Wednesday, April 28 - Tuesday, May 4 Weekly Digital Edition
Vol. 107, Issue 24 www.thedailyaztec.com
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Graphic by Emily Burgess
Jason Santos: sharing his story and celebrating LGBTQ+ pride by
Aleah Jarin
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Kinesiology third-year Jason Santos, (he/him), woke up one morning ready to step into his true, authentic self on March 6, 2016. Santos didn’t know what clicked in his mind or heart that day, but all he knew was, “I’m just ready to be myself.” Santos, a member of the LGBTQ+ community who identifies as a gay male, experienced challenges leading up to the moment he came out. From a young age Santos knew of his true identity, however, growing up in a military and religious household with Filipino parents led him to suppress and hide his feelings.
“It’s even more magnified because of the Filipino culture as they have this old, traditional mindset of, ‘Oh your son can’t be gay, it’s just not supposed to be that way,’” Santos said. Santos didn’t fully come to terms with his identity until his first year of college when he and his family moved from Florida to California. In college, Santos began to be around more open-minded and loving people, similar to him, causing him to open up and accept his true identity. “I took it little by little, I told my friends and it was so nerve-wracking because they’re my best friends,” Santos said. “Deep in my mind I was
like, ‘No matter what they’re still going to love you because they probably know,’ and it’s funny because when I did tell them, that’s exactly what happened. They knew, but they were just waiting for me and wanted to respect my space.” The following year, in 2017, Santos’ “Ate” or older sister, came up to him at a family wedding to address how she and all his cousins already knew of his identity. “She winked at me and said, ‘Just know, we all know. We’re just waiting for you,’ and so that sparked me to tell my extended family,” Santos said. Santos’ cousins and friends know him best,
much all over the world however, he’s still trying being in a military houseto get to a point where he hold, but I basically spent can communicate his true all of high school in Florifeelings to his parents. da which is a very conser“When it comes to my vative state. I had a lot of parents it’s definitely still something that’s hard for friends, but every now and then you would run into me.They’re in denial about small-minded people in it because they grew up in the hallways or class who such a different life back in would say remarks here the Philippines...but I feel and there,” Santos said. like when I graduate next “I guess that’s what fuyear I’ll tell them straight up and whatever happens, eled me to be more confident with myself because happens,” Santos said. if they’re so bothered with However, Santos isn’t how I am, why should I let letting this challenge with that affect me?” Santos said. his parents stand in his way. He continues to ra- “I don’t want these hateful, diate confidence and posi- close-minded people to tive energy, which is some- win. I want to be truly mything that developed from self in every aspect and as the way he was treated in long as I’m spreading positivity around me, that’s all high school. “I got to grow up pretty see ONLINE
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News
The Daily Aztec
April 28 - May 4, 2021 Editor: Jadyn Brandt
Queer activist Julio Salgado speaks at SDSU Pride Center virtual event by
Sara Rott
STAFF WRITER
Julio Salgado an undocumented queer activist returned to San Diego State to speak at the SDSU Pride Center and share his work since his previous campus visit. Salgado said he draws for himself first and hopes to inspire others through his work. “A lot of people started getting to know my artwork when a lot of us were trying to push for the DREAM Act,” Salgado said. The DREAM Act is the acronym for the “Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act.” Family issues made it so Salgado’s family had to stay in the United States, causing Salgado to miss his sixth-grade graduation.
Photo courtesy of SDSU Pride Center
“I remember being super bummed out like ‘I don’t want to be here,’” Salgado said. As a pre-teen navigating a new culture and the American immigrant experience, Salgado realized he had a knack for art.
“At a young age, I was encouraged to participate in art,” Salgado said. He was always the kid drawing in class; every day he would draw and improve himself, driven and inspired by his teachers and Frida Kahlo. His supportive family
was his rock, encouraging and helping him in any way that they could. When he speaks of them, he mentions his late Chicho. “I consider him my queer angel,” Salgado said. An undocumented gay immigrant living through the AIDS crisis in the early 90s, Salgado sees his uncle as resilient and inspiring. “My dear Chicho was that person in my family, who opened the conversation to be able to talk about what a queer was, what a gay man was,” Salgado said. The artist is currently working on art to pay tribute not only to his uncle but to members of the queer community lost in the 90s. Encouraged to attend see
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by
Trinity Bland
OPINION EDITOR
Former Olympian, reality TV star and transgender activist Caitlyn Jenner has announced she plans to run for governor of California in the recall election to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom. Recall organizers have enough valid signatures, far exceeding the 1.5 million required by the state to activate a recall election. More than 2 million signatures were submitted and county elections officials have until Thursday, April 29, to issue a final report on signatures.There is then a 30-business day window for voters to request their signatures to be removed from the recall petition. More than 130,000 removals would be needed to prevent the recall. After California’s Department of Finance review election costs in ad-
