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Issue 80.11 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
CONTRIBUTOR Elizabeth Campos, Britny Coker-Moen, Sandra Grace COVER DESIGN BY: Nathan Zankich
Hablamos con Ramos y Bailey Alex Ramos Editor-in-Chief
What up, young people. This week was kind of a blur. The last thing I remember is bending down to tie my shoe on Tuesday and getting up in the middle of a meeting on Friday. Despite losing track of the hours and days, I feel surprisingly good. I (somehow) managed to get my shit together and be productive. I woke up early to work out, spoke to my professors about my progress, and even got started on some adulting, like updating my resume and finding a new place to live. Even today, I’ve been fairly productive. Since I came in, I’ve managed to write a piece for Opinions, looked over and exported a couple of pages, and got to writing my half of the intro. You know what? I guess it’s not so bad that this week
Bailey Mount Managing Editor
went by so fast. Now I’m just tired. Being a responsible and functioning adult is tough. It takes a lot of focus and determination to keep at it day in and day out. There’s times where I have to motivate myself by saying little mantras to myself., like student athletes. “Sleep? I never sleep!!! While y’all sleepin’, I’m grinding!!!! Losing sleep to chase my dreams!!!!” For the record, I wish I could’ve been a student athlete. Unfortunately, I lack the talent and physical prowess. Anyway, I’m gonna go check on Bailey and the rest of the crew to see how they’re doing. Hopefully, we can stay on track and go home early. Like midnight. Yeah, that would work for me.
Greetings. I’m gonna level with y’all. I’m not sure where I was this week. Physically, I was in the office and in class. I was averaging about six hours of sleep a night. Mentally, I was somewhere that I still haven’t fully returned from as of writing this intro. It hasn’t been great. Every anxiety I could possibly have about the future is seeping into my everyday life and I’ve been internalizing all of it. It comes out in bursts and has honestly made me not the best person this week. The future is damn scary, people. People say, “hey, just don’t think about it now” and I end up going, “well when am I supposed to think about it then? When it’s the day before I have to do something important?” I don’t know, guys. I just don’t know. I’m so tired all of the time and if I were any more stressed, the stick up my ass would be a forest by now.
I’m trying to think of something positive to write, y’all. Something good did come out of this week. Pearl Jam was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and that was easily the highlight of my week. Or of the last few months, to be completely honest. Everybody has that band that they say “saved their life” — whatever that entails. Well, Pearl Jam is mine. Life has been tough lately, but something about their music makes the meetings, the classes, the articles, the impending fear of life and living and being allowed to just exist in peace one day seem worth it. So, yea. I had a time this week. Hopefully I have something funnier to give next week. Like some puns or something. For right now, here’s a fun fact: eating a whole average human would be the equivalent of taking in upwards of 125,000 calories. Yum.
Rep. John Lewis’s graphic
Seattle grunge legend
Our advice columnist
memoir “March” educates
Pearl Jam inducted into the
Joanne answers some
on the Civil Rights movement
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
tough questions on life
see page 14
see page 12
see page 6
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4 COMMUNITY
People’s State of the City Centering the city’s voices to advocate for change By Wardah Imran Intern
Long Beach’s sixth annual People’s State of the City (PSOTC) took place at the First Congregational Church on April 5. Hosted by Long Beach Rising, a coalition of local nonprofit organizations promoting civic engagement amongst marginalized communities, the event centered the voices of those fighting against inequality in the city. Participating organizations included Building Healthy Communities Long Beach (BHCLB), Housing Long Beach (HLB), Khmer Girls in Action (KGA), the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, A New Way of Life Reentry Project (ANWOL), Latinos in Action and a multitude of other collectives. PSOTC 2017 kicked off with a reenactment of the protests that followed President Donald Trump’s election to the White House. Organizers used the skit as a vehicle to highlight newly increased fears of minority communities and to urge attendees to continue being politically active. A few moments later, Reverend Elena Larson, Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church, said a few words on allyship to the packed house. “We need congregations of every kind of faith. We need to be in relationship with nonprofit organizations who are out there doing the work every day. We need to be in connection with communities of all different racial-ethnic identifications, building community so that justice will prevail. That’s why we’re here tonight,” she said. The year’s official PSOTC video was played for the crowd. Consisting of interviews with organizers and members of the community, the footage touched base on a number of issues—police brutality, wage theft, sexual assault, and the push to make Long Beach a sanctuary city. Attendees were also able to see the ways in which different organizations are taking action politically.
Photos by Elizabeth Campos Contributor
“I realized there was something wrong with the fact that I did everything right and still could not succeed. That’s why I dedicate my life to people’s rights.”
Community members protest lack of affordable housing and displacement.
About half an hour into the event, community organizer Amber Rose Howard took the stage to deliver the People’s State of the City. She spoke of the path that led to her devotion to social justice—one that consisted of poverty, displacement, loss and grief, and incarceration at the age of 18. “I realized there was something wrong with the fact that I did everything right and still could not succeed. That’s why I dedicate my life to fight for people’s rights,” she said. Howard brought attention to the need for affordable housing and renter protection policies in Long Beach, citing the city’s housing crisis as the most dire in recent memory. She criticized the mayor’s decision to allocate 47 percent of the city’s budget to police officers rather than youth development, climate change, education and housing. Howard also shed light on the impact of increasing tuition costs on college students as well as faculty. “We have seen an increase in college tuition to the point that it is nearly impossible for students to graduate without borrowing school loans. Many students find themselves having to choose between paying tuition and surviving,” Howard said. “And their professors are being forced to work more for less pay… Faculty working conditions are student learning conditions.” Howard spoke not only of injustices, but of progression. She discussed the many obstacles Long Beach has overcome due to communities coming together in solidarity—the campaigns created and the policies enacted. She discussed the work yet to be done, pushed city leaders to fulfill their duties to guarantee the health and safety of all residents and urged attendees to get involved in the upcoming local elections.
