the Epic, Volume 59, Issue 4 - February 12, 2024

Editors’ Picks Candidates to compete in District 16 election to replace Anna Eshoo pg. 2

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Allow students to expand literary horizons pg. 5 LILIE™ high-ponytail hats create impact beyond fashion pg. 6 The essential history of executive order 9066 pg. 14 Senior Maggie Lam Reaches 1000th Basketball Career Point Milestone pg. 15

Volume 59 Issue 4 | February 12, 2024

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Lynbrook High School, 1280 Johnson Ave., San Jose, CA

Games unlock gateways to culture and tradition pg. 8

Everything is political, including video games.

pg. 9

The warped world of gender in gaming pg. 11

Addiction behind the controller

BY APURVA KRISHNAMURTHY AND ROBERT YU

F

rom the peaceful villages of “Animal Crossing” to the ferocious battles fought in “Dark Souls,” video games offer a convenient escape from one’s daily routine. In most video games, players strive to be the richest, most powerful or skillful entity — though at the cost of time. In this digital age, where leveling up in video games leads to a sense of success and physical activity is traded for virtual simulations, a new type of phenomenon is on the rise: video game addiction. pg. 11 || centerspread

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY VALERIE SHU

NEWS

02 the Epic

Administration to install new gender-neutral changing rooms

BY CHARLOTTE BOLAY

A Letter from the Editors Ahoy there, Vikings!

We are Myles and Susanna, your Editors-in-Chief. Welcome to the Epic’s Issue 4, featuring a centerspread on gaming! Delve into the process of game development, sexualization within the industry and the consequences of video game addiction.

Love is but a daunting game Valentine’s Day is on the way Yet love does not spawn without blame Befuddled hearts, mixed signals at play We roll the dice in hopes for love We battle hordes that turn us blind And then one day a dauntless dove Descends upon our softlocked minds Hands joined, our hearts gently mend And when I leap, to you I run But as our quest comes to an end Perhaps a new one has just begun Poem by Surya Saraf and Riki Murase.

Stay epic, Myles Kim & Susanna Tang Editors-in-Chief

dministrators have recently developed a plan to build individual, gender-neutral changing rooms to encourage inclusivity toward all students.

So far, students have only been able to access two traditionally-gendered changing rooms, which do not offer sufficient privacy to students who may not feel comfortable changing in a male or female locker room.

The private locker rooms will be built in a storage room near the girls locker room. Half of it will be used for four private changing rooms, while the other will be used for lockers. Despite some disagreements about the removal of storage space, administration moved forward with the plan due to them being heavily requested.

“We’ve always had students who were maybe not as comfortable with coming forward and asking for a safe place,” said Assistant Principal Tara Grande, who is overseeing the construction of the changing rooms. “However, this fall, we had a number of students who came forward and were requesting a place to change.”

According to senior and Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club President Spencer Eppstein, it isn’t a coincidence that many more students are requesting a safe place for them to change.

“In general, a lot of people are more progressive or identify with a gender that is outside of the traditional binary,” Eppstein

identify as male or female can get very said. “These people are seeing the injustices anxious in the normal locker rooms,” nonbinary people face and want to fight for Eppstein said. “Gender-neutral locker rooms equality by having new accommodations.” would help them feel less worried, and will Plans to build gender-neutral changing provide a level of safety. ” rooms have been in discussion since the Junior beginning of Rachana the 2023-24 Dandamudi school year. supports the Although new project, but construction is concerned hasn’t started it may create yet, the controversy. In organizers recent years, there have submitted has been rising proposals to global controversy be reviewed surrounding the by the district, concept of gender. who will then PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE BOLAY “People may issue a contract to the business The gender-neutral private changing rooms will be in a storage feel more included room next to the girls locker room. and accepted, department but there will at the district inevitably be office. After this, the proposals will be sent to the school others who may disapprove of the concept,” Dandamudi said. board for approval.

However, Eppstein believes that the “Once we get the approval from the controversial nature of this topic shouldn’t district and the contract gets issued, construction should be pretty quick,” Grande change the development of the locker rooms and that there is no negative effect of said. building them.

The installation of gender-neutral “If people don’t want to use the locker changing rooms will benefit students rooms, then they have the choice not to,” who identify as neither male nor female.

Eppstein especially stressed the importance Eppstein said. “Nobody’s being forced to use of providing non-gendered changing rooms. them. Therefore, I don’t see any negative consequences of having them on campus.”

“People who are nonbinary or don’t

Candidates compete in District 16 election to replace Rep. Anna Eshoo

BY SURYA SARAF

Julie Lythcott-Haims

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leven congressional candidates will compete in a historic primary on March 5 to replace the District 16 Rep. Anna Eshoo. Following Eshoo’s 3-decade incumbency and retirement, the candidates — nine democrats and two republicans — hope to covet legislative leadership in the Santa Clara County and San Mateo regions. The profiles and their campaign strategies are detailed below.

Read the complete candidate profiles at lhsepic.com.

Sam Liccardo Frontrunner Former San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo centers his campaign around his “bold action” as an innovator, citing his creation of affordable housing communities that reduced homelessness in San Jose by 10 percent.

He is endorsed by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.

Joe Simitian Frontrunner Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian — former State Senator, Assemblymember, Supervisor and Mayor, and the oldest candidate at 70 years old — underscores his lasting political experience addressing issues like climate change and affordable housing in his campaign.

Simitian cites women’s reproductive rights as his primary priority moving forward.

Evan Low Frontrunner Evan Low promotes a commitment to public service as a District 26 assemblymember. He champions civil rights in Silicon Valley, and strives to become the Bay Area’s first openly LGBTQIA+ congress member.

“I think his streak of progressivism and openly gay identity does appeal to young people,” AP U.S. Government teacher Jeffrey Bale said. “Not necessarily because they want a gay candidate, but because his confidence and openness follows the new norms that people are looking for.”

Palo Alto Councilmember and New York Times bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haims advocates for reproductive rights.

“When I’m elected to Congress, I will work to codify Roe v. Wade,” Haims said. “We have to make it clear that a woman’s right to reproductive freedom is an essential human right.”

She also vehemently opposes gun violence.

“The use of guns today is simply an atrocious mischaracterization of what our founders intended,” Haims said.

Rishi Kumar A seasoned software engineer and big-tech proponent, Rishi Kumar is running for the second time, after losing to Eshoo in the 2022 general election.

Kumar dedicates much of his campaign to empowering youth, particularly through his internship program for Silicon Valley students.

“It’s important to give the bright young minds of today a steady platform to explore new opportunities and find their voices,” Kumar wrote in a statement to the Epic.

Joby Bernstein

Ahmed Mostafa

Stanford MBA student Joby Bernstein is a proponent of accesible education.

“As someone who’s spent a lot of time in the educational system and has a deep respect for teachers, education is very much a central part of my platform,” Bernstein said. “Too often, our arbitrary backgrounds and experiences can determine our ability to attend school. I hope to ensure that all children have the ability to have subsidized, if not free, preschool.”

Mostafa combines social justice and technology in his dual-approach campaign. He also defends survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence as an attorney and Director of the Stanford University Pro Bono Clinic.

“When representing communities that were not my own, I learned to take a step back and say, ‘I don’t speak for them; I amplify their voices,’” Mostafa said. “If you really listen, you can bring their stories to the front.”

Greg Tanaka

Peter Dixon Former marine Peter Dixon connects his experience fighting to protect democracy abroad to his sincere approach to politics at home. Having worked in the State Department under former President Barack Obama, Dixon wants to continue working to pass initiatives like The Safer Communities Act, a 2022 gun violence protection reform.

Tech industry veteran Greg Tanaka hopes to address the challenges that arise from a digitized society in his platform. Climate change, inflation are two of multiple issues he plans to address. A Palo Alto public servant, Tanaka hopes to combine his political and business background. He is endorsed by former U.S. presidential candidate Andrew Yang.

Peter Ohtaki An opponent of partisan gridlock, Ohtaki advocates for decisive congressional action.

“I’m running because I want to stop the madness in Congress,” Ohtaki told the Stanford Daily. “[Members] spend more time trying to make the other party look bad than actually working on solutions to the major problems that are facing the country.”

NO PHOTO AVAILABLE

Karl Ryan SCAN ME

Karl Ryan, Republican, is a member of the Santa Clara County Republican Party Central Committee that aims to elect Republicans, according to KQED News.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TAEK KIM. PHOTOS USED WITH PERMISSION FROM AHMED MOSTAFA AND JOBY BERNSTEIN. REMAINING PHOTOS FROM PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Read more at lhsepic.com

February 12, 2024

NEWS

03

Upcoming mural by public art beautifies campus

BY LILLY WU

the courtyard of the art and choir wing.

After kick starting the process on Jan. 15, “I talked to the previous art teacher the club has been hosting weekly meetings n Jan. 15, Public Art Club commenced about the view outside the art room window on Wednesday at lunch to work on the work on their mural to beautify and we both thought the large metal storage mural. Outside of the weekly meetings, the campus art wing. After having container wasn’t very nice to look at, so officers and members have also been completed various temporary murals on we thought working on bulletin boards, this project will be the club’s it would be the mural first permanent mural in years. One of the a good spot during major goals of the club is to decorate the to paint their free school through various forms of art, and a mural,” time during painting the mural is just one of the first Schulze said. tutorials steps for them to achieve this objective.

During and after Club leadership have hoped to paint a weekly school. The mural since before the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings, painting will and were finally able to realize this goal this club members ultimately school year. After gaining approval from brainstormed The proposed mural design sketched by senior Ayla Feng. be ASB, the officers carefully budgeted out the a variety of completed supplies they needed: paint, paint rollers ideas for the design of the mural. Through with the help of PAC members, but anyone and primer. After consulting their adviser, art a careful selection process, they ultimately who is interested is welcome to help the teacher Judy Schulze, they decided to locate decided on a drawing made by senior and team. the mural on the side of a storage container club treasurer Ayla Feng. This design was The mural is estimated to be completed facing the window of Schulze’s classroom in inspired by the decorative succulents and sometime in the spring of 2024. After the vines that can be found completion of this first project, PAC plans around Schulze’s art to begin other similar projects around the classroom as well as school to spread their love for art. silhouettes of students “Our mural will definitely beautify the featured in the middle art room, and, in the future, we also plan on of the painting. expanding the project as well,” junior and “We were originally PAC Vice President Effie Wang said. “Since thinking of doing a there are multiple sides to the storage box, monochromatic mural, that will probably be where we focus on but then we decided next.” on having six main While the main incentive for painting the colors for the design,” mural is to beautify the campus, this project Schulze said. “Another will also be promoting the PAC as a whole. important thing was “I hope the mural can give the Public Art figuring out how to Club more exposure as more people can see incorporate the window the members’ skills,” sophomore and PAC with the bars on it that member Tanishka Sharma said. “I also wish PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION FROM JUDY SCHULZE is on the crate into the that it can inspire a lot of the students that design.”

Public Art Club officers and members work on their mural on Jan. 21. pass by to join the club as well.”

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Upcoming Viking Events Valentine’s Concert, Feb. 14 Hear the choir express their love at the Valentine’s Concert in the cafeteria from 7p.m. to 8 p.m.

Culture Festival, Feb. 15 Celebrate culture and tradition with clubs at the Culture Festival from 4 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

President’s Week, Feb Charlotte Bolay 19-23 Enjoy the week off with family and friends!

Club Food Day, March 4 Support Lynbrook’s clubs by purchasing the tasty food they will be selling at lunch.

First Digital SAT Exam, March 9 Students will take the SAT digitally for the first time. College Board’s decision to change it to a digital fromat aims make the exam more efficient. The test will be proctored at Lynbrook.

Photo by Taek Kim. Reporting by Charlotte Bolay and David Zhu.

