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Issue 80.8 Alejandro Ramos, Editor-in-Chief editorinchief@lbunion.com Bailey Mount, Managing Editor manager@lbunion.com Nathan Zankich, Web Manager web@lbunion.com Alexis Cruz, Social Media Manager Allison Meyer, Multimedia Manager Britney Weller, Multimedia Assistant Alfredo Bañuelos, Advertising Executive Aravind Karuppusamy, Ads Associate Christopher Orozco, Distribution Manager
ART & DESIGN Sam Orihuela, Art Director artdirector@lbunion.com John Mueller, Graphics Illustrator illustration@lbunion.com
EDITORIAL Matthew Gozzip, Athletics Editor athletics@lbunion.com Sylvana Uribe, Community Editor sylvanawriter@gmail.com Sheila J. Sadr, Copy Editor sheila@lbunion.com Amanda Dominguez-Chio, Culture Editor amanda@lbunion.com Peter R. Clark, Entertainment Editor entertainment@lbunion.com Mercedes Colomar, Grunion Editor grunion@lbunion.com Kaila-Marie Hardaway, Music Editor music@lbunion.com Elliott Gatica, Music Editor music@lbunion.com Jordan Daniels, Opinions Editor opinions@lbunion.com
STAFF MEMBERS Natalee Coloman, Karrie Comfort, Wardah Imran, Diana Martinez, Samantha Neou, Soun Oeng, R. Ray Robinson, Tara Thomas, Francisco Valladares
Hablamos con Ramos y Bailey Alex Ramos Editor-in-Chief
What up, young people! Let me start off by saying how much I missed California and everything about it. The sun! The trees! The ability to walk around without 7 layers of clothes! I missed all of this and more! In case you missed it, Bailey and I went to New York last week for the College Media Association’s Spring 2017 Conference. The trip was an experience to say the least. The conference itself was productive. I took advantage of every opportunity that was available, from the workshops to sit-down sessions with advisers and students. I feel like got a lot out of it and I can’t wait to put some of what I learned to practice. Now that I got that out of the way, let me tell you about the rest of the trip. The very first night was the worst. To keep things
Bailey Mount Managing Editor
short, here’s everything that happened: Jetblue lost our luggage, our shuttle driver didn’t show up, my credit card got declined at the hotel, I was tricked and walked 20 blocks to get food with College Beat and ASI Productions. I probably should have been upset but I was just happy to be in New York. Things were good after that until we learned that we would be staying an extra couple of days due to a blizzard. Honestly, I had mixed feelings about staying, but we made the best out of it. Bailey, Michael (from College Beat), and I spent one of the extra days walking around Brooklyn. It was hecking cold but worth it since we’ll never see snow in our part of California. Anyway, we’re back and have work to do. At least it’s warm out.
Greetings. This is going to be one of those seldom, sweet times in our working relationship that I’ll say that I agree with Alex — holy heck, did I miss California. As soon as we landed, I took the biggest breath of fresh air ever. Alex said it was smog, but as long as it wasn’t whatever toxic fumes I was breathing in while we were in New York City, I didn’t particularly care. I got to listen to a journalist stress the importance of remaining somewhat human while also being a journalist. I listened to someone a little older than me talk about how much life was going to suck when I left college my first year. That’s cool. Bring it on. In terms of learning stuff, I’d say that I learned — or rather, was reminded — to have a calmer relationship with our staff. I came back wanting to make more of an effort with them. Today they kept saying how “chill” I was, so I think it worked?
Conference aside, New York was gi-frickin-normous. I come from a small city-town and I quickly realized that New Yorkers were not real people, but rather clusters of elbows and shoulders that could only communicate in car honks. I totally loved it, though. I got to tour Buzzfeed’s newsroom. You can find the photos on our Twitter @UnionWeekly. Their meme wall, which I unfortunately didn’t take a photo of, reminded me so much of the office. Even when the snow came, I wasn’t as bothered as I thought I’d be. I actually got up at 8 a.m. and walked around Times Square for about two hours alone in it. It was amazing and freezing. But between my two pairs of pants and my wool coat, I actually enjoyed myself a lot. Now we’re back. Alex won’t say it out loud like me, but I think we both missed everyone a lot. And we missed the sun.
CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Campos Fitch, Danielle Corpus, Madison Morris, Erick Zepeda
COVER PHOTO BY: Diana Martinez COVER DESIGN BY: Sam Orihuela FEATURE DESIGN BY: Sam Orihuela CONTACT US Snail Mail: 1212 Bellflower Blvd. Suite 116 Long Beach, CA 90815 Phone: 562.985.4867 E-mail: lbunion.info@gmail.com Classifieds: classifieds.lbunion@gmail.com
@UnionWeekly
Influential women in music
A new era for LBSU women’s basketball
A ode to International Women’s Month
see pages 10-11
see page 12
see page 6
Disclaimer and Publication Information: The Union Weekly is published using ad money and partial funding provided by the Associated Students, Inc. All Editorials are the opinions of their individual authors, not the Union Weekly, ASI nor CSULB. All students are welcome and encouraged to be a part of the Union Weekly staff. All letters to the editor will be considered for publication. However, CSULB students will have precedence. Please include name and major for all submissions. They are subject to editing and will not be returned. Letters may or may not be edited for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and length. The Union Weekly will publish anonymous letters, articles, editorials, and illustration, but must have your name and information attached for our records. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 500 words. The Union Weekly assumes no responsibility, nor is it liable, for claims of its advertisers. Grievance procedures are available in the Associated Students business office.
