THE HIGHLANDER
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
FOR THE WEEK OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
VOL. 69, ISSUE 06
est. 1954
UCR student organizations partake in an action-packed Election Day
UCR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS CONTINUED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY ON ELECTION DAY. LAURA ANAYA-MORGA Senior Staff Writer
The 2020 presidential race between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden was the first time many UCR students were eligible to vote in a presidential election. UCR organizations and departments, such as the Civic Engagement Coalition, Student Life, the School of Public Policy (SPP) and CALPIRG, centered their programming on Election Day around educating the UCR community on how to make a plan to vote, answering questions students had and creating spaces where they could voice their concerns and worries in anticipation of the next president of the United States. The day was kicked off by the California Vote Project, a statewide collective
consisting of many organizations such as CALPIRG, the UC Student Association, Cal State Student Association and the Secretary of State’s Office. The California Vote Project has been hosting many events throughout fall quarter to educate California students and prepare them for the election. On Election Day, the collective hosted a Vote-A-Thon from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., where attendees participated in phone banking, text banking and were able to hear from multiple speakers such as State Senator Hannahbeth Jackson. Ria Mavinkurve, second-year economics major and CALPIRG representative, spoke to The Highlander about the success of the event and stated, “The event united people across the state through shared passion ► SEE STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS PAGE 4
New working group to find a solution for UCR Athletics’ budgetary issues Due to the onslaught of COVID-19 and the subsequent losses in revenue and funding, UCR’s Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) released recommendations over the summer of the best methods to keep the school’s budget balanced. There were a couple major areas of potential cuts, but the possible elimination of UCR Athletics has proved to be a point of contention for many. On Tuesday, Nov. 2, Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox sent out a mass email to students and faculty, announcing the formation of the Intercollegiate Athletics Working Group (IAWG), a committee dedicated to conducting research and advising on the long term sustainability of the athletics program, as well as redefining the role of intercollegiate competition at UCR. The group is comprised
LOOKING FORWARD, THE COUNTRY MUST FOCUS ON POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY IF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN REBUILDING A DIVIDED COUNTRY.
UCR CONSIDERS ELIMINATING ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS BUDGET CUTS.
LAURA ANAYA-MORGA Senior Staff Writer
of 12 official members, all representing different backgrounds and relationships to the university as well as the UCR Athletics, in the interest of securing a holistic decision. Currently, they are scheduled to meet at least once every two weeks and are expected to have their recommendation report submitted by the beginning of February 2021. In an interview with The Highlander, IAWG Chair and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Brian Haynes delved deeper into the reasoning behind the committee’s formation. He admitted that unlike other Division I programs, UCR’s ► SEE ATHLETICS PAGE 4
COURTESY OF UCR SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY
COURTESY OF JOE BIDEN VIA FLICKR
Building Back Better
With the election over and won, the real challenge starts now THE HIGHLANDER Editorial Board
As this year’s tumultuous election comes to an end, so does the formidable Trump administration — paving the way for a new era of politics in America with president-elect Joe Biden. While Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ win shook the U.S. after a tensionfilled week of ballot counting, Democrats should not see this as
an opportunity to relax. Keeping the left unified and engaged while managing all the work that comes with a presidency will be an uphill battle. Holding the Biden administration accountable in a deeply divided American is extremely important if we are to avoid yet another disappointing presidency. The nation was on the edge of their seats for a week, constantly checking up on the status of battleground states that were going to determine the outcome of
the election. Mail-in ballots came in favor of the Biden campaign, and ultimately, changed the course of the election. This election has shown that if Democrats were just as unified and involved as Republicans are, they could easily overtake an election. Shamefully, it is highly unlikely that President Trump will concede graciously; he has already released a statement claiming that he will contest the ► SEE EDITORIAL PAGE 6
f UCR Highlander Newspaper @UCRHighlander HighlanderTV NEWS 3
OPINIONS 6
FEATURES 9
RADAR 10
SPORTS 12
KUCR 88.3 FM
2
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org
HUMANS OF UCR
UPCOMING EVENTS: WEEK 6
ELIZABETH HA | PRE-BUSINESS | SECOND-YEAR COMPILED BY THE HIGHLANDER STAFF
2
Cambodian Rock Band and Asian American Arts Activism 1:30 p.m. Virtual Event
Night in with Alumni: Sociology 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Virtual Event
3
APSP’s Roundtable Presents: Fighting 2 Viruses 1 p.m. Virtual Event
2020 Election Night Watch Party 5 p.m. Virtual Event
4
Virtual Law School Information Day Fair 2020 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Virtual Event
Information Session with City Year Los Angeles 12:30 p.m. to 1p.m. Virtual Event
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
“One of my biggest struggles right now is just trying to figure out how to love myself fully. Something many people do not know is that I love rewatching either romance movies or old Disney shows.”
5
Thursday
6
Feminist Friday: Election Debrief 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Virtual Event
Tea Time With Terry: Get Happier Hour! 4 p.m. Virtual Event
7
UCR Intramural E-Sports League Competition Virtual Event
Virtual Turkey Trot Virtual Event
Friday
Saturday
CONTACT US
HIGHLANDER STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MANAGING EDITOR
Silvia Ferrer
Amani Mahmoud
editorinchief @highlandernews.org
managingeditor @highlandernews.org
NEWS EDITOR
ASST. NEWS EDITOR Davina Garcia dgarc084@ucr.edu
Laura Anaya-Morga
news@highlandernews.org OPINIONS EDITOR
ASST. OPINIONS EDITOR Evelyn Homan ehauthor19@gmail.com
Madison Rheins opinions@highlandernews.org FEATURES EDITOR
ASST. FEATURES EDITOR Alexandria Estaban aeste005@ucr.edu
Adriana Mandujano Angel features@highlandernews.org A&E EDITOR
ASST. FEATURES EDITOR Kevin Sanchez Neri ksanc034@ucr.edu
Colin Carney
radar@highlandernews.org SPORTS EDITOR
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Kevin Contreras kcont012@ucr.edu
PRODUCTION MANAGER
ART DIRECTOR
Amanda Joy Teano
Celine Hoang artdirector. highlander@gmail.com
productionmanager @highlandernews.org
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Kathy Garcia Brinly Den ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Leo Yue lyue003@ucr.edu
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Ryan Poon
photo@highlandernews.org STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
Isuru Karunatillaka Martin Lopez
Llyod Kao
VIDEO EDITOR
Rodolfo Andres Valdivia rvald015@ucr.edu
BUSINESS MANAGER
Arshneel Kaur
highlanderads@gmail.com MARKETING COORDINATOR
Hannah Chung
marketing.highlander@gmail.com
Highlander 101 Highlander Union Building Riverside, CA 92521 www.highlandernews.org editorinchief@highlandernews.org TIP LINE: (951) 827-2105 Help the Highlander stay on top of what is happening on campus and in the general UCR community. Call this number and leave a message for the Editorial Board with your tip. Be sure to include your full name, relation to UCR, and a number or email address where you can be reached for more details. Editorial Office: (951) 827-3617
Business Office: (951) 827-3457
Classifieds & Billing: (951) 827-5039
Fax: (951) 827-7049
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Highlander accepts letters from the campus community. They must be 600-800 words at length and include the author’s name and contact information. Topics should be UCR-centric and/or pertain to our generation of students. Contact Opinions Editor Samuel Harrison at opinions@highlandernews.org by Wednesday if interested in writing a letter and submit the completed letter by Saturday at noon. Letters can and will be rejected if it does not meet requirements. LEGAL The Highlander is published and copyrighted by the Highlander for the students, faculty and staff of UCR. All rights are reserved. Reprinting of any material in this publication without the written permission of the Highlander is strictly prohibited. Readers are allowed one free copy of the newspaper. For additional copies or for subscription information, please contact the Highlander. The Highlander fully supports the University of California’s policy on non-discrimination. The student media reserve the right to reject or modify advertising whose content discriminates on the basis of ancestry, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation. The Highlander has a media grievance procedure for resolving complaints against it. All inserts that are printed in the Highlander are independently paid publications and do not reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the staff or The University of California or the Associated Students of UCR.