Theater to undergo improvements to lighting and sound systems

BY VALERIE SHU

The theater is also slated to receive a new LED lighting system and lighting board over the summer of 2024 that eginning this year, Lynbrook’s theater and drama will be easier and safer for students to operate. With programs are set to undergo updates to their a cost of around $185,000, the project is funded by a sound and lighting systems to better meet the combination of district funding and contributions from demands of their productions, addressing challenges parent groups like the PTSA, Lynbrook Excellence with worn and outdated equipment that have persisted in Education and Lynbrook Instrumental Music for years.

Boosters. While the theater building had “I think at Lynbrook, students don’t really care about undergone recent cosmetic changes through drama that much, which is unfortunate because it’s a construction, many elements of the old very fun art form,” senior and drama stage manager infrastructure like lighting had remained Alexis Giaquinta said. “It needs the upkeep of equipment, since the school’s opening in 1965. and having technical issues just muddies the experience “This has been on Mrs. Jackson’s to-do for both the audience and the people working.” wishlist ever since I started here at Lynbrook Much-needed improvements arrived in time for last school year,” said Executive Assistant to the the fall musical “Ranked” with new microphones and Principal Calvin Wong, who spearheaded the project a sound board, which is a along with Principal Maria Jackson and mixing console used to control Assistant Principal Tara Grande. “It’s sound elements such as input been a long time to microphones and playback coming.”

The drama during shows. While the old Over the program soundboard was plagued years, time and currently has with issues such as needing unreliability 16 workable to be constantly turned on, microphones. compounded on as it reset settings every general wear; Their goal is to time it was turned off, the music classes were have 20 mics new system is a modernized forced to leave available for upgrade. Students were the board on at students to use. able to use more advanced all times in order features like improved wifi to circumvent the capabilities, the ability to run long stretches of time it took to more microphones simultaneously A soundboard is a mixing console turn on properly. The and to connect computers for system’s longevity used to control sound elements supplements like sound effects. was also impacted such as input to microphones and “They did ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by the consistent use playback during shows. outdoors a couple years ago and of stage lights during class it was a disaster, so we’ve been in time for music classes. Although the process of upgrading the sound process since then,” the stage lights were designed only said Larry Wenner, who became the drama teacher in for use during performances, the poor 2022. “As soon as I came on board, I was like alright, let’s work lights were too dim for classes start doing this now instead of last minute. When I cast like band that require more rehearsal the musical with 20 kids we started with eight mics — I spaces. think we eventually got up to 16 workable mics, and “No one else really knew how to use hopefully we’ll eventually have all 20.” the lighting because it was outdated,” The stage microphones, consisting of packs that sophomore and drama student Genevieve Yates said. connected to the sound board and a wire leading up to “There really should be a better system for passing the microphone itself, have suffered from broken wires knowledge about lights down — it’s difficult to learn.” or unreliable receivers in past shows like the drama Information on operating the systems had previously department’s production of “Clue.” been preserved through being passed down from

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experienced seniors to newer students, but a lack of interest and obscurity of knowledge about the antiquated technology, made it challenging for students like Yates to learn the ropes. With new technology, the drama department hopes to be able to train more students in using the systems and offer opportunities to work with state-of-the-art stage equipment in the future.

“I’ve seen what super nice and new equipment can do for productions,” Giaquinta said. “Even though we seniors won’t be there, I’m excited for the future students at Lynbrook to be able to use that.”

The theater is also slated to receive a new LED lighting system and lighting board by the summer of 2024 costing around $185,000. While the theater building had undergone cosmetic changes through construction recently, many elements of the old infrastructure such as lighting had remained. LEDs — they last longer, they run cooler, enhancing the whole system.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS BY TAEK KIM AND CHARLOTTE BOLAY

OPINION

04 the Epic

A vote for civic engagement on campus

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editors-in-chief myles kim susanna tang managing editor anushka anand copy editors katie chin surya saraf design editors chelsea lee valerie shu adviser josh miller news editor apurva krishnamurthy opinion editors alyssa wang lilly wu features editor emily pedroza in-depth editor eileen zhu sports editor ashley huang web editors daeun chung qianzi loo business/pr manager deeksha raj social media manager riki murase staffers alexandra wu alex cotterel amanda jin audrey sun charlotte bolay claire guo crystal zhu david zhu erin fitzpatrick gary pan inaaya yousuf irene hwang meadow shen nicole ge robert yu rohan kakhandiki sarah zhang taek kim vidushi upadhyay vihaan patel olivia yuan yvonne wu

small print: the Epic is the official newspaper of Lynbrook High School and is a student-run open forum not subject to prior review, as protected under the California Education Code. Views expressed in the Epic do not necessarily reflect or represent those of the administration or faculty of this school or district. Letters to the Editor, guest columns and other materials to be considered for publication are welcome. Visit lhsepic.com/submissions for the guidelines and submission form. valued contributors: Soo Yeon Choi and Lisa Liu.

ith the 2024 presidential elections Staff Editorial approaching, it is crucial for students to be involved civically and politically. Lynbrook should invest The Voice of the Epic more effort into boosting voter turnout and encouraging students to vote. This should “In past years, I have held election be implemented through actively offering simulations by dividing kids in my classes resources on voter registration and holding into teams that each embody a political more on-campus political initiatives. These candidate, and they would tackle campaign initiatives will empower students to make situations and have mock debates,” U.S. their own educated decisions about their History and government teacher Mike political roles in society.

Williams said.

According to the Center for Information Going forward into the 2024 election and Research on Civic Learning and season, Engagement at Tufts University, 50% of government eligible voters aged 18 to 29 cast a ballot teachers during plan to the 2020 conduct elections. mock The elections for younger the general population election, but is a will refrain growing from doing so portion of for the primary the United elections due States’s to the lack of votingdiversity in the eligible PHOTO BY RIKI MURASE candidates pool. population, GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY IRENE HWANG “During and their Students should seek out civic engagement opportunities, such as election years influence voter pre-registration. in the past, we in U.S. have done mock primaries and presidential political debates to simulate the political primaries,” discourse has grown accordingly.

AP Government teacher Jeffrey Bale said.

“A lot of people don’t realize that their The government’s actions affect vote matters,” senior and ASB vice president everybody’s daily lives, especially on Maple Leung said. “It is an unfortunate the local level. However, if the younger trend. Especially at the local level, your vote populations do not actively participate really does matter.” through voting, the results may not In the past, a district-wide policy accurately represent their vision and beliefs. required students to volunteer in their local “You have to tell the students why it communities to pass government classes. affects them,” social studies department Although these requirements no longer lead Steven Roy said. “It’s very easy to be exist, government classes should continue myopic, and only see what’s in front of to promote initiatives that teach students you, especially at a young age when you’re about the importance of civil engagement.

focused on school while there are bigger issues cooking in the background.”

Voting is the key tool that will make the voices of youth heard and make substantial change, because in a democracy, citizens vote for politicians who will decide their future policy for them.

“We have a very stable government compared to many other countries and all American citizens are given the right to vote,” JSA co-president and senior Kaawon Kim said. “Voting is a way for people to voice their opinions procedurally. There are different ways such as protesting, but voting is a really good way to quietly demonstrate your opinions.”

To guide students in their civic duties, Lynbrook’s website should have a page with information on voting along with a tutorial on registering or pre-registering to vote. Lynbrook could also educate students by holding optional tutorial information sessions. To ensure awareness of these resources, Lynbrook should actively publicize them through the morning announcements and ASB’s and the class officers’ social media accounts, similarly to the promotion of driver education courses.

“You need to create opportunities that are relevant, accessible and appealing to boost civic engagement on campus,” U.S. Government teacher Dave Pugh said. “For example, social media such as TikTok and Instagram are what students tend to use often, so I think that’s a good way to increase awareness of civic engagement.”

While Lynbrook should provide these resources and highlight the importance of voting, it is nonetheless crucial to acknowledge that the choice to be civically engaged is ultimately left to the students.

“Schools need to use their influence to shape their students into people who are going to be civically responsible citizens of the future,” Kim said. the Epic staff voted 37-0 in favor of this stance with 2 abstaining.

Girl math adds up, but the hate does not

BY VIDUSHI UPADHYAY

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Before long, the criticism of the trend turned into criticism of women in general, and the trend was thought to evince women’s lack of common knowledge. Girl dinner videos were met with disapproval about how women should revert to the standards of domesticity and spend more time cooking because they were incapable of handling money and had forgotten how to prepare meals.

“Girl math and girl dinner are just fun methods of working through and breaking down circumstances that are mainly faced by women,” senior Gauri Jain said.

“People who don’t feel the need to logically sort out their shopping budgets or hair wash days won’t understand the utility of these types of feminine logic.”

Much of the criticism against girl math and girl dinner comes from men who are not familiar with these issues. In retaliation against their hate, women came up with boy math which called out men for their often illogical habits, ranging from dating women half their age to lying about their height. The divide between the two groups escalated, bringing further attention to gender stereotypes, such as men having fragile egos or women being too sensitive.

“While the trend of boy math perpetuates stereotypes, most of its claims are true and men’s response to the trend only normalizes such behavior,” junior Hao Gu said.

Just like many other trends on social media, girl math and girl dinner’s intentions evolved into a negative influence when it was taken out of context. Confirming the validity and genuine intention of creators’ posts will prevent trends from spiraling out of control.

“These logics have proved useful time and time again for most women, and we shouldn’t discredit girl math or girl dinner because some people misinterpreted the terms,” Jain said.

irl math and girl dinner are the most recent additions to the “season of girlhood”. Spiking in popularity with the release of the “Barbie” movie in the summer of 2023, these concepts that girls often use to rationalize their decisions have brought increased attention to women and everything they do. Unfortunately, the trend lost its original meaning when it was blown out of proportion by groups who misunderstood the joke.

The type of feminine logic emphasized through girl math and girl dinner has always been a part of women’s daily lives. Planning out hair wash days based on upcoming events or justifying spending money on an expensive coat because they will wear it often are common manifestations of girl math.

Girl dinner is an adjacent trend that validated women for eating an assortment of snacks instead of a traditional meal when they were too tired to cook. With this trend, a safe space was created for women to validate each other while making such decisions.

Though the trends were rooted in intentions of inclusivity and humor, they quickly reached ignorant audiences who began unhealthily applying these mindsets and negatively portraying the concepts.

Girls would spend irrationally, using girl math as their justification, or refuse to eat their meals in the name of girl dinner. New additions to the girl math and girl dinner community were often only exposed to the misinterpreted version of the trend, and this sparked a wave of distaste for the trend because the new audience saw it as condoning irresponsible behavior.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY CRYSTAL ZHU AND IRENE HWANG

OPINION 05

February 12, 2024

Renaming De Anza College would respect history

BY ALEX COTTEREL

PHOTO BY LILLY WU

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ecently, a movement within the De Anza College community has placed pressure on the college to change its name honoring Juan Bautista de Anza.

The controversy surrounds De Anza’s role in the 18th century in the genocide of Indigenous people. Movements to change the name were sparked by statements made

by Indigenous members of the local Tamien Nation and Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. To boost the voices of Indigenous communities who have spoken about this issue, the college should be renamed to bring awareness to the history and harm done.

During the periods of mass European colonization, De Anza fought in the Spanish army to expand the country’s settlements in the Americas. De Anza’s two expeditions to California were an affront to the humanity and independence of Indigenous peoples, claiming land they had lived on for thousands of years and forcing them to adapt to Spanish customs and culture.

“This goes back to the larger re-examination of historical figures and whether they should continue to be recognized,” history teacher Nate Martell said. “Changing the name is an acknowledgment that Indigenous people were not treated fairly by colonizers.”

In March 2023 at a Vasconcellos Institute for Democracy in Action Conference, Valentin Lopez, chair of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, brought attention to the dark history of the college’s name.

“During the next several months, we met and decided to circulate a petition to set up an official task force to

Recent public controversy surrounding the colonial history of De Anza College’s name has sparked debate over whether a new name is necessary.

investigate a name change,” said Sherwin Mendoza, a parttime instructor at De Anza College.

In October 2023, Mendoza and other members of the De Anza College community began the De Anza Name Exploration Project to explore alternatives and began promoting their petition. As of late January 2024, the petition has gained just under 100 signatures, but Mendoza is hoping February will bring more traction to the petition with a goal of at least 400 signatures.

