Volume 72 Issue 30

T HE H IGHLANDER

FOR THE WEEK OF TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024

El Campeon Carniceria Market is a must try Mexican take-out spot

With a delicious o ering of entrees and countless other items in the market, El Campeon should be on student’s radar.

By: Terry Nguyen Assistant Sports Editor

El Campeon lies o the intersection of Linden Street and Iowa Avenue and is run and owned by Ivan Roman. is Mexican supermarket also has a hot bar, ready to serve up foods including burritos, tacos, tortas and more. Less than a mile from campus, this spot is accessible to all students, via scooter, skateboard or even walking. Parking is also accessible for commuters, as El Campeon occupies a spot in a plaza that includes Iowa Smoke Shop, Poke Bistro, Boba Fiend Tea House and more.

Inside the market, you’ll be greeted with friendly sta and amazing aromas coming hot o the grill. While there is seating available both inside and outside, take-out is a common alternative. El Campeon is also o ering 10% o to students of University of California, Riverside for a limited time only. Students must show proof of their R’Card for the discount.

SEE El CAMPEON’ PAGE 13

California bill blocking school gender notifcation policies will keep LGBTQ+ students safe

There is no legal or ethical reason to force teachers to out students.

By: Alex Kupisiewicz Contributing Writer

Earlier this May, a California Legislature bill was introduced to end school district policies that require parents to be noti ed if a student attempts any gender-related social transition. is policy includes any attempt to change a child’s name or pronouns, and any “requests to use facilities” or “participate in any programs that don’t match the gender” listed on their o cial documents. is bill should be passed because it will protect trans students from the unreasonable, and frankly dangerous, ‘forced outing’ policies and protect teachers from retaliation if they choose to protect their students.

Students have a right to reveal pieces of their identity to whoever they choose to trust, no matter how old they are. If a student decides to come out to a teacher or another sta member who they trust as an adult, they should be allowed to do so without fear of a forced outing. Having a trusted adult as a minor has been shown to lead to an increase in positive childhood development and improved physical and mental health. is is very important for LGBTQ+ youth as an estimated 53% experience symptoms of depression and 66% experience symptoms of anxiety.

SEE Gender Notifcation ’ PAGE 11

Asbestos, leaks and mold: Bannockburn residents neglected

Residents of Bannockburn explain a wide variety of safety concerns they experience.

By: Senna Omar Editor-in-Chief

Many Bannockburn residents have come forward to bring light to the issues they have experienced while living in this housing complex, with some even stating that they felt fooled by the virtual tours and advertising surrounding the complex.

Alexandria Neuhausen, a resident of Bannockburn for the past year, described that the only impressions of the complex she had before moving were from the virtual tour, which displayed Bannockburn as “so pretty, bright and colorful. It looked completely di erent from the pictures when I walked in … to me [Bannockburn] felt kinda gross.”

Neuhausen shared that when she helped her friend move into their new apartment in Bannockburn village they were confronted with “dead roaches in his kitchen cabinet.”

Displaying the other problems presented by her apartment, Neuhausen explained that when she rst walked into the bathroom, “there was mold, and since the bathroom does not have proper ventilation, when you take a shower, the mold builds up.

SEE Housing’ PAGE 7

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After months of anticipation, your local Stater Bros. located on the corner of Blaine and Iowa just underwent a brand new refresh! Our team has been working hard to bring you a whole new shopping experience packed with so many fresh options and delightful surprises.

First up on our list of fresh additions is FujiSan. Led by a team of classically trained chefs, FujiSan sushi features 100% sustainable seafood and is free of any artificial flavors. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite from our revamped grab-and-go section or freshly made rolls, we o er a wide variety of rolls to choose from. From our tiger roll, California crunch, and spicy California roll, there’s something to satisfy every sushi craving. Having a party? We have party platters available in di erent varieties to please every crowd. If sushi isn’t your thing, FujiSan o ers a tempting selection of seaweed salads, dumplings, bao, and irresistible boba tea. In collaboration with FujiSan, we’ll be sampling some of our rolls on Wednesday, May 22 at the Nooners event.

Our bakery now includes custom-made cakes, everyday sweet treats, desserts and pan dulce made fresh daily. Be sure to try out our conchas filled with an assortment of fruits, from strawberries and cream to apples. We also have dessert party trays that come in di erent assortments, containing gourmet cookies, strawberries, mini cinnamon rolls, strudels and much more.

When you step into our new floral section you’re greeted by the scent of fresh-cut flowers, this seasons’ floral inspirations, potted plants, and balloons. You can choose from an array of beautiful orchids and succulents in decorative pots. With graduations just around the corner, now is the perfect time to explore our wide selection of bouquets to brighten your graduate’s special day.

In addition, most of our flowers are sourced locally throughout California to support local flower farms. If you’re craving something savory, our service deli has plenty of new options available. Such as our Cleo & Leo turkey sliders, roast beef pretzel sliders, and more to give you the choice of convenience on the go. Plus, choose from our selection of sliced-to-order meats and cheeses, like white American cheese and roasted turkey breast, sliced to your liking. These are perfect for those days at home or summer picnics with your friends and family. Our burrito bar is serving up tacos, bowls, salads, and burritos. They can be customized to include your choice of chicken, carnitas, carne asada, or shredded beef with your favorite toppings. If you’re craving fresh salsa with a kick or classic guacamole with your burrito or chips, our new fresh cut station has many options to choose from. Looking to explore healthier options? Try our new organic fruits and vegetables. Our new fresh cut station has a wide range of prepacked and party sized trays for the convenience of all event planning. Aguas frescas are also available and come in four delicious naturally sweetened flavors like lime chia, Jamaica, horchata, and watermelon, just in time for the summer heat.

At Stater Bros., our commitment extends beyond providing quality products. We’re dedicated to supporting the communities where we live and work. A donation was presented to UCR of $2,500 to support local education. In correspondence, other organizations such as the Riverside Police Department Teen 2 Teen program, RCC Veterans Center, The CARE Project, Inc., and the Riverside Art Museum also received donations. Come down to your local Stater Bros. today and experience the fresh new look and flavors that await you.

HIGHLANDER STAFF

editor-in-Chief

Senna Omar editorinchief @highlandernews.org

news editor Sanjana atte news@highlandernews.org

oPinions editor Cecile Diroll opinions@highlandernews.org

feAtures editor Natalie Dahl features@highlandernews.org

rAdAr editor Maribel Gamez-Reyes radar@highlandernews.org

sPorts editor Issac Solnick sports@highlandernews.org

ProduCtion mAnAger Hiring productionmanager @highlandernews.org

ProduCtion AssistAnt Sonali Whittle swhit063@@ucr.edu

PhotogrAPhy editor Neorah Davis photo@highlandernews.org

stAff PhotogrAPhers

video editor Edwin Basurto video.highlander@ucr.edu

Business mAnAger Emily Manus highlanderads@gmail.com

mArketing direCtor

Carlie Servando marketing.highlander@gmail.com

mAnAging editor Mata Elangovan managingeditor @highlandernews.org

Asst news editor Dinara Godage dgoda003@ucr.edu

Asst oPinions editor Spandana Janapati sjana009@ucr.edu

Asst feAtures editor Gabriela Galvan ggalv014@ucr.edu

Asst rAdAr editor Stella Noella Abasta sabas001@ucr.edu

Asst sPorts editor Terry Nguyen tnguy1304@ucr.edu

Art direCtor Holly Dawson art director highlander.art.director@ gmail.com

Asst. Photo editor Sumaya Khoury skhou011@ucr.edu

Asst video editor Daniela Cruz dcruv092@ucr.edu

Asst. Business mAnAger

Lizbeth Martos lmart227@ucr.edu

Asst mArketing direCtor Abby Lazar alaza021@ucr.edu

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Learn your rights: Report suspicious behavior

Vendors break campus policy, requested to leave campus by UCPD.

By: Mata Elangovan, Managing Editor & Brenda Jovel, Contributing Writer

Alleged Los Angeles (LA) Times salesman caught several University of California, Riverside (UCR) students’ attention from May 29-30, 2024 with supposed life-long student subscriptions for various news outlets, including the LA Times, as well as the San Diego Union Tribune and Press Enterprise, who they claimed to be working in collaboration with.

Administration, a er learning about the interactions taking place, stated that solicitations in situations like this are “not allowed on campus without speci c individual approval” and dispatched the University of California, Police Department (UCPD). UCPD then advised the group of the approval process that must be undertaken to solicit on campus, and the individuals departed campus shortly a er.

In two separate red tents, three individuals claiming to be from the LA Times drew people into their deals with candy and persuasive sales pitches. ese deals included subscriptions that were supposedly “life-time” and included three di erent package deals, ranging from $44-68 dollars, and contained subscriptions for papers such as the LA Times, Press Enterprise and San Diego Union Tribune.

What lured students into the o er the most was the cash-back deal, where a er buying from these “salesmen,” students would then be reimbursed with $50 to $70 back in cash. To be eligible, students were asked to write their personal information, including their names, credit card information and mailing addresses, either on a physical piece of paper or online website; the salesmen would then nish the rest of the transaction for them.

Driving into Action: Riverside Free Clinic hosts

fourth annual food drive

400 basic need packages were distributed to Riverside community.

By: Mata Elangovan, Managing Editor & Brenda Jovel, Contributing Writer

Returning for their fourth annual food drive, the Riverside Free Clinic’s (RFC) Social Services Committee distributed over 400 basic needs packages, including 222 food bags and 231 hygiene kits to the Riverside community on Saturday, May 25 at Bordwell Park. is year, the event was hosted from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and featured a partnership with Sahaba Initiative and OverFlow Farms. e drive-through format allowed those who were interested in obtaining packages to simply enter the line, ll out a sign-in form and receive their packages.

Yaser Naji, a second-year biochemistry major and incoming o cer of the social services committee at RFC, shared that the purpose of the event is to “alleviate some of the [health disparities and] some of those struggles that are faced by families going through socio-economic di culties.”

is year, the event organizers explained that they had reached out to over 100 donors in a collective team e ort, and got a few responses back. eir main partners for this year were Sahaba Initiative, “who had around 200 food bags to be distributed.” Other partnerships included Crossword Church, e Shifa Society at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) HIV testing and Upli Charity.

Board Secretary for the Board of Trustees for Sahaba Initiative, Mohammed Kuko, shared details about Sahaba’s involvement in the event. Sahaba Initiatives was founded over a decade ago with the mission “to transform communities and support families in crisis through addressing core areas in housing, hunger, economic stability, and well-being.” Kuko notes they also work on other community needs, “battling food insecurity, helping the community out there.” e annual food drive hosted by RFC is one of many events that Sahaba does in partnership with the city of Riverside where they provide food from their food pantry.

One of the plans that the salesmen o ered was a package deal including a Press Enterprise subscription which was individually marketed at $20. Upon further inspection of receipts, it was found out this deal was not “life-time” but rather included Sunday physical prints and unlimited online access for eight weeks. A er collecting information about the deal that the salesmen were o ering as well as their supposed identities, e Highlander contacted the Press Enterprise to con rm the validity of the o er. In response, the Press Enterprise explained that the speci c Press Enterprise subscription is no longer being o ered and con rmed that the salesmen had no a liation with them and that they were “telemarketers.”