dition to another layer of certification from the Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis will set a date for a special recall election, likely to take place sometime in the fall. “Voters signed recall petitions because California is on the wrong track,” California GOP Chairwoman Jessica Millan stated, adding that Newsom “earned this recall, and we look forward to helping him into early retirement later this fall.” In a fundraising email to supporters on Monday night, Newsom acknowledged that the recall had received the necessary signatures. According to organizers, more than 100,000 Californians have donated to the recall campaign. Newsom raised $300,000 in the 36 hours after Jenner filed paperwork last week to enter the race. If a recall formally qual-
by EDITOR IN CHIEF Brenden Tuccinardi NEWS EDITOR Jadyn Brandt ASST. NEWS EDITOR Katelynn Robinson OPINION EDITOR Trinity Bland MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Noé Sandoval ASST. MUNDO AZTECA Karina Bazarte ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Devin Whatley SPORTS EDITOR Kyle Betz ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Luis Lopez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Catlan Nguyen PHOTO EDITOR Alexa Oslowski ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Amanda Orozco VIDEO EDITOR Angela Kurysh ASST. VIDEO EDITOR Mackenzie Stafford GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR Emily Burgess
SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Andrew Finley Ryan Hardison Breven Honda Aleah Jarin Reese Savoie
Caityn Jenner annouces she will run for California governor as a Republican
3 News Honors course students exchange letters with migrants in detention
April 28 - May 4, 2021 Editor: Jadyn Brandt
STAFF WRITERS Evelyn Martinez Riley Martinez Megan Oytas Sara Rott Isabel Smith Jacob Sullivan
Riley Martinez
STAFF WRITER
San Diego State University’s Honor 113 section on Borders, Migration and Detention in the Americas, taught by Professor Kate Swanson, has spent the spring 2021 semester studying conditions at the U.S./Mexico border. As a function of this course students read and respond to letters from migrants currently in detention, primarily in Louisiana and Texas. These letters are exchanged in collaboration with Haitian Bridge Alliance and the Coalition in Defense of Black Immigrants. Pictured below is one of those letters.Addressed to President Joe Biden, it was sent by Cameroonian asylum seekers to Coalition member Dr. Anne-Marie
EDITORIAL editor@thedailyaztec.com ADVERTISING advertising@thedailyaztec.com PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition every Wednesday thoughout the semester when we are not in a global pandemic. WEB Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com SOCIAL MEDIA Graphic by Emily Burgess
ifies for the ballot, voters will be asked two questions: The first would be whether they want to recall Newsom and the second would be who should replace him. The effort to recall Newsom is expected to qualify for the ballot soon with an election in the fall.
In addition to Jenner, other Republicans who are running include former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, former Representative Doug Ose and businessman John Cox. Jenner, a longtime Republican and California resident for nearly 50 years, see
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Debbané. It is shared here with her permission. This letter is one of many received by the course that details conditions faced by migrants in ICE detention. The asylum seekers writing in the letter above fled Cameroon for fear of governmental persecution. Leaving Cameroon The West African country of Cameroon has been heavily impacted by colonialism over the last two centuries. The region has been occupied at different points by the governments of Germany, Britain and France, but Cameroon has been recognized as an independent sovereign state since the early 1960s. The turmoil facing the country today can be tied back to its history of colonization as modern civil tensions fall mainly between the Anglophone
Photo courtesy of Professor Swanson
and Francophone populations - the two former English and French colonies, respectively. In an attempt
to combat the rising separatist sentiment of recent years, the French-speaking majority government
has continually and violently persecuted the English-speaking minority population. In response to this persecution, extreme separatists from the English-speaking minority have begun to retaliate in similarly violent ways but on a much smaller scale. Governmental persecution in Cameroon has been heavily documented, and many of the letters received from immigrant detention describe life in Cameroon as a “living hell.” As a result of this violence many Cameroonian individuals, mostly from the country’s Anglophone region, choose to or are forced to leave Cameroon in search of asylum in the United States. The Migrants and Their Journeys see
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SDSU’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement stirs student opinion by
Evelyn Martinez
STAFF WRITER ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Bryan Diamond
The Daily Aztec
On April 23, San Diego State announced that immunization against COVID-19 will be required for students, faculty and staff who plan to access the campus facilities. The vaccination requirement, which is set to be implemented by the 2021 fall semester, brought out various opinions from the students. Student Health Services announced in a university-wide email that the requirement will be implemented by both the California State University and University of California systems, pending full approval of one or more vaccines by the FDA. Numerous students applauded the requirement, recognizing the importance of the overall health of students on campus.