De Anza’s expeditions affected more than 50 indigenous tribes in the Bay Area, with the Tamien Nation, Muwekma Ohlone and Amah Mutsun Tribal Nation as three tribes remaining in this area that are still unrecognized by the federal government. This is a shameless violation of Article 25 of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People.

Ignoring the history of Indigenous nations and peoples

perpetuates ignorance and disrespect for their cultures and livelihoods. Changing De Anza College’s name is a step toward honoring Indigenous peoples of the Bay Area.

A name change could be costly to implement, from redesigning signs, uniforms and more. However, the college underwent a similar process in 2022; they successfully changed their logo from the Dons, a title for Spanish nobility commonly associated with colonization efforts, to Rory the mountain lion. The uniforms with the new mascots were slowly implemented after the old uniforms were worn out. The college should implement a similar gradual approach with the changing of the college’s name.

Cabrillo College underwent a comparable process as Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo had a similar history to De Anza’s. They accepted a name change in 2020, but the college has not yet implemented it due to cost concerns.

Mendoza believes that, while separating De Anza’s colonialist history from the college is important, money should be spent on what Indigenous communities need.

“The most important stakeholder here would be the actual Indigenous groups,” Mendoza said. “Any money available for a project like this should be spent depending on what they say their priorities are.”

As of late January, the DANEP has not discussed any new names. Regardless, once the process starts, the college should use a name that local Indigenous groups support — an important step to rectify injustices and further honor the people who are still affected by a dark colonial past.

Allow students to expand literary horizons to read a story about the connection between a boy and his father set in Afghanistan shows more nuance to life in t the center of our English Afghanistan — not just the Taliban and classrooms, discussions weave violence.” around the students’ collective While unfamiliar settings or experiences reading literature, which brings shocking storylines are generally about new perspectives and conversations. well-received at Lynbrook, the issue In recent years, some concern surrounding is not as straightforward when triggering themes that show up in certain addressing certain scenes that texts has sparked conversation about the deal with sexual assault or place of specific books such as “The Kite rape. There are a multitude of Runner,” “Beloved” and “Aristotle and reasons why a person may be Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” triggered by graphic scenes in classrooms. Despite books like these — such as having personally containing mature subjects that may be difficult for some students to initially digest, dealt with sexual assault — and teachers are prepared and in the absence of these emotionally mature open to providing case-specific narratives, English classrooms would solutions for these students. not be as academically and emotionally “If a student is coming rewarding for students. Avoiding mature from a traumatic themes stymies students’ background, that’s good abilities to develop information for the teacher diverse points of view to know, and then the during their time in high “We can open our eyes parent, teacher and student school. can work together to figure to the fact that there In the interest of out what the solution might are people who are creating a more diverse, comprehensive and experiencing these issues look like for that student,” Satterthwaite said. up-to-date curriculum, but don’t have the same Because relatively teachers have worked resources that we do.” few students request an to integrate books that exemption for particular include characters books, a one-size-fits-all Erika Wu, and plots that vary in solution of taking a book experience and content.

Senior off the shelves for every For example, “The Kite student is not a sound Runner” has become strategy. If teachers are forced to replace a sophomore essential, and, oftentimes, books that have received backlash, the a favorite among students who have read impact of the intended book would have it. Nevertheless, the book contains scenes been lost. Even though there have been that involve sexual assault, murder and the cases of students opting out of reading a political turmoil during the Soviet-Afghan particular book in the past, students should war — content that has sparked backlash. utilize this option sparingly. Rather than “In order to expand the concept of world having the engaging, interactive classroom literature, I think ‘The Kite Runner’ does experience, a student who opted out would a particularly good job of showing us a independently study a different book, with window into limited time set aside for teacher guidance.

Afghanistan Previously, attempts to incorporate in a way that modern texts have been met with other we don’t forms of backlash because some students normally are less comfortable reading material in get from books that aren’t considered “classics.” traditional “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets media,” of the Universe” delves into a friendship FUHSD between two boys who navigate their English sexuality together. Even though this book Curriculum is not particularly graphic compared to any Lead Julia Read more at Satterthwaite other “classic,” such as “Romeo and Juliet” or “The Odyssey,” some argue that it doesn’t said. “Getting lhsepic.com

BY EILEEN ZHU

SCAN ME

belong in a high school classroom because of references to a sexual relationship. It may be that books set in a modern time period like this one make the issues of sexuality and the controversies surrounding them hit closer to home.

“There’s some concern you’ll see across the nation that teachers are indoctrinating students into a liberal perspective, but I don’t think that’s necessarily true,” Satterthwaite said.

“Rather, I think they are actually exposing them to diverse ideas.”

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill that prohibits the banning of books and textbooks in schools. This is an important step forward in addressing students’ needs to have access to a diverse education and takes away attempts to dehumanize experiences or values expressed in an author’s writing.

“I believe in the freedom of speech, and books students read are all books approved by the district,” English Department Lead Joanna Chan said.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY CRYSTAL ZHU

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FEATURES

06 the Epic

LILIE™ high ponytail hats create impact beyond fashion

BY ALEXANDRA WU

designed together; we wouldn’t let anything get in the way of reaching our goal,” Liao said. t was finally here: the product junior Kylie Liao and Liao believes that a part of their success is owed to the Valley Christian High School student Lillian Yee had support of friends and family. been working on for years came to life. Liao and Yee “Our parents have been supportive along the way,” Liao have been building their company, Lilie Athletica, for more said. “Family and friends were the ones who gave us the than two years and have recently launched the brand with confidence to keep on going and reassured us that we had a a line of high ponytail hats. This athletic hat brand explores good product. My teammates also innovative hat designs to supported me a lot. They had a lot encourage active, inclusive of faith in us.” communities and inspire Liao’s teammates sampled young athletes. The name the product and inspired the LILIE™ is a combination of confidence Liao and Yee needed to both of the founders’ first keep going. They gave out samples names: Lillian and Kylie. of their prototypes to close friends Currently, Liao and Yee are and family to gain a multitude expanding their outreach of perspectives from different and studying social media athletes to ensure that the high advertising strategies for ponytail cap addressed all areas plans to expand abroad in of concern. Sakurako Esaka, a Taiwan, Korea and Eastern junior and Liao’s teammate on the Europe. tennis team, was one such early “I am very passionate product tester who helped provide about giving kids a chance feedback to improve the design. to experience sports “The LILIE™ hat completely because I know it made me exceeded my expectations — it into the person I am today,” is super comfortable with any PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION FROM KYLIE LIAO Liao said. hairstyle, and the hat itself is deep Competitive tennis and fits my head perfectly,” Esaka Juniors Kylie Liao and Lillian Yee pose for a promotional players since childhood, said. “I love how simple the design photoshoot, showcasing their high ponytail hats.

Liao and Yee hope to is — I can wear it with any of my empower young female outfits.” athletes and underprivileged children through their LILIE™ When they received the final product from their high ponytail hat — a product inspired by their shared manufacturer, Liao and Yee felt a spiral of emotions: a passions for sports. Through their experience playing mixture of pride, excitement and relief. The fruits of their tennis, Liao and Yee noticed that they could not wear their time and effort finally came to life. hats comfortably when sporting high ponytails.

“That was also another point where we were motivated “I never wore a visor since I found it uncomfortable and to keep going with our idea,” Liao said. “We felt immense made me more susceptible to sunburn,” Yee said. “Because pride; seeing the product of the blood, sweat and tears of this, I stuck to caps but was still dissatisfied since they that we put in come to life was a big moment for us.” never fit correctly.”

The fact that they were able to hold the physical product Thus, Liao and Yee wanted to create a product that would of what they once sketched on scraps of paper reassured address this issue with the broader implications of uplifting them that their ideas were worth developing for the next a larger athletic community. Liao and Yee decided to donate stage. This removed the weight of self doubt from their 20% of their company’s profits to support athletic programs shoulders, and they were ready to continue onto the next in disadvantaged areas. step of their journey.

They began brainstorming ideas for their high ponytail After the success of their initial launch, Liao and Yee plan hat over Facetime. Huddled over blue-light screens, Liao and on expanding Lilie Athletica for as long as they can, hoping Yee presented their roughly sketched ideas to each other to perhaps release other types of athletic hats. This entire over countless late-night brainstorming sessions. journey has been a memorable experience for them and they Initial ideas looked very different from the finished strive to continue to encourage and inspire product sold today. To experiment with different designs, young athletes to pursue their dreams.

Liao and Yee cut out the back of an old baseball cap “It’s a brand that’s built out of a and used paper scraps as placeholders. They went lot of love,” Liao said. “A lot of love through numerous iterations for the back of the from people who harbor a lot of hat to maximize its comfort. love for sports.”

Playing tennis taught them that desired results are achievable with enough discipline and hard work. The sport also helped them build resilience in the face of challenges — something that Liao and Yee find plays an important role in their lives today.

“Tennis and sports in general had such a big impact on our lives both physically and mentally,” Yee said. “We hope everyone gets the chance to play sports no matter their financial situation, especially considering the high cost of sports equipment today.”

However, the process did not come without its fair share of challenges. Their original manufacturing company shut down due to protests taking place in the area.

Consequently, they had to find another company willing to produce the hat, repeating the process of sending their ideas to companies, testing samples of the product and applying design revisions.

“We were so proud of the hat that we

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PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION FROM KYLIE LIAO. GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY MEADOW SHEN AND CRYSTAL ZHU.

from idea to... find a need

research the market and bring something unique to the table

1 2 design

prototype, draw how you want the product to look

contact

reach out to manufacturers from all over the world

3 4 tweak

even the most minor things, especially fit and fabric

logistics

registering as an LLC, trademarking the logo, buying the domain, building the website, taking photos, figuring out shipping, returns, fees, all that stuff

5 6 broadcast infographics, promotional videos, TikTok trends, etc.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ALEX COTTEREL

February 12, 2024

FEATURES

07

Alumnus Derrick Cai ventures into entrepreneurship

BY SARAH ZHANG

S

tarting from selling candy in elementary school to renting out basketball courts as a high school senior to creating an internet-viral artificial intelligence notetaking tool at UC Berkeley, Class of 2022 alumnus Derrick Cai has been an entrepreneur for, presumably, his entire life.

Cai’s entrepreneurship journey began in elementary school after reading “Lawn Boy” by Gary Paulsen. From mowing lawns to making half a million dollars through running his business, the 12-year-old protagonist inspired a lasting entrepreneurial spirit in Cai. “I thought his corporation was the coolest thing in the world,” Cai said. “That was what motivated me at first — my passion evolved into building well-developed products that people want and love.”

In high school, Cai began side hustles, building websites for many local businesses — mainly basketball trainers and clinics. His clientele evolved to eventually include a consistent pool of paying clients and Cai’s services expanded to offer web development, social media management and production.

The summer before he entered college, Cai hosted a local basketball tournament where he learned about the power social media holds in generating interest and building up businesses. After the promotional TikTok videos he posted went viral, the small tournament turned into a huge event, with participants from as far as Los Angeles making the eight-hour drive to attend.

“It was crazy,” Cai said. “At that point, I was hooked. I decided I really wanted to do something like this in college.”

The virality of the basketball tournament was a precursor to the later successes Cai would experience on social media. Henceforth, TikTok and Instagram Reels have been the largest channels of growth for Cai’s projects.

Through Y-Combinator Co-Founder Matching Platform, Cai met a fellow Berkeley student, Declan Gerssel. Since then, the two have joined forces to create products, including YouUp, a personalized alarm clock, and JotBot, an AI-powered document and voice editor, to make essaywriting and note-taking easier. Because of their growing

number of startups, Cai and Gerssel founded SLAM, a limited liability corporation, to manage all their apps and websites. SLAM stands for “spring like a marathon,” which Cai says is their internal motto; they have eight different social media accounts for promotional purposes, with @slam.ventures as their main account.