4 COMMUNITY
Evening of Common Sense Actor and musician Common shares his story with CSULB community Words and Photos by R. Ray Robinson Staff Writer
Common (left) speaks with College Beat and and Beach Week’s Christian Galeno during a student media press conference on Mar. 15. (R. Ray Robinson/ Staff Writer)
Students had the opportunity to experience Oscar and Grammy award-winning artist Common speaking and performing at California State University, Long Beach on Wednesday, Mar. 15. Common is internationally known on the microphone as a Chicagoan rapper and actor. He first started out making albums such as “Can I borrow a Dollar,” “Resurrection” and most recently “Black America Again.” Later in his career, he appeared as Monster T in “Suicide Squad,” and civil rights activist James Bevel in Martin Luther King Jr.’s biopic “Selma.” Common thrilled the crowd of students at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center by starting with a freestyle about the campus. His rhymes consisted of his love and appreciation for CSULB and the city. Later, Common went on to speak about what he called the “Muhammad
Ali Theory” regarding being the greatest. He spoke about how being great always comes with a plethora of obstacles and how if one isn’t struggling, then they are not succeeding. It was then that Common began speaking about his experiences with believing in himself. He first wanted to be a basketball star. However, when he spit his first rap, he decided to become a rapper while not allowing anyone else tell him otherwise. His belief in the Muhammad Ali theory was well by his side as it kept pushing him forward to do more for the future. When he described working and losing five Grammy awards to fellow G.O.O.D. music members John Legend and Kanye West in the past, he stated that Kanye told him,“Hey man, lets get back in the studio and work on another track for next year’s
awards.” Common did not give up easily as he continued in later years since his Grammys shined brightly. “You have to find your true goal, believe in it and live with it,” said Common. He truly believed that anyone could be just like Muhammad Ali, as long as anyone and everyone work hard and find what they were put on this world to accomplish. Afterwards, Common met with student media for a press conference. On the topic of police brutality, Common stated that we all must find better ways to suppress the injustices of black and brown men being gunned down by law enforcement to better the world. Common also discussed “Bars4Justice” with the student press, which is a documentary featuring his experiences in Ferguson, Missouri after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.
“Ferguson was very powerful. I listened to some brothers and sisters that were doing work in the community to understand what was going on. I met with Lesley, Michael’s mom as well as visiting Michael’s gravesite which made me want to find ways to better assist the community.” Throughout his path as an artist, Common has always tried to do more in his career to help assist and inspire generations to come no matter what the obstacles are. Common has definitely not forgotten about his activism as he continues speaking to people about hope and has been a part of many programs to help so-called inner-city youth. If you have not already, gain common sense by following Common’s community service work, films and his music and do not forget to check out his performance on Mar. 23 at the House of Blues in Anaheim.
COMMUNITY
Taste of East Village
5
Crafters and food vendors unite for unforgettable Downtown Long Beach experience By Danielle Corpus Contributor
T
he Taste of Downtown returned to the East Village Arts District on March 15 and 16. From people walking their dogs and chatting amongst one another to various local vendors, the Taste of Downtown celebrated the small business community. “What’s great about Long Beach is the local support that helps keep my business growing,” said Romeo Garcia, owner of Romeo Chocolates. Romeo Chocolates is a pop-up chocolate company based proudly out of Downtown Long Beach. Garcia is excited about getting the word out about his growing company and upcoming grand opening of his brick and mortar shop. The shop will not only sell chocolates and craft drinks like Mexican hot chocolate, but will also offer chocolate-pairing events. Romeo Chocolates on Pine Avenue is scheduled to open in May 2017. From vendor to vendor everyone seemed to have a different story, but everyone had one thing in common: their love for Long Beach. “We consider ourselves a super Long Beach brand,” said Krysta Lin, founder and designer for Youth Independent Party clothing company. Youth Independent Party, otherwise known as YIP, brands itself on being designed and made in Long Beach. They are a direct to consumer, no retail, company that tries to live by the
statement, “Buy sustainability, do it affordably.” The clothes are made out of 50 percent up-cycled cotton and 50 percent recycled polyester in a company that uses 150 percent solar power. Being a company so invested in Long Beach, Lin was excited to be a part of Taste of Downtown for the first time. “We just love this event,” said Lin behind her table filled with clothing for one to 10 year olds. Tickets were sold for $1 each. After purchasing tickets, people could then eat at various vendors lining the streets in order to taste a little bit of what each person had to offer. Shops located in the area participated in the event by extending their hours and offering 1 ticket for every $10 spent in store. The smell of pizza, BBQ, and seafood combined with the music playing throughout the streets, really gave the East Village Arts District a small town vibe that many know and love about Long Beach. The Taste of Downtown further displayed the deep connection between small businesses and the community, the connection that makes Long Beach so unique.
Taste of Downtown Pine Avenue comes to Long Beach on May 3 and 4
Taste of Downtown is a three part dining and shopping experience aimed at supporting local businesses. Participating restaurants serve sample size versions of their popular dishes, which attendees can taste by purchasing tasting tickets. Non-food vendors are also on site, like Brushstrokes and Beverages (left), to engage with the community. (Diana Martinez/ Staff Photographer)
7
FEATURE
8 FEATURE
FEATURE
Venus Collective members Kim IcIntosh, Melody Martinez, Samantha Herrera (left to right) and Cynner (bottom).
