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Issue 80.14 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
CONTRIBUTORS Emily Ayers, Danielle Corpus, Maianh Luong, Celina Zambrano
COVER DESIGN BY: Nathan Zankich
Hablamos con Ramos y Bailey Alex Ramos Editor-in-Chief
What up, young people. I, uh, had a pretty bad week. Without going into details, I fucked up. I didn’t manage my time properly. I didn’t prioritize my responsibilities. There’s not much I can do about it now. All i can do is take a moment to think about what happened and make sure I don’t fuck up again. I figured this was going to happen eventually. I had been riding a wave of positivity and productivity and there’s no way it was going to last. It just sucks that I came crrashing down so hard. But I can’t let this defeat me. I’m coming up on the end of the college career.And yet, I’m not worried about graduating. I’ve come to terms with what that particular life event means to me. In a few words, it means very little to me because it’s not the end of the road for me.
Bailey Mount Managing Editor
I know that the career path I’ve chosen is going to stretch way beyond the stage I’m going to be walking across in May. This is just going to be the end of this chapter in my life. What I’m more worried about right now is my current work and living situation. In a few weeks I’m going to be out of a job. And in a few months I’m going to be moving out of my current apartment and (hopefully) moving into a new one. I’ve been in school for too long. I’m over it. I am. I just want to move on to the point where I can work full time without having to worry about readings or assignmentss or class sessions. I sound frustrated. I know. Like I said, it was a bad week. But hey, it sounds like Bailey and the rest of our friends had a good week. I’m happy for them.
Hello, friends. Did you guys know that we actually have three weeks left instead of two? Well why didn’t you tell me? I was panicking here for nothing and y’all just let it happen! Thanks! Nah. I’m just relishing in the sudden freedom that has been bestowed on me with this knowledge. It was a good week, guys. I went out almost every night this week, I think. Which is completely abnormal for me. I’m a little bit of a shut-in. If I’m not in the office, I’m in my room, watching YouTube Let’s Plays and cleaning by moving my mountain of textbooks two inches to the right so I can see the screen. But this was nice. Alex and I started cleaning part of the office today. It’s around that time to start archiving the past year’s
issues, so we started digging through the piles of papers sitting around. It’s kinda crazy to think that there’s only two issues left. Lately, I’ve been confusing the last three semesters of my time at this publication with one another. I don’t remember when I did what. But I remember the people. The semester is coming to a close. It was definitely one of ups and downs and it’s not something I’d like to experience again. But we did a good job here. I’m proud of all of us. She says, knowing full well that she’s probably going to losing her mind next week all over again. Oh well. Tune in next week for stereotypically saccharine parting words to our graduating staff members. I’ll dry my tears with all these left over issues. Peace, fam.
Reliving the pop culture
Why you should be
LBSU students host
Oedipus complex in the
checking out Nigerian
FIFA tournament at
“Bates Motel” series finale
rapper DAP the Contract
Esports Arena
see page 14
see page 10
see page 6
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
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
Bringing Pride to Hillside
Meet Paul Fernandez By Emily Ayers ASI Press Secretary Commanding the attention of a room filled with hundreds of students isn’t easy, yet California State University, Long Beach student Paul Fernandez made it look natural as he emceed the Delta Lambda Phi Drag Show in March. It is that same mix of passion and natural ease that has allowed Fernandez to leave his mark on CSULB through his extensive involvement. He has served as the ASI student government Secretary for LGBTQI+ Affairs from 2016-2017, a residential aid in the dorms and was a SOAR Advisor for 3 years. “Everyone thinks because I was a part of SOAR that I am the ultimate fanboy,” said Fernandez, “but I see what the university does and from my perspective I have enjoyed my time here and all they have done for me.” Fernandez has given a tremendous amount of his time to CSULB, and one of his most recent projects has been working with faculty and staff to create the first ever Pride Floor in the Hillside dorms. “The Pride floor has been talked about for
Photos by Diana Martinez Staff Photographer years, and finally last semester we were able to make it a reality,” said Fernandez. “It will offer resources and programming for queer students, residential aids that are aligned for queer oriented spaces and is a full-fledged pride floor for any identity on the LGBTQI spectrum.” Fernandez said the goal is not to close people off, but rather to create a space where young, incoming students can surround themselves with people who have similar identities that they can turn to if things get difficult. The Pride Floor is set to launch in fall 2017. Continuing to advocate for young students is one of Fernandez’s goals. Next fall, he will be finishing his degree in political science with a minor in economics. He hopes to pursue a career in academic counseling for higher education. “I really want to be involved in future college students’ lives,” said Fernandez. “I think that is why becoming a residential aid has been the most fulfilling because I want my career to be in education and working with students — what better way to do that than to live with them?”
Another event that Fernandez and the Secretary for Cultural Diversity, Victoria Villa, have been working on is the Multicultural Fair. The fair is scheduled for May 2 from 11a.m. - 2 p.m. on the University Student Union Southwest Terrace. “We really wanted to punctuate the fact that we are a cross-cultural campus,” said Fernandez. “It is one thing to say, ‘I have my identity I’ll stay here,’ but it is another to say, ‘I have my identity and I’d like to share it with you’.” The fair will have student organizations tabling, arts and crafts, food, and will provide an opportunity for students to unwind and express themselves before finals. “I am so thankful that when I came to
CSULB I met so many queer individuals,” said Fernandez. “I didn’t have many queer friends in high school, so coming to this school and understanding that there were others with similar, yet different struggles than me made it so much easier. I came to understand that my struggle is unique. Leaning on my friends has been the most powerful experience for my own identity.” Fernandez’s excitement and passion for helping people shines through in his continued work and presence on campus. He has taught countless people on campus the art of embracing their diverse identities and how to proudly bring them to the table.
Conquering the Fight Against Time Effective time management skills for those struggling with busy schedules Time management is one of the most important factors in the life of a busy student. This is a skill that can make or break your academic progress. To help those struggling with prioritizing and procrastination, the professional staff at the Career Development Center have provided 10 effective tips to better time management. The goal is not that you follow every tip, but that you take the tips that can work for you and incorporate them into your daily habits and planning.
Study difficult or boring subjects first. This enables you to study when you are at your best, on your hardest subjects.
In conjunction with #1, be aware of your best time of day. Are you a morning or a night person? Putting
your brain to work on difficult topics at your best time of day allows you to put forth your best efforts right from the start.
Use your “waiting time” wisely. When you have “waiting time” between classes, take a look at your notes from your most recent class. Research shows, if you do not reinforce what you have learned in class within the first 24 hours you will lose 70% of that information.
Courtesy of the Career Development Center
am I really paying attention to?” In an effort to do your very best, you may get lost in the details when in fact they are not the point of what you are supposed to be doing. Ask yourself, “What is the purpose of what I am doing right now?”
you when you communicate your needs.
Get off / Turn off the phone.
How did I just waste time?
This is one of the best things you can do to pay attention.
This is pretty self-evident! When you have the urge to procrastinate, do you recognize when you are actually doing it and what do you do about it?
Use a regular study area.
Notice how others misuse your time.
Train your brain to identify this location as a study area. The library is often good for this.
Pay attention to your attention.
We all want to have social time with our friends and loved ones. But in doing so you may allow them to take up YOUR valuable time that you could be using to study.
Are you paying attention to what you are doing? Is the TV on, are you listening to music and reading a text book at the same time? Ask yourself, “What
You will be surprised how people respond to
Learn to say NO.