Several students had alternative opinions. One student, who requested anonymity, felt an infringement on their freedom. “To force students to put something in their body with no research on the long-term effects...I will still take it if required so I can get my degree but I don’t agree with it being forced,” the student said. Amy Rojas, a third-year student majoring in public health, said that students who are unwilling to take the vaccine, are part of the problem. “I think it’s very selfish for you to think of yourself as just one person when there are so many others to account for and there are other people who have legitimate reasons for not being able to take the vaccine,” Rojas said. “There are people that want to go back [to school] that have
those [health] issues and they probably won’t because of people who can get the vaccine but will choose not to.” Opinions on the vaccination requirement weren’t necessarily black and white. Fourth-year student Esteban Aceves generally approves of the requirement but felt that the University should proceed with the requirement after the consideration of student opinion. “I do believe it [the vaccine] is beneficial but for it to be a requirement is somewhat ambiguous,” Aceves, said. “SDSU should ask the opinions of students if they feel accepting for it to become a requirement. I think it’s also important to ask students if they feel comfortable coming back in person or if they can have online/hybrid alternatives.” A freshman at SDSU,
who is also in the military, compared the university’s vaccination requirement to the fact that it is not yet required in the military. The student asked to remain unnamed. “I think it’s a very smart decision by the school to wait for FDA approval. Personally, I’ll be waiting until then to get my vaccine,” the student said. “The military is not currently requiring us to get the COVID-19 vaccine... and I’m guessing they will also be waiting for FDA approval as well to make it a requirement.” The student discussed the role he feels the FDA approval plays in terms of the university’s requirements. “If the school had jumped the shark and required students to take the vaccine before it was FDA approved, I would see it only as a publicity stunt to
make up for how poorly they [SDSU] handled getting students off campus last year,” the student said. The student cited the university’s “poor” handling by explaining the limited amount of time students had to move out of their dorms. The student described the situation as a “free for all.” SDSU encourages students to get vaccinated to stop the spread of the virus. Pop-up messages appeared on student’s Canvas accounts, encouraging students to make a vaccination appointment at Viejas Arena or other vaccination centers. The university is offering 100, $50 gift cards to students who upload their vaccination cards to HealtheConnect. Currently, three vaccines are available, including Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna see
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Opinion
The Daily Aztec
April 28 - May 4, 2021 Editor: Trinity Bland
Alexa Oslowski
PHOTO EDITOR
It’s no secret that 2021 is set to become the worst year for legislative attacks against LGBTQ+ people. Viral videos have circulated of trans elementary school children practically begging state legislatures to not pass anti-trans laws. It’s equal parts heartbreaking and infuriating to watch children that young have to fight for their lives. Advocating and protecting LGBTQ+ people shouldn’t only come about when its severe attacks against us and our rights are on the line. LGBTQ+ people of all ages need different kinds of support, and at the college level, that is no exception. Some schools and some states are better at this than others. For many years, San Diego State has consistently been a top-ranked school for the
Graphic by Shalika Oza
LGBTQ+ community. In so many ways this is true. We have the Pride Center, Lavender Graduation and an LGBTQ+ Studies program for students to take courses in. I chose and transferred to SDSU for these reasons because there was no way I was going to a school that didn’t openly support the LGBTQ+ community. According to previous
Associated Students Executive Officers, the school has been this way for many years and has progressed in its active support for the LGBTQ+ community. Rob DeKoven was the Associated Students President from 1979-80. He has also been a longtime advocate of the LGBTQ+ population, currently helps sponsor SDSU’s Lavender Graduation for LGBTQ+
students and allies and in 2018 he donated one million dollars to the school’s Pride Center and LGBTQ+ Studies department. “SDSU leads with a Pride Center and with a huge cadre of openly LGBT faculty and staff,” DeKoven said. And don’t get me wrong. The Pride Center has been an amazing space for me to spend my free time and meet other queer students. Their Queer Coffee Hour and Virtual Front Desk have been crucial to my mental health when I have time to drop in. But I think SDSU can do even better. When it comes to intersectionality, there are LGBTQ+ students that have many different aspects of their identities that face oppression and need to be advocated for. Not every queer person on our campus encounter the same experiences, and
some of those experiences need to specifically be talked about and addressed. I have been at SDSU for three spring semesters, which means I have voted in three student government elections. Every single time, I watch students get up on a stage (virtual or not) and talk about how they will advocate for students and stand up for those of all communities on campus. Yet, every single year not a single one will actively address the issues LGBTQ+ students face, especially LGBTQ+ students of color. Every single spring, I watch LGBTQ+ students get left out of the conversations about advocacy. Their struggles are never discussed on the debate stage and it feels discouraging to vote in elections where no one identifies as a member of my commusee
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We need more gender-neutral restrooms by
Catherine Van Weele
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Gender-neutral restrooms are becoming more commonplace, as they should. It is an important step to be inclusive of people who are transgender and non-binary people. In most places, separate restrooms for men and women are the norm, with people choosing which one to use based on their gender identity. Non-binary people, on the other hand, may identify with neither of those options. It can put them in an uncomfortable position if they have to choose a restroom to use. Additionally, non-binary and transgender people may encounter verbal or physical assault when using public gendered restrooms. A UCLA study found 68% of transgender people have experienced verbal harassment in a gendered restroom with a racial dis-
crepancy between black and white transgender individuals. Nine percent of transgender people in the study reported being physically assaulted in a gendered restroom. This is unacceptable and we should not tolerate this bigotry. People should be able to use public restrooms as they need. No one should fear using such public accommodations because of their gender identity. Gender-neutral restrooms can benefit gender-conforming people as well. Parents of non-binary and transgender children will have greater peace of mind knowing their children have access to such spaces. Gender-neutral restrooms also make it easier for families with young children. Parents with children of the opposite sex could help their children use the restroom when out in public. People with
disabilities or the elderly who require assistance using the restroom would be able to have their caregivers of the opposite sex provide the care they need. Women have notoriously long waiting lines to use their gendered restroom. Gender-neutral restrooms would significantly reduce waiting times for women’s restrooms in public areas. Contrary to what some say in opposition to gender-neutral restrooms, studies have found that gender identity accommodations do not decrease
safety in public restrooms. Gender-neutral restrooms are simply a way to make transgender and non-binary people feel comfortable in public spaces. Gendered restrooms are actually rooted in a history of discrimination. It has only been within the last century that restrooms were legally mandated to separate by gender. During the industrial revolution, women began to enter the workforce and required restrooms in public spaces. Separate restrooms were built for women to use ra-
Graphic by Shalika Oza
The Daily Aztec
5
Students of color shouldn’t have to combat racism in the classroom
Straight allies should do more to advocate for LGBTQ+ students on campus by
Opinion
April 28 - May 4, 2021 Editor: Trinity Bland
tionalized by privacy concerns and sexist ideologies which held that women were the weaker sex thus required different accommodations. We all need to push for more gender-neutral restrooms. Schools, workplaces and other public facilities should take the initiative in providing gender-neutral restrooms in their respective spaces. San Diego State does have several gender-neutral bathrooms located around campus. However, the university should construct more gender-neutral bathrooms to improve accessibility for their transgender and non-binary students, staff and faculty members. Gender identity inclusivity should be addressed and acknowledged at all times because transgender and non-binary people should be able to and deserve to feel safe and comfortable when out in public.