COMMUNITY
Preview: Find a Space to Speak Your Peace
5
Office of Multicultural Affairs will host space to share feelings about the state of the nation By Jordan Daniels Opinions Editor It’s not always easy to express yourself in spaces where you don’t feel welcome. And this is why the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) is putting on the “Speak Your Peace” event on Monday, April 10 from 5 - 7:30 p.m. in the USU Ballrooms. “It’s a public forum for students to speak their mind in relation to everything that is happening in the nation, in a way without being put on the spot,” said Dr. Jonathan Higgins, the Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs. The event was first hosted last semester by OMA to a successful turnout with close to 60 people participating in roundtable discussions for an hour before having a group debrief after the initial discussions. According to Dr. Higgins, the event is “tailored to this notion of being able to come and say what’s on your mind to have folks actually hear you and give them opportunity to voice both their frustration and contentment.” The topic of the event is “A Nation Divided: Conversation on Restoration,” focusing on the idea of restorative justice at
Don’t Bite the Hand that Fed You How-to quit your job without badmouthing your former boss Courtesy of the Career Development Center
large. The discussions will revolve around a criminal justice system that focuses on healing communities by facilitating rehabilitation for offenders and reconciling them with victims and the community. Some of the subtopics that will be present at the roundtable discussions include: the fear of Islam, transgender rights, black feminism, self-care and what activism truly looks like. Being present at the event last semester for work, I witnessed many students feel comfortable enough to share their experiences with the room during the group debrief. There were stories of being undocumented on a college campus, being LGBT on campus, being black on campus and explorations of how different identities intersect. “I left feeling really full because there are so many people who want to do more,” said Higgins. “But I also leave the event feeling a little bit weighted because it brings up a lot of different experiences and problems and it becomes this question of how do I tackle these problems and keep this work going.”
If you have recently left or are planning to leave your job because of a conflict with a supervisor, you may feel some anxiety when preparing for your next interview as you contemplate how to answer the question, “So can you tell me why you left your last job?” First - do not embellish and do not over share. Second - do not feel pressured into giving every detail about what happened. It is absolutely fine to explain your reason as it relates to you, your contributions to the company’s success and your career trajectory.
was very aware of how intense the job search can be. Keeping in mind the demand of my previous role, I decided it was best to leave in order to focus all of my energy into the next step of my job search.” “It was an opportune time for me to leave because I had just wrapped up a significant project that set the company/department up for success and this provided a natural breaking point.” What if you are not changing careers and therefore cannot use the “career change” angle? Here are some additional ways you can respond:
Third – watch your body language. If you feel apologetic, embarrassed or disgruntled, your body and face will show the interviewer how you feel. Be sure you are clear that leaving was the right decision for you and be comfortable with your decision.
“I realized that I valued my professional development and felt that there might be a mismatch between me and the company for this reason. I am interested in opportunities that provide growth, and I felt that I had grown to my capacity within my role.”
Here are a few ways you can answer the question:
“Because of where I am in life and in my career, I really need a company culture that prioritizes work/life balance. I get my best work done when I am well balanced, and I know that X company
“I knew I wanted to pursue a career change and
values work/life balance as much as I do.” The key to explaining the transition is to remain professional. Focus more towards the positive and avoid bad-mouthing your prior employer so that your professionalism is not brought into question during the interview.
Visit the Career Development Center Brotman Hall, Room 250 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 A.M. - 5 P.M. Drop-In Advising Mon.-Fri. 11 A.M.-4:30 P.M.
6 OPINIONS
New Season, New Me Spring is a refresh button
By Sandra Grace Contributor
Spring is finally here! People are always looking for a new beginning — something that will get them out of their rut. A new year. A birthday. A breakup. These are all occasions which we tell ourselves, “Hey, I know you’ve basically given up on life by now, but it’s time to set new goals!”
Sure winter is great and all: the baking of cookies, putting up colorful lights, and singing Christmas carols at the top of your lung. But after Christmas is over it seems to be a downward slope. When the second semester rolls around, there’s a fatal case of senioritis
regardless of your class level. It’s just gloomy days filled with school and illnesses spreading everywhere. All I did in the winter was school, work, eat, sleep, repeat. My day’s were too short and I felt like I was stuck in a routine. By the end of winter, the days would just drag on, and quite frankly I’m tired of dressing in baggy sweatpants and sweaters that make me look like a box. There’s nothing like the first sunny spring day when I can whip out my sundress, throw on some sunglasses and get a much needed cup of iced coffee. We get to, literally, see the world in a whole new light. Spring means that the days are longer, making me feel like I don’t need to shut down at six o’clock, giving me more time to convince myself that I can be productive! Being one step closer to summer, spring is the push I need to get my grades back up, my body in shape and my goals in motion. Spring also means participating in new weekend shenanigans. There is so much more I want to do when the sun is out: hiking, the beach, farmer’s markets and all that other hipster stuff. The possibilities are endless, but my favorite thing to do is get dressed up, hit Downtown Los Angeles, get lunch at Urth Cafe and then go to The Broad Museum or The Last Bookstore. With the sun showing off my amazing highlight and a camera in my hand, nothing can bring me down. For me spring is an opportunity to be reborn and bloom. It’s my refresh button.
The Benefits of the New CCPE Building New building could bring in the dough and fix oId buildings By Britny Coker-Moen Contributor CSULB broke ground on a 100 percent These may seem minimal to some, but to sustainable building for the College of others they pose a physical risk of danger Continuing and Professional Education and are a distraction to the process of (CCPE) in March, which will be located near learning. the Health and Human Services building One of the ways in which CSULB falls on lower campus. The CCPE building could behind in comparison to other schools is raise the money needed its alumni presence and to replace and repair subsequently funding “These may seem buildings on campus from alumni. minimal to some, that are falling apart. The new CCPE With old buildings but to others they building is intended to in severe need of increase alumni presence repair and remodeling, post a physical risk on campus. More current students of danger and are a involved alumni will be question the need for more motivated to make distraction to the the CCPE building. charitable contributions Student concerns lean process of learning.” to the school. toward Peterson Hall, Recent alumna and which has no air conditioning and reaches Sustainability Program Assistant at CSULB, stifling, stuffy temperatures in late spring Sylvia Palomera, stated that a challenge and early fall semesters, and the art buildings buildings always face is their budget. She that students state are falling apart and have hopes that this building will pave the way for reported tiles that fall from the ceilings. future policies that might set aside funding
Ask Joanne Dear Joanne, When it comes to relationships, I constantly feel inadequate when I think about someone I’m into. I think I’m beautiful and I do have a high opinion of myself, but I’m at a point where I don’t feel like anyone else thinks I’m enough. How do I get others to see my worth and what I can offer? Sincerely, Wanting To Be Seen Dear “Wanting To Be Seen,” Now I’m going to let you down a little here; there is no way you can control the conclusions that other people make about you. I am not going to say that as long as you stay true to yourself everyone will love you, because that would be a lie. What I will say, however, is that getting to know people deeper than their surface level takes time and that sometimes people’s initial assumptions can be outright wrong. If a potential partner doesn’t seem to be aware of all your beautiful qualities, it’s up to you to continually prove them wrong through your everyday actions and words. The thing to remember is that you are not perfect and neither is the person you are trying to impress. So the best thing to do would be to stay patient and take the time to really let yourself be seen. And if the other person can’t accept all the awesome that is you, then so be it. Dear Joanne, Spring Break is supposed to be a relaxing break in the middle of the semester. Unfortunately, mine was not due to personal issues and a death in the family. I really thought the break would help me re-center myself, but now I feel helpless. I couldn’t do homework that was due and I feel a bit behind. What can I do to focus after these circumstances? Thanks, Matt Dear Matt,
for sustainable projects and upgrades on older buildings on campus. “Leading by example is always a challenge, but someone has to do it. Why not CSULB?” Palomera said. While students might argue that there are more pressing issues at hand, the CCPE building will result in more funding from alumni, providing CSULB with additional funds to address students’ concerns and desires regarding future projects. The CCPE building is both controversial and exciting. While the students’ concerns are legitimate, there will always be conflicting needs as some will have higher priority to certain groups than others. Despite concerns, I believe that the CCPE building is a giant leap for the future of sustainability for CSULB, for the city of Long Beach, the CSU system and the future of our mother earth, possibly providing an increase in funding to further better our campus.
