The Battalion - March 11, 2021

THURSDAY, MARCH 11 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2021 STUDENT MEDIA

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

The A&M System will maintain its face covering and limited capacity protocols.

A&M to keep COVID-19 protocols University responds to governor’s order, keeps mask requirement

By Julia Potts @juliaapotts Texas A&M has responded to Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent executive order that lifted the mask mandate and allowed businesses to open to full capacity on March 10.

It has been almost a year since COVID-19 first emerged in Brazos County and A&M moved classes online for the remaining spring 2020 semester. Since then, there have been online and in-person classes with safety procedures in place, as well as free testing offered for students on campus.

Since the release of COVID-19 vaccines in December, over 14 percent of the country’s population has received at least the first dose.

In Brazos County, 33,631 people have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, making up 15.33 percent of the county population, and 13,886 people have been fully vaccinated, making up 6.34 percent.

Since the start of the pandemic, 17,828 total cases have been reported and 221 deaths have occurred in Brazos County as of March 10.

Closer to home, A&M reported 340 active cases of the virus, including staff and students, as of March 7, according to A&M’s COVID-19 PROTOCOLS ON PG. 6

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Camryn Lang, Class of 2020, deposits her completed COVID-19 test in a biohazard bin as she exits the testing tent located in Lot 27 next to Beutel Health Center.

Local experts reflect on year of COVID-19

A&M health care officials encourage continued mask use, social distancing, vaccination if possible

By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel

O

n March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Now, a year later, experts have learned much more about the novel coronavirus and the effect it has had on the world.

In March of 2020, when businesses began to close in order to limit exposures, COVID-19 was a mystery to many, and there were questions about how it’s spread, how infectious it is and more. Now, both

health care officials and the public are learning the ins and outs of dealing with COVID-19.

Texas A&M EMS Medical Director Garry Gore said over the past year medical staff have become more familiar with COVID-19 and how to deal with it. Gore added that Student Health Services has experienced no COVID-19 transmission from patients to medical staff.

“We were really not sure what was happening early on and we didn’t have a lot of information, so there was a heightened awareness and a lot of fear even among some of our medical staff here,” Gore said. “We have become a lot more comfortable dealing with it now that we have some experience behind us.”

A year ago, officials had little idea how exactly the virus spread but have now learned the proper techniques to combat it, such as wearing masks, physical distancing and having increased ventilation.

“I think that a lot of people are much more comfortable knowing that the mea-

A&M Period Project challenges status quo via Facebook @honeysfsweets

Honey’s Favored Sweets & Eats has a menu that include both sweet and savory dishes.

Local favorite serves dessert with a twist Honey’s Favored Sweets & Eats has become an instant classic since opening

By Kathryn Miller @kathrynmiller0 Honey’s Favored Sweets & Eats, a local Black-owned business, offers an assortment of mouthwatering, savory snacks and desserts for the Bryan-College Station area.

Located inside Halftime at Highway 21 in Bryan, the booming business started on Demonica Young’s porch in May 2017 while she sold banana pudding and strawberry cheesecake dessert jars.

“My friend told me that I should try to fry cheesecake, so I said okay and did it,” Young said. “Since then I’ve been frying desserts, and now we’re making food, too.”

Though Young has been making desserts since 2017, Honey’s has only been in business since April 2020, and the grand opening was only two weeks after COVID-19 was declared a national emergency in mid-March. Much of the publicity and marketing for Honey’s Favored Sweets & Eats was done through Facebook, HONEY’S ON PG. 2

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

The Period Project provides free menstrual products to students across several locations on campus.

New campus initiative provides free menstrual products in bathrooms

By Shelby McVey @shelbyxbreann After three years of trials and tribulations, the Texas A&M Period Project has officially launched on campus.

The idea of the Period Project was introduced in 2018 by Ashali Chimata, Class of 2019 and former Student Services chair in

the Student Senate, in order to serve students with free menstrual products in several buildings on campus. Since Feb. 23, the project has placed dispensers in women’s restrooms in the Memorial Student Center, Wehner, Langford, Blocker and Sterling C. Evans Library.

According to the project’s Twitter, the initiative is not currently permanent, but they are working to show administrators why the Period Project deserves to be a permanent fixture in the campus community.

Chimata’s first step after taking her posi-

sures are helping and know that we can reopen to a degree,” Gore said. “I think with the governor’s recent declaration, there is going to be increased anxiety as people see people without masks.”

