout public school

systems to get access to environmental studies curriculum, and leading the movement for environmental and climate justice in communities throughout the nation. Not only did Pellow discuss the impact of the department, but he also emphasized the importance of celebrating the program as a leading force in the field of environmental studies, and his connection to the anniversary. “Issues like environmental justice and climate justice were not on the national agenda at the time of our founding, but UCSB's environmental studies

program has played a major role in centering those challenges (and solutions to them) in scholarly, policy, and media circles in recent years. I think it is safe to say that UCSB environmental studies is at the forefront and thinking and action around how issues like justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion really matter for the environment and our climate.” He goes on to share that, on top of commemorating the department, he has something personal worth celebrating too. “On a more personal note, the environmental studies program and I both turned 50 recently, so taking stock of accomplishments and planning for the next several decades is something I'm doing on several levels.” Students, faculty, and alumni can join the department and Pellow in this celebration on campus. The anniversary proceedings will include panels highlighting graduates’ work, discussions regarding environmental conflict, multiple diﬀerent receptions, and the world premiere of a documentary depicting the history of the environmental studies program. Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photography Editor

The Debate Behind

OIL RIGS ON THE

California Coast

KRYSTAL CHEN | Staff Writer

he existence of oil rigs off the coast of California has been a continuous issue in Santa Barbara over decades. Ever since a rig ruptured and spilled more than 80,000 barrels of oil off Santa Barbara in 1969, the disposition of offshore oil and gas drilling has spurred countless quarrels between oil companies and environmentalists. The process of removing a rig and cleaning the site, known as decommissioning, is complicated and expensive, and includes plugging and cementing wells to make them safe. A total decommission-

ing means the removal of the entire structure. In a typical rigs-toreefs eﬀort, only the top portion of the rig is removed, usually to a depth of about 80 feet, so that they don’t pose any risk to ship hulls. The rest of the rig remains in place as a haven for sea life and for recreational diving or fishing. Facing the fact that 27 oil and gas platforms around the southern coast of California are approaching the end of their working lives, regulators need to present the public with an eﬃcient and environmental-friendly proposal to retire these underwater superstructures. Up until now,

the debate has yet to arrive at a final decision: whether to completely dismantle the oil rigs and clear up the sites, or convert part of the underwater segments into human-made reefs to sustain the current marine ecology. Some concerns that abandoning obsolete oil rigs in open water might lead to unexpected leak of toxic chemicals, thus creating underwater hazards and exposing marine life to unmeasurable danger. However, supporters value these long-existed rigs as permanent homes for sea life and assert that the submerged sections have become productive reefs that

should be left in place. To provide the public with more understanding related to the marine community underneath these oﬀshore platforms, a team of researchers — led by scientists at UC Santa Barbara — has carried out and published 11 studies in a dedicated issue of the Bulletin of Marine Science. Ann Scarborough-Bull, a researcher at UCSB’s Marine Science Institute, has investigated the ecology of oil platforms for 20 years. She found, with the assistance of her colleagues, that the platforms’ intricate networks of scaﬀolding have provided ideal

for invertebrates to colonize and allowed thriving ecosystems to develop. Additionally, research biologist Milton Love — in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — confirmed that the majority of marine life around rigs didn’t migrate to the rigs, it was created there. “On average, as far as fishes are concerned, platforms are more productive than natural reefs in Southern California,” said Dr. Love in an interview with the Current. Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor

SCIENCE & TECH | 9

How Culture Vultures Take Advantage

of Black Outrage RAYMOND MATTHEWS | Opinions Editor

s a veteran of black Twitter, I’ve seen plenty of non-black influencers and celebrities get dragged by their spray-tanstained-polyester-box-braid wigs for cultural appropriation. But as soon as they issue a haphazard Notes app apology, their nonblack fans accept their non-apologies and the controversy blows over. In these cases, cultural appropriation is usually excused as ignorance, but it seems that many non-black celebrities and influencers are doing it as a calculated marketing strategy that relies on black outrage for free publicity. The strategy goes as follows: non-black celebrities and influ-

