The Highlander
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
For the week of Tuesday, October 12, 2021
VOL. 70, ISSUE 02
est. 1954
RADAR
Netflix’s “Britney Vs Spears” reveals the full tragic story behind Britney’s conservatorship and her struggles THE DOCUMENTARY GIVES AUDIENCES AN INFORMATIVE INSIGHT INTO THE OVERWHELMING CONTROL BRITNEY HAD IMPOSED ON HER LIFE AS WELL AS HER FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. KIMBERLY BEJEC Contributing Writer
NEWS
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UCR restaurants face staffing shortages AMARAY ALVAREZ Assistant News Editor
It has been about three weeks since Lothian’s residential restaurant closed due to staffing shortages. UCR Housing, Dining and Hospitality Services made the announcement on Sept. 24 in an email to students that the hall would be closing on Sept. 27 until further notice. The closure of Lothian has left students living on campus with two other dining options: Glasgow and Savor. Glasgow is a new dining restaurant on campus exclusively for students with a meal plan. The building has two stories with plenty of seating and features a constant salad and soup bar with other meal areas that change daily. The restaurant is buffet-style, and students are allowed to eat what they want. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are offered here. Glasgow just opened this year, and according to an email from UCR Housing, Dining and Hospitality Services, it is “the largest in the UC system.” Glasgow has replaced the restaurant at Aberdeen-Inverness,
LOTHIAN DINING HALL CLOSES INDEFINITELY ALONG WITH OTHER EATERIES ON CAMPUS. which will no longer be in service. Savor is a take-out dining option at the Glen Mor Market that has a smaller menu. So far, their menu has remained the same each week, but each day corresponds with different options. Students with a meal plan can use a meal swipe to receive one main entree, two sides and a drink. Those without a meal plan can also eat at Savor and pay accordingly. To accommodate the influx of students used to eating at Lothian, Glasgow has extended its hours so that it opens 30 minutes earlier during dinner time at 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Students who dine at Glasgow, however, are still
unhappy with the closure of Lothian. “Lothian was better; there were less people there,” states first-year business economics major, David Sanchez. “Glasgow is rushed, and it affects the quality of the food. Sometimes, it is undercooked.” Sanchez and his friend, first-year undeclared major, Oscar Ramirez, both applied to work with dining services due to the lack of staff. “We applied two weeks ago and haven’t started yet,” stated Ramirez. “We asked to be placed at Lothian, but we were told we would be placed at Glasgow.” Other students miss the unique environment that came with eating at Lothian. First-year environmental engineering student, Melan Penguin, expressed her distaste for Glasgow stating, “We miss Lothian. It was homier, and it was relaxing to eat there. Glasgow has too many people, which makes it overwhelming to come.”
Following the enormous amount of media coverage on Britney’s life and her fight against her conservatorship, “Britney Vs Spears” allows viewers to learn the full story. In the massive #FreeBritney movement, the support for Britney to get her freedom has been widespread in the media. Britney Spears was and arguably still is a massive celebrity with a great following of her music and career. The documentary includes exclusive interviews with significant people that were in Britney’s life and confidential evidence. It is an engaging documentary that pulls audiences into the story and has them wanting to learn more about Britney’s fight for freedom. The story begins by following Britney at the height of her music career, until she suddenly stopped making music. She began a relationship with backup dancer, Kevin Federline, who had many controversies from his past relationships and was seen as a “gold digger” to Britney. Many of her fans started having hope that Britney would start to make music again. However, media attention on the divorce and custody battle for their two children increased. During this time, Britney was able to record and release a successful album. Unfortunately, soon after Britney started to have a mental decline and was seen to be at “rock bottom.” Due to this, her father took over and petitioned for a temporary ► SEE BRITNEY SPEARS PAGE 10
► SEE SHORTAGES PAGE 4
NEWS
THE RIVERSIDE FREE CLINIC HELD THEIR FIRST POST PANDEMIC CLINIC DAY READ ABOUT IT ON PAGE 3!
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
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The Riverside Free Clinic held their first post pandemic Clinic Day THE RIVERSIDE FREE CLINIC SERVES THE UNDERSERVED THROUGH PASSION AND A WARM, WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE.
ABHIJIT REGE News Editor
The Riverside Free Clinic held their first Clinic Day on Oct. 6th, 2021 after transitioning to full operations following the COVID-19 pandemic. The clinic’s services are available for all ages free of charge and a variety of valuable services are provided, from wound care, addiction treatment, chronic care and infection. Jose Garcia, Clinic Monitor and 4th year Bioengineering major, explained that their mission is to serve marginalized people who may not have had the best experience with healthcare as a result of a variety of circumstances from lack of insurance, financial constraints or immigration status. COVID-19 had an unfortunately harsh impact on the clinic, disrupting the normal flow of operations. Due to pandemic restrictions and precautions, they could only see recurring patients in the early stages of the pandemic and no new patients could be admitted. Many resources were halted or closed, and many committees were understaffed. Only essential committees such as Diabetes, Pharmacy, Labs, Intake and Finance Committees were allowed to remain open. In-person interaction was quite limited throughout the pandemic and a Telehealth platform via the internet had to be utilized. Many changes were needed to accommodate the circumstances but social distancing caused a major disconnect between patients and staff. An Auto Refill program was started for patients who needed refills for their medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes. Online education videos and tutorials were made available for fundamental topics. The transition back had been difficult for the clinic and staff but they have moved back to organized and smooth operations. Patients and staff are thankfully more cautious and health aware as a