On Slash Fanfiction and Yaoi Manga: Civic Engagement Collaboration with Susan Lopez Fandom and Sexuality in the Archives 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Event Virtual Event
8
Sunday
MULTIMEDIA
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS ADVERTISING INFORMATION Please submit Classifed ads by calling 951-827-3457 or by emailing Highlanderads@ucr.edu PAYMENT Visa and Mastercard Make checks payable to The Highlander Newspaper No refunds RATES Classified: $2 per line; 17 characters (spaces, dashes, etc.)
THEHIGHLANDERUCR
f
THE HIGHLANDER @HIGHLANDERUCR HighlanderTV KUCR 88.3 FM
News
NEWS
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/news
T
YOUNG VOTERS BELIEVED BIDEN TO BE THE BEST CHOICE, BUT ADDED THAT THERE IS STILL MORE PROGRESS TO BE MADE.
he stakes were high as voters anxiously awaited the results of the 2020 presidential race between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden. This election had the highest voter turnout ever recorded, with young people and first-time voters making up a significant part of that. Joe Biden also received more votes than any other presidential candidate in history. On Tuesday, Nov. 3, five UCR students spoke to The Highlander about their experience voting in their first presidential election along with their feelings and anticipations on Election Day. Julian Brambila, Fontana, CA For Julian Brambila, the process of voting in San Bernardino County was simple. He dropped off his ballot and patiently waited to receive the notification that his vote had been counted. Brambila stated that a vote for Biden and Kamala Harris was never a question. “I voted for Bernie as I’m sure a lot of young people did too. It was just
a matter of why,” he stated. While Biden may not have been his first choice, he explained, “There’s a lot of potential to push him even more left on so many policy issues, and a lot of progress can be made.” According to Brambila, a vote for Biden is a matter of life and death for many people, in comparison to the hatred spewed by Trump during his presidency. His vote encompassed underserved communities that may not have the right, access or privilege to vote. “It’s important to do the bare minimum by casting your ballot,” he said. Luna Sebastian, Los Angeles, CA Like many, Luna Sebastian woke up anxious and afraid of the events she anticipated to unfold on Election Day. Living in Los Angeles, she noticed local businesses boarding up their windows in preparation. Although only one unlawful gathering was reported in Los Angeles that night, Sebastian says it was enough to keep her up the night before.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
3
First time voters discuss their experience at the polls and express what a Biden victory means to them LAURA ANAYA-MORGA Senior Staff Writer
During her first presidential election as an eligible voter, Sebastian said that she was excited to cast her ballot in honor of herself, her family and her community. To vote for Biden was to vote for a candidate who believes in climate change, racial injustice and women’s rights, she stated. “Many people don’t think voting matters, but the reasons are right there,” stated Sebastian. Alicia Larson, Temecula, CA Early voting was also the best option for Alicia Larson, who says the community in Temecula has a very large Republican population. The Trump supporters in the area, she said, are the type to induce voter intimidation at the polls, and she wanted to avoid that at all costs. Larson stated that she woke up on Election Day feeling dreadful and scared of how people may react to the results. Larsen believes a vote for Biden is the only way to repair the damage done by the President during his term. “[Trump] is extremely racist, and I just don’t understand why people still continue to
support him,” stated Larsen. As an intern for the California Democratic Party, Larsen spent her first presidential campaign as an eligible voter phonebanking to voters in swing states to educate them on the importance of voting. Larsen stressed the importance of utilizing one’s right to vote if they have the privilege to, stating, “I vote for the people within my community and for equality for everyone.” Lindy Chen, Diamond Bar, CA Lindy Chen stated that Biden was definitely not her first choice either, but was clearly the best choice during this election. Chen says climate change is an issue that was very important to her, and she appreciated Biden’s progressive tax plan. Chen, who is originally from Alhambra, CA, said that she noticed the difference in the political climate of the two cities as soon as she moved as a freshman in high school. Due to the economic shift in class and income, she has noticed a surge of right-leaning individuals in her
community. Chen stated that voting does not end at just picking a president and stressed the importance of researching and voting for candidates in our local offices. Emily Thomas, Riverside, CA Emily Thomas spent her first presidential election as an eligible voter working at the polls a few days before Election Day. Her experience went smoothly, aside from a few technical difficulties at her polling location at Franklin Elementary School in Corona. Though lines were long, Thomas said she noticed that some were choosing to wait due to distrust in the drop-off ballot process. “I vote because it’s a right and a privilege, and it’s a service to others,” stated Thomas, “it’s as simple as that.” Voting for Biden and Harris means voting for new faces, change and accountability, she stated. Thomas added that her vote also means supporting the folks that Biden might put in his cabinet, individuals who will tackle climate change, support education and ultimately uplift H the UC system. ■
ASUCR ASUCR ratifies new staff and elects new elections director ASUCR APPOINTS NEW STAFF MEMBERS TO THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL AS WELL AS A NEW ELECTIONS DIRECTOR DURING THEIR FIFTH MEETING OF THE QUARTER.