Health care employees have been working around the clock to make sure the public stays safe. Dean of the School of Public Health Shawn Gibbs said this has involved long shifts and plenty of personal protective equipment to ensure their own safety. Many health care workers have even left their families for prolonged amounts of time to travel to high risk areas because of the need for medical workers at the beginning of the pandemic.

“It is never-ending for them,” Gibbs said. “Most health care workers were on the front line of this and working 12-hour shifts.

There is also the constant worry that they are going to bring this home to their families.”

Although it is unusual for vaccines to be quickly approved, over the past year many COVID-19 ON PG. 2

tion in Student Senate was to create this pilot program, which she said involved finding the funding in order to actually implement her idea. The Aggie Green Fund was her solution.

After the lengthy process of applying for the grant was complete, it wasn’t until Chimata was getting ready to put on her graduation gown in May 2019 that she heard back about receiving the funds needed to kickstart the project. But that didn’t stop her from ensuring the project would continue even after she had walked the stage.

“By the time they had gotten back to me that we had received the grant it was so late in the year I thought that in order to really do this, we’d have to start this the following semester and I would be graduating, so it couldn’t be me in charge of this,” Chimata said. “I talked to all of the building proctors, the custodial department and maintenance.

I was just trying to get an idea of how to make this happen. I graduate in May 2019, we have this plan and we have this money now. This project was being passed down to the person that was behind me.”

After moving to Washington, D.C. following graduation, Chimata said she started receiving emails from the Green Fund notifying her that requirements for the grant weren’t being met.

“I had moved to D.C., so I wasn’t even in the area anymore, and the Aggie Green Fund was reaching out to me saying that the progress reports weren’t being filled and they had no idea what was going on,’” Chimata said. “That’s when I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to have to step in.’”

After searching far and wide for someone to take over the project properly, Chimata found her new lead project manager in political science senior Erica Pauls.

“So I really threw my weight around,” Chimata said. “I emailed the Speaker [of Student Senate], custodial services and things like that until I finally got Erica to take over the project.”

Pauls said it wasn’t difficult to get the ball rolling again once she was handed the project; however, COVID-19 halted progress once again.

“It was all a matter of handling the PERIOD PROJECT ON PG. 3

NEWS

2

The Battalion | 3.11.21

HONEY’S CONTINUED

PROVIDED

Owner of Honey’s Favored Sweets & Eats and single mother Demonica Young said her children were her biggest support system when she first began her food business.

COVID-19 CONTINUED companies around the globe have been working to find a vaccine that would help combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19.

So far, three vaccines, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson have been approved for emergency use. The U.S. has worked to pass out the vaccines at the fastest rate possible while making sure those of high risk and front line workers are vaccinated first.

“With everyone having the opportunity to get a vaccine and with continued university guidelines to … wear masks and continue social distancing, I think we will be able to get back to a much more normal campus,” Gore said. “I think we are going to have these protective measures for some time, well over a year, and I think we are going to gradually get

to a point where we are offered vaccines every year like we are with influenza.”

Students and staff going into the 2020 Spring Break did not know they had just left their last week of normalcy. When A&M announced on March 12, 2020, that classes would be solely online for the remaining spring semester, many students began to struggle due to the difficult transition they were suddenly facing.

Professors had to quickly adapt to teaching online as well as worrying for their students, such as business professor Wanda Curtsinger who decided to take professional development courses to help students.

“I started to take a lot of professional development on mental health, suicide [and] depression, and then I sent out links about the food bank and how to get help because I hear a lot of stories of stuff from my students,” Curtsinger said. “I took those professional development courses to make sure that

Young said.

“God led me to open my own business,” Young said. “I’ve always had a passion for cooking, but I’ve never desired to be a person who makes cakes and sweets. One day I was feeling down, and I couldn’t find any work that worked with my schedule of having three kids by myself, so God gave me a business.”

A Bryan-College Station native, Young said her personal history with the area turned into a desire to serve Aggieland in her own way.

“I watched multiple people opening businesses growing up here, and I even worked for some of them,” Young said. “I think that opening a local business myself gives the people around me and my family something to motivate them and look up to.”

Young said she loves seeing customers’ reactions when they get their food and desserts because the presentation of food is not usually what they’re expecting. Young douses her desserts with syrups and whipped cream, and adds garnishes like jalapenos, cheese, bacon or pickles on her snacks for extra flavor.

“The community has been my biggest influence in running my business,” Young said.

“The support is crazy. I didn’t expect to have so many people rooting for me.”

Dessert jars and funnel cakes have become staples at Honey’s, and Young said she is often recognized when she goes out in the community for her delectable desserts.