COURTESY OF RIVERSIDE FREE CLINIC
result of the pandemic. With this return to normal operations, many services were able to be provided during their Clinic Day. The RFC Pharmacy and the Needy Meds Committee provides refills for medication and handles prescriptions, entirely for free. The pharmacy is partnered with many universities including UCR, RCC and Western University and is operated by licensed pharmacists and pharmacists in training. Committee coordinators Ashley Moran and Sophia Hormaza explained how Needy Meds provides discounts, coupons and rebates for Medicine, in a similar fashion to the popular GoodRx. The committee runs patient assistant programs that help in finding pharmacies to use discounts and coupons and allow patients who need consistent access to apply and get a year of free medication. Basic needs are also provided through care packages of items such as sanitizer, wipes, masks, tea and more. The Intake committee provides bureaucratic management and organization for the clinic. It is split into two divisions. Two team members are stationed up front and are tasked with checking in or signing in patients of the clinic. Behind the scenes, are two other team members who process all the information given during the sign in and make files accordingly. The Diabetes Management Committee is available for diabetic patients or any other blood sugar related concerns. Their goal is to provide enough supplies and resources such as insulin, lancets and recipes for their patients. The Lung Health Division works with patients with asthma and other respiratory conditions, including addictions to smoking. These patients are aided through patches and other nicotine medication. Progress is tracked as part of the Smoking Sensation Program and improvement and
cooperation leads to access to more resources. Daniel Woo, an alumnus of UCR, joined the committee for personal reasons. His father was a smoker who took years to quit and Woo witnessed the difficult process. DeAndre Siringoringo and Valine Bebawy, both expressed how smoking is a common occurrence in their respective countries, Indonesia and Egypt, and had family who also found it difficult to quit, especially without a support system. Corey Paget, another fourth-year student, also joined the committee, as his grandmother was a pulmonologist in Turkey, therefore he knew from a young age the importance of Lung Health. This is especially pertinent in Riverside County, an area that is heavy in pollution and addiction. Other volunteers had a variety of reasons to be a part of the clinic. Many have lived in the Inland Empire, and have seen the disparities, especially in Riverside, of the underserved and underprivileged. Personnel Manager Jasmine Kwazemi Gwizdala’s desire to volunteer stems from her family roots as her parents were refugees from Afghanistan who arrived to this country with little to nothing and experienced discrimination. Andre Sam, a fourth-year biology major and nutrition officer, is of Laotian descent, which is considered to be a minority population even in Asia. As such, Sam’s community often deals with inadequate access to healthcare resources, often due to financial constraints. Anna Tran, a fourth-year psychology major, aspired to be a hospital social worker and in search of a small-scale clinical setting, was welcomed by the RFC thanks to the interdisciplinary nature of the clinic. Many of the volunteers are Medical Students eager to gain a deeper understanding of the Medical World. Hollie St. Claire
and Gary Lirungan are the Medical Student Managers and monitor the Medical Students, who will often interview and examine patients as well as conduct medical screenings. According to St. Claire, “The Medical Students are able to make a difference in the community by applying what they learn in their classrooms to help their patients. And in turn, the community and patients help these students learn more about the world of healthcare, in a special symbiotic relationship.” Garcia, Gwizdala, and others expressed their desire to see more free clinics and that too many medical officials value profit over care. Healthcare should instead be more interdisciplinary and should involve every aspect of care with a focus on prevention. Through the clinic, medicine is viewed through the lens of the patient. Gwizdala expressed how connecting with patients allows her to truly feel and empathize with their struggles. The RFC has a special focus on humanitarianism first in medicine. A staff of volunteers view each patient holistically as opposed to simply referring to them as a diagnosis. Patients are to be treated like family as it caters to an atmosphere of empathy and trust, welcoming to all. At the clinic, the volunteers see the amount of trust patients would place in a provider - patients were more willing to open up in a safe environment. Garcia and Gwizdala both considered the RFC to be a highlight of their undergrad experience. Dr. Nathan McLaughlin, M.D., encapsulates healthcare in the country stating that, “In a perfect world, there would be no need for the RFC.” But in reality, free clinics are necessary in the services they provide and the passionate volunteers who aid the patients. If you would like to learn more about the clinic or would like to volunteer, visit their official H website. ■
4 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
NEWS
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ASUCR
ASUCR Senate Meeting saw the approval of many resolutions that favor students’ needs ASUCR SENATE MEETING SAW THE APPROVAL OF MANY RESOLUTIONS THAT FAVOR STUDENTS’ NEEDS.
ABHIJIT REGE News Editor
The Associated Students of UCR held their first open Senate meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 6th, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. in the ASUCR Senate Chamber. The meeting began with the standard procedure of a call to order followed by a roll call and an approval of the agenda. Following this, an approval of the previous summer’s ECAB meeting minutes took place. After this approval, a Public Forum was held where each person was allowed 3 minutes to voice their concerns. This same principle was followed for the ex officio reports as well before a review of committee reports.
