THE HIGHLANDER
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
FOR THE WEEK OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
VOL. 69, ISSUE 03
est. 1954
The Barn closes temporarily after a member of staff tests positive for COVID-19
LAURA ANAYA-MORGA Senior Staff Writer
In a statement released on Oct. 16, David Henry, executive director of UCR Housing, Dining and Hospitality Services announced that a member of The Barn staff has tested positive for COVID-19. Henry stated that the staff member will be required to refrain returning to campus for at least fourteen days and anyone who came in close contact with them will be required to do so as well. This will result in a temporary closure of the Barn with the tentative plan to reopen on Monday, Nov. 2. In an interview with The Highlander, Robin Hungerford, senior director of UCR Housing, Dining and Hospitality Services stated that since The Barn’s reopening in June, they have been following all of the protocols that were approved in the operational plan provided by the Public Health Committee at UCR. The plan includes having the staff complete a daily online wellness check, frequent disinfecting of high touch areas, frequent hand washing, the mandatory use of face coverings and disinfecting the establishment nightly with an electrostatic backpack sprayer equipped with an EPA registered disinfectant. Henry added that The Barn staff will have paid leave options available for the duration of the tentative two week closure. “We will continue to follow our established and approved protocols when the Barn reopens,” stated Henry. He added that on top of the daily disinfection processes already in place at the Barn, UCR Housing, Dining & Hospitality Services will also hire third-party specialists to perform a full disinfection process prior to staff returning to H work and the restaurant re opening.■ COURTESY OF STAN LIM VIA UCR
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UPCOMING EVENTS: WEEK 3
COLIN CARNEY| POLITICAL SCIENCE | FOURTH-YEAR COMPILED BY LEO YUE
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“The Fight to Vote for the Right to Vote” 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Virtual Event
What’s My Worth? Salary Negotiation (Job & Internship Search Series) 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Virtual Event
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Eliminating Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Virtual Event
Putting Inclusive Pedagogy into Practice 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Virtual Event
ABC’s of Gender Pronouns with Dr. Alexis Ungerer 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Virtual Event
UCR Tomás Rivera Conference 2020 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Virtual Event
Policy Innovation After Disasters 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Virtual Event
More than Spoken Word 2020 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Virtual Event
English Majors in the Professions: Screenwriter, Producer Brett Johnson 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Virtual Event
Shantay, Let’s Slay! with Bob The Drag Queen 7:00 p.m. Virtual Event
Monday
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Wednesday
“4 or 5 years ago I followed in my brothers foot steps and applied for my Irish citizenship, making me a dual citizen of the Republic of Ireland and the US. This decision, which at first was largely done for fun, stirred an interest in me to
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educate myself on foreign affairs and international developments. Being already declared as a political science major, this fell right down my alley and I followed events like Brexit closer than I did most US politics. This interest in global affairs that started with my Irish citizenship motivated me to pursue a future in foreign service that I hope to carry over into a career working on foreign policy.”
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NEWS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
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ASUCR
ASUCR holds special election to fill Transfer and Non-Traditional Director vacancy
LAURA ANAYA-MORGA /HIGHLANDER
A screenshot of the Oct. 14 ASUCR meeting held via Zoom.
LAURA ANAYA-MORGA Senior Staff Writer
The ASUCR senate elected a new transfer and non-traditional director on Wednesday, Oct. 14, after Ramses Cuadros, previous director, resigned in the summer after only holding office for a few months. Five candidates: Blythe Reyes, Adan Perez, Elizabeth Samson, Alexia Carillo Villalobos and Kaitylyn Hall were given three minutes to present a speech, and the senate was allowed three minutes to ask the candidates questions. The elections took place after the second senate meeting of the quarter, where the ASUCR senate approved SB-F20-004, updating the previous Green Campus Action Plan (GCAP) bylaws from the Office of the Undergraduate Sustainability Director into the Office of the Vice President of Sustainability. This change also begins the process of creating paid positions within GCAP for the vice-chair, marketing director, programming director and policy director positions. During the meeting, the senate also approved the finance hearing minutes for week one and week two. To begin the special election, Reyes was the first to step up to the
virtual podium to present her speech — the other candidates were placed into a waiting room until it was their time to speak. Reyes, a fourth-year liberal studies transfer student, highlighted her previous work in ASUCR as the Transfer and Non-Traditional Student Committee event coordinator and vowed to create more opportunities for students to engage with one another. She outlined the issues that transfer students face that she would like to tackle including: lack of acknowledgement, not receiving proper help from universities, registration issues, financial aid issues and the unnecessary pressure of being told to finish in two years. “We’re not asking for an easy way out,” stated Reyes, “We’re looking for a fair one.” Adan Perez then stepped up to speak, sporting a Zoom background from the popular U.S. T.V. show “The Office.” Perez, a fifth-year senior majoring in both media and cultural studies and Native American studies, also highlighted the leadership experience he has gained in his time at UCR as a peer mentor for Native American Student Programs (NASP) I-Connect mentorship program, a part of the newly reinstated Indigenous Student Task Force and secretary for
Native American Honor Society, Native American Student Association and the Underground Scholars Initiative. Perez stated that his experience as a transfer student at UCR has been both positive and negative — positive because he was able to build community amongst his peers, but negative because he felt that the institution constantly polarized transfer and nontraditional students since the opportunities offered to them were often few and far between. Perez acknowledged that he does not have a clear solution, but some of his goals are to create town halls and opportunities to raise their concerns and then work to fix them. The next candidate, Elizabeth Samson, a fourthyear English major, kept her Zoom camera turned off throughout the duration of her speech. Samson stated her desire to expand the social media efforts of the Transfer and Non-traditional Student Committee. One of her goals, if elected, was to clearly define what a nontraditional student was. “If we can actually define it, then we will know who we are actually helping,” stated Samson. Alexia Carillo Villalobos, a fourth-year sociology major, presented her speech to the senate and expounded
on her leadership experience in Puente, the Underground Scholars Initiative and student government in her community college. According to Villalobos, one of the most pressing issues she has noticed as a transfer and non-traditional student is not having enough time to access various resources on campus such as research opportunities and not having enough student involvement across campus. Another problem, according to Villalobos, is that non-traditional students, specifically formerly incarcerated students, are not able to obtain jobs on campus. Villalobos acknowledged the impact that student governments have on their universities and hoped to bring her leadership experience into the role. Some of her goals include making ASUCR an inclusive space for all transfer and non-traditional students and utilizing social media for outreach to other groups on campus. Finally, Kaitylyn Hall, a fourth-year education and history major, highlighted the need for visibility within ASUCR. Hall stated that during her first year, she was not aware that ASUCR had a transfer and non-traditional student director. After hearing about the position, she knew that she wanted to increase the outreach of