JotBot has been their most popular app thus far. The original idea for JotBot was to create a version of ChatGPT that focused on writing assistance while avoiding cheating and plagiarism. It now serves as a document editor and helps users write notes and generate ideas. Cai and Gerssel’s initial strategy for marketing this app was to repeatedly post promotional videos with the same script.

Their most popular video garnered 46.1 million views, 1.3 million likes and 556,000 shares as of early February.

Across their eight accounts, their videos for JotBot have garnered more than 100 million views.

Another app they founded, Avo Alarm, is an AIpowered alarm that clones celebrity voices to wake you up. This app reached Sam’s Tailor, a popular TikToker known for his humorous methods to promote his tailoring business, when Cai cloned his voice in an Instagram Reel. Sam’s Tailor then contacted Cai and Gerssel and helped promote the app, causing his large following to follow suit.

This semester, Cai and Gessel are both taking a gap semester to focus on creating new products at Buildspace, a program for entrepreneurs to work on their ideas.

“Last semester, I was taking classes while working on a lot of side projects at the same time, which was very stressful,” Cai said. “Now we’re a lot more focused.”

They are currently working full-time to optimize JotBot to allow it to reach its fullest potential. Starting their journey, Cai and Declan were mainly focusing on making money to be able to support their businesses and personal lives.

“Now that we’re making good money, we’re really taking our time and developing good products and strategies,” Cai said. “It feels like we’ve reached the next level in that there’s a whole new world of challenges that we have to face.

I’m very excited to tackle these challenges.”

Looking back, Cai reflects on his journey from doubt to approaching success — through working hard to overcome the inevitable challenges and mistakes they faced.

“I don’t think I’ve succeeded yet,” Cai said. “But the difference between now and when I started is so large. I have a long way to go, but looking back is just so awesome.”

PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION FROM DERRICK CAI. GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY LILLY WU AND MEADOW SHEN.

Ene, Gilmore and Levin’s article navigates AI

BY INAAYA YOUSUF

lines between human interactions and tech classrooms, the Socratic seminar not only interactions. From these deliberations, we acted as a catalyst for the article but also ive documents, three laptops, one shaped a classroom policy on AI.” as a guiding path. As the teachers grappled article. Story and Style teachers Through the Socratic seminar, teachers with how to present their views on AI Evyenia Ene, Jane Gilmore and Erin and students were able to weigh the pros holistically, they contemplated student Levin typed away to create a piece reflecting and cons of using AI, considering what conversations, which inspired their final their views on artificial intelligence as this new technology article.

English teachers. The meant to the future of “There were really four authors of the looming question of education, writing in article,” Levin said. “It was us three and the whether AI has a place particular. students.” in the classroom is fairly “I definitely think However, the article offered new prevalent and polarizing in that using AI for any challenges. In each of their classrooms, “Writing should feel the teaching community. kind of art form is a Levin, Ene and Gilmore tackled the subject as thrilling as running In their article “In the threat to the humanity of AI from their own perspectives. While around in a rainstorm in Belly of the Beast: Three of it, as well as to Levin and Gilmore believe that AI poses a the sunshine” Teachers Confront AI in the critical-thinking skills threat to the creative process of writing, Ene Classroom,” published in that are important to finds ChatGPT to be an intriguing the November 2023 issue Erin Levin, learn in school,” senior tool that, if responsibly used, can of California English, they Claire Lucas said. open new avenues to writing.

English Teacher attempt to answer the With these Her classroom policy question cohesively despite ideas discussed and deliberated openly reflects her voice in having differing views and throughout all three Story and Style the article, with her experiences with AI. Sitting in a meeting with the California Writing Project Board, Gilmore explained to the members an assignment she had assigned to her class discussing ChatGPT. Intrigued by the different perspectives surrounding ChatGPT in the classroom, the head of the California Project assigned Gilmore to write about how AI should be confronted. As she contemplated ideas, she invited her fellow Story and Style teachers, Ene and Levin, to delve into the topic along with her. The three teachers conducted Socratic seminars with their students, discussing the pros and cons of ChatGPT. “In their Socratic seminar, students gave thoughtful consideration to so many important, valuable insights,” Ene said. “Questions ranged GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY MEADOW SHEN AND DEEKSHA RAJ from moral obligations to PHOTO BY INAAYA YOUSUF singularity to blurring the Story and style teachers Erin Levin, Jane Gilmore, and Evyenie Ene, smile with their published article.

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students being allowed to use ChatGPT to generate ideas. Shaping those unique perspectives into a singular article was the teachers’ main obstacle.

“Initially, we all wrote three pieces that were way too long,” Gilmore said. “One of our main issues was trying to keep on cutting it down and editing our voices to be cohesive.”

These initial drafts were written based on personal experience and sentiment. While the final article still retains these feelings, the teachers had to figure out a way to shape their writing to cater to their audience: other teachers. With that in mind, Ene, Levin and Gilmore revised their article to inform their readers on how the open discussions they held in class helped them navigate AI as English teachers.

Though the article makes it clear that not all three teachers see eye-to-eye on how AI should be used in the classroom setting by splitting it up to address multiple perspectives on AI, they were able to conclude with one message: AI and humanistic writing is not the same, and that true writing comes from the mind and heart. They share that teachers should give their students the opportunity to write in new and adventurous ways with the hope that their students will learn to experience writing on a level beyond their classroom assignments.

“Writing should feel as thrilling as running around in a rainstorm in the sunshine,” Levin said. “There’s a little danger to it. There’s a little discomfort. There’s also a freedom and a joy. But not if you outsource it.”

Games unlock gateways to culture and tradition

Game memories, since 1965

BY DAEUN CHUNG AND OLIVIA YUAN spaces divided into ith a variety of formats, designs and themes, games raditional games have a rich four sections history and can offer a unique hold the power to define and connect the chapters symbolize glimpse into the cultures where land. It is of countless lives. From Chicago Rummy to they originated. These games are not thought that “Final Fantasy XIV,” students and teachers reflect on how only sources of entertainment but also the central reflections of the social dynamics in their experiences with games have been impactful in station on communities that play them. the board creating meaningful memories. references the Pole Star and Mahjong, a four-player game involving that the entire board symbolizes the celestial sphere. both luck and skill, first originated in On New Year’s Day, people in China and spread to other East Asian “When I w the agricultural regions of Korea countries. With various adaptations of during the Three Kingdoms period board games. It’ the game, the primary goal of mahjong is to be the first to make four sets — three would gather with relatives to wish tell my students: I was an only child, and I didn’t have a lot of fri for a good harvest in the spring identical or consecutive tiles — and play board games, and so I would play board games by myself. while playing yutnori. Today, one pair of two identical tiles. This can the game has evolved over game ‘Trouble,’ you have a little Pop-O-Matic bubble, and it’s a be done through players taking turns time to be played as a fun to draw and discard tiles, with various and has four sides, and I remember popping the little bubble game between family and intricacies involved. Tiles include a peg, and then switching to the other side and popping the friends. three suits called wan, tong and tiao, moving the peg all the way around the board and I would “My favorite representing Chinese characters, circles memory of playing board game by myself. Playing board games and just havi and bamboo respectively. yutnori is with While many mistakenly believe that by myself at the time planted the seed for how much mo my family when mahjong was created thousands of fun they could be if you played with a bunch of people deciding who would years ago by Confucius, the game was clean the house,” And I’ve liked board games ever since. first developed toward the end of the senior and Korean Qing Dynasty in Southern China, where Club president it served predominantly as a maleRichard Lim said. dominated gambling game. Brought to the United States in the early 1920s, the “It was quite fun to first imports of the game were ironically tease my parents “In 9th grade, at the time I started playing because they lost popular, with the game arriving on U.S. the game; they ‘Destiny 2,’ right before that, I was not doing shores during a period of increased antiintended to make immigrant sentiment. too good mentally. And eventually, because it us play and clean by At Lynbrook, many students play felt like I had no control, I developed an eating beating us, knowing mahjong with family and friends, as that they definitely disorder because I felt like that was the one the slower pace of the game allows for had more experience more of a conversational and laidpart of my life that i could control. And it and tactics.” back environment. The game has also was not healthy; it was not a good mindset introduced aspects of Chinese culture to at all. But then I started playing ‘Destiny players and spectators alike, such as the 2’ just out of pure boredom, and the Chinese norm of friendly conversation Lotería, commonly known and a playful atmosphere between amount of goals there were — I was as “Mexican Bingo,” is a game of opponents. chance similar to American Bingo able to distract myself from the “The best thing about mahjong is but with pictures instead of numbers. eating stuff and actually eat and control these its ability to create a lively atmosphere Each player has a board with a four-by-four in the room and create bonds between aspects and control what goals i had grid of images depicting elements of Spanish people,” senior and National Chinese folk tales and pinto beans to use as markers. towards this game.”

Honor Society President Lyria Zhu said.

The caller picks a card from the deck of 54 popularity “Mahjong has also helped me connect different cards, and the first player to achieve the and be played in with Chinese culture because it reflects previously agreed-upon pattern — row, column, Mexican fairs for money. the ‘friend-group culture’ in China, diagonal or four corners — shouts “Lotería” and The game’s cards have also been used as a tool in the where laughs and joy are shared over a wins the round.

U.S. to teach Spanish history and culture. For example, bonding activity.”

The game originated in Italy during the 15th the picture of a skeleton, labeled “la muerte”, symbolizes century. It was first introduced to Mexico from the deep connection with the dead in Mexican culture. It Spain in 1769 and, after initial popularity, it was reminds people that ancestors who have passed can later mass-produced by Don Clemente Jacques in Yutnori is a classic Korean board remain as a source of guidance and remain present 1887 for the general public. During the Mexican game played by two teams using four in one’s memories. sticks and a yut board. Players flip sticks, Independence War, the game evolved from a “I love that all the images on the tabla majorly upper-class pastime to a hobby for and the five different possible moves reflect cultural symbols and themes,” soldiers as it was included along with military based on how the sticks land — up or senior and Spanish Club President I lost connection with my childhood rations at the time. Soldiers brought the game down — are named after animals like Radha Paravastu.said. “I definitely home to their families, causing it to soar in games because I was lazy. I think dogs, sheep, and horses. The objective is think others should try out this that there’s less of a desire to use to return to the starting point before the game because you can learn a lot.” opponent team. about.” Spanish culture while a similar type of creative outlet The yut board consists of a square having fun with amongst people. However, I am with its two diagonals added to the friends.” finding it again with my son. My course, with corresponding stations along the lines. The board itself has ties son wants to do those same things. to ancient astronomy, He says, “Hey, let’s use this baseball and where the bat to do this.” We’re not playing baseball. We’re outer square represents playing some new game that he just invented. I fin heaven this charming and I like it that we’re doing and the

BY NICOLE GE

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‘Trouble teacher

Mahjong

Destiny 2, 2017, with sophomore Sana Kanthan

Loteria

Yutnori

Self-invented gam with teacher Jeffrey B

what I did when I was a kid. Now I’m doing it a second time, but this time it’s in his shoes, not my shoes.

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Everything is political, including video games.

BY ASHLEY HUANG AND MYLES KIM

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e’, 1965, with Isaac Pallone

was a little kid, I loved ’s a story that I always iends, but I still loved to And I remember the a four-player game e, then moving e bubble and play the ing fun ore e.

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relationship between games and the spectrum of political bias within the hen online mobs flood mainstream industry. Ultimately, developers should discussions every couple of years embrace political messaging in their art. after the latest “woke, social justice However, the responsibility swings both warrior, liberal-agenda-pushing” video game ways: consumers should also approach releases — wanting to keep politics out of politically charged games in good faith, video games — what they truly mean to say instead of resorting to online boycotts and is “we don’t want politics we don’t agree harassment, which can become discouraging with in video games.” and a financial burden for developers.

“These kinds of things tend to What many fail to realize is that politics upset people because it suggests and games are inseparable — even if to them that there’s a politics political commentary is not explicitly now present that wasn’t there clear. Games are created and developed by before,” said Soraya Murray, an humans who interact with and are affected associate professor in the Film & by politics in their daily lives. Those biases Digital Media Department at inevitably slip into all aspects of their life, UC Santa Cruz. including work.