I’m sorry for your loss. I can only imagine the struggle is must be to come back from this “vacation” more stressed than when it began. You may have lost the prescribed relaxation time, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give up on trying to find some mid-semester peace. I know the homework situation is probably tight, but I’m sure your could carve out some time to treat yourself. Maybe commit an hour or two this weekend to hitting the beach with friends and trying to detach from all the family and school troubles. It can give you something to look forward to during the week and keep you motivated to stay on top of schoolwork. Think of it as an investment in your sanity and wellbeing.
Joanne is our resident advice columnist at the Union Weekly. Feel free to seek advice about life, school, relationships or anything else that’s been on your mind. Questions can be emailed to JustAskJoanne@gmail.com.
FEATURE
W Vag and erin abo g nds
7
Intro by Bailey Mount Managing Editor Traveling can be fun. You get to map uncharted territories, meet new people, have new experiences, all of the old clichés. That’s usually how we all romanticize it before we actually travel. Then you get off the bus, go over a bridge and get lost in Naples, a super rich part of Long Beach. At least, that’s what happened to me. Small town, non-brand-namewearing me got lost in the bridges and winding canals. I saw signs that said “Private Dock” and thought I could
even cross them. I saw people who looked like they weren’t actual people, but movie stars imported from Hollywood to shoot a stereotypical college party movie. I saw houses that could probably pay for the tuition of our newsstaff. And, worst of all, I looked at this place and felt completely not welcome. I was an outlier, an other, a vagabond, if you will. Sometimes we go places and the places don’t want us there. This is what happens.
By Britney Weller Multimedia Assistant
The trip seemed promising enough – two weeks through Europe, no parents, no responsibilities, just me and Europe. I wasn’t technically going alone; it was a school trip with about 30 strangers whose idea of fun was shopping through the European version of American stores. To put it mildly, we had nothing in common. I spent the 14-hour plane ride from Philadelphia to Dublin trying to convince myself that traveling abroad basically alone was a good idea, but I just had this nagging feeling that something was going to go wrong. The airport was tiny and grimy, and it looked like it had been raining outside all day. But I was still determined to be excited. I was not only the first person in my household to leave the country, but I was also the first person to go to back to Ireland since the late 1800s. There was a rainbow painted on the wall leading to customs, so I figured it couldn’t all be bad. Waiting to get our passports stamped, something seemed off. The security guards were checking out our group. At first I thought it was
because we had just arrived and the other students were already obsessed with trying and failing loudly to get wifi, but then I tried to get my passport stamped. The man behind the glass looked me up and down before asking me how long I’d be in Ireland. He was a very bulky guy, like maybe John Cena type bulky with the Irish beer belly an intimidating look regardless. After explaining I was on a school trip and we’d only be in Ireland for a couple days he looked hard at me then to my group and stared at my teacher in shock for a bit. I didn’t know what he was thinking, but when he stamped my passport I quickly moved away. A couple students later, the guy eventually called for backup and then they surrounded my teacher. I had no clue what was happening. One second they were sort of interrogating him, the next they had him pinned on the ground. Apparently they confused him for a sex trafficker and when he reached for his passport to prove his identity, they freaked out. It was all quickly cleared up. I got to watch the guy that called for backup get chewed out. We then went to go baggage claim. When we got to the carousel, the bags were mostly out already so we were excited to not have to wait. As I looked
around, however, I couldn’t find my bag. A half hour later, it was discovered that my luggage was gone. In an effort to keep things moving along, we gave the airport our contact info and we were off. All I had was my little carry on, a book, my wallet and my passport. The first place we went to was Dublin. It was beautiful; the sun had come out. It seemed unreal. I walked down the street, soaking it all in. That’s when it happened. I felt the splatter run down the side of my face, felt its warm chunkiness slide down my neck, arm and eventually puddle in my carry on. That was when I knew this trip was not what I had hoped for, that Europe was not as excited to see me as I was to see it. That bird’s shit was the gift that just kept on giving throughout the entirety of my two weeks in Europe. With no clothes, no shower supplies and a group of useless people staring at me, I became the old crazy lady that carried all her belongings in plastic shopping bags while somewhat covered in shit. While I eventually was able to scrub myself clean, I was stuck dragging around clothes caked in it until I finally got my luggage back a week and a half later while in Paris. *Photos courtesy of Nathan Zankich
8 FEATURE
FEATURE
By Sheila Sadr Copy Editor I was anxious about this trip before I even started packing for it. As my monthlong study abroad adventure in the Netherlands drew near, my fear of being alone in a foreign country for an extended amount of time emotionally, and even physically, crippled me. I was irritable and moody the whole week before. I would freeze up and cry in the wave of my overwhelming fear. I even mused of ways of cancelling my trip last minute. But as the tires of the plane kissed down on Amsterdam and I met some of my classmates, my anxiety melted into excitement. Since I was taking a course from the communications department, our class consisted of ten diverse, fascinating individuals who all had positive attitudes. We came from all walks of life: a bold and dynamic trio of women who wanted to see and do absolutely everything; a super chill surfer who had been an EMT in Santa Cruz; an incredibly sweet and emotionally resilient Mormon woman; a super sweet guy who really enjoys the finer things in life; a social Surinamese international student whose first language was Dutch and two of the coolest and most lovable stoners ever. For a good portion of the trip, everyone got along famously. Outside of one of our, we all rang in the new year together partying hard and bonding. I got caught up in it all: the uninhibited freedom, the bling, the great food, the cheap drinks and swanky bars. Being away from my life in the States brought out a
completely different side to me; I became more impulsive, selfish and, dare I say, a little mean. As the trip progressed and we all settled into our apartments, I realized that I over-socialized. I grew self-aware and uneasy in my own skin, constantly critiquing my appearance and questioning my own actions. I didn’t feel like myself. I felt out of place when I constantly hid behind layers of makeup. I wanted to keep up with the extravagance of the group of women I was living with. But that wasn’t me. I compared myself to them constantly: how many guys they attracted, how much money they were spending, their extravagant clothing, their flawless makeup and straight hair, their callousness. I felt undesirable – ugly even. I felt silly for caring, for giving a shit about what we were learning in class. This made me quiet in the group. Reclusive. It made me homesick. And I grew resentful. It felt like high school all over again, the weird oddball surrounded by gorgeous affluent people. My self-consciousness was a wake-up call. The person I was at the beginning of this trip was not me; I am not this hasty, uncaring, self-centered person. I concluded that I needed to regroup and remind myself of who I was and why I was wonderful the way I am. And this was hard. Hanging out with wild people is one thing; living with them is a another. I had to learn to say no to participating in things I wasn’t