ASUCR to further assist the transfer and non-traditional student community. Hall questioned the ways in which ASUCR could increase their advocacy for transfer and non-traditional students and added, “We must know the community before we advocate for them.” She plans to do so by sending mass emails to students about resources and opportunities that are available to them and increasing accessibility to such resources. Hall also added that she has a passion for social justice, specifically anti-racism and plans to implement that into her role if elected. CHASS Senator Juan Morales asked Hall to expound on her application where she listed one of her goals to create viable mental health resources for transfer and non-traditional students. She responded by stating she would hope to implement programs where mental health professionals could offer their services to members of the transfer and non-traditional student community, as well as offer support groups for the community to help each other. After a 30-minute deliberation, the ASUCR senate reconvened and elected Kaitylyn Hall as the new transfer and nontraditional student director for the 2020-2021 school H year. ■
4 MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
NEWS
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UCR ranks No. 1 in social mobility for the second year in a row DAVINA GARCIA Senior Staff Writer
Each year, the U.S. News and World Report publishes a list of college rankings within the United States. For the year 2021, UCR has, once again, placed first as a top performer in the category of social mobility. This is only the second year in which the U.S. News and World Report has included a completely separate social mobility ranking for all schools across the nation. According to U.S. News, economically disadvantaged students are far less likely than others to finish college, even when considering other factors. Thus, the social mobility ranking measures the rate of successfully graduated, Pell Grant students amongst all universities in the country. They stipulated that the students given these grants tend to come from households whose total family incomes are less than $50,000 annually, although the majority of the grants are awarded to students with family incomes of below $20,000. UCR was also generally ranked higher than the year prior, at No. 34 among all the universities and colleges across the country. In an interview with The Highlander, Chancellor Kim Wilcox revealed his pride in the university’s achievement and recognition. ”The university’s reputation has been growing
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each year, as evidenced by the major university rankings. We’re a top public university as ranked by not only U.S. News & World Report, but also by Forbes, Money Magazine, Washington Monthly and CNBC,” he stated. Wilcox added that the mission of UCR, like other top research institutions, is to provide students with a top-notch education. However, UCR is different in that the school consciously provides first-class education to students who are largely first-generation, underrepresented minorities and those who come from low
income families. Just last August, the nonprofit organization, Education Trust, listed UCR as one of the nation’s top universities in terms of Black and Latino graduation rates. Social mobility recognition is especially important, as that ranking might be the best indicator of how a university improves peoples’ lives, Wilcox stated. In the past, college rank reports often did not place value on this facet of higher education, as is evidenced by “social mobility” only becoming a valid category within the last couple
years. Higher learning institutions that are rated highly within this bracket are those that not only graduate less privileged students, but set them up for success in the future. Wilcox cautioned that the social mobility category might sound like “boardroom-talk” but clarified that it is one of the best ways to measure success for the students who were not born with the many privileges that others their age might have. “They had to fight for success, and UCR provides them with H the tools to help,” he concluded.■
UCR students talk voting in the upcoming election
DAVINA GARCIA Senior Staff Writer
Voting season is now in full swing, and those registered to vote in California should have received, or will soon be receiving, their mail-in ballots. The official election day and deadline to vote in the U.S. is on Nov. 3 and fast approaching. This election, California voters have the opportunity to vote on 13 propositions, the presidency, the state assembly, the state senate and congress. However, young college-aged students are consistently one of the least likely demographics to participate, with generally a lower voter turnout. According to the National Study of Learning Voting, and Engagement, in the most recent general presidential elections, from 2012 and 2016, UCR had a voting rate of 38.9% and 41.1% respectively. Though there was a slight increase in turnout between the years, the percentage remained less than half of the university’s student population at the time. In a conscious effort to encourage more young people to vote this year and promote student civic engagement overall, ASUCR’s Office of External Affairs formed the student-run Civic Engagement Committee earlier this summer. The organization operates as a part of the UCR Civic Engagement Coalition, a group that works with students, staff and other entities on campus. Third-year public policy
A student at UCR encouraging students to vote.
major and director of civic engagement, Emily Thomas, spoke to The Highlander about why it is important for young people to use their voices. “You have power in your vote to enact change in your community — literally every vote counts. I’ve seen local races that have been lost and won by one vote. That one vote could be yours,” she stated. Thomas went on to add that this year is especially critical, as the upcoming election will mark the first time in which millennials and Generation Z will have a greater voting majority than baby boomers and the silent generation. Still, students who already intend to vote have strong opinions when it comes to political views, and particularly, as it involves the election of the incoming president. The Highlander spoke to a handful
of students to share their perspectives on the upcoming election. Daniel Huynh, a fourth-year psychology major, asserted that he is a sure vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. However, he added that it is not necessarily because he supports their platform, rather “just to not have another Trump presidency.” Huynh stated that Biden and Harris have their own issues, especially in that they cannot seem to agree on many policies that are included on their 2020 ticket. Another student, Charissa Johannes, a third-year business major, also conveyed her support for Biden and Harris with a similar stipulation. She asserted that although neither of this year’s presidential candidates are ideal, Biden clearly seems like the lesser evil out of both men.
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Johannes was vehement in her opposition of the reinstatement of Donald Trump as president. She expressed severe disappointment with many facets of Trump’s leadership, from the way he has handled the COVID-19 pandemic to the way he has treated and talked about women over the course of his term as head of the nation. “Trump is racist, disrespectful and does not care about the American people as a whole,” Johannes concluded. Ramy Shbaita, a third-year history and public policy major, stated that he is uncomfortable with voting for either candidate; though, he is likely voting for Trump. ”There’s not anything I truly like about Trump,” he stated, ”I just trust that with him most of the policies I agree with won’t be repealed or changed.” Shbaita added that he dislikes the “moronic” image that Trump can
often project in public. However, he also does not appreciate the way Biden has been handling the issues that have been thrown his way, as according to Shbaita, the Democratic candidate has vacillated between stances one too many times. A third-year business administration major who requested to stay anonymous due to concerns over the backlash he might receive for his political affiliations expressed his complete support for Trump. He stated, “I’m voting for Trump because he’s addressing issues that most people aren’t aware of, from media bias to tech censorship…” This student maintained that he is appreciative of Trump’s fearlessness when talking about issues that he sees, though he added that Trump can be too brash and should take the time to conduct proper research and think before speaking out. This student also felt that Biden is the more worrisome candidate in that he “refuses to answer questions because his responses would jeopardize his support.” Still, regardless of which candidate one ultimately decides to vote for, Thomas encourages all students to have a plan for this election season. She advises people to make sure that they are completely informed about the voting process, being sure to fill out each section correctly. “Get your friends and families involved because you have the power to create change H in your communities,” she stated.■
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OPINIONS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL
Debate or not, the American people must reconsider the platform they enable Trump to have
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President Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden at the first presdiential debate on Sept. 29.
