Volume 69 Issue 22 by The Highlander- UCR

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Monday, April 12, 2021

VOL. 69, ISSUE 22

est. 1954

THE 2020-2021 ASUCR ELECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE FROM MONDAY,

APRIL 19 TO FRIDAY, APRIL 23. ELECTION RESULTS WILL BE

ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY, APRIL 27.

N O T I FIND 4! PAGE

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NEWS 3

OPINIONS 7

FEATURES 10

RADAR 11

SPORTS 12

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MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

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Upcoming Events: Week 3

Humans of UCR JUSTIN QUACH | BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION | THIRD-YEAR COMPILED BY THE HIGHLANDER STAFF

Lunch with Librarians 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Virtual Event

Disability Ally Workshop 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Virtual Event

Untold Histories: Honoring the Legacy of BIPOC Anti-Sexual Violence 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Virtual Event

How to Have a Healthy House Plant: Herbs Edition 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Virtual Event

Launching Your Career with Monster Energy Senior Accountant 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Virtual Event

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

“I think to me quarantine was a wild ride that treated me both good and bad. Since I was forced to stay home like a caveman, a lot of my time was spent looking for new hobbies or activities to stay stimulated. These new

UCR Expert: Investing for Beginners 6 p.m. Virtual Event

Thursday

Performance Management in Action 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Event

“Weaving Health into Pedagogy: UCR Faculty Share Their Experiences” Panel Discussion 2 p.m. to 3 .pm. Virtual Event

Storytime with Scotty 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Virtual Event

Staff Assembly Virtual Bingo Registration 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Virtual Event

Career Panel & Networking in the Aerospace Industry (Job Discovery Series) 3 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. Virtual Event

Dance Squad - Teens 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Virtual Event

experiences and the challenge of entertaining myself felt valuable but I cannot wait to return to in-person school to spend time with friends in and out of class. My lifestyle flipped 180 since quarantine and I cannot wait to go back to a more balanced routine. Thank you quarantine, but please end.”

Friday

Saturday

HIGHLANDER STAFF Editor-in-Chief

Amani Mahmoud

Managing Editor

Silvia Ferrer

editorinchief @highlandernews.org

managingeditor @highlandernews.org

News Editor

Asst. News Editor Davina Garcia dgarc084@ucr.edu

Laura Anaya-Morga

news@highlandernews.org Opinions editor Madison Rheins opinions@highlandernews.org Features Editor

Adriana Mandujano Angel features@highlandernews.org A&E Editor

Colin Carney

radar@highlandernews.org Sports Editor

Production Manager

Amanda Joy Teano productionmanager @highlandernews.org

Asst. Opinions Editor Evelyn Homan ehauthor19@gmail.com Asst. Features Editor Alexandria Estaban aeste005@ucr.edu Asst. Features Editor Kevin Sanchez Neri ksanc034@ucr.edu Asst. Sports Editor Kevin Contreras kcont012@ucr.edu Art Director Celine Hoang artdirector. highlander@gmail.com

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Asst. Photo Editor Leo Yue lyue003@ucr.edu

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NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

ASUCR

ASUCR to allocate $40,000 annually for student basic needs THE SENATE ALSO APPROVED TWO RESOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT 100% CLEAN ENERGY AT UCR AND TO PERMANENTLY IMPLEMENT ASL COURSES. LAURA ANAYA-MORGA News Editor

ASUCR held their second meeting of the quarter on Wednesday, April 7. The senate approved two resolutions that will support UCR’s commitment to 100% clean energy and implement American Sign Language (ASL) and deaf culture classes into UCR’s curriculum. They also approved a senate bill that will permanently allocate $40,000 for student basic needs every year. During public comment, many students and members of CALPIRG expressed their support for SR-S21-004 Support for 100% Renewable Energy at UCR. The students cited the California wildfires and

Riverside’s poor air quality as signs of the damaging effects climate change can have on the planet and urged the senate to vote yes on the resolution. In 2018, former California governor Edmund G. Brown signed Senate Bill 100 (SB100) which sets a 100% clean electricity goal for the state by 2045. CALPIRG is urging California to accelerate SB100 to 2030 and they are calling on UCR to not only commit to clean electricity but also to 100% clean energy sector-wide. The resolution passed with a vote of 13-0-0 and ASUCR will soon host a 100% renewable energy town hall inviting campus administration and elected officials to discuss the priorities of committing to 100% renewable energy on campus Derrian Tabilin, the advisor for the ASL club at UCR, presented the next resolution to the senate which advocates for the implementation of ASL and deaf

culture courses that fulfill language requirements at UCR. Tabilin stated that Riverside is recognized as a national and international deaf hub as the greater Los Angeles area and surrounding counties are home to over 8000,000 deaf and hard of hearing people. A petition started by the ASL Club over one year ago has received nearly 3,000 signatures. The resolution passed through the senate with a vote of 13-0-0 and moving forward, members of the senate and Tabilin will meet with the CHASS Executive Committee to discuss implementing these courses at UCR in the Department of Comparative Literature and Languages. UCR would follow schools like UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego and UC Davis who have already implemented ASL courses into their Linguistics departments. SB-S21-003 Financial Support of Basic Needs Act allocates $40,000 from the president’s

budget yearly in order to provide assistance for students facing food insecurity, housing insecurity, internet issues and to help them pay for necessities such as utilities. The allocation mirrors a “block grant” as is provided by the U.S. federal government which gives groups flexibility on how the allocated funds should be spent. Some of the methods, explained President Pro Tempore Orlando Cabalo, may be through grocery store gift cards or by cosponsoring events with basic needs groups on campus such as The Well. ASUCR Executive Director Laurie Sinclair raised some concerns about the bill stating that budget allocations should fall solely under the Office of the Vice President of Finance and that the allocation may be restraining for upcoming senates who may want to allocate their funding to other purposes. Sinclair also stated that the funds were

previously used to fund R’Gear every year, ASUCR’s annual free sweatshirt drive that was halted last year due to the pandemic. It is unclear whether R’Gear will be permanently removed from the president’s budget. Despite her concerns, the bill received support from the senate and was passed with a vote of 13-0-2. During her announcements, Executive Vice President (EVP) Natalie Hernandez announced the senator of the month for March, Lizbeth Marquez Torres. “Senator Marquez Torres is a significant factor in the representation for undocumented students through passing and following through various legislations, incredibly hardworking, she puts in all her effort into every task she does and ensure she carries it out to the best of her abilities,” stated EVP Hernandez. The meeting was adjourned at H 7:30 p.m. ■

UCR announces plan to host an in-person graduation ceremony for 2020 and 2021 graduates LAURA ANAYA-MORGA News Editor

COVID-19 information and guidelines regarding county tier assignments and vaccine eligibility are changing at a rapid rate. Last week, Riverside entered the orange tier of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy and opened up vaccine eligibility for residents 16 years and older following governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to fully reopen the economy on June 15. With these changes, UCR has announced that it will host in-person commencement activities for the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021. From Saturday, June 12 through Monday, June 14, graduates may sign up for blocks of time to walk across a stage individually as their name is read and have their photo taken on stage in academic regalia. The venue for the event has not been solidified but it may be held at the Student Recreation Center North Gymnasium or University Theatre. No guests will be permitted inside or around either facility and students will follow CDC Guidelines by wearing face coverings and maintaining social distance. Graduates will be able to remove their masks only to have their picture taken. The ceremony is set to be broadcasted live for family and loved ones to watch safely at home. All participating students must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination before queueing at either venue, with a completed COVID Vaccination Record Card issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, students unable to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons must have a PCRbased coronavirus test performed no more than 48 hours before coming to campus. The decision came just a few days after members of ASUCR released a commencement survey accompanied by the hashtag #LETUCRWALK. Fourthyear student and CHASS Senator Juan Morales said that within a few hours of