When considering Games are also a significant part of this call to keep politics the cultural fabric of today, with almost out of video games, 65% of Americans, or 212 million people, it becomes evident playing video games at least one hour a that the discussion week, according to an Electronic Software extends beyond Association 2023 report. The report also the exclusion touched on the diversity of players, with of certain 53% and 46% of players identifying as male political and female respectively, and the far cry viewpoints; from the industry’s early days of player and it raises developer dominance by those of Caucasian questions descent. With these kinds of numbers, it’s about the no surprise that games have become a intricate recurring battleground for the culture war.

“Other games might not be so overt about it, but certainly a game like “Tom Clancy’s The Division 2,” is dealing with themes about the fall of the capital,” Murray said.

“It’s hard not to imagine that they don’t have a political perspective, even though the official line from the company says otherwise.”

Politics in games are everywhere; they just happen to be invisible unless they are a flavor of politics that a person disagrees with. Video games are an inevitable reflection of the political realities in the time period during which they were made.

Games such as “Call of Duty” have come under fire for their heavy reliance on Video games have “Arabistan,” portraying changed my perspective Middle on a different sport: Eastern badminton. Previously, I would be overly society competitive, get upset when I lose, just generally not as a place where people having fun with it because I guess I didn’t really are either understand why I was doing it. But over a period of traumatized time when I stopped playing, I came to a realization victims of endless war or — partially because of video games — that I don’t terrorists, with have to be ultracompetitive. I guess it’s more of little distinction in a psychology kind of thing — my changed between. This trend, which sprouted out of the outlook on video games translated over post-9/11 political climate to badminton. I’m not trying to be of governmental surveillance, as competitive or upset when I racism and willingness to resort to militaristic violence, mirrors the ongoing lose anymore. conflicts in the region that have intensified since the onset of America’s Global War on Terrorism almost 23 years ago. Increasingly, many have argued that this warped depiction of Middle Eastern peoples has contributed to apathy and

‘Splatoon 3,’ 2022, with sophomore Cooper Chung

ignorance toward the ongoing conflicts in Gaza.

Consumer perceptions of what constitutes a political video game are incredibly warped. Recent controversies over so-called politics in video games have typically surrounded the inclusion of diverse characters and storylines. Many gamers were quick to reject critically acclaimed titles like “The Last of Us 2,” upon finding out that the lead character was lesbian. The latest Bethesda Games entry, “Starfield,” was met with the cries of angry Skyrim fanboys when they found out that the character creator included an option to select preferred pronouns. When gamers get caught up in these surface-level details, they can lose sight of what makes video games so special in the first place — the powerful stories these games are trying to tell.

“The Last of Us 2” attempts to tackle the destructive cycle of war, exploring the political realities of a post-apocalyptic landscape and the violence innate to the human condition. “Red Dead Redemption II” isn’t just a game about cowboys and outlaws; it’s a snapshot into the historical struggle of American culture and identity at the cusp of the 20th century. Every game has a story waiting patiently within its virtual world — it is just a question of whether gamers are willing to experience something that may contain a different worldview from their own.

Any way you slice it, harassing or otherwise attempting to hurt developers because they included politics gamers may not agree with, shouldn’t be condoned.

Beyond harming the commercial aspects of games, these types of actions have a disproportionately negative effect on individual developers themselves. Due to the highly cyclical nature of game development, a commercial failure could very well spell the end of a studio and subsequent job losses for developers, in a space that, in recent years, has resorted to mass layoffs.

“The big budget video game, or AAA, space is very much skewed because of the amount of money involved — it’s very much a volatile space,” said Dr. Marc Olano, associate professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and director of the Computer Science Game Development Track at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Even games that may seem inherently unpolitical can be used to organize for impactful political causes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many found comfort in connecting with others in “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” However, it gained attention for its unexpected role as a platform for virtual protests and political expression. In April 2020, players in Hong Kong utilized the game’s features to protest a proposed Chinese Extradition Law. Protestors, afraid of retribution, often used these covert means of communicating through video games to avoid traditional surveillance mechanisms used by the Chinese government.

The use of “Animal Crossing” as a medium for political expression showcases the versatility of these virtual worlds in providing a platform for social interaction and commentary.

Scan the QR code to read the full story.

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Growing up, when I was a kid, it was a big rite of passage to play the family card game. Imagine three generations that had moved all across the country, and we’d maybe meet up once a year. So we were close, but we didn’t know each other that well.

So when you were finally old enough to play the family card game, it was a chance for you to interact with all the family — the cousins, the uncles, your grandparents — and that’s where the family connections were really made. And that tradition has kind of persisted in that playing games as a family is what has always brought us together when we meet up.

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Family game Chicago Rummy with teacher teacher Isaac Pallone

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10 the Epic

Investigating game developers’ fight for labor rights

BY ANUSHKA ANAND AND ROHAN KAKHANDIKI

Decoding the game development process

employees, including people in hundreds of California-based companies. programmer sits, red-eyed, with dark eyebags and On Jan. 22, Riot Games announced it would lay

BY DEEKSHA RAJ copious amounts of caffeine in their system as they off 530 workers, or about 11% of the company’s stare at the blue light emitted from their computer global workforce because of a lack of investments. n the world of game development, ideas become interactive screen, concluding yet another day of unpaid overtime However, Riot Games provides at least six months experiences through a dynamic process. The journey from because another company executive over-promised on of severance pay for employees who have been an initial concept to creating a refined, playable game a release date to shareholders. The production behind laid off and allows them to be eligible for cash involves creativity, technology and dedication. Generally, the popular video games has recently gained notoriety for its bonuses. game development process can be broken down into five steps: toxic work environments and poor working conditions, Unionization has helped workers push for pre-production, production, quality assurance testing, launch prompting further examination into the extreme stress put labor reform. Sega, a video game production and post-production maintenance. However, the work put on game developers. company with over 200 workers most known into each stage and the relationship between stages are highly “The people who participate in the video game industry, for “Sonic the Hedgehog,” formed the largest complex. like Quality Assurance testers, developers, coders and multi-department union within the gaming The pre-production stage is the planning phase of the process. artists, are very much driven by passion,” industry, the Allied Before game developers can begin thinking about the logistics said Ashley Parrish, a journalist who Employees Guild of their ideas, they need to be able to gauge whether their game covers video games for The Verge. “This Improving SEGA. In will be able to be commercially successful. By conducting market has tended to mean that they’re willing July 2023, the National research, game developers understand the current trends in the to put up with worse working conditions Labor Relations game industry and identify potential gaps in the market. This helps than what is typically acceptable, just Board voted 91them determine whether there is a demand for their proposed for the“privilege” of working in the 26 in favor of the game.

An important part of pre-production is creating a game design industry.” of students surveyed Sega Union. With document which will serve as a blueprint for the rest of the process.

Labor unions, which have long played over 200 workers, think that game “GDD — the game design document — unifies the designers, a role in protecting the rights of workers, the creation of companies hold developers, artists and other team members,” senior Sanchitha Dinesh have been gaining traction within the AEGIS-CWA has said.

“It helps everyone understand their roles and responsibilities responsibility for gaming industry. Unionization rates been touted as a within the project.” in the video game industry have been worker rights massive victory by During the pre-production stage, writers, artists, designers and traditionally low compared to similar advocates. developers work together to define the game’s scope. This involves industries. Advocates argue that unions would provide “When buying a game with my own generating concepts for the game’s functionality, characters, visual style developers with a collective voice to negotiate fair wages, money, I always try to think about what and narrative. reasonable working hours and improved job stability, with the company has done ethics-wise “Everything that happens before you start coding is the most 53% of game developers being in favor of forming unions. before making any purchases,” senior important part: planning and finding your target audience and thinking However, opponents of labor organizing in the industry and Asgardians Esports captain Justin everything out before you start coding your game,” computer science often argue that the nature of the game development, with a Ngo said. teacher Bradley Fulk said. project-based structure, may pose challenges to traditional Sega began to push against crunch The production stage is the longest phase of the game development union models and could have potential clashes with the in 2013, trying to eliminate 100% process. During production, the team takes a select few of the concepts creative and fast-paced nature of the gaming industry. of all enforced overtime. By 2018, planned out during pre-production and turns them into code, designs and “Think of it like a sweatshop,” Parrish said. “They are crunch time was reduced by more other various assets. working in a place for so many hours at a time doing a task than 80%. On Jan. 8, Sega announced “This is my favorite part of creating a video game because all your ideas and not necessarily being paid more for it, or the wages that that 61 workers would be laid off in finally become real,” Dinesh said. “Despite all the bumps and the small workers are paid isn’t enough for the work they have to do.”

March, and following the layoffs, the frustrating mistakes I come across while coding, the end result is always The constant hardships that workers are put through, union will take steps to ensure the worth it.” such as long hours, harassment and low job security, has protection and representation of Graphic designers are tasked with creating character models, developing driven many to seek refuge in unions. A survey conducted the workers, providing them what dynamic and immersive level designs and environments and refining user in 2021 by the International Game Developers Association they need on a case-by-case basis. interfaces. Through this process, many ideas may also be discarded or found that 32% of workers in the video game industry While the game industry has scrapped due to being overly ambitious given a time constraint. worked long hours, often without compensation. These had its problems with worker “I love this industry because of the teamwork aspect,” Intercept Games artist game developers are victims of “crunch,” a term used to abuse, sexual assault and layand animator John Roper said. “My designs are combined with my colleagues’ describe an industry practice of extended overtime with offs, after much public criticism, programs; there is a huge team of people all working to create this one product little compensation. Fifty-eight percent of employees, 64% companies have started to in the form of a video game.” of freelancers and 63% of self-employed workers reported show more initiative in making Quality assurance is the next testing phase for developers before release, that they had to participate in crunch more than twice in the their workplaces a safer allowing them to focus on the small details of game creation. At this point, the past two years. and healthier environment. game’s features should be mostly complete, but the QA process helps ensure bug“I’d definitely feel a lot worse paying for games that Insomniac Games, a popular free and polished games, acting as the foundation for excellence in video game had unfair working conditions behind them,” junior Kiriti game studio, made “Ratchet development.

Kotipalli said. and Clank: Rifts Apart” Marketing efforts play a crucial role when launching an AAA video game. The To be able to meet unrealistic release deadlines with zero crunch hours, term “AAA Games’’ is a classification used within the video gaming industry to while still reaping a profit, companies often resort to according to some claims signify high-budget, high-profile games that are produced by large, well-known finding loopholes to avoid paying their employees. EA by developers at the developers. Marketing involves promotional campaigns, press releases, and Games, popular for games such as “FIFA,” “Star Wars Jedi: studio. “Marvel’s Spiderengagement within gaming communities to generate anticipation. Distribution Survivor” and “The Sims,” were accused of illegally marking Man 2,” Insomniac’s most channels are carefully chosen, and coordination with retailers or digital platforms is employees, who were owed money for crunch time, as recent game, reportedly vital for a successful launch. exempt from payment. canceled features in the At Lynbrook, all computer science classes have projects at some point throughout The gaming industry also has a history of sexual game to prevent extreme the year in which students have the opportunity to program a game. Although there is harassment, gender discrimination and ties to the #MeToo burnout and stress for its no specific assignment to create a game, students often gravitate to game development. movement, prompting many to consider labor organizing to developers.

“I’ve had a couple of students who were in my APCS Principles class and they are protect themselves. Ubisoft, a French company popularized “If we want to working in the game development industry now,” Fulk said. by games such as “Assassin’s Creed” and “Just Dance,” improve working While game development may look different in high school and in the professional gained notoriety when female employees came forward conditions, we industry, the fundamental passion for gaming and commitment to creating an enjoyable with allegations of abuse at its studios across the globe. have to enshrine experience remains a common thread.