comfortable with. I had to be 100 percent okay in my loneliness. I spent the better final half of my trip doing things on my own: hanging out in my room, reading, grubbing on as much European food as I could, visiting bookstores and other really cool little spots. And I fell back into myself at the end of the trip. I could still go along with our group and be okay with not fitting in. It helped my relationships with each and every one of them tremendously. I had some really wonderful and hilarious conversations with the guys, all of whom still hold a very tender spot in my heart, and I made a lifelong friend. Turns out Victoria, my emotionally resilient and tenderhearted Mormon friend, was going through the exact same thing. She actually had it much worse than I did; she didn’t drink or enjoy the excessive party life and lived in an apartment far away from everyone by herself. During the final days of our trip, Victoria and I became really close friends, foregoing the group’s final unofficial hurrah to Amsterdam to go to an International Literature Conference instead. We bonded over our love for the arts, stories of troublesome exes and our relationships with our families. If there’s anything I regret, it’s that I didn’t spend more time with Victoria. But I’m glad I went on this trip. I’m happy I learned to love myself all over again, alone and surrounded by people. I’m grateful to have met a lifelong friend.
9 FEATURE
By Jordan Daniels Opinions Editor It’s easy to feel out of place when you’re in a space where nobody looks or acts like you. Where the identity is singular to one type of people. That’s how I felt when I went on a trip to Colorado with my roommate over spring break. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a constant feeling that gnawed at me throughout the entire trip, but it was an ever-present thought at the back of my mind, one that reminded that I wasn’t from there and that everyone else knew that too. As a mixed-race person, I am often confused as Puerto Rican, Mexican and Caribbean. To others, I’m racially ambiguous, which is as much privilege to some as it is a curse. People don’t know what I am, which is exciting to an extent, but it also makes me feel as if I don’t fit into this puzzle of life that people so carefully try to place me in. This was the feeling that ran through me when the cashier at Safeway called me “exotic.” I’ve been called the word before, and each time is as triggering as the last. It puts me in this space of being “the
other.” Historically, the word was used to describe plants and animals as foreign, even sometimes invasive because they were in a non-native land. Popularly it is also used to describe people who “aren’t from around here.” Now, I knew how she meant it. Her intention was to correlate my exoticism with beauty. So I kindly smiled and said thank you before leaving the store. However, as I walked out, anxiety crept in because I realized that if she noticed I wasn’t from the town, then everyone else must realize it too. It’s a terrifying thought, especially in a post-“Get Out” mindset, and it became easy to feel as if everyone doesn’t think you belong here, even if they may not be thinking that in the slightest. I was fortunate enough, though, to be in Colorado with my roommate and her boyfriend, other people of color, and her family, who were so incredibly welcoming and didn’t make me feel like I wasn’t part of the family for one second. Her boyfriend often made the joke that together we made the one-and-half only black person in town, which was a double-
edged sword because it reiterated just how much people like us were lacking in the town. It was also revealing of his own discomfort, using a joke to disguise the fact that he too feels uncomfortable at the lack of color in town. When we traveled to other towns in the state, I thought that it might be a bit different in terms of local diversity, but the more places we saw the more present it became -- we weren’t in Kansas anymore. The trip in itself was enjoyable, I laughed way too much and way too hard, ate well, rested up and had fun with people that made me feel like family. But, as we drove back through four other states, I felt a sense of relief wash over me every time we got one stateline closer to California. While I definitely have my moments of feeling out of place here in Long Beach, I’m privileged to have places where I’m an essential piece of the puzzle so accessible to me. Despite the discomfort I recurringly felt throughout the trip, I would definitely go back to the state that treated me as kindly as it made me feel different.
Medal of Shame
10 NEWS
The United States Olympics Committee continues to not acknowledge failure in ongoing sex abuse scandal
By Bailey Mount Managing Editor
June 17 July 29, 2015: USA Gymnastics
Sept. 12 -
Mar. 28 - Apr. 7,
Nov. 22, 2016: Two former
2017: Gymnasts testify about their
gymnasts accuse USA Gymnastics Nassar
abuse in Congress. USOC refuses to
USOC did not enact a widespread sexual abuse allegation by the organization for sexual abuse of sexual abuse. At a press testify, but expresses support of a new bill policy until 2014 in allegations. He is removed from his position. conference announcing the charges, officials to fight against sexual abuse.A gag order the wake of a different A federal judge sex scandal. The event is written off as an plea by Nassar’s lawyers, citing reveal that 50 more complaints blocked a gag Since his order on Apr. 7 isolated incident. Aug. 4, 2016: Feb. 19 - March the right to a fair trial is have been filed. resignation, the that would restrict Congressional hearing The Indianapolis blocked. 16, 2017: Three former Team dozens of women saw the proposition of a new from recounting their Star uncovers multiple USA gymnasts speak publicly about bill that would make it a federal sexual abuse at the hands of unreported allegations of sexual misconduct their abuse for the first time in a “60 Minutes” crime to not immediately report sex a gymastics doctor. abuse allegations to local law enforcement. The The decision comes in the aftermath by coaches. USA Gymnastics says news segment. USA Gymnastics bill would also extend the statute of limitations of a March congressional hearing in that it is “doing enough to CEO Steve Penny resigns following to 10 years after the abuse. which three former Team USA gymnasts In an article by The Associated Press, pressure from the USOC. protect children.” testified against Dr. Larry Nassar. Nassar USOC was cited as caring “deeply” about the is accused of molesting more than 80 girls issues and as in support of the new legislation. and women under the guise of treatment It declined to testify in the hearing. during his 20-year career as the USA i s o l a t e d incident. In August which they detailed their abuse. A Many critics called the decision a Gymnastics team doctor and also faces of 2016, The Indianapolis Star released month later, the organization’s CEO Steve continuation of the organization’s failure to federal child pornography charges. Since the story first broke back in a damning investigative report on the Penny resigned after the USOC called for his admit blame and irresponsibility. As of the publication of this article, the September, it was revealed that one of its organization’s failure to report multiple departure in light of his failure to handle the instances of sexual abuse by gymnastics widening scandal. USOC has failed to claim any responsibility governing bodies, USA Gymnastics, was Previously, he had stated that the USA nor acknowledge claims that it possessed warned about Nassar in June 2015 and coaches and it wasn’t long before chose to conduct its own investigation complaints began coming in about the Gymnastics program had “a long and prior knowledge of the allegations. former doctor. proactive history of developing policy to It is unknown how this will affect the instead of immediately dismissing him. In February 2017, former USA gymnasts protect its athletes.” organization’s promotion of Los Angeles’ Nassar was fired in July of that same appeared on a segment of “60 Minutes” in It has since been revealed that the bid to host the 2024 Olympics. year, the matter was dropped as an