releasing the survey Monday it had gained over 600 submissions and at the time of writing, the survey had 964 submissions. 92.9% of participants preferred an inperson commencement following safety guidelines. The decision to advocate for an inperson commencement came after noticing other schools in surrounding areas doing the same, such as USC and UC Berkeley. UCR is the second UC to announce any plans for an in-person commencement. “I’m pleased UCR can provide this celebratory opportunity for our graduating students who have worked so hard to earn their degrees,” stated Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox in the April 7 announcement. The announcement was received with mixed reviews from students, some were grateful for the opportunity to get to celebrate their graduation in-person in some capacity while others were concerned about the no guests rule. Fourth-year education and human development major Mayra Itzel Salas said in an interview with The Highlander that UCR could be doing much more to support students and listen to their concerns. While she understands the university’s obligation to keep students safe, she believes that an outdoor commencement ceremony following safety guidelines could still allow for guests to be in attendance. “I’m a first generation DACA student, the first in my family to graduate from a university, I feel that this is a huge accomplishment for me and my family and I would love for them to see me walk the stage ... they worked so hard to allow me the privilege to reach higher education,” said Salas. Gabriel Trujillo, a third-year biology student also expressed his dissatisfaction with the in-person commencement restrictions. Trujillo stated that if students must show proof of vaccination to walk parents should be able to do the same. “The whole point of walking is for you

to represent the people who helped you graduate. We wouldn’t sit in the hot sun for hours if it wasn’t for the cheers we get from our friends and family,” stated Trujillo. ASUCR President Luis Huerta told The Highlander that the details of commencement are flexible and changes in the next few weeks are not impossible. “There’s a lot of room for flexibility and we just have to see what the nature of the ccoronavirus is looking like in a month,” stated Huerta. Huerta stated that he, along with other student representatives who are part of the Commencement Working Group will continue to advocate for the addition of guest tickets if the current CDC guidelines allow. Morales shared similar sentiments stating that he will continue to advocate for the needs and wants of students because he understands the importance and meaning of commencement because many times for first-generation students it is the culmination of their parents decades long work to get them there. “Students deserve to have their parents be able to see them walk the stage,” he said. The Commencement Working Group will meet several times in the next few months to solidify the details of Commencement 2021 and updates will be published on UCR’s commencement H website.■

THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD WITH STRICT GUIDELINES AND NO GUESTS WILL BE PERMITTED.

COURTESY OF UCR

4 MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

NEWS

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ASUCR ELECTIONS GUIDE ASUCR ELECTIONS GUIDE

By: Amani Mahmoud, Editor-in-Chief

PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

William Wang is a thirdyear business information systems major who served as ASUCR’s marketing and promotions director for the 2019-2020 school year. He currently serves as the ASUCR vice president of finance. Wang plans on making ASUCR more accessible for students while also ensuring that all student voices are heard by campus administration.

WILLIAM WANG VICE PRESIDENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Mufida Assaf is a second-year political science and business administration major. She is a former executive fellow and currently serves as a CHASS senator. As the executive vice president, Assaf vows to continue her efforts to prioritize the Ethnic and Gender Programs by setting standards that hold student leaders and faculty accountable. She also aims to continue advocating for the implementation of anti-discrimination and racial equity training for students and professors. She hopes to bridge the gap between ASUCR and the School of Business.

Sean R. Nguyen is a second-year public policy major and currently serves as the ASUCR personnel director. His main goal if elected is to ensure that all student voices are heard. He believes that ASUCR needs to become the student space it was intended to be at its creation.

MUFIDA ASSAF

VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

SEAN R. NGUYEN VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE

VICE PRESIDENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Arshneel Kaur is a third-year political science major in the law and society program. As the vice president of internal affairs, Kaur intends to work to make certain that no student experience is overlooked. She intends to establish a nonpartisan Highlander policy for access to student employment rights and protections, provide resources for an equitable education and help students advocate for themselves.

ARSHNEEL KAUR

VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE

Aaron Sanchez is a public policy major who has previously served as a freshman fellow and a CHASS senator for the 2019 to 2020 school year. If elected as the next vice president of external affairs, he will seek to reimburse students for tuition costs that were paid for services students did not get to use while being remote.

Elysha Castillo, is a second-year sociology major. She has served in ASUCR’s Office of External Affairs as the campus organizing director, in Black Student Union as the retention director, in the Central American Student Alliance as vice president and in the UC Student Association as the ACQUIRE vice chair.

Jeffrey Tran is a third-year economics and business administration major. He has served in ASUCR as the finance outreach coordinator and the vice chair of finance. As the vice president of finance, Tran intends to meet and hold campus administration accountable for its plan to return to campus safely and timely. His platform includes more funding for organizations to build skills and mental health resources.

Steven Luu is a third-year business major with a concentration in finance. As the vice president of finance, Luu hopes to give back to UCR, along with bettering the experiences for future students.

NELSON AGUIAR

AARON SANCHEZ

ELYSHA CASTILLO

JEFFREY TRAN

STEVEN LUU

VICE PRESIDENT OF SUSTAINABILITY

PERSONNEL DIRECTOR

Alondra Martinez is an environmental engineering major. Her passions lie in giving back to her community and educating others about sustainability and environmental issues.

VICE PRESIDENT OF SUSTAINABILITY

Barry Liu is a second-year environmental science major. He currently serves as a CNAS senator. He has worked alongside the current vice president of sustainability and the GCAP Committee to introduce large-scale initiatives such as the Eco2Go program, which will replace throwaway to-go containers with reusable containers. If elected, he intends to actively engage with organizations, students and faculty to introduce innovative ideas to lead UCR into a better future.

Lina Nguy is a second-year chemistry major currently serving as a CNAS senator. Nguy formerly served as a member of the ASUCR Outreach Committee. If elected personnel director, Nguy intends to keep elected officials transparent and accountable for their duties. She also hopes to engage the student body to be involved and further their Highlander spirit. She hopes to empower student voices to be heard and acknowledged.

Mehak Sharma is a second-year biology major. If elected as marketing and promotions director, Sharma stated that her expertise in managing clubs will allow growth and opportunity to all those awaiting to come back to university in the fall.

ALONDRA MARTINEZ

BARRY LIU

Connley Neufeld is a third-year mechanical engineering major currently serving as a BCOE senator in ASUCR. As personnel director, Neufeld intends to hold representatives accountable to ensure time and resources are being spent as efficiently and as effectively as possible. Neufeld’s goal is to increase student involvement in ASUCR to ensure that student voices are heard and represented.

MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR

CONNLEY NEUFELD

LINA NGUY

MEHAK SHARMA

MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR

TRANSFER/NONTRADITIONAL STUDENT DIRECTOR

Nelson Aguiar is a third-year business administration major. He currently serves as a CHASS senator. As the vice president of internal affairs, Aguiar plans to expand UCR’s R’Pantry, emphasize a mental health week and increase efforts regarding financial literacy in conjunction with the vice president of finance. He hopes to provide further student representation in committees with administration while also advocating for additional funding to student programs.

Wallace Fang is a second-year in CHASS. He has served as a senate intern during his first year. If elected, Fang intends to ensure that every student voice is heard. In addition, it is his goal to make UCR better than when he got here.

Roxanna Vasquez is a third-year transfer student and a biology major. As someone who has struggled with the transition from a community college to a four-year university, Vasquez intends to represent and help students conquer obstacles that she once believed were difficult. She intends to serve her community and students’ academic education in order to help conquer interferences.

TRANSFER/NONTRADITIONAL STUDENT DIRECTOR Sonali Murugan recently transferred to UCR. If elected, her objective as the transfer / nontraditional student director is to ensure that every transfer student feels included and comfortable when adapting to UCR. She hopes to provide a space for nontraditional students to enjoy their college years as much as they can.