Am I making time for things that are important but not urgent? What has to be done RIGHT NOW and what can wait?
Again, these are suggestions so use what works and make it a habit. We often make time for what we really want to do even when we have other things that are more important so get in the habit of prioritizing your time. Could you find the time if you really wanted to? YES you can!
I’m Not Walking
5 OPINIONS
I don’t need to walk to be happy It is not much longer until I am done. Until it is over. Until I graduate. My whole life experience has been leading up to this point. I am a grown up now. I have done everything I have been expected to do up to this point. I have walked through every step that has been laid before me. To many college might seem as though it is extra credit, giving a little boost in their chances of success. Even with this extra credit, I don’t know if I am going to get an “A” in marketing myself to prospective jobs. I am not going to celebrate receiving my bachelor’s degree by walking in some silly cap and gown. These ceremonies are not for me; I do not need to validate my experiences. I do not know who the celebrations are for either. They could be for my family, they could be for the school, or it could be for my peers. Fuck all of them. I could eat for a week with the money it would cost me for them to have a memory. My walk has been 23 years long, and it will
Dear Joanne, I went to a concert with my roommates and I invited my friend/lab partner of 4 years. She left halfway through in a huff! I think she might have feelings for me, but I couldn’t tell because the concert was so loud and I was grooving. I don’t think of her like that, and I don’t know what to do. She’s not talking to me, I just want things to go back to the way they were before all of this concert business. What do I do?! Sincerely, A big dumb animal Dear “A Big Dumb Animal,” There may be more to this situation than you realize. Maybe she thought the concert was a date and didn’t realize that your roommates would be tagging along. Maybe she was trying to tell you something, but you were too busy “grooving” to notice her. Maybe she has an intense fear of Tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears) and the loud music gave her anxiety so she fled in panic. Whatever the cause may be, she must have been seriously embarrassed or pissed off for a four-year-long friendship to end so abruptly. The fact that you don’t know what happened either means she is awful at expressing herself or you’re just being very unreceptive. My suggestion would be to start off by casually sending her some harmless memes. If she responds positively, try to bring up the concert and ask what you did wrong and how you can fix it. Let me know how it goes. Sincerely, Joanne, a supporter of big dumb animals
By John Mueller Graphics Illustrator
John Mueller/Graphics Illustrator
Hi Joanne, I think I may have an addiction problem to my cell phone. I check it every five minutes. I’m looking at Facebook, texts or my emails. If I don’t know where it is I freak out. It’s affecting my work performance in school and at my job. How do I stop being obsessive compulsive with my handy electronic friend?
Ask Joanne Well if that’s the case then just turn your volume up, and if someone actually calls you, you’ll know it’s the real deal.
Dear Joanne, In my creative writing class the other day, we had to read our short stories out loud and I ended up turning in a terrible one. Now a few students won’t let me live it down. So every week or so, one of them cracks a joke about it. Help.
your classmates continue to make jabs about your story is probably just them milking that feeling of superiority. Maybe they feel inadequate in other aspects of their lives? Either way, there are a few different options if you want them to stop. One is to cease reacting to it altogether until they get bored and give up the joke. The other solution may sound radical, but have you gone up and asked them to stop? Tell them that they hurt your feelings, maybe cry a little to make them feel bad. If that doesn’t work, just hold out until someone presents an even worse story, because at least you did better than that guy.
Sincerely, John
Cheers, Joanne
Best of Luck, Joanne
Thanks, Short Attention Span Dear “Short Attention Span,” Your addiction may sound commonplace, hell, almost normal in today’s comparatively anti-social society, but that doesn’t mean it is OK. Ask yourself, what compels you to obsessively stare at your screen? Boredom? Fear of Missing Out? Habit? Whatever it may be, I personally find that the “out of sight out of mind” technique works rather well. Just place your cell phone in another room, only going to check on it every hour or so when you need a break. It’ll feel extra satisfying when you clear a number of notifications at once, and you’ll soon realize that most of the junk mail, facebook updates and group chat texts can easily be lived without. You may still try to justify this compulsive behavior by exclaiming, “But what if there’s an emergency!”
stretch on decades after I get my diploma. Every day I work to better myself. School ending has no bearing on that. Nothing changes once they call my name, there is no difference between being a student and being a worker. If anyone wants to partake in the benefits of my accomplishments, they just need to stand next to me and watch every second, not just when it is convenient. I am going to call my own name out. Not some guy with a nice voice that was given a good paycheck to do such. My walk is longer than the two seconds it will take for the words to pass through his mouth. The worth of my identity is sculpted by myself, and not some institution when they think I’m ready to benefit from my labors. Maybe I will celebrate when I get recognized for doing something worth a damn, that isn’t something I was told to do, and that isn’t something that countless others have done before me. If I celebrate something I’ve done, the festivities (at least in part) need to be for me.
Dear John, It’s always embarrassing when you have to share with others a piece of work that you know could’ve been better. Sadly, there just isn’t enough time in the day to put 100% into everything we do. That’s where many people turn to comparing their work to that of others. Knowing that you at least did better than the guy next to you helps keep the ego at a sustainable level. The fact that
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.
6 ATHLETICS
Meeting Virtual Goals LBSU’s Financial Management Association hosts FIFA eSports tournament By Francisco Valladares Staff Writer
The Camp Nou was a packed house as that ended with narrowly saved every one of its 99,354 seats were being shots and hitting the woodwork, the occupied. Not solely by FC Barcelona game was down to its 90th minute. fans, but by Atletico Madrid colchoneros Albalushi had possession, so the last as well. They were all prepared to watch play of the game would surely be his. the Spanish titans go head to head in the He took that opportunity and used championship match. Lionel Messi to slither his way into Well, virtually that is. the box. LBSU’s Financial Management It was there that he caused Association (FMA) hosted a FIFA chaos, moving around to where he tournament on Apr. 28 at the eSports had enough space to pass the ball to Arena in Santa Ana. Andres Iniesta, who tucked in a 93rd 24 competitors signed up to play at the minute goal and ended the match in event in an attempt to win an authentic Albalushi’s favor. jersey of their choice. “It was a long shot because I had to The rules were simple, there would beat him twice,” said Alkshalili. “Losing be two brackets made up of winners and in the last minute really kills me.” losers. Win two games, you’re in the race Albalushi humbly took his trophy for the championship. Lose two games and and posed with it for pictures, then got you’re out. Those who lost their first match to choose his preferred soccer jersey. and were placed in the loser’s bracket got “I bleed blue and red,” said a redemption game where they had to win Albalushi, who chose an FC Barcelona to stay in the competition. Game length jersey as his prize. was set at 10 minutes with a World Class “I was nervous when I was two difficulty, so that goalkeepers wouldn’t be goals down,” said the champion. too hard to get by. “After I got my second goal I knew I With this in mind, players locked was going to win the game.” in, grabbed their controllers and got “I had two chances to win, so I to gaming. wasn’t really feeling tension. I’m just Many of these players weren’t happy I got to win the competition,” professional gamers or even hardcore FIFA said Albalushi. players for that matter. It was mostly casual Ironically, Albalushi’s win could gamers, looking to win not only a free have never been possible had it not Francisco Valladares/Union Weekly jersey, but the bragging rights as LBSU’s been for Alkshalili. Halil Alkshalili (left) faces off against Mandhr Albalushi (right) in the championship match. best FIFA player. “I shouldn’t have invited you, The eSports tournament had 24 competitors squaring off against one another in virtual FIFA The competitors began by setting you’re not even in FMA” said Alkshalili their team’s tactics as well formations and while busting out in laughter. matches (below.) Even FMA president David Oceguera (bottom right) participated. personnel. Most matches were played FMA’s president David with FIFA’s staple dominant teams: Real Oceguera was not only impressed Madrid, Bayern Munich, and FC Barcelona. with the final, but with the turnout Despite the offensive firepower that those as well. teams hold on their roster, most of the “It was a really good game,” he matches were defensively minded, which said. “I’m happy that the final even led to many single goal differentials. had a last minute goal because it was The winners’ bracket was quickly put tied for a lot of the match.” together, but the losers had to work their “Since this was our first event, way back into