team doctor Larry Nassar is investigated
U.S. Airstrikes Cause Turmoil in International Relations Russia-U.S. relationship strained as Syria remains a war zone By Britney Weller Multimedia Assistant President Donald Trump ordered a missile strike on a Syrian base Apr. 7 after claiming it to be the launch site of a chemical attack a fews days prior. The chemical attack occurred in the town of Khan Sheikhoun of the Idlib Province, killing an estimated 80 people and injuring dozens more. Video footage released by the New York Times showed “women and children gasping for breath and foaming at the mouth” at the effects of what was later determined to be Sarin gas, a “brutal nerve agent.” 63 hours after the event, Trump met with military and national
security advisors and decided that the launch of 59 Tomahawk missiles was a “proportionate” response to the attacks, which the White House press secretary Sean Spicer called “not something that any civilized nation should sit back and accept or tolerate.” Trump has not commented on whether this would be a one-time strike or part of a larger plan meant to weaken Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. United States military officials alleged that the strikes were not meant to damage the actual base, but to target aircrafts, fuel tanks and other weapons to send a message
that chemical weapon usage would not be tolerated. According to an article written by Vox, the casualty count from the U.S. airstrike is still unknown. Despite the cries of outrage heard here in the U.S., following the order, those same sentiments are not shared by everyone. Kassem Eid, a survivor of the 2013 Syrian chemical attack, thanked Trump in a televised interview for CNN, stating that he answered his and others prayers for protection. He expressed hope that this would result in other countries following Trump’s example to intervene.
Others opposed the intervention, like Russian president Vladmir Putin. He was quoted in a CNN article denouncing the U.S. airstrike as “aggression against a sovereign state in violation of the norms of international law,” while the Russian Defense Ministry said that they would increase the effectiveness of Syria’s air defense system and suspend an October 2015 agreement aimed at minimizing risks of in-flight collisions between Russia and the United States. In a similar article, the U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said
that Russia “failed to uphold their agreement to eliminate all chemical weapons from Syrian control.” As of right now there is no proof to back up either side of this international crisis, and several arguments have been made, by both the U.S. and Russia, to attack each side’s credibility. With the Pentagon investigating possible Russian involvement in the chemical weapons strike, and Russia claiming the U.S. has no proof that chemical weapons were even used, our involvement in this country remains unknown.
11 ATHLETICS LONG BEACH STATE ATHLETICS
Noah Blackwell (3), Loren Jackson (2), and Roschon Prince (23) are no longer part of the picture for the basketball program. For many college students, spring semester sparks the beginning of their transfer process and a prospective fresh start at a new school. The period is no different for student athletes. They look for a different situation to maximize their potential. Unfortunately for The Beach men’s basketball team, a wave of transfers will be washing away from Long Beach State. Three LBSU hoopers have decided to search for a new home come fall 2017. Freshman guard Loren Jackson, sophomore guard Noah Blackwell and junior forward Roschon Prince have decided to part ways with the program. After a dismal 15-19 season, many Beach fans will be wondering how the team will bounce back from such an exodus. Ultimately, team building will have to be a priority for the Beach’s coaching staff throughout the offseason. Blackwell and Prince both were consistent starters that battled through injuries and limited playing time to develop into important pieces. Jackson, only a freshman, was the heir apparent to junior guard Justin Bibbins at the point guard spot. “Of course I’m concerned,” Head Coach Dan Monson said per JJ Fiddler of Gazettes Sports. “We could’ve had an easy offseason with everyone coming back next year and looking good, or I could get this thing fixed.” Blackwell, a highly touted recruit and promising marksman, lead the team in three point shooting with 38 percent, but was out for most of the season because of injury. He never truly could find his rhythm once he returned and frustration began to mount when his role wasn’t clearly defined. Either way, there seems to be no bad blood between Blackwell and the program. “I would like to thank my coaches, teammates, managers, trainers, amazing fans and everyone who’s been a part of my two years here at Long Beach,” said Blackwell through his Instagram. Bibbins is the team’s undisputed starting point guard, which could possibly be a reason why Blackwell is searching for new pastures. Bibbins strengthened his case to be the incumbent starter after a dazzling postseason performance in the Big West Tournament. Unfortunately, Bibbins’ long-term replacement will not be returning either. Jackson was a spark plug off the bench this season, entering nearly every game and starting
Wave of Transfers Rock Beach Men’s basketball loses three players, program future muddled By Francisco Valladares Staff Writer Graphics by Matthew Gozzip Athletics Editor
LONG BEACH STATE ATHLETICS
Coach Dan Monson scolds Jackson during a game. Monson faces many questions after losing several players to transfer. in several important conference matches. The diminutive guard brought a distributor’s mentality on offense and a fearless approach on the defensive end. Jackson’s relationship with the program was strong but ultimately a desire to play closer to home near family was more important. Freshman guard Jordan Griffin, Jackson’s classmate, now takes the leading role of the future of the LBSU backcourt. Prince, is a much tougher pill to swallow. The
hybrid forward started the last 18 games of the regular season after starting forward junior Gabe Levin went down with a severe injury. Prince, a former high school Gatorade Player of the Year at Long Beach Poly, was one of the most talented players on the roster but never could establish himself as a starter over Levin. The graduate transfer is immediately eligible to play. Just as Bibbins and Griffin will help mask the departures in the backcourt, Levin is slated to carry