ith the recent news that President T r u m p contracted the coronavirus, speculation of whether or not a second debate would take place flooded the media. It soon became clear that both parties were a far cry from compromise, considering the Trump administration’s stubborn mindset to keep campaigning and debating in person with minimal social distancing. This ordeal has made one thing explicit: Donald Trump will continue to bully the left and mislead the population if he is continuously given a platform to do so. To truly understand everything, Trump’s base needs to be brought into question. President Trump has no real stance and will just pick what his fan base is amenable to. His followers have shown that they do not care about anything except for what Trump thinks is best. Consider, for example, that Trump’s miraculous recovery was the result of fetal tissue, and none of his supporters batted an eye despite the staunch pro-life stance many of them tout. Furthermore, it is hard to trust the politics behind the administration’s doctor’s notes because they could very well be downplaying the
reports of his recovery, just as he has downplayed the virus in the past. There is also no transparency on when Trump first tested positive, so it is hard to trust the validity of his recovery. Although President Trump claims that he has recovered, it was shown that he was coughing during phone interviews and looked sickly. This, in addition to his gross mishandling of the virus will definitely sway voting away from Trump due to his premature rallies and irresponsible campaigning that failed to adhere to CDC guidelines. The way he makes light of a life-threatening virus while receiving the best medical care that citizens suffering from the virus cannot afford shows a lack of empathy and class. People should not be giving president Trump a platform to speak on a subject that he has no real experience of dealing with, considering the top care he has been given. The American people need to wake up and realize the flaws in how Trump has been handling and perceiving the virus. The Trump administration has a knack for making the virus seem like no big deal and could very well use sympathy as a tool to mobilize supporters. It is not outside the realm of possibilities that the
Trump administration could use right-wing media outlets to demonize the left and make them look insensitive toward the president’s condition. This is why it is so important that the left ends their silence. In today’s political climate, the saying “when they go low, we go high” is not substantial anymore. It is time that the left becomes more mobilized towards taking down such a hateful administration. The Trump campaign and other right-wing conservatives have never been ones to play nice, and it is time the left stands up to their bully-like tactics. When it comes to the debates, whether or not they happen in a traditional way, they have proven to lack effectiveness. Debates are all theatrics and have no real civility or substance. They are not informative because fact checking only occurs after the fact, so there is no one stopping either party from spewing random facts that may not even be true. After the first presidential debate between Biden and Trump, the lack in decorum was obvious. Additionally, most people already have their mind made up on who they will vote for far before the debates take place. With this in mind, it is obvious that Trump voters
COURTESY OF JOE BIDEN VIA FLICKR UNDER BY-NC-SA 2.0
will not be swayed. This is exactly why the left needs to be more unified and step up. If the left has a strong enough determination as Trump voters, the outcome of the election would not be a mystery. The left needs to mobilize its voters just as well as the right does, and the results would be overwhelmingly different, especially considering the left holds the majority of young, new voters. The left is not harsh enough in holding the president accountable for repeated offenses of blatant hate and bigotry. Countless times, the left has been weakened by the highly enthusiastic right, yet the left is always told to be the bigger person and turn the other cheek. By doing this, the left is only shooting themselves in the foot. If the roles were reversed and Biden were to refuse the debate, he would be met with endless animosity from conservatives about how weak he is, but when Trump denies a debate for selfish reasons, the left appears to not be equally as critical. In hindsight, there does not seem to be a solution that could be made in time to accommodate a COVID-19 free debate. No matter what accommodation is made, Trump will always believe that
it is against him and berate the media for censorship. There unfortunately does not seem to be a way for both parties to come to any sort of agreement. An online debate would go against Trump’s narrative, and he would not be able to dominate the conversation like he always does. The only way decorum would be brought back to the debates is if there was an unbiased moderator who can fact check on the spot and mute mics, but that seems highly unlikely to happen. The time has come for real change instead of lip service. Not only has the continuous platform given to the Trump administration gone on for far too long, it is also a danger to everything America has the potential to be. This administration has unraveled any progress the United States has made as a nation and is trying to push the country back into the 20th century. This cannot go unnoticed, and the American people need to put a H stop to it. ■
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.
6 MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
OPINIONS
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NBA voter turnout has shown to be effective and influential to a wide range of audiences
HEEWON KIM Contributing Writer
Despite the criticism of the true intentions behind the NBA’s active efforts to increase voter turnout, it does not change the fact that they have indeed increased the number of citizens voting in this year’s elections. The voter turnout for the 2016 elections was a mere 58.1%, which was out of 138 million Americans who were eligible to vote — not to mention the millions of people who are not registered to vote. The NBA has been very effective at increasing the votes of both millenials and members of Gen Z. Their advocacy encouraged even younger audiences, particularly young African American citizens, to be aware of how important it is to vote. With the death of George Floyd, which increased the visibility of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, black athletes including those in the NBA partnered with More Than a Vote to push for further activism. Influencers should be applauded when they are aware of the amount of influence they hold with their presence alone and utilize it in a way that benefits and educates younger audiences about relevant issues. LeBron James, for example, uses his popularity and social media platform as a channel to encourage fans to
use their voice when it comes to individual political action. Although it is inappropriate to force your audience to place their vote on a particular person, it is a different story when one simply encourages their fellow citizens to at least put in a vote. After all, it is for the sake of the future of the country, and the vote should at least be for themselves. Overall, it is a heroic deed for the NBA and their influential athletes to educate their respective audience, despite there being speculation of them doing it with ill intent. For the past presidential elections, voter turnout has continuously decreased. However, as the NBA opens their facilities and shows this form of activism, it is bound to increase voter turnout.Thanks to major sports corporations (not excluding the NFL and WNBA), voter turnout will increase this year and pivot against apathetic or ignorant politics. Sports stars usually have not been very vocal about their political stances since everyone is focused on the results of their respective games. However, if influential celebrities continue to speak on the behalf of their corporations, there is no doubt they are at least being effective in increasing the amount of people H turning out to vote. ■
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Mobile games in the pandemic:
Socializing online and its negative effects
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REBECCA SALINAS Contributing Writer
Since March, interactions with others have changed. People have found themselves being cloistered indoors without much physical contact to the outside world.