by
Trinity Bland
OPINION EDITOR
For students of color, navigating the world is already a difficult task. School should be the last place where students should have to worry about combating racism but unfortunately, in today’s political climate, it’s a thing. It has been a thing for far too long. Racism is present in the classroom from preschool to higher education, and it stems from the educational system as a whole. From the origins of curriculums and how teachers are trained to teach in grade school to the way admissions counselors evaluate college applications, there is a clear standard rooted in white supremacy that these systems reflect. That translates to students of color at all levels and the discomfort they feel when teachers are forced to explain the belief that all men are created equal but the truth is: enslaved and oppressed one group in order to provide independence and wellbeing for another. The task is difficult because students are still developing while they are there to learn and grow deeper in their education. The information they are taught may come across as prejudiced or racist, and if it comes from a prejudiced or racist teacher, it taints their entire perspective and can fuel triggering feelings in students or prompt unfortunate interactions in which they may become involved. For example, slavery is a topic that makes many of us uncomfortable. Slavery and its social, psychological, and economic legacies, however, have forever changed black-white race relations in the United States. Due to the generational trauma, it requires discussion. It requires
questions and answers. It requires constructive generational healing. Many students of color may be first- or second-generation students, children of immigrants or have other identities that may intersect and will inevitably provide pressures that will grow heavier as time passes. It can be exhausting for students of color to explain their culture and identity over and over again for people to understand what is acceptable and what is not. They should not be the ones who have to deal with racism. They are students and their purpose is to learn – not to be interrogated, attacked, disrespected, put on the spot and lead discussions when their community is brought up in class, no matter the reason. Discussing racial issues can make students and educators uncomfortable, but for students of color, feeling uncomfortable is a constant that never goes away. When conversations surrounding race are had in school, they tend to focus on oppression rather than triumph. It is critical for educators to teach the full range of a community of color not just during Hispanic Heritage Month, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month or Black History Month, but all year long. Assigning diverse books isn’t enough. In grade school, “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is a required text for most students across the country. It is a book focused on race but it’s written by a white author so it can only say so much about the Black experience. I remember reading itin my freshman year of high school in my honors English class. That same year, amongst other texts, I also vividly remember reading “Fences” by August Wilson, a Black playwright
Graphic by Shalika Oza
and “House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros, a Mexican-American author. I recognize that, in this context, I am one of the lucky ones who was able to obtain a somewhat well-rounded education in terms of a diverse reading list that year. This is just one example of how teachers can broaden their curriculum for their students’ benefit. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was gaining a wealth of knowledge about race simply by reading fictional stories about people of color that were more real than I could comprehend at the time, but I understand it now fully and I'm grateful. I’m grateful because I understand not many students receive this type of education or worse, they don’t receive this type of education and experience blatant racism in the classroom. They may
be the only student in the classroom who looks like them, which is problematic because it makes it easier for others to commit microaggressions and make racist remarks. People have no idea what to do with that, and take it from me, neither does that student. I believe San Diego State can improve its response to racism when it is reported and brought to their attention. On campus, constant conversations should be fostered in order to raise awareness and hear the voices of those who are oppressed. With that, positive aspects of race and diversity should be talked about just as much, if not more than the negative aspects. These discussions should be held in a space where students feel safe and secure rather than suffocated and embarrassed – though all of these emotions are val-
id and natural. They shouldn’t only be a thing when protests are high, someone tragically becomes a hashtag, or to be more specific to the SDSU community, a cultural student organization’s Zoom meeting is interrupted by racist “zoom bombers”, a campus cultural resource center becomes vandalized or a professor makes racially insensitive remarks in an online lecture all within a span of two years. SDSU should consider making required courses for students to learn more about diversity and its importance in all aspects of life. They believe that a science, art, and math class is required for all majors, but shouldn't diversity be equally valued? Diversity, like science, art and math, extends beyond the classroom, but it should be honored, celebrated and acknowledged there as well.