According to activity calls provided by UCPD, three calls were made regarding the solicitors. e rst contact occurred on May 29 around noon, where the report summarized that “contact [was] made, credentials [of the salesmen] appeared legitimate to the o cer,” and the solicitors were allowed to remain on campus for the remainder of the day. Final contact occurred on May 30 around noon, and “UCPD advised solicitors of [the] permitting process and directed [them] o campus.”

e policy cited by the administration and UCPD in this exchange is UCR’s “Commercial Activities/Advertising/Soliciting” policy. According to the policy, under “Sales of Goods and Services,” “University regulations prohibit individuals, organizations, or rms from conducting sales of any sort, including food sales, on University property,” with few exceptions, and those exceptions require prior approval.

Administration was also made aware of the situation, including Assistant Dean of Students and Director, Highlander Union Building, Brendan O’Brien, and Vice Chancellor for Planning, Budget & Administration Gerard Bomotti. At the moment, there is no speci c way for students to verify whether solicitors on campus have been approved to sell commercial goods.

Detailing what the University could do to handle situations like these in the future, O’Brien plans to connect with Student Life during the summer for “[organization] training or even in the future with orientation” so they can share how these situations arise on a public campus, and make students better aware of these kinds of unsolicited interactions.

O’Brien also advised students that if they felt uncomfortable when seeing or experiencing these situations, that they “contact [the] University police or the dean of students o ce for assistance.” He stressed that “there are ways that the University [can] mitigate some of these [situations], but we only know what we know. So it’s the reporting [from students] that’s critical.”

O ering advice when it comes to nancial interactions, O’Brien recommends students to “be mindful of when and how you’re giving away your information, especially when it comes to your [ nances]. I think that’s a general rule of thumb.”

Sahaba Initiatives has partnered with RFC since the inception of the Annual Food Drive. Kuko expressed, “We're just really thankful to be partnered with the Riverside Free Health Clinic for this event and we hope to do it for many more years [to come].”

As the event saw more drivers entering the lot and receiving aid from RFC, Marina Nassar, a fourth-year biology major with a minor in psychology and the Personnel Manager for RFC explained the importance of aiding those in need in a city like Riverside. She explained how “Riverside is a food desert, and it's also extremely underserved. We have a lot of underserved communities within the Inland Empire and Riverside speci cally … So we decided to put together these food bags and hygiene kits, just to ensure that we're taking care of the public health situation in Riverside, but also ensuring that we're building that bridge and sealing the gap of food insecurity in Riverside.”

For future projects, Naji hopes that change will accelerate through RFC: “We’ll continue to have innovative ideas and not just stick to our annual food drives. [Coming] up with new ideas, new projects, to help address the health disparities here in the Inland Empire. I hope quarter by quarter we keep improving, keep adding more services, [and] expanding our services to cater [to] more patients. And hopefully, as a result of that, we can actually see a future where health disparities are addressed and alleviated.”

Mata Elangovan/ e Highlander

Class of 2024 celebrates diversity and culture with Costo Hall

By: Sanjana atte, News Editor & Dinara Godage, Assistant News Editor

As the University of California, Riverside (UCR) enters graduation season, Costo Hall prepares to celebrate the seniors who have helped enrich the various a nity spaces that support diversity on campus. Since its opening in 1954, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) has been home to a diverse student body. From spaces like the LGBT Resource Center to Chicano Student Programs (CSP), the students of UCR have strived to create safe environments and resources for their communities as they learn and grow during their time as a student.

CSP Student intern and senior majoring in psychology, Tina De Los Santos, expressed how this program has positively in uenced her time at UCR. She shared that at Raza Grad, students are allowed to bring two family members to walk across the stage together and that “parental gures … share [the graduation] with you” so they can feel that their “sacri ces were important.” Not only does the graduate feel a sense of belonging and accomplishment, but this milestone also stands as a catalyst for younger generations to begin to “see themselves [graduating college].” ese a nity spaces have become a way for students who nd themselves in these cultural spaces to take a step back and appreciate the familial support that has brought them to this moment.

is view was also shared by the Director of the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), Nina Ruedas, who explained that their Student-Parent Program’s graduation ceremony allows students to thank their families as “the family has contributed to this degree in many ways too.” It creates a family friendly environment for students and their families to talk, eat and celebrate their graduate’s achievements.

Bringing both her culture and identity into perspective, Asian Paci c Student Programs (APSP) student coordinator and graduating senior, Chayenne Ofo-Ob credits “heritage and the community” for “push[ing] [students] to be in [the] position to get a degree.” She emphasizes that the “identities and the achievements that [students] … and who [they] stand for, should be recognized and upli ed.”

Similarly, African Student Programs (ASP), which was established in 1972 has acted as a hub for Black scholars for the past 52 years at UCR, emulates a similar feeling in their graduation ceremonies. To Aliyah Kargbo, student assistant and upcoming graduate, a specialized graduation allows students to celebrate and recognize their culture.

“Celebrating in the form of dances or calls and chants,” Kargbo believes that a specialized graduation is where students and their families can “feel comfortable enough” to express themselves “in [their] own space.”

Another topic that was present was self-discovery and growth within one’s community. While they do not have an o cial graduation for the entirety of the WRC, Alyssa Monroy, fourth year cellular molecular developmental biology major, explained that a er Covid-19 the WRC allowed her to nd a sense of community that “empowered her to step out of her comfort zone” and pursue her goals. Multiple interns and student assistants also expressed how being a part of these a nity spaces allowed them opportunities to host programs such as Women’s History Month Trivia night. and Día de la Mujer, which helped them extend space to others within the community, as well as build con dence.

Similarly, the LGBT Resource Center Lavender Ceremony seeks to celebrate the accomplishments of students who have shown leadership and served LGBTQ+ community on campus. Formerly known as the Lambda Awards at UCR the ceremony was renamed to “Lavender Ceremony,” a title similar to what is used nationally for LGBTQ+ graduation ceremonies.

Nancy Tubbs, Director of the LGBT Resource Center explains this tradition regardless of its name, is a longstanding tradition at UCR. “ e Lambda Celebration was formalized around 2000 as a community-building event to recognize Lambda Awards honorees, those minoring in Queer Studies and all graduating students who feel an a nity for the LGBTQ+ community.”

is year’s keynote speaker was UCR alumni Shakina Nayfack, American transgender actress who founded UCR’s Drag Ball and returned this past April to host its 20-year anniversary.

Most of the programs gave smaller tokens to their graduates, such as custom stoles for their graduates to highlight their student’s on the commencement stage. One of the newer additions being APSP’s custom blue stoles to match their “Make Waves for AAPI Heritage Month” theme. Beyond the accolades and representation, APSP senior OfoOb expressed that she is “super excited for the stoles.”

Highlighting unique qualities and cultural backgrounds of UCR graduating students.

Second year sociology and general theater digital production major Karla Vicente speci cally mentions that at the Undocumented Student Programs (USP) graduation brunch, she is excited to see caps, gowns and stoles are passed out. Despite not graduating this year, Vicente explained how even the mundane day to day moments within the center help build a sense of community as everyone comes together despite ethnicity or culture, “it just demonstrates how everyone comes together. We have di erent groups of di erent ethnicities, cultures and countries.”

Picture courtesy of Adriana Rubio / Asian Paci c Student Programs e class of 2024 students decorated in their custom stoles gathered to take pictures together for the rst annual AAPI Graduation on May 29th, 2024.

Picture courtesy of Lucerito Lopez/ Women’s Resource Center e 2023 Student Parent Scholar’s Graduation Ceremony that celebrated graduates with families.

Political Recap: Former President Donald Trump convicted

By: Mata Elangovan, Managing Editor

Still eligible for reelection in spite of 34 felony counts

Reaching a conclusion a er nearly a decade of accusations, former president Donald J. Trump was convicted ursday, May 30 of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal. A er pulling through two impeachment trials and decades of investigation, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. announced, Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts “for falsifying New York business records in order to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and a er the 2016 election.”

Shortly a er the New York State Supreme Court announced the guilty verdict, Trump’s o cial campaign website was updated with a “breaking news update” in which Trump alleged unfounded claims that he’s “a political prisoner” and was “was just convicted in a RIGGED political Witch Hunt trial.”

Former Arkansas Governor, Asa Hutchinson, who was running for Republican nomination earlier this cycle shared on X that ”it is not easy to see a former President and the presumptive GOP nominee convicted of felony crimes; but the jury verdict should be respected. An appeal is in order but let’s not diminish the signi cance of this verdict.”

Others took a stand in support of Trump. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) posted on X that the verdict “is a complete travesty that makes a mockery of our system of justice” and claimed that the charges were “absurd and ridiculous.”

While the Republican Party’s convention to nominate a candidate will not occur until July 15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Trump “has secured a majority of delegates to the Republican convention” and the GOP has “no mechanism to nominate anyone else.”

According to an article by the New York Times, e Constitution clearly outlines in Article II Section I that the three requirements to be President are they must be a “natural born” citizen, be at least 35 years old and have lived in America for 14 years. As such, “there are no limitations based on character or criminal record.”

Judge Juan M. Merchan oversaw the trial and set sentencing for July 11. While the felony counts Trump has been charged with are considered a Class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison, “there’s no guarantee that [Merchan] would give Trump time behind bars.”

ASUCR votes on legislation regarding separation of powers and treatment of senate interns

In the twenty- h meeting of the year, the Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) passed legislation adding new positions to the External A airs O ce and reemphasized the Separation of Powers for Senators. Further legislation was also amended in regards to Senate interns and accountability in regards to neglect and mistreatment as well as future projects to ensure more engagement between interns.

e Legislative Review Committee proposed a Senate Bill that would allow for the creation of two seats in the External A airs O ce for the representation of the undocumented student community and a divestment ofcer. e Vice President of External A airs (VPEA), Ángel Rentería, explained that by having an Undocumented Student Representative, they hope to create a space for undocumented students in the university’s legislative bodies and increase advocacy to support the needs of students. Similarly, by having a divestment o cer within the External A airs O ce, increased accountability for larger administration bodies such as that of UC O ce of the President and the UC Regents is expected to become easier.

As incoming VPEA Vivian Herrera explained, this will keep ASUCR accountable for promises they have made as well as lay the groundwork for larger scale plans. Emmanuel Aguilar, the current co-president for Providing Opportunities, Dreams and Education (PODER) also described the urgency of having these two new representatives at the External A airs O ce. Beyond being the rst of its kind, it would help ensure that consistent energy for movements towards progress for undocumented students is maintained as well as create substantial change. e bill passed 11-0-1.

Senator Teesha Sreeram proposed a bill in regards enacting separation of powers for senators. In her explanation, Senator Sreeram explained how the role of senator is the only o cial title that an elected o cial within ASUCR should have, and that they should not hold multiple positions such as a Senator and the Chair of a committee. e purpose of the bill is to prevent the hindererance of opportunities for students to take on leadership positions that would allow them to become more involved in the legislative process beyond being a committee member, as well as “allow[ing] the general student body to know that there is space for them and ASUCR.” e bill passed 12-0-0.