Words and Photos by Diana C. Martinez Staff Photographer A stranger’s backyard in a city you probably don’t live in is where you find yourself on a Friday night to hear some local music. The underground music scene exists away from the public eye. Every weekend, somewhere in your city, there are shows being held in DIY spaces where music is played and art is displayed. The DIY scene is everywhere. In Whittier, California lies a tightknit DIY scene where people as young as middle schoolers and as old as twentysomethings come together for local art, friendship and a good time. The heart of this DIY scene thrives on independent spaces, production companies and collectives. This means garages, backyards, living rooms and other self-created spaces become areas that bring individuals together for a night of music and art. This tight community is basically a second family to those who participate in it. In this scene there is an all-girl collective known as The Venus Collective. Their goal, clearly stated on their website, is to provide a safe, creative space for the talented, artistic and DIY-driven
girls in the local area. I wondered why a scene so open-minded and welcoming would need an all-girl collective, but I quickly learned that they needed it because, similar to film and politics, this scene was a male-dominated one. The Venus Collective was established in 2016 by Samantha Herrera. The collective started because she wanted to organize shows but didn’t see any opportunities for her to do so. Instead of giving up, she decided to do it herself and it quickly turned into a way to help other girls thrive. “The collective was started to help girls find their place in this scene. I don’t want to say that there’s a lot of sexism, but unfortunately, a lot of guys do look down on girls in this scene,” said Herrera. “I’ve reached out to guys in the scene for shows and I’ve been hit on. I’ve been dismissed. That’s not what I wanted, and it just turns into a lost opportunity.” The Venus Collective is made up of 16 girls ranging in ages 17-22 and originating from different cities and artistic backgrounds. There are photographers, illustrators, designers,
artists, and musicians that have teamed up to collaborate on music and art shows, videos, promotion and more. Together they’ve organized successful shows featuring prominent local line ups. They take care of everything and try their best to work with as many females they can to organize their shows. “I don’t want to kick guys out of this, but this is just to take a moment to help more girls get into this scene before I work with guys,” said Herrera. Men have an advantage. There are a lot of male promoters, male-lead bands and male-lead productions, but the girls in the Venus Collective want to make sure they aren’t left out in any aspect of it. This isn’t about excluding boys. It’s about giving girls an equal opportunity to participate without a hassle. “I just believe girls should be able to throw shows in this scene without seeming lesser than guys,” said Herrera. The Venus Collective welcome everyone at their shows, but they do prioritize giving females the best experience possible. At each show, the Venus Collective likes to create a safe
9 FEATURE
Each member has their own skills: Kim is an artist, Melody is a photographer, Cynner is a tattoo artist and Sam is a DIY artist/ coordinator as well as the collective’s founder.
space for girls. This means kicking people out for being disrespectful or not following the rules. This can be tough, because the collective can experience scrutiny for it, but Sam and the girls think it’s worth it. Their priority, no matter what, is making sure their shows are comfortable for those attending. Apart from organizing shows, the Venus Collective has also become a great way for girls to keep producing their art and getting it noticed. They use one another’s talents for anything they produce. Whether they need a photographer or an illustrator, they’ve got it. It’s all about highlighting each individual’s talents. “It’s hard getting noticed and to get people to hire you, but here you’re getting promoted,” said Venus Collective photographer Melody Martinez.
The Venus Collective is a group of girls who hype each other up, create things together and provide an overall support system for one another. Being a girl in this scene is subjective because every single one of them has their own personal, unique experience in it. It’s important to remember that female artists should be taken just as seriously as their counterparts. The Venus Collective wasn’t started in order to get special treatment or as a form to complain about and exclude guys. There’s enough space for both males and females to create and collaborate on art — but females get it done.
10 MUSIC
W men in Music
Florence + The Machine Most male artists sing about women like they’re on a pedestal - they’re infallible and have an almost sterile, presumptuous reverence about them. The women in these songs feel like they’re being sung at, never to. Female artists, however, tend to go about it in a more realistic way - but no one does it quite like Florence + the Machine (F+TM). Created by lead singer Florence Welch and keyboardist Isabella Summers, the U.K. indie group rose to prominence in the U.S. with their single “Dog Days are Over” from their first studio album, “Lungs.” Though they haven’t received any mainstream music play
By Bailey Mount Managing Editor
since, I fell in love instantly. The three albums the group has released so far could best be described as a woman’s journey of realizing her own self-worth. They encompass all it means to be human. Coupled with Welch’s haunting vocals and introspective lyrics, what listeners are given is all of the different spectrums of being that a woman is - whether it is weak and weary or confident and predatory. It’s both empowering and humbling. To F+TM, women are forces of nature that deal in extremes. They’re hurricanes, they’re passionate beings. Welch’s lyrics,
based largely on her personal experiences, equate women to things that are inconstant — water, animals, goddesses, everything. In their music, women move from their passive roles as mere objects of affection and become the central focus. They love. They desire. The men they sing of are nothing compared to how the women are affected by them. It’s a welcome change to the mainstream saturated songs about women - and easily one of the best groups to listen to for International Women’s Month if you need help remembering how strong you are.
Maggie Rogers
Source: @maggierogers/Twitter
Emerging artist Maggie Rogers, 22, is an American musician well known for her hit single “Alaska.” Rogers was praised by Pharrell Williams at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute for Recorded Music in 2016. Her feedback from Williams went viral on YouTube, obtaining 2.4 million views, launching her career due to what he calls her “singular” sound. Rogers, a skilled banjo player, originally had her sights set on pursuing a career as a folk musician. She had trouble finding inspiration to
Laura Jane Grace Laura Jane Grace, the lead singer and guitar player of Against Me!, is an icon in the punk scene. Proving that even women can be prominent figures in the genre, Grace pushes for the usual anarchistic agenda typically portrayed in punk. She even went as far as to break gender roles and discover her femininity during and after her transition. Growing up was beyond a struggle for Grace. Dealing with bullying and being labeled as a “faggot,” she oftentimes coped with it by cross-dressing and, later in her life, with the
By Madison Morris Contributor create music throughout college. After studying abroad in Paris, the electronic dance music scene inspired her to reinvent her folksy sound. Seen in her song “Alaska,” the singer found a way to capture her love for travel through a folk-meetselectronic-dance-music style. Since her video with Williams, Rogers has gained success as an alternative, indie artist. She released her first EP “Now That The Light Is Fading” on Feb. 17. Rogers also made her television debut performing “Alaska” on the
“Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.” Rogers is using her newly found fame to serve as an advocate for women’s rights. During her “Tonight Show” performance, she wore a Planned Parenthood pin on her blazer to show. She even worked with an all-female crew, including director Zia Anger, on her first official music video “Alaska.” Rogers continues to advocate for women empowerment while on her first international tour. Suggested Songs: “Dog Years” and “On + Off”
By Elliott Gatica Music Editor use of drugs. Grace grew interested in the punk genre in her preteen years, eventually learning how to play bass. Further down the line she started her project, which became the band Against Me! Years later, while still dealing with gender dysphoria and facing legal issues with the label she was signed under during her coming out as a trans woman, Laura Jane Grace still managed to bring Against Me! to prominence. The lyricism in the band’s music became more and more empowering through almost
Hayley Kiyoko
Source: @HayleyKiyoko/Twitter
Source: @flo_tweet/Twitter
Hayley Kiyoko is finally emerging into the mainstream music scene after three years of being slept on. She is more than just a singer/ actress, she is a beckon of hope for both Asian women and queer women. Kiyoko first gained attention for her iconic “Girls Like Girls” music video, which she directed herself. It turned the “Mr. Steal Yo Girl” scenario on its head by having a “Ms. Steal Yo Girl” type of situation as two girls try
direct storytelling about Grace’s coming out as shown in such songs as “The Ocean” and “Searching for a Former Clarity.” Her purpose was very apparent, even when she still went by the name Tom Gabel in earlier records. Grace’s transition and ongoing fight for the LGBTQ+ community is what gives her the recognition she deserves today, especially in times of political turmoil. With transgender rights slowly being reversed by legislation, Laura and Against Me! fight for these rights beyond expressing it in their music.