contention. The hopeful I was expecting way less than 24 winners intently watched what the losers people,” said Oceguera. “We were were doing: their tactics, formations, and expecting about 10 to 15 people, so preferred players, all of which would give I’m really proud of the turnout.” them an advantage if they faced them in the Pichardo, was impressed with final match. the tournament considering how it After plenty of drama and heartbreak, two Griezmann goal in the 24th minute. came to fruition. moments later. players got a chance to take home the gold. From “We were all playing FIFA at a friends house, The situation was starting to look dire The game was at two a piece and both players the winners bracket, Mandhr Albalushi played as for Albalushi, as he had to find a way to break were starting to get some stress-induced sweat so we asked each other ‘why don’t we just make FC Barcelona, while from the losers bracket, Halil through Atleti’s solid defense with a two goal onto their controllers. At the half, both players this a tournament,’ so we just set it up,” said Alkshalili used Atletico Madrid. disadvantage. That breakthrough finally came in took a couple minutes to recuperate and jumped Pichardo. The game started off on a high note for the 27th minute when Ivan Rakitic slotted home right back in. Ultimately, they’d like to build this Alkshalili, who put the ball in the back of the net a screamer with a 35-yard free kick. The crowd tournament into something much bigger, “I felt like I was watching pros play,” said in the fourth minute. The game continued to stay gasped in amazement as the replay went by a Kevin Pichardo, a coordinator of the event. hopefully getting other local schools to join in. close with chances on both ends, but Madrid couple of times, but almost in the blink of an eye “They’re just too good.” Their goal is to host at least one tournament a extended the lead to two after an Antoine Albalushi had tied the game with another goal After some back and forth offensive plays semester, and have at least 50 competitors.
7 FEATURE
By Sheila J Sadr Copy Editor How much do you know about Youtube? Sure, it’s the virtual hub of all things Buzzfeed and your favorite silly cat videos. It’s the epicenter of all the other viral videos that find their way onto your newsfeed. Some of Youtube content has even made been the subject of news headlines. You’d never expect it, but Youtube has also revolutionized countless industries. It reenergized our worn out, Barbie doll makeup industry with a whole genre of Youtube channels that upload DIY, professionallooking tutorials and reviews of products, propelling millions of people who just learned about the latest trend of highlighter or setting sprays to stores. It gave the music industry the update it needed, artists finally starting careers just by clicking “upload.” There are dozens more: the book industry starting with John Green, the gaming industry with the devoted efforts of Youtubers like PewDiePie and Markiplier, the dance industry with filmmaker Tim Milgram filming dancers and choreographers working routines in studios, and even the world of journalism has found a place on Youtube with news channels like Philip DeFranco and The Young Turks – just to name a few. Some genres arguably would never have come to fruition if not for Youtube. Think of all the creative vloggers (video bloggers), the educational Crash Course videos that cover a variety of school subjects, the LGBTQIA+ community members whose coming out stories empowered a generation of nonheteronormative kids, and all the independent documentary news channels that would have never found its way to us without this place. It’s safe to assume that our generation would be completely different if it wasn’t for Youtube. So why are so many creators on the platform
worried right now? Why don’t a lot of people know that Youtube is planning a major change and that some of our favorite Youtubers will suffer greatly because of it? Youtube, as a company, was the first of its kind. A video platform birthed from the internet, this site never planned on becoming a business. But with currently 1 billion unique visitors a month and no intent on stopping, Youtube is in fact a business. And it intends to grow, to become even more competitive with other forms of media, it’s not afraid to break down some of its creators in the process. It needs to be said now; Youtube is making moves to compete against the big TV companies. That is it. That is what they’re doing. It has become obvious, blatant, and brutal to the vast majority of their creators. And here’s why. Ignoring the obvious signs like the launch of Youtube Red and the more recent Youtube TV back in April, there are three main indicators of Youtube’s plan: the demonetization of videos on various channels, the “random” unsubscription glitch, and the recently discovered issues with Youtube’s “Restricted Mode.” It’s understandable if you find all of this information dry as a saltine cracker. But this is important.This impacts the livelihoods of many individuals and it will very likely affect your experience on Youtube as well. So with that, let’s start with demonetization. It begins with the Youtube Partner Program, a contract developed in 2007 between Youtube and any Youtube creator to automatically pair advertisements to their videos. This process is called monetizing. The advertising brands are able to get their name out, Youtube takes a cut of those ads and so does the creator. Everyone wins. YouTube does a great job of helping large brand and small businesses create worthwhile
8 FEATURE
YouTubers like Philip DeFranco (bottom left), Jenna Marbles (middle) and Shane Dawson (bottom right) have frequently alleged instances of their videos being demonetized by YouTube.
relationships with customers. They drive sales through the use of video. But consistently creating compelling content can be a challenge. A Youtube creator has to have a proven loyal following, an understanding of the importance of an active social media presence, and, what has become clear now to many creators, easily marketable content. That’s where the trouble starts. This final point is more important than you think. Beginning September 2016, Youtubers started to notice that their videos were being demonetized, meaning that they no longer had an ad that would appear before the video. Initially reported by Youtuber Philip DeFranco in a video titled “YouTube Is Shutting Down My Channel and I’m Not Sure What To Do,” DeFranco explains that over a dozen of his videos had been flagged as inappropriate for advertising, including one that was dinged for “graphic content or excessive strong language.” This initiative to tighten monetization guidelines was to help Youtube appear more advertiser friendly, financially discouraging creators to make content that was unique and original to them. While saying that YouTube was operating within their rights, DeFranco described the system as “censorship with a different name.” He clarified that “if you do this on the regular, and you have no advertising, it’s not sustainable.” Then again in March 2017, a larger wave of demonetization hit other channels. Youtube creator
Ethan Klein from the H3H3Productions Youtube channel wrote, “YouTube has demonetized everything from ‘Vape Nation’ to ‘Thank You for 3 million’ with no notification and no option to appeal.” Youtube star Jenna Marbles also caught a “bizarre selection” of her own videos being demonetized. Youtubers Scarce, idubbzTV along with plenty of others noted the same issue. Everyone’s biggest concern was why they weren’t notified or sometimes why they couldn’t appeal the demonetizing. This lack of communication and disregard encourages a culture of distrust and anxiety among Youtubers toward their company. See, when a video is demonetized, the creator makes no money off of it. Youtube is often their full time job and this disincentivizes them to create content that they actually want to create. It’s inherently a form of censorship that financially endorses creators to make content that is described only vaguely as “advertiser-friendly.” It’s like when a company doesn’t want to be associated with a celebrity due to their political opinions, their sexual orientation, or, most often, their “newsworthy” scandals, they pull out of endorsing them and consequently that celebrity loses a huge source of their income. This is not the case with creators on Youtube. Advertisers don’t speak directly to the creators; they speak to Youtube the company. When Youtube sees advertisers divesting from their company, they create
an algorithm that enforces ambiguous provisions and terms that channels in their Partner Program must adhere to. And the most insulting aspect is that they don’t inform their creators that they’ve made changes. So when all these Youtubers spoke out about being demonetized, Youtube let it slip that this process has been occurring for over two years without notifying their “employees,” rendering potential income for these individuals completely unknown and unaccounted for. It’s insulting. The second slight happened back in December 2016 when users reported in masses that they had been unsubscribed from some of their favorite channels. Big Youtubers were losing as many as 100,000 subscribers in minutes. A couple of them revealed that their subscriber count had gone into the negatives. YouTubers have been noting critical fluctuations in their subscriber counts. Youtubers like PewDiePie, JackSepticEye, h3h3Productions, DramaAlert, Boogie2988 and hundreds of smaller channels posted videos relaying fans’ complaints. The core of the glitch was whenever someone unsubscribed from a channel, YouTube would falsely detract two subscribers from the account which essentially gave trolls the opportunity to repeatedly subscribe and unsubscribe from channels, causing massive drops in the total subscription count. YouTube Help published a video countering widespread claims by stating that there was no glitch and that “YouTube doesn’t unsubscribe people from channels.”