Further amendments were also passed in regards to a bylaw that aimed to increase accountability within the Senate Internship program, in regards to neglect and mistreatment, as well as increase engagement with fellow interns. Authors So a Jimenez and Ian Tjan emphasized the edits being made to the bylaw consists of shi ing responsibility to the internship director, rather than having the duties spread over ASUCR which would allow for consolidating responsibility as well as increasing accountability within the program for both interns and senators.

Tijan explained that he himself along with other fellow interns “approached problems when it came to accountability”. e bylaw would allow for disciplinary action if such concerns were reported. Senator Haidar raised concerns regarding an edit that was made centered around interns being required to collaborate on an annual event, expressing how the number of Senate interns involved may lead to an unequal distribution of responsibility and that there would not be enough funding, as the budget given to Senators is quite limited. Eventually a friendly

Senators weigh in on issues of accountability, new seats in the external a airs o ce and separation of powers.

amendment was added to change the wording of the bylaw to “change one annual event to one annual project” to allow for semantic leeway that would accommodate the low budget that the interns are allocated. e bill passed 12-0-0.

Other legislation covered in the meeting include a bill to adopt recommended bylaws formatting, adopting the ASUCR Strategic Plan, and amendments to the ASUCR bylaws.

During Senate Reports, CHASS Senator Shreeram, gave her best wishes to next year’s elected o cials to carry on the work that was started by this year’s Senate. She detailed her work with the Title IX o ce to “improve their processes and make it more trauma informed” along with upcoming meetings with the o cial director to address student concerns. Furthermore, she elaborated on how she was excited to continue projects a er her time at UCR that she had started, such as that of talking to administration regarding sexual violence on campus to engage professor involvement in regards addressing the issue, as well as the creation of a South Asian Student Center.

e meeting began at 7:01 p.m. and adjourned at 8:05 p.m. CNAS Senator Kaden Ho, SPP Senator Naia Pizzaro, CHASS Senators Ray Khan and Rachit Shah and BCOE Senator Anjana Narasimhan were excused. CHASS Senator Roshan Kannan was absent.

Author: Sanjana atte, News Editor

Asbestos, leaks and mold: Bannockburn residents neglected

Residents of Bannockburn explain a wide variety of safety concerns they experience.

By: Senna Omar, Editor-in-Chief

Many Bannockburn residents have come forward to bring light to the issues they have experienced while living in this housing complex, with some even stating that they felt fooled by the virtual tours and advertising surrounding the complex.

Alexandria Neuhausen, a resident of Bannockburn for the past year, described that the only impressions of the complex she had before moving were from the virtual tour, which displayed Bannockburn as “so pretty, bright and colorful. It looked completely di erent from the pictures when I walked in … to me [Bannockburn] felt kinda gross.”

Neuhausen shared that when she helped her friend move into their new apartment in Bannockburn village they were confronted with “dead roaches in his kitchen cabinet.”

Displaying the other problems presented by her apartment, Neuhausen explained that when she rst walked into the bathroom, “there was mold, and since the bathroom does not have proper ventilation, when you take a shower, the mold builds up. It does not matter how many times you clean it, eventually the mold grows back the next day.”

Since housing has neglected to solve the issues around her apartment, Grace Johnson, a resident of Bannockburn for four years, has started xing things herself “because the likelihood of something getting xed by housing is 50/50.”

e biggest safety concern for Neuhausen and her roommates is the ceiling leakage causing the asbestos from their popcorn ceiling to be scattered throughout their apartment. According to UCR’s Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) “Bannockburn Village has asbestos content in ceiling and wall materials. e health hazard is low unless this material is disturbed.” Similarly, Johnson stated, “My biggest concern is the asbestos leaking from the ceiling, it’s concerning for health reasons.”

Neuhausen elaborated upon the situation explaining, “there are four pockets of water” around the ceiling of their apartment “that drip water into the carpet.” is has been an ongoing issue for the apartment they reside in long before Neuhausen moved in. Johnson, echoed similar concerns to that of Neuhausen, explaining, “Our ceiling leaks and drips on the oor.” She continued, “ e entire time that I have lived here, and before that, these issues have persisted.”

When Neuhausen and her roommates contacted housing about this, they provided them with buckets to collect the water and told them that they cannot x the leakage. Neuhausen claimed that housing told her the reason they could not x this was because it would require them “to move out the people upstairs and they do not want to put any more money into Bannockburn because it is going to fall one day.”

In February, Neuhausen wrote out a letter to housing about the “health hazard of mold and asbestos” within their apartment and received no response. According to Neuhausen, the responsiveness of housing varies depending on the issue; with regards to a clogged toilet, it took housing “ ve hours to respond” however, when it came to their broken AC unit, “it took two months for [housing] to resolve our issues,” and the issues with their ceiling “have never been resolved.”

George Herrera, another resident of Bannockburn, explained the multiple inconveniences he has experienced while living in Bannockburn for the past three years. e “biggest” problem he faced with housing was in regards to the air conditioning (AC) unit in his apartment. For over a month in “the 90 degree heat” of summer, Herrera explained how he went back and forth with housing begging them to x his AC unit.

In an email to housing Herrera pleaded, “Please save me, the AC does not cool anything. My room gets up to 90 degrees by noon and stays like that until 3 a.m. I am begging you to x this. I have been living in this oven for four days. Please believe me. is is the third time I am asking for this repair. It blows lukewarm air all day, resulting in the sauna I call home. Please help.”

Alleging he received no response from housing, a week later he sent a follow up email: “It has been two-weeks that I have had to su er with no AC. I again beg you to x the air conditioning. On Friday it will be around 90 degrees and I fear I will not make it through the day. Please x the AC, even on cool days it stays a warm 85 degrees in my room and Friday it will be even hotter … Please do not make me wait another week, I have been more than patient, I just want my AC xed so I do not boil while I sleep.”

Finally, a er a month, housing responded to his pleas for AC. UCR Housing Services sent out a mass email to Bannockburn residents declaring that there was a “cooling issue with the chilled water system.” Herrera explained that a er a month of requests, his AC worked for one day before breaking down again. Ever since, Herrera and every other Bannockburn resident was provided with a portable AC unit in their rooms.

Although Bannockburn is advertised to have a heater, the heater in Herrera’s apartment also does not work properly. He stated that “all of the climate control in my apartment is portable.”

ese ongoing issues within their housing complex have caused extreme distress to students living in Bannockburn. Neuhausen explained how she knows “asbestos can cause cancer,” and when she found out about all the issues in her apartment she “freaked out” and felt “really gross.” She continued, “It's made me more stressed out and I try not to think about it … how am I supposed to protect myself if I am living in asbestos?”

Neuhausen is not con dent that these issues will be resolved in the future. She feels that “housing is waiting for the whole building to fall down, and they would rather spend money on new projects like North District” instead of maintaining their current housing. Neuhausen emphasized that this is not just a Bannockburn issue; “People living in Falkirk are subjected to similar poor living conditions.”

Neuhausen emphasized that she “can’t a ord to live anywhere else. I would rather live somewhere else or commute but that's not an option for me … I felt forced to renew my lease because I would not be [able to secure] housing.”

Similar to other Bannockburn residents, Johnson “can't a ord to live anywhere else, so [she has] just kinda learned to live with these issues.” She continued, “If [housing] is willing to put so much money into other projects on campus, then they can a ord” to x the issues that she and other Bannockburn residents are experiencing.

UCR Housing and administration were contacted in regards to the claims made in this article. No response was received by publication on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

Courtesy of George Herrera

EDITORIAL UCR’s student activism is a beacon of hope

By: e Editorial Board

The signi cant growth of student protests at UCR and nationwide is not just a trend but a powerful re ection of a larger generational movement in activism.

With student protests sweeping across universities nationwide, the 2023-2024 academic year has been characterized by youth activism as students advocate for important social justice issues. From the 1960s Vietnam War protests to the 1980s Anti-Apartheid Movement, college campuses have historically been spaces where youth-led civil disobedience occurs. However, there has been an undeniable growth in the scope and intensity of student protests this academic year, re ecting Generation Z's (Gen Z) fresh perspective on social justice issues and the development of unique ways to advocate for them.

In February, the University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) circulated a petition demanding the university administration end its licensing agreement with Starbucks. More than 780 students signed the petition in protest of the company’s practice of union-busting and violating workers' rights.

In the same week, Providing Opportunities, Dreams and Education in Riverside (PODER) dropped a banner at the Highlander Union Building and held on-campus vigils near the Bell Tower to protest the UC Regents suspension of Policy 4407, a plan that would have allowed undocumented students to work legally at UC campuses.

However, the impact of student activism at UCR was most pronounced when Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) established an encampment and led protests on campus for a week to stand in solidarity with Palestinians, urging for a cease re in Gaza and pushing university administration to divest from companies doing business with Israel. eir successful negotiation of an agreement with UCR administration — the rst in the UC system — demonstrated student collective action's power and youth activism's importance.

All of the protests at UCR result from strong collaboration and partnerships between dedicated students who feel passionately about addressing social justice issues on campus. Gen Z’s collective voice is strengthened by its diversity, which, according to a Pew Research Center study, is the most 'racially and ethnically' diverse generation ever. Gen Z students understand minority experiences profoundly and, therefore, have a stronger stance on issues of equity and inclusivity.

is is especially true at UCR, one of the most diverse UC campuses in the 10-campus system. According to the O ce of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, 41.5% of students are Latinx and 51% are rst-generation. us, UCR students are empathic about social justice issues — especially those a ecting minority groups — spurring them to protest a growing list of social injustices.

“All of the protests at UCR result from strong collaboration and partnerships between dedicated students who feel passionately about addressing social justice issues on campus.”

In addition to utilizing traditional protest methods, Gen Z has also successfully used the 21st-century protest tactics of social media. In 2020, for example, teen TikTok users registered for hundreds of thousands of tickets at Donald Trump’s presidential rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Believing the rally would be a sold-out crowd, Trump was confused when he was greeted with rows and rows of empty seats. Using this new popular social media platform, Gen Z users were able to quickly spread the word about their e orts and rack up millions of views. ey also strategically deleted their posts “a er 24 to 48 hours” to conceal their plans from mainstream media.

Gen Z users also reclaimed the #WhiteLivesMatter on social media by spamming the hashtag with K-pop videos of their favorite stars, making it more di cult for white supremacists to communicate with each other. Despite being maligned as a “technology-dependent” generation, Gen Z is using their knowledge about social media as a tool to disseminate and communicate information about protests globally. UCR’s SJP, for example, e ectively used Instagram videos of cheering students to announce its agreement with the campus administration which gained thousands of views.

From climate change to gun violence to economic insecurity, members of Gen Z have inherited a host of problems they didn’t create but are determined to address. e desire to ght for the issues they care about is at the root of today’s student activism and explains the intensity of the protests, with many even willing to put their lives on the line. is past January, for example, a group of UC students led a hunger strike to push the UC Regents to accept Policy 4407. Additionally, at the University of California, Los Angeles, pro-Palestinian student protestors were shot with rubber bullets by police, sprayed with pepper and tear gas by pro-Israel protestors and hospitalized for injuries.