WALLACE FANG

ROXANNA VASQUEZ

SONALI MURUGAN

CHASS SENATOR

Alejandro Martinez is a third-year business finance major. If elected CHASS senator, Martinez hopes to provide transparency to students at UCR through clear and concise communication, and to also create a culture of equity.

Angelo Velasquez is a first-year political science major. Velasquez currently serves as a first-year fellow in ASUCR. As a first-year fellow, Velasquez stated that he has had the opportunity to shadow, assist and be mentored by the ASUCR vice president of finance. Velasquez is currently programming ASUCR events with other first-year fellows.

Angelina Chavez is a second-year pre-business student. She currently serves as a senate intern. If elected, she plans to bridge the gap between ASUCR and the student body by addressing concerns and creating solutions. She also intends to continue advocating for business students.

ALEJANDRO MARTINEZ

ANGELO VELASQUEZ

ANGELINA CHAVEZ

CHASS SENATOR

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Aalani Richardson did not provide candidate information before time of publication.

AALANI RICHARDSON

CHASS SENATOR Blanca Estela Alba, is a thirdyear transfer student majoring in sociology. She is running for CHASS senator because she believes that students can no longer ask for the resources they deserve. She believes that they must demand the necessary resources to achieve success and thrive as they navigate a system built to give the bare minimum. If elected, she is committed to amplifying the change students need by centering their voices.

BLANCA ESTELA ALBA

CHASS SENATOR Christian Martinez is a Latino, first-generation, second-year sociology student. If elected, Martinez intends to continue UCR’s tradition of being a university that prides itself on diversity and being an institution of opportunity. Martinez intends to do so by working closely with programs such as the First-Generation Student Association and the Student Association of Latino-Spanish Affairs (SALSA). If elected, Martinez will also focus and provide more emphasis on the basic needs of not only low-income students, but of all students at UCR.

CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ

NEWS

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CHASS SENATOR Christopher Kent is a thirdyear political science major and currently serves as a CHASS senator. As a senator this year, Kent has been working to make college a better place for all students, whether that’s through improving the financial aid process, making voting day a school holiday and improving accessibility to online learning.

CHASS SENATOR

represent this campus.

If elected as a CHASS senator, Christopher Kim wants to work in ASUCR to help those who don’t have a voice and to better

CHASS SENATOR

MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

CHASS SENATOR

Cristian Torres intends to represent all students within CHASS if elected as a CHASS senator. As a Latinx and a member of the LGBTQ community, Torres wants to motivate others in different communities to feel like they belong at UCR.

Gabriel Davis is a second-year pre-business major. If elected as a CHASS senator, Davis intends to make a difference and persist through any challenges that come their way to ensure that the best quality of life is felt at UCR.

Helen Chu is a second-year pre-business major who currently serves as an ASUCR senate intern and a Personnel Committee member. If elected, Chu plans to be the liaison between the School of Business and ASUCR. She wishes to utilize her position to promote sustainable options and resources for undergraduate students.

CHRISTOPHER KENT

CHRISTOPHER KIM

CRISTIAN TORRES

GABRIEL DAVIS

HELEN CHU

CHASS SENATOR

Hoang Vu is a second-year pre-business major. If elected, Vu wants to help students at UCR utilize all the resources that campus has to offer. Students who are at a disadvantage or behind should get the support they need, according to Vu. He hopes to make it so that students with financial needs do not feel like college is a burden.

Ismail Kiswani is a second-year political science major. Kiswani formerly served as a first-year fellow for ASUCR. If elected, he intends to ensure CHASS students and organizations are receiving the appropriate funds and resources in order to be successful.

Joshua Moran is a second-year pre-business major. If elected, Moran wishes to create legislation that best represents all cultures equally and provides equal opportunity to disadvantaged students. Moran also hopes to highlight the importance of mental health within UCR’s community. Moran believes UCR should allocate more resources toward the betterment of students’ mental well-being

Lauren Garcia is a first-year psychology major. The main goal of her campaign is to foster a connection with her constituents on a level that’s more personal rather than professional. If elected, she hopes to maximize the amount of exposure clubs and organizations receive on campus in order to make sure no organization or club is marginalized or excluded. She hopes to create more outreach programs on campus.

Orlando Cabalo is a second-year history major who currently serves as an ASUCR CHASS senator. If reelected, Cabalo hopes to continue working toward basic needs, building more systems of accountability to keep ASUCR in check and keeping students updated on campus COVID-19 information.

HOANG VU

ISMAIL KISWANI

JOSHUA MORAN

LAUREN GRACE GARCIA

ORLANDO CABALO

CHASS SENATOR

CNAS SENATOR

Sam McLean is a second-year pre-business major. If elected, McLean intends to dedicate time and energy to work with others in order to unite the students to see that positive change in the student government.

Shay He is a third-year business administration major. If elected, he intends to allocate funds to programs that directly benefit the student body while reducing possible costs in student services. He also wishes to advocate for affordable housing initiatives on campus, implement more professional workshops and increase parking flexibility once students return to campus.

Victoria Nguyen is a first-year pre-business major. She currently serves as the academic calendar director of the Academic Affairs Committee in ASUCR’s Office of Internal Affairs. If elected, Nguyen intends to bridge the gap between students and campus resources by working closely with on-campus resource centers.

Catelin La is a first-year biochemistry major. She currently serves as the executive assistant to the ASUCR executive vice president. One of her main goals if elected is to improve mental health awareness and inclusivity within UCR.

Myra Usmani is a second-year biology major and currently serves as a senate intern. If elected, Usmani wishes to engage and empower the student body by creating and working on initiatives centered around supporting people of color and women in STEM, increasing accessibility measures and awareness, as well aiding in mental health support.

VICTORIA NGUYEN

CATELIN LA

MYRA USMANI

CNAS SENATOR

BCOE SENATOR

SAM MCLEAN CNAS SENATOR Rachel Paredes did not provide candidate information before time of publication.

SHAY HE

CNAS SENATOR Ridwan Syed is a third-year biology major. If elected, Syed hopes to advocate for lower tuition costs, improving the class registration experience and relieving COVIDrelated tensions.

Tammar Akel is a third-year biology major. Akel’s platform revolves around diligence, resilience and balance. The main focus of Akel’s platform is to push for classes to be available year-round instead of only once a school year.

campus administration.

Amy Do is a second-year biology major. If elected, she will push for fixes in the functionality of the online registration process and oversights by

RACHEL PAREDES

RIDWAN SYED

TAMMAR AKEL

AMY DO

BCOE SENATOR

SPP SENATOR

Joshua P. Deese is a public policy major with a concentration in economic policy and international relations. Deese believes that access to food and housing inaccessibility is a large concern at UCR. One of Deese’s main goals if elected is to gain more funding for these areas, as well as hold the UCR administration accountable to ensure these changes are made.

Sam Habibi is a first-year public policy student. Habibi intends to advocate and improve the student experience at UCR and help fellow SPP students grow academically and personally.

Henry Zheng is a second-year computer science with business applications major. Zheng is running for BCOE senator because of the hardships that he feels BCOE students encounter due to the lack of diversity in STEM. If elected, Zheng will ensure that students obtain the voice that they need to create the change they want.

HENRY ZHENG

Arleth Flores Aparicio is a third-year public policy major. If elected, her main goal is to prioritize students’ academic needs, explicitly working with the SPP’s academic advisor and peer-advisors over student course-related issues and creating accessibility for the SPP’s student success programs.

ARLETH FLORES APARICIO

JOSHUA P. DEESE

CA-F20-001 CONSTITUTIONAL PRECEDENCE

CA-F20-002 AMENDING THE AMENDMENT PROCESS

CA-F20-003 AMENDING THE VETO PROCESS

The purpose of this constitutional amendment is to reinforce constitutional supremacy over any other ASUCR documents. This constitutional amendment was created to protect from possible misunderstandings in future ASUCR administrations on whether a certain document takes precedence over another. This amendment will reinforce that the ASUCR constitution is the supreme document of the association.