In another instance, Activision Blizzard, famous for “Call those protections of Duty” and “Crash Bandicoot,” was filled with sexual in a contract and harassment lawsuits. The parents of Kerry Moynihan, a unionization female employee at Activision Blizzard, asserted that the is honestly harassment by one of her male bosses played a significant the best way role in her decision to take her own life. The company’s to do it,” workplaces have been described as having a “frat house” Parrish said. culture by many of its employees. Employees under “Also, calling investigation for harassment were then forced to pay out when victims. developers “Some companies are implementing zero-tolerance do bad things policies so that it’s clear that people who get reported for creates bad inappropriate behavior will immediately get fired,” Parrish press, which said. can help The push for better working conditions and gender ensure that equality started to gain more traction in 2019. Employees things like that at a Los Angeles-based video game company, Riot Games, don’t happen known for their competitive multiplayer games — “League again.” of Legends” and “Valorant” — walked out to protest the forced arbitration of a sexual discrimination lawsuit filed in November 2018. Following the protest, Game Workers Unite was established later that same year as a group claiming to protect the rights of game developers everywhere.

More than one-third of video game workers were impacted by layoffs in 2023, which is more than 10,000

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February 12, 2024

CENTERSPREAD

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Pixels to problems: how game addictions work Story continued from front page.

According to the National Institute of Health, more than 90% of children older than 2 years old play video games, and nearly 75% of American households own a video game console. In the United States, playing video games is a hobby that is almost universally shared among youth and adults.

“It’s fun because there’s a culture behind video games,” said Mark Healy, the chair of the Department of Psychology at De Anza College. “It’s not just this addictive response in the brain — it’s your friends doing it which makes it more fun. A lot of the addiction is rooted in the desire to belong and to not feel left out.”

From a neurological standpoint, such addictions are caused by the desire for pleasurable experiences or hyperarousal — excessive stimulation. When one experiences hyperarousal while playing video games, the brain triggers a release of dopamine. As one continues to play these games, the brain begins to form an association between the behavior and dopamine, causing a greater desire to return to the activity. Dopamine is a selfreinforcing neurotransmitter, meaning it increases with repetition of the activity. Since dopamine sustains attention and interest, it becomes increasingly difficult for individuals to stop playing, often manifesting into an addiction.

Although playing video games offers a fun release from stress through visually entertaining mediums, it may come at a cost. The human brain processes scenarios within video games as if they were real, and reacts accordingly.

This reaction is known as a “fight-or-flight response” and is triggered when one is exposed to intense stimulation or violent imagery. Thus, excessive video game usage can cause the brain to be revved up in a constant state of hyperarousal.

Although each individual’s video game experience is different, the activity offers common difficulties across the board, including paying attention, controlling impulses,

having difficulty following directions or tolerating frustration. According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, excessive screen time is linked to insomnia, depression, loss of social skills and bodily pain such as eye strain and back problems. The same study shows that individuals can also begin to experience loss of creativity, compassion or interest in studies. Moreover, many popular video games, such as “Overwatch” and “Call of Duty” are characterized by their graphic imagery and violent nature. Overexposure to violent video games may cause players to become desensitized to such material.

“What happens is that you get these images in your head and you might obsess over these graphic images and it’s uncomfortable,” Healy said. “You might ruminate, or have repeated visions in your head, of the scenes. This is not a positive contribution to your cognitive ability or personality overall.”

Symptoms of video game addiction can be observed through behaviors such as excessive spending on video games, reduced time spent on other hobbies or responsibilities and repetitive, strong urges to play.

“Video games can be a distraction from the outside world — a sugar coated escape from reality,” junior Annie Li said.

“A lot of times video games are a coping mechanism.”

Nevertheless, when regulated, enjoying digitized entertainment may come with various benefits. Video games offer a platform to network with players from all over the world and connect with people with whom one may not usually engage. Internet friendships are a testament to the community-building aspect of multiplayer video games.

“Video game communities are usually quite supportive,” Li said. “It’s a good way to find someone who shares an interest with you. This can sometimes be difficult in real life.”

These social aspects of video game culture are not without their drawbacks. Due to player bases originating from vastly different demographics and circumstances, there are lots of in-game interactions that, if ill-intentioned,

can lead to conflict.

“Video games can be really edgy, aggressive and even racist or violent,” Healy said. “But then 10 minutes later, the situation can take a complete opposite shift. There are certain parts of video games that encourage harmful thinking, and harbor negative influences, just like any online platform.”

Scan QR code on page 8-9 to read the full story online.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY INAAYA YOUSUF

BY APURVA KRISHNAMURTHY AND ROBERT YU

The warped world of gender in gaming “When girls show cool moves in video games, many guys may comment, ‘That’s so easy, I could h, you’re a girl?!” “But wait, you’re too do it too,’” junior and gamer Sophie Mak said. “They good to be a girl gamer.” don’t think it’s a big deal when female gamers do Over time, these deprecating remarks something, nor do they support them.” have become running jokes. Still, they serve as The anonymity in games can sometimes serve as reminders of the bias that exists within a still a harmful shield for gamers, encouraging unfiltered, male-dominated industry. According to Statista, a rude remarks as they focus on the gender rather staggering 47% of female gamers have reported that than the skills of the player. At more professional they were victims of gender discrimination while levels of gaming, however, it seems that prejudice gaming online. While they may not be the victims is less prevalent or explicit as players have more of such statements every day, there is a prevalent respect for each other. stigma surrounding gender roles in gaming where “As a female gamer, you can be seen as worse or women are not always welcomed. incompetent,” alumnus and collegiate gamer Janet The verbal harassment female gamers face He said. “Even if someone has a lot of experience in a stems from social constructs about the role of game, their gender identity can get pushed out more women in society. This bias is prevalent in both the than how much they’ve played a game.” mistreatment of professional female esports players In addition to insensitive comments, game design and the oversexualization of feminine characters also plays a role in displaying unrealistic standards within video games. The issue lies in the ignorance of characters, accentuating gender stereotypes. of this harassment, as people insist that their Many games are typically created with a male comments are just jokes, turning the responsibility audience in mind, and such was the design rationale on female gamers if they feel offended, humiliated or behind one of the first oversexualized female undermined.

BY QIANZI LOO AND MEADOW SHEN

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PHOTO BY ROBERT YU GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY VALERIE SHU

characters — Lara Croft in “Tomb Raider,” who wore overly-skimpy clothes to battle — before later being redesigned.

“When playing a video game, you’re aligning and merging with your character,” said Teresa Lynch, professor of Communication Technology at Ohio State University. “After disconnecting from those characters, people may feel dissatisfied with their appearance because of internalized ideals and objectification.”

Through visual incentives, gaming companies try to entice their target market to spend money on parts of the game, sometimes choosing to prioritize characters’ appearances over storyline or other aspects of the game. Female characters frequently feature exaggerated physiques and body proportions, including larger breast sizes, skinny waists and hourglass bodies. Costumes and armor for female characters also barely cover their bodies, revealing excessive skin. Some customization features require payments, and these visual appeals to entice purchases can serve as business tactics. Furthermore, the majority of female game characters often play supporting roles in the games, perpetuating the stereotype of a “subordinate” role.

Yet, the same tactics gaming companies employ to attract gamers exclude a large demographic of potential female gamers.

“What a game looks like can certainly be a hook,” He said. “I understand it from a marketing standpoint, but in the long run, it’s not good for societal standards.”

Indeed, the misrepresentation of female game characters has marginalized the community of female gamers, deterring them from games where they find themselves objectified. Despite nearly half of gamers in the United States being female, only around 30% of people working in the gaming industry are women.

Addressing and combatting sexism in video games is a vital step in being inclusive of female gamers and forging a welcoming gaming culture.

One way to discourage online harassment of female gamers is by spreading awareness through the media.

Scan QR code on page 8-9 to read the full story online.

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IN-DEPTH

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UC Berkeley’s plans for People’s Park sparks controversy

BY ERIN FITZPATRICK AND EMILY PEDROZA

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n response to an urgent demand for increased affordable student housing, UC Berkeley announced its plan to repurpose People’s Park, a historical landmark located in the center of campus that has lasted through decades of social movements and activism.

However, school administration has received backlash from the local community who wish to preserve the park for its historic significance and protect the unhoused individuals currently residing there.

People’s Park has a deeprooted history of activism and protest against conflict. The park became widely recognized in the late 1960s as a location for anti-war demonstrations.

On May 15, 1969, otherwise known as “Bloody Thursday,” police opened fire on a large crowd of young protesters who sought to keep the park open as a community garden. In response to the thousands of students and community protestors opposing the Vietnam War, former Gov. Ronald Reagan declared Martial Law on the activists, permitting the military to exercise jurisdiction over civilians in the zone.

Currently, UC Berkeley is in the midst of a housing crisis, with one of the lowest housing rates of the entire UC system.

According to an East Bay Times survey, UC Berkeley is only able to provide housing for roughly 23% of its undergraduate students. Renting apartments or living spaces near the school is prohibitively expensive, making these options unrealistic and unaffordable for many students.

Some students without available housing are forced to seek shelter in neglected apartments, live in their cars or commute long hours to and from school.

One such student from Los Angeles, Bill Zhou, even resorted to commuting to and from UC Berkeley by plane to avoid the increasingly high costs of rent.

To combat this issue, administrators at UC Berkeley proposed a plan to turn People’s Park into housing for students in 2018, setting aside a third of the park as public space. The plan includes housing for over 1,100 undergraduate students and roughly 100 unhoused or extremely low-income individuals. UC Berkeley officials hoped that by creating more affordable housing for students and community members, rent and housing prices near the school would decrease.

“When the pandemic started, the park also became a place where unhoused people began to sleep, resulting in increased crime that sadly targeted the unhoused people sleeping there,” UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof said. “The university has struggled to build housing there for its students for many years.”

Additionally, legal complications further delayed the plans for construction. Since the plan was introduced, the school has been constantly involved in lawsuits filed by various groups tied to People’s Park and the surrounding community.

“The kinds of lawsuits we face can’t stop a project; they can only delay it and make it more expensive,” Mogulof said.

UC Berkeley is currently being sued under the California Environmental Quality Act, a California law that requires the government and public agencies to evaluate and disclose any environmental impacts. However, under law, the

counterculture movement and anti-war activism during the Vietnam War. Originally, UC Berkeley bulldozed over the land in hopes of building an athletic field, keeping the future construction of student housing in mind. Unfortunately, this plan halted because of a lack of funding, leaving it a muddy lot that soon collected weeds and used cars. Even in the early 1970s during the park’s creation, UC Berkeley administrators opposed the idea of allowing the community to turn the area into a communal space, arguing that there would be more beneficial uses of the land.

“There was a back and forth between the university and the people in the park,” Smith said in an interview with Jeserich.

“People in the park would have liked to work with the university, but the university started talking about other needs for the lot.”

The Bay Area also houses a concentrated amount of California’s homeless population with 181,399 people as of 2023.

Several of these individuals who had settled in People’s Park, which was a historically safe zone for public use, are now forced to evacuate because of the new housing plans.

“It’s a little unfortunate how the administration decided to execute the renovation, both the barricade and the timing of it, where most students were away on vacation,” Lynbrook alum and UC Berkeley freshman Isha Shah said.

Because of the park’s history and concern about homeless relocation, frustration has set in within some students who feel that the school should be more communicative about their plans. Because of the lack of transparency and the barricade surrounding the park, concern has risen about whether UC Berkeley will stick to the promised plans of conserving 60 percent of the land. Others question the $30 million budget of the program, which is spent PHOTOS BY DAVID ABERCROMBIE, CC BY-SA 2.0; DANIEL RAMIREZ, CC BY 2.0; on hiring police, guards and JOE MABEL, CC BY-SA 3.0; SEVGONLERNASSAU, CC BY-SA 4.0; MINESWEEPER, lawyers. Some argue that a better CC BY-SA 3.0; DANDELION BREEZE, CC BY 4.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS approach would’ve been for GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS BY EILEEN ZHU the school to use the allocated budget to buy more land for their courts have no right to actually prevent UC Berkeley housing plans, instead of pursuing the route that from building more housing. If they lose the suit, the causes people to lose the shelters they had once courts will simply request that the school analyze the found in the park. issue more intensely.