The restaurant posts daily and weekly specials, game night giveaways, profit shares, donations, pictures and updates on business on their Facebook and Instagram pages. if students do come to me, then I can listen and give them recommendations on what to do and where to go.”

Curtsinger said she knew the transition to online learning was no easy task for anyone and students would begin to struggle due to outside stress and the adjustments they would have to make on top of all of the unknown in the world.

Gov. Greg Abbott recently announced the state mask order that was lifted on March 10 and businesses can begin to operate with no seating capacity limits, which raised concerns among medical professionals who fear there could be another spike in positive COVID-19 cases.

Gibbs said he does not believe there will be another shut down even if case numbers do rise again because public opinion has begun shifting away from widespread fear about COVID-19.

“On a typical day, I usually get to work at about nine o’clock, then start to make all the food and desserts for the day,” Young said. “It usually takes two to three hours to do the food prep, then I stay here all day taking orders and serving my customers.”

Young said her family has been supportive of her starting and operating Honey’s.

“When I first started, [my kids] were definitely my biggest support system,” Young said. “They’d tell their teachers and people at school about the food I was making. My kids, particularly one of my sons who’s always in the kitchen with me, will continue to run the business one day.”

Early childhood education sophomore Kathryn Vale visited Honey’s to participate in her sorority’s profit share supporting Pretty Brown Girl.

“Ms. Demonica was friendly and welcoming,” Vale said. “The desserts there aren’t your typical ones — they’re fair food with a twist. Her recipes are all uniquely hers.”

Supporting independent businesses such as Honey’s Favored Sweets and Eats is integral to fostering innovation and helping the community thrive, Vale said.

Business management senior Priya Basin said Young is extremely helpful when answering customers’ questions, and her food is prepared fresh and fast.

“I’ve noticed Honey’s and similar small businesses give extra attention and care to each individual customer and really care about everyone having a positive experience,” Basin said. “Therefore, it’s important to support small businesses like Honey’s, especially during a pandemic. Our support is what is keeping them afloat and allowing them to remain in business during these times.”

“Just when they think there is some light at the end of the tunnel, states start changing their protocols and opening things up, so it is likely that we are going to see more cases,” Gibbs said. “I think that public perception has shifted greatly, and I think that it is very unlikely that we go backwards at this point even if that is where the science points.”

Looking forward, Gibbs said there is still much to do to combat this pandemic. After a year of physical distancing, wearing masks and quarantining, health officials still urge people to continue these practices to limit the spread of the virus as it continues on a year later.

“My concern is people thinking it is over,” Gibbs said. “We have vaccines coming out, but they are coming out slowly. Additionally, you do not get the upper efficacy until about two weeks after your second dose.”

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The Battalion | 3.11.21

Student Bonfire exhibits selfless service

Via Twitter @StudentBonfire

Student Bonfire helped the Bryan-College Station community prepare for the winter weather by offering free firewood to hundreds of people.

Bonfire distributes free firewood to Brazos County during winter storm

By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel Before the historic weather storm the week of Feb. 14, Student Bonfire helped provide the Bryan-College Station community with firewood in preparation for the cold weather.

Student Bonfire traditionally sells firewood every year as a fundraiser to offset the cost of tools and other expenses. With the winter storms approaching, however, leadership including chemical engineering junior and senior redpot Jacob Lewis thought they could

PERIOD PROJECT CONTINUED logistics and a matter of gathering a really good group of people, and there is a lot in the Senate right now that this is something they’re really passionate about,” Pauls said. “We actually had hoped to have this project out earlier, but because of [COVID-19] that wasn’t possible.”

Pauls said with lower income students not having access to things like sanitary pads and tampons, this creates a barrier in their education and said she’ll

help out the community with the extra firewood.

“We just figured after the support we received in the last year due to COVID[-19], it would be a good opportunity to give back to the county,” Lewis said.

What started out as a small proposition rapidly grew after a post on their Facebook page spread their offer around the Bryan-College Station area. General studies junior and junior redpot Bryan Peters said initial customers helped spread the message about free wood, and they ended up supplying hundreds of cars on site.

“We had a ton of people. We were not expecting as good of a turnout as we had,” Peters said.

do anything to make sure that is eliminated.

“There have been times when Aggies couldn’t afford period products, where they had to use something else or actually leave for home,” Pauls said.

“When you think about that, that is a barrier to student success and academic activities that they want to partake in.

[The project is] important to me so that any barrier that prevents anyone from being successful is brought down.”