Eight pieces of legislation were reviewed by the Legislative Review Committee before arriving on the agenda for this Senate meeting. The first piece of legislation reviewed was SBF21-001 which aimed to amend Chapter XXXIV Guidelines for the ASUCR First-Year Fellowship Program to extend to the Extended Cabinet. Written primarily by CHASS senator Helen Chu, and executive vice president, Mufida Assaf, as well as personnel director, Lina Nguy, the Senate Bill modifies the Executive Cabinet guidelines to involve the extended cabinet. The Legislative Review Committee approved this piece with a vote count of 7-0-0 on Oct. 1st, 2021 while the Senate approved this
bill with a vote count of 16-0-0. Senate Bill SB-F21-002 was written by CHASS senator, Helen Chu, and executive vice president, Mufida Assaf, and amends the Chapter II Bylaws: ASUCR Senators. Changes to Senate duties include a requirement to participate in an informative senatorial training with ASUCR professional staff prior to the start of their term and to reach out to college constituents when working on events and engaging in meetings with college deans, campus ambassadors and student organizations. Again, the Legislative Review Committee approved this piece with a vote count of 7-0-0 on Oct. 1st, 2021 while the Senate approved this bill with a vote count of 16-0-0. Senate Resolutions would then be reviewed including SR-F21001 which would be in support of promoting students’ accessibility to campus events through online recordings and SR-F21-002, where ASUCR in support of a Midterm Teacher Evaluation Survey. Senate Resolution SR-F21-003 was particularly important as it proposed to give students a choice in deciding between S/NC or a letter grade grading basis for internships. In addition, Senate Resolution SR-F21-004 was also quite notable as it resolved to stand
in Solidarity with UC Merced’s Associated Students. Many students enrolled at the University of California Merced have voiced their concerns and stories of their difficult search for housing for the 2021-2022 academic year as a result of housing affordability or shortage crisis. Senate Resolutions SR-F21005 and SR-F21-006 were also on the docket for UCR students. SR-F21-005 proposes to mandate recorded lectures permanently and SR-F21-006 proposes to extend S/NC measures offered in the 2020-2021 academic year through spring 2022. The Legislative Review Committee approved all senate resolutions with a vote count of 7-0-0 on Oct. 1st, 2021 while the Senate approved the resolution with a vote count of 16-0-0. Following a review of the legislation, committee reports finally ended with a review of the Finance Hearing minutes for the meetings which took place on 09/29/2021, 09/30/2021, and 10/06/2021. Public comment was allowed where each person received 3 minutes to voice their concerns. New business that was addressed include the special elections for a GSOE senator, international student director and first time college student director. Finally, senator reports took place along with final announcements, before adjournment. ■H
RYAN POON / THE HIGHLANDER ► FROM SHORTAGES
“We live in Lothian so it was more convenient,” added Janine Lopez, a first-year chemical engineering student and friend of Penguin’s. “We have to plan when we come to Glasgow so there’s no rush.” Staff at Glasgow are also adapting to the change and the new influx of students. Fourth-year biology major, Adrianne Ngoon, previously worked at Lothian but was moved to Glasgow to assist with staffing. “During rush hour, the line wraps around the building,” expressed Ngoon. Dining did not inform employees on how long Lothian would potentially be closed. Along with the UCR dining halls being understaffed, several HUB restaurants are also in need of employees or are closed as a result of staffing issues. Both Subway and Hibachi-San have yet to open this school year along with other Scotty locations. Posted outside Subway is a sign that reads, “Due to extreme staffing challenges, this location is temporarily closed. We will reopen as soon as we can!” Other restaurants like The Habit are currently open but are in need of more assistance. A help wanted poster has remained outside of The
Habit since classes began. The issue of restaurants and other establishments being understaffed or forced to close is not only an issue at UCR, but is state and nationwide. After businesses began reopening in the U.S., as a result of COVID restrictions loosening, many business owners were faced with a lack of people applying. A large portion of the working class lost their jobs due to the pandemic and are not ready to return to work. Some still fear getting sick, and others are unhappy with the minimum wage pay or hours being offered after facing economic hardships this past year. Others changed their career goals during this time and have left a gap in the service industry. This shift in laborers not necessarily wanting the jobs available has the potential to lead to businesses offering better working conditions, rights, pay and benefits. At UCR, students are anxiously awaiting the good news that Lothian’s dining restaurant will reopen. As a response, some have already applied to become staff, but more workers are needed. Students looking for an oncampus job should consider one of these dining service positions. Those interested can apply at the UCR Dining wesbite. ■ H
LEO YUE / THE HIGHLANDER
NEWS
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
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UCR reaches 95% of students vaccinated COVID CASES ARE TRENDING DOWNWARD IN CALIFORNIA. AMARAY ALVAREZ Assistant News Editor
This summer, the University of California and UC President Michael Drake stated that in-person instruction classes would be able to resume if all UCs reached a vaccination goal of 90% for students coming to campus. As of Sept. 28, 95% of students have been fully vaccinated along with 85.1% of staff. Combined, students and staff have reached 93.4%. While COVID still remains a concern for those on campus, this news, along with properly following COVID procedures, should help put some students and staff at ease. Being fully vaccinated means that it has been two weeks since you last received your second shot, or dose, of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. If you received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccination, then you are fully
vaccinated two weeks after having received that shot. Students were expected to upload proof of their vaccination status two weeks before instruction began. Those who did not upload their vaccination records were not permitted to move onto campus or enroll in on-campus classes. The 95% vaccination status of students, however, does not reflect those who are purely attending or teaching classes remotely. A few members of the student body and staff who are attending on-campus classes or are living on campus were granted exemptions based on medical, disability or religious reasons. These members of the community are tested weekly as a result. Along with most people on campus being vaccinated, students and staff are also expected to wear masks while indoors. As an extra barrier, UCR has implemented several
COVID safety procedures to keep students safe. One of these safety procedures is the inclusion of a mandatory online COVID training course to help refresh and test students’ knowledge on the virus. The course can be found through the UCR’s iLearn platform and takes about 20 minutes to complete. The UCR Daily Wellness Survey should be completed before coming to campus or class as well. In comparison to UCR’s 95% vaccination rate, according to the state COVID dashboard, as of Oct. 6, 71.1% of California residents had been fully vaccinated, with 8% being partially. This data shows that UCR has surpassed even state records. Riverside County has administered the fifth most vaccines in California behind Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange and Santa Clara Counties. As a whole, COVID cases in
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California are also trending downward. The state saw a peak in cases during the summer months, especially in August. During the peak, cases were averaging 33.4 cases per one hundred thousand people. As of the week of Oct. 4, there have only been 10.4 cases per one hundred thousand. With UCR surpassing its
COVID vaccination goal and as cases in the area continue to decrease, campus life may soon return to normalcy. Life after the pandemic ends will never be the same, but it is possible for restrictions to decrease as the threat of the virus becomes H less of a worry. ■
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Opinions
6 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
OPINIONS
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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL AS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TURNS THE INFLUX OF HAITIANS AWAY, AMERICA’S INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ISSUES ARE BEING HIGHLIGHTED IN AN UGLY WAY.