This constitutional amendment intends to make the process of amending the constitution “more democratic” by allowing the petitioning of constitutional changes to be more feasible. This will be achieved by a reduction in the number of students who would have to sign a petition for an amendment to be put on the ballot. The target number of student signatures, which would be amended to 2% of a population, is consistent with other major student governments in the UC system. UCR currently has a 15-20% student signature requirement while other universities such as UC Irvine have a 2% requirement.

The purpose of this constitutional amendment is to amend the threshold needed to override an executive cabinet veto. According to the amendment, there is a “near-impossible threshold needed (a unanimous vote)” to override an executive veto. Instead, this amendment will replace the required unanimous vote to a two-thirds majority which is in-line with larger governments like the U.S. legislature and state legislatures. According to the amendment, this is “a necessity” with the justification that “it creates a more balanced three-branch system, which is both co-equal and allows for checks and balances.”

David Kiroloss is a first-year bioengineering major. Kiroloss currently serves as a senate intern for BCOE senator Connley Neufeld. If elected, one of Kiroloss’ main goals is to help primarily first-year students smoothly transition once campus reopens.

DAVID KIROLOSS GSOE SENATOR ASUCR will host a special election to fill this seat in May 2021.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

SAM HABIBI CA-W21-003 AMENDMENTS TO THE RECALL PROCESS The purpose of this constitutional amendment is to “make the recall process more democratic” by making the required signatures 2% of the previous year’s election total, rather than 20% of a given student population. According to the amendment, this is necessary because “election totals are usually lower than the total population of students. This would make it so that students have the ability to make their voices heard, if there is a substantial discontent in a constituency.” Authors of the amendment state that mandating a 20% signature requirement is “a near impossibility to reach to start a recall process due to low voter turnout in ASUCR elections.”

CA-W21-005 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ADD THREE NEW POSITIONS TO THE EXTENDED CABINET The purpose of this constitutional amendment is to add three new paid director positions to ASUCR’s extended cabinet. The first position is to divide the transfer/non-traditional director position into two separate positions (Transfer Director and Non-Traditional Student Director). This amendment will also add an international student director and a first-time college student director position. If the amendment passes, the international student director and first time college student director position will be in effect next school year via a special election in the fall. The transfer student director and non-traditional student director will be in effect by the 2022 school year. Each position will include a stipend equal to the others of the extended cabinet. H

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6 MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

NEWS

THE HIGHLANDER’S 2020-2021 ASUCR CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/news

EACH YEAR, THE HIGHLANDER’S ED ITORIAL BOARD ENDORSES CANDIDATES FOR THE ASUCR ELEC TIONS. THE HIGHLANDER’S ENDORSEMENTS REFLECT THE MA JORITY DECISION OF THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL BOARD. THE HIGHLANDER LOOKS FORWAR D EARNESTLY TO WORKING WITH TH E NEXT GENERATION OF CAMPUS LEADERS NEXT YEAR, WHOMEVER THEY MAY BE.

PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

The Highlander Editorial Board does not endorse a candidate for ASUCR president. Readers can view the full list of executive and extended cabinet candidates in our elections guide or ASUCR’s elections website.

VICE PRESIDENT OF VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS FINANCE

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Mulfida Assaf & Sean R. Nguyen

Elysha Castillo

The Highlander Editorial Board has elected to endorse both Mufida Assaf and Sean R. Nguyen for executive vice president. The Highlander Editorial Board is confident in the ability of both Assaf and Nguyen to lead the senate for the 2021-2022 school year. Both Assaf and Nguyen have valuable experience within ASUCR as a CHASS senator and personnel director respectively. Both candidates have passed and written meaningful legislation and have actively worked to make UCR a better campus. The Highlander looks forward to working with ASUCR’s next executive vice president to ensure the accountability of our student government representatives and providing accurate, up-to-date news for the campus community.

Jeffrey Tran

The Highlander Editorial Board endorses Elysha Castillo for vice president of external affairs. Castillo’s involvement in ASUCR, Black Student Union and the UC Student Association gives her the proper tools to be able to advocate for the student body appropriately. In her short time at UCR she has proven to be a promising and dedicated student leader and The Highlander Editorial Board hopes to see her advocating for the student body next year.

The Highlander endorses Jeffrey Tran for vice president of finance. Tran’s experience as the finance outreach coordinator and vice chair of finance set him apart from other candidates.

VICE PRESIDENT OF SUSTAINABILITY

PERSONNEL DIRECTOR

MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR

TRANSFER/NONTRADITIONAL STUDENT DIRECTOR

The Highlander Editorial Board does not endorse any candidate for personnel director. Readers can view the full list of executive and extended cabinet candidates in our elections guide or ASUCR’s elections website.

Barry Liu

The Highlander Editorial Board endorses Barry Liu for vice president of sustainability. Liu’s experience as a CNAS senator and his experience working with the current vice president of sustainability set him apart from other candidates. The Highlander is confident in Liu’s ability to introduce innovative and more sustainable ideas to lead UCR into a better future.

SENATORS CHASS

Angelina Chavez

Helen Chu

Out of the many candidates running for ASUCR senate, The Highlander Editorial Board has decided to endorse the above

SPP

Orlando Cabalo Christopher Kent

individuals. The Highlander has decided to endorse the above candidates because we believe they provide a diverse experience to the

ASUCR senate. We believe the above candidates will demonstrate a clear understanding of the demands of the senate as well as the ability

Arleth Flores Aparicio

to effectively execute their jobs as senators. Readers can view the full list of senate candidates on pages 4 H and 5. ■

Opinions

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions

OPINIONS

MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

Derek Chauvin is on trial, but the future of America is the one on the stand

COURTESY OF CHAD DAVIS VIA FLICKR UNDER CC BY 2.0

ALTHOUGH PROSECUTING CHAUVIN IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, THE ROAD AHEAD FOR FIGHTING INJUSTICE IS LONG AND RELENTLESS.

s Derek Chauvin stands trial for the murder of George Floyd, America too stands trial for its long history of enabling police brutality and white supremacy. The evidence stacked against Chauvin is substantial, and he does not seem to stand a good chance at winning this case. Although it is clear he may face harsh consequences, more must be done on America’s part to ensure that the maiming of Black bodies is put to a stop. Most likely, the police force will use this case as a last-ditch effort to get the public off of their backs, and if this is the case, then circumstances will only worsen for this country. White supremacy has a strong grip on government institutions especially the police force and if this continues to be the norm, the outcome of this case will be for nothing. This is an opportunity for America to realize its flaws as a country and to do the right thing by their most marginalized citizens. Chauvin’s trial must not be the lone precedent for more reform to follow. If the commotion stops here, even if they do prosecute, the outcome of this case won’t make a dent in solving police brutality. The decisions in this courtroom will

force people to see the horrible values of this country and the racism that flows through government institutions. All of this needs to be brought to light in order for this case to accomplish what it’s supposed to. The Chauvin trial is decisive of more than just one man’s fate: people are paying attention to this case to see what the next steps are in terms of handling police brutality. However, it is not outlandish to question the authenticity of it all. It may be quite likely that the police force is using Chauvin as a scapegoat to get the public off their back. Trust in the police force nowadays is generally abysmal — this is a last ditch effort to save face and Chauvin’s prosecution could just be a PR stunt to cover for the police force. In addition to the possible theatrics put on by the police force, the defense is reaching low with the “angry Black person” stereotype. During a line of questioning, the defense honed in on getting a witness to talk about his anger when seeing Floyd get murdered. Of course, anyone would be angry seeing someone get killed in front of their eyes, but the defense attempted to use this justifiable fury to prove that this was why Chauvin murdered Floyd. Chauvin’s team is grasping at straws by

using racial stereotyping as a tactic. Resorting to this tactic is harmful and must be taken into account by the public. White people resort to this stereotype as a defense, not only because it is easy, but because it is effective. Racism plays a large role in our justice system, and white people know that if they use these stereotypes, then results will always be in their favor. All of the elements in this case must be taken into consideration by the public when re-evaluating racism in America. This case simply cannot stand alone and be the only solution to fix things. Although the case is monumental, there have been countless police brutality cases in the past, and none of them brought upon any change. And due to this trend, America probably won’t treat this instance any different. Racism is so deeply ingrained within our society and government institutions that the right people won’t care to fix anything. Chauvin will not be let off the hook for his actions, but his sentencing won’t make any significant impact. Sure, his case may be one of the few that don’t work in favor of the police, but the results of this case will not be the end to the suffering that police brutality and its accompanying violence has created more must be done.