ARCHIVE / THE HIGHLANDER
LAURA ANAYA-MORGA Senior Staff Writer
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, ASUCR held their fifth meeting of the quarter, where they worked to ratify new staff for the Office of Vice President of Sustainability and the judicial branch. The senate also took part in a special election to confirm the new elections director. During Ex-Officio Reports, Vice President of Sustainability Vanessa Gomez-Alvarado introduced Alondra Martinez as the new vice chair of her office, Ariana Turner as the marketing and outreach director, Zoe Arkin as programming director and Hannah O’Brien as the policy director. The senate approved Gomez-Alvarado’s choices with a vote of 15-0-1. ASUCR President Luis Huerta also presented his staff for judicial council. Typically, there are six students that sit on the judicial council to comprise six justices. The judicial council works to settle disputes between the association, specifically when there are violations of the ASUCR constitution. There were three vacancies within the council, and Huerta introduced three students, Joseph Phee, Daresh Vandaru and Muhammad Amuazon, to present a short speech on why they would be fit for the position. Vandaru spoke first, thanking the senate and Huerta for the opportunity. He highlighted his experience as a judicial fellow last year and stated that it gave him the tools he needs to succeed in the judicial branch. Vandaru stated that he is passionate about
research and analysis and that he will uphold the ASUCR constitution and make logic-based decisions. Phee, a third-year biology major, stated that he has a strong interest in politics and service. While he has not served in any ASUCR position in the past, he understands the importance of student government and sees the judicial branch as the backbone to the success of ASUCR. As a justice, Phee says he will be open-minded: his decisions will be based on fact and integrity, and transparency will always come first. Finally, Amuazon briefed the senate on his former experience as chief justice for the associated students at Mt. San Antonio College. Before transferring to UCR in the fall, he stated that he was involved in and solved many cases surrounding judicial, legal and student misconduct. In his position, Amuazon hopes to bring a unique and diverse voice to the judicial council. All three justices were approved with a vote of 17-0-0. During the approval of the finance hearing minutes, Vice President of Finance William Wang allocated $5,867 from the contingency budget to Huerta as part of an outstanding Black Lives Matter (BLM) donation that has yet to be distributed. Wang explained that by allocating the donation to President Huerta’s budget, they can start the process of discussing how to allocate those funds to the correct cause and individuals. The contingency budget consists of non-student fees and instead comes from the money ASUCR
makes from vending machines and ATMs across campus. During Senator Reports, Connely Neufeld, third-year mechanical engineering major, introduced himself to the senate as the new BCOE senator after Natalie Campos resigned last week. The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m. but quickly transitioned into a special election to choose a new elections director for the year. Former Elections Director and current Personnel Director Sean Nguyen nominated fourth-year biology major, Lama Yassine, to fill the position, and she addressed the senate about her goals for the year. Yassine plans to increase voter turnout during ASUCR elections and make campaigning processes easier for candidates. During her CNAS Senator campaign last year, Yassine noticed that many of her peers were unsure how to cast their ballots online. “The biggest form of voter suppression is when students don’t know how to vote,” stated Yassine. As elections director, she plans to prepare tutorials on the various ASUCR platforms to make the process as simple as possible. Another one of her goals is to encourage students to vote by giving away prizes that they would find beneficial, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as food and grocery gift cards. “Nothing is more valuable to the elections than the students,” stated Yassine. After a brief discussion, the senate elected Yassine as the new elections director with a H vote of 17-0-0.■
4 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
NEWS
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/news
► FROM STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
COUTESY OF FREEPIK
and drive; more importantly, it provided optimism and enthusiasm to fuel further efforts in activism.” At UCR, the collective was able to speak to and educate over 1,800 students on the importance of voting. Later on, UCR’s Civic Engagement Coalition hosted a discussion with guest speaker, Edison Gomez-Krauss on the different ways to be involved beyond the election. GomezKrauss, who is running for the Mt. San Jacinto Community College District, stated that he is supporting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris during the election. He stated, “I dont think they’re going to fix all the problems, but it’s a start.” He went on to state that his goals are to pull the Democratic Party further to the left, making it more compassionate and empathetic. The coalition provided multiple resources for students to assist their efforts in staying involved in local government such as Riverside City Council meetings, the community calendar and the contact
► FROM ATHLETICS
RYAN POON / THE HIGHLANDER
Athletics department relies heavily on university funding, thus elimination had to be considered. Nonetheless, Haynes affirmed that he and the other members of IAWG are hopeful and committed to finding a solution that will benefit everyone. “I plan to help steer a comprehensive review of UCR’s Athletics program, including its current role in the life of our campus community and whether another model may better serve the campus,” Haynes stated. One IAWG member, Katherine Kinney, associate professor of English as well as Chair of the Academic Senate Committee on Planning and Budget (CPB), elaborated on her role in the group. The CPB serves as an advisory group within the Academic Senate, conferring with the chancellor and provost to discuss matters of planning, budgeting and resourcing
allocations. As a representative of the Academic Senate, it is her job to consult the CPB and talk about the issues that are raised by the IAWG and relay the resulting information back. Kinney stated that her ultimate goal is to ascertain that all in the working group “keep the teaching and research missions of the University clearly in mind” during their discussions. Another committee member, Tamica Smith Jones, the UCR intercollegiate athletics director, also emphasized the importance of the IAWG and their pending final decision to the university, though her views are a little different from Kinney’s. “It is important to reinforce that our Athletics Department is aligned with the mission of this university in creating opportunities for underserved populations,” she stated. Jones stressed that the sports program provides valuable college opportunities to numerous young student athletes who may not
information for Engage Riverside, a community hub where anyone can access the city’s budget and finance records and strategic performance reports, amongst other things. The day concluded with an election night watch party hosted by the SPP from 5 p.m. 12 a.m. “We wanted to create a safe space where students were respectful of one another, but could also bond during such uncertain times,” stated Madeleine Bunting, host of the event and dean’s chief brand ambassador. Members of the Dean’s Brand Ambassadors provided their own field reporting throughout the night, comparing results from various news channels, giving updates on what was trending on Twitter and explaining the Electoral College. Additionally, a representative from Common Cause California spoke about voter fraud throughout the state as polling began to wind down and professors from the School and the Department of Political Science gave their opinion on what the election results mean so far and what the coming days could look like. The Zoom chatbox was also interactive throughout the night, with students reacting to the results coming in throughout the night, confessing their concerns and anxieties. For Bunting, the event proved to be successful, adding, “It is so important for young people to get out and vote because this is one opportunity, of many, for people to H truly make a difference.” ■
have otherwise had the chance; she maintained that guaranteeing said opportunities for the hundreds of student athletes who attend UCR is integral to “who we are as a university and as a rising campus amongst UC’s.” According to Haynes, the group still has yet to decide the best course of action for receiving wide-ranging input from affected communities, like the students. However, the IAWG has reportedly included several key members who are directly involved with the UCR student population, such as ASUCR President Luis Huerta, which will help ensure that a connection to the student body is maintained. In the meantime, Haynes stated that the committee will be holding its first town hall meeting for H student athletes on Friday, Nov. 13. ■
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/news
NEWS
MONDAY, NOVEMEBER 9, 2020
5
Congressman Mark Takano joins UCR students in a round table discussion IN A SPECIAL ZOOM EVENT, CONGRESSMAN MARK TAKANO ADDRESSES STUDENT CONCERNS
ARCHIVE / THE HIGHLANDER
DAVINA GARCIA Senior Staff Writer