9 FEATURE
“Youtube is a business...and it’s not afraid to break down some of its creators...”
This caused massive outrage since a glitch of this sort doesn’t just simply pop up out of nowhere. They are developed in internet code that is made by human beings. The action is intentional and many Youtubers noticed that. “It felt like they were caught. It felt like they messed up. It felt like they were doing something that they thought they wouldn’t get caught for and got caught,” said notable Youtuber Julien Solomita on an episode called “ Podcast #134 YouTube Restricted Mode” of the Jenna Julien podcast. This not only adds to the increasing mistrust that Youtubers have towards Youtube but it is also a product of
duplicitous motive, which leads straight into the third offense: the Restricted Mode. YouTube’s Restricted Mode is an optional mode meant to prevent mature video content, like the use of profanity and topics that discuss sex, violence, drugs and alcohol, from being seen by younger users or any other user who doesn’t want to see it. Videos that feature, or sometimes even touch upon, this type of content is filtered in the Restricted Mode. Earlier this month, Youtube again caught itself tangled in other snafu when Youtubers caught the Restricted Mode option blocking videos with LGBTQIA+ themes, deeming gay wedding vows and people’s coming out stories as “mature content.” According to Youtube, this was simply a mistake. But again this blanket algorithm makes mistakes and cannot distinguish what may be appropriate for young audiences and what is not. And again, we are unsure how long this has been going for and how much income was stolen from predominantly LGBTQIA+ creators. Even whole channels uninvolved with the LGBTQIA+ community also disappeared. From the likes of Philip DeFranco to Jenna Marbles, the Restricted Mode’s algorithm randomly removed countless videos. Again, not communicating with their content creators about their new additions. And this is the biggest issue. Why not tell your “employees” the changes you’re making? Unless you don’t want them to know or you have something to hide. All of the suspicious actions done by Youtube seem to be a means to bring more advertisers and constrict its content into family-friendlier material. The unsubscribing glitch along with the increased demonetization and unrestrained Restricted Mode is further evidence of this. In the same Jenna Julien podcast, Jenna Marbles said, “The unsub glitch was essentially if you’re 14 years old and you go on Youtube and you make an account and you subscribe to a channel that they were deeming as mature, it would automatically
unsubscribe you from that channel. Because it is above your age so they are essentially taking television ratings…” “And enacting them for the users,” Julien responded. It’s simple fact at this point: Youtube prioritizes money over its creators. All that’s been said here is just a brief, simplified abridged version of all the changes Youtube has made and the indifference they show to their creators, people who simply want their employer to be transparent with them and have their back. But no, the demonetization is to force Youtubers to create what Youtube deems to be ad-friendlier content. The unsubscription “glitch” was a failed attempt to strip content creators of their audience and discourage them from creating material that isn’t as marketable. The Restricted Mode was to compartmentalize channels into different age groups so that Youtube would seem more like a TV service or cable network that consumers are more familiar with. It’s important to remind yourself that Youtube doesn’t give a shit about you or its creators. It cares about your money. It cares about big brand names’ money. It cares about becoming a much bigger media monopoly than it is today. Youtube is really not getting is one key concept. What they don’t know, what they underestimate, is the power of their creators. If their bigger content creators leave, even if just a handful that leave in the beginning to another platform, then they become nothing. They have nothing. It is the Youtuber that makes Youtube, not the other way around. The user will follow their favorite creators, not stay on a platform that pushed them out. What they don’t realize is that the user has always cared more about the creator than Youtube and all their money ever will.
Coachella: The Second Weekend 10
MUSIC
With the intense heat came chill vibes By Maianh Luong Contributor The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is arguably the biggest and trendiest festival to grace America every year. From top headliners like Future and Porter Robinson and Madeon to lesser known up-and-coming artists like Mitski and Warpaint, Coachella is one of the most sought after festivals of the year. Weekend One is known for its influx of celebrities showing face, guest appearances on stage and hip, off-site pool parties packed with complimentary booze and swag. Weekend Two seems to have a more laid-back vibe than Weekend One. With less festival-goers and celebrity appearances, and less festival-goers in general, the focus of music and art were definitely prevalent. With temperatures reaching triple digits on the last day, the hotter of the two weekends definitely had many festivalgoers ending up in the medical tent from heat exhaustion. But even with the upper 90’s to 100 degree temperatures, it did not stop Weekend Two from being an amazing time. To help beat the scorching desert heat, Obscura Digital created a “mind-blowing metaphoric journey through time, space, and consciousness.” Powered by HP, the festival’s official technology sponsor, the 360 degree projection dome provided festival goers with a multi-sensory experience on reclined bean bags housed in an air-conditioned planetarium-style theater. The eight minute visual and audio experience took fans looking to cool off through a kaleidoscope digital show that starts off in what looks like the desert of Joshua Tree, to galaxies in space, then alongside the flowing red cells of the human body. Artists were able to shake the nerves and hiccups from the first weekend and fix any technical issues they may have experienced as well. Friday’s headliner, Radiohead, executed its show without a glitch, giving Weekend Two-ers a polished
and visually mesmerizing performance. “Maybe this time you can hear me,” lead vocalist Thom Yorke said in his English accent halfway through their headlining performance. Fans, of course, responded with exhilarating cheer. Even though there were not nearly as many guest appearances on stage, artists still blew the crowds away with their crisp and on-point performances. Saturday’s headliner, Lady Gaga, lit up the Coachella main stage with the same perfect setlist as Weekend One, but switched up her theatrical costumes. The pop star led the whole crowd to sing and dance along to “P-p-p-poker face,” and moved fans with an acoustic rendition of “The Edge of Glory,” which she dedicated to a dear friend battling cancer. Perhaps one of the best headliner’s of the weekend came Sunday night. Without a single feature guest, Kendrick Lamar reminded his fans of his exemplary and flawless lyrical genius. He delivered the same powerful performance as he did the first weekend, which included the newest emotionallycharged songs from his album “DAMN.” But the lively entertainment came when he blessed his fans with older songs like “Swimming Pools,” “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” and “Poetic Justice.” Fans roared in sync with Lamar as he sang some of his oldest and spirited hits. One of the most anticipated performances this year was composer Hans Zimmer. He mesmerized the masses
Source: Greg Noire/ Coachella 2017
Source: Quinn Tucker/ Coachella 2017 with his 40-plus-piece live orchestra and choir and drew one of the largest crowds of both weekends. Zimmer took us on a nostalgic, audio-cinematic journey through the past with scores from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series, “Gladiator,” “Inception,” “The Dark Knight” and “The Lion King.” He expressed his feelings to the crowd on giving a live performance, “They were right, I had to leave that dark room.” This year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, with its scorching heat and flower crowns, was once again one for the books. Whether you are there for the eclectic lineup, the mesmerizing art installations or just to check out the trendiest festival fashions, Coachella really has become a home for anyone and everyone looking to immerse themselves in American culture.