As a substitute for regular entertainment, individuals have used the internet 70% more. Alongside this, mobile games have increased in popularity as dependency on smartphones for entertainment has grown during quarantine. With this new dependency
on technology, much of the population has turned to mobile games to preserve connections with friends. However, studies have shown that Americans’ loneliness has gotten worse during the pandemic, and use of technology has not improved that. Through quarantine, many mobile games have increased in popularity, but games like Animal Crossing and Among Us have especially gained traction. These games have a very similar format which has made them very successful. Both Animal Crossing and Among Us offer escapism to their players. Animal Crossing gives players “an island paradise” where “‘there is no nastiness’”, while Among Us places players in space and gives them a chance to be a hero by finding the imposter. Most importantly, these games provide players with the ability to communicate with friends and make acquaintances through chats. In interviews with The New York Times, users have said this is why they play the games so much: they get to have fun and make
companions, which is a stark difference to not being able to socialize with many in person. With people relying heavily on the internet for work, school, daily activities and personal relationships, exceeding the recommended amount of internet use is inevitable. However, effects of such prolonged use are detrimental on mental health. A growing amount of people have reported feeling lonely in the pandemic despite speaking to others through the internet. Past studies have explained the cause of this effect, showing how online interaction makes relationships grow superficial and does not allow social cues to be picked up. An alarming consequence of the loneliness a lot of the population is experiencing is an increase in anxiety. While multiple factors have played a role in this, there is no doubt the loneliness produced by isolation is not a major factor. The CDC has gone on to publish that stress has become a by-product of the pandemic, including various lines to call for coping.
With so many negatives in the real world it seems logical that masses will turn to mobile games. They are providing quick amusement and a distraction. An analysis done at the University of Albany has actually shown that mobile games have beneficial effects on one’s psyche during this time. Nevertheless, it can not be denied that such extensive use and dependency on mobile games is unhealthy. Humans are meant to have physical interaction and until COVID-19 lessens or a cure is discovered we will have to adjust to our present situation. Unfortunately, this means more Zoom calls and having to meticulously plan out how to see others in person. Having to speak to someone doesn’t have to be limited to the internet though, as social distancing progresses, alternatives are going to be considered. Phone calls are still an option, and it is rather fun to send letters and receive them. Whatever way chosen, it is important to still contact others, there is nothing wrong with it being through a H chat—once in a while. ■
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OPINIONS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
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Proposition 20: A huge step backwards for criminal justice reform ABHIJIT REGE Staff Writer
The 2020 election is underway as thousands of eligible citizens cast their votes for candidates and specific issues. There are 12 propositions on the Californian ballot this year covering a variety of decisive issues such as: affirmative action, voting rights, rent control and criminal justice. Of the 12, Proposition 20 stands out as an especially controversial measure that would increase penalties and restrict parole for non-violent offenders. Voters should vote no on the proposition because this measure would be a tremendous step backwards for criminal justice reform and would increase incarceration rates and law enforcement costs. The measure will classify crimes such as car theft, shoplifting or illegal drug possession as felonies rather than misdemeanors, and it would double the number of felonies that restrict prison inmates from early parole. In addition, the proposition will also increase penalties for ex-convicts who violate the terms of their parole and would require law enforcement to collect DNA samples from people convicted of minor misdemeanors. The measure comes in a time period where attitudes on criminal justice have greatly shifted, and criminal justice reform has become a major point of contention this year in politics. Within the past decade, California voters have supported legislation in favor of criminal justice reform, which comes in stark contrast to decades prior, where we saw an increase in law enforcement and penalties. Supporters of the proposition mainly argue that the current misdemeanor classification of certain non-violent offenses has led to an increase in
An official ballot drop box located outside of Arlington County in Virginia.
petty crimes. They argue that this would decrease with the shift in felony classification, which would increase the punishment for offenders. Other supporters argue that current parole opportunities have gone too far with creating opportunities for early release. They also argue that certain offenses are also not classified as felonies when they should be, such as domestic violence and hate crimes. However, it is clear that there are many issues that make this proposition problematic. The increased penalties and restrictions for non-violent offenders is rather excessive, and punishments should fit the crime. The unfortunate reality is that the “lock ‘em up” strategy has shown itself to be ineffective at curbing crime rates and has actually made California the national leader in recidivism rates. Studies have shown that the opposite is rather effective and
COURTESY OF ROB PEGORARO VIA FLCIKR UNDER BY-NC-SA 2.0
that rehabilitation and parole programs have allowed offenders to reform and reintegrate into society. Classifying misdemeanors as felonies will lead to a drastic increase in incarceration rate, which will cause state prison and law enforcement budgets to skyrocket, a burden that will be placed heavily on taxpayers. Many people agree that funds should instead be redirected and invested into rehabilitation, mental health treatment, education and other programs that not only prepare inmates to become productive members of society, but also reduce the likelihood of repeated offenses and future crimes. Parole opportunities should not be restricted for all non-violent felons. Removing the opportunity of parole strips away the incentive and motivation for convicts to address and learn from their mistakes. Convicts who have
served their time and have shown improvement should have the chance to reintegrate into society and retain their rights. Classifying violent and immoral offenses as felonies should be an isolated issue that voters decide upon separate from the rest of this problematic legislation. Proposition 20 remains a controversial measure which will have a detrimental impact if passed. While supporters argue that the proposition will reduce the rate of non-violent offenses, studies and history show why legislation designed in this manner only leads to higher incarceration and recidivism rates and only burdens taxpayers. Criminal justice reform not only serves to aid reforming criminals but will also lead to a more unified and safer community, and ultimately, a society that will be better off without H the return of a failed system. ■
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8 MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
Features
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Is Krak Boba as addicting as it claims to be? By: Adriana Mandujano Angel, Senior Staff Writer
On July 18, Riverside introduced its newest addition to its already long list of nearby boba shops. Krak Boba opened up at 3907 Chicago Ave Suite B, Riverside where Roasting Waters used to be located. Being a boba connoisseur myself, I was ecstatic to see what this new boba place offered, so I waited for the perfect time to review the drinks offered at Krak Boba to see just how addicting they are, if at all. I went on Friday, Oct. 16 with two friends. As soon as I opened the door and walked into Krak Boba for the first time, it seemed like I was transported to a different place. The inside was very well lit and aesthetically pleasing. The walls were covered in color coordinated art work with the boba shop’s signature logo and colors. There was even a wall with a sitting bench which would have made for a perfect photo opportunity if not for COVID-19. There were also tables that were now closed off with cute decor. After taking in the beauty of the boba shop it was time to order. Their menu consisted of an extensive list of possibilities. Their signature drinks looked aesthetically pleasing and delicious. After a bit of debate, my friends and I settled on three drinks and the Krak Bread, which was listed on their munch menu. The three drinks we got were a Brown Sugar Milk Tea with boba and almond milk for a whopping $6.05, a Tropical Paradise for $5.45 and Sun Bright with lychee for $5.15. The least expensive item ordered was their Krak Bread for $3.99. The total came out to $20.64, which is probably the most I have ever paid at a boba shop. I hoped that the drinks would save me from feeling bad about the price.