So, while it’s appropriate to say that America is on trial, the general public must stand trial along with it. The public needs to step in and show support in a tangible way. They need to do more than tweet about the case or follow it religiously. Indeed, for actual reform to occur, the public must be willing to tackle the foundation that America has been built upon: white supremacy. When it comes to ideologies, the people who are most likely to align with the ideals of white supremacy and neo-Nazism are uneducated. It’s nearly impossible to assume that these people will naturally realize the error of their ways and break from this on their own, so the government must step in. From educating children earlier about how to avoid white supremacy to deeply investigating government institutions and removing those in power something of a larger magnitude must be accomplished. America has a long way to go, and it needs to set standards on how they will put a stop to allowing white supremacists into our government and on our police forces. This country must consider how it is built on a foundation of white supremacy, and while a simple solution would appear to be educating newer generations, this is still a weak response

to the current circumstances. These issues must be attacked from all sides, and it cannot be ignored any longer. After all, the Los Angeles Police Department’s motto is, “To Protect and Serve”, but when videos such as the murder of George Floyd come out, it warps this meaning. It is obvious this motto does not apply to every citizen. More blood will be shed at the hands of crooked cops and our corrupt government if the U.S. is ignorant to its own flaws. America and its people need to stop tip-toeing around the obvious questions they need to be asking themselves. It’s going to take a lot of deep self reflection and accountability from our government if we are ever to see change. Black people do not deserve to live in fear because their country has failed to protect them. This case alone will not be an effective start to end police brutality unless America is ready to pick up some of its H slack. ■

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.

8 MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

EVELYN HOMAN Assistant Opinions Editor

As we’ve sifted through the events of this past year, many issues that America has neglected to address have come to the surface. Some of those, like racial and gender inequality, are getting the attention that they deserve. But there is another glaring issue that deserves more attentiveness than it’s received so far: national security. From the Capitol riots to white supremacy and homegrown extremism, this has become a persistent issue in America. Elissa Slotkin, Michigan congresswoman and the chair of a House Homeland Security subcommittee, has stated that “domestic violent extremism” must become America’s top national security priority to help ensure the safety of the masses. She is absolutely right — now is the time for America to focus on its own internal issues rather than trying to combat foreign threats. Since the first days of early foreign policy, America has become one of the most meddlesome countries when it comes to the affairs of other nations. These last 50 years of getting involved in other countries’ conflicts has meant that tackling our own domestic threats has fallen by the wayside. There has been a resurgence in white supremacy throughout America in recent years, and bipartisan conflicts in

OPINIONS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions

If the United States wants to become safer, it must re-evaluate national security the political sphere are leading domestic terrorism. America needs to stop spending billions to fund foreign affairs and turn its attention and money toward solving its own problems before they worsen. As the Biden administration seems to be taking a serious stance on this issue, there does seem to be hope to solve this problem. Dismantling racist sentiments en masse is going to take more than political action, but a good place to start might be refusing to let police officers get away with crimes when they are in the wrong. By helping people become more accepting toward one another in this way, perhaps dangerous ideologies might be less likely to be subscribed to. Although we must still take into account that there will always be bad people who will believe in racist ideas like supremacy and will resort to violence, by working on protecting our nation from these sorts of people we can minimize their impact on society. Funding local task forces that can keep an eye on potential white supremacy activity could help prevent a potential attack and thereby keep communities safer. If we as a country start making it more obvious that there is no room for racism in our society, people will hopefully understand that there is no point to following such ideologies, because everyone is equal. Despite the domestic terrorism that our

AMERICA’S FOCUS ON FOREIGN ADVERSARIES HAS ALLOWED HOMEGROWN TERRORISM TO BLOSSOM. IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO START REMEDYING IT.

COURTESY OF GEOFF LIVINGSTON VIA FLICKR UNDER CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

country has suffered in recent months, we should not give up hope. Educating ourselves, actively trying to be better people in society and breaking down our own prejudices will do more in the long run than actively shaming people. If we try ourselves to be better people on a local level, hopefully it will inspire

others to do the same, and threats of domestic terrorism will fade away as people shed old prejudices for newer, H more understanding perspectives. ■

Georgia’s new election laws are a direct attack on voting rights

DAVID MORENO Contributing Writer

Republican lawmakers in Georgia have pushed voting legislation that has been described by protesters as “Jim Crow 2.0.” The new legislation that was quickly signed by current Gov. Brian Kemp will make the process of voting extremely difficult for many Georgia citizens. The state of Georgia has no fair reason to impose such harsh and oppressive voter restrictions. These new restrictions are going to be directly affecting minority voters who already run into difficulties casting their ballots. In response to this, the Biden administration should condemn the state for implementing such targeted regulations against minority voters. It’s critical that Georgia citizens receive the support they need when advocating against these regulations. This new legislation comes in light of the 2020 presidential election after the first win by a Democrat in the state since 1992. Shortly afterward, two Democratic candidates won their runoff elections, giving their party control of the chamber. It is important to take this into consideration since the push for this legislation is being spirited by Republican lawmakers. Republicans are more focused on winning re-elections rather than maintaining and upholding the voting rights of Georgia residents. Looking into the future, Kemp is prioritizing this 2022 re-election cycle. In a state that is progressively moving toward becoming more Democratic, his chances of re-election as a Republican candidate are shrinking. This is especially true if a strong Democratic rival, like Stacy Abrams, challenges him again for the position. As a consequence, imposing voter regulations that target minority

groups will only benefit him in the long run. However, the negative impact this legislation has will be astronomical. A closer look into the regulations under this new legislation reveals how much they affect minority groups. In the runoff elections in January, Democratic candidates managed to capture 93% of the Black vote. Furthermore, in November, it was reported that 88% of the Black electorate supported Joe Biden. The Black

new leadership. By hand selecting the new decision makers, it will be easier for them to determine which votes actually count in majority Democratic areas. By limiting the access to early voting resources, Republicans will make it extremely difficult for average, full time working citizens to vote. It is very clear that these new regulations aim to leave minority voters in a disenfranchised position. The Biden administration needs to take

Americans who value their constitutional right to vote should make it clear that we stand in solidarity with the voters of Georgia. In order to do this, we must put pressure on our local and state representatives to condemn the actions of the Georgian lawmakers. In a situation like this, actions speak louder than words the voters of Georgia need progressive action.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN GEORGIA ARE SETTING UP ROADBLOCKS FOR VOTING, LEAVING THOUSANDS IN A DISENFRANCHISED POSITION.

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vote in Georgia has played a critical role in the state’s progression toward becoming a blue state, but these new voter regulations are going to directly suppress their votes. Regulations that require the use of a driver’s license or a state identification card for identification purposes will affect 200,000 Georgians who lack those documents. Much worse, the new law now makes it a misdemeanor to provide voters in line with food and water. It also changes how provisional ballots are counted and limits the use of drop boxes for absentee ballots. The law will also allow the Repubilcan controlled election board to replace county boards and plant

a stronger stance against what Republican lawmakers are trying to get away with in Georgia. Furthermore, Americans shouldn’t stand by as these modernday voter suppression tactics are being implemented. In a statement, Joe Biden referred to the actions of Republicans as a blatant attack on the Constitution, and ended by describing the situation as Jim Crow in the 21st century. He urged Congress to pass the For the People Act, which would make it easier for all Americans to vote. However, staying on the side of bipartisanship, the president has left the issue to be resolved by Congress.