Why Music Brings Us Together How songs become timeless regardless of age It’s almost too accurate to witness an entire room of people sing along to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” as if they are with the band on stage, performing their hearts out. The people singing along aren’t limited to those who’ve lived through the beginning of Journey’s career in the rock scene in the early 1970s, but almost all generations living today. Ever wonder why rock classics can still have the same effect on someone who is in their mid to late 40s as it does on someone
in their early 20s? Or maybe it is more exciting to notice the age diversity within a crowd at a festival or concert. It seems as if the age range at a show is across the spectrum– from late 50s to early teens. Classic punk band Channel 3 formed in the early 1980s in the beginning era of the Orange County punk music scene. Since then, the band has managed to stay afloat throughout the music’s cultural and genre changes. “The music represents the youth in all of us, regardless of age now,” said singer
By Natalee Coloman Staff Writer
Mike Magrann. “Music is the one thing that makes you feel like a teenager on a summer day, no matter how old you are. It’s a timeless thing.” What Magrann mentions not only refers to the band members performing, which in his case is a group of guys approaching their 60s, but also the audience as a whole. The main component to what makes music timeless is the lyrics behind the songs. Having relatable lyrics can connect people of all races, ethnicities,
ages, genders and sexualities. As long as the lyrics can match the listener, the agelessness of music will last forever. It is insane to think that the music that has impacted our lives today, as college students in our 20s, may be “classics” when we approach our 40s. And just as Magrann states, it will bring you back to feeling like a teenager again. Just like “Don’t Stop Believin’” impacts the older generations, today’s top hits will follow the same path for this generation of music lovers.
April Round-Up
11 MUSIC
Highlighting some of last month’s bangers April has been the best month in music so far, so as opposed to last month, it has now become hard to pick ten songs for this list. Remember that list of honorable mentions? This time they’re equally my top picks, but I didn’t highlight them because I wanted to tackle the more underrated ones. Anyway, have fun!
Source: Tom Breihan/ Stereogum
“Thinking of a Place” by The War On Drugs It’s been nearly three years since this indie rock band’s 2014 LP “Lost In a Dream” was released but their new 11-minute epic proves they still got it. Powerful guitar solos, ambient synths and nostalgic harmonica transport us to a time of hazy daydreams as lead singer Adam
Granduciel croons over a lost lover and his journey through the confusion that comes after. It’s a song that emanates an unbearable yearning for the past but also a longing for the future. “FEAR” by Kendrick Lamar On the longest track off his new album
Source: Banana Culture “DAMN.,” Kendrick gives us a glimpse into the most vulnerable parts of his life. He does a good job encapsulating his anxieties from when he was 7, 17 and 27, rapping over a beat that appears in his previous single “The Heart Part IV.” It’s structured carefully to reveal Kendrick’s ultimate confession: he’s afraid. Terrified of losing loyalty, love, humbleness and the light of God because of
his pride and DNA. Here, he poetically ties in all the themes of his album into one song. “Night Rather Than Day” by EXID EXID is a Korean pop group that’s been around since 2012. They have gone through several member changes and musical blunders before arriving at this mature summer jam.
Source: @PickwickMusic/ Twitter Though the lyrics are in Korean, translated, this song is about wanting to be with a lover only at night. It strikes a successful balance of not sounding overtly sexual or like cotton candy fluff. Give it a listen and try not to bob your head. “Turncoat” by Pickwick This Seattle band experiments with
DAP The Contract on the Come Up
By Samantha Neou Intern psychedelic instrumentals in “Turncoat,” a single off their upcoming album “Lovejoys.” Lead singer Galen Disston, who can belt out R&B tunes, now shows off his sweet falsetto. It matches well with the funky guitar riffs, resulting in a simple but sensual song about steamy nights with a lover. Pickwick is not well known at all but deserves more attention. Their sound resembles the band Cold War Kids on a smaller scale. “She’s My Collar” by Gorillaz feat. Kali Uchis Gorillaz member 2-D, a.k.a Damon Albarn, is a star voice on this catchy bopper from the group’s album “Humanz.” There’s a hypnotic quality to this song that resembles 2-D’s obsession with the woman he claims as his “collar” over and over again in a raspy voice. The 80s-esque synths never falter, a surefire hit in dance clubs. Uchis’ vocals are smooth like honey and blend in with the slick feel this track has. Honorable mentions: “Hard Times” by Paramore “DNA” by Kendrick Lamar “Temptation” by Joey Bada$$ “Way Back” by TLC feat. Snoop Dogg “Right Now (Live Studio Version)” by HAIM
By Soun Oeng Staff Writer
An artist who uses unconventional influences to set himself apart DAP the Contract is a rapper you shouldn’t be sleeping on. I say this not out of bias, but he’s the Kanye West of musical craftsmanship. DAP, a Nigerian born rapper, carries an impressive resumé in the realm of music. He is a classically trained pianist, studying piano since the age of four. Then during his time at a boarding school in London, his friends started rapping and he discovered hip-hop. At 18, he recorded his first mixtape at Berklee College of Music during his gap year after high school, where he studied music production engineering. Moreover, he was chosen from 9,000 applicants by Converse Rubber Tracks’ Global Studio Takeover torecordforfreeat12famousinternationalrecording studios. DAP had the opportunity to work alongside producerandmusicianMarkRonson(knownforhis work with Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”) at Abbey Road Studios. The reason why he’s incredibly successful in creating original content compared to other modern rappers seems to correlate with his long history and knowledge of classical music. His five year experience studying classics at Brown and working with poetry was essential to his growth as a musician. Noted, before every performance,
he always states that he is a producer first, a rapper second. Therefore, his shoutout to the classical illustrates his capacity to introduce new sub-genres into hip-hop. In an interview with Vents Magazine, DAP explains how his education in music theory influences his music: “[It] gives me the ability to
“...he forces you to be open-minded to new genres rather than sticking to one.” understand the nuts and bolts of ANY kind of music, and break down any style to its fundamental pieces and put them back together as I please.” If you listen to his album “Goodbye For Never,” your ears will pick up on its diverse range of musical composition that stretches from traditional to contemporary styles. DAP tells
Ambrosia For Heads in an article online that his mission is to introduce and “ polarize people, where I want them to listen to anything.” It’s evident that his music consists of a substances in which the work speaks volumes about who he is as an artist. You can hear remnants of jazz to gospel ballads, to UK rap and Nigerian instrumentals. With his bicultural influences, DAP is dynamic and refined in his technique to entertain his audience, keeping them at the edge of unpredictability. I love this because he forces you to be open-minded to new genres of music rather than sticking to one. DAP is a multifaceted rapper who produces and raps his own music. He is definitely my 2017 XXL Freshman nominee. He embraces a creativity and diversity where some rappers don’t and doesn’t rap about gangbanging, but love, politics, power, money and
of being a student. He stays truthful and checks his privilege but also shares his wisdom and concerns about what is happening in Nigeria and around the world. He’s the one rapper that doesn’t front about who he is because he’s also still figuring it out like the rest of us. His new EP “Two Roads” dropped on Apr. 28. Check it out, you won’t regret it.