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Due to COVID-19, my friends and I all took the drinks back home and poured our drinks into small cups to be able to taste them. We began by tasting the Brown Sugar Milk tea, the most expensive drink we had bought. We each tasted the drinks and all gave each other a look. After a few minutes of silence, my friend stated, “It tastes how brown sugar smells,” and he was exactly right. The drink was overly sweet — all you could taste was the sweetness. I could not even taste the boba pearls because it was way too sugary. The only reason our friend finished his drink was because he pointed his straw at the very top and drank it like that. With that method, he was able to avoid the sweetness yet was essentially just drinking almond milk. On a scale of 1 through 10, he gave it a 3 and advised people not to try it, yet he appreciated the fact that Krak Boba offered milk substitutes for their drinks.
The second drink we each tried was Tropical Paradise, a ginger ale drink with assorted fruits and it tasted exactly like that. It was an interesting and unique take on a “boba drink” with the carbonated ginger ale. The assorted fruits included were real orange slices and strawberries. It is a drink that I did not like, mainly because I do not like carbonated drinks, but my two friends really liked it. On a scale of 1 through 10, my roommate gave it a 6. The last drink we tried was my Sun Bright. When I saw it on the menu, it made me excited to try. Sun Bright is a honey green tea with passion fruit, lemon and orange. The first sip I took left me disillusioned. All I tasted was the lemon and orange and could only find small traces of passionfruit at the very bottom via the seeds left in the drink. It was decent for a green tea yet left me wanting
more. Since I had added lychee to my drink, it tasted a little bit better, but not by much. On a scale of 1 through 10, I gave it a 5. I personally did not enjoy this drink and found it to be underwhelming, which seems to be the case for most of the drinks I had tried. After being left confused and a little sad, we finally reached for the Krak Bread, a garlic cream cheese bread, and probably the least expensive item on their menu not counting toppings. It looked so beautiful and smelled so good. Being a garlic fan myself I found myself drooling over this Krak Bread and for the first time I had the slightest bit of hope that I would finally enjoy something off their menu. After my first bite I was proven wrong. Despite it smelling savory it was overwhelmingly sweet. I knew that it had cream cheese in the description and expected a sweet and savory treat but was dissatisfied that it was just sweet. There was the slightest hint of garlic in the bite I had but everything else was just sweet. Overall I did not enjoy my experience at Krak Boba. Their drinks are on the pricier side and is a reason why I will not be coming back. If you have a sweet tooth however this might be the spot for you. Or if you would like a milk tea with milk substitutes to avoid uncomfortable experiences in the bathroom this is the place to go. The Krak Bread was probably the best thing I had tasted from Krak Boba and I did not like it much. For the price I do not find it worth it as I could get cheaper H and better boba at different locations.■
Campus Cope Helpful methods to help control your anxiety and stress ADRIANA MANDUJANO ANGEL Senior Staff Writer
I do not remember when I first noticed my anxiety issues. They were always present growing up, the feeling of overwhelming stress and the loss of hope. My whole body tenses up, and I am unable to think of anything other than the feelings of despair and hopelessness. However, the past year and a half is when my relationship with anxiety worsened. What started out as anxiety developed and worsened into panic attacks. Whereas anxiety attacks need a trigger, panic attacks do not. It felt terrible dealing with both of these issues while juggling school and work. As a matter of fact, I still struggle with these issues, but I have luckily found ways of managing and controlling the feeling of anxiety.
In the past, I have discussed therapy as an option, and if you have UCShip, the university’s health insurance, you are able to receive eight free therapy sessions via Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). My anxiety can be traced back to a trigger, so discussing moments that caused the anxiety in the first place was a good place to start. One of the root causes of my anxiety issues lies within my family trauma. Once I was able to discuss my childhood with my therapist, my anxiety over seeing my family and spending time with them slowly but surely went away. Taking advantage of these free therapy sessions is a great way to discuss anxiety triggers in order to manage and control them. If you are not enrolled with UCShip, another great way of discussing and managing triggers is by keeping
a journal. Oftentimes, I find myself perfectly fine when I get a sudden thought that spirals out of control. I have learned that keeping a journal with thoughts that cause anxiety attacks helps to keep track and get to the root of the problem. It can be as simple as worrying about an assignment that quickly causes stress and anxiety. Reflecting back on the journal can help you understand what caused it and, thus, make it more manageable. If you are in the middle of an anxiety attack, what helps me snap back to reality is always finding something to ground myself. If I am alone, I make myself answer questions regarding my identity. I ask myself: “Who am I? Where am I? What is important to me?” These three simple questions keep my mind off my problem and help me focus on other things. Another grounding method that
can work is touching objects near you and describing every detail about them. This could be apples, makeup palettes or soft plushies. Listening to a song and noting every single instrument you could hear is also another way to ground yourself. At times I am unable to focus on breathing, but recently, I have discovered an app called iBreathe that allows you to take time out of your day to set breathing exercises.The app also sends reminders to your phone and has a feature where you and a friend can both go through the breathing exercises together. Overall, there are many ways to control and manage your anxiety. We are all going through difficult times, and school on top of everything is stressful. Hopefully, these tips can help you feel better and help manage H anxiety and stress. ■
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Build up your mental health by building a self-care kit By: Alexandria Esteban, Senior Staff Writer
Self-care kits are a collection of miscellaneous items that help boost one’s emotional health. The items placed in a self-care kit are designed to help you relax when you’re feeling stressed. Each self-care kit can be personalized, but here are some ideas to get you started:
Take out some arts and craft supplies. Art allows you to exercise your imagination, and it’s an easy activity to do when you are feeling overwhelmed. Provide yourself with paper and colored pencils, and create something beautiful. Your first project could be to decorate a cardboard box to serve as the container for your self-care kit. If you don’t feel confident about your artistic skills, that’s okay. You can still participate in an artsy activity by purchasing a coloring book or by printing out some coloring sheets from the internet.
Add some snacks that bring you comfort. Your favorite candy and chips can help you recover after a long day. Certain teas can also help relieve stress, so be sure to include some tea packets in your kit. Remember, snacks are bound to spoil, so don’t forget the expiration dates. Keeping the expiration dates in mind can also encourage you to break into your self-care kit sooner rather than later.
Enjoy your Snacks when watching one of your favorite movies. If you have a DVD of one of your favorite films, place it inside your self-care kit so that you can rewatch it when you want to boost your mood. Animated movies or childhood classics are good options to start with. If you are not a movie person, add your favorite book to the kit instead. You can also include a pair of headphones so that you can listen to a podcast or some music. Create a playlist on Spotify or Youtube with songs that make you feel happy.
Journal when you are feeling low. Place a notebook and a pen in your self-care kit, and use them to write about your life. Writing about how you feel can be therapeutic, but what you write isn’t limited to writing about your feelings; you can write about whatever you want in your journal.
Finally, pamper yourself. Put some face masks, bath bombs, scented lotion and candles into your self-care kit so that you can give yourself a mini-spa day in the comfort of your home. You can even include some nail files and nail polish to give yourself a manicure. These items can help your body feel clean and refreshed, but nothing can beat getting some sleep. Keep an eye mask and earplugs in your kit for when you need to take a well-deserved nap.