As the 2023-2024 academic year ends and many student activist leaders graduate, a new group of Gen Z students must step up to continue the ght. e challenges ahead are unclear; however, the past year's events at UCR have shown that student activism is alive and well on this campus and can create meaningful change.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Highlander newsroom could use a union

By: James Anderson

James Anderson is a lecturer and freelance journalist who is from Illinois but now resides in Riverside, California. He has taught labor studies as well as media and cultural studies courses at University of California, Riverside (UCR). He is a member of the University Council-American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT) and the e Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Freelance Journalists Union. You can reach him at james.k.anderson@ucr. edu.

Several weeks ago, Cameron Macedonio, a journalism major and the then-manager of the campus radio station at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), spoke to the Introduction to Labor Studies course I’m teaching this quarter at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). Macedonio, then a senior, told students that a ernoon about how he and other student workers across the California State University (CSU) system organized the largest undergraduate labor union in United States (US) history. ey won their union election earlier this year in February 2024, adding to a growing wave of undergrad labor organizing.

Student workers across the country are not only getting an education in labor organizing. ey’re also collectively struggling for their rights as academic workers. e prospects for a potent labor movement capable of improving the lives of all wage earners are bolstered by the e orts of undergrad employees to organize and thereby democratize campus workplaces. In addition, those e orts are encouraging a revaluation of education as a common good — a good that enhances and transforms social life along with the lives of those who learn and labor within it.

Across the country, undergraduates who work for colleges and universities are organizing, and those who work for student newspapers deserve unions, too.

In my view, every worker deserves a union. A union gives organized labor the ability to negotiate minimum wages and otherwise a ords employees a meaningful say in the workplace decisions a ecting them. Absent such critical input and in uence, achievable through collective bargaining and through coordinated, direct action — including strikes, pickets, walkouts and marches on the boss — a workplace tends to resemble the sort of dictatorial governance many people abhor, at least rhetorically, in the established political arena. Trying to earn a living should not mean having to subordinate yourself to dictatorial rule or having to forfeit participatory self-governance.

Student dining workers at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) are trying to form a union, and I would be ecstatic were undergrad employees on all UC campuses to undertake the task of organizing every university worker who’s simultaneously seeking a four-year degree. But I’d like to see newsroom sta at UC student-run papers, including students who work for e Highlander, unionize most of all.

ere’s recent precedent for unionizing in higher education but also in the journalism world. More than a hundred newsrooms nationwide unionized between 2015 and 2022. In a eld rife with layo s and publication closures, media workers have organized to push back against top-down changes that imperil their livelihoods and threaten the integrity of an indispensable institution. Some have negotiated contracts guaranteeing layo protections, high severance pay and wages that better re ect the value of journalism as a public good.

Not long a er the Los Angeles (LA) Times unionized, circa early 2018, Carolina Miranda, then a culture writer for the paper, spoke virtually to students in a media and cultural studies class I was teaching at UCR about the campaign that led to the formation of the LA Times Guild. In 2019, the guild and the paper reached an agreement that bolstered employment protections and stipulated increases to previously stagnant wages. is past January, in response to an announcement regarding a signi cant number of planned layo s, some 300 members of the union participated in the LA Times’s rst work stoppage since the paper started printing in 1881. at kind of action could be exactly what is needed to save and revivify journalism.

At present, members of UAW 4811, the union representing postdocs as well as graduate students employed as teaching assistants, researchers and readers on UC campuses, are on strike at UCSC, UCLA and UC Davis. e union led a series of Unfair Labor Practice charges against university management in May, in part to challenge the UC’s interference in and retaliation against Local 4811 member participation in peaceful protest and exercise of free speech rights. e First Amendment in theory protects freedom of speech and assembly vis-à-vis the government, and those protections in theory tend to apply at public universities, but a union can advance those and other rights of employees vis-à-vis employers.

e First Amendment, as newsroom sta at student papers are likely aware, also prohibits the government from abridging the freedom of the press, in theory, if not o en enough in practice. As members of undergrad-run papers at the di erent UC campuses continue to report on the UAW 4811 “Stand Up” strike, like some did during the largest post-secondary academic worker strike in US history in the fall of 2022, they might just get inspired to unionize themselves. If they opt to organize, they could defend their rights as working members of the press and help champion both higher education and journalism as public goods in the process.

The ICC proves its importance with arrest warrants on Israel and Hamas

ICC Prosecutor issues arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and top Hamas leaders, rea rming its importance for seeking justice.

By: Tomas Alves Contributing Writer

On May 20, 2024 International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defense minister Yoav Gallant and three Hamas leaders for war crimes. e move marks the rst time that the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for a leader who is a close ally of the United States. As the world looks to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza with a permanent cease re, the ICC has found its role in documenting and prosecuting atrocities committed by both Israeli and Hamas forces. While the ICC does not have any actual jurisdiction to arrest those implicated in its warrants, the Court has positioned itself to surmount real international pressure and momentum against Israel’s continued war campaign in the Gaza Strip.

International leaders who have allied with Israel have expressed their outrage at Khan’s decision to bring the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. President Biden responded a er news of the decision by saying, “Let me be clear: Whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas.”

of Wikimedia Commons

While the timing and political nature of the arrest warrants might be overblown by Western leaders who fear growing diplomatic isolation for Israel, the decision to pursue the arrest warrants by Khan is justi ed by compelling evidence. e arrest warrants mainly focus on violations of articles seven and eight of the Rome Statute, the landmark 2002 war crimes treaty. e charges against Netanyahu and Gallant include “starvation as a method of warfare” and “wilful killing” among ve other charges. e Hamas leaders face charges of “murder,” “taking hostages” and “rape and other acts of sexual violence” that are mostly in reference to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

Critics of the ICC routinely highlight the Court’s lack of jurisdiction in enforcing its rulings or arrest warrants. e functional basis for having the ICC as an international body is to prosecute individuals who have committed war crimes or “crimes against humanity” when national judicial systems are unable or unwilling to do so. In a world where international organizations have no power to enforce their decisions, the ICC’s role is broader as it is meant to put international pressure on states who refuse to abide by its decisions.

While major players in the current humanitarian crisis, like the United States and Israel, are not parties to the ICC, Khan has put countries like the United Kingdom and Germany in a bind. As parties to the ICC, they would be obligated to arrest Netanyahu or Gallant should they travel to these countries a er ICC approval of the arrest warrants. is makes future diplomacy complicated for the West and might spark pressure from these countries to urge the ousting of Netanyahu to preserve their relations with Israel.

ese arrest warrants are important in surmounting this international pressure and asserting the impartiality of the ICC. In its brief history, the ICC has only ever convicted 10 war criminals under the Rome Statute, all of them from Africa. us, many countries blame the ICC as being a tool of the West to only prosecute African war criminals while ignoring other war crimes committed by the West. Khan’s application for the arrest warrants of Netanyahu and Gallant is crucial because it shows that the ICC is an impartial actor.

While genocide is not one of the charges brought against Netanyahu, these arrest warrants and the collection of evidence could be important in future ICC or International Court of Justice (ICJ) cases to prove that Israel’s atrocities have amounted to genocide. Despite the obstacles to enforcing compliance with the arrest warrants, the ICC is ful lling a pivotal role in shedding light on the atrocities happening in the Gaza Strip and formalizing the world’s calls for justice.

Courtesy

California bill blocking school gender notifcation policies will keep LGBTQ+ students safe

There is no legal or ethical reason to force teachers to out students.

By: Alex Kupisiewicz Contributing Writer

Earlier this May, a California Legislature bill was introduced to end school district policies that require parents to be noti ed if a student attempts any gender-related social transition. is policy includes any attempt to change a child’s name or pronouns, and any “requests to use facilities” or “participate in any programs that don’t match the gender” listed on their o cial documents. is bill should be passed because it will protect trans students from the unreasonable, and frankly dangerous, ‘forced outing’ policies and protect teachers from retaliation if they choose to protect their students.

Students have a right to reveal pieces of their identity to whoever they choose to trust, no matter how old they are. If a student decides to come out to a teacher or another sta member who they trust as an adult, they should be allowed to do so without fear of a forced outing. Having a trusted adult as a minor has been shown to lead to an increase in positive childhood development and improved physical and mental health. is is very important for LGBTQ+ youth as an estimated 53% experience symptoms of depression and 66% experience symptoms of anxiety.

to die of targeted violence in the United States alone. Conversion therapy, which is an attempt to forcibly “correct” someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation, is also a threat to many young members of the LGBTQ+ community. e treatment is usually done through abusive conduct

e proposed bill would remove these unfair outing policies and keep everyone involved safe, including both students and teachers.

that is legally allowed through parental signatures in a contract. Conversion therapy along with other “treatments” is a very real risk to many students who could be forcibly outed to their parents by school district policies.

If personal information like a preferred name and pronouns is disclosed to a therapist or counselor, the information would be required legally to be kept con dential. is is the case for every piece of information disclosed by a minor to a mental health professional unless there is genuine and immediate concern for the minor’s safety or anyone else involved. e school professional is legally not allowed to disclose any information without written consent from the minor in treatment. e same legal basis should apply to students sharing personal information with teachers.

ere are many cases, especially for underage students, in which coming out to their parents could put them in very real danger, risking even their lives. For example, by the end of this May, there have been fourteen known trans women

Coming out can be terrifying for many young people, especially if they already know their family won’t be supportive of their social transition. Students should be able to con de and trust in their teachers, as well as have the opportunity to be themselves to the fullest extent in which they are comfortable. Some teachers want to help their students any way they can, and forcing them to out their students and put them in potential danger is wrong.

A student’s decision to change their name or pronouns does not cause harm to other students or endanger anyone else. Rather, the ‘forced outing’ policies enacted in California school districts are more dangerous for students going through a social transition. ere is no legal basis to force teachers or other school faculty to disclose this personal information to parents. erefore, considering all the safety concerns regarding these policies in school districts, the decision to ban outing policies ensures more safety for students.■ H

Emily Mata / e HIghlander

All images courtesy of Freepik

The Summer is almost Upon us

Closing out a cycle and beginning a new one…

Aries

March 21 - April 19

If you haven’t made a big summer goal yet, now is the time to start brainstorming. This summer will be one of great productivity for you Aries, so lean into your top priorities and put the pedal to the metal. Be careful not to get distracted by smaller, more immediately gratifying achievements.

Cancer

June 21 - July 22

Unfortunately for you, this period of your life may be one flled with heartbreak. Whether this is romantic or not, be prepared to grow a thicker skin for the events that will occur this summer and cling onto those who can give you the support you need during this time.

April 20 - May 20

You’re responsible for the vibes of the summer for your friend group, Taurus. The people you will be spending your summer with will be subconsciously looking to you for leadership. So whether you want to make this summer chill, outdoorsy or high-energy, you have the power to take charge of the direction it will lead.