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The Daily Aztec
Mundo Azteca
April 28 - May 4, 2021 Editor: Noé Sandoval
Los sistemas universitarios de CSU y UC anuncian requisito de vacunación contra COVID-19 by
Noé Sandoval
EDITOR DE MUNDO AZTECA
En el 22 de abril, ambos sistemas de Las Universidades Estatales de California y Las Universidades de California anunciaron el requisito de vacunación contra el COVID-19. Todos los estudiantes, profesores, y personal de las universidades deben ser completamente vacunados y inmunizados para semestre de otoño 2021. El requisito entrará en vigencia a principios del semestre de otoño de 2021 o cuando una o más vacunas reciban la aprobación de la FDA, lo que ocurra más tarde, según un comunicado de prensa de CSU. El requisito depende de que una o más de las vacunas reciban la aprobación total de la Administración de Alimentos y
Medicamentos de Los Estados Unidos (FDA, por sus siglas en ingles).. En este momento, las vacunas que se administran en todo el país están aprobadas bajo autorizaciones de uso de emergencia. Habrá exenciones de la vacuna por razones médicas o religiosas, según el comunicado de prensa de CSU. Además, antes de que se realicen cambios en los requisitos de vacunación e inmunización preexistentes de CSU, la Asociación de Estudiantes del Estado de California, el Senado Académico de CSU y los sindicatos participarán, según el comunicado de prensa. Además, según el aviso, los funcionarios compartieron que más del 65 por ciento de la población objetivo del condado de San Diego ha recibido la vacu-
na COVID-19. El condado de San Diego también ha recibido 100.000 dosis más de la vacuna COVID-19 esta semana en comparación con la semana pasada, lo que representa el salto significativo más reciente en la disponibilidad de la vacuna. La tasa de vacunación y el aumento de vacunas son alentadores. Muchas más personas también son elegibles, y el condado también compartió que todos aquellos que ahora son elegibles para las vacunas deben permanecer atentos en la búsqueda de citas y pacientes en el proceso. Las vacunas COVID-19 han registrado beneficios y ayudarán a prevenir que contraiga el virus. “Juntos, CSU y UC inscriben y emplean a más de un millón de estudi-
detención al comienzo de la pandemia Covid-19 deMartinez tallaban condiciones especialmente espantosas. La clase llamada HONOR “Desde 2018 hasta el úl113 de la Universidad Estimo semestre, todo fue tatal de San Diego sobre Fronteras, Migración y De- bastante consistente”, dijo. tención en las Américas, “[Pero] cuando llegó la crisis de Covid, las cartas se impartida por la profesora volvieron realmente esKate Swanson, ha pasado el semestre de primave- pantosas porque comenzamos a escuchar más sobre ra de 2021 estudiando las personas que estaban recicondiciones en la frontera biendo Covid, que estaban entre Estados Unidos y aterrorizadas de que no México. pudieran ser liberadas, soEl curso ha incluido corbre el maltrato y la neglirespondencia de migrantes actualmente detenidos, gencia médica a manos de ICE y CoreCivic y GEO principalmente en Luisiana Group, instituciones peniy Texas, intercambiadas en colaboración con la Hai- tenciarias privadas ”. Swanson también dijo tian Bridge Alliance y la que muchos migrantes Coalición en Defensa de habían sido enviados de los Inmigrantes Negros. regreso a sus países de El curso de HONOR origen en los últimos 113 Profesor Swanson del, meses, especialmente afquien ha estado trabajan- ricanos negros y haitianos. Según Swanson, estas perdo en los derechos de los migrantes durante la últi- sonas fueron deportadas a sus países de origen en ma década, señala que las gran número alrededor de cartas que recibió desde la
Foto cortesía del CSU Board of Trustees
antes y empleados en 33 campus universitarios importantes, por lo que este es el plan universitario más completo y consecuente para las vacunas COVID-19 en el país.” dijo el canciller de CSU, Joseph I. Castro “De acuerdo con los anuncios anteriores de la CSU relacionados con la respuesta de la universidad a la pan-
demia, estamos compartiendo esta información ahora para darles a los estudiantes, sus familias y nuestros empleados tiempo suficiente para hacer planes para vacunarse antes del inicio del período de otoño “ En un correo electrónico a la comunidad de see
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Riley
Foto cortesía de la profesora Swanson Carta dedicada para el President Biden escrita por un inmigrante camerunés
noviembre. Swanson continuó señalando que los grupos de activistas han estado trabajando arduamente para combatir esto, incluida la Haitian Bridge Alliance y la Coalición en Defensa de los Inmigrantes Negros. Sobre la importancia de escribir cartas, Swanson
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BY Breven Honda and Megan Oytas
El curso de honores de SDSU recibe cartas desde la detención de Inmigrantes en los Estados Unidos traducido por
Sports Two takeaways: Looking back at the spring 2021 volleyball season April 28 - May 4, 2021 Editor: Kyle Betz
dice: “Siento que escribir cartas a personas en detención migratoria es una excelente manera para que las personas se conecten con las personas detrás de los números, escuchen sus historias, humanicen sus historias, encuentren conexiones entre nuestra humanidad compartida. Al ha-
cerlo, espero que podamos desarrollar más empatía y estar más motivados para tomar medidas “. Sobre cómo se retratan las historias de los migrantes en los medios de comunicación, Swanson dice: “A veces podemos see
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In an unprecedented year, San Diego State volleyball wrapped up its season on April 3 with a 3-0 win over Colorado State. The fall season was pushed back into spring amid COVID-19 safety concerns, and the team dealt with venue changes and match cancellations on top of it being the first season with new coaching staff. The Aztecs finished the season with a 6-9 record, with five of those wins occurring inside Peterson Gym. Head coach Brent Hilliard said even though the season had its ups and downs, he is excited to see what the team can do in the coming seasons. “We’re going to try and build consistency in the off-season,” Hilliard said. “But I’ll tell you what, it sure felt good to finish the way we did. It really gave us a lot of hope moving forward and a lot of ideas of what we need to be the team that we think we’re going to be in the very near future.” Here are two takeaways from the past season. 1. New players, new coaches and unusual schedule The postponement of the volleyball season meant there were a lot of changes, which is something that the new coaching staff had to adjust to. For Hilliard and assistant coach Steve Timmons, this meant they had to wait over a year to coach their first game for the Aztecs, as they were hired at the beginning of 2020. Their first season with the Scarlet and Black was also truncated to a 16-game Mountain West Conference-only schedule, featuring back-to-back matches against the same opponent for the first 12 games.