What Republican lawmakers are currently succeeding at getting away with is directly putting thousands of voters at risk. Georgians are losing one of their most valuable rights as American citizens. A powerful way to incite meaningful change is by taking a pronounced stance against the actions of these lawmakers. Elected officials shouldn’t be working to silence voters, and these new regulations in Georgia are doing just that. These regulations attack the values of democracy that this country was built on. All eligible Americans should be able to execute their H right to vote, no matter their situation.■

HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions

OPINIONS

MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

Net-zero emissions won’t be achieved by scapegoating HEEWON KIM Contributing Writer

It is unreasonable to place blame on one business for the degradation of the world’s current climate. However, environmentalists seem to attack particularly successful businesses, such as JBS foods, who have already stated that they would reach net zero emissions by 2040. JBS Foods has the largest meat producer in the world with operations all over the globe. Because they need to produce large quantities of meat, they need cows, pigs and great expanses of agricultural land. As a result, deforestation is unfortunately an inevitable option for them. But due to their status as the largest meat processor, they have been targeted by environmentalists and those who are concerned about the current state of the environment. These individuals aim to make JBS responsible for the lack of progress on climate change. The urgency of climate change should always be taken into consideration; however, shifting the attention towards JBS as the prime causation of a worsening climate is reckless. One of the largest contributing factors to climate change is deforestation. In the perspective of environmentalists, the more trees that are cut down, burnt and left to rot, the more carbon is released into the atmosphere in large quantities. This, in turn, contributes heavily to global warming. As global warming and climate change is consistently a hot topic in regular conversation, companies such as JBS have no choice but to be targeted and portrayed as responsible for the lack of

ENVIRONMENTALISTS PLACE TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON JBS FOR THE LACK OF CHANGE IN OUR CURRENT CLIMATE.

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change in today’s climate. Those who target these successful businesses target their profits in order to instigate some sort of action that could go towards climate change. They expose the amount of profits that are made from their meat productions across the globe and suggest that their profits could’ve been used to contribute to end deforestation or decrease their meat production. JBS has, in fact, made promises to minimize their deforestation habits, such as ending their direct suppliers that have been contributing to deforestation. There

have been claims that they have made no effort since their success in sales overpowers their mission to reach the net zero goal. Avid environmentalists continue to target and place pressure on businesses to make them feel as if they are responsible for the imbalance in climate change. This can prevent the general public from considering other major contributing factors to global warming such as burning fossil fuels. We burn fossil fuels everyday simply by running our beloved Mercedes, Toyotas and Kias. But if we are to put pressure on JBS, we

must hold our favorite car brands to that same standard as well. It’s not that these businesses are ignoring the environmentalist perspective; rather, they are merely prioritizing the consistent high demand for their product. The reasoning behind their lack of efforts to prevent climate change is because the high consumer demand of meat itself discourages their intention to prioritize their pledged goal of net zero emissions. In the perspective of businesses, they are simply following the laws of consumer demand. Although these environmentalists promote their philanthropy and suggest ethical solutions, it is an impossible task for the businesses to suddenly decrease the amount of supply of a product they H have the most success in. ■

10 MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

Features

FEATURES

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features

Flaunting the runway at the 17th Dragalicious Drag Ball ALEXANDRIA ESTEBAN Assistant Features Editor

The Queer Alliance, LGBT Resource Center and Associated Student Programs Board worked in collaboration to present UCR’s 17th Dragalicious Drag Ball. This annual event started back in 2004 and continues to give students the opportunity to express themselves through drag performances. This year, the show was hosted by Mayhem Miller, a professional drag performer who appeared on the 10th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” On Thursday, April 8, viewers entered the Zoom room, eager to watch some performances. The show started a little later than anticipated, but music played while everyone was getting ready. By 7:15 p.m., the show began. The evening kicked off with two separate performances from Miller and Jazmyn Simone, another professional drag queen that Miller is close friends with. Both queens expressed their desire to be on a live stage again, but they were happy to be given the opportunity to share their passion for drag with the students of UCR. After their introduction videos, Miller took the time to remind the audience that the event was a fundraiser. Although tickets were free, donations were appreciated. Information on how to send donations was posted in the Zoom chat. The money collected went towards the LGBTQIA Students Assistance Fund. This fund is used to help LGBTQIA+

students overcome any challenges they might be facing, such as finding access to medications, mental health services, safe housing and other basic needs. Since students were unable to perform their shows live this year, each participant had the advantage of video editing. All performances were prerecorded, which gave everyone time to add special effects, transitions and backgrounds to their videos. However, sharing the videos virtually through Zoom still came with challenges, and there were a few moments in the show where the hosts struggled to fix the audio settings. There were a total of five student performances during this event. Johnny Sin-Rosa Gentleman lip-synced to “I 2 I” by Tevin Campbell, a song popularly known from its appearance in “A Goofy Movie.” Campbell included clips from the film with their performance. Crescent Rose submitted a video of themselves lipsyncing to the song, “The Origin of Love,” from Hedwig and the Angry Inch. At the beginning of the video, Rose briefly edited their dress to show a moving galaxy. Joe Mama performed along to the song “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne. Their video began with a short comedy sketch where Joe Mama lip-synced to a clip from the movie, “Superbad.” The last two student performances were done by Bibi Discoteca and Vinnie Parradice. Each performer brought their own flare to their videos. Viewers could tell

they had fun dancing and lip-syncing in their drag attire. After each video, Miller took the time to talk with the performers and ask them questions about their experiences with drag. Many of the student performers have seen some of Miller’s performances before and were happy to speak with someone they’ve idolized. Miller closed out the night with one final performance of the song “Missing” by No Mercy. This event was fun to watch, and it was great seeing the love and support the performers received from the audience through that chat. At the end of the night, the LGBTQIA Student Assistance Fund raised more than $1,000. For anyone interested in attending other LGBT events, be sure to check out the LGBT Resource Center’s social media H platforms.■

ARCHIVE/ THE HIGHLANDER

THE 17TH DRAGALICIOUS DRAG BALL SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT AND PROFESSIONAL PERFORMERS AS THEY CELEBRATE THE POWER OF DRAG THROUGH AN EVENING OF VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES.

Foretelling the future through science fiction HOSTED BY UCR PALM DESERT, KIM STANLEY ROBINSON AND GERRY CANAVAN HAVE AN INSIGHTFUL CONVERSATION ON THE SCIENCE FICTION GENRE AND CLIMATE CRISIS.