Turning away Haitian immigrants at the border puts America’s lack of immigration reform in the spotlight COURTESY OF GAGE SKIDMORE VIA FLICKR UNDER CC BY-SA 2.0
I
n a month’s time, it will mark a year that Biden was announced the winner of the presidential candidacy. He ran as the “antiTrump,” essentially saying that whatever Trump stood for, Biden was very much against. Despite being a moderate, some had the hopes that Biden would indeed be the antithesis of the Trump administration. However, the crisis of Haitian immigrants is revealing the obvious: the Biden administration has cracks in its armor, and Democrats and Republicans are still two sides of the same coin. The immigration crisis has not been remedied in the slightest since Biden took charge. As the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) treated the influx as a surprise attack and threatened the Haitians with whips, the government should not have been surprised given the world at large right now. The U.S. government needs to review who is in office, how these greater issues should be dealt with and simultaneously work to remedy domestic harms to make room for people in great need. Since the assassination of the Haitian president in July, it should come as no shock to the United States that Haitians want to immigrate here in the hopes of a better and more stable life for themselves and their families. To claim that the migrants at the border were a SURPRISE is a gross misrepresentation of the awareness the government should have had for months now. Though it may have been difficult, it seems obvious that the Biden administration should have partially prepared for something of this nature happening, by organizing resources and temporary housing to help these immigrants in need rather than hemming and hawing about what antiimmigrant congress people might think. In reality, though, it is not surprising either that Biden didn’t think in advance about what the chaos in Haiti might bring about. After all, Biden was Vice President under Barack Obama, who deported more people than any other president in history. With a background like that, it is sadly not a shock that Biden’s immigration policy is lacking in substance. Furthermore, Biden’s cabinet should be examined closely in the midst of this
crisis. While Biden may have the most diverse cabinet in history, the diversity lies only in race and gender and not in opinion. It’s nothing new to say that most politicians only have their party’s interests at heart, and these days that interest is to argue across the aisle and never get anything done. Nothing will be done that will help immigrants who are desperate to move to the country if politicians believe that the best form of activism is a photo op at detainment camps and then ignoring the families that have been separated for months. Every time we face an immigration crisis like
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The reality is, if the government put human lives above capitalist profit, we wouldn’t be having these problems.
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this with a prime opportunity to enact change and act on humanity, politicians balk at having to do their jobs instead of bickering over whose party is the right party. The crises we face year after year with caravans of immigrants wanting to enter the country are the result of decades of the U.S. government refusing to do anything to be proactive about immigration policy. The reality is, if the government put human lives above capitalist profit, we wouldn’t be having these problems. America is always reluctant to let immigrants in unless there is some way that the immigrants can be exploited for profit. We have resources en masse
that could support the people who want to live here — we have medicine, food, vaccines, and shelter that can be used to help immigrants get on their feet. Though it would be uncomfortable at first trying to accommodate everyone, America as we know it today is built on immigrants and immigration, so much so that one of our most well-renowned national monuments welcomes the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Our government is so absorbed in issues of little consequence that it has forgotten what the United States is meant to value — humanity. We need to ask more of our government to call attention to these issues that are internal and external. Our nation, more than ever, needs to vote in people who are going to make real change, not moderates that will be wishy-washy through their whole campaign until the next moderate comes in and the cycle continues ad nauseam. The American public needs to hold the government accountable, and not lose interest when the colorful aesthetic graphics on Instagram fade from our stories. Real change is not going to happen if we allow ourselves to be distracted by identity politics and outrage that goes nowhere. Our government is meant to be run by the people, for the people, and as the government is no longer benefiting the people, it’s time for us to change who runs it. If we want to see a difference made and see human lives be valued over capitalist profit that distracts even the most promising candidates, we need to pull together as a populace and either become or vote in the people who will make real change. Until we do that, our government will be as milquetoast as ever and will continue to disappoint us and the people who desperately need H their help. ■
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.
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OPINIONS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
7
The Gabby Petito case’s virality uncovers the unfairness in coverage of missing women’s cases
IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, GABBY PETITO’S MISSING PERSON CASE WENT VIRAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA, HIGHLIGHTING RACIAL DISPARITIES IN MEDIA COVERAGE OF MISSING AND MURDERED WOMEN.
SENNA OMAR Contributing Writer
Authorities discovered 22-year-old Gabby Petito had gone missing after her fiance Brian Laundrie returned to their Florida home without her following a lengthy, cross-country road trip. After discovering her body, authorities believe the cause of death to be a homicide, with the main suspect being her fiance. From the multitude of news sources tracking her case to the true-crime enthusiasts trying to find her, the case of Gabby Petito has garnered immense media attention. In contrast, many BIPOC women go missing at an alarmingly high rate and fail to get the same amount of coverage. Five different agencies were searching for Petito, and there was a nationwide search for her fiance. Yet, no one is looking for the hundreds of missing Indigenous and Black women who go missing in Wyoming every year. When discussing missing person cases, women of color and cases involving white women receive different levels of respect. People tend to blame women of color for getting themselves in a position to be kidnapped in the first place, and there is no sense of priority when searching for them. Nicole Mckenna, a University of Cincinnati Ph.D. student researching trauma violence against women, stated that Gabby Petito is a “case of missing white women syndrome, giving disproportionate attention to young white girls compared to women of color.”
While this doesn’t disregard the tragedy of Petito’s case, it does point out the disparity in the coverage of the cases of all these missing women. Nicole Wagon, a member of the Northern Arapaho tribe, lost her daughters, and their cases were never solved. Her eldest daughter, Jocelyn Watt, was shot and killed in her central Wyoming home in early 2019. Just one year later, Wagon’s younger daughter, Jade Wagon, was reported missing and found murdered a week later. Law enforcement claimed that Jade Wagon had died from drug use, Nicole Wagon has no doubt that she was murdered. Wagon stated that she felt murdered and missing Indigenous women are treated as statistics rather than people, “my kids are not statistics. They were human beings. And they had lives. And regardless of what people may think, or assume, they don’t know their stories.” However, the Petito case is unique outside of race because of how present she was on social media. Petito and her fiance documented their entire trip over social media, posting mini vlogs of their adventures, allowing more people to access information about their lives. Police body cam footage was also circulating on TikTok of a distraught Petito following a physical altercation during an argument with her fiance. Assistant professor of criminal justice at California State University Sacramento, Danielle Slakoff, stated, “Once a story goes viral, people like to feel as if they’re part of it.” Social
COURTESY OF @GABSPETITO VIA INSTAGRAM
media played a massive role in Gabby Petito’s case, with multiple TikTok stars and YouTubers following the road trip the couple took in hopes of finding Petito. Over the past decade, more than 710 Indigenous women have gone missing from Wyoming, the same place Gabby Petito went missing; however, their cases garnered no media attention. A report conducted by Wyoming’s missing and murdered Indigenous people task force found that, on average, 21% of missing Indigenous women remain missing for more than 30 days while only 11% of white women stay missing for that long.