Courtesy of Derrick Tuskan, San Diego State Athletics San Diego State volleyball senior middle blocker Erin Gillcrist (left) high-fives her teammates before the Aztecs’ 3-0 win over Colorado State on April 3, 2021 at Peterson Gym.
Despite the long wait and new schedule, junior outside hitter Victoria O’Sullivan said the coaches fit in easily with the team. “They came in with a lot of fire at the beginning of the season and they came in with a lot of things that we hadn’t seen so far from our old coaching staff,” O’Sullivan said. “So getting used to that and with the repertoire that both of them have, it’s really easy to respect them as coaches, respect what they’re saying and that they know the tips they’re giving us will actually help us in the game.” Although Timmons has extensive volleyball experience with two Olympic gold medals, this season marked his first as a coach. Hilliard said Timmons continued to learn about what it means to be a coach throughout the season. “He’s extremely positive,” Hilliard said. “The girls are extremely attentive to what he says because obviously, he has the credentials to back it up. I think
he took the first season to really kind of see what the college game is about, what he needs to learn, get better at and what he needs to improve on. And I think all those things went really, really well.” On top of the new coaching staff, SDSU welcomed several new players who made a big impact during the season. Freshman outside hitter Heipua Tautua’a started every game for the Aztecs, only missing out on the last game against Colorado State due to a dislocated thumb in the previous match. The 6-foot-1 freshman from Wai’anae, Hawaii proved that she could help out both offensively and defensively, posting 2.02 kills per set and 2.86 digs per set. Hilliard praised Tautua’a for her ability to play all over the court. “You cannot measure how good she is by what she did in her first year,” Hilliard said. “She’s just going to be incredible. She has a super heavy arm, she’s got a really good ball
control in the back row, where to go and what to do and that was the bigshe can play defense in gest growth that I saw any position, she has great from them all season.” hands so she can set and The Aztecs also gained she can probably block junior defensive specialist with the best of them. “She has every skill set, Brooklynn Hill, a transfer from Penn State. and every team needs that Hilliard said Hill’s expeplayer that can play six rotations. So for a freshman, rience in the Big 10 Conference helped the team she was exceptional. And I didn’t see a better fresh- work hard. man in the conference.” “She’s kind of our emoIn the setter position, tional rock,” Hilliard said. SDSU saw time being split “She comes from a differbetween freshman Kenne- ent mindset, where the dy Feuerborn and soph- competitiveness is just a omore Ashley Vanderpan degree higher than most of the kids that she prac— neither of which had college-playing experience. ticed with all year. So she This situation arose af- wants to win more, she ter senior setter Camryn puts in the effort, she may Machado tore her ACL be the hardest-working player on our team, and and had to sit out for the season. she’s probably the best Senior middle blocker server on our team.” Erin Gillcrist said she was 2. Veteran leadership manifests in excited to see the two year of uncertainty setters gain experience In a season that brought throughout the season. so many alterations, if “I think there was so much growth that hap- there was one thing that pened from the beginning did not change, it was the to the end of the season,” experience both on and Gillcrist said. “They need off the court. to be confident learning With senior libero Lauthings, they need to be confident telling people see ONLINE
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The Daily Aztec
April 28 - May 4, 2021 Editor: Kyle Betz
Andrew Finley
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
After a full week of spring practices in the rear-view mirror, SDSU football is starting to fire on all cylinders. An inter-squad scrimmage to end week one gave the Aztecs a good feel of what they need to work on before
spring workouts end in a couple of weeks. Head coach Brady Hoke said he saw a lot of good come out of the scrimmage. “I thought we went and competed,” Hoke said. “We played the style of football we wanted to play.” The players are also seeing the benefits of spring
football that was missed last season. Senior cornerback Tayler Hawkins reflected on how beneficial the spring practices have been for him and the rest of the team. “Spring is very beneficial because it’s all about us,” Hawkins said. “I think that we could get better as a team, actually work-
Courtesy of San Diego State Athletics San Diego State football head coach Brady Hoke speaks in front of the media on April 20, 2021 to provide an update on spring practices.