Source: Rebecca Benoit
12 CULTURE The caterpillar hatches from his egg and proceeds to find food.
With Flying Colors
Illustrations by Eric Carle
Revisiting Eric Carle’s classic “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” By Amanda Dominguez-Chio Culture Editor One of my fondest memories as a young child is having my mom read me books. Our favorites were “The Kissing Hand,” “Stellaluna” and “Madeline.” Because I work at a daycare, I get to relive these moments when I read books to the kids for nap time. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is one of our popular books. I remember reading the story with my mom and later in preschool. Not to mention watching the animated film in kindergarten and seeing the illustrations
come to life. The book, as many of you may remember, chronicles the caterpillar’s eating habits through the span of a week. At the end of the story, the caterpillar transforms into a beautiful butterfly. One of the reasons I think the book is so popular for the kids at work is the illustrations. For his illustrations, author and illustrator Eric Carle hand painted tissue paper to create collage. For instance, he places the caterpillar’s metamorphosis into
After eating junk food, the caterpillar suffers a stomachache.
the butterfly against a white background. In doing so, this allows readers to focus solely on certain details, specifically the bold and vibrant colors. One of the book’s many memorable illustrations includes the one where the caterpillar hatches from its egg and slowly crawls away to find food, with the bright yellow sun overlooking the larva. Another stand out artwork is when the caterpillar still hasn’t satisfied his appetite, and continues
to eat different kinds of food, such as a piece of pie and a sausage, until finally he gets a stomachache. The illustration is amusing because after all that food, Carle still puts in the time to add the caterpillar’s pained expression. It’s the little details that count. As an adult, I appreciate the artistic method behind every children’s book illustration. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” remains a timeless classic due to its unique illustration style.
The caterpillar completes metamorphosis and transforms into a butterfly.
People’s Climate March Takes Over Washington D.C.
By Bailey Mount Managing Editor Thousands of climate change activists marched in Washington D.C. on Apr. 29 to raise global warming awareness. The significance of the march comes on the 100th day of President Donald Trump’s time in office, a hundred days that have seen substantial cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as the proposed cancellation of payments to the United Nations to reduce global warming. Calling themselves the “People’s Climate March,” protestors hoped that the march would inspire the president to reconsider past promises to undo Obama administration climate policies. The protest comes a week after the March for Science. Protestors voiced similar criticisms over budget cuts for scientific programs and administrative skepticism toward climate change.
NEWS
As Trump celebrates 100 days in office, protestors demand environmental change
13
Sierra Club/Twitter “The last section of the Climate March is just now passing by Trump Hotel. Truly incredible turnout today, 150k strong!” tweeted environmental organization Sierra Club. They helped organize the event for protestors. President Trump has repeatedly denied global warming in the past. With tweets like “is our country still spending money on the global warming hoax?” as recent as 2014 as well as claims that China benefits from action taken against the environmental phenomenon, the president has perplexed scientists and environmentalists alike. Protestors marched from the Capitol with plans to end up at the Washington monument. On the way, they made a detour at the White House. Staging a sitin, protestors pounded their chests 100 times to signify both the president’s 100 days in office as well as the heartbeat of the movement, according to an article by NBC News. President Trump was in the residence at the time of the march. Decisions for some to march were further cemented by an Apr. 28 update on the EPA website. Several links to climate data and scientific research were removed. In their place was a message announcing that the upcoming changes would reflect
the new direction of the agency. The head of the EPA, Scott Pruitt, had attempted 14 times over the years to prevent the organization from regulating air pollution prior to his election under Trump. As protestors marched down Pennsylvania Avenue, they shouted “keep it in the soil, can’t drink oil!” and “water is life.” Many signs included the long used delcaration, “Climate change is real.” More inflammatory included effigies of president Trump fighting Mother Earth or using the earth as a golf ball to tee off of. The protest gained the participation of celebrity Leonardo DiCaprio, former vice president Al Gore and Mari Copeny, best known as Little Miss Flint. Sister marches occurred in Denver, Chicago and San Francisco, with protestors braving very real climate conditions, from freezing snow to scorching heat. Internationally, people in London and the city of Lisbon, Portugal supported the movement.
Passenger Dragged From United Airlines Flight Reaches Settlement Airlines reported to adopt new overbooking policies, limit use of law enforcement By Soun Oeng Staff Writer The United Airlines public relations nightmare came to a close on Apr. 28 after the company reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount with an aggrieved passenger. An Apr. 9 video depicted passenger Dr. David Dao being dragged off flight 3411 in an apparent state of unconsciousness before reappearing on the aircraft with a bloody nose. The episode has continued to stir up tension and infuriate viewers, who criticized United for its lack of professionalism and customer care. Dao suffered a broken nose, a concussion and several knocked out teeth after officers beat and hauled him off the plane. Despite the unfortunate experience, he became a wake up call for
all airlines and what his lawyer Thomas A. Demetrio called “the unintended champion for the adoption of changes that will help improve the lives of literally millions of travelers.” In what arguably would have been a lengthy civil lawsuit, United Airlines took control of the issue promptly and made drastic changes to their services. The changes, as disclosed in a Los Angeles Times article, included “limiting the use of law enforcement on planes, not forcing passengers who are already seated to give up their seats and offering up to $10,000 to passengers who give up their seats voluntarily.” Their quick revisions quickly influenced other airlines like Southwest
to stop overbooking flights, a practice many airlines used to compensate for passengers who either missed or did not claim their flights, while companies like Delta Airlines followed their example to offer up to $10,000 for passengers who volunteered to give up their seat if a flight was overbooked. The New York Times stated that Dao’s lawyer was in contact with United’s chief executive Oscar Munoz and he informed the public that Munoz had done “the right things” and that United took full responsibility “for what happened on Flight 3411, without attempting to blame others,” including the city of Chicago. Contrarily, two Chicago aviation officers
who removed Dao have since come forward, insisting that he was aggressive when they requested he give up his seat and suggesting that he was to blame for his injuries. The three officers involved with the incident were suspended by the Department of Aviation while pending investigation. However, Sue Kamm, a retired Los Angeles librarian, commented to the LA Times that she too had similar experiences of poor service from United. “I wouldn’t fly United if they gave me a free pass to fly first class to anywhere for the rest of my life,” she said. Demetrio announced that his client had agreed not to sue the city of Chicago and its police department.