Relevance of physical media in the digital age AYLIN MORENO Contributing Writer
The digital era has ushered in a wave of easy to click content, creating a competitive sea of influencers and creators grasping for people’s attention. This leads to clickbait and succumbing to profit by clicks and traffic — oftentimes with the subject material being completely false. It is absolutely valid, as any normal person, to want a bit of entertainment. However, the source of our entertainment and what we choose to indulge in, can, and in fact should be, both fun and educational. One such indulgent activity is the vetted information found in museums and not just for the exhibits either. What once were run entirely by women and dubbed salons back in the 18th century, museums have remained an important part of modern history. Through the decades, we have seen these institutions give way to recent innovations and technology is the newest obstacle they have yet to tackle. There are many interesting facts and ideas concerning these halls that hold
such academic and historical importance. Museums are the yearbook of humanity, and seeing them in person gives a different perspective to the viewer rather than seeing it on a screen or through a virtual tour. Women have consistently been at the forefront of salons throughout the early 18th century and onward. Ladies of high society often entertained circles of aristocratic people by hosting several artists in their home. It was a way to both show their intellectual status and fortune. These functions were later extended to a more public format and dubbed salons. It became the cornerstone of any aspiring artist to be featured at these events that critics often visited and laid claim to their favorites as well. This time period was a troubling time for the fairer sex in regards to lack of voice and exclusion. The salons suddenly became a revolutionary way to host intellectual discourse for both women and men to partake in without the repercussions of patriarchal society. To visit museums and acknowledge their feminine history is incredible considering
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The task force also found that only 30% of Indigenous homicide victims receive news coverage, compared to the 51% of white homicide victims. On top of all this, murder coverage of white women tends to humanize the victim; however, when the news discusses murdered Indigenous women, the coverage is often “overly graphic.” The disparity in media coverage and momentum over social media shouldn’t be allowed. The hundreds of missing Indigenous women deserve justice, they deserve the same spotlight and media H coverage that Gabby Petito received. ■
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PHYSICAL MEDIA FOUND IN MUSEUMS AND THE SOCIAL PUSH OF TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING.
how large and extensive some collections at these institutions can be. Over the course of their history we can find acts of fearless feminism and sultry scandals. One important event contingent is with the portrait of Madame X by John Singer Sargent. The painting portrays a young woman with a blue-green tinted hue to her pale skin looking away from the viewer, her black dress draped and fitted as a single hand grips the table to her left. It was known as a scandalous and immoral image. While the image of Madame X had been publicly ostracized it had driven crowds of people to the salon it hung in. The masses hoarded to observe the dubbed salacious figure before she was hidden from public view. This controversy led to opening a door to the arts for the public. A single notable activity meant for the aristocracy now became the business of common folk. While it’s easy to have an opinion on whether or not technology has tyrannically pushed museums to the side, one positive that can’t be ignored is the enhancement technology has brought to them. Museums that have taken the initiative to regale their audiences by embracing technology have made incredible advances in the way we experience art and history. One example is the Haus der Musik in Vienna. Many of their exhibits are geared towards the kinesthetic learning of music. One particular exhibit is the “Virtual Conductor Exhibit,” in which the viewer can help conduct one of the finest known orchestras in the world, The Vienna Philharmonic, through determining music tempo and rhythm. Another exhibit a bit closer to home is the Tactile Dome at “The Exploratorium”
in San Francisco. This particular exhibit showcases the bodies’ senses by letting the viewer explore a dark room with the goal of leaving it just based on touch. These kinds of interactive exhibits can fall short through a screen or virtual tour. This is not to say digital renditions are or should be obsolete, but rather that they grant access to those who do not have the opportunity to see the Louvre or the British Museum in person. The Google Arts and Culture app is one of the many technological advancements that have made museums accessible to those who don’t have the means or time to visit these institutions. Just this summer a trend popped up online where participants could recreate different paintings and post their likeness to social media. A couple years ago we saw a similar trend where people on the Google Arts and Culture app were able to scan their faces and find portraits they resembled. This kind of trend spreads informative content along with making it fun. Technology is not some looming entity looking to topple down old forms of living, but a tool used to enhance what is already here. There are so many ways we have been able to reach the ends of the earth with these types of advancements. Travel vlogs let us see the world through the lens of an adventurer, unboxing lets us experience the newest of products through someone else’s hands. Just because we don’t experience these things first hands doesn’t mean the activity itself is to be eradicated. This symbiotic relationship can help bring about a new form of viewing or experiencing physical media and create a way for more people to relate to the content H found in museums. ■
8 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
OPINIONS
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions
Social media’s exploitation of young users continues to negatively impact children and teenagers IDIALA GONZALEZ Contributing Writer
The internet was never made to cater to children. However, its only defense is asking the user to verify that they are over the age of 18 by clicking a button. With every refresh of a website, more and more unregulated information is added onto the cybernetic cloud, especially when millions of users flock to a dedicated platform. Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok thrive on younger users, with 37.4% of users between the ages 13 and 24 globally making up Instagram’s audience. With 500 million daily users, Instagram has consumed the social lives of teenagers and young adults alike. Applications such as Instagram, Discord, Snapchat and TikTok need a high engagement of users in order to prosper, and all of these took complete advantage of this in 2020. Being used as a form of social gathering during the coronavirus pandemic, applications like Discord grew from 56 million monthly users to 100 million in 2020. With user engagement only continuing to rise, so does the mental health crisis among young users. Social media applications are also the perfect platform for exploitation and oppression of younger people. Moderators at TikTok were instructed to “suppress posts created by users deemed too ugly, poor, or disabled for the platform.” TikTok moderators social judgment depending on what elevates user activity and what doesn’t through an integrated algorithm. Without even signing onto TikTok, the first videos that are on the generic algorithm are conventionally attractive people doing TikTok dances and the latest memes. Until the user engages with the application and branches into different areas of the platform, the application itself targets users with dangerous ideals such as body shaming, sexualized content creators and