Leo

July 23 - August 22

Don’t get stuck planning this summer — go out and do! Taking action will feel much better than overanalyzing your choices and getting bogged down with details. Your time away from school will be much better spent if you are not a perfectionist for a couple of weeks.

Libra

September 23 - October 22

Whatever you have been working on will come to fruition this summer, Libra. Though you may feel weary, the culmination of your hard work and perseverance is near. So don’t give up before it’s over!

Capricorn

December 22 - January 19

The Justice card is less focused on making a choice, but more on a discovery of the truth. Spend time this summer investigating what is going right and wrong in your life and make choices to correct any mistakes that you may have made during this period of your life..

Scorpio

October 23 - November 21

You’ve been hit with hard times lately and it feels that you can’t get out of the rut that you are in. Take this new season of sunshine to focus on looking for the resources around you. Depend on your friends, family and community to help you move forward.

Aquarius

January 19 - February 18

Don’t be frightened Aquarius. The Death card signals change, transformation and endings. As we come to the end of the academic year, don’t be scared to let some things die — your resistance to change will not aid you in the long run.

Natalie Dahl, Features Editor

Gemini May 21 - June 20

You guessed it Gemini — your summer will be flled with strength. However your use this time of heightened power will be up to you, but remember that there is more than one way to be strong. Don’t fault others for showing strength in a way that is different from yours.

Virgo

August 23 - September 22

The Queen of Cups is all about self-care. For you, this summer will be one of intentionally doing the things you want to do. Don’t feel selfsh about taking time for yourself —- you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Sagittarius

November 22 - December 21

The time will come this summer when you have to make a diffcult decision. It could be anything from what job offer to accept, where to live or who to separate yourself from. No matter the decision, take your time in choosing — if you don’t, your hasty decision will cost you.

Pisces

February 19 - March 20

You’re hitting your sweet spot. Just continue that positive energy into the summer and you’ll be golden. You have successfully completed another great year of school and are just getting started with another, whatever it may bring.

TAURUS

Keep your summer productive

ASHLEY CARRANZA

Contributing Writer

How to make the most of your time o !

With summer right around the corner, fguring out what to plan for the break can feel bittersweet. It can feel challenging to not let the days off from school go to waste, or it can feel exciting to plan the many adventures with your friends and family you can embark on. Instead of sleeping the summer away, try these tips to have some stories to tell your friends when it’s over.

Make a Summer Bucket List

Grab a few friends and head over to Michaels or Walmart. Buy a big white sheet of paper and markers or any art supplies you have on hand. Pick up some snacks or pizza and host a date with your friends to create a summer bucket list of all the activities you want to do together or individually. Once you’ve fnalized at least ten fun activities to do, it is time to write it down on your poster board. I recommend writing with pencil before going over it with a marker of your choice. If you and your friends have decided to do a group bucket list, it can be fun to write down some deadlines for some of the activities as a little challenge.

Instead of making goals like “read more books” or “go to the beach,” try to be more

specifc; rather, make plans to “read four summer romance books by Aug. 1” or “go to the beach three times before the end of June.” These goals will solidify your plans and not let them just be words written on paper. Once you’ve made plans with a deadline, begin transferring your plans to your calendar to remind you of any events you made. Make sure to place the bucket list in a room you’ll frequent if you made it individually, or if it’s a group endeavor, keep it at a communal hangout spot.

Get a Summer Job

Accomplishing summer plans is much easier when you have money. Plan your dates according to your budget and if you’re lacking funds, take the time now to look for summer opportunities to expand your wallet. Enjoy the oppor-

tunity to clock in long hours at work without the worry of schoolwork before the summer is over. Juggling a job and a heavy course load can make gaining income diffcult, so take advantage of your time away from school to pad your bank account. Whether it’s applying to a fast food restaurant that will give you perks like discounted or free food, or working a retail job at the mall that will also come with an employee discount, make use of the summer and the free time. Use your time to generate an income to support your summer plans.

Hit the Gym

A gym membership offers amenities that you may not often have time for during the year. For example, gyms like LA Fitness come with a pool and sauna that can accommodate

an evening of relaxation. Some gyms also offer free classes such as pilates and zumba; these make for great self-care opportunities or the perfect gym date with a friend! If a gym membership is not in your budget, running at a local park or around your neighborhood works just as well. Target and Walmart also sell exercise gear at an affordable price for at-home workouts that can save you time and money.

Remember, summer can be a great time to lounge around and catch up on muchneeded sleep, but it’s also a great opportunity to try new hobbies and meet new people. It’s time to keep yourself busy and commit to self-improvement! ■ H

El Campeon Carniceria Market

is a must try Mexican take-out spot

With a delicious o ering of entrees and countless other items in the market, El Campeon should be on student’s radar.

TERRY NGUYEN Assistant Sports Editor

El Campeon lies o the intersection of Linden Street and Iowa Avenue and is run and owned by Ivan Roman. is Mexican supermarket also has a hot bar, ready to serve up foods including burritos, tacos, tortas and more. Less than a mile from campus, this spot is accessible to all students, via scooter, skateboard or even walking. Parking is also accessible for commuters, as El Campeon occupies a spot in a plaza that includes Iowa Smoke Shop, Poke Bistro, Boba Fiend Tea House and more.

Inside the market, you’ll be greeted with friendly sta and amazing aromas coming hot o the grill. While there is seating available both inside and outside, take-out is a common alternative. El Campeon is also o ering 10% o to students of University of California, Riverside for a limited time only.

Students must show proof of their R’Card for the discount.

Asada Burrito eir asada burrito comes with rice, refried beans, vegetables and a generous serving of meat (approaching a double serving of meat at Chipotle). e tortilla is warm and pillowy complimenting the burrito beautifully. e rst bites will have you in a frenzy, as you’ll be hit with loads of avor, coming from all the high quality ingredients. e meat is fall-apart tender, and gorgeously seasoned to perfection. e rice and refried beans give a great contrast of textures within the burrito, and adds to the delicious avor pro le. e onions, cilantro, and salsas bring the entire dish together, and make for an unforgettable meal.

Al Pastor Torta El Campeon’s al pastor torta sent former Highlander Video Editor Alex Lopez, into food heaven. e torta comes with another generous serving of meat, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese and well toasted bread. “ ey know what they’re doing back there,” Lopez described a er his rst few bites. e bread’s texture is incredible, and keeps the lling intact very nicely. e vegetables compliment the al pastor very

well, and make every bite worth it. “ is is hands down, one of the best tortas I’ve had in my life,” Lopez exclaimed a er nearly completing the rst half of it. It’s worth mentioning that a er being cut in half, the torta displayed a beautiful cross section, which had our mouths watering and teeth cheesing.

Asada and Pollo Tacos e tacos come wrapped in two tortillas, lled with yet another generous serving of meat, onions and cilantro. El Campeon also o ers green and red salsas on the side.

Eddy Basurto, the new Highlander Video Editor, was super excited to try the tacos. So excited in fact, he ate half his meal before even giving his take on the food. “You gotta come down here, this isn’t like the dining hall food,” Basurto quipped regarding his tacos. e chicken is well-seasoned and has a delicious avor. e asada is also well seasoned and El Campeon knows how to make simple tacos stand out above the rest.

Conchas (Pan Dulce)

El Campeon’s conchas are the perfect pairing of sweet and u y. e airy concha makes it easy to bite into the bread sweetened by the sugar on top. ese conchas are the perfect dessert to devour a er a

warm burrito. is warm pillow of a dessert satis ed my sweet tooth craving, and I’ll be coming back for more.

El Campeon Carniceria Market is a local gem that needs to be on student’s list of things to try in Riverside. In August of 2023, USA Today released a list of the best taco cities in the country. Riverside ranked eighth on the list, and El Campeon is a living testament to why Riverside ranks in the top 10 taco cities in the United States. (If you’re curious, here are the cities ranked above Riverside: 1. Austin, TX, 2. San Jose, CA, 3. Las Vegas, NV, 4. San Antonio, TX, 5. San Diego, CA, 6. Los Angeles, CA, 7. Phoenix, AZ)

El Campeon is a great place to get quick, delicious food made to order. It’s very affordable to the student population on campus, and it’s super accessible for anyone.

If you want to stay up to date on all of the delicious meals they’re making, keep up with El Campeon on their Instagram @elcampeoncarniceriamarket!

Courtesy of Terry Nguyen

Reflecting back, and paying it forward

By: Emyr Ortiz Contributing Writer

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED

Kow English

“Putting yourself out there for sure. In classes people are usually focused on learning the material or locked in doing their own thing, it's hard to really strike up conversations and make that connection unless you're really lucky … People talk about making friends as an adult, and how di cult it is outside of schooling and [they are] absolutely correct … the way you make friends as an adult is through activities, having a regular schedule where you do something with other people. It's not just being at the place, it's doing things together. Which is why theater is so sick, you have a group of people all collaboratively working together for the shared vision. ere's no easier way to speedrun friendships with people. Just put people in a room together for a month and have them work out a thing together.”

Georgina omas

Sustainability Studies

“ e biggest lesson I've learned is to always throw yourself into things … I'm also an anxious person, so I’m always thinking of all the ‘what-ifs.’ So I would say [to try] to turn o your brain and just throw yourself into situations like joining a club where you might not know anyone or joining some class that you're not so sure about. All those kinds of things ended up typically being pretty rewarding … I joined Model United Nations (UN) last year, and I went on two of their travel teams to national conferences … When I rst joined Model UN I didn't really know a lot about international politics or even how the UN itself worked,so I was not really sure if I was going to succeed in these conferences, but I was just like, ‘you know what, it's going to be a cool opportunity.’ You get to travel, you get to see the world, you get to meet a lot of people and so I feel like I just had to take that opportunity. I was so happy that I did too because it in uenced where I even want to consider going to grad school and things like that, so I'm really grateful that I just bit the bullet.”

Aura Rivera Business Administration, concentration in Marketing

“Not having this self-sabotage thing that you feel. Just do what you need to do. I'm a rst gen[eration student] and I'm an immigrant as well, So there's a lot of things I don't know how they work. ere's a lot of things that my parents never went through, so I'm just kind of learning as I go. ere are times when you feel like ‘I don't think I have the skills that I need for this,’ or ‘I don't think I am good enough yet to apply for this thing,’ or ‘I never heard anybody in my family doing this; therefore, I don't think it's the best t for me.’ Being able to get over that feeling … I think sometimes you just gotta take that step and not let those feelings take you back, Because I feel like the biggest enemy you have is yourself. And if you let yourself hold you back, there's no way that you're going to be able to grow. So I don't really try to see what other people are doing. I'm just competing with myself. I think I'm the only person who can hold myself back and sometimes I let myself hold myself back. And ever since I got here, I've been able to learn how to not let myself do that and how to not self-sabotage myself, and just try to go in for opportunities, and try to grow and try to give the best that I can give.”

As the class of 2024 eyes graduation, The Highlander asked some of these graduates to re ect upon the lessons, triumphs, and tribulations of their years at UCR.

Graduates re ect on their time at UCR.