ADRIANA MANDUJANO ANGEL Features Editor

Tuesday, April 6, saw insightful and thought-provoking conversation regarding science fiction and its ability to be used as a tool to foresee the future. The theme for the night was science fiction and the climate crisis and the talk was a part of the first free lecture series hosted by UCR Palm Desert, this event was meant to tie science fiction into different topics and create discourse. This event was sponsored by the Center for Ideas and Society, the Palm Desert Center, the Speculative Fictions and Cultures of Science Program at UCR and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UCR. Sherryl Vint, director of the Speculative Fictions and Cultures of Science Program

at UCR, facilitated a discussion between author Kim Stanley Robinson and Gerry Canavan, associate professor of English at Marquette University, regarding the night’s theme. Throughout the night, Stanley Robinson discussed his novel, “Ministry for the Future,’’ which alluded to the COVID-19 pandemic among his other novels which encompassed the climate crisis theme. In addition to being a professor, Canavan is the managing editor for the Science Fiction Film and Television journal that is published three times a year. His knowledge of the science fiction genre within literature led to a great discussion with Stanley Robinson as they discussed Robinson’s novels and the thought process

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behind writing them. When explaining the theme of the night, Vint discussed Robinson’s novel, “Ministry for the Future,” which was released in October 2020. The novel discusses indepth the problem with climate change. In this world created by Robinson, if nothing is done, the future of the world is compromised to the point of no return. Despite Robinson’s novel being a work of science fiction, it is also a way of creating discourse regarding the topics discussed as described by Caravan. In this instance, it would be the climate crisis that grows day by day. Robinson explained that science fiction is doing two things at once. “The first is an honest attempt to engage in prophecy

and the second is a metaphor for what’s going on in the world,” he stated. He later elaborated that everyone is metaphorically co-writing a science fiction novel as of a result of our relationship with the planet. The topic afterwards shifted to the global COVID-19 pandemic that has left the world and its inhabitants secluded and socially isolated. Caravan pointed out that in addition to the climate change threat in Robinson’s book, there also appeared to be traces of the pandemic in certain parts of the novel. Robinson explained that due to the timing of the book’s release, he was able to fit in some information and testimonies from the real world pandemic to this made-up world, which made this book appear like a bible to some, according to Caravan. Vint then moved on to the Q&A portion of the night where attendees were able to get their questions answered by both Robinson and Caravan. Robert Heath asked Robinson what he thought his best writing for the future would be for nonfans of sci-fi. Robinson replied that it would be his novel “Ministry for the Future,” while Caravan chose Robinson’s novel “New York 2140.” Overall, the night was very insightful and allowed for an atmosphere where attendees and panelists could discuss the beauty of the science fiction genre as a whole and the ability of utilising science fiction to create important discourse regarding the world we live in. If you wish to read more on this topic feel free to check out some of Robinson’s other novels as well and keep an eye out for future events H on their Facebook page @ucrpalmdesert.■

Radar

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

Seafood Sam floats on the beat as he paints his success and shortcomings on his tape ‘Rocco’s World’ SEAFOOD SAM KEEPS IT WAVY ON HIS NEWEST RELEASE.

JAMES JONES Contributing Writer

Long Beach native Seafood Sam has returned with a new project, “Rocco’s World,” where he sticks to his formula of bumping West Coast beats and smooth lyricism. While this tape is rather compact by rounding off at a quick 18 minutes, there are a lot of moments that really stand out. What’s interesting about Seafood Sam is while he may still be a local artist, he talks as if he’s already attained all the highly coveted rap accolades. Tracks like “Cold 2 Step,” where he raps over a very sunny West Coast beat is akin to

COURTESY OF @SEAFOODSAM VIA INSTAGRAM

any Too $hort hit song, as he talks about his current success along with a couple braggadocious bars of foreign cars and nice clothes. Although this project comes in at short supply, it may be something that works toward Seafood Sam’s advantage. He wastes no time putting as many bars as he can within his beats while also making sure not to overstay his welcome on his tapes. This may be a trend we’re seeing from him as his last few projects, “Hood Vogue” and “Backward Skates Only,” have been short and sweet but packed with a lot to love. However, it could also work as a disadvantage due to the fact that he has such great potential, but his projects are too short to really make a full judgment. Seafood Sam paints vivid pictures of his life: from hanging with friends to committing acts of violence through slick lyricism and easygoing watery sampled beats. Songs like “Apple Eve” are a perfect example of this; it was definitely a highlight of this quick record, although there aren’t too many low points (if any). Aside from the skit, the eight tracks proceeding are all good listens, where you feel as if the tape ended too quickly, making you want to hit replay almost instantly. This is a bit of a downside to Seafood Sam’s projects as they are a little too brief for my liking. This is a good introduction to Seafood

Sam if you’re new since it’s not too much at once but just enough to enjoy. This project has a lot of good replay value. It is real smooth all the way through with little to no skips if you’re including the skit “She Said,” which was funny but so short that this tape essentially has no skips. For the consistent Seafood Sam fan, this is a project that isn’t different from his previous works. My only issue is that because of his talent, I would like to hear a bit more from him on a project. I find myself listening to his latest works and noticing how fast they end, wondering where the time went. Rather than just a bunch of small five to nine track tapes with great music, I would much rather like to see Seafood Sam bring forth a more complete body of work. If Seafood Sam did do a project with a little more meat and potatoes to it, I can see more ears H being attracted to his sound.■

VERDICT:

Overall, I felt “Rocco’s World” was a record of quality but just a little too short this time around, leaving me at a bit of a cliffhanger. The only difference is the production, but Seafood Sam still comes through with the icy lyrics and smooth word play. It’s short, sweet and to the point, leaving you wondering what else Seafood Sam has to offer.

The controversy surrounding Lil Nas X’s music video and why it’s ridiculous MADISON RHEINS Opinions Editor

Lil Nas X recently came out with his music video for his new song, “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” and was immediately met with backlash from conservatives. His video showcased theatrical reenactments of biblical stories and a raunchy dance number consisting of Lil Nas X giving the devil a lap dance. However, he should not fall victim to cancel culture due to religious disrespect. People are allowed to use artistic expression freely and to take as many liberties as they want without having to be conscious of political or religious boundaries. Lil Nas X should be allowed to produce this content because he has a right to express himself freely whether people agree with it or not. The music video begins with Lil Nas X in a beautiful costume and over-the-top makeup. The scene is also set to be in the Garden of Eden, where he is tempted by a snake, sent for judgment and then sent to hell. In the scene where Lil Nas X is sent to hell, he is depicted giving the devil a suggestive lap dance. Upon completing the dance, he then kills the devil and puts the horns upon his own head.

Many people are canceling him for being disrespectful to their religion, to which Lil Nas X replied, “Y’all love saying we going to hell but get upset when I actually go there.” Although this was a pretty lighthearted response to the hate he was getting, it rightfully points out that the same people expressing their hatred for this video are also the same people who have freely expressed their hatred for the LGBTQ+ community. And if they are allowed to express this hate, then Lil Nas X should not be cancelled for expressing his personality through art. Conservatives are notorious for freely expressing their harmful ideas over all social networks, but once a queer Black man produces something that offends them, they suddenly turn into the Bible police. In reality, these people just end up appearing like hypocrites. People are also quick to ignore other romanticized portrayals of the devil just because they are white, heterosexual men. Lil Nas X was not the first person to sexualize hell or the devil himself. In fact, the TV show, “Lucifer” has been running for five seasons now. The show “Lucifer” depicts the devil as a suave, heterosexual white man who has been banished

to Earth. The character sleeps with multiple women and even has a sense of humanity that makes the viewers sympathize with him. And while shows like these are fan favorites and greenlit for more seasons, Lil Nas X is being canceled over one music video. The difference in treatment between these two individuals is clear and should be taken seriously. The public is never keen to criticize a straight white man, but they waste no time coming after a queer person of color. If people want to cancel Lil Nas X for taking creative liberties in his own music videos, then people must also crack down on canceling other aspects of media that pretty much do the same thing. The way that the media has treated Lil Nas X for his music video is uncalled for. Lil Nas X does not deserve the backlash he’s received. Everyone has the freedom to exercise their creativity, whether the public likes it or not. To attack a queer person of color for romanticizing something that hetereosexual white people have always been doing in the media is problematic in itself H and needs to be put to a stop. ■

LIL NAS X TOOK THE PUBLIC BY STORM WITH HIS ARTISTIC TAKE ON BIBLICAL STORIES AND IT’S NOT A CAUSE FOR CANCELING HIM LIKE PEOPLE CLAIM.