Everyone has bad days every now and then, and having your own self-care kit is an easy way to take care of your mental state during those days. It is important to step back and give yourself a break when you feel stressed. Figure out what activities help you relax. This will help you decide what sort of items H you want to include in your self-care kit. Have fun!■
10 MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
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‘THE
HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR’ IS NOT PERFECTLY SPLENDID AND FAILS TO LIVE UP TO ITS PREDECESSOR BY AMANI MAHMOUD, SENIOR STAFF WRITER
COURTESY OF NETFLIX
VERDICT: While “The Haunting of Bly Manor” attempts to escape the shadow of “Hill House,” it instead leaves audiences stranded with a confusing plot, an unsatisfactory ending and a disappointing lack of horror. “Hill House” provides the map on how to tell a heartbreaking horror story while “Bly Manor” is a guide on what not to do. Considering the horrifying plot twists and satisfactory payoff of “The Haunting of Hill House,” “The Haunting of Bly Manor,” the second installment of Mike Flannagan’s horror anthology, feels a bit disappointing and ultimately falls short. A theme running through reviews of Netflix’s new horror series is that it is simply not as scary as its predecessor. Despite not being as horrifying as “The Haunting of Hill House,” horror is subjective, which encouraged me to try to give Flannagan’s second installment a chance. However, the miniseries is a confusing mess and attempting to understand it while watching felt futile. Based loosely on Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw,” the miniseries takes place in the 1980’s London with a lawyer named Henry Wingrave (Henry Thomas) who hires an American nanny, Dani Clayton (Victoria Pedretti), to take care of his young niece and nephew, Miles (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) and Flora (Amelie Bea Smith), whose parents have died. Soon, Dani is off to Bly Manor, the residence where Flora and Miles live, and becomes familiar and friendly with the rest of the staff: the chef, Owen (Rahul Kohli); the groundskeeper, Jamie (Amelia Eve); and the housekeeper, Mrs. Grose (T’Nia Miller). The subplots throughout the miniseries are confusing and once it finally clicks, the payoff is simply unrewarding. Almost every resident of Bly Manor gets their own episode with their backstory and episode five, “The Altar of the Dead,” which focuses on Hannah Grose’s backstory, is one of the most confusing of them all. The episode wades
through a dream and memory landscape, and the timelines jump without an explanation. While everything does finally click towards the end, simply trying to make sense of the timeline and dream hopping that Grose undergoes throughout the 54 minute episode is draining and unenjoyable. In comparison, “The Haunting of Hill House” manages to tell the story of the Crain family by jumping through time but the series weaves elegantly through the timeline of the Crain family, keeping the audience engaged and on the edge of their seat while “The Haunting of Bly Manor” fails to do so. “Hill House” also manages to dedicate almost entire episodes to a member of the Crain family that engages audiences in a way that “Bly Manor” just does not do effectively. Instead, audiences are left confused and underwhelmed by the characters, their stories and the horror they face. The plot and facts of the show are also inconsistent and at odds with each other. There’s two different realms in “The Haunting of Bly Manor,” the ghost world and what’s real. The rules for these two realms and the way they intertwine however, don’t add up. Some ghosts can touch, some ghosts can’t, some of the ghosts fade away, some lose their face and some don’t. While many might say that Flanagan weaves an intricate and complex story, it instead feels like a puzzle piece that doesn’t quite fit together. “The Haunting of Bly Manor” is also just simply not scary. While horror is subjective, I found myself thoroughly underwhelmed by this horror story. In contrast, its predecessor “The Haunting of Hill House” often left me reeling and in shock long
after watching. The imagery “Hill House” employs, the sight of the bent neck lady and the ultimate plot twists were some of the most horrifying imagery in television. The ultimate reveal that Nell herself is the bent neck lady and was haunting herself the entire time was one of the most shocking, chilling and devastating twists in television and film combined. This one revelation alone makes “The Haunting of Bly Manor” simply pale in comparison to its predecessor. It’s almost insulting to compare the reveal of the bent neck lady to the reveals in “Bly Manor” or to the reveal of who the glowing eyed man haunting Dani is because these reveals in “The Haunting of Bly Manor” are so underwhelming that they pale in comparison. “The Haunting of Bly Manors” own shocking twists and turns merely don’t live up to the ones of “Hill House.” While it may seem unfair to compare the two, considering they are each presented as standalone mini series, “The Haunting of Hill House” is one of the best Netflix original shows while “Bly Manor” is just okay. Seeing as they are from the same creator, I went into the show with high hopes and expectations. Instead, the miniseries is plagued by what it is lacking in comparison to “Hill House.” It lacks a sense of impending dread, devastating twists and turns, horrifying images that plague audiences and episodes that you will remember long after you watch them. “The Haunting of Bly Manor” can’t escape from the shadows of “The Haunting of Hill House” and instead the series falls into a mess of confusing memories and hallucinations that guide audiences through a H labyrinth that is not worth exploring. ■
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
11
“THE BOYS” season two is surprisingly poignant and as brutal as ever BY Kevin Sanchez-Neri, SENIOR STAFF WRITER
COURTESY OF AMAZON STUDIOS
“The Boys” was originally a comic-based story. Despite receiving harsh reviews from overindulgent fans over its method of release, “The Boys” season two is here — and it’s bonkers for all the right reasons. After Billy Bucther (Karl Urban) is framed for the murder of Madelyn Stillwell (Elisabeth Shue), they learn that they are wanted fugitives. After this point, we follow our team of vigilantes as “The Boys,” Butcher’s group of superhero hunters, continue their efforts to take down Vought, a powerful corporation that monetizes its “supes” across the globe. These efforts are quickly expedited after the newest member of “The Seven” — Vought’s flagship superhero team — Stormfront (Aya Cash) is announced, threatening Homelander’s image as ■H a leader. Meanwhile, Vought’s popularity begins to wane as Congresswoman Neuman (Claudia Doumit) goes on an anti-supe campaign, calling for a congressional hearing against the corporation. Starlight (Erin Moriarty) gets a hold of damning evidence against Vought, and The Boys embark on a perilous rescue mission. The Boys continues to utilize the same gory formula that propelled the show to massive success when it was first released but integrates deeper commentary on the going-ons of current society, especially in 2020. The show puts forth moral dilemmas of modern society by showing what happens when complacency becomes deadly. It is clear that showrunner Eric Kripke’s priorities were character development, and plenty of the story’s plot sets the show up for future seasons. Whereas last season was more about setting up a world with morally corrupt superheroes and the atrocities that come with that reality, this one placed the characters front and center and doubled-down on the commentary. Stormfront’s connections to white supremacy and society’s unwillingness to push aside the veil of ignorance are two concepts I found to more closely resemble real life quandaries. Much like last season, the cast delivered
convincing performances all around, with Antony Starr continuing to steal the spotlight as a pathologically hotheaded Supe. However, Stan Edgar’s (Giancarlo Esposito) prominence as the head of Vought puts Homelander’s no-holds-barred behavior in check, leaving fans wondering just how much of a role Edgar will play as one of the most powerful men without superpowers (as far as we know). As for our protagonists, Billy Butcher and his team of outcasts give us even more of a reason to root for them. Frenchie’s (Tomer Capon) ability to recognize he’s protecting Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) for the wrong reasons is one of the more touching moments of the season. Hughie’s (Jack Quaid) undying commitment to taking down Vought pierces through The Boys’ feelings of disillusionment, further establishing him as the group’s North Star, so to speak. Butcher’s confrontation with his abusive father adds a layer to his commandeering, cutthroat personality. Nearly every member of The Boys enjoyed more screen time than the season prior, a caveat that makes this season largely superior than its preceding season. The writing team on this series is another highlight of the series. So many character interactions are filled with just the right amount of quirks: Frenchie’s hilariously uncanny knowledge of pop culture, Hughie’s soft spot for Billy Joel and Mother’s Milk’s affinity for Purell (with aloe). Bottom line, the character interactions in “The Boys’” are simply a lot of fun to watch. With that said, the season is not without its flaws. Hughie and Annie’s relationship is ambiguous at best and feels somewhat dragged on. There were moments that felt slightly out of character, like Frenchie confusing his friendship with Kimiko as something more than it is. As for the villains of this story, Stormfront’s role seemed largely inconsequential as it relates to the plot. Ultimately, these are small distractions to an otherwise violently H engaging show.■
VERDICT: For a program that is rooted in absolute brutality and psychopathic behavior, this season is filled with touching moments that make it more than just a superhero satire. Though it is not without its imperfections, “The Boys” season two is wildly captivating without overdoing it and continues to embody a brilliant deconstruction of the superhero genre.