performing dangerous trends for views. There is an entire section of TikTok called “depression TikTok”, where users glorify depression and anxiety for the sake of bonding with other emotionally vulnerable and impressionable young minds. Having depression and anxiety should not be exploited for views. Furthermore, children should not be exposed to videos glorifying disordered eating and overt amounts of sexualization in order to gain the algorithm’s favor. Despite giving clear guidelines on how the platform operates, especially in regards to sexually suggestive content. Instagram is a great example of this hypocrisy when it comes to following their own guidelines and how they distribute actions onto those who fail to follow said guidelines. In 2019, the infamous Belle Delphine’s Instagram account was terminated for violating guidelines because her posts contained lewd and suggestive content catering to an adult audience. However, Instagram influencer Danielle Cohn, a minor, posts daily adult content. Her Instagram caters to younger audiences with a majority of her fans being from the ages 12 to 16. Additionally, she has been given a number of sponsorships by Bang Energy drinks, which could be dangerous for minors. Comparing these two influencers, an adult being banned for content that a minor can get away with on Instagram is shocking. It doesn’t stop there: Instagram does not allow artists to even post sexual content, sometimes taking it down even if it is censored. This promotion of capitalizing off of minors and elevating those who bring profit to the platform is a huge reason companies like Instagram and TikTok should be held accountable. However, they never are since the users are not directly hired by influencers. Because of the nature of social media, users like Danielle Cohn sexualize themselves for views. If she were an adult, she could be
held responsible for her actions. However, legally, children can not be held responsible, leaving the fault to lie with the parents and the company. In the case of Danielle Cohn, her own mother is a willing participant in her daughter’s exploitation, and despite child services being called on them multiple times, nothing has been done. There are no fair executions of regulations, and it’s clear the moderators in these platforms are only there to manage the algorithm to aid in the application’s success. Companies are not exempt from the law, and despite the unclear child labor laws in regards to online presences, plenty of new laws have been put in place to protect childern from being exploited. Despite that, I firmly believe children shouldn’t be involved with earning money online in general. They are being put in the spotlight to be scrutinized, sexualized and taken away from their childhoods to start earning money for their parents. Social media is deeply rooted in our daily lives through forms of communication, meme sharing and getting involved in digital communities. Social media allows users to feel as if they aren’t alone in this era of isolation. However, these platforms are clearly taking advantage of younger users. If we are unable to remove young minds from the internet, then we have to do our part as active users by reporting harmful accounts, not getting involved in cancel culture and reporting underage accounts, we can try to limit the exposure of harmful accounts to young minds. It’s impossible to regulate the internet, even with dedicated moderators, but by being socially conscious and educating young users on the dangers of cyberbullying, targeted advertisements and the falsity of a standard body image, maybe we have a chance of regulating our own lives and how often we devote our time to social H media. ■
CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, BECAUSE THEY ARE EASY TARGETS FOR EXPLOITATION AND CAN NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR EXPERIENCES AS AN ADULT USER WOULD.
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THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features
Features
FEATURES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
9
Is Bao Culture the next best dim sum spot near campus? THE UNIVERSITY VILLAGE’S NEWEST ASIAN FUSION RESTAURANT, BAO CULTURE IS ONLY AVERAGE COMPARED TO OTHER CAMPUS ESTABLISHMENTS. ASHLEY CHEN Features Editor
Located in the University Village right next to Boba Cafe, Riverside recently introduced its newest dim sum restaurant, Bao Culture. Bao Culture is known for its dim sum and Asian fusion cuisine. As a longtime dim sum enthusiast, I decided to try the newest hotspot near campus that everyone has been talking about.
ASHLEY CHEN / THE HIGHLANDER
From the outside, it looked nicely set up as chairs and tables were arranged in front of the restaurant. As my friend and I first walked in, the room was empty with the owner waiting for us to take our order. The tables were nicely organized with chopsticks and plates already placed on every table. The decor was a little off since there were tiny surfboards hanging on the wall behind where we sat. After taking in the atmosphere of the restaurant, we finally took a look at the menu. Their specialty dim sums and baos looked appetizing, and the prices were surprisingly affordable compared to popular dim sum restaurants like Din Tai Fung and Paradise Dynasty. My friend and I settled for their most popular food options: the pork dumplings and the popcorn chicken which were both $8.99. Unfortunately, after the staff took our order, the wait time for our food was unexpectedly long. We waited 15 minutes for the waiter to hand us our water, another 30 minutes for our pork dumplings and an extra 15 minutes for our popcorn chicken. Due to COVID, our food was also placed in plastic containers to avoid any contamination. My friend and I first tried the pork dumpling. There was a lack of seasoning to the filling causing me to dip my dumpling in the soy sauce a few times
ASHLEY CHEN / THE HIGHLANDER
more for my liking. My friend and I also thought that the filling was a little more on the drier side and that the wrapping was a little soggy, with my dumpling falling apart. Next, we tried the popcorn chicken. Surprisingly, we were given a huge amount of chicken, which we were unable to finish. It was nicely presented with a few mint leaves on top, and the seasoning appeared to be spot on. The first few bites were really delicious, and the texture was
Campus Cope: Making your forever friends SENNA OMAR Contributing Writer
After two years of social isolation, it can be tough to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. However, part of the college experience is meeting new people. Here are a few tips in order to make socializing on campus a little easier. Join a campus organization Whether it be joining a club or taking a dance class at the student recreation center, a sure fire way to make friends and meet new people is by getting involved in campus activities and organizations. UCR offers intramural sports, dancing classes, cooking classes, honors societies, fraternities, sororities, and over five hundred different clubs for students to involve themselves with, all of which can be found on the Highlander Link. By participating in these organizations, not only will you meet new people, but it is more likely that they will be interested in the same things as you. talk to people in your hall For those living on campus, the perfect place to find your forever friends is your hall lounge. Chances are, there are always people hanging out there, especially if you live in AI (Aberdeen Inverse) where the social atmosphere is booming. The dorms’ social atmosphere makes them one of the most accessible places to make friends and meet new people. So once you finish all your homework, grab a deck of cards and chill in your hall lounge. You will
not too crunchy or soggy. However, the smaller pieces of the chicken were on the drier and crunchier side. Although there could be a little more salt and seasoning, the taste wasn’t bad at all! Overall, the experience at Bao Culture was average. It’s a lot closer to campus than most dumpling houses, and it’s very convenient for students who prefer walking instead of driving. However, due to the restaurant being understaffed, be H prepared to wait a while for your food.■ MEETING NEW PEOPLE CAN BE CHALLENGING, ESPECIALLY AFTER SPENDING SO MUCH TIME ONLINE. LET THIS BE A GUIDE TO FINDING FRIENDS AT UCR.