The Undocumented Student Programs (USP) held a special Zoom event with Mark Takano, congressman of the 41st Congressional District in western Riverside County, on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The aim of the event was to have students connect with the congressional representative and to have an open conversation about how to participate in civic engagement and push for change regarding immigration policies. This event was made possible by Ana Coria, USP coordinator, Kathy Eiler, meeting moderator and director of Governmental and Community Relations, as well as Denise Davis, meeting moderator and director of the Women’s Resource Center. Davis also serves as the Mayor Pro Tem for the Redlands City Council. When Takano arrived, Davis gave him a quick introduction. According to Davis, Takano has worked to improve the lives of Riverside citizens for over 20 years. He was born and raised in Riverside and showed an early interest in public policy, though after attending Harvard University, he began working as a teacher in the Rialto Unified School District. In 1990, Takano was elected to the Riverside Community College Board of Trustees and later became Board President. In 2012, Takano became the first openly gay person of color to be elected to Congress under the Democratic Party. He now serves as chairman of the House Committee on Veteran Affairs and as a member of the Education and Labor Committee. Takano began by thanking USP for the invitation and addressing
the elections as well as the ballot processing occurring across the country. “I know that many of us had hoped that our country would have made a more clear repudiation of this terrible, terrible leadership in the White House,” he stated. Takano affirmed that he knows many people are disturbed and fearful that around half of the country has voted to put Donald Trump back into office; however, he added that while it is extremely worrisome, there are still masses out there who are willing to keep fighting and continue progressing forward. The meeting then opened up for questions. The first inquiry came from UCR student, Yadira Garcia, and her younger sibling, Victor Garcia, regarding what sort of action can be taken to fight systemic racism and inequality in our country. In response, Takano stated that a university education is an especially powerful tool. He pointed out that the majority of white people who voted against Donald Trump were college educated. “Ignorance is our enemy,” Takano stated, explaining that we ought to be generous when understanding our own history, but especially when actively learning about others. He emphasized that this sort of education has the power to inform and broaden the mind, allowing for curiosity and empathy for others to grow. With this education, one can begin to have honest conversation about racism and inequality and what can be done going forward to combat it — a situation that benefits everyone. However, he also added that it is just as important to remember how far the country has progressed. As
a youth growing up in the 1970s, Takano mentioned that he has seen firsthand the changes that have been wrought onto the U.S. He stated that the country has become significantly less racist, and it is essential to remember that. Otherwise, it can be easy to fall into bitterness. Takano advised people to “rise up past the grievances” to understand why they happened and take action to be better going forward. The second question was raised by The Highlander, asking the congressmember why he thinks it is so important for students in particular to participate in civic engagement. In response, Takano emphasized the power of young people’s actions and voices, particularly now in light of the traction gained by the Black Lives Matter movement. He pointed out that this wave of social reckoning that has been gaining momentum would not have been possible back in the 1970s during his youth; the difference was laid in the organization and actions of young people from all different backgrounds coming together to incite change. Takano added that young adults can do even better, so long as they continue to learn and strengthen their commitment to social justice. The third inquiry came from Carlos Alarcon, a student and copresident of Poder at UCR, a studentled organization that seeks to aid undocumented students. He asked about the likelihood of immigration reform happening in the case of Biden winning while Republicans still hold the Senate. Takano admitted that it is going to be difficult to achieve any sort of immigration policy reform with a
Republican majority in the Senate, even if Biden became president. He stated that it is possible that there will be a less “draconian ICE,” but even so, he warned that the federal agency has its own subculture that has worsened under the Trump administration. Takano added that he believes with Biden as president, the government can keep DACA students secure for at least another four years and perhaps at least provide better living conditions for immigrants who are waiting to be judged before the American courts; otherwise, it will mostly result in gridlock. Congressman Takano experienced technical difficulties and had to leave early, but the final question was answered by Rafael Elizalde, a political consultant. The inquiry was posed by a moderator and asked about the effects that the Supreme Court might have on undocumented issues. Elizalde stated that the answer is dependent upon what sort of issues are pushed forward. He admitted that there will be future challenges with a conservative-dominant Supreme Court as well as a potentially Republican controlled Senate. However, he added that something to remain hopeful about is the fact that the Supreme Court and lower courts have already ruled in favor of DACA and certain immigration policies that the Trump administration has not been able to pilfer. The meeting concluded with a brief talk about volunteer and internship opportunities in the congressional office. For those who may be interested, Elizalde may be reached through either rafael@paperclipinc. org or rafael.elizalde@mail. house.gov, for politics and official H government matters respectively. ■
Opinions
6 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
OPINIONS
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions
THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL
► FROM EDITORIAL
election. Regardless, Biden has won with significant margins, and there is no substantial evidence of voter fraud that will hold up in court. Although America celebrates the results of the election, it is important to remember that Trump is still going to be president for the next two months, and this is enough time to do a lot of damage to an already suffering country. Recovering from Trump’s temperament and
will not be held accountable when he needs to be. We are rebuilding a broken system and a divided nation, so now is not the time to sit back and relax. Democrats have a lot of work cut out for them when it comes to reconstructing the party and keeping people engaged with or without a man like Trump in the White House. Biden and Harris’ moderate stances will most likely not bring about the progressive change many people hope for, but instead mark a return to Obama-era
“ ”
moderates, if they are to remain competitive in upcoming elections. It is important that the Democratic Party acknowledge how people of color helped increase the margin of votes, allowing Biden to flip many battleground states. In recognizing this, political participation for Democrats will greatly increase. Most importantly, people need to constantly criticize the administration that is intended to work for them. If we do not
COURTESY OF GAGE SKIDMORE VIA FLICKR UNDER CC-BY-SA-2.0
We are rebuilding a broken system and a divided nation, so now is not the time to sit back and relax. Democrats have a lot of work cut out for them when it comes to reconstructing the party and keeping people engaged with or without a man like Trump in the White House.
any potential destruction will rest on the shoulders of the Biden administration. Therefore, it should be made explicitly clear that political participation and accountability during the next administration is extremely necessary in order to undo the many mishandlings of the Trump presidency. It is concerning that people might soon become less involved now that Trump is out of office. Celebrities, for example, might stop talking about politics and utilizing their platforms now that Biden has been elected. Diminished political involvement will impact the nation in a negative way. If people stop caring and take a break from politics, Biden
policies. Therefore, this is not a time to become complacent. If the American people want to see more substantial change, they need to pay attention and demand that the Biden administration is making do on their promises, especially when it concerns pressing issues such as climate change, coronavirus relief, policing and immigration reform. The first 100 days of his presidency are going to show whether or not real progress can be made, so citizens need to make sure that they are paying attention and protest when their elected officials are not meeting their expectations. More crucially, Democrats need to refocus on voters of color, instead of just white
shift our treatment of politicians from celebrities into actual civil servants, real change will be impossible. We cannot stop petitioning, protesting and participating in grassroots campaigns just because the U.S. has a Democratic president. It is now up to the American people to determine whether or not they want real progress to be made. The course of life in the United States from here on out lies in the continued participation of the people in the political process. Now is not the time to turn a blind eye. Americans need to hold their elected politicians accountable in order for the Biden administration to make H meaningful progress. ■
COURTESY OF GAGE SKIDMORE VIA FLICKR UNDER CC-BY-SA-2.0
The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of The Highlander Editorial Board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.
OPINIONS
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions
MONDAY, NOVEMEBER 9, 2020
7
Professors are too slow to adapt to virtual exams and students are paying the price ONLINE TESTING IS CAUSING TOO MUCH STRESS AND SHOULD BE RECONSTRUCTED TO BENEFIT STUDENTS OVER THE COURSE OF VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION.