12 MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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‘Hubie Halloween:’ A great treat for this Halloween season By: Jashanpreet Malhi, Contributing Writer We’ve all heard about the classic boogeyman or the occasional phrase, “There’s a monster under my bed,” which we now often turn a deaf ear towards and deem as part of a poor child’s imagination. But what if there is something prowling in the dead of night? It overlooks your home and town, but all your efforts to convince everyone of its dangers are left ignored. Hubie Dubois encounters this obstacle in Netflix’s “Hubie Halloween,” a fun-filled comedy that showcases Dubois attempting to keep his town safe from an unbelievable, impending doom. “Hubie Halloween” follows the town’s most disliked resident, Hubie Dubois (Adam Sandler), who is incessantly ridiculed. Hubie is a middle-aged man who still lives with his mother, Mrs. Dubois (June Squibb), but is a generous town volunteer concerned about everyone’s safety. On Halloween, strange occurrences stir in Salem, Massachusetts as several of the town inhabitants wind up missing. The safety of the town falls onto Hubie’s shoulders as it is up to him to solve this mystery and safeguard Salem. “Hubie Halloween” stirs excitement in the audience as they are anxious to uncover who is responsible for the disappearances. There are multiple suspects ranging from an escaped inmate and Hubie’s new neighbor who embodies suspicious, non human-like qualities. The film is very immersive and fun to watch as the audience is on the edge of their seats to discover who it is. The audience may think that they know exactly what is behind the disappearances, but an unexpected twist makes the film all the more enjoyable. Moreover, the predominant slapstick comedy in the film appeals to the audience. Throughout the film, Hubie has random objects like a television and flaming arrow thrown at him. A montage is also shown of Mike Mundi (Karan Brar) scaring Hubie at work with props. There are a few gross scenes and dry humor, such as his mother’s T-shirts with funny sayings that Mrs. Dubois doesn’t comprehend and they are a constant source of conversation. They slightly ruin the humor but do well in capturing the silly aura of the film. The acting in the film is performed exceptionally
well by each of the actors. Sandler utilizes a funny, slightly annoying voice that solidifies his character as the town’s outcast and presents him as a kind-hearted individual. He always has a versatile thermos on hand which transforms into a grappling hook, umbrella and a vacuum, among multiple other uses. The thermos provides a uniqueness to Hubie’s character and serves to capture how he adapts to changing events around him, regardless of how difficult they may seem. Hubie scares easily at the most trivial events, which is a constant source of entertainment for those who torment him. The film also contains former Disney Channel actors that give it a more wholesome feeling with cameos from Peyton List and China Anne McClain. Moreover, Tommy Valentine (Noah Snapp) possesses a kind demeanor and stands as a foil character to Mundi, who takes Hubie’s friendliness for granted and bullies Tommy. In addition, the comedic nature delivered by Lester Hennesey (Tim Meadows) and Mr. Landolfa (Ray Liotta) provides a good laugh and portrays the film as a goofy, cheerful watch. Most of the actors in the film are either related through blood or because of their previous work experiences with Sandler which helps build the fun-filled ambience and a sense of familiarity in the town. In terms of design and cinematography, the scenes are beautifully crafted to align with the fall spirit. The light color scheme utilized during the day with orange and yellow hues works to display coziness, contrasted with the lightning and dark tones when disappearances occur. The setting of Salem, Massachusetts was also well suited for the spooky season, as it calls back to the Salem Witch Trials. The camera angles follow Hubie running from threats as Aurora
(Shaquille O’ Neil), a radio DJ, narrates the evil occuring in Salem. In one scene, the camera shot is at eye level when Mr. Landolfa is speaking to someone, which makes the audience feel as though the character is speaking directly to them. The camera angles were spectacular in framing and scaling scenes to display the size of certain objects. For example, in one scene the camera rapidly zones out to provide a bird’s eye view of the grandeur of a corn maze when Hubie stands alone, distraught after another disappearance. Furthermore, the soundtrack encompasses a multitude of Halloween songs, such as “Monster Mash” and “Happy Halloween,” classics that parallel an unknown danger in the town and thrill of the holiday. The humor and excellent performances by all the characters eventually give rise to the theme. Sandler’s ability to portray Hubie as a kind person in the midst of derision from others stirs pity in the audience. The actors that play bullies also capture how poorly Hubie is treated for being himself. Despite being lambasted and ridiculed by everyone, Hubie remains, in the words of Mrs. Dubois, “helpful,” “courteous,” “cheerful” and “considerate” as he doesn’t alter his values to please others. The audience sympathizes for the manner Hubie is treated and appreciates his generous caliber. The message is cheesy, yet simple: Be true to yourself. With little flaws in humor, “Hubie Hallowen” keeps its audience invested in unraveling the mystery plaguing Salem. The cinematography and soundtrack appeals to the audience as it captures the Halloween ambience. Moreover, the film is complimented with excellent performances by all H of its cast members.■
VERDICT: “Hubie Halloween” is a feel-good comedy film that has an excellent mix of humor, excitement and mystery. It provides a tender message and is a fun watch for all ages. COURTESY OF NETFLIX
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
13
WESTIDE GUNN shows who makes the sun shine with his long awaited studio debut
‘Who Made The Sunshine’ BY james jones, contributing writer