ADVICE YOU’D GIVE YOUR FIRST YEAR SELF

Angelina Guzman Computer Science

“Just don't be afraid. Obviously you're going to feel afraid. But not being afraid to ask for help when you need it. Especially when it comes to classes and things like that, there are so many people who are willing to help, so many resources that are there to help you. So don’t be afraid to ask for that help, [and] really accept it when people are trying to help you. at's probably one of the biggest things I would tell myself when I was rst starting, because it wasn't until I accepted that help and asked for it, [did] I [feel] like the world opened up to me.”

Eric Guerra History, Minor in Education

“I think I would tell myself that people are way more patient than you think, so just try talking to them. People's threshold for someone annoying you is pretty high. So talking to someone is not as scary as it seems like it could be … I think I've gotten opportunities and experiences that I wouldn't have otherwise if I hadn't learned that. I probably wouldn't be in the position I am today both literally in terms of my job and then also personally in terms of my social circle. I probably wouldn't have met my girlfriend if I had just kept to myself and not taken risks.”

Veronica Sanchez Gomez Anthropology

“ ere is beauty in the struggle. ings might seem bleak, but at the end of the day, as long as you keep pushing there's a community there for you. Eventually, even if it's slow progress, you'll make it. I've learned that reaching out for help is okay, it's not a bad thing. Another thing I would tell myself is to be con dent in myself as an artist. I've always been kind of shy or felt like maybe I'm not the best artist for the job, etc. But having all of these opportunities, creating designs for the Undocumented Students Center, for Chicano Student Programs, [I] have had di erent professors reach out to me for designs, I've worked with the Department of Hispanic studies, etc. ere's just a variety of opportunities I've been able to get because I put myself out there, and I work for the community … I feel like those two things; being able to put yourself out there [and] being able to seguirle dando (keep putting yourself out there) [are] the biggest thing I would want to tell myself.”

WHAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF

Emily González

Masters in Education Policy Analysis and Leadership

“ e thing I'm most proud of is probably my involvement on campus. I was in [student] orientation for three years, I've been in ResLife for three [years], I did an internship this last quarter with a nonpro t called Give Something Back in Loma Linda, and that really is what opened me up to the world of education as a career. I can con dently say that without that student involvement that I've gotten, I wouldn't be at the career point that I am at today. I came into UCR rst undeclared, and then just a Spanish degree, but then I decided to take up a job in Student A airs. And then lo and behold, two years later, I declared a minor in education, then a double major, [and a] master's now. And then I'm getting my teaching credential. So that's what I'm most proud of.”

Emmanuel Aguilar

Political Science, concentration in Public Service, Minor in Labor Studies

“I would have to absolutely say one of the rallies that [PODER] had at Hinderaker Hall, when we had our banner drop. at was probably the most proud I've been at UCR. Feeling like your voice isn’t heard, as a student organizer, as someone who kind of engages in activism to really be re ective of the current circumstances, and within a really quick turnaround, mobilize … Once I was leading a lot of the protest chants, the walk from the HUB area over to Hinderaker, [I] just had this sense of, ‘this is the mark I'm leaving on campus.’ It's that impact, that sense of, ‘this is who I am. And this is what we believe in as a group, being unapologetically ourselves,’ and doing it in a way in which everybody felt safe and felt not compromised. If I were to look back on it, it would be that moment. It would be being in front of all the folks with my fellow board members and leading the space, and allowing folks to know about the movement, Opportunities For All, and what that means in the context of us being university students.” ■ H

Courtesy of Emmanuel Aguilar

Emyr Ortiz / e Highlander

The eagerly anticipated and splendid reveal of the latest season of “Bridgerton” has nally come upon us. As a urry of ball gowns decorate Net ix screens, romance and British accents have seemed to capture the heart of many. Indeed, the character one may favor can disclose a great deal about one’s personality.

Should you nd yourself drawn to Mr. Colin Bridgerton, you may be an individual who craves travel and possesses a curious mind. Colin Bridgerton’s loyalty seems to grow greater across episodes but the most unique aspect of his nature is his optimism. His penchant for observing only the noble qualities in people makes his character only more endearing. Nevertheless, his tendency to do so also leads him to be rather naive. If you nd yourself relating to this “Bridgerton” character, you may be a spirited and adventurous soul who occasionally bestows unwavering trust in the people.

Dearest Gentle Reader, which Bridgerton character resonates most with your true nature?

WhatyourfavoriteBridgertoncharactersaysaboutyou.

By: Nola Perifel, Contributing Writer

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

If you favor his sister, Miss Eloise Bridgerton, you may have a rebellious nature, fueled by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and a disdain for tradition. Eloise Bridgerton dares speak her mind against societal expectations and indulges in a ernoons solely devoted to her passion of literature. She de es convention and nds herself in a constant search for truth and intellectual pursuits, pausing only to humor those around her. If you identify more closely with Eloise, you may be an individual of sharp wit who nds passion in obtaining wisdom and one who e ortlessly conjures laughter.

Courtesy of Net ix

Should you feel an a nity for Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, you may be an individual consumed by the importance of duty, who shows their honorable nature by taking on the responsibilities of their family. Beneath his protective and composed exterior lies a complex, tormented and vulnerable soul. If you favor Anthony Bridgerton, you may be a passionate being, devoted to family and traditional values. Honor, devotion and passion weave through your persona as they do through Lord Bridgerton.

If you nd yourself enchanted with the wonderful Duchess Daphne Bridgerton, rst daughter of the Bridgerton family, you may be appreciative of the very product of a genteel upbringing. Her poised and elegant self superbly embodies grace. If Daphne is your preferred choice, you may identify with her buoyant and hopeful personality. Her endearing but seemingly innocent and naive nature presents a calm and re ned image. If you relate to this ne diamond, you may be a resilient but tranquil and serene person who enjoys a calm environment and prioritizes politeness and elegance.

I trust that you, dear reader, have found the character who resonates most profoundly with your inner personality. Whether it be the sharp Eloise, the graceful Daphne, the charming Colin or the intelligent Penelope, may their passions resonate with your own. ■ H FEATURE PAPERS, PAGE 15

A character such as Miss Penelope Featherington may also attract watchers. Her sheer sweetness envelops the people around her but her lack of con dence acts as a burden upon her shoulders. If you resonate more with this persona, you may encompass virtues of tranquility, loyalty, grace and kindness. Her genteel manners provide her with a charming personality under which may hide great intelligence. is character may be a suitable match if you, dear reader, are more inclined to embody a so and calming presence for others

If Miss Kate Sharma is the one you fascinate yourself with, you may be a person of strong spirit. Kate Sharma embodies strength and con dence through her sharp wit and indubitable charm. Her compassion and spirit enable her to speak her mind whenever her desires are challenged. She presents an independence and assertiveness which demonstrate a powerful nature. If the character you seem to prefer is our dear Kate, you may relate to her empathetic but erce nature. Her audacity proves to be very useful as she seems to grow in con dence and begins to express her needs. e sensitivity within her mixes sublimely with her courage and resilience, allowing her to become the epitome of feminine empowerment.

Yours Truly,

NOW ON RADAR

CONGRAGULATIONS! GRADUATES

Joshua Guerra Global Studies, Music & Culture, Chicano Studies Minor He/Him

Aronne Chan eatre, Film, & Digital Production He/Him/His

Kali Chittapuram Psychology (Law and Society) She/Her

Victor E. Andrade III Sociology/ Administrative Studies He/Him/HIs

‘Nimona’ is a liberating experience made for the LGBTQIA+ community

By Brendan Vo, Contributing Writer

For this year’s Pride month, revisit “Nimona,” a science fantasy graphic novel by American cartoonist Nate Diana “Indy” Stevenson. A New York Times bestseller and winner of an Eisner Award, a Cybils Award and a Cartoonist Studio Prize, the comic delves into the challenges and inequalities of being di erent with the spunky and punk main character Nimona. It also became a hit movie on Net ix, garnering a cult following and becoming a beacon in queer representation.

One prominent narrative theme was exploring the workings of societies. Almost always, communities hinge on rules and laws — maintaining order to prevent crime and harm to innocent community members. From small organizations to vast kingdoms, this kind of protection feels logical and crucial for fostering a healthy, functioning community.

Nate Diana “Indy” Stevenson’s graphic novel is a queer reading like no other.

some, and this is especially true for the queer community. Even in today’s more progressive age, many members of the LGBTQIA+ community still face discrimination for their identity. e disparities between non-LGBTQIA+ and LGBTQIA+ individuals are still a problem in every space — most notably in health care, employment, housing and public spaces. Promoting queer media representation is a crucial start to carving out a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Set inside a world where magic and science clash, the laws of society were created by the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics (dubbed the Institution). e story centered around Nimona, a magical shapeshi er who insisted on becoming the sidekick of Ballister Blackheart, an exiled knight turned villain. Together, the duo sought to change the world around them in their own ways, providing a compelling allegory for how the queer community has been courageously pushing to create safe spaces for themselves.

Villainy became a great theme that Stevenson wielded to explore how Nimona responded to her environment, which was against her shapeshi ing, a metaphor for her uid identity. Nimona and Blackheart were initially posed as an antagonistic force that was going against the Institution, but as the story progressed, we saw how Blackheart unveiled the corruption of society and Nimona as a victim of historical hate. As more layers peeled back, readers understood how the misguided history and traditions of the world created a hostile environment that moved against queer-coded characters.

is is especially true when considering how important communities are to people, a sentiment theorized in psychologist Abraham Maslow’s third tier in the hierarchy of needs, which emphasizes the need for “love and belonging.” By following guidelines and respecting established values set forward by group leaders, collectives are prone to stay within this safe bubble.

However, these societal rules, laws and norms can be too restraining for

In that regard, viewers also saw how both characters tackle their exclusion from society di erently. Where Blackheart sought to work within the system and try to x it, Nimona intended to break it entirely, exclaiming, “What do you mean, there are rules? Why would you follow the rules? Isn’t that the whole point of being a villain, that you don’t follow the rules?” ese di erent approaches introduced much nuance in how they interacted with the laws of society and its social inequalities. Moreover, it was further complicated by Blackheart’s pursuit of science that entangled itself in Nimona’s seemingly unexplainable magic, providing further commentary on the tensions of the biological discourses surrounding queer identity.

Furthermore, humor in the graphic novel was also an amazing component of the narrative. Nimona’s punk and comical attitude was incredibly endearing, upli ing the more serious themes of the novel with an optimistic, zany perspective. Nimona shined bright here, and Blackheart shared that spotlight as well with his quips against arch-nemesis and secret lover, Ambrosius Goldenloin. e three characters’ personalities amalgamated into a comedy style that imbued the work with a fun, fresh outlook on queer identities.

Overall, the powerful narrative and humor, complete with a fantasy art style, created an unforgettable reading experience. While many may rightfully gravitate towards the newer adapted and highly regarded Net ix lm, the graphic novel is more than deserving of a revisit as the two di er a lot in their tones, themes and endings. is Pride month, “Nimona” is the next read that will make you laugh, cry and think — encapsulating the queer experience and capturing the power of queer media.