Source: The Independent
By Alexis Cruz Social Media Manager to figure out their feelings for each other. Honestly, I got into her music because of this music video and I remain a loyal fan to this day. Even after the release of “Girls Like Girls,” Kiyoko continues to push the boundaries on queer visibility. I mean, how many times have you seen girls/women be involved in a romantic relationship on a major platform? What makes her even more special is that she’s of Asian descent and the music
industry has never been kind to AsianAmericans; I only know this because there is a severe lack of Asian representation in the American music industry. The fact that Kiyoko, who promotes under an Asian name, is able to get onto the radio and have her own national tour is amazing. So yeah, you go Hayley Kiyoko. Let the world know that queer Asian women exist and that it is okay to break the mold on these two identities.
11
Missy Elliott
Source: @MissyElliott/Twitter
It’s no secret that the hip-hop industry is known to be dominated by male artists. However, in the early ‘90s, Missy Elliott broke this mold by becoming one of the most influential female hip-hop artists in the music industry. Elliott’s career began as part of the allfemale R&B group Fayme (later renamed Sista). Elliott recruited friend and producer Timbaland to produce the group’s music and, simultaneously, Elliott and Timbaland wrote and produced songs for artists such as Aaliyah, Total, and Destiny’s Child. It wasn’t
Syd The neo-soul singer and songwriter Syd has become a staple addition to the world of R&B and serves as an inspiration for the gay and black community. Her rise to success, though, took time. Born as Sydney Bennett in Los Angeles, Syd gained recognition at 16 through her work with hip-hop collective Odd Future, which consisted of artists like Tyler the Creator and Frank Ocean. She was known as “Syd the Kyd” initially, nervous and unsure of how to exist in
the limelight. But she was going to have to. She became the frontwoman of the R&B group The Internet in 2011. They finally got critical acclaim with their Grammynominated 2015 album “Ego Death.” It had hits such as “Girl” and “Special Affair.” Her voice is breezy and sensual as she sings and raps over a mixture of synthy and groovy beats and instrumentals. It’s reflective of her persona as well. There’s a coolness to her nonchalant attitude and unapologetic way
She’s done it all: singer, songwriter, composer, musician, record producer and occasional actress. She holds the Nanci Alexander Activist Award. She’s been described as the Queen of Rock and Roll and the Godmother of Punk. She’s Joan Jett. Jett has been an influence for female rock artists for decades, starting with her first all-female rock band in 1975, The Runaways. The band is known for their hit song, “Cherry Bomb,” and even had a feature film made in their honor. After a short four years with the
Teri Gender Bender Teresa Suárez Cosió, better known by her stage name Teri Gender Bender, began her career in Guadalajara, Mexico at the age of seventeen as the frontwoman for Le Butcherettes. The band quickly made a name for themselves with high energy shows involving props as bloody aprons and pig heads. Ten years later, Teri still helms the Le Butcherettes in Los Angeles
By Kaila-Marie Hardaway Music Editor until the mid ‘90s that Elliott made her solo debut which resulted in immediate success. In 2002, her album “Under Construction” became the biggest selling rap album by a female artist. Not only that, but the single “Work It” reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won MTV Video of the Year. Over the course of her career, she has won five Grammy Awards and has six platinum albums. Although many people believe that Elliott has become irrelevant over the years, it’s the exact opposite. Over the last 10 years, Elliot
has maintained success behind the scenes by writing and producing for songs such as “Let it Go” by Keyshia Cole and “I’m His Only Woman” by Jennifer Hudson, both of which were nominated for Grammy awards. Not only that, but ever since her Super Bowl guest appearance in 2015, Elliott has dropped multiple singles and has even announced the development of her latest album. Overall, Missy Elliott has arguably made the largest mark on the music industry and more importantly, the hip-hop industry, as a female artist.
By Samantha Neou Intern
Joan Jett
Source: @joanjett/Twitter
MUSIC
A look at female artists who have made their mark on the music industry
under Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s Ipecac Recordings while remaining involved in side projects Bosnian Rainbows and Crystal Fairy. She’s nowhere close to a household name, however, she is a true punk revivalist. She’s original while at the same time relatable. Teri could easily just make music to mosh to, but it’s clear that the theatrics
of singing about romance, sex, fame and her insecurities. She has never changed pronouns in her songs either, even during The Internet days. Nowadays the once hesitant “Kyd” is confident at center stage. At only 24, she released her first solo project titled “Fin” a month ago which is a symbolic beginning of her career rather than the end. She carves her story as it is and it’s an admirable quality that establishes her as more than just an artist in the music industry.