10 | OPINIONS

encers appropriate popular black culture and aesthetics only to benefit from the publicity that comes with the subsequent outrage. This trend arguably started with the Fashion-Nova-clad queen of appropriation herself, Kim Kardashian. From her infamous box braids, to her multiple blackface faux-pas, and her recent shapewear line “Kimono,” Kim is no stranger to appropriation. One would think that this would get her cancelled immediately, but it has had the opposite eﬀect. She oﬀends black people, we express our outrage on social media, and she finds herself on trending pages and headlines all over the internet only to escape

the outrage with a higher follower count. More recently, social media mogul Nikita Dragun has carried on Kim’s legacy. She was seen in an Instagram story last week with a Kardashian-esque blackface spray tan and durag (a hair wrap that black people wear either as a fashion statement or to accelerate the development of waves, braids, or dreadlocks). When black people called her out for appropriation, Dragun incorrectly explained what a durag is to all of black Twitter in an attempt to smooth things over *deep, negro spiritual sigh. * After that failed, she took to Twitter to announce to tell us all that she doesn't, “como se dice... give

a fuck.” Jeﬀree Star, one of the most popular beauty influencers on YouTube, also landed in hot water recently for cultural appropriation after he wore a dreadlock wig to advertise his latest eyeshadow palette, but this is far from his first anti-black incident. Star is infamous for calling black women “rats” and “gorillas,” shouting the n-word repeatedly, and suggesting that black people lighten our skin with battery acid. But, like his peers Kim and Nikita, he escaped all of his anti-black controversies unscathed after his non-black fanbase accepted his non-apology that wasn’t theirs to accept in the first place.

This trend is so upsetting because it shows that black people’s frustration and outrage isn’t being met with empathy and understanding. Rather, it’s being exploited as a marketing tool by non-black people in powerful positions who degrade us and simultaneously steal our culture. The fact that celebrities and influencers can wear blackface, harass black people with racial slurs, and appropriate our culture with no consequences shows that, in the words of Nikita Dragun, their fans don’t “como se dice… give a fuck.” Illustration Courtesy of Kieth Adam

RESPECTABILITY POLITICS

in the Black Community NATALIA HERNANDEZ | Contributing Writer

merican culture is hypocritical. We brand ourselves as the pinnacle of democracy and freedom, yet we seem to forget that our country was built on the oppression of others. In our current era of de facto segregation, racism still exists as a mechanism to set up impossible standards that black public figures have to meet in order to be accepted by the public. Black

public figures are often held to higher standards because of racist attempts to prove that there is no such thing as a black representative that fits the perfect American model. In the National Football League (NFL), for example, when Colin Kaepernick knelt in protest during the national anthem, all hell broke loose. Kaepernick did this to bring awareness to police brutality against the black community in order to make the issue

visible on a bigger platform. But this came at a heavy cost to his career. After that season, Kaepernick became a free agent and no team picked him up. In 2017, he filed a lawsuit against the NFL for job discrimination on the grounds of advocating for social justice and equality. If Megan Rapinoe, a white, LGBTQ soccer star can do the same thing and just get a slap on the wrist from the United States

Soccer Federation, why did it end Kaepernick’s career? It’s almost like the NFL punished Kaepernick for “taking advantage” of the opportunity that he was given to play professional football even though he had the natural talent and physical abilities to earn him the chance to be on a professional team. Once a black public figure is outspoken in any way, their credibility and image are discredited because it’s almost oﬀensive to racist America that they could even think of speaking out against the continual oppression that the black community faces. And of course, we can’t forget about how America tore the Obama family to pieces during the eight years they spent in the White House. Whether it was the humiliation of having to provide his birth certificate to prove his citizenship, the backlash for wearing a tan suit, or being called a liar during a presidential addresses to Congress, the criticism didn’t end with just Barack Obama. Michelle Obama was scrutinized for dressing “inappropriately” as the first lady by wearing sleeveless dresses and gowns. Really, have we not seen what Melania Trump wears?

Let’s also not forget how Trump supporters blew Malia Obama’s underage drinking way out of proportion. What college kid hasn’t had an underage drink? Shouldn't we be talking about the fact that Donald Trump’s kids had to go through training to teach them not to steal money from the “charities” they run? The Obamas were held to the highest standards while they were in oﬃce and it’s as if they had to walk on eggshells with every single move they made or else they’d get torn down. They were expected to behave with perfect decorum at all costs but by the standards of opposing racists. The Obamas were not seen as a legitimate public image to represent America just for the classic racist excuse that has been around since the foundation of our country: because of the color of their skin. This idea extends to all black public figures. The double standard that the black community is forced to uphold reinforces the fact that racism still exists in America and no matter how much we progress as a society, we will still continue benefiting oﬀ of the oppression of others. Illustration by Echo Dieu | Staff Illustrator