most definitely find someone to hang out with. After all, your first friend can be your ticket to a friend group. compliment random people If you see someone walking around campus wearing the most fabulous outfit you have ever seen, don’t be afraid to say something. Complimenting someone’s outfit is the first step to getting an Instagram follow. Not only will you have met a new person, but you also most likely will have made someone’s day. TALK TO PEOPLE IN YOUR CLASSES
If you are on campus, you are more than likely taking at least one in-person class, so you might as well talk to the people in your classes. Make small talk with the person sitting next to you, then the one behind you, and so on. Not only will you have met new people, but you might also have created a little study group. On that note, don’t be afraid to join the GroupMe and Discord chats for your classes to meet new people and for general help. explore the new DUNDEE In between the two Dundee buildings is a wonderful place to hang out and meet new people. There are three fire pits that are usually surrounded by students. Don’t be afraid to walk up to groups and ask to hang out with them. Chances are, they will say “yes” and you will meet some wonderful people over a two-hour game of truth (based on a true story). If you’re looking for a quieter area, Dundee also has plenty of hammocks you can hang out on
COURTESY OF UCR STUDENT LIFE
with your new friends you made at the fire pits. engage in UCR NIGHTLIFE On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, the UCR campus is buzzing with people looking for new friends. Whether it be taking a midnight walk to visit Scotty the bear at the belltower or riding skateboards down a hill, the campus is buzzing with people who you can befriend. Do not be afraid to put yourself out there! Being integrated into UCR campus culture is the best way to meet new people H and make lifelong connections! ■
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Radar
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae
Kali Uchis and SZA bring the heat with “fue mejor” ELIAS ALMAREZ-HERRERA Contributing Writer
On Sept. 29, the highly anticipated collaboration between artists, Kali Uchis and SZA came into fruition in a new rendition of “fue mejor.” It’s the final single released off of Uchis’ Latin pop and R&B infused, multilingual sophomore album Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios). Sonically, the track is dark and sultry, demonstrated by the heavy synth bass and drum patterns carrying the moody production. This is offset by angelic background vocalizations by Uchis as she nears whistle tone in her vocal register. Lyrically, this remix remains identical to the album cut, excluding the brand new verse by SZA. Uchis tells of the pain and betrayal of a lost love through brilliant imagery in her songwriting. Her descriptors, both in English and Spanish, directly set the scene: She recalls the backseat of the Jeep when she left her lover after midnight. The chorus ends with “no amor, no me duele perderte, ya no estoy, pero nunca olvidas, hay cosas que se tatúan sin tinta,” which translates to say it won’t cause her pain to leave the relationship. In fact, her romantic partner will never forget her as “there are things which are tattooed without ink.” The highlight of this release is SZA on the final verse, previously performed by Canadian singer and rapper,
VERDICT:
PARTYNEXTDOOR. She hops onto the track with impressive cadence and an even more impressive command of the Spanish language. The depth and range in vocal inflections that SZA displays throughout the song are largely what has regarded her as one of the most sought after artists of our generation. She lends her authentic sound to the track, enhancing the juxtaposition of ethereal vocals over the ambient beat. Reportedly the pair worked together on devising the lyrical content for SZA’s verse, first in English then reworked in Spanish. By the final chorus, the two join together and a raindrop effect, essential to gloomy trap beats, serves as a new production element in the outro of the song. Accompanying the track release is a music video directed by Daniel Sannwald whose creative license has extended to the likes of Travis Scott and Beyonce. The moody, post-industrial nature of “fue mejor” is consistent with its visuals. A blend of neon lit scenery, brief choreographed ensemble dancing by Uchis, and a moving car sequence during SZA’s featured appearance set the tone for the cinematic experience. The video opens with sound effects of a motorcycle engine revving and accompanying motorcyclists on a dimly lit street. Shades of blues and whites serve as the motif for the first half before the aforementioned Jeep is introduced as
KALI UCHIS AND SZA TEAM UP FOR “FUE MEJOR” TO CREATE A DARK AND SULTRY AUTUMN ANTHEM.
the chorus plays. Sannwald utilizes a fish eye lens and woozy visual effects as SZA shares the sentiments of the song’s running theme: She relinquishes the power her exlover may have had over her and moves on for the better. Both artists have gained notoriety in their respective musical lanes throughout the last decade, sparking fans to speculate an eventual collaboration between Kali Uchis and SZA. At the tail end of 2020, SZA released “Good Days,’’ which went on to become her first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Uchis’ smash hit “telepatía’’ became a global sensation, landing her the longest-running solo Latin song in the 2020s on the aforementioned charts. With all of this success, it’s clear both of these women have come a long way from their mixtape days. “Drunken Babble” (2012) was the first project Kali Uchis released on SoundCloud, a streaming platform catered to unsigned, independent artists. Her neosoul, doo wop influenced, hip-hop sound developed with the release of her critically acclaimed extended play “Por Vida” (2015) and full-length album “Isolation” (2018). SZA found critical success with her debut album “CTRL” (2017) which revitalized the genre of alternative R&B. This was preceded by the mixtapes “S” (2013) and H “Z” (2014). ■
COURTESY OF COUGHS VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS UNDER CC-BY-SA 4.0
While the “fue mejor” remix marks the promotional end of Uchis’ first primarily Spanish language album, a nod to her Colombian heritage, it is clear the landscape of Latin pop and R&B have been revolutionized as two female pioneers sustain their trajectory in the industry. The quality of this track’s vocal production is enough to have on circulation at any time of day and the visuals of the music video only enhance the listening experience.