Courtesy of Harper Collins

Courtesy of pngtree.com

Courtesy Victor E. Andrade III

Courtesy of Shriya Chittapuram

Courtesy of Joshua Guerra

Courtesy of Aronne Chan

‘Happy Together’: Wong Kar-Wai’s melancholic and rhapsodic romance

StrandedinBuenosAires,aHong Kongcoupleexperiencetheache andecstasyoflove.

From “Days of Being Wild,” “Chungking Express,” “Ashes of Time” to “Fallen Angels,” Wong Kar-Wai released some of the decade's most de nitive work of the nineties — many of which are now among the most revered to date. His disregard for traditional narrative coupled with hyper-stylization established the Hong Kong lm director as one of the most original artists of his time. In 1998, Wong capped o the decade with “Happy Together,” which traced the tumultuous on-again, o -again relationship of two Hong-Kongers, Fai (Tony Leung) and Po-Wing (Leslie Cheung). eir journey to the Iguazu Falls took a turn when they ran out of money and became stranded in Buenos Aires, ultimately leading to their breakup.

Separated, the two men settled in their new home in two di erent ways — both aimless. e solemn Fai worked as a doorman at a tango bar and later as a chef trying to earn money to return to Hong Kong. Po-Wing was more freewheeling, seen with di erent men at di erent nights. e two crossed paths multiple times but did not say a word to one another. ey refused to acknowledge each other’s existence, but the frequency of such encounters said otherwise.

By; Luke Liao, Sta Writer

Leung’s and Cheung’s performances were striking here — Leung’s face hardening as he toiled in a dead-end gig but so ening as he dared to catch a glance at Po-Wing. Later, we see the feeling was reciprocal when Po-Wing le with another man in a taxi, looking back at Lai while ruefully lighting a cigarette.

ese scenes were shot in black and white by cinematographer Christopher Doyle, the monochrome expressing each individual’s isolation and the despondency of the two’s geographic emplacement. It’s only when Po-Wing returned to Fai seriously injured that the black and white shi ed into saturated color, inundated with humid yellows — the introduction of color marking a reconciliation between the two lovers. Fai tended to Po-Wing in his apartment, and though the two were physically together, jealousy threatened the possibility of rekindling a broken past. e camera movements Doyle man aged to execute in such con ning rooms is impressive, like in the scene where the two practiced tango, the camera rocked back and forth — the movements were technically graceful — but only further ing a sense of instability.

In addition to impeccable camerawork, Wong’s expressive lmmaking was how mundanity and time, two inseparable things, were presented. In “Happy Together,” time moved lethargically. e phrase “let’s start over” opened the lm and was whispered numerous times. e same corner street where Lai worked was returned to numerous times. Clocks were frequently shown. ese symbols all came to emblemize the two’s relationship — a state of limbo that Lai and Po-Wing were unable to break out of. Only in moments of great intimacy and honesty did time deviate. Step printing, the act of duplicating frames to achieve a slow, drawn out e ect, was used when the two lovers embraced. It’s a di erent type of limbo — one that is instead meant to suspend a transient moment in time. When the embrace broke, “normal” time was cruelly returned to.

Wong’s evocative portrayal of mundanity through these repetitive and fragmented actions became incredibly potent as the lm progressed. Both Lai and Po-Wing longed for something greater, and when it became clear that their relationship was not the answer to ful lling such desires, the mundanity, which was once yearnful, became painful. Wong’s ability to navigate through complicated feelings of disappointment and regret in the nal act was perhaps the rawest he’s ever been. Like his other work, and even more so with his subsequent lm “In the Mood for Love,” Wong used formal elements in unique ways, working from the outside in rather than surfacing the narrative with it. And with “Happy Together,” the result was a dizzying depiction of love gained and love lost. ■ H

The Burning Sun scandal rises once more

By: Maribel Gamez-Reyes, Radar Editor

ContentWarning:thisarticlediscussessexualviolence,prostitution,anddrugs.

With a sordid trail of sexual assault, prostitution, drug distribution, hidden camera footage, tax evasion and police corruption, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) released a new documentary titled “Burning Sun: Exposing the Secret K-pop Chat Groups” about the 2019 scandal. e documentary revisited the complex case that revealed a dark underbelly of the K-pop industry in South Korea, garnering widespread attention.

While numerous articles and reports have covered this high-pro le case, the documentary offers rsthand accounts of two female journalists, Park Hyo-sil and Kang Kyung-yoon, who initially broke the story with coverage of a “molka,” a term for hidden camera, in accusation against singer-songwriter Jung Joon-young in 2016. In March 2019, allegations against Jung Joon-young involved his participation in a secret chat group with other celebrities where sexually explicit videos of sexual assault were shared, stemming from leaked forensic data dating back to 2016.

e Burning Sun scandal wasn’t solely linked to the disturbing crimes that were digitally archived but also to a prominent nightclub of the same name, co-owned by Big Bang member Seung-ri. Aside from serving as a business establishment, the club doubled as a physical site where many of these crimes were coordinated to take place.

Notably, the legal outcomes in comparison to the lengthy list of o enses were disappointing as most who received sentences had them reduced upon approval, and others involved were acquitted. e lenient and passive reintegration of these perpetrators into society doesn’t align with the severity of illegal drugging, sexual assault and lming of multiple women. In retrospect, the perpetrators being male and the victims all women highlight the dynamics of gender inequality that fail to protect women.

is is evident in the treatment of women who worked extensively to reveal the truth to the world. A er Park published the rst story on Jung Joon-young being accused of molka, Jung’s management promptly released a statement on the investigation, calling it an "unimportant incident in ated by the press."

K-pop is de ned by its idols' pristine curated images; as a result, Park became a target for Jung’s fanbase to insult — receiving abusive comments online and malicious emails. Kang was also subjected to the same treatment from the public, going as far as enduring a harassment campaign directed at her unborn child at the time, which lasted three years.

The Burning Sun scandal underscores the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in South Korea’s entertainment industry and legal system.

Having dealt with a molka crime herself, K-pop singer Goo Ha-ra became a key informant in the investigation, convincing Choi Jong-hoon, one of the perpetrators involved, to give up the group's senior police contact that had been covering their crimes. All this goes to demonstrate the depth of corruption that permeates more than just the K-pop industry, allowing those that were involved to stand above the law.

e ongoing molka crisis, also known as the spycam epidemic, disproportionately impacts women, accounting for 80% of victims from the annually reported cases. According to the National Police Agency, in 2016, men accounted for 90% of the perpetrators in digital crimes.

In 2018, a case where a woman leaked a nude picture of a male model without consent resulted in a rapid response and harsh sentencing, contrasting with the usual dismissal towards male perpetrators' cases. e apparent double standard sparked a series of six protests, yet the outcome of light reforms hasn't done enough to ensure women's safety.

From its initial reveal to the public, the Burning Sun scandal has led to miniscule e orts and surface level support that ceases to tackle valid frustrations of women. In Feb. 2023, South Korea’s Justice Department rejected the opportunity to revise its legal denition of rape, which is part of the issue. Article 297 provides a rigid de nition and narrowly interprets what constitutes rape — so South Korea overlooks many factors that grant leniency to perpetrators and fail to align with international standards.

On the note of international standards, the annual report of “ e Economist’s glass-ceiling index” presented a chart addressing women’s working conditions and opportunities relative to those for men. Among a list of 29 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, South Korea ranked the lowest in 2023. is was foreseeable considering South Korea is also one of the few countries to not have an anti-discriminatory law.

Set on pillars and history of misogyny and patriarchy, South Korea is inherently favoring bias towards the comfort of men that don’t want to change their toxic outlooks. Instead of restoring a failing system, South Korea needs to internally reevaluate the harm that’s been caused and develop a framework for protecting women and the minorities in their society. In compensation of loyal and avid fanbases, the K-pop idols involved depreciated the very people that gave them their status and intently chose to see them as a pool of targets to choose from and harm.

Park recounts in the nal moments of the documentary that, “Misogyny is not just something that men say about women, but it's about power and an attempt to silence any suggestion of all genders being of equivalent value." In de ance to the misogyny that looms embedded in di erent sectors of Korean society, the journalistic values maintained by both female journalists and courage that victims embodied in coming forward served as a catalyst for a bigger conversation to take place. ■ H

Courtesy of Net ix

Not Just a Diversity Hire

South Asian representation in media has been lacking and distasteful. However, ‘Bridgerton’ has done well to change the narratives.

By: Dinara Godage, Assistant News Editor

From Ravi in “Jessie,” Raj from the “Big Bang eory” to Baljeet from “Phineas and Ferb,” each serve as stereotypical Indian side characters with the token thick accent who only speak in random facts about their culture. Few characters in past and present media are an accurate representation of South Asians. South Asians, especially those in countries not of their ethnic backgrounds, are continually struggling to nd characters that can be role models rather than the punch line of every joke.

One example of a newer show that attempted to bring light to South Asian culture was “Never Have I Ever.” While the show had a few positives, such as South Asian American main character Devi Vishwakumar played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as well as cultural accuracy, the negatives outweighed them. e main plot of the story followed Devi, the stereotypical Indian high schooler who wanted to go to an Ivy League college. She was nerdy, aggressively annoying and focused heavily on school. ough there were moments spotlighting the struggle of being a South Asian American, the character development and subpar qualities were a terrible representation of most South Asians.

Currently, the best source of South Asian representation is in Shonda Rhimes’ Net ix original “Bridgerton.” e second season followed the eldest sibling, Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, and his reluctance to nd a wife of love, rather opting to nd one of convenience to ensure his family’s title continued. e show took a new twist by adjusting the original novel, “ e Viscount who Loved Me” by Julia Quinn, to have Katherine “Kate” She eld become Kathani “Kate” Sharma, a girl from India. Strict in her plans, Kate’s only goal was to ensure her sister married a man of nobility before she returned home. However, she found herself caught up in a complicated relationship with her sister’s ancé, Viscount Bridgerton. As she discovered herself as more than her family’s breadwinner, she realized she may just be worthy of love.

Spoilers from “Bridgerton” Season 2

e custom designers included various Indian attire and color palettes with the regency era gowns that the rest of the cast wore. e Sharma family consistently wore jewel colored dresses to represent South Asian gem collections. ey also adorned necklaces with pearls as well as gems, bangles and jhumkas, dome-shaped earrings customary to Indian culture. ese smaller details tied together the beauties of South Asia that have been dearly missed in other shows.

Not only did Kate represent a large population of underrepresented groups and highlight the positive aspects of South Asian culture, she also pushed the boundaries of how Indian characters, especially female Indian characters, are depicted in media. South Asian women are presented as the “stay-at-home wife,” and most South Asian women are raised with the intention of being a wife and mother rst and a human being second. Kate, however, showed all sides of herself: a driven woman in charge of protecting her family as well as an insecure 26-year-old yearning for love. She was vulnerable about her feelings and grew into them, and most importantly, she explored the sensual side of herself. Rather than surrendering to the life of a suppressed homemaker, Kate aspired to return to India and work to support her family.