COURTESY OF PEXELS
COLIN CARNEY Senior Staff Writer
On Sept. 15th, the White House announced the normalization of relations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel, the first Middle Eastern state to do so since Lebanon in 1994. Since then, the Trump administration secured another normalization between Israel and Bahrain, with Sudan rumored to follow. These shocking diplomatic announcements have provided Trump with a big foreign policy win close to the election. However, careful study of the motivations behind these decisions, as well as their ramifications, sheds a light on the shortsighted and egotistical nature of Trump’s Middle Eastern foreign policy. Allow me to begin this piece by stating clearly that there is a great deal of genuine positivity surrounding these developments. Diplomacy is always a preferred method of international engagement, and the recognition of Israel is a step towards more peaceful interactions in the region. With that said, these actions largely formalize existing relationships and completely fail to achieve the reported aim of Trump’s peace in the Middle East: the ceasing of hostilities between Palestine and Israel. For decades, the most significant political tool of Palestine was that other Arab countries would withhold normalizing relations with Israel until Palestine was recognized as a state and until Israel ceased expanding into their territory. These recent moves, which contain no mention of Palestine, have been a slap in the face to the Palestinian people as their allies apparently abandon them. The political achievements of the Trump administration completely ignore the plight of the Palestinian people and jeopardize a future two-state solution, as Palestine loses its only leverage. Unfortunately, this has been a common
MADISON RHEINS Senior Staff Writer
Enduring an online fall quarter at UCR was not easy. Class formats were inconsistent, and I felt completely alone and overwhelmed with the amount of work assigned to me. When midterms season hit, I was not prepared, and I did not feel supported by my professors. Some instructors focused way too much on invasive proctoring and withholding resources instead of the real purpose of test taking — that is, a way for students to apply what they have learned so that they can better understand the material. If there was one thing I have learned this fall, it is the inability for professors to adapt to these unprecedented circumstances, and of course, place all the burden on students like myself. As midterms season came around, I could not find it within myself to focus. The stress was so intense, and I felt like I had to choose which midterm to study for and which to put on the bottom of my priorities. I saw that my professors were unsupportive and did not provide helpful material in order to make up for the lack of in-person classes. What was more frustrating, was that some instructors refused to share their lecture notes or recordings, as they deemed it
trend in the Trump White House as almost every effort made by the administration in the region has been done without consideration for Palestine. Since Palestine clearly isn’t the chief concern, the most obvious cause for these normalizations is to counter Iran’s growing influence. In order to push back against Iran, these Gulf States actively
a breach of class policy. This, to me, was so unreasonable as I knew a lot of my peers, including myself, had to juggle jobs outside of school in order to support themselves, and therefore could not be present all of the time for classes. I felt dismissed and under the impression that my education was being compromised. To make matters worse, professors are focusing way too much on the idea of students cheating that they are going to great lengths to prevent it. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of privacy. Professors are using software like YuJa in order to ensure academic integrity. However, YuJa not only records a student’s face and audio, but they also screen record everything on their personal device. This is a huge invasion of privacy, and I did not feel comfortable putting my trust into my professors — some not very tech savvy themselves — to keep my information safe. Doing the absolute most to ensure that collaboration on exams will not occur for classes that failed to prepare its students to begin with is ridiculous and a waste of time. Instead of focusing on extensive proctoring and following a so-called class policy, professors need to adapt to the difficulty of virtual learning. Exams need to be reworked into an open note
humanitarian crisis. Though the U.S. has sold arms that have been used in Yemen since Obama, the Trump administration has ramped up these sales, even without congressional support. Rather than seeking to reevaluate our support and involvement in the conflict, Trump has continued to support the bloody Saudiled war effort in Yemen in exchange for a
Failure to think ahead What the normalization of relations between Arab states and Israel tells us about Trump’s foreign policy
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO RECOGNIZE TRUMP’S MISMANAGEMENT OF FOREIGN POLICY.
seek out more lucrative weapons deals with the US. Reports indicate that by normalizing relations with Israel, they may have secured more impressive arms deals with the U.S. that will further escalate the catastrophic conflict between Saudi-led forces and Iranian backed Houthi rebels that has already claimed countless lives and has created a massive
political “win”. What is most apparent with these developments is its highlighting of the catastrophic failure that is U.S. policy towards Iran during the Trump administration. One of Trump’s first priorities as president was to withdraw from the internationally backed Iran Nuclear Deal without any replacement
and open book format. Additionally, professors should be required to share resources, such as lecture notes and recordings. I would definitely feel more understood and supported by my professors if they were to make all exams follow this testing method and all course materials easily available for studying. This way, exams will be more focused on the application of ideas, which is what testing is meant to be. In fact, in the classes I had that made exams open book and open note, I found that I had learned more at the end than I did in classes that left me to struggle. By using application skills and doing research to help answer questions, I believe students will get more out of their classes. Although it is uncertain when classes will go back to normal, professors should be more open and flexible with the way they run their online courses. Especially in these uncertain times, online classes seem like quite a threat to a student’s success, and when midterms season approaches, the pressure can be too much to handle. Myself and other students deserve to feel supported and reassured by the institution we give our money to, and this can be achieved through a shift in how online testing and exam prep is H conducted at UCR. ■
deal in mind. Trump’s claim was that the deal was too lenient and allowed Iran to get a nuclear bomb in a few decades, yet he offered no credible reassurance that leaving it would hinder Iranian efforts. Cut to last March, and Iran reportedly has enough enriched uranium to produce a nuclear weapon. Trump cut the Iranian timetable to acquire nuclear material from a few decades to a few years. For more evidence of his poor handling of Iran, look at his shortsighted assassination of Qasem Soleimani, which he assured us would prevent further Iranian attacks. In the aftermath, Iran fired missiles at a U.S. military base, injuring dozens of American soldiers, and Iranian backed militias have forced U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to threaten to close our embassy in Iraq. Even the consideration of such a move would be proof that the U.S. has failed to quell Iranian aggression. Furthermore, it is this increase in tensions and Iranian hostility that have pushed the Emirates and Bahrainis to seek favor and weaponry from the United States. Trump’s policy towards Iran has not stabilized the region, but has instead made it far more dangerous. Trump’s foreign policy in the Middle East is filled with shortsighted moves motivated by selfish attempts to present himself as a world leader while he fundamentally misunderstands the balance of power in the region. This assessment can be used to describe practically all of Trump’s foreign policy as he cozies up to tyrants and strong men and pushes back allies as he destabilizes international relations. His failure to understand the mechanics of global affairs and his failure to look ahead jeopardizes the hope of lasting peace in the Middle East and the stability of the liberal international system that a Biden presidency will have to fight hard to H repair. ■
8 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
OPINIONS
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions
FRACKING America needs to
STOP
THE COUNTRY NEEDS TO BAN THE PROCESS OF FRACKING AS IT IS DANGEROUS TO OUR ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH.
COURTESY OF JOSHUA DOUBEK VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS UNDER CC-BY-SA-3.0
ABHIJIT REGE Staff writer
The debate over fracking has become increasingly prominent as the Biden team announced its support to get rid of the method during its campaign. In order to ensure a brighter future, the country needs to ban fracking in order to protect the environment and our health. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is defined as when liquids are injected into the earth’s crust at high pressures in order to forcefully extract oil or gas from underground reservoirs. This is a practice commonly utilized by the oil and gas industries in order to obtain record production numbers. Much of this has been achieved in recent decades, where of the approximately one million U.S. wells fractured between 1940 and 2014, about one-third of those were additionally fractured after 2000. This was a rather direct result of an investment influx amidst high fossil fuel prices that sent fracking into overdrive. Hydraulic fracturing is notorious for the danger it presents for our health and the environment. Many experts have attributed a spike in earthquakes across the nation as a result of increased fracking over time. The state of Oklahoma alone has seen a severe spike in earthquakes since 2008, when oil and energy companies expanded fracking.