People’s Park holds significance within the When demolition of the park resumed in August Berkeley community because of its separation 2022, it was halted by protests in the community. from Berkeley Administration control, which sets Protestors tore down fences and destroyed it apart from other sites of public use, such as construction equipment in hopes of preventing the Sproul Plaza. Sproul Plaza is subject to oversight project, and combined with compensation from law by the campus authority, meaning that groups enforcement deployed at the Park, damages totaled are required to obtain permits for big events and approximately $3 million. Currently, UC Berkeley is must adhere to the campus behavior and conduct awaiting approval from the California Supreme Court guidelines. While both spaces have historical to determine whether they can proceed with their significance and are located on UC Berkeley original plan. property, People’s Park stands as a place where Harvey Smith is a prominent figure in the People’s true free speech and protest can proceed without Park Advocacy Group, a group that hopes to restore constraints from the school. the park and halt construction. In an interview with The Berkeley community waits to see whether Mitch Jeserich, producer and journalist of Letters & the school will keep its promise to preserve over Politics —a political podcast exploring history and 60 percent of the park and provide aid to not current events — he discusses the importance of only students but also low-income and homeless preserving People’s Park in its current state. Harvey individuals. explains that People’s Park had recently been listed “It was just bad communication,” Shah said. on the National Register of Historic Places, which is “There could have been more done to help the the nation’s official list of buildings and structures homeless population there or renovate it in a that are worthy of preservation. The one thing that better way — without administrators reaching distinguishes People’s Park from other parks, is the out to the student body, they weren’t able to fact that the park is still an active site of protest in the compromise on a solution.” community.

People’s Park was born out of the growing

14 IN-DEPTH

February 12, 2024

Beauty influencers increase consumer culture

BY ALYSSA WANG AND YVONNE WU

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rom brand deals to modern-day social media trendsetters, the effect of influencer culture has remained the same: their social standing and clout act as the primary drivers of consumer culture.

To receive income, many creators rely on sponsorships in which they promote products to their viewers. Whether they post on Instagram or TikTok about products in a positive light, the content is aimed at increasing sales for the product. The more influencers gain publicity for brands, the more they are paid and subsequently asked to do more brand deals.

According to a report by Statista, the total global worth of the influencer industry stood at $21.1 billion as of 2023, having more than tripled since 2019. As influencer endorsement continues to mature as an industry, the value of influencer marketing platforms also continues to expand every year, making collaborations between brands and creators more profitable than ever.

As social media platforms become increasingly popular among younger generations, beauty content produced for young adults has ended up reaching not only teenagers but also children. According to a survey conducted in July 2023 by Insider Intelligence, around 29.1% of Generation Z consumers who are aged 11 to 26 consider TikTok a “go-to” for product discovery, and around 52.5% used the platform for shopping or product discovery.

“Influencers and brand ambassadors play a really vital role in the type of products that are being mainstreamed,” sophomore Ruxi Ion said. “Everyone looks up to them on social media — especially the younger audiences — so if a younger child saw their favorite influencer using a certain product, they would be more inclined to buy it.”

For example, 18-year-old influencer Katie Fang began her TikTok career by filming “Get Ready With Me” videos, soon gaining popularity among teenagers. According to an article from Glossy Pop, a fashion and beauty newsletter, Fang’s audience age range is from 9-year-olds to 18-year-olds. In

the majority of her videos, Fang uses various expensive Consumers have started to rely on viral trends for skincare and makeup products, especially products from recommendations on what to buy. If a famous creator the brand Glow Recipe, a skincare brand that targets gives a complimentary review on TikTok, they can sell audiences over the age of 21. Some of its products have out a new blush or cream within minutes. The sentiment retinol ingredients, which are not made for premature skin. that one must buy a product to stay on-trend results in Children can suffer from allergic reactions, skin irritation the overconsumption of items in the makeup and skincare and, on the more severe side, even cancer due to heavy industry. metals in products and ingredients like According to Statista, the U.S. cosmetic industry lead, asbestos, formaldehyde and was worth an estimated $49 billion in 2022, and phthalates.

TikTok itself generated $6 billion in consumer “There are a lot of younger spending due to viral trends like “Sephora children watching these videos, Hauls,” “Things TikTok Made Me Buy” and and they are buying these “Beauty products that need to go viral products without knowing the on TikTok.” Additionally, many of the consequences or side effects,” popular products that influencers have junior Saishriya Narayanan promoted are high-end brands. This said. has resulted in beauty TikTokers Classified as Generation making videos influencing others Alpha, children 10 years to buy more affordable knockoff old and younger were born products. According to a 2022 into an era where the use of report from Zero Waste Week, social media runs rampant. beauty packaging amounts to 120 billion Unfortunately, many children units of waste every year, a result of the lack media literacy and are easily overconsumption of beauty items. influenced by product reviews or “On social media, one thing pops promotions from popular makeup up and then it becomes old news,” influencers on social media. This is reflected Ion said. “Many consumers are in a recent phenomenon of younger children impulsively buying these products GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ANUSHKA ANAND, at Sephora buying high-end and more mature whether they need it or not. We just CLAIRE GUO, RIKI MURASE AND EILEEN ZHU makeup. Many members of the online beauty need to be aware of what we are community have expressed their concerns about children buying and if it is sustainable.” being over-exposed to videos online showcasing popular Integrated heavily into modern society, influencers act makeup products and brands. as role models, advocates and the faces of multimillion“A lot of children want these products because they dollar corporations. With the social standings and think it is cool and they want to mature and participate in influence that public figures hold, along with funding these trends,” Narayanan said. “They seem to think that any from brands, products are mass-marketed to social media product on TikTok will work for anyone of any age, but they users. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge that there don’t understand that different products work for different are drawbacks to being chronically online and to do the people and different ages.” research to avoid the overconsumption of products.

The essential history of Executive Order 9066

BY IRENE HUANG AND CRYSTAL ZHU

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nstructions to all persons of Japanese ancestry. All Japanese persons, both alien and nonalien, will be evacuated from the above designated area.” This order was posted around San Francisco in 1942. The Civilian Exclusion Order, published across the United States, was sanctioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, a policy aimed to remove all those who were deemed a threat to national security by the government. Despite its intentionally vague phrasing, the law was intended to specifically target the Japanese race. Nearly two-thirds of incarcerated persons were of Japanese American descent born in the U.S., called Nisei, who were displaced from their homes and forced into internment camps across the country.

“You were innocent until proven guilty,” World History teacher Luca Signore said.

“But for the Japanese, they were guilty until proven innocent and they couldn’t prove their innocence because they were seen as guilty just for being Japanese.”

After the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1942, the U.S. joined World War II. Although many Japanese Americans remained loyal to the U.S., enlisting in the army and purchasing war bonds, the public hysteria resulting from the Pearl Harbor attack was overpowering. Suspicion of Japanese Americans along with German and Italian Americans escalated and the defacing of Japanese American-owned property became common. The government considered no distinction between Nisei and first-generation Japanese immigrants — with all being classified as “enemy aliens.” Three months later, on Feb. 19, 1942, Roosevelt issued the proclamation, Executive Order 9066.

“The decision was made in haste; due diligence was not explored; the question of Japanese disloyalty wasn’t appropriately scrutinized before the decision was made,” said Sonia Gomez, an assistant professor of history at Santa Clara University.

Upon receiving the order, Japanese Americans around the U.S. were given only a few days to report to temporary detention centers, where they stayed until relocated

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY GARY PAN More than 112,000 Japanese Americans lived in internment camps as a result of Executive Order 9066. There, they were forced to eat, sleep and attend school, even though the living conditions were poor and unsanitary.

to internment camps in remote areas such as Manzanar, California. Those living in “Exclusion Zones” — large areas along the West Coast including California — were forced to sell or abandon their homes and businesses, losing much of their livelihoods in the process. Even when they returned from the camps, it was nearly impossible to restore their old lives.

Surrounded by barbed wire fences and surveillance towers, over 112,000 Japanese Americans slept, ate and attended school in internment camps for more than four years.

The poor living and sanitary conditions led to more than 1,600 medical-related deaths within the camps. Newspapers, sports teams and concerts were started by the internees to create a sense of community within the confines of the camp.

“When things aren’t going well, we like to find a scapegoat,” Japanese teacher Jeremy Kitchen said. “Obviously, those were extreme situations, but our country made a choice to take away the livelihood of American citizens.”

Executive Order 9066 was officially rescinded on Feb. 16, 1976, nearly 31 years after the release of Japanese Americans internees. Nevertheless, its lasting impacts continue throughout generations.

“Incarceration has had a huge impact on Japanese Americans’ sense of belonging,” Gomez said. “The descendants of those who have been incarcerated still live with the reminder that they aren’t considered fully American, even if they’re born here. You’re never a full citizen because you’re always going to be considered as an ‘other.’”

Some Japanese Americans resisted mass incarceration. Fred Korematsu sued the U.S. government and brought the case to the Supreme Court, arguing that American citizens had a right to decide where they lived. However, the Justices ruled against him in a 6 to 3 vote.

“The court still deemed it a military necessity,” Gomez said. “That part still stands. This should concern many as there’s a direct link between the kind of language

they used to justify incarceration and the ways in which the federal government has responded to other crises like 9/11.”

Although legal incarceration of this magnitude has not occurred in the U.S. since the order, xenophobia has persisted in the wake of the tragedy. In post 9/11 movements, anti-Muslim and anti-Arab sentiments rose in the U.S. Even recently, the strike of COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in Asian hate within the U.S. and internationally.

“We have to be more calm, more rational and not fall into that trap of fear, racism and xenophobia because when that happens, everything just crumbles,” said Hai Nguyen, a professor of American and Asian American History at Mission College.

Statues and plaques still stand in previous incarceration sites such as the Manzanar internment camp, serving as a reminder of this history.

“There’s a lot of things that remain from before,” sophomore Keigo Kamata said. “Even though it’s starting to lessen, it’s still alive everywhere you go.”

A bronze statue placed in the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport on Jan. 25 depicts the San Jose-born Japanese American after whom the airport was named. When Mineta was 11, he was forced into the Heart Mountain Internment Camp in Wyoming. He later went on to become the mayor of San Jose and the first Asian American to hold two Cabinet posts. Throughout his career, Mineta worked to demolish racial biases in government systems, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006.

“Some people have buried it,” Nguyen said. “Some people have unpacked it.

Some people have advocated for it, have fought for it. But I think the bigger challenge now is to preserve that history.

And to make sure that the public knows about it.”

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Maggie Lam reaches 1000th basketball career point milestone

BY AUDREY SUN

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mid energetic cheers from the crowd reverberating through the gym, senior and girls varsity basketball captain Maggie Lam makes her 3-point shot, marking a significant milestone in her career by scoring her 1000th point during the Newark Memorial Optimist Club Tournament against Arroyo Grande High School. Lam reached this milestone in the championship game, making it a memorable end to the 3-day tournament and the team’s season.

“Scoring my 1000th point felt kind of surreal,” Lam said. “ I went from barely taking any shots freshman year to now hitting 1000 points in my senior year.”

Approaching the game like any other, Lam was unaware that she was going to hit her 1000th point. Despite facing a tough and athletic opponent, the team played exceptionally well, turning the match into one of their best performances of the season.

In basketball, reaching a 1000-point milestone signifies not only being a leading scorer on the team but also maintaining consistent performance over four years.

The last Lynbrook player to achieve this milestone did so three years ago, and Lam is the second player under the current coach to have reached this benchmark.

“I think I’m really lucky that I’ve been able to play all four years on varsity to have all these points accumulate and reach my 1000-point milestone,” Lam said.

To honor Lam’s accomplishment, the team organized a 1000-point celebration, presenting her with a customized basketball before their home game against Homestead High School on Jan. 26. Lam’s friends were also invited to join and show their support for the surprise event.