14 ENTERTAINMENT
It is Safe for Their Work Netflix’s new documentary series comes with controversy
By Bailey Mount Managing Editor In its latest streaming endeavor, Netflix released “Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On,” a documentary series that attempts to address the intricacies of the pornography industry through personal anecdotes. At best, the effort is clumsy. At worst, it is exploitative and inaccurate. Based on the 2015 documentary, “Hot Girls Wanted,” which featured how young women were drawn into the porn industry by purported talent agents, the series takes on a similar humanizing stance in its presentation. Performers are presented as going about their everyday lives. They exercise. They go on dates. Later, a lot of them spank themselves or each other on camera for money. It’s a heavy subject matter to tackle in only six episodes and “Turned On” would have fared better if it had chosen something specific. The problem begins with something the creators could have picked up from interviewing their subjects - how to sell their content. “Turned On” erroneously marketing itself as collected personal stories on “how the intersection of sex,
technology and intimate relationships is rewiring us in fundamental ways.” Only one episode out of the six, “Love Me Tinder,” addresses this summary. The rest feature cam girls, porn directors, writers, producers and recruiters. The final episode, “Don’t Stop Filming” addresses a case in which a girl livestreamed the rape of her friend on Periscope. It’s a jarring contrast from the rest of the series and is completely out of place. “Turned On” is tonally inconsistent. As the series progresses, the subject matter becomes so dark that it’s hard to remember what it’s supposed to be about. Other times, it feels more like a reality show than a supposed innovative glimpse into the sex
industry. The people feel like characters. Despite this, “Turned On” succeeded in garnering controversy - though not for its subject matter. Since its Apr. 21 release, the show has come under heavy criticism due to multiple allegations by some of the featured porn performers, who claim that the producers of the show obtained their anecdotes under false pretenses. Actors Gia Paige and Tyler Knight accused “Turned On” creators of tricking them to use their testimonies. Paige went a step further, alleging that the creators purposefully revealed her birth name. Aesthetically, the series is well produced. The lighting, music and material are used to make a prettily packaged product - but the substance is lacking. What viewers are left with is an entertaining, but aimless series.
Guns Guns Guns “Free Fire” has all the action you need By R. Ray Robinson Staff Writer Gun films always hit home for me. Whether it’s the dynamic of girls with guns, classic westerns, or gun shootouts are always awesome. This is why I had to catch the new action-comedy film “Free Fire.” “Free Fire,” directed by horror film director Ben Wheatley, stars Armie Hammer (The Man from U.N.C.L.E.), Sharlto Copley (District 9) and Cillian Murphy (Batman trilogy). The film starts off with two groups in a deserted rundown warehouse making a deal over weapon. However, when one group disrespects the others female relative, shots fire like crazy and spew around like wildfire. The scene is comedic with many inside jokes despite all the chaotic gunfire occurring. In one moment, the characters are rolling on the floor, ducking and dodging through walls. In another moment, some characters
are getting fire blown at them while many are passing out. After the film, there was a Q&A with Armie Hammer and Sharlto Colpey. When asked how he gets into character with each film, Hammer said, “I do a lot of research in studying the character.” “Free Fire” continues to carry on the torch of the “gun genre” in 2017 cinema. If you have not already, be blown away by Armie Hammer, Sharlto Copley and Cillian Murphy in the electrifying “Free Fire,” in theaters now.
“Free Fire” Length: 1 hr 30 min Directed By: Ben Wheatley Written By: Amy Jump, Ben Wheatley Starring: Sharlto Copley, Brie Larson, Armie Hammer, Cillian Murphy, Enzo Cilenti, Sam Riley, Michael Smiley, Noah Taylor, Babou Ceesay, Jack Reynor, Mark Monero, Sara Dee, Tom Davis, Patrick Bergin
imdb.com
A performance driven film that keeps you guessing By Celina Zambrano Contributor “Unforgettable” is a 100-minute suspensethriller directed by Denise Di Novi. She directed a story about a woman named Julia (Rosario Dawson), who seeks a new life after her previous abusive relationship puts her in a psychiatric hospital. Julia moves from San Francisco to Southern California to be with her new fiancée, David (Geoff Stults), and his daughter, Lily (Isabella Kai Rice). Julia is reminded of her traumatic experience when she gets a notice stating that her restraining order against her abusive ex-boyfriend, Michael (Simon Kassianides), has expired. She deals with the memories of her abuse and shows signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. David’s ex-wife, Tessa (Katherine Heigl), is also involved with them because of shared custody with Lily. Tessa seeks perfection in her life but when her ex-husband’s new romance is being spotlighted in front of her, she snaps. Tessa could be described as a “Psycho Barbie” and, when Julia threatens her perfect life, she decides to take matters
ENTERTAINMENT
Remembering “Unforgettable” Memories
15
curious to see how everything had played out. It was also nice to see two female leads fighting for what they believe in, even if it’s as extreme as Tessa sabotaging Lily to make Julia look bad. Another pro to this movie is that “Unforgettable” brings light to experiences that domestic abuse victims go through and how it’s hard to not be reminded of the unforgettable memories, no matter how much they want to. Di Novi does a great job of highlighting victims’ experiences and Heigl performs her character exceedingly well, and that is why “Unforgettable” is worth watching. imdb.com into her own hands. Surprisingly, this movie is worth watching, but if it weren’t for Heigl, I don’t think it would have been as good. She was frightening with her piercing stare and long, straight, icy-white hair. She made me cringe sometimes and that’s what kept me watching and at the edge of my seat. At the beginning of the movie, it is
made known that a murder has occurred and Julia, with her face scratched up, is under investigation. This movie could have been a whole lot better if the entire plot wasn’t given in the first 10 minutes, because it’s easy to accurately predict what was going to happen. Even though the movie’s conclusion was given away, I still felt scared of Julia and was
“Unforgettable” Length: 1 hr 40 min Directed By: Denise Di Novi Written By: Christina Hodson David Johnson Starring: Rosario Dawson, Katherine Heigl, Geoff Stults, Cheryl Ladd, Whitney Cummings, Robert Wisdom, Isabells Kai Rice, Simon Kassainides, Jayson Blair, Alex Quijano, Marissa Morgan, Aline Elasmar
Mommy Dearest Checking out of the “Bates Motel” in the series finale By Danielle Corpus Contributor The f if th and f inal season of “Bates Motel,” premiered on Feb. 20, picking up t wo years af ter the events of season four, and g iv ing us tr ue insight into the sick and t w isted mind of Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore). Throughout season f ive we f ind Norman r unning the motel alone, conv inced that his beloved mother, Norma ( Vera Farmiga) fa ked her ow n death. Becoming increasingly aware of his murderous tendencies, Norman’s t w isted mind copes w ith accusations the only way he can, by letting his protective mother ta ke all the blame for his crimes. Believ ing that his mother is a murderer, Norman spends most of the season battling w ith conf licting thoughts and feelings that cause him to waver bet ween fantasy and realit y. Norma’s unner v ing presence w ith resentment toward women and people she felt deser ved to be punished is g rounded only by Norman’s mind. How and when she “protects” Norman
is dictated specif ically by Norman’s situation and current state of mind and situation. Caleb (Kenny Johnson) and Romero (Nestor Carbonell) return to the motel to get revenge on Norman. Norman’s brother Dylan Massett (Ma x Thieriot) returns after being disconnected from Norman and his mother for two years. W hen Dylan sees Norman’s deteriorating mental state, he attempts to get his brother the help he knows that he desperately needs. Norman’s t wo personalities- one based in realit y and one based in delusion- are at a constant battle w ith one another over control of him, only ag reeing when resisting the help he tr uly needs. With D ylan being the only person alive that Norman really tr usts and cares about, the t wo brothers f ind themselves at a pivotal point in the road where all D ylan wants is for his brother to be happy, and his brother only wanting one thing; to be w ith his mother once again. imdb.com
FOOD | G9
POLITICS | G8
An enormous eggplant
Another tiny Trump, not an eggplant
THE GRUNION BI-WEEKLY Monday, May 1st, 2017
STAFFERS Mercedes Colomar Grunion Editor Cervantes LeMans Waste Collector Olivia Ofrenda Design Executor
WEATHER TODAY
HOT
9001º/ 90º
TOMORROW
Poorly Drawn Devil
Sad / Demon
LOCAL Area Man prime suspect in arson case Area Man prime suspect in arson case. Strangely, Local Man is the person accusing Area Man of crime. Whether or not this is a powerplay, there is no real evidence against Area Man. Local Seems spiteful after...G2
UNDERWORLD
North Korea throwing used ordinance into the Underworld, locals pissed ‘We have no use for your used ordinance, North Korea,” one local said. The ordinance is being dropped in a region south of a major city. It doesn’t do much, but it is annoying...G3
CORRECTION
The Grunion staff would like apologize for a few mistakes last issue Last issue our article about former presidents was writer by Mercedes NOT Olivia. In addition to that, the column contained the wrong names. We sincerely apologize for the mix up.