Source: @internetsyd/Twitter
By Natalee Coloman Staff Writer Runaways, Jett created her own music label in 1980. After 23 rejections from other labels, she founded Blackheart Records, making her the first female recording artist to find their own record label. She continued to play music with her band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts with the help of her label. Jett has been featured in The Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time and in 2015 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Today, Jett continues to tour globally with while staying actively
involved in a number of programs. Personally, Jett has always been a musical influence in my life. My grandpa was the first to become a fan of her music in my family, which heavily influenced my mom’s music taste. It’s safe to assume that I’ve grown up to Jett’s music and influence and continue to regularly follow her, whether it’s an activism event or a concert. Jett is the reason I want to stay heavily involved with music, and has influenced me to play music as well as write about it.
By Erick Zepeda Contributor in her performance are an extension of something genuine. She continues to etch a feminist, Latin American narrative into a Eurocentric, male-dominant scene, and as one of few representatives for a demographic made invisible, Teri could very well be a torchbearer for a new movement of progressive artistry.
Source: @LeButcherettes/Twitter
12 ATHLETICS
End of an Era, Dawn of Dominance
Women’s basketball season concludes but future shines bright LONG BEACH STATE ATHLETICS
Top: Raven Benton and Anna Kim celebrate with Coach Jody Wynn after a final game and great season. Bottom: Madison Montgomery scores two of her 15 points against Oregon State in the NCAA first round.
By Matthew Gozzip Athletics Editor After nearly pulling off one of the biggest upsets in the history of women’s college basketball, the Long Beach State women’s basketball team has come to an end. Oregon State defeated LBSU, 56-55, after nine ties and 13 lead changes in an epic first round match in the NCAA tournament. The 15th seeded 49ers were large underdogs against the 2nd seeded Beavers, the eighth ranked team in the nation. A 15 seed had never defeated a 2 seed in the tournament’s history but the Beach did not shy away from the challenge. With five seconds left in the game, LBSU held possession, but senior guards Raven Benton and Anna Kim missed a pair of shots as time expired. LBSU battled the Beavers to the brink, using
disciplined defense and sharp shooting from three (55.6%) to keep their opponents off balance. Senior forward Madison Montgomery
and senior guard Raven Benton combined for 32 points. Junior guard Jessica Gertz was perfect from long range, netting all three of her three-point attempts.
Sawyer and Kim paced the defense and offense, respectively, not faultering under the pressure of the stage. “I am just so proud of each and every one of them,” Long Beach State head coach Jody Wynn said. “We fought with so much heart from the opening tip to the final buzzer, and gave ourselves a chance to win at the end. Being out-matched so much by size…they didn’t get fazed by it. I’m just really proud of our entire program right now.” The swan song for star seniors Kim, Montgomery, Sawyer and Benton ends on a bittersweet note but the quartet should hold the heads high. Not only did they each find individual success but they also established a winning culture at LBSU once again. Jody Wynn’s evolution from experienced assistant to talented head coach is one of the most promising developments. After appearing in fourteen straight NCAA
tournaments (1979-1992) and reaching the Final Four multiple times, LBSU did not qualify for the tournament for 25 years. The coaching carousel spun on until it landed on Wynn, an assistant/head scout for the University of Southern California women’s basketball team. Wynn brought a dynamic basketball knowledge and a robust recruiting prowess, signing four nationally ranked recruiting classes at USC, including the highest ranked class in the nation in 2006. The star seniors may be departing but Wynn already has found several recruits in the class of 2017 to hopefully fulfill the vacant roles. Alexis Grigsby from Sierra Canyon High School, is a tall point guard with a high basketball IQ that has won the state championship twice, bringing a winning pedigree to the Beach. Missy Peterson, a combo guard from Washington, shares the same home state with Raven Benton but the similarities don’t stop there. Peterson is equal parts playmaker and facilitator but a scorer than can pour it on from anywhere on the court. Sasha Brown, a guard/forward hybrid, brings a high level of energy on both ends of the court akin to Jewelyn Sawyer’s motor on defense and on the boards. Forward Naomi Hunt appears to be a Madison Montgomery clone, a skilled shooter and strong offensive presence that can score on the outside and in the paint with her size. On top of these highly touted incoming freshmen, LBSU returns several key contributors including the Gertz and a stable of guards, headlined by sophomore Martina McCowzn. Juniors Gigi Hascheff and Cece Wilson are both battle tested and now how to spread the floor. Freshmen Katie Webster and Chanterria Jackson even received several starts, proving that the team’s depth is proven. Even though the season has ended, the momentum for the Beach cannot be stopped. A new golden age for LBSU is beginning to dawn.
Dirtbags records an undefeated homestand with limited power By Francisco Valladares Staff Writer
LONG BEACH STATE ATHLETICS Ramsey Romano celebrates a home run against TCU in the Dirtbags 7-0 win.