ing on our fundamentals, fine-tuning our techniques and just worrying about us. “Getting better as a team as a whole and bringing back our identity and our culture.” Hoke mentioned that the team practiced on Monday morning with good energy and with great spring energy comes greater competition for positions. Hoke recognizes the importance of getting everyone reps and developing the entire program over just repping the returning guys who have the experience under their belts. “I think you learn a lot about your football team in spring ball,” Hoke said. “We got some guys who played a lot of snaps, and as we keep moving forward we want to still de-
Reese Savoie
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
San Diego State baseball traded its bats for brooms, sweeping non-conference opponent Dixie State this past weekend in its second-to-last homestand of the season. The Aztecs (22-9, 14-7 MW) came away with two narrow victories over the Trailblazers (11-26) in Saturday’s doubleheader, winning 8-7 and 5-4, respectively. Redshirt sophomore right-hander Troy Melton took the mound in Game one, tossing nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings, tying his career-best. Game 1 Both teams drove in a run in the first inning, getting things started with an early tie that lasted until the top of the fourth when Dixie State senior
first baseman Jake Engel hit his first of four homers of the day. The Trailblazers extended their lead to 3-1 in the fifth with another home run, this time coming from senior catcher Cade Spurlin. SDSU answered back in the bottom half of the inning with the addition of five runs. A bases-loaded situation resulted in freshman center fielder Cole Carrigg scoring on a wild pitch. This was followed by a 2-RBI double from redshirt freshman pinch hitter TJ Fondtain, bringing home redshirt freshman second baseman Caden Miller and freshman third baseman Fisher Pyatt. A fielding error from junior second baseman Tanner Argyle allowed Fondtain to cross home,
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velop those young guys.” The 2020 spring presented only six practices before everything got shut down because of COVID-19. Hoke recognized the amount of development his young players have lost due to the lack of practice due to protocols. Senior leaders on the team are also feeling the pressure to get their young teammates up to speed. Being one of the few returners in the secondary, Hawkins said he’s one of those seniors who need to step up and lead. “I feel like I’m one of the more vocal guys, so I definitely need to bring some of the young guys along,” Hawkins said. “Show them how Aztec football as a (defensive back) is actually played.” JUMP see ONLINE
There’s a long-standing saying that goes “history is told by the victors.” Usually, it’s applied to entire nations and the regrettable atrocities they committed – events that stay uncovered because there’s nobody left to challenge them. For this reason, many stories are never told. However, for the first time in modern history, oppressed populations have been able to openly express themselves and maintain a significant voice in current affairs. As far as things have progressed, it goes without saying the removal of bias is still miles away from perfection. Also, it certainly doesn’t erase centuries of inexcusable actions or count as repentance. Human Rights Campaign predicts 2021 to be one of
Graphic by Emily Burgess Some of the featured artists include Little Richard, Janelle Monae, Hayley Kioko and others.
the most significantly damaging years for legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ people. Anti-trans sports bans have already been enacted in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, with more just waiting for a governor’s signature. So to say things are perfect would be a gross denial that ignores the public malice appearing all around the nation. Historically, LGBTQ+ people have consistently been disparaged and abused for their sexuality in the United States, which
has diminished their participation in politics, sports and arts. As crucial as LGBTQ+ musicians have been to the evolution of contemporary music, their role has been thoroughly repressed. The evolving progress and expression of LGBTQ+ pride in music is a necessary sight into the history of America’s most marginalized communities. LGBTQ+ representation in music has a storied history. It dates back to the days of Tony Jackson and Bessie Smith, two preemi-
nent gay jazz musicians in the 1890s New Orleans brothel scene and their success laid a foundation for the golden age of Jazz and Blues, with prominent queer acts like Billie Holliday and Nina Simone. Billy Tipton was another popular act from the 1940s to 1960s. After his death in 1989, the fact he was transgender was revealed by his family. The post-war era of the 1950s saw the rise of Little Richard. The architect of Rock n’ Roll was known
Courtesy of Derrick Tuskan, San Diego State Athletics San Diego State redshirt sophomore outfielder Jaden Fein slides into third base during the Aztecs’ doubleheader against Nevada on April 10, 2021 at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
ing deficit didn’t last long, however. The top of the sixth yielded four runs for DSU, giving it a 7-6 advantage over the Scarlet and Black, who tied things up in the
bottom half of the inning with a solo shot from redshirt senior shortstop Mike Jarvis. The next two-and-a-half see
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for his incredible showmanship and energetic piano skills. His performances were even early examples of racially integrated audiences in the United States. He also gave conflicting accounts of his sexuality throughout his career, but his inconsistent takes were most likely due to his religious beliefs as a bornagain Christian. As much of an influencer as Little Richard was, he also gathered influsee
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Pride Center provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ students to connect amid the COVID-19 pandemic by Isabel
Smith
STAFF WRITER
while redshirt sophomore catcher Wyatt Hendrie scored on an RBI double by redshirt sophomore outfielder Jaden Fein, putting the Aztecs up 6-3. The Trailblazers’ scor-
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by Ryan Hardison and Jacob Sullivan
Baseball pulls out brooms against nonconference foe Dixie State by
Arts & Culture
A timeline of LGBTQ+ influence throughout music
Spring ball update: Upperclassmen show leadership, Aztecs receive COVID-19 vaccine by
April 28 - May 4, 2021 Editor: Devin Whatley
Since its opening in 2014, the Pride Center at San Diego State University has provided a safe space for students of all sexual and gender identities to grow and learn. The Pride Center is SDSU’s LGBTQ+ resource center providing support to students in their process of sexual and gender self-identity development as well as helping those who are struggling with discrimination, alienation, or harassment as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Through campus events, support groups, and more the Pride Center helps to facilitate campus-wide education, awareness, and dialogue on issues related to sexuality and gender. Chrystian Smith, a fourth-year political science and history major,
File Photo
works as a Peer Educator at the Pride Center helping to host and plan different events meant to empower and educate fellow students. Smith said that the Pride Center has provided a home away from home for many students during their college careers. “The Pride Center is the backbone of the SDSU LGBTQ community. The center allows us to have a
space to be unconstrained by societal norms and standards,” Chrystian Smith said. “It serves as a second home away from home for many of our students who need a loving community while on campus.” This year, the COVID-19 pandemic affected communities around the world including the LGBTQ community. Here at SDSU, campus acess was restrict-
ed and students were forced to transition to online learning. Despite this, the Pride Center continued to provide support and resources to students virtually. Diego Smith, a fourthyear sociology major, serves as the center’s office and media lead. Diego Smith says despite the challenges of transitioning online, the Pride Center
has continued its success with the queer community at SDSU. “We’ve been able to adapt most of our events to online formats, mostly Zoom, but also Instagram lives and reels,” Diego Smith said. We’re just as busy as we were in person and still welcoming students to our events and support groups!” Along with Zoom and social media events, the Pride Center also hosts a virtual front desk Monday through Wednesday and Friday. Students are encouraged to visit the virtual front desk to chat with Pride Center employees, ask questions, or just chat. Working with the SDSU Pride Center, Pride House is a peer mentorship program designed to help LGBTQ+ students become successful and ensee
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he
Daily Aztec
Arts & Culture
April 28 - May 4, 2021 Editor: Devin Whatley
Sustainable fashion advocate brings awareness to slow fashion by
Aleah Jarin
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
San Diego-based sustainable fashion and lifestyle advocate, Jazmine Rogers (@thatcurlytop), discussed the interconnectedness of fashion and sustainability and how to take part in the slow fashion movement in GreenFest SDSU’s “Next in Sustainable Fashion” virtual event on April 23. Simran Jain, second year and commissioner of Greenlove, San Diego State’s main sustainability organization, wanted to host an event contributing to sustainability and educate people on these two topics. “Sustainability and fashion are important topics because sustainability affects our most vulnerable communities, and fashion
is something that, whether or not you can admit it, everyone participates in,” Jain said. “Everyone has to wear clothes, and so we might as well be educated on the ethics and the best way to make those decisions.”