The Grunion is a work of satire. It in no way reflects the views of Long Beach Union Weekly or Associated Students Inc.
A THOUSAND SUNS AFTER MIDNIGHT
Volume 80 Issue 14
Submissions: grunion@lbunion.com
UC Berkeley: Circus of Dogs and Thugs
By Cervantes LeMans
WASTE COLLECTOR “Woof we want Ann Coulter and the blood of any Republicans, woof woof!” chanted liberals and Black Bloc protesters at Donald Trump supporters. As for the conservatives and Donald trump supporters, they responded, “Screech screech we want free speech and freedom to hate screech screech.” Meanwhile, the other 33 United States political parties, not including independent ones, watched from the comforts of their homes with popcorn and kombuchas. Unless you’re from Flint, Michigan, you are drinking yellow lead water for the third consecutive year now. UC Berkeley is struggling to protect free speech and be “safe.” The Young America’s Foundation (YAF), made up of college conservatives, canceled (for the Brits) or cancelled (for the Americans) a scheduled talk featuring Ann Coulter. For those who don’t know who Ann Coulter is, imagine her as a Pokemon going through political evolutionary stages. The first stage is Ann Coulter (the Liar), the second stage is Kellyanne Conway (the Reality
Bender), and final stage, Ivanka Trump (the Disillusionist or Disillusioned). Her mega-evolution is “Native American” Elizabeth Warren also known as the Democratic Avatar Aang because she can somehow access her indigenous roots through her ancestors’ stories. An official statement from the Executive Board of Berkeley College Republicans was released in response to the recent events, “...we discovered that the University of California Police Department at Berkeley has an official “stand-down” policy for any situation that develops on campus as long as the situation doesn’t involve the imminent loss of life, allowing the leftist thugs who have terrorized Berkeley’s campus to do so without consequence.” Furthermore, “Berkeley made it impossible to hold a lecture due to the lack of assurances for protections from foreseeable violence from unrestrained leftist agitators.” HOLD ME BACK! I’M ABOUT TO GO POP A CAP OF CHRISTIAN GREY ON THESE MUDSLINGERS! Apparently whoever make up the left groups, are foreseeable terroristlike thugs. First off, don’t generalize
all liberals ideological groups under the left wing. Some of us don’t even like our left team. Second off, what type of thugs we talkin’ about here? Are we referring to Tupac Shakur’s dictionary definition of “thug”? Or are we referring to robbers and assassin from 1800s India? Whatchya mean by “foreseeable violence from unrestrained leftist agitators”? Whoever wrote the statement does not speak for all YAF members. Although the “leftists” are ready to verbally bark at anyone against their ideologies including their own left-like minded people, it doesn’t make them any thuggish or gangsterish than their political counterpart. I, Waste Collector, can assure you that not all leftists are unmarried Catholic bi-sexuals whores copulating with colored skin Arabic Jewish illegal immigrants who all own abortion clinics and both pray to the Mexican drug lord demonic Lucifer for gay loving socialist terrorists groups to get free communist Chinese-built airplanes who want to take your American part-time jobs in order to live off government welfare. Matthew Vaughn is probably one of them.
‘These guys came prepared to bury me’ By Lúis Armelló Curzón
RECENTLY DECEASED Now this is a story about how my life got flipped-turned upside down, and I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there, I’ll tell you how I became the recently deceased man of a place called the Underworld. You see, I was sitting there minding my own fucking business and these wise asses came up to me and ask for the time. Being the upstanding person that I am, I obliged and told them it was half past a quarter fifteen of two. They looked at me with a dumb look and I responded with, it’s 2:45, you dumbfucks. They pulled out a shovel, a coffin, and a gun from seemingly nowhere and shoved them all at me. These guys came prepared to bury me. I took the gun and shot them both, and then eventually shot myself, because no fucking way
in hell am I going to go to prison. Have you see my pretty face and tight asshole? No? Well believe me, they are exactly as I just described them. It’s all tight and pink, and I aim to keep it that way, so prison is a no fucking go for me. Anyway, I took the coffin and the shovel and began digging a ditch. I put the coffin in the bottom and got in. I put the lid on top and put the gun to my head. Did I mention my asshole is tight and pink? Because I almost considered putting the gun in my mouth and shooting my face, but then I decided to put it up into my face. So anyway, there I am, in a dark coffin, gun to my face and I hear this voice, right? It sounds like a person who a tight fist ready to punch the next bozo he sees. I hear him pick up the shovel and start putting the dirt on top of the coffin. “Who exhumed this grave?” I heard him say the dirt started falling through the splintered wood above. Then I shit myself, and my
once tight asshole went loose with all its contents. “What’s that smell?” the man said and he stopped. I didn’t hear him after that, so I shot myself. Next thing I knew I’m here in the Underworld and this bozo Cervantes asks if I want to write for something called the “Grunion.” I said yes, as long as my first article is about my miraculous story about my death. So that was the story about how my life got flipped-turned upside down, and I took more than a minute to, and you sat right there, and I told you about how I became a recently deceased man of a place called the Underworld. Cervantes? You told this man he could write for us? On what fucking authority do you have to do such a thing? What the fuck is this piece of shit doing in my newspaper. Well at least it wasn’t all that bad, but next time ask me first. -MercED.
ASK MS. COLOMAR DEAR MS. COLOMAR, I recently discovered I like to punch things with my fist. I want to do more things with my fist, like in the bedroom, maybe with my girlfriend. Other than punching, what else can I do with my fists? FROM, The Communist Manifisto DEAR MR. MANIFISTO, What you have to do is take those fists of yours and just break through the glass ceiling with your girl. You wanna try something with your girl? Well, try making that next step in committing in your relationship. It sounds like you only use your fists for violent things. You can fist your girlfriend later, but right now, you need to fist her emotionally and expand your horizons together. Dude, your ceiling is like, so high. You can just bust right in. Just break through it. Right through it. Use your fists for good. And then make like Wreck-It Ralph later and break another ceiling. DEAR MS. COLOMAR, I think I recently discovered a weird fetish of mine. I like my men to look like girls. I want them to be sissies. The problem is I don’t know how to approach my boyfriend about this. FROM, Victoria, the Trap Enthusiast DEAR VICTORIA, Me too. It’s called looking at androgynous men like David Bowie and feeling equal parts aroused and jealous. My advice is to just break up with him. If you’re looking for your guy to be a bit more feminine, you’re obviously needing to explore your sexuality a bit more - so I would reccomend pulling the whole “I need to go find out more about mysellf bit and lose yourself in the underground world of sex, drugs and Marilyn Manson-esque gender fluidity. It’s pretty fun down here. Email me and I’ll leave you a guest pass and I can show you some real fun. Like bone tiddies.