the load that Prince left behind. Levin started the first 16 games until his injury, leading the team in points and rebounds during the most difficult part of Long Beach State’s schedule. The talented transfer from Loyola Marymount ended his first season as a starter averaging a solid 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds. The transition should be smooth but there is questionable depth behind Levin now that Prince leaves the sixth man spot off the bench vacant. The team will need a lot of work coming this offseason and next, considering that Bibbins and Levin are both headed into their senior year. Coach Monson could use the same recruiting strategy he did with Prince and Levin, both former transfers: look out for other disgruntled players that can transfer over. In 2015, around 100 players left during the spring semester. Several hundred other players transferred after the academic year ended. Sophomore forward Veer Singh from Seton Hall and junior forward JC Washington from Charlotte are two announced transfers who come from good programs. Monson could also explore more options on the current roster full of young and talented players. Sophomore forward Temidayo Yussuf is coming off a big season after receiving minutes due to injury issues. Yussuf averaged 13.6 points and 5.7 rebound in conference play, performing best in the paint as a strong big with a soft touch. With Bibbins and Yussuf both making the All-Conference Big West second team, the team’s immediate future is not too murky, even without their outgoing players. But looking past the issues that the team will be dealing with from a roster standpoint, they will have to work on their game as a whole in order to make a deeper run in the postseason next time around. “Our 13 scholarship players and our scheme didn’t work so we have to reevaluate and (the transfers) give us the flexibility to do that. I’m not happy, but we’re optimistic,” said Monson per Fiddler. The 10-year veteran coach has experienced many difficult situations during his tenure at the Beach but hope and optimism might not be enough as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
The Seattle Grunge Group Made it Big
12 MUSIC
Pearl Jam became one of the inductees of the Rock Hall Class of 2017 By Bailey Mount Managing Editor
Pearl Jam during one of their first live performances at Off Ramp Cafe on Eastlake. (Lance Mercer / 1991)
No one, least of all its members, ever thought that Pearl Jam would gain international success. Bursting out of the Seattle grunge scene in the early 90s, the band went from playing an unadvertised cafe gig to debuting their first album in less than a year. The 25 years that followed saw 9 more albums, nearly 1000 performed shows, a yearlong boycott of Ticketmaster and now, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Brooklyn, New York. The ceremony opened with a tribute to the band’s inception and another band – Mother Love Bone. You can’t tell the story of Pearl Jam without first telling the story of Mother Love Bone. Created by late lead singer Andrew Wood, Mother Bone Love was the band that could have been and the one that almost was. By early 1990, they had a record deal and a debut album on the horizon. By March, Wood was dead of a heroin overdose. The band broke up shortly after. In the months that followed, former members Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament reconnected through Mike McCready, a guitarist as well as an old friend of Gossard.
Eddie Vedder during an MTV Unplugged performance in 1992. (Kevin Mazur/ WireImage)
Frontman Eddie Vedder and drummer Matt Cameron performing during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction. (Chad Batka/New York Times) Now they just needed a singer. Replacing the charismatic and talented Wood wouldn’t be easy. A singing surfer in San Diego got a hold of their demo tape and recorded the vocals for three songs, mailing it back to them and by October, Eddie Vedder was in Seattle for the first time. Soon after, the band, called Mookie Blaylock at that point, performed their first show. They changed their name for copyright reasons after they gained traction and a record deal, and on March 10, 1991, they became Pearl Jam. Then came the album “Ten.” “[Ten] had an anger to it and appealed to twenty-something people who felt displaced and unemployed and left out,” said David Letterman in the band’s ceremonial speech. He couldn’t have been more apt in that description. “Ten” carries in it a raw, painful energy that seems both anguished and spiteful. The album itself, if personifying it could even come close to describing how it comes across, sounds like the kid that stands back up because someone told him to stay down.
There’s an angry darkness to Vedder’s vocals. He jumps from haunting howls to whispers, seemingly taken by the direction of the music than through his own singing. “Ten” is both jaded and emotional. But perhaps most importantly, it and by extension Pearl Jam itself, inspires the will to live on, if only to prove those who hurt you wrong. And no matter how big they got, they never lost track of that small Seattle stage. They frequently refused press interviews. They hardly released music videos, instead opting for high-quality live releases from every show they performed. To them, their music was and has always been something delivered directly to the fans, foregoing the music industry red tape and fineries for something more grounded, something personal that has kept Pearl Jam off an untouchable pedestal and in the arms of its fans. “Those are the things that really kept us together…” said Vedder in their acceptance speech, “We knew we were better together than apart. It was you [the fans].” At their induction ceremony, they
performed “Alive,” “Given To Fly” and “Better Man.” The first was the first single they ever released. They also performed a cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” with the other inductees. In that moment, they were what everyone knew them as : that band from Seattle that had no idea what was coming, but was more than ready to take it on.
Selected discography: “Even Flow,” “Alive” and “Jeremy” from “Ten” “Daughter” and “Animal” from “Vs.” “Better Man” from “Vitalogy” “Hail, Hail” and “Off He Goes” from “No Code” “Given To Fly” from “Yield” “Last Kiss,” a cover of the Wayne Cochran song by the same name The albums Binaural, Riot Act, Pearl Jam, Backspacer and Lightning Bolt
David Letterman inducting Pearl Jam during the ceremony. (Jamie McCarthy/ Seattle Times)
The music industry and fame won’t change him Reflecting back on 2016’s list of memorable music that left a resounding impression into 2017, I believe one talented artist deserves a greater introduction: Oregon born rapper Aminé.
Photo Credit: Sam Balaban/ The Fader He started his rap career with an ostentatious entrance, placing 12th in the Billboard Hot 100 for his mesmerizing hit debut single, “Caroline;” an impressive feat for a rookie rapper. When not performing as his alter ego, Aminé, he is known by friends
From Poetry to PostHardcore A successful combination of spoken word and deep lyricism
and family as Adam Daniel. His parents are Ethiopian immigrants who raised Adam in Portland, Oregon. Initially, he wanted to pursue a career in basketball, but that aspiration came to a stop when he was cut from his high school basketball team. At first glance, Aminé doesn’t seem to be a serious rapper, considering his playful and vibrant musical presence in hip-hop, but it is exactly these features that set him apart. He uses this feel-good persona to his advantage by reminding hip-hop-heads and listeners that you can have fun with music rather than just focus on the struggles and darker tones of life including rap feuds. In addition to his persona, Aminé has serious talent. He self-directed “Caroline” as well as “REDMERCEDES” and produces his own instrumentals in house. He is also an excellent drawer and creates his own graphics for his music. Aminé is a natural renaissance man. But what makes Aminé special is his witty and optimistic personality in the game of hip-hop, as well as incorporating his Ethiopian heritage into his music. There aren’t enough cultural influences within hip-hop outside of the American bubble, so it’s refreshing to hear a diverse approach to the genre. Aminé’s lively melodies contrast hip-hop’s original formula of thundering 808 bass lines, departing from its history of aggressive and deep musical notes.