► FROM BRITNEY SPEARS
conservatorship. A conservatorship is a legal process that gives a third party the ability to make the decisions for another person who cannot care for themselves. This resulted in Britney losing some of her freedom and stopped her from being able to make some of her own decisions. For example, she could not make any decisions related to her healthcare or her finances and who she could communicate with in person or the phone. Seeing the chains that the conservatorship has on her life, Britney tried to fight against it and gain back her freedom. Eventually as time passed, the conservatorship became permanent and Britney lost even more of her freedom. However, she still continues to contest the conservatorship and gain back control over her life. Through the exclusive interviews and classified documents, the audience gained insight to how those close
COURTESY JEN VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS UNDER CC-BY-SA 2.0
to her saw how she dealt with life and her adversities. The interviews and information gives audiences a deeper look into what has happened and how the people around her reacted to her experiences. Due to the conservatorship, Britney was forced to overwork and make the people controlling her a lot of money. Through all the information revealed, the shock at the heartbreaking struggles that Britney has endured is amplified. She is shown to be chained to the conservatorship, keeping her from being free to make her own decisions. The audience is able to sympathize with Britiney and the battles she deals with behind the public eye. In addition to the exclusive interviews and new revelations, the documentary presents various clips of Britney being chased by paparazzi, whether it be after a performance or just another day in her life. This
demonstrates the overwhelming obstacles that come with a pop star’s life and how difficult it can be to manage one’s personal issues. The amount of stress that she has dealt with is enough to evoke empathetic feelings for Britney. Although the #FreeBritney movement was created to support Britney, a lot of people did not know what was really going on behind the scenes in her world. The documentary reveals to her fans and speculators what was really happening. And while the documentary shows moments in Britney’s life where she was smiling and performing, it also revealed how she was actually struggling and drowning under all the pressure. Throughout the documentary, many questions surrounding her mental health were brought up. It comes out vague as no real answers were given on the extent of her mental issues. Her mental issues were used as a weapon against her to establish the conservatorship and have others like her father make most of her decisions for her. While the audience can acknowledge the reasoning behind starting a conservatorship, the amount of control that the conservatorship has over Britney is daunting. Britney Spears is one of the most well known performers and singers of the pop world. “Britney Vs Spears” on Netflix helps to tell the story of Britney’s struggles in her life starting with her mental decline from a messy divorce and custody battle, having a conservatorship and being overworked all under the public eye. It gives audiences all the possible information behind the #FreeBritney movement, while keeping them engaged and engrossed in H the tragic story. ■
VERDICT:
Alongside surprising interviews and evidence, the documentary, “Britney Vs. Spears” helps audiences learn everything they need to know about the conservatorship and Britney’s struggles.
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
11
The History of Music:
where has it been and where is it going?
IN THE NEW AGE OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS, MUSIC IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF CHANGE.
SAMUEL LAO Assistant Radar Editor
Throughout the history of music, we have seen many genres become prominent then slowly decline, becoming a staple for certain fans to turn to for eternity. There’s rock, EDM, rap, R&B, the list goes on. Looking at different generations, such as the classic rock era in the ‘70s, the coastal beef in rap music during the ‘90s, and the pop punk, “it’s not a phase mom” rebellious attitude in the early 2000s, the question to ask is: What’s next for music? In previous eras, artists that found the genre that worked best for their unique voices would often stick to what was already working and popular at the time, and it truly was rare to see any type of experimentation outside of that comfort zone. For example, some o f the most influential artists and bands in history such
as the Beatles, AC/DC or Elvis Presley. Time after time, these artists typically released music in the same genre that appealed to the specific set of fans they had. Music, in the past, has always been limited by a lack of technology, forcing artists to use the very instruments in front of them. Aside from that, booking studio time, getting the opportunity to record, and actually releasing music was a huge financial risk that many artists had to take in order to pursue their dreams. Realistically, expecting an individual to try and experiment with something that is so high risk is quite unreasonable, and, in all honesty, unrealistic. Looking at the history of music and technology, with the advancements of companies like YouTube and SoundCloud, coupled with the creation of the mobile smartphone, change in the music industry was inevitable. YouTube and SoundCloud have given artists a place where they can release their own music for free, gaining fans and possibly earning a record deal. And with the technological advancement of the smartphone, those same artists that may not be able to afford to book studio time, have the opportunity to simply hit record on their phones, and sing their hearts out. Though the quality of production may not be as high, even technological advancements like the computer allow these artists to hop on Google and simply learn how to mix, and upgrade the quality of their own work. In the past ten years, we’ve even seen this unfold in front of our eyes with artists like Justin Bieber. He was able to be discovered and signed by the extremely young age of thirteen because he simply posted videos on YouTube of him covering famous songs done by other artists. Scooter Braun, manager of many major stars, was able to discover
COURTESY OF PEXELS
him, f l y h i m o u t t o Atlanta and immediately turn him into the mega star that we know him as today. Now, you may be wondering what this has to do with the genres and the future of music, but the history of music and technology tells us which direction the future will be heading in. With an artist like Bieber, who has established himself as a pop icon, has now been able to experiment with his music. whether it be releasing a R&B album such as his second-latest release, “Changes”, or rapping on a Travis Scott song like “Maria I’m Drunk.” We have seen this genre-breaking type of music with plenty of artists like Drake, Kanye West or Rihanna, but these trailblazers, to name a few, have now set up the next generation of artists that are clearly following in their footsteps. So now that we’re all caught up, looking at the present, and even the future, we have now seen artists like Juice WRLD or Post Malone that can no longer be classified as the typical “rapper” because of the type of music they choose to make. More often than not, you will hear interviewers attempt to classify these guys, but