Shady Records signee and one third of the group Griselda, Westside Gunn has returned with his highly anticipated debut record “Who Made The Sunshine.” The grimy coke rap lyrical aficionado is back and better than ever with his new project. This is Gunn’s third release since his earlier tapes “Pray For Paris” as well as “Fly God is an Awesome God 2.” Regardless of being released independently or through a major label, it’s just business as usual for Westside Gunn when it comes to coming out with another consistent and cohesive record. The Buffalo native doesn’t stray off the beaten path of slow grimy beats accompanied with elegant narrations of luxurious fashion, street poetics and great features. Before pressing play, I did enjoy looking at the features and was pleasantly surprised by the star-studded cast of the entire Griselda collective with Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine and Westside Gunn, along with appearances from Black Thought, Slick Rick, Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss. For an album with no samples, it’s uncanny how the production evokes such nostalgia to that of Wu-Tang or even its collective’s solo ventures such as “Supreme Clientele” from Ghostface Killah or GZA’s “Liquid Swords.” The slow dingy beats juxtaposed with the upscale lyricism reflects not only Gunn’s love for fashion, money and good weed, but it also shows pieces of who he was before fame and notoriety. There are a lot of good moments on this project, one of which being the track “All Praises” featuring Boldy James and Jadakiss. A slow comatosed beat wrapped around woodwinds and laser beams in the back makes for a good collaborative piece. With the chorus coming from Gunn and the verses from his fellow Griselda signee, Boldy James, along with a verse from the legendary one third of the LOX, Jadakiss. Having these three come together was a high point in the album. I felt they had great lyrical chemistry. Although there wasn’t a verse from Westside Gunn the chorus did in fact suffice,
leaving the lyrical heavy-lifting to James and Jadakiss in which these two did not disappoint. In preparation for his debut to release, Gunn posted on Instagram about what it took mentally, physically and spiritually to present this project. After listening, the sentiments he evoked in that post could be felt once the outro track was finished; Gunn mentioned feeling young again while making this record, which isn’t a long shot to say seeing as his fan base spans further than the highly invested hip-hop heads in Buffalo. With his affinity for pop culture fashion items such as Louis Vuitton, Off-White and Supreme, it was only a matter of time before his sound reached the Bluetooth speakers of the average suburban teenager. I definitely appreciated just how inhouse this debut project was from the album cover to the production and collaborators. It’s clear that Gunn has not strayed away from his original formula at all. What really grabs and keeps my attention is the production on this project; as aforementioned, there are no samples used in the making of these beats, which I find to be quite refreshing. Nowadays, it’s effortless to find a beat that has a sample and an 808 wrapped around it. It’s nice to see artistic boundaries being pushed by Beat Butcha, Conductor Williams and Daringer, along with the collaborating producers such as The Alchemist and Just Blaze. The Slick Rick and Busta Rhymes feature did have me taken aback a bit; I never thought I would live to see Slick Rick and Busta Rhymes make new music let alone be on the same song together. The track “Ocean Prime” with the three MC’s reciting grimy lyrics of drive bys and drug distribution along with some food for thought at the end in which I found to be nothing short of Gunn’s repertoire and musical style. I felt the contrast between the old and new school lyricist in hip hop to be very distinguished; especially when listening to Slick Rick and Busta’s wordplay along with Gunn holding his own rapping with the
two hip hop legends. Overall, I really enjoyed this project from Westside Gunn. It felt really inhouse and organic while still staying true to his H artistic vision.■
VERDICT:
This debut album is for anyone that enjoys lyrics describing big drip and drug deals as well as good storytelling and refreshing beats. Westside Gunn stays true to what got him to his current position and has truly created a project that gives an in-depth depiction of not only who he is but what he’s been through. At a time when he may be coming up on his retirement, it’s refreshing to see that he shows no signs of slowing down lyrically or stylistically.
Sports WHERE WHERE 14
SPORTS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020
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NOW? NOW?
Former Highlanders pitcher Joe Kelly stays true to his roots throughout his time in major league baseball SILVIA FERRER Senior Staff Writer
Although several UCR intercollegiate teams are relatively new to competing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level, several former Highlanders have gone on to become big names in the sports industry. This week, The Highlander is highlighting current Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly, who attended UCR in 2007. The UCR Baseball Complex is adorned with framed baseball jerseys of players who have made it into the major leagues, but one player that has continually stood out is Kelly, who is currently pitching for
the Dodgers. Kelly stepped foot on campus in 2007, as a freshfaced 19-year-old outfielder from Corona High School. In a 2019 Q&A with the Associated Student Program Board (ASPB), Kelly stated that he decided to attend UCR because it was “one of the three schools that would let me play baseball.” UCR’s interest in his talent, coupled with the location and the team’s generous budget, made it an easy decision for the future Major League Baseball player. Kelly’s time at UCR changed the trajectory of his career — it was during his time on the Riverside field that Kelly really began to develop his skills as a pitcher. During that same ASPB event, the player recalled how pitching
coach Andrew Checketts forced him to replace their injured pitcher. Kelly said that although he was initially displeased by the change, he “loved him after that.” In 2007, he was named Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year and First Team AllConference. He also played for the USA National Team that summer. Kelly has stated that it was during his freshman year that he had his favorite moment at UCR. The Highlanders held a lead in the Big West, and Kelly threw a final pitch against their rival, UC Irvine, that propelled them forward in the conference. The Highlanders were crowned Big West Champions that May — the first time the team
had received a Big West title and the second time ever the Highlanders had made it into the NCAA Tournament since the school had gone D-1 five years prior. In 2007 and 2008, he led the Highlanders with six saves. Kelly set a record with a total 24 career saves during his three seasons with the Highlanders and was named All-American. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. In 2012, Kelly was recruited in the major leagues and made his debut in June; that year, he appeared in 24 games, with a 3.53 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 107 innings pitched. He acquired his first run batted in and major league hit
against the Miami Marlins and put the Cardinals up 8-6, which allowed them the advantage they needed to win. In 2014, Kelly was traded to the Boston Red Sox, with which he won the AL Cy Young Award. During 2018, Kelly was the winning relief pitcher of Game 4 of the World Series; that same year, Kelly signed a $27 million contract with the team he had just defeated, the Dodgers. Kelly has said that he is “fortunate to play on a very good Dodgers baseball team… I like to win… and the Dodgers are one of those teams that want to win year in and year out.” He appeared in 12 games before the coronavirus pandemic shortened H the 2020 season. ■
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