Consequently, the number of 3.0 magnitude quakes rose from two in 2008 to 889 in 2015. Other states, including Alabama, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, have also seen a spike compared to their former days. The massive jump in this statistic illustrates an environmental impact, as seismologists and geologists continue to explore the connection between increased tremors and fracking wastewater wells. Environmental damage is not just limited to an increase in earthquakes — air pollution is another threat of hydraulic fracturing. One of the main pollutants released in the fracking process is methane, among other toxic air contaminants. Research shows the U.S. oil and gas industry emits 13 million metric tons of methane annually. Methane is a major greenhouse gas, as it is 84 times more effective in generating and containing heat in comparison to carbon, and consequently exacerbates the impact of climate change. This footprint has been more prominent within the last 20 years with the influx of fracking and is even greater than that of coal. Water pollution is another problem associated with fracking. A major concern with the fracking boom is the reduction of freshwater. With many
states having problems with water supply and maintenance, fracking only serves to worsen this issue. Additionally, there is a higher risk of water contamination due to the number of dangerous chemicals utilized in the fracking process. The risk of these chemicals leaking into groundwater and surface water would undoubtedly cause further harm to the environment. Fracking also poses a risk to the planet’s wildlife and vegetation as it results in environmental degradation of habitats and impacts natural resources. The process often leads to the industrialization of natural, rural areas as forests are cut down and land is replaced with pipelines and other infrastructure. This, in conjunction with soil contamination through wastewater spills, illustrates the damage done to precious resources through pollution and leads to the fragmentation of habitats. With these concerns in mind, the impact of fracking on the health and well-being of the nation’s population is more clear as studies illustrate the impact of chemicals and pollutants among other environmental damage, on respiratory health, especially for vulnerable populations, problems during pregnancy, water contamination
and much more. The state of New York has even gone ahead and banned the practice over these health concerns. Proponents of fracking will often make the claim that fracking is revolutionizing oil and gas drilling across the country, and they would most likely boast its powerful economic impact and job creation across the nation. While this may be true for certain oil rich areas across the nation such as Texas, studies have shown that while job growth has occurred as a result of the fracking boom, the overall number is not so high. In addition, much of these numbers have been shown to be inflated, as they also include jobs with an indirect relation to the oil and gas industry such as drivers and store workers. Opponents will also highlight the many concerns that arise from the risks of fracking and the current lack of substantial regulation. The multitude of concerns and risks that arise from the hydraulic fracturing process outweigh the benefits, making it clear that regulation and restriction is necessary. We must be more mindful and switch to clean and renewable energy in order to save our planet from potential H catastrophe. ■
Be vibrant. RYAN POON /HIGHLANDER
Features THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features
FEATURES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
9
Star Cup
Features Fiction is a column showcasing creative work from students, ranging from poetry to short stories. By Margarita Manzo, Contributing Writer
October 4, 2045 Code Name: Resurrection Purpose: Understand the minds of offenders to create better profiles. Phase 4: Human Trial Source: Sabine Morat Crime: Serial Murder Subject #3: Special Agent Levon
I
don’t think people know how hard it can be to kill someone. I don’t mean the actual act itself, but the work that goes into picking the right person. I don’t choose someone with the intent to kill them, but it is just what ends up happening sometimes. An occupational hazard. Matis and I were lucky to have found our purpose in life early on. We were born strong and able to do the hard work that came with making others strong. People, if they found out our methods, would probably kill us for it; that’s the curse of trailblazers. Like any endeavor in science, we have a system. We make friends with our mark, usually someone doe-eyed and too naive, like Clarisse. Friendly and desperate to be well-liked. Flowy long skirts and jumpers, tight shirts and heeled boots, not really dressed to run. She’s easier than most marks but the one we are going to have to bend the most. That’s the key word: bend. Sometimes, I think my brother forgets our purpose; he always breaks them too fast and too soon. It makes cleaning up so hard. But it’s my turn to choose and bend the mark, so I don’t have to worry about that. Clarisse believes us when we tell her we are meeting up in the forest with other councils of the Green Union to give reports on the environments of our area. I feel bad when on Friday, she drags in
***
equipment she won’t actually use. I tell my brother that, and he assures me it’ll still go to use. I really have my work cut out for me; she sleeps in the car, still stumbling and slowly waking up, drinking some coffee I give her. She is too busy trying to stomach the taste of the black coffee, not even taking notice of the silhouettes in the window and ambience of conversation we created until we get inside. Now is where the real fun begins. I shove her to the ground, Matis stands by watching, ready in case she slips from my grasp. My heart is racing, the knife in my hand is sliding a bit, from the sweat on my palm. I shake off the … fear, I think it is. I never feel it enough to remember what it is. No, it’s adrenaline. God it’s been a long time since it was my turn. She scrambles trying to run out the door she came in, goes to twist it, and I slice at her calf. She leans against the door and — It hurts. I grab the door handle on the way down. Twisting it but it doesn’t budge. Sabine is holding a long hunting knife, calm but her eyes lighting up. This isn’t real, this isn’t real. Sabine grabs my ankle, dragging me away from the door. I feel the skin tear at the force, at the unsanded wooden floor — “LET ME GO!” I handcuff her to a bolt in the wall. Her other hand slips from my grip, and she reaches for the knife. My brother jumps in and bolts the other one in. “You’re slow.” “I know, it’s not like me to mess up.” I feel dizzy, and again that feeling, the fear is back; it’s making me lose my focus. I look over at Clarisse who is suddenly quiet, her body drooping. Shaking, terrified. “Which coffee did you spike?” “The one with the star.” He had one job. “The unmarked is hers, that’s mine.” Damn it. We looked over to her, she was tugging against the chains,
panicking, her pupils dilated. “At least you still gave her the drug.” I could feel myself falling into it. “I’ll take over.” “No. I’m —” I could see the thread stretched between our legs: mine red and burning, melted maroon creeping to Sabine’s feet. When mine touched hers, I was her, and she was me. Hands, people they’ve killed before, tore through the wood. Clawing at me. I was stuck to her, I couldn’t move my legs. Sabine kicked away the skeleton hand, popping off some of the meat and skinning off my cut calf. Not real. Not real. Not real. Sabine grabbed my face. Her fingers — claws ... Ow, they were sharp. She was sweating skin. “You may not believe it, but I’m your teacher.” She shook her head, loosening the skin on her face. Neon liquid leaked out. “You were born too weak, too naive, so the universe directed you towards me. I teach hard lessons, but they’re valuable.” Sabine spread her neon blood. She smacked the knife against her hand, the snap of it changing the room. The room was suddenly devoid of color, now shades of grey and black. I looked toward the reflective glass. I heard voices far away. “Take it off Levon, take it off.” I pulled against the bounds, which tugged and bit back. Sabine had her eyes on me, all six of them, all of them watching. “Lesson number one. You learn how to escape yourself. Don’t rely on anyone to do it for you.” She walked around me, her floating eyes popping in and out with each pass. She reached into her leg ripping out a long orange rope. She wrapped it around her fists, stretching her arms. The snakes that wrapped around my wrists were calm, and even when I shook it, they stilled. It was handcuffs. I remember it was handcuffs. The chainlink snakes slithered, tightening. I pulled down, the pain in my thumb stopping me. “Pain doesn’t matter. Focus.” Sabine said. Wrapping the orange rope around