The Long Beach State’s Dirtbags mustered up only one home run in two ball games, but still managed to get two wins in last week’s home stand. The Dirtbags, now 5-1 at home, kicked off with an exciting matchup against Texas Christian University, the third ranked team in the nation. In the game against TCU last Tueday, fans were treated to an all-round master class of a performance. LBSU defeated TCU, 7-0 in dominating fashion. Junior first baseman and outfielder Luke Rasmussen got the offense going in the fourth inning with a run that came after junior infielder Lucas Tancas got a good hit down right field. The fourth inning continued to be fruitful for the Dirtbags after Tancas scored from sophomore Dominic Colacchio’s grounder. Junior infielder Ramsey Romano topped off the effort, knock a home run deep to give LBSU a three-run lead. The game was settled by the Dirtbags in
the eighth inning, where they scored their last four runs through some wild pitches and other mistakes from TCU. The win was huge for the Dirtbags because of TCU’s national ranking, providing confidence going into the week’s second home game. “The comforts of home are nice, we’ve been on the road a lot,” said Head Coach Troy Buckley. “For us [home games] have been little bit better because we’ve been on the road so much.” The comfortability at home contiuned later las week, beating Washington State, 8-7. The Cougar smashed four homers but the Dirtbags held steady in their own counter scoring. “[Allowing home runs] is becoming somewhat of an issue and we have to deal with it,” said Buckley. “As far as quality of fastballs, 95 percent of [home runs] happen on fastballs.” Two of Washington’s four home runs came in consecutive at bats in the fourth inning, but LBSU came right back in the bottom of the inning with two runs. Junior first baseman Daniel Jackson capitalized on a mistake from the Cougars to bring
in a run and sophomore outfielder Garrett Nelson grabbed the lead soon after. The resilient Dirtbags continued their pressure after they tied the game through a Jarren Duran run after some heady base running off of WSU’s mistakes. In the bottom of the ninth after Rasmussen singled to left field to bring in junior infielder Markus Montelongo on a walk-off hit. Even with only one homerun in two games, the Dirtbags added two more exciting wins to their home record, with the fans behind the team all the way. “We really get pumped up playing in front of our fans and we really feed off their energy,” said Rasmussen. “We just love feeling at home, so it gives us a real advantage.” The Dirtbags proved that sometimes raw power isn’t as efficient as just steady offense. LBSU defeated Pepperdine, 2-1, and Grand Canyon, 8-1, in a double header in Malibu last Saturday, completing an undefeated week of play.
Logan returns, and this time, he’s furious
13 ENTERTAINMENT
“Logan” shows a different side to Wolverine in the recent movie By Natalee Coloman Staff Writer There’s one thing that Marvel doesn’t typically show in their films—gore. The company prides itself on family-style movies that any age can enjoy. The X-Men series has always been a part of this category of films, up until Logan, which showed fans a darker side of Wolverine. Set in the year 2029, there are very few mutants living. The X-Men has been disbanded, and Logan (Hugh Jackman) is spending his days working as a limousine driver. He spends his nights drinking away the pain from his past. All while taking care of an ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart) in Mexico with the help of Caliban (Stephen Merchant). The three have a run-in with a young girl named Laura (Dafne Keen) seeking help from a group of villainous men who will stop at nothing to have her in their possession. The movie is a good chance for fans to see a violent and raging Wolverine, something that was spoken, but never shown in past X-Men films. It was the best way for Jackman to end his career as The Wolverine leaving fans emotional and satisfied. It was the perfect send
off for the end of the X-Men. The relationship between Jackman and Keen didn’t feel forced, the two worked perfectly together. Stewart’s performance is pure, Professor X is like the grandpa that can do no wrong. All together, the story is brilliant from start to finish, making the movie worth it. The story feels real, the characters are relatable, the action has you at the edge of your seat. Logan proves once again that Marvel knows what they’re doing when it comes to films, and it’s only the beginning to a year packed with superhero movies from the company. Sorry DC, last year was a bust and this year Marvel will only keep fans wanting more.
“Logan” Length: 2 hr 17min Directed By: James Mangold Written By: James Mangold, Scott Frank, Michael Green Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Richard E. Grant, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Eriq La Salle, Elise Neal, Krzysztof Soszynski imdb.com
A “Spotlight” for Journalism The 2016 Best Picture winner is more relevant now than it was before By Alejandro Ramos Editor-in-Chief Journalism is in a tough spot these days. It has been for a while. The rise of blogs and social media have undercut the need for reporters. Now, people can be reporters on their own. They can log on and tell their own stories in an instant. As a journalist, I find this trend troubling. It makes me question my career choice: Will there be a need for my skills when I graduate? Will people want to talk to me? Will they trust me to tell their stories? I think about this a lot, especially on the days when Trump and company make new comments about “fake news.” Here’s the thing. I know that journalism and journalists get things w rong sometimes. That’s okay, though. Journalists are human and ma ke mista kes. But it seems like the whole institution has been turned upside down since it came under scrutiny. Publications and journalists have taken offense to attacks from Trump and his administration. They fight tooth and nail, either through stories or advertisements, to prove their use against something that seems
doing it well. That’s exactly what “Spotlight” proves. The 2016 Best Picture winner serves as an example of the impact journalism can have when it is done with diligence and care. In fact, it plays out like a step-by-step guide that young journalists can follow. It showed the methodical way that the Spotlight, the Boston Globe’s investigative team, went about doing research and interviewing people to get the whole story. It was a process that took months but paid off once it was complete. A lot of this is already taught in journalism classes, but it seems as if it get tossed aside in the mad dash to keep up with modern journalism. Reporters rush to publish stories as quickly as possible without making sure they have all the facts. That’s the imdb.com whole reason why the industry determined to keep them out. as a whole is under fire. Maybe they’re going about it all That’s why I enjoyed “Spotlight” so wrong. Maybe the best way to prove much. It reminded me why I got into the that journalism is still needed is by field. It gave me hope that I might have
the chance to write a story that has as much of an impact as the “Spotlight” team’s did. No matter who you are, I think all of you can learn from “Spotlight.” It’ll show you what good journalism is so you can keep reporters, like myself, accountable for the quality of our work.
Here’s a couple of things I picked up while watching “Spotlight”: 1. Talk to people with respect and listen to them intently. They’ll tell you their stories if they feel like they are valued as human beings. 2. Make sure you make an attempt to have both sides. For the sake of fairness. 3. Take the time to get as many sources as possible. That’ll give you a more complete story. 4. Don’t worry about the competition. Just worry about making sure you have the story right. 5. Be patient. Don’t rush to publish a story if you don’t have all of it yet.