Rogers’ slow fashion journey began in college as she majored in fashion merchandising and learned the harmful truths of the fashion industry, such as labor trafficking. This and other harsh truths ultimately changed Rogers’
mindset as she set out to live more sustainably. “I can’t move forward wanting to be a part of the fashion industry if I’m not a part of the change,” Rogers said.“What I love to do is present to people what I wish I first heard about
[the slow fashion lifestyle] because there are a lot of angles and it’s overwhelming.” In her presentation, Rogers provided five tips to quit fast fashion and partake in slow fashion, the approach to fashion that considers the processes and resources required to make clothing, as opposed to fast fashion which involves purchasing inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers. The five tips include: doing your research, unfollowing fast fashion influencers, finding a community and following slow fashion influencers, using the “buyerarchy of needs” and giving yourself and others grace.
Photos courtesy of Simran Jain A screenshot of Jazmine Rodgers speaking to SDSU students about the five steps needed to quit fast fashion and pursue the slow fashion movement.
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Kehlani opens up about experiencing success and privilege as a queer artist by
Trinity Bland
OPINION EDITOR
Ever since bursting onto the scene in 2014, R&B superstar Kehlani has proudly worn her queerness on her sleeve. In the seven years since the artist released her debut mixtape, “Cloud 19,” she has accumulated a plethora of accolades — including two Grammy nominations and multiple appearances on the Billboard 200 album chart — that so many young, hungry and up-and-coming queer artists can only dream of when they begin releasing their music to the world. Kehlani, who uses both she and they pronouns, is as prolific as she is passionate about her work. She has released three commercial mixtapes and two full-length studio albums since 2014 (the most recent being 2020’s
critically acclaimed “It Was [much] in how they presGood Until It Wasn’t”) ent. It’s tougher for them. with hardly any breaks in It’s tougher for trans artbetween. ists. It’s tougher for Black When it comes to work- gay men. It’s tougher for ing with and uplifting oth- Black masculine gay womers, Kehlani’s list of musical en.” collaborators features the Kehlani’s love and perindustry’s brightest names, sonal life have been a topic including Ty Dolla $ign, Jus- of discussion throughout tin Bieber, Cardi B, Dom the years as she has had Kennedy, Chance The Rap- relationships with rappers per, Musiq Soulchild and YG, PARTYNEXTDOOR Zayn Malik. and NBA star Kyrie Irving. With all of her success, The Oakland-born star had Kehlani is one of only a a child with her guitarist, few queer artists who Javaughn Young-White, and has been able to break gave birth to their daughthrough into “mainstream ter, Adeya Nomi, in 2019. cultural consciousness” as The artist has opened The Advocate puts it – and up about her sexuality on the 26-year-old doesn’t social media years ago betake that for granted. fore knowing that she was “I have a lot of privilege,” a lesbian. Identifying as Kehlani told The Advocate queer and bisexual, during this month. “I think a lot of a 2018 Instagram live, the artists who we talk about singer stated that she has and say, ‘Oh, they had to dated multiple women but come out or they had to “never identified as a lesbido this,’ a lot of them can’t an” at the time. hide it. A lot of it is very “Cuz I keep geddin asked..
Graphic by Emily Burgess
I’m queer,” She wrote in a series of tweets from 2018. “Not bi, not straight. I’m attracted to women, men, REALLY attracted to queer men, non-binary people, intersex people, trans people. Lil poly pansexual papi hello good morning. Does that answer your questions?” “And since we on that ... I’m the LEAST attracted to straight men, y’all really adorable sometimes tho,” the artist continued in a separate tweet, add-
ing that bisexual men are “little gifts from God.” She also explained why, at the time, she preferred to be labeled “queer” over “gay.” “I felt gay always insisted there was still a line drawn as to which ‘label’ of human I was attracted when I really jus be walking around thinking ERRYBODY FINE,” She added in another tweet. Prior to those tweets that have since been desee
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