my neck. She didn’t press hard, but it hurt, and I pulled against the cuff my thumb snapping in. She was crying big, drowning tears. It splashed loudly on the floor. My brother was stepping around them, watching from the side of the room. Her pink skin, the color and texture of paint, got brighter at the tears. It hurt my eyes just to look at her like that. I looked into the cool dark blue of my brother. Clarisse got herself free, holding her hands close to her, cradling them. It was too easy. She didn’t earn the next lesson. I held the rope, its red thread feeling around on her neck, trying to find a way into her skin. She pulled against it, hands trying to tug it free, but the red dug into her skin, draining out that bright pink. “You need to do it! DO IT NOW!” “God, Matis, you are so impatient!” I looked over at him. Or where he was earlier. It was now a blob with stretched out limbs, an eye cramped onto a limb and Matis’ mouth moving on another. “I didn’t say anything.” I rolled my eyes so hard I had to push them back into my skull. I didn’t have time for this. I let the red rope slosh to the floor dragging her to the next room over. She stumbled in, frantic. Her tears slowly started to flood this room. Ugh, it was going to be a mess to clean up. Her skin, a duller pink now, was veined with red threads that were squiggling under her skin. She looked at me with wide eyes, not paying attention to the red that wriggled in her cheekbone. Eww. “Lesson two, learn how to fight.” I handed her a smaller knife duller than mine. I wasn’t stupid. It slumped, like heated rubber. Hmmm I don’t remember it doing that before. Clarisse looked at it then me. “Go ahead, take the first hit.” She adjusted it slightly, concentrating on moving her broken thumb. Then, she lunged. I side-stepped it easily; her knife hit the wall, turning the colors to black. It was quiet. Nothing, no one here. Then it hurt. Then it—
*** Results: Unsuccessful. Special Agent Clarisse Levon and the department had failed to notice that she had been a victim of The Morat Twins. Her current mental state, based on observation, appears to be irreparable. Despite the team’s efforts, no one has been able to separate her from Recall. The data is still able to be viewed and recorded, but as the memories go on, they alter into a confusing mess of new and old. It seems none of the data will be usable. She is the only surviving member of the trials. ■ H
10 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
Radar
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae
‘Blood Of Zeus’: Blends Greek, American and Japanese styles to form an authentic story By: Margarita Manzo, Contributing Writer
COURTESY OF NETFLIX
Netflix takes on Greek mythology in its newest show ‘Blood of Zeus’ “Blood of Zeus” is a Netflix anime that follows Zeus’ son and demigod Heron (Derek Phillips), who is destined to stop demons and giants from taking over. Aside from focusing on, of course, Heron, the story follows the perspectives of the Olympians, mostly Zeus (Jason O’Mara), Hera (Claudia Christian) and the antagonist Seraphim (Elias Toufexis). The secondary cast includes Alexia the Amazonian (Jessica Henwick) and two smugglers, Evios (Chris Diamantopoulos) and Kofi (Adetokumboh M’Cormack), on the path to redemption. The creators, Vlas and Charley Parlapanides, have a personal background to the lore that “Blood of Zeus” is based in. As second-generation GreekAmericans, they grew up hearing stories of Greek mythology from their grandmother. They also saw an American perception of their culture’s stories in comics like Marvel and DC. When asked about what motivated them to create the show in an interview with Inverse, they assured the audience that this show wasn’t some way to say that American interpretation of their mythology was wrong. “It’s not that they (Parlapanides) take umbrage with ‘Clash of the Titans’ and ‘Wonder Woman.’ The brothers are proud Greeks and geeks.” The Parlapanides just wanted to make the story more authentic. The brothers have other works that deal with Greek mythology, like the 2011 film “Immortals,” except they were the script writers. This is their first original show as both writers and creators. Though some characters, like Heron and the antagonist Seraphim, aren’t part of the original Greek lore, a lot of their habits and backstories are. Heron’s origin story is reminiscent of another famous son of Zeus: Hercules. Both Hercules and Heron’s mothers were tricked into sleeping with Zeus because he disguised himself as their husband. Zeus and Hera, in their relationship and actions, are almost exactly like their mythological counterparts. He has just as many affairs as he does in the original mythology, some of which are even gods, like Apollo, Artemis and Hermes. Hera, of course, is as angered by his infidelity in the show as she is in the mythology and takes it out on the lovers and children that result from his affairs. The only notable difference between the Zeus in lore and the Zeus in “Blood of Zeus” is he shows more empathy and love to his children and
lovers. In the lore, he usually plays a heavy role in his lover’s deaths because of the lengths he goes to to avoid Hera’s wrath regardless of their safety and wellbeing. Even background characters remain authentic to the original lore, from Apollo waking up with both his female and male lovers to Alexia’s Amazonian armor and weapons. The show itself becomes even more indistinguishable from the rest by its fusion of Japanese and American animation style. Aside from that, it has an art style that is specific to Netflix’s original animations, like “Castlevania.” It’s Japanese influence comes in the form of exaggerated expressions and dramatic, chaotic zoom-ins during fights. It even shows in the character design, especially for the Fates. They are drawn similar to the characters of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.” The American influence comes in the still shot frames where just the background is shown and in the characters stiffness in other scenes aside from action. There were a couple pitfalls though that loosened the strength of the show, like the portrayal of the Chthonic beings. Cerberus is portrayed to be on the side of the demons, and Hades is seeming to be set up as the future antagonist of the second season. That portrayal is typical of American interpretation, since in Greek mythology they are neither displayed as morally good or bad, just neutral. It also doesn’t really develop its secondary characters like Alexia, Evios or Kofi. However, the plot itself is interesting. It keeps what people love about the mythology and adds a layer of complexity to it. The antagonist Seraphim, for example, has a backstory that complicates how the audience sees him. He turns into a more sympathetic character than he has been in the original lore, as he was neither a god nor really even human. He fell under the category of monster and in the Greek mythology they were born to destroy and that was it. The pacing of the plot is a little slow because it takes a while to explain the alterations to the Greek mythology, like Heron, the story of the Giants and the Melidoni demons, yet it picks up again once the foundation is established. That said, the series excels with its wonderful worldbuilding filled with rich and complex characters that H make it worth watching.■
COURTESY OF NETFLIX
Verdict: The show is good for those who have some knowledge of Greek mythology. It has a complex antagonist, beautifully drawn scenes and interesting world-building. While it has pitfalls, it is planned to run for five seasons, so these pitfalls could be a result of it still getting its footing.
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
11
Latest season of
‘My Next Guest’ is David Letterman at his ‘MY NEXT GUEST’ FEATURES A STAR-STUDDED LINEUP THAT MAKES FOR A CAPTIVATING WATCH.