The Period Project is challenging the status quo by bringing an uncomfort-

able topic to the surface, Chimata said.

But the project is also bringing awareness to the fact that not every college student can afford monthly menstrual products.

“I think that a lot of people are ignorant to the amount of poverty that exists among college students,” Chimata said.

“If your food isn’t secure, I don’t think it’s crazy for me to assume that you’re having a hard time affording pads and tampons as well. People think, ‘Is this even necessary?’ because of course you can afford that.”

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THE BATTALION is published Thursdays during the 2021 sprint semester (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center.

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Bonfire leadership strived to make sure no one left empty handed, splitting more wood as people continued arriving, Peters said. Bonfire advisor Dion McInnis said he was blown away by the response and was happy to see the effect it had on the community.

“When it was all said and done, it was all trial by fire,” McInnis said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them because they asked for it, and they had some inkling of the scope of the challenge that they were volunteering for, but they didn’t flinch and they doubled down.”

The firewood that was given out for free was some people’s only source of heat during the widespread power outages from the storm.

“It felt pretty good knowing … we were getting rid of old wood that we had literal-

Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.

ly no use for that was just taking up a lot of space, and turning it into something that people could benefit from,” Lewis said.

This is not the first time student leaders in Bonfire have stepped up to use their ability to help the community. They have exemplified selfless service by offering their help on multiple occasions, such as when Franklin was hit with a bad storm a few years ago. Lewis said Student Bonfire appreciates the community and will always lend a hand when something arises.

“If given the opportunity, we are not going to hesitate to give back to the community so we can rely on each other when times are tough,” Lewis said.

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The Battalion | 3.11.21

OPINION

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Starting March 8, Brazos County began accepting vaccination appointments through a new website, brazoshub.com.

How and why you should get the COVID-19 vaccine Opinion writer Zach Freeman describes why getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is especially important right now Zach Freeman @ZachAtBatt

L

ast week, I was doomscrolling through Twitter and was becoming increasingly anxious about the COVID-19 vaccine horror stories being thrown around. The rational part of my brain told me there was nothing to worry about. The panicky part screamed loudly to try and block out that reassurance. The next day, I received my first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Apart from a slightly sore arm, I had no side effects. Overall, it was less unpleasant than a flu shot. A clear head prevailed, and I was left perfectly fine with greater peace of mind.

Paranoia is only one of several impediments to getting over our collective quarantine blues. With the vaccine only available to frontline medical workers, childcare personnel, teachers and those designated under Phase 1B in Texas, many people don’t see a clear path forward.

Phase 1B — the second designation for those eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine — may still be an option for many who think otherwise.

I’m a relatively healthy 21-year-old college student, probably not the demographic that comes to mind when you read over the Phase 1B qualifications.

Despite that, I signed up through St. Joseph Health’s website, and after filling out some basic information and waiting a few weeks, I was able to schedule an appointment.

I was approved under 1B because I had a brain tumor eight years ago. For the record, I’m fine now, and my distant medical history even comes with perks.

Who’da thunk it? If you have ever had any of the medical conditions listed under Phase 1B or others, you can qualify like I did.

Recently, Brazos County updated its application process and will be accepting new applicants starting Monday, March 8 at 10 a.m. The Brazos Center stated their goal is, “getting a shot in everyone’s arm who wants one.” With the application now easier than it’s ever been, we should make it our responsibility to fulfill this goal. Additionally, these updates may further reduce wait times, making it faster for everyone to get vaccinated.

There are options in some areas for those who don’t yet qualify under Phase 1B. Hardin and Orange counties have opened up vaccinations to everyone, even residents from other parts of Texas, due to an excess of unfilled appointments. Pharmacies all over the country are also vaccinating anybody before closing time so leftover vaccines don’t go to waste. Thousands of unused vaccines are thrown away because of unwieldy guidelines and too few applicants. Therefore,

communities of people trying to find these vaccines before they’re thrown away have emerged. Individuals involved in these societies have become known as vaccine hunters.

Thankfully, the percentage of tossed vaccines is small relative to the total number of doses produced. However, hospitals not reporting unused vaccine data muddies the water. Regardless, we should not let any vaccines be wasted as long as people are trying to get them.

As many as one-third of Americans do not intend to be vaccinated, so we must accommodate those actively trying to get vaccinated. We’re going to need everyone we can to have a chance of canceling out the harm done by those who refuse the vaccine. To ensure COVID-19 is no longer a present threat, we need to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the population. Currently, only 15 percent of Texans have received their first dose, and eight percent of the state has received both shots.