His rap style reminds me of Andre 3000. Respectfully so, he states the Outkast rapper is one of his inspirations into hip-hop. His flow is choppy, lighthearted and quick, complementing his upbeat, jazz-inspired improvisation of music. In an interview with Billboard, he describes his music to be deliberately “...colorful. The intention for it,
MUSIC
Aminé, the Banana Rapper to Look Out For
13
By Soun Oeng Staff Writer afraid to stand out. Oh yeah, and his favorite color is yellow. When Billboard asked what to expect this year, he said, “A lot of yellow” hinting to fans that the industry won’t change him. I remember stumbling across his mixtape, “Calling Brio” before his rising fame, and hearing the potential from the beginning.
Photo Credit: @heyamine/Instagram is to be good for whoever’s listening to it, and my style is good for me.” His rap style is innovative, in a sense that it embraces spirited and musical movement that stimulates positivity, even if the lyrics are discussing controversial topics; sometimes through a comedic lens. Aminé is unpredictable, hilarious and poppy. He isn’t
It would suck if he became a one hit wonder, but I doubt it when his new single “REDMERCEDES” is lit with 17.8k likes on soundcloud. (Check out the new music video.)
By Peter R. Clark Entertainment Editor Hotel Books is a spoken-word project/posthardcore band from Porterville, California. They started with Cam Smith reciting his poetry in a spoken-word format over an ambient background. As the project evolved, Hotel Books eventually became a band. With each new album, the project became less of spoken-word centric to more formulated songs. However, through all iterations, the poetry by Cam Smith stayed strong. Cam Smith is a poetic genius. Every poem contains emotional words about love, death, relationships, and family. The word combinations he uses conjure of images that are relatable and powerful. Smith has a knack for creating lyrics that are both dark and beautiful at the same time. Sometimes the poems start out dark and end on a happy note. Others end in uncertainty. With the exception of the first album,
“Everything We Could Have Done Differently,” each album contains a collection of posthardcore songs and straight up spoken-word songs. Some songs contain a combination of both. The latest album contains the most
songs, over spoken-word parts. However, it is important to point out that all albums are great and worth listening to. There is never a dull moment with Hotel Books. What you should get out of Hotel Books is the lyrics. The music should always be
considered as secondary to all of their songs. A number of the songs released have been made in music videos. Two songs on their 2015 release, “Run Wild, Young Beauty,” were made into a single video. It plays like a short film, telling two stories that are both related and unrelated at the same time. However, the music video to watch is for the song “Broke Love.” Not only is it a great song, Smith starts the video explaining the meaning behind the band’s name and why he writes such sad stories. Hotel Books is an ever evolving band that deserves more recognition. If not for the music, but for Smith’s poetry. He is an excellent poet that chooses to use music to express his art. You can find Hotel Books on Facebook, and listen to their albums on Spotify.
14 CULTURE Police demand activist to leave the Pettus Bridge
Activists prepare for their confrontation with police
Marching On A history lesson on the Civil Rights Movement from Rep. John Lewis’ graphic memoir
John Lewis and activists stage a sit-in at a restaurant
By R. Ray Robinson Staff Writer As a fan of comic books, Sci-Fi and Fantasy, I enjoy reading epic tales of heroes defeating villains. And as a history buff, I enjoy freedom fighters fighting oppression. This is why I read “March: Book One.” “March: Book One,” the first book illustrated by Nate Powell, centers on Rep. John Lewis as a young man during the Civil Rights Movement. The story begins with John Lewis waking up to the inauguration of Barack Obama. The novel then begins to move back in time when Lewis experienced the racial restrictions of all whiteonly facilities as a young farm boy until his teen years. This motivates John to get involved by being Chairperson of the Student Nonviolent
Illustrations by Nate Powell Coordinating Committee (SNCC), working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. himself. The graphic novel is heavy with emotion and content that allows the reader to be aware of social issues that Lewis and the brave men and women face. In the beginning of the book, Powell’s illustrations blast out on the pages, Lewis and civil rights activists marching towards Alabama State Troopers on Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965 in order to vote for equal rights. Page-by-page and row-by-row, the reader sees harassment from policemen shouting to the charging and attacks that Lewis, Dr. King and the marchers face. There is even a shot were a trooper throws tear gas at the peaceful crowd, looking like the gas is going to
fall off the page and hit someone. The tension of the novel increases as the pages turn. Another scene is when the activist protest at an all-white restaurant by sitting down and ordering food. The dark shades on Lewis and the demonstrators’ faces paralleling the big, white “Closed” sign really hits home with devastation, but the activists persevere, never forgetting their goals. The white shady figures in the back that stare angrily and idly by at the activists prove that Powell’s illustrations powerfully capture all the real life events that occurred. It gives the reader a sense to feel for the activists in all the pain they have suffered through to fight nonviolently for freedom against systematic
prejudice, making you want to read on. The “March” series is vivid in every way. It depicts how one young man who wanted to become a preacher, grows into a nonviolent warrior preaching and fighting for justice and freedom during the 1950s and1960s. Lewis and the civil rights activists never gave up fighting for equality, which helped influence Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Lewis and his activism also reflects modern movements like Black Lives Matter to fight inequality to this day. Although I have not had the chance to read the last two books of the series, I look forward to reading them as soon as possible. If you have not already, read John Lewis’ March series.
Is “Ghost in the Shell” a good movie despite its casting? By R. Ray Robinson Staff Writer
ENTERTAINMENT
Visual Victories and Chaotic Casting
15
is when the Major is catching a rogue villain and fighting him on water when she turns her cybernetic suit invisible. Because of this, the Major delivers nonstop smashing and bashing to the villain while her stealthy demeanor is keeping everything together. Nevertheless, the film does fall short in many categories. Many fans believed that the movie would have been more thrilling if the protagonist was portrayed by someone else. Many demanded Rinko Kikuchi from Pacific Rim or more recently, Karen Fukuhara, who played Katana in Suicide Squad. Both are of Japanese descent and would have done better battling as the Major instead Johansson. Although “Ghost in the Shell” has visual victories, it falls flat by running into typical cliché’s, no great jokes and of course, the typical white savior role by defending a predominantly futuristic Asian society. So, if you want to trade in great visuals for really bad casting, according to many, catch “Ghost in the Shell.”