OPINIONS | 11

Eartha Kitt

Maya Angelou

DREW BUCHANAN | Staff Illustrator

LAUREN LUNA | Contributing Illustrator

KIMPTON GOODLAND

Loves UCSB

1701 State Street

Santa Barbara 805-898-1886 Now Offering Delivery by

4765 Calle Real

Santa Barbara 805-967-3030 Now Offering Delivery by

1114 Casitas Pass Rd. Carpinteria 805-566-4926

12 | ILLUSTRATIONS

f ree breakfast

PARENTS & ALUMNI

Purchase one breakfast entrée and two beverages and receive a second entrée of equal or lesser value free! (up to $9) valid every day, anytime (excluding holidays) Please present coupon when ordering. Online coupons must be printed and presented when ordering. Offer valid at participating Santa Barbara and Carpinteria locations only. Not valid with any other coupon, discount, or specials. Limit one coupon per party per visit. Dine-in only. Expires 3/20/20 cs

f lunch ree

Purchase one lunch entrée and two beverages and receive a second entrée of equal or lesser value free! (up to $9)) valid every day, anytime (excluding holidays)

So much so, that in addition to offering the most stylishly laid-back coastal California vibe, we provide some of the best discounts around. Simply visit: thegoodland.com/santa-barbara/ucsb-hotels

Please present coupon when ordering. Online coupons must be printed and presented when ordering. Offer valid at participating Santa Barbara and Carpinteria locations only. Not valid with any other coupon, discount, or specials. Limit one coupon per party per visit. Dine-in only. Expires 3/20/20 cs

fdinner ree

Purchase one dinner entrée and two beverages and receive a second entrée of equal or lesser value free! (up to $9) valid every day, anytime (excluding holidays) Please present coupon when ordering. Online coupons must be printed and presented when ordering. Offer valid at participating Santa Barbara and Carpinteria locations only. Not valid with any other coupon, discount, or specials. Limit one coupon per party per visit. Dine-in only. Expires 3/20/20 cs

5650 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117 | (805) 964-6241 | @goodlandsb

Comic of the Week

"happy one year of gaucho & mapache"

Comic by Jake Ortega | Comic Artist

Mercury in Retrograde GRACE PARK | Contributing Illustrator

ILLUSTRATIONS | 13

ucsb

one. 1: Tired of the unequal treatment and passive-aggressive racism they received as members of the community, twelve black UCSB students barricaded themselves in North Hall as an act of civil disobedience. 2: After some deliberation, the students agreed drastic measures were necessary to incite the change they needed. 3: Throughout its 51 years, the black studies department has experienced constant growth and change. Today, North Hall still hosts murals showcasing the students' push for a more representative curriculum and equal treatment.

two. 14 | PHOTOSTORY

three.

black history GRAEME JACKSON | Photo Editor

four. 4: The black studies department was founded in 1969 as a result of the activism of the 12 students. 5: UCSBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Black History Week took place in February of 1968, allowing students on campus to learn more about the African American experience.

five. PHOTOSTORY | 15

The Black Voice Poem by JAYDEN BLAIR | Contributing Writer Illustration by ECHO DIEU | Staff Illustrator

I am Black. And therefore denied the space to feel Not given a room to wiggle in No chance to be silent And forbidden the right to be loud I’m Black. Told to forget the lashes across the backs of not-so distant relatives Close eyes to brothers and sisters assassinated by peace ofﬁcers Runaway from my neighborhood to your pure white land Put on a new face and become your Raggedy Ann Black. With two tongues, 1 native, the other of my rapist A messy memory of the Land of Eden Roots covered by tainted soil My hair a distraction to your white order I am Black. Been trying to scream “I Can’t Breathe” Hands up to God, as the sound never escapes my throat Choked up as tears stream down a face A face hidden behind a cracked smile I’m Black. So I’ve developed a third eye Without it I don’t know how I’d navigate The obstacles that only come on this side of the color line How scared of me could you be to make yourself divine Black. Sometimes I want to say it proud When I’m the only one I worry it’s all they see Go out your way to ignore me or make me a spokesperson All I want is a voice unpoliced to let my mind be

ILLUSTRATIONS | 16