Vaccine alarmism — worries stoked by the misrepresentation of COVID-19 data — is a real threat to herd immunity.

I’ve seen firsthand the fear people create by tying unrelated deaths to COVID-19 vaccines. Misinformation attributing deaths to the vaccines still permeates many online spaces, despite their proven safety. Even when Pfizer was testing their vaccine, panicky brains obsessed over the fact that six participants died

during clinical trials. However, four of the six who died were in the control group, which only received saltwater, and all six had died of unrelated causes.

The death rate within Pfizer’s trial was no different than the normal death rate of the age group being tested.

Ironically, it’s been those who are most averse to following health and safety protocols necessitated by COVID-19 who continue to perpetuate the need for them.

Well-meaning people need to do what they can to minimize COVID-19’s damage in the upcoming months. I hope this article helps you, my dear Batt reader, to know how and where to easily obtain the COVID-19 vaccine and maybe even persuades some of you to reconsider your stance on immunization.

If you are still afraid of the vaccine, all I can ask is that you consider why you’re afraid. Do your research. Look at what other people believe, and try to understand it. Even if you don’t think you’ll change your mind, you’ll at least know why you should feel the way you do.

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” - Marie Curie.

Zachary Freeman is an anthropology junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.

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The Battalion | 3.11.21

A&M basketball ends season with SEC Tournament loss

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Sophomore forward Emanuel Miller scored 20 or more points in each of Texas A&M’s final three games of the season.

Aggies fall short in first round of SEC tournament, end season at 8-10

By Casey Stavenhagen @CStavenhagen The Texas A&M men’s basketball’s season came to a conclusion on Wednesday, March 10 as the Aggies lost to Vanderbilt in the first round of the SEC Tournament.

A&M finishes the season at 8-10 and 2-9 in regular season conference play with three straight losses following a month-long break due to COVID-19 and a winter storm. Without an automatic entry into the NCAA Tournament from winning the SEC Tournament,

PROTOCOLS CONTINUED Dashboard.

The University System sent a press release on March 5 stating that the university still plans to follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines set in place when campus reopened for

A&M’s season is effectively over. Sophomore forward Emanuel Miller posted his third consecutive 20-point game in the 79-68 loss to the Commodores.

“Every game is life or death,” Miller said.

“We took for granted the games we played previous to this game. I wish we could take it back, but we can’t. We’ve got to move forward. Next year, it’s going to be scary.”

A&M struggled with shooting in the first half, making 35.5 percent of shots from the field and only 1-of-12 from three while Vanderbilt shot 48.1 percent from the field and 7-of-18 from deep.

“They had attempted the second most and made the second most in the league, so we

knew they would shoot a lot of threes,” A&M coach Buzz Williams said. “We have to finish the possession with a rebound. Thirty-eight percent of the time, we didn’t do that. To give up as many offensive rebounds as we did, that kind of led to more three-point field goal opportunities for them. I think that was the difference in the game in many respects.”

Senior guards Quenton Jackson and Jay Jay Chandler both put up 10-plus points on the night. Seniors Kevin Marfo and Savion Flagg also made appearances with Marfo only seeing two minutes of playing time and Flagg scoring nine points and grabbing six rebounds.

In a normal season the defeat would be a senior’s final game in college; however, the

the fall 2020 semester.

“With the end of the spring semester only 6-8 weeks away, A&M system members should continue to follow system guidance … issued in October 2020 on testing, face coverings, classes, physical distancing, occupancy limitations, co-curricular activities, among other matters,” the press release reads.

Abbott’s executive order allows for businesses and campuses to keep or dispose of any safety guidelines as they see fit. While the university still plans to keep its COVID-19 guidelines for now, A&M System Chancellor John Sharp said there will be a reassessment after the spring 2021 semester.

“At the conclusion of the spring semester,

NCAA has made accommodations and will extend an extra year of eligibility to seniors, if they choose to use it, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m definitely grateful for the season,” freshman guard Hassan Diara said. “Just taking in all the things that I’ve learned this year, it’s been a blessing to be a part of this team.

Playing with the seniors for the final time, [Quenton Jackson], Savion [Flagg], Marfo, Jay Jay [Chandler], I’ll always remember them.”

Vanderbilt sophomore guard Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 22 points during the game, including 11 free throws in the second half for 15of-15 total.

“He can score, he’s crafty with the ball [and] he gets fouled at a high rate,” Williams said. “But what I think he does best, he makes the game easier for his teammates because he draws so much attention. It’s what he does when he doesn’t shoot that hurts you. He was 3-of-17, but those six assists. That’s a very high percentage where he’s creating a shot for somebody else.”