“I’m really proud and happy for her for reaching 1000 points,” junior and varsity basketball player Sarah Wei said. “I knew it was bound to happen in her high school career at some point because of how hard she plays. I was excited to be there with her when she hit 1000.”

Lam’s basketball journey began in her fourth grade, as she followed in her older

brother’s footsteps. She joined her first local team and later moved on to higherlevel teams during middle school, where she had more intense training sessions.

As a part of travel teams, she competed in national competitions where she played in the Amateur Athletic Union and the Asian League. Competing with different teams allowed Lam to recognize different players’ strengths, which better prepared her for school seasons.

In school, Lam usually plays different positions, ranging from point guard to shooting guard, forward or center.

Lynbrook’s team is highly interchangeable, with multiple players capable of handling different positions, allowing them to score in different ways and practice different strategies.

“Maggie is a well-rounded player who is able to play any position well,” senior and varsity basketball player Lily Fang said. “She is our most valuable player and is able to score double digits almost every game. She also communicates effectively on defense.”

For Lam, the mental aspect is the toughest part of the game due to its unpredictability. Staying focused and giving her best effort is crucial, especially during times when the team isn’t performing well, as the game’s outcome can shift unexpectedly.

“I always have to try to play through all my frustrations and make sure I’m not bringing the energy down for the team,” Lam said. “So, especially this year, I’ve been trying to encourage my team whenever they make mistakes.”

Lam understands the team’s strengths and weaknesses. She pays attention to how the players are doing, as she must lead them back into the game. Having played with the same teammates for most of her high school career, Lam can easily recognize patterns of different players, and help them adjust accordingly.

“She keeps the team focused in games but also creates a fun environment to be in,” Wei said. “In practices, if one of our newer players forget a play, she’s there to help them to their spots and is always ready to lead the team.”

As Lam heads off to college, she plans to continue training and competing in club basketball.

“I definitely want to keep playing

basketball,” Lam said. “Not only is it an active sport, but I’ve also made so many friends through my journey, and I think it’s a really important part of who I am.”

USED WITH PERMISSION FROM AUSTIN WU

Senior Maggie Lam shoots a layup during a home game against Monta Vista High School.

Powerlifting builds strength and character for Aakash Ozarker

USED WITH PERMISSION FROM AAKASH OZARKER

Senior Aakash Ozarker steadily deadlifts in the gym.

BY CLAIRE GUO

S

enior Aakash Ozarker chalks his hands as he readies himself for a deadlift. The bright lights of the gymnasium strike his eyes, and he breathes in, then out. Muttering encouragement under his breath, he reaches down and raises a barbell loaded with weight plates off the ground. Ozarker is a powerlifter who has competed in many powerlifting competitions over the years, starting as a freshman. He hopes that one day Lynbrook will have its own powerlifting team, leaving behind a lasting legacy when he graduates.

“I got into the sport because I love the concept of powerlifting,” Ozarker said. “Coach Wright encouraged me a

lot as well with tips and whatnot.” such as chest accessories, bench accessories and deadlift Powerlifting competitions come down to three lifts: accessories. squats, bench presses and deadlifts. The goal is to lift the Being a competitive powerlifter, Ozarker needs to watch heaviest weight possible in three rounds, and the best his nutritional habits, as competitors are divided into valid attempt counts toward the final competition total. categories based on their age, gender and body weight.

Each lift can take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes for all Additionally, any ties between competitors results in the competitors to finish, and powerlifting competitions in total competitor with the lower body weight being crowned as can last anywhere from two to more than 16 hours, meaning the winner. Powerlifters need to find a balance between competitors need to be ready to move quickly or plan for losing weight and maintaining enough muscle mass and a long event. Some competitors also like to socialize with energy to execute lifts. other competitors while waiting for their turn.

“A lot of time, you have to keep a nutrition plan too, “There is a special energy you get from going to which means keeping carbs or protein high, depending on tournaments,” Ozarker said. “People around you are always what you might be focusing on for that week,” Ozarker said. super encouraging. Everyone is loving and motivating.”

“The final goal is training for more and more strength each Ozarker also enjoys the friends he makes from week.” participating in meets and competitions.

Although the training is intense, he still He says that the sense of community enjoys the sport immensely. Recently, at keeps him going, even in the face of a powerlifting meet run by Powerlifting adversity.

America, a recognized United States member “Something I love “Something I love about the sport is federation affiliate to the International the people — friends I’ve made at meets about the sport is the Powerlifting Federation, Ozarker was able to and through training, or people who’ve people — friends I’ve hit a 325-pound squat, which is his all-time given me advice over the years,” Ozarker high. made at meets and said.

Ozarker plans to continue powerlifting through training.”

However, Ozarker has also faced some during his college years. Although challenges in his journey as a powerlifter, powerlifting is not a team sport, meaning Aakash Ozarker, as with any sport. Demoralization and joining a collegiate powerlifting team may the pressure of lifting consistently have not be possible, Ozarker hopes to meet others Senior been recurring challenges he has had to who enjoy the sport of powerlifting as well. overcome.

However, Ozarker’s goals don’t end at his “It fluctuates — some weeks we might lift less than own success. He hopes to expand the sport at Lynbrook, others, some weeks more,” Ozarker said. “That’s the biggest so that more people can enjoy the opportunities and challenge: staying consistent. But I’ve learned to just be environment of powerlifting. positive.”

“There are already many amazing lifters at our school,” To perform well in his sport, Ozarker trains for two Ozarker said. “I’d recommend people who are going to the hours at least five to six times a week. During these sessions, gym to get into this sport, especially if they enjoy lifting he focuses mainly on compound exercises for squat, bench weights, and I’d love to make a team at Lynbrook because and deadlift. On top of that, he trains accessory movements, it’s a growing sport and a lot of people love it.”

COMMITTEd

16 SPORTS

February 12, 2024

Neale Pathak’s journey to the New York University mat

BY DAVID ZHU

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ith 10 seconds left in the third period, senior Neale Pathak pins his opponent to the ground, forcing their shoulder blades to the wrestling mat. After two seconds, the referee’s shrill whistle ends the match, and Pathak emerges victorious. This single winning match secured him a spot at the state tournament.

Qualifying for states his junior year and placing top six at nationals his senior year are just some of the most memorable moments Pathak recalls from his high school wrestling career.

In December 2023, Pathak formally committed to New York University for wrestling. Pathak was introduced to the sport of wrestling in middle

school, but freshman year was one of his toughest years of wrestling after just coming back from the COVID-19 lockdown. After not training for a while due to the pandemic, Pathak found himself struggling to succeed.

“I was mad at myself my freshman year because I was losing so much, and I didn’t feel like I was getting better,” Pathak said. “I decided that this couldn’t go on and I wanted to win. I wanted to be the best version of myself and the best wrestler I can be.”

From that point, Pathak started wrestling every day for two to three hours. By the time he was a sophomore on varsity, Pathak had one goal in mind: to make states.

As a senior, Pathak has been very successful, winning the Jim Root Memorial Tournament, taking sixth

place at the Freakshow National Tournament in Las Vegas, earning his best record so far.

This year, Pathak has also made the pivotal decision of committing to NYU for wrestling, hoping to continue the sport well beyond high school. After going on a visit to NYU and talking to the athletes and coaches there, Pathak decided it was the perfect fit for him.

Pathak knows the next few years will not be easy, but his determination and perseverance will push him closer to his goals.

“In college, my goal is to become an All-American,” Pathak said. “I’m not sure when I’ll be able to accomplish that, but before I graduate, I want to be an All-American.”

Read the full story at lhsepic.com.

PHOTO BY RIKI MURASE

A call for responsible practices in extreme sports

BY AMANDA JIN

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iving off planes, exploring deep seas, cycling through dense forests — thrilling adventures that only a few have the confidence to try. Although engaging with extreme sports can be very immersive and enjoyable, it is necessary to properly assess the precautions needed.

Extreme sports is a broad term often used to refer to high-risk physical activities. Factors such as high speed and altitude require participants to have specialized gear and physical effort to be successful. Extreme sports are held in a large variety of different environments.

Rock climbing, for example, can be either indoor or outdoor. Indoor climbing walls are common among new climbers, as it provides a stable area for them to practice techniques, whereas outdoor climbing often requires more safety equipment and expertise. Once athletes begin

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ERIN FITZPATRICK NICOLE GE AND OLIVIA YUAN

outdoor climbing, there are many other the wing using suspension lines. Hanging factors that they consistently have to be beneath the wing, the pilot sits in a harness, aware of. However, beginners still have to pulling on yaw strings. When conditions be aware of minor injuries, which can cause are suitable, athletes can glide for hours on discomfort in their daily life. end. Depending on the height of the flight, “When I first started climbing, the skin injuries from accidents may be deadly. on my hands got all ripped up,” junior and “It is possible to lose friends from climber Aiden Young said. “The worst injury accidents when you’re into these types I’ve gotten was through workout exercises; of sports,” paraglider David Lehr said. there’s been times where I just couldn’t “Sometimes, friends would come back with move my arm, but it would go away after severe injuries from flights. What I did was one day.” try out each sport while staying clear of From the high walls of climbing down to those very, very dangerous sections of each.” the ocean’s waters, another popular sport, With such high risk for accidents, surfing, can often be seen. Surfing refers athletes must be aware of hazards of the to riding a wave with a board, and can sport they participate in. Precautions should occur on many different types of bodies of be taken through proper research about not water — not only on ocean shores. Surfers only the physical and mental requirements are constantly checking environmental but also the environment. Constantly conditions to ensure their best safety. When changing conditions can make many people tides are too low, they are more likely to hit overconfident to the point that they become the seafloor and get injured on rock-hard oblivious to the very real dangers of these coral. Recently in California, waves have, sports. on average, grown a foot taller, causing Physical health and abilities must significantly more unpredictable conditions agree with the requirements for the sport, for surfers. Climate change in the last 50 therefore participants must consistently years has caused rough waves as wind train and condition their body to be able to patterns alter with the take on the challenges warming atmosphere. of extreme sports.

When conditions are Consistent exercise good, more surfers tend reduces an athlete’s to be out on the waters, risk for injuries and but this can be dangerous strengthens bones and head and neck injuries as the waves become muscles. In addition, anually in the U.S. are too crowded, causing many participants of linked to extreme sports, collisions to happen. extreme sports are according to HealthDay “It’s pretty common adults, so the physical for people to wipe out, activity needed to train and their surfboard goes for extreme sports can straight at you,” junior and surfer Matthew be a great way to add motivation to exercise Tanaka said. “The fins on the board are more often. However, if those exercises are especially dangerous, because they can cut done in an unfamiliar and risky manner, deep.” they can have long-term effects.

Mountaineering and paragliding are Physical environments are significantly more unconventional and have a high risk more dangerous, which could lead to drastic of injury or even death. Mountaineering is falls and injuries: trapped under thick layers formally described as ascending mountains, of snow or high in the mountains where only though the definition varies widely helicopters are capable of reaching. There’s between athletes as there are few set rules a much higher risk of permanent injuries and regulations. This freedom may cause that can affect someone’s life in the future. accidents. Terrain often varies so athletes It can even completely change an athlete’s must develop a number of techniques, such ability to participate in the things that they as traveling through snow or climbing with enjoy. ropes. This requires athletes to carry a lot “Going from somebody who used to be of gear while going up mountains. They also able to take a 20-mile backpacking trip to need to have packable tents and supplies somebody who now can’t walk more than prepared as climbs often take days to three miles in a day has been really tough,” complete.

Lehr said.

“On the mountain, the glacier condition Athletes who are willing to participate changes rapidly, and it is very difficult and enjoy extreme sports should be to predict conditions,” mountaineer properly educated about the risks that come Zhong Wang said. “I once encountered an with the activity. avalanche during a climb. I was fortunate “You have to go into extreme sports with that it was a powder one, but it was still very open eyes, understand that you’re putting scary.” yourself at high risk of injury and assess Above these mountains, paragliders whether or not it’s worth the potential can be found exploring the skies with a consequences,” Lehr said. light-weight gliding device. They control

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