COURTESY OF COLUMBIA LABEL

Sports MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021

SPORTS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

UCR baseball chokes early lead, lose 7-5 to University of Hawaii HANSEL CHU Senior Staff Writer

The UCR baseball team lost 7-5 to the University of Hawaii on Friday, April 9. After going up to an early 5-1 start, the Highlanders let their guards down and allowed the Rainbow Warriors to score six unanswered runs. UCR failed to respond in the last few innings and let a manageable win slip through their hands. Redshirt freshman Zach Jacobs took to the mound to start things up for UCR. In the first inning, Hawaii’s left fielder Scotty Scott hit a double which led to the Rainbow Warriors securing second and third base. A base hit from designated hitter Jacob Igawa put Hawaii up in the scoreboard 1-0. UCR responded in the bottom of the 1st inning with a triple from centerfielder Travis Bohall, and a flyball from redshirt junior and left fielder Cole Pofek tied the score 1-1. In the bottom of the third inning, Bohall got a base hit and then proceeded to steal a base. A flyball from designated hitter Jacob Shanks put the Highlanders up 2-1. In the bottom of the fourth inning, a double into left center field from shortstop Anthony

Mata extended the Highlander lead 4-1. A couple plays later, a single from second baseman Ely Stuart put UCR up 5-1. The Highlanders kept up this momentum and their offense was on top of their game; in the bottom of the fourth inning, they had added three runs. With the Highlanders up 5-1 going into the seventh inning, everything seemed to be going right for UCR. However, a double into the right side from Hawaii’s Scott saw the Rainbow Warriors first score since the first inning. A wild pitch from pitcher Zach Jacobs allowed another run for Hawaii, which saw the Highlander lead dwindle 5-3. In the top of the eighth inning, pitcher Eric Marujo subbed in for Jacobs. After a wild throw and a walk, along with a bunt afterwards, Marujo was quickly replaced by pitcher Abbott Haffar as the Rainbow Warriors secured second and third base, threatening to score. A ground ball up the middle by Hawaii’s shortstop Kole Kaler tied the game 5-5. Soon later, a double into left field by center fielder Adam Fogel put Hawaii up 7-5. UCR had some chances to respond to the outburst

from the Rainbow Warriors. However, a couple of groundouts and strikeouts in the bottom of the eighth and ninth inning ended any chances from the Highlanders to survive Hawaii’s comeback, as they lost 7-5. Jacobs had six strikeouts in his 7.0 IP. Bohall led the team with 2 runs scored and Mata led the team with 2 RBI. The Highlanders look to bounce back next week at Cal State Northridge next Friday, Apr. 16, at 3 PM, next Saturday, Apr. 17, at 11 a.m. and next Sunday, Apr. 18, at H 2 p.m. ■

HIGHLANDERS EARLY LEAD GOES TO WASTE AS HAWAII MAKES A FURIOUS COMEBACK TO SECURE THE WIN.

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

UCR baseball fall to University of Hawaii in a two-game header THE HIGHLANDERS FIND IT DIFFICULT TO FIND HOME

KEVIN CONTRERAS Assistant Sports Editor

Game 2: UCR’s baseball team faced off against the University of Hawaii for Game 2 and Game 3 of the four-game series on Saturday, April 10. The Highlanders had a tough Saturday and were unable to find their bearings throughout the various innings. UCR managed to keep UH at bay and scoreless for the first four innings of the game but ultimately lost 7-0. Freshman pitcher Tucker Juline managed to shake the Warriors entry batters early on. At the bottom of the third inning, UCR found themselves with a golden opportunity, the bases were loaded and they had no outs. The Highlanders were eager to bounce back, especially after the narrow 7-5 win from the night before. Redshirt senior and outfielder Travis Bohall was up to bat. After a few pitches, Bohall managed to find the ball and send it towards left field, but unfortunately, the Rainbow Warriors managed to quickly pick up the ball and earn two outs, shutting down UCR’s threat. Late in the fourth inning, UCR managed to pose another threat for the Hawaiian Wahine. First and second base were loaded, this time the Highlanders already had two outs. Freshman infielder Anthony Mata was up to bat. One pitch was all it took for Mata to find the ball and hit a grounder towards left field. Redshirt junior Nathan Webb managed to reach third base and made an aggressive charge towards home plate. Not being able to outrun the ball, Webb was tagged out, ending the inning. Early in the fifth inning, things seem to turn around for UH. Redshirt Junior Matt Campos of the Warriors opened up the inning with his first career home run and UH’s first point of the game. UCR managed to keep the Wahine at bay for the rest of the inning. Going into the bottom of

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

the inning, Redshirt sophomore Ely Stuart managed to walk towards first, but UCR sacrificed a batter and bunted the ball in order to get Stuart to second base. Bohall managed to hit the ball hard enough for him to reach first base. With the corners loaded, UCR tried to find themselves on the scoreboard but were unable to do so and ended the fifth inning still 1-0. At the top of the sixth inning, the Rainbow Warriors managed to find home plate once again, this time by way of sophomore outfielder Scotty Scott. The Warriors managed to get another run after that leaving the score 2-0. UCR managed to keep them away from home for the rest of the inning but were unable to find home themselves and were struck out fairly quickly. For the seventh inning, redshirt senior Shamus Lyons came on to relieve Juline. UH batters managed to find the ball from Lyons and managed to earn another two runs before being. With the score now 4-0, the Highlanders did their best to comeback but were unable to get themselves to the bases. For the last two innings, Lyons was relieved by redshirt sophomore Jake Lachemann. The Rainbow warriors managed to get in another two runs, reaching 7-0. The rest of the game remained scoreless

for both teams. UCR found themselves with a few opportunities to score at the bottom of the ninth but were unable to get on the board.

Game 3: The opening Saturday game unfortunately gave the opposition enough momentum to press on for the third game of the series. Redshirt sophomore Tyler Frazier was the opening pitcher for the Highlanders. UCR managed to score four times during the game but that was not enough for them to regain their power from the previous games as the University of Hawaii managed to win 13-4. The Rainbow warriors managed to fill all the bases early in the first inning. A slip up between the pitcher and the catcher allowed junior Kole Kaler on third to reach home opening up the scoreboard for UH. Redshirt junior for UH Adam Fogel helped keep the runs coming by hitting a double, allowing two players who were already on base to advance home, leaving the score 3-0 early in the game. Campos came up to bat, allowing Fogel to score UH’s fourth point. The Highlanders managed to stop the Warriors for a moment. At the bottom of the first, UCR managed to score a point in an attempt to catch up. Bohall, who was

on second base, managed to reach home due to an error made by the shortstop on the opposing team. The inning ended shortly after. Both teams managed to score in the second inning. Kaler managed to find home again due to an error made by the Highlander team, bumping up the score to 5-1. The Highlanders found themselves at bat soon thereafter. UCR did their best to keep the Warriors at bay, earning another point this time being run by Stuart, the score now 5-2. Going into the fourth inning, the Rainbow Warriors managed to earn another two points. Sophomore Jacob Igawa hit a double towards center field, allowing Scott and Kaler to complete their runs. UCR tried to get some runs going but were only able to hit the ball once in the bottom of the 4th. At the end of the inning the score was 7-2. Unfortunately for the Highlanders, the Wahine kept the runs coming well into the fifth inning. They managed to earn a couple back to back runs before UCR could get some outs. Shortly after, UH managed to work in a double play. UCR was unable to gain any points of their own, leaving the score 12-2 by the end of the inning. The Highlanders made some progress at the bottom of the sixth, earning some more points for themselves. Redshirt freshman Adrian Melendrez managed to hit a triple towards left center field. With Melendrez on third, freshman Anthony Mcfarland’s hit towards the middle of the field allowed him to reach first and gave Melendrez enough time to reach home plate. Freshman Mason Grace helped bring Mcfarland home by hitting a double. The Highlanders closed the inning 12-4. UH scored another point in the eighth inning, sealing their win 13-4. UCR hopes to win at least one game this weekend as they will face the University of Hawaii once more on Sunday, April 11 for the final game of the series. They face California State University, Northridge during the third week of spring quarter. ■ H