14 OPINIONS
Journalism is Not a Dying Field A reminder of the necessity of the press
By Elizabeth Campos Fitch Contributor I remember being younger and seeing my grandmother and parents watching the news while getting ready for school or work, or while drinking coffee in the evening and talking about our day. Now, I see people looking down at their phones while walking and drinking coffee, wondering whether they’re liking a picture on Instagram, sharing a story on Facebook or reading the “In Case You Missed It” updates on Twitter. The impact that journalism in all its forms has on people is inescapable. Still, I hear people saying that journalism is a dying field. I understand that people say this because legacy media, especially newspapers, are not as popular as they once were. According to the Pew Research Center, 2015 showed the greatest decline in newspaper circulation since 2010 as weekday circulation fell 7 percent and Sunday circulation fell four percent. Regardless of that decline, however, journalism is still around and will always be. Radio and television are still prevalent and other mediums such as Facebook, Twitter, Periscope and Storify help us get the daily news instantly. Journalism may change its medium and evolve from a black and white newspaper to instant news at the palm of
Jordan Daniels/Opinions Editor your hand, but it will never die. Additionally, in the current political climate, which has been the most controversial I’ve seen, journalism is more alive than ever. With “alternative facts,” reporters being kicked out of press conferences, organizations being called “fake news” and a president making fun of disabled journalists, we cannot be silent. Journalism is a basic necessity for democracy. If it continues to be
threatened by one of the highest powers in the nation, our democracy is in danger. But journalism will never die. This field will not die as long as the First Amendment is protected. Blood has been shed, journalists have been incarcerated and associations go above and beyond to prepare the next generation of journalists for the future. My decision to pursue journalism was sparked by what I saw in Mexico, where I lived for 15 years, and the U.S. where
I’ve been for six years and counting. From corruption to segregation, identity politics to the latest trend in technology, my life has been f looded with information that impacts my life in one way or another. Do you remember the Pentagon Papers, photos of ISIS attacks and the journalists murdered in Latin America? Be it in times of war, economic crisis, revolution or terror, if it wasn’t for the news media and their record of history, people would be living under a heavy veil. From The New York Times to the Press Telegram to Buzzfeed, these sources are all equally available for people to choose from regardless of them being liberal or conservative. It is up to the individual to choose who to believe and rely on for information. Try going a whole day without reading, hearing or watching at least one news story. I understand it can be overwhelming, because you can’t get away from it, but neither can you be without it. Journalism is what informs us about corrupt public officials, the latest immigration policies, who pays what taxes or who is the super star at the local high school. Journalism tells the stories that not everyone knows and gives a voice to the voiceless. Journalism is not a dying field. It’s at its peak and will only get better.
A Heart for Hip Hop How a genre has changed me Think of a rap song you hear on the radio: now go find the lyrics and count how many curse words there are, how many time the chorus repeats itself and how many times violence is glorified. I too am losing count. I distinctly remember not appreciating hip hop when I entered high school. Not because I didn’t see the talent in it, but I was put off by what I perceived to be a total lack of positive and constructive lyrics. As a woman, I did not appreciate being referred to in rap songs as a “bitch” or a “hoe” or some other term that seemed to demote women to being an object that
rich, players needed to attain, but not necessarily love or respect. Mostly though, I thought that hip hop was overly repetitive. But that changed with a single album. “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” was my first taste of something more lyrical and the depth of material was amazing. Whether it was about relationships, school, or hard times, I saw for the first time a softer side of hip hop that I had not heard before. The sound of the album was honest but playful, and as I began listening to more and more artists like Propoganda and Noname,
By Karrie Comfort Staff Writer I realized that the things I didn’t like about hip hop were really just things I didn’t like about the culture it perpetuates. Hip hop sometimes creates culture, from shaping fashion trends to popularizing certain lingo, but oftentimes it is simply reflecting what was already present in society. There is already a part of our culture that disrespects women and focuses on material things, but not all of society is like that. In the same way, hip hop is a dynamic genre that may have artists that disrespect others, but it is also full of artists whose music echoes of authenticity. As I listened to Common, a rapper, actor,
and eloquent speaker, talk at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, March 15 I was reminded of how hip hop can be used to tell stories of love, family, or in his case, social change. Sometimes, it is even poetry. Truly, I was moved, and ref lecting on his speech I feel as though I received a great gift to hear the words “What would you die for? Live for tha,” especially as someone who is nearing graduation and ready to enter the world. A style of music cannot change a culture, but the words of eloquent lyricists can frame the future.
Dressing for success, not to impress By Bailey Mount Managing Editor
John Mueller/Graphics Illustrator When I was eight years old, I started wearing training bras. It wasn’t a big deal to me. I knew what bras were and if I needed to start wearing them, that was fine. A few months later, a male classmate came up to me. “I can see your bra strap,” he said. Now, he said this in an uncomfortable tone. It was as if this two-inch strip of fabric peeking out between my shirt and neck was a g-string and I was personally embarrassing him. In retrospect, it was ridiculous. In eightyear-old land, however, it was mortifying. This wouldn’t be the first time I would have my body policed. Middle and high school saw the dawning of the “no tank top” policy. Hordes of girls would bring jackets to school and, congregating behind walls or in the shade of a far off tree, take them off to let the California sun hit
their shoulders for a while because they would prove to “be a distraction” anywhere else on campus — mainly around the boys. It’s disturbing to think about when you’re grown. You think back and go, “Wow, that was actually really sexist.” You think it’s over with now and you laugh with your girlfriends under the sky, shoulders bared and bra straps showing, enjoying a day off before you go back to your office. Then you get to work. You stride in wearing sensible f lats, ready for an eight to nine hour workday that requires constant walking around. Your boss tells you that you have to wear high heels, a minimum of two inches. When you refuse, you’re sent
home without pay. This is what happened to Nicola Thorpe, a London receptionist. Two years later, two parliamentary committees formally said that her company had broken the law in requiring her to wear high heels. Thorpe’s refusal sparked a Twitter campaign entitled #fawcettf latsFriday, with many women posting photos of themselves in sensible shoes while working. The issue brought continued sexism against women in the workplace back to the forefront of international conversation, conjuring up images of a time where women had to wear pencil skirts and take coffee orders. What several people missed, however, was what the exact issue was. This went beyond wearing high heels f ive times a week. This wasn’t
about ma king a f uss over wearing shoes. This was about a g row n woman in a professional env ironment, well away from the years of v ilif y ing ex posed bra straps and shoulders, being reminded that her body must appear a cer tain way. Take Hillary Clinton. She was called “frumpy” whenever she tried something new in the world of fashion. As a politician and a woman, the line between professional and pretty became blurred in a way that put her under constant scrutiny. She wore pantsuits to keep people from talking about her clothes. She succeeded. But it is so frustrating that we still live in a world where you have to choose between the high heel and the pantsuit. There’s a difference between being told to dress professionally and being told, “you have to wear this exact thing.” One is representative of the company and the other reeks of sexism. Being required to wear heels in my workplace would destroy my feet because of how much I move and how long I’m here. It would irreparably damage my body. Dressing nice does send a message about your company’s reputation — a better one than ending up on the international news for forcing employees to wear high heels. But, there is a difference. Creating these dress codes not only teaches women to be ashamed of their body and view them as objects of male consumption; It reinforces in men that they own these bodies. It supports the belief that this behavior is normal and that men will always hold this control over women no matter how many glass ceilings we break through. To have this happen on an international scale, in the “real” world, shows the impact that such rules have on society. This carries over into adult life, making these rules and making some idiot thinking that they’re okay. Well, they’re not okay. Eight-year-old me was embarrassed by her bra strap. Twenty-year-old me wants to wear her pantsuit and heels.