At the final horn, A&M shot 40.9 percent from the field and 28 percent from beyond the arc with seven made three-pointers. At one point, down 45-32, the Aggies made a 13-0 run to tie the score.

Vanderbilt quickly pulled back ahead and held a two possession lead throughout the rest of the game. Miller said the loss is painful, especially for the senior class, but he has high hopes for next season.

“It’s always exciting,” Miller said. “Everything that has transpired through my life is a blessing. Having the chance to play again next year, why not be excited? This moment right now, it kills, it hurts, but that’s just me getting ready and being excited for next year.”

Williams said the team will take a break for a couple of weeks before preparing for next season.

“We’ve got to get back to work,” Williams said. “We’ve got to diagnose every part of our program. Texas A&M deserves better, we’re going to do better. Whether that’s in the office, whether that’s on the floor, whether that’s in recruiting. We need to start taking steps on the mountain we have to climb.”

we anticipate System guidance being lifted so that all rules, procedures and practices regarding classes, travel, face coverings, testing, etc., will be determined locally at your institution informed by your conditions and reviewed by the System,” the press release reads.

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ARTSCRITICISM

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The Battalion | 3.11.21

via movies.disney.com

“Raya and the Last Dragon” was released for streaming on Disney+ as of March 5.

‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ is groundbreaking yet accessible Arts criticism writer Kevin Ferguson says ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ gives Southeast Asian culture a spotlight “Raya and the Last Dragon” Director: Carlos Lopez Estrada Release Date: March 5, 2021 Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes

By Kevin Ferguson @KFerguson725 Continuing its quest to bring further diversity to film, Disney released “Raya and the Last Dragon” with inspiration from Southeast Asia’s rich cultures. The film follows Raya, a young heroine and keeper of the Dragon Gem, on her journey to restore her world and banish the shadowy Druun by finding the last dragon, Sisu.

Following a war with the Druun, a vicious plague of shadow and magic that turns living beings to stone, the land of Kumandra is left fractured and hostile as humanity vies for the source of their

salvation, the Dragon Gem. The Gem, currently held by the Kingdom of Heart, is thought by the other kingdoms to grant prosperity, and they desperately want it. When Raya’s ba, or father, Benja tries to reunite the kingdoms, the plan goes horribly awry, leaving the Gem shattered, the Druun free and Raya more distrustful than ever.

Trust is the film’s ultimate message.

The kingdoms see each other as enemies, and almost everyone in the movie is ready to stab others in the back to help themselves. At least, that’s the way it seems. When Raya finally finds Sisu, the last surviving dragon from the war, Sisu’s desire to befriend people challenges her.

Raya knows people can’t be trusted, but Sisu believes maybe the world is broken because people don’t trust each other. Someone has to take the first step, she says, if relations are to be repaired.

Though Sisu herself falls prey to the division of the world, she is able to look past these events and connect with

others. Raya begins to follow, and soon they are able to find common ground for all: Everyone has lost loved ones to the blight of the Druun. All are touched by the brokenness of the world. It is a truth that can be felt keenly by any viewer, as our own world is much the same. For the characters in “Raya and the Last Dragon,” they find the key to truly saving their world lies in unity, and all that’s needed is someone taking that first step.

While the film can resonate with anyone, “Raya and the Last Dragon” is of particular importance for people of Southeast Asian descent. Qui Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American who co-wrote “Raya” with Malaysian filmmaker Adele Lim, said he is excited for the opportunity this film creates for his sons, where they “don’t have to trade skins to see themselves as [the characters].” The Verge writer Justine Calma explains how she finally feels seen as a Southeast Asian and appreciates the plethora of cultural

aspects used to make the film, listing numerous examples herself. Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina, who voice Raya and Sisu, respectively, have stated that in light of the recent increase in hate crimes against Asian-Americans in the last year, they hope the film will be something their community can find joy in and be proud of, as well as spark change and “show that it is possible to be represented in these [Disney] movies.”

There is far more that can be said about “Raya and the Last Dragon” than is possible in a single article. It is a groundbreaking and much needed addition in the fight for diversity in film.

Not only that, but it is a well-made film, too. With a relatable cast of characters, mesmerizing art and themes so universally resonant, “Raya and the Last Dragon” is relevant, fun and is not to be missed out on.

Kevin Ferguson is a telecommunication media studies senior and arts criticism for The Battalion.