interviewing best
By: Kevin Sanchez-Neri, Senior Staff Writer Acclaimed television host, David Letterman, is back with a new season of his Netflix talk show “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.” The talk show has garnered popularity and acclaim over the years for its wide array of big-time names such as former U.S. President Barack Obama, Kanye West and Melinda Gates. In the latest installments of “My Next Guest,” Letterman sits down with businesswoman and media personality Kim Kardashian, actor Robert Downey Jr., famed comedian Dave Chappelle and singersongwriter Lizzo. As has been the case since the start of the series, the four-episode season (shortened due to COVID-19) provided insightful yet down-to-earth conversations about a plethora of topics including prison reform, the intricacies of show business and police brutality. The talk show stands out with the straightforward nature of Letterman’s interviews, bringing out a certain degree of vulnerability in each of his guests, as was the case in the Kardashian interview. The well-known celebrity walks Dave through the many high-profile moments of her life, including her father’s involvement in the OJ Simpson murder trial and eventually recounts being robbed at gunpoint inside a hotel in Paris in 2016, nearly breaking down in the process. Letterman goes on to diligently bring attention to the celebrity’s prison reform efforts and the controversy surrounding her visit to the White House. Letterman’s tendency to lay out hard-hitting questions is prominent in his interview with comedian Dave Chappelle, as he presses Chappelle for his reasoning behind his decision to leave the
COURTESY OF NETFLIX
hit sketch-comedy “Chappelle’s Show.” Chappelle, who appeared visibly uncomfortable at the slightly overbearing question, eventually warms up to Letterman and admits to having doubts about how certain sketches were being perceived, referencing a time when he heard the “wrong laugh” during a segment with Chappelle in blackface. While the humor and entertainment is still there, the talk show excels in its deep dive into the background and lives of the guests, aided by the signature lighthearted theatrics of David Letterman. Robert Downey Jr. is no exception to this treatment. In an episode that featured the actor’s Malibu ranch and his herd of alpacas, the two discuss the “Iron Man” star’s history with addiction, admitting the near fatal toll it took on his career, and his path to redemption. In a time of political turmoil and unrest, Letterman and his guests — specifically Chappelle and Lizzo — also discuss the importance of activism and community involvement in an era of divisiveness. While the series is not exactly anything new, it demonstrates David Letterman’s versatility as an interviewer as we observe a departure from his comedy-driven talk shows to more candid discourse that allows for a handful of emotional moments. Ultimately, the season was a rather small one — justifiably so — but the tender portrayal of its guests makes for a compelling watch and is telling of David Letterman’s transition from interviews that prioritized humor to more intimate conversations that are uncompromisingly honest. While some of Letterman’s piercing questions may come across as intrusive, the engaging conversations they spark are H enough to look past that. ■ COURTESY OF NETFLIX
Letterman’s latest talk show project features a captivating lineup and its toned-down VERDICT: David atmosphere makes for engaging conversations that are insightful, occasionally amusing and intimate — all the while maintaining elements of humor that are just enough to draw some laughs.
Sports 12
SPORTS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports
Cannabis use in sports: cheating or a solution? MARIJUANA USE BY PLAYERS IN THE NFL AND NBA MAY ALLEVIATE PAIN SIGNIFICANTLY.
KEVIN CONTRERAS Senior Staff Writer
The cannabis industry has been on a steady incline over that last few years. With the most recent election, it is becoming increasingly popular due to its new legalization in different states. It has already been legal in California for a few years, and the stigma around the use of cannabis has been changing here and all over the country. Recently, many retired players from both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Football League (NFL) have come out to admit to their use of weed throughout their days on the courts and fields. The surrounding controversy stems from the policies put in place by both organizations. Though it has been popular and has become legal in some states in recent years, cannabis still remains on the ban list for both athletic groups. Former players including Matt Barnes, Al Harrington and Kenyon Martin of the NBA and Shaun Smith, Ryan Clady and Bo Scaife of the NFL have confessed to the use of cannabis in some way, shape or form. This is nothing new, and though there is controversy on whether they should, the question here is: Does it provide an unfair advantage to the athletes who use it? In a medical article published in 2018 by the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, a group of doctors investigated the effects of cannabis on the performance and recovery of athletes. The conclusion was that there was no evidence of performance enhancing effects, but they did recognize its promise for relief of chronic pain management. Doctors realized that its main use was to deal with pain. At first glance, this may seem like the end of the discussion. Having said that, in an interview
with The Washington Post, Shaun Smith said the following of its effects on him: “When I smoke, I can focus and actually do the job that I have to do,” he said. “It’s like I’m in the zone. I feel like nobody can stop me when I was out there. It mellowed me out, got me going. It’s the best thing for me.” Similarly, Matt Barnes said how much it helped him deal with pain. “It relaxed me. It was something that allowed me to sleep easier. It was something that took pain away — because I’m not really big on alcohol or painkillers,” Barnes said in an interview with the Rich Eisen Show this week. While smoking a joint before a game will most likely not help you play better, it can alleviate pain for athletes. Athletes undergo a very arduous series of games that take a serious toll on their bodies. In addition to having to play games constantly for months, they must train and exercise regularly, and to top it all off, must spend many hours on a bus or plane. Cannabis helps deal with the pain that comes with the physical demand required during a regular season. It provides an unfair advantage for players who may choose not to use it, whether for personal reasons or in compliance with league regulations. Players who choose marijuana over prescribed painkillers are able to reap the benefits of pain relief while avoiding the ramifications of addictive opioids. The use of cannabis may be a solution for the NBA and NFL, who currently prescribe opioids to their players. With the current opioids crisis, the introduction and deregulation of cannabis can be H a less addictive solution for athletes.■ COURTESY OF PEXELS
A rerun of Brenda Martinez’s spectacular track and field career Her journey from UCR to the Olympics. KEVIN CONTRERAS Senior Staff Writer
Brenda Martinez was one of UCR’s most prominent and outstanding athletes in its track and field history. Martinez graduated from UCR with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2010; though she is no longer a student at the university, the waves of her exceptional athleticism still ripple through the track program at UCR. She set impressive records for the Highlander track and field team and remains present on the record boards of UCR, having achieved the National Collegiate Athletic Association All-American award three times and many records in Big West. Martinez’s impressive running career began in high school in her hometown of Rancho Cucamonga. She ran with her Rancho Cucamonga High School’s track and field club all four years. She holds the current record for the 800-meters, 1600-meters, 2-mile, and 3-mile. Her times for these runs were 2:16, 4:55, 11:12 and 17:28 respectively. After high school, Martinez joined UCR’s track and field team. It was there that she continued to make a name for herself. Her impressive feats of athleticism in the different running events while at UCR would lead to her eventual participation in the Olympics. Brenda Martinez was a force to be reckoned with in the different races she competed in during her collegiate time. In the NCAA, Martinez was named All-West Region in 2008. She also earned the All-American honors twice in 2009. In that same year, she won the West Regional in the
COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS
1500 run. In Big West, Martinez earned the All-Conference honors in 2007, 2008 and 2009. She was named 2009’s Big West Women’s Track Athlete of the Year. She has also earned seven Track Athlete of the Week awards. She won many races within the Big West Championship including: the 1500 in 2007, 2008 and 2009, as well as the 800 in 2008 and 2009. She currently holds the records for both the 1500 and 800. As if that wasn’t already impressive enough, Martinez also holds numerous records within the UCR track program. She currently holds the following: the outdoor women’s 800, 1500 and 5000, and she holds the indoor record for the mile and 3000 races. She was also part of the team that holds the records for the fastest times in both the indoor and outdoor distance medley relay in the history of UCR’s track program. To top it all off, she was named UCR Female Athlete of the Year in 2008.
Martinez’s impressive running record within the U.S. led her to many competitions abroad. Most notably, she broke her own personal record in the 800, earning her a bronze medal at the 2013 World Championship. Martinez was the first American woman to medal in this event. Her impressive running took her to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Martinez currently lives in Big Bear, CA, and uses her running experience to host a summer running camp for local girls. The big strides she has taken in the different races she’s won have helped her take even bigger strides towards giving back to the community. As a first generation college student, she has made her family and herself proud. Brenda Martinez is an incredible runner with an extensive career that she can look back to with H pride.■