Joanne is our new resident columnist, a CSULB student looking to help with all of your questions, comments and concerns.
15 OPINIONS
Let Them Wear Flats
Joanne’s Advice Column
Questions and advice can be emailed to Joanne at lbunion.info@gmail.com
Dear Joanne, My girlfriend is super possessive. I’ve told her to chill but she has like no chill. Should I break things off? It’s getting really annoying. Bests, Trustissues101 Dear Trustissues101, It all depends on what you mean by possessive. If she’s sends daily good morning and good night texts, it may just mean that she’s thinking of you and wants you to know. If she has embedded a GPS tracker into your arm and is keeping a log of all your social interaction (including that one time you waved at someone that you thought was someone else) it may be time to break it off. Best of luck, Joanne
Dear Joanne, I tend to brutally tear people apart with my criticism. Tell me, how do I communicate my thoughts and feelings without exploding or sounding too harsh? Yours truly, Redtamale007 Dear Red_tamale007, There is an art to telling people what they’re doing wrong in life, trust me, it’s my job. One foolproof method is called the “Sandwich Approach.” You start with a compliment, then you lay on the criticism, and top it off with a nice layer of praise. For example: “Hey I really love your hair today! Your monthly progress reports, however, are dismal and if you don’t pick up the pace in this upcoming quarter you’re going to be drowning in debt from that fancy new boat you just invested in. Aside from that, I really like the way you’ve decorated your cubicle! Succulents are super in right now.” Sincerely, Joanne
16 CULTURE
Witching Hour
The local Halloween community gather together for their annual event By Natalee Coleman Staff Writer Quick! Park your hearse, wear all black and get spooky with it! Fans of Halloween and all things scary have gathered early — an hour before the event’s opening — eager to get the newest props, accessories, art and the latest inside scoop for Halloween. Dressed in mostly black attire with the occasional Halloween monster cosplay, onlookers wondered what month this was and why Halloween was in March. On Mar. 11, the La Mirada Halloween Club hosted its fifth annual Spook Show, the beginning of a year’s worth of Halloween festivals and activities. The event filled the entire store’s parking lot with tents for vendors, some local and some who’ve traveled a bit of a distance, who showcase spooky handmade goods such as soaps shaped like movie monsters, pumpkin scented body scrubs, jewelry, ghoulish cupcakes with severed limbs and jack-o-lantern bags. If you were at the event early, you were lucky enough to receive a handmade Love, Pain and Stitches bag, something that usually sells out within minutes on their Etsy shop. The event also had DJs, live bands and sideshow performers including Dangerous Darin Malfi, who’s known for stapling dollars to his body and self inflicting pain for the enjoyment of others. One act included Malfi using two 10 pound balls held up by his earlobes, another involved a tennis racket fitting through his entire body from head to toe. While people were barely able to watch Malfi, he drew a large crowd interested in what next act he would barely survive. Spook Show isn’t the only non-October
Halloween festival planned for this year. Midsummer Scream and ScareLA were selling discounted tickets for Halloween fans at the event. Midsummer Scream is a larger event that takes place at the Long Beach Convention Center July 29 and 30. Tickets are already on sale through the event’s website, but fans will have to wait for this upcoming festival’s announcements. Last year, the event had mini haunts, featuring nine different short haunted attractions in the event’s Hall of Shadows. On the other side of the Hall of Shadows are professional and local vendors similar to those at Spookshow. Midsummer Scream also has various panels for Knott’s Scary Farm, Universal Studios Horror Nights, Six Flags Fright Fest and Queen Mary Dark Harbor announcements. ScareLA is one of the biggest Halloween events in August, returning this year on Aug. 5 and 6. Last year, the event was hosted by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, a horror hostess dressed in a long, black and revealing gown. Her appearance and comical remarks have made her well-known in the horror industry since the 1980s. ScareLA has over 250 exhibitors planned to showcase scary goods and products, celebrity appearances, and performers. This year, the event will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, claiming to be too large to fit at the original location in Pasadena. So while the average person might think it’s too early to be celebrating Halloween, these dedicated fans prove otherwise. If you’ve missed Spookshow, you’re not too late. As the fans say, Halloween is every day.
Photos by Natalee Coleman/Union Weekly Top clockwise: Spook Show banner; Dangerous Darin Malfi holds two 10 lbs. weights by his earlobes as the crowd cheered him on; Morbid Cupcakes offered three of their many severed limb collection: a bloody ear, brain and heart; Larry Bones from Boneyard FX displayed some of his talent in horror makeup; Burbank’s Bearded Lady Vinatge Shop and Mystic Museum showcased a small segment of what their home shops offer; A cosplayer poses for photos.