Even a er nding love, this goal, although altered, did not fundamentally change. She established herself as Viscountess Bridgerton. She relied heavily on her education and strengths rather than playing into the docile role that was expected of her, which made her perfect for the ever-restless Viscount Bridgerton. Additionally, purity and “lady-like” behavior are expectations of South Asian women. roughout history, women have been berated for not retaining their purity, and especially so in South Asian culture as virginity checking rituals and arranged marriages are still heavily practiced.

Placing a South Asian woman on a well-known show and allowing

her to experience sensual emotions that she did not thwart away, encouraged other South Asian women to feel free from the restraints of cultural expectations. Rhimes promoted this type of discovery by having Kate and Anthony have premarital relations. Having representation of a working South Asian woman that leaned into her sensual feelings decreased the stigmas with exploring oneself and becoming someone beyond the restrictions of culture.

Furthermore, the actress who played Kate Sharma, Ashley Simon, is also dark-skinned. is fact alone was an in uencing factor for many viewers’ decisions to praise “Bridgerton” for its South Asian representation. In South Asian culture, colorism is a rampant and distasteful plague. ose with darker skin have consistently less opportunities and presence in media. Colorism is practiced from a young age, and these pressures are much more prevalent for women than men. Pale skin is consistently associated with purity and perfection, while dark skin is unpalatable in South Asian culture.

Casting Simon as Kate allowed a dark-skinned woman to leave the shadows and escape the expectations of people of her skin tone. is was beyond commendable and went against a history of precedents discouraging dark skinned South Asians from nding any reprieve.

Within various ashbacks, it comes to light that Kate was not her mother’s biological daughter but rather a daughter of her father and his previous wife, while her sister was the child of their parents. is was also a

deciding factor for Kate not wanting to be a nuisance to her family and wanting to work a er her sister was married.

Internalized colorism starts young and fosters easily as many families practice traditions of skin lightening and utilize various herbs to subdue melanin. Rhimes’ allowing Kate to not only nd love but also leave behind society’s colorist mentality encouraged others to do the same.

“Bridgerton,” while not perfect, did far more than allow a dark skin-toned South Asian woman to play a major role — it cra ed her character in a way that connected her experiences back to her culture and helped her grow from its faults, thus making her relatable and admirable. Kate faced character growth the way any other character would, and her being Indian was not an all-encompassing trait that determined all of her qualities. e writing for her character was not stained by stereotypes.

Not only was the show able to beautifully replicate Indian culture, but it also went above and beyond, commenting on the negatives and supporting change for the better. A show that is able to not only convey respect but also present an option of growth for a culture is the best possible way to support and represent it in the media. is is a call to writers and those in the media to realize that a race is more than its stereotypes. is is a call to create a representative outlet for South Asian audiences that does not place them in a box of thick accents, smelly curries and math problems. South Asians are more than that and deserve to be presented as such. ■

Courtesy of Net ix

SPORTS

Mike Magpayo’s impact on UCR men’s basketball goes beyond the court

By: Terry Nguyen, Assistant Sports Editor

Mike Magpayo’s tenure as head coach of the University of California, Riverside (UCR) men’s basketball team has brought a strong culture change to the organization as the program hopes to build o of a year that ended strongly. e Highlanders nished the 2024 season 10-10 in conference play, but won eight of their nal 11 games. eir season ended in the quarter nals of the Big West Championship, falling to eventual winners, Long Beach State University, 86-67.

Magpayo will enter his h season as full-time head coach in 20242025, as he hopes to bring UCR their rst men’s basketball Big West Championship in the school's history. ere’s a lot to be optimistic about for Highlander fans, as the majority of UCR’s young core will return next season.

Reigning Big West Freshman of the Year, Barrington Hargress, enters next season as one of the league’s best guards, who can create his own shot while playmaking for others around him. Magpayo had high praise for the Inglewood native, saying, “He’s one of the best point guards in the country at a mid-major,” as he expects him to take on a bigger role next season. Hargress averaged 12.6 points and fourand-a-half assists per game last year, ranking ninth in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio.

Redshirt freshman, Kaleb Smith, is another young player hoping to take on a bigger role next season. In the nal nine games of last year, Smith put up 13.6 points per game and saw his minutes skyrocket when compared to the beginning of the season. Magpayo praised Smith’s willingness to be coachable: “He was playing about ve minutes [per] game early in the year…but he was so coachable. He had laser focus [and] was looking me in the eyes. It was really cool to see his growth, I mean by the end of the year I couldn’t take him out of the game.” Smith played multiple 30+ minute games in the latter half of the season, and has put on some weight according to coach. “I’ve been really impressed with Kaleb Smith this Spring…he’s put on 16 pounds and I think he’s grown an inch … he’s a player.”

Mike Magpayo hopes to lead UCR men’s basketball to its rst ever Big West Championship and re ects on how he’s grown as a coach.

Two more key players returning for the Highlanders include sophomores Isaiah Moses and Nate Pickens. ese core guards started in the majority of games last season for Magpayo, and he believes their roles could increase moving forward: “ ese guys got to play so much, all of them got to play 30 to 35 minute games at some point [in the year]...and I think all these guys are going to make a jump.”

Key players the Highlanders will lose include graduate student Kyle Owens and senior Wil Tattersall. Ben Griscti also won’t return, as he signed a professional contract overseas in Australia.

Magpayo also detailed his relationship with Erik Spoelstra, and how he’s been a mentor to him on and o the court. “He’s so humble … he’s always trying to learn from others, trying to learn from me … he loves basketball and is fully enthralled about the game.” Spoelstra has been the head coach of the Miami Heat for 16 seasons, and is a two-time NBA Champion at the helm. Players he has coached include LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo. Magpayo also admired his coaching style, sharing, “His teams are always gritty, highly competitive, and they develop that in the preseason … and the Heat are going to be [amongst] the most conditioned teams [in the league].”

Erik Spoelstra and Mike Magpayo were able to connect via the Asian Coaches Association. Magpayo has been the president of the association since 2011, and is also the rst ever full Asian American head coach for a Division I men's basketball program. Spoelstra is half Filipino, and the rst ever Asian American head coach to win an NBA Title.

Another key ingredient in the development of UCR’s basketball program has been the incredible work of athletic director Wesley Mallette. Magpayo nicknamed him “Ted Lasso” a few years ago, perhaps a nod to his great charisma and leadership abilities. Mallette brought UCR out of a threat to be terminated from NCAA Division I Athletics, and was also named amongst the “100 Most Impactful People in Men’s College Basketball” by Silver Waves Media in 2024. “I have the best mid-major athletic director in the country, and I really believe that,” Magpayo said regarding Wesley Mallette. “Wes and I are very aligned and we’re always communicating…and you’re not seeing coaches leave here either. Coaches, sta , and administration stay here for many years because I believe everyone enjoys working for this great leader.”

Magpayo has high hopes for the 2024-2025 season, and basketball couldn’t come soon enough. “We have a chance to contend for [the Big West Championship]…and [I] couldn’t be more excited about this group.” ■ H

Courtesy of UCR Atheltics

Predicting the main storylines of UEFA Euro 2024

By: Isaac Solnick, Sports Editor

The Disappointing Big Team

It’s hard to believe that it's been almost three years since the infamous Euro 2020 nal between Italy and England. As extra-time expired and the match headed to penalties, Italy’s giant goalkeeper Gianluigi Donarumma rose to the occasion. His clutch penalty saves against England’s Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka broke the hearts of everyone who thought, “It’s coming home!” Italy hoisted its rst European Championship since 1968 as Donarumma was recognized as the tournament’s best player.

Euro 2020 was as unpredictable as it was legendary. e entire tournament was lled with emotion, heartbreak and drama. Nobody could have predicted Denmark rallying behind Cristian Eriksen to make an unprecedented run to the semi nals or Switzerland’s last-minute comeback against France in the Round of 16. Euro 2024 promises to be more of the same. Nevertheless, let’s predict this unpredictable tournament.

It was tempting to go with the defending champions Italy as they have improved greatly under the guidance of Luciano Spalleti. Instead, I’ll go for perennial underperformers Belgium. Belgium’s “golden generation” has failed to reach the expectations that were placed on them a er their quarter nal trip at the 2014 World Cup. Despite embarrassingly spilling out of the group stage at the 2022 World Cup, Belgium holds a lo y 3rd place in FIFA’s world rankings.

Also, with winger Eden Hazard retired and goalkeeper ibaut Courtois injured, mid elder Kevin De Bruyne remains the only world-class player on the team. While there is new blood in attack with the likes of Loïs Openda and Jérémy Doku, Belgium’s formerly formidable defense is now a weakness. Courtois’s unavailability only highlights this glaring weak spot.

The Cinderella Story

In every major tournament, a small team makes a deep run in the knockout stage. At Euro 2016, Gareth Bale led Wales all the way to the semi nal. Similarly, Denmark was just one goal away from the nal at Euro 2020. If history repeats itself, Euro 2024 should be no di erent.

With this in mind, Hungary could be the dark horse of this tournament. eir group is very manageable and they performed well at the 2022 - 2023 UEFA Nations League and Euro quali ers. Hungary’s success can be credited to their sturdy defense and balanced attack.

Led by creative mid elder Dominik Szoboszlai, their squad is experienced but also in their prime. Szoboszlai’s former Leipzig teammates Peter Gulacsi and Willi Orban have uncanny chemistry at the back. Up front, anybody who watches Major League Soccer (MLS) will be familiar with Dániel Gazdag’s nose for goal. is team could beat anyone on any given day.

Young Player of the Tournament

Awarded to the best player 21 years or younger, this award hints that there are many potential candidates. England’s Jude Bellingham is the favorite, but I think his close friend and rival will snatch the award from him.

Germany’s Jamal Musiala will have the home crowd behind him for the entire tournament. e young midelder is an incredible dribbler and playmaker. With Julian Nagelsmann pitchside, Musiala shouldn’t have trouble playing his former Bayern Munich boss’s style of play. Musiala gained plenty of experience during the 2022 Qatar World Cup and is poised to break out at Euro 2024. With Germany poised to make a deep run, mid elder Florian Wirtz is also a strong contender.

The Team to Beat

A er losing at Euro 2020 and at the 2022 World Cup via penalties, Les Bleus won’t leave anything to doubt at Euro 2024. Manager Didier Deschamps has been with the national team since 2012 and has led France to three major nals. He’s super familiar with his squad and he’s spoiled with talent.

Headlined by Kylian Mbappé, Les Bleus possess world-class players throughout the lineup. By sticking with the same set of players from previous tournaments, Deschamps can ensure his team is littered with plenty of experience and chemistry.

is team is hungry, too. A er losing in the Euro 2016 nal to Portugal, France rebounded by winning the 2018 Russia World Cup. is time, the 2022 World Cup Final loss to Argentina will be fresh in their minds. Mbappé especially, will be motivated to avenge his penalty miss against Switzerland at Euro 2020. He’ll lead France to their third European championship and earn Player of the Tournament honors along the way.■ H

The unpredictable nature of the competition makes Euro 2024 must watch television.

Curtesy of wikipedia commons