Despite Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of a Japanese Cyborg in “Ghost in the Shell,” is the movie visually good enough to see past the poor casting choice? This is something to think about when watching the new movie. “Ghost in the Shell,” directed by Rupert Sanders, stars Scarlett Johansson. The movie is based on the acclaimed Japanese manga and the 1995 anime movie of the same name. It takes place in a futuristic world where nearly all humans are enhanced with robotic body parts and upgrades as cyborgs. It centers on Major Mira Killian (Scarlett Johansson) who is under the government contract to take out terrorist threats as a secret weapon. She cannot remember her past and tries to find it. This leads her on a journey to find more reason to live and to fight injustice. There are many scenes in the film that stay true to the original anime movie. From the neon lights to the futuristic New York and Tokyo fusion-like city, the film delivers great visuals. It also includes the trademark cybernetic nude suit of the Major’s when she is leaping off buildings and smashing through windows to beat the bad guys. The film delivers beauty to the silver screen for a new generation of sci-fi fans and moviegoers. One scene in particular that stands out
John Mueller/Graphics Illustrator
“Ghost in the Shell” Length: 1 hr 47 min Directed By: Rupert Sanders Written By: Shirow Masamune, Jamie Moss, William Wheeler, Ehren Krugen Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Takeshi Kitano, Juliette Binoche, Michael Pitt, Chin Han, Danusia Samal, Lasarus Ratuere, Yutaka Izumikhara, Tawanda Manyimo
Twist and Shout What horror movies are missing nowadays By Bailey Mount Managing Editor The ‘80s was the best time to be in the horror movie business. Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Pinhead and Chucky made their big debuts. Films like “The Shining,” “The Evil Dead” and “Poltergeist” turned people’s homes into their worst nightmares and David Cronenberg taught audiences to fear what their own body could do to them. And then there was “Sleepaway Camp.” Released in 1983, “Sleepaway Camp” tells the story of Angela (Felissa Rose). Someone is killing their fellow summer campers, specifically the ones that pick her. For modern audiences, the “twist” seems pretty obvious. Spoiler alert: Angela is the killer. At the film’s climax, the camp counselors encounter her naked by the lake, stroking a camper’s head. When they call out to her, Angela stands, growling. The head, dismembered, falls from her lap and she turns around, naked and covered in blood. She also, however, turns out to be a
boy — her twin brother thought to have died when they were kids. At the times of its release, audiences lost it. “Sleepaway Camp” got the coveted title of cult film where it would have otherwise faded into horror movie obscurity. Twists aren’t new. Since the 1920’s film “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” writers and directors have been pulling the rug out from under audiences. The only difference is that now, twists in the genre are more common than white male antagonists and are about as satisfying. The problem isn’t in the twists; it’s in the execution of them. The confidence is gone. Audiences aren’t scared of a film anymore. The film is afraid of not attracting a bigger audience at a faster rate than its competitor. With horror movies being popped out faster than their accompanying overpriced popcorn, the industry is in a constant race against itself and the plot twist has become a crutch to keep their film in the limelight. There’s been a few outliers, namely “Devil,” “The Ward,” “Case 39” and “The
Cabin in the Woods” — but their charm came from the lack of attention they received in such an oversaturated market. The twist didn’t save those films from being bad — it just made them better. Someone being alive when we thought they were dead (“The Forest”) isn’t that much of a twist in a film about trying to find said person. Ending up in hell when you were warned that you would end up in hell (“As Above, So Below”) is not a twist. No one’s trying to be the best anymore; they’re trying to be the first. It seems like everyday I wake up, a new trailer
John Mueller/Graphics Illustrator for some new horror film is coming out. It’s exhausting. In an industry currently drowning in its own blood, perhaps it’s best for the horror film to take a step back. Stop looking for shock value and start looking for sucker punches.
Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. A student’s ode to a great civil rights leader
During Black History Month, Beach Pride Events hosted the 18th Annual MLK Jr. Celebration. This event was founded in 1999 by the CSULB Black Faculty & Staff and has continued to be an annual tradition for the past 18 years. The celebration featured performers, singers, poets, and speakers who shared their view on how Dr. King’s message is still ever prevalent today and how we may continue pushing towards the peaceful world he always desired. This event also featured a student essay competition. Beach Pride Events would like to recognize CSULB student Jacqueline Bui for winning the 18th Annual MLK Jr. Celebration Essay Contest. She is a double major in English Literature and Comparative World literature, and she is in the Professional Writing Program at CSULB. Below is her winning essay to read. Congratulations Jacqueline!
A 18th Annual
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
The Courage to Act
Jacqueline Bui Essay Competition Winner 2017
BEACH PRIDE
EVENTS
(Top) Jacqueline Bui, the winner of the 18th Annual MLK Jr. Celebration Essay Contest. (Bottom) The plaque for winning essay, made by Beach Pride and ASI Communication.
s children, we are taught that all people are all created equally; however, it is evident that all people are not treated equally. To society, the statement that people of color in America must be free from racial discrimination and injustice is as a potential idea instead of an essential reality. How is it that we are all habituating on the same planet, but can become so unsighted in our own worlds? I first learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement when I was in elementary school. Since we were learning about the ending of segregation in our history books, I thought that racism was extinguished in America. Fast-forwarding to junior year of high school, I was still under the naïve impression that racial oppression was non-existent because I did not have personal experiences with racism. On Sunday, February 26th, 2012, I was getting ready for another week of my junior year in high school. While I was carrying on
with my night, I read a news article about a boy by the name of Trayvon Martin who was fatally shot that same night when going to a convenience store, due to unwarranted suspicion by a biased individual. Trayvon Martin was 17; the same age that I was when he died. I did not understand how he could have been murdered, and I did not understand why his life was wrongfully taken away without any substantial evidence or reason. In that moment, I realized that something in this crooked society needed to change, but first and foremost, change needed to first begin with me. By seeing how racial prejudice is embedded into our society with the murder of Trayvon Martin, along with so many other innocent lives within the Black community and minority communities, I realize that my former naiveté can no longer be an excuse to stay “neutral” about the issues of racism, discrimination, and injustice: there is no neutrality in the ongoing battle for justice. Rather, “neutrality” results in ignorance as you neglect the social issues of disenfranchised people because it disrupts your own world. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. exhibited what it meant to go beyond the realm of your comfort in efforts to better humanity. He embodied resilience, truth, grace, mercy, and self-less love; his altruistic character is exemplary for all generations to follow. In his famous, “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. King stated, “now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children,” and now more than ever before, we must empathize, advocate, and love the marginalized communities in our society. Through Dr. King, I have learned how we cannot afford silence any longer because it is a luxury that enables the oppressors in society and weakens the marginalized populations: change in society has been long overdue. However, as we advocate for disenfranchised communities of color in times of division and uncertainty, we become united and pave the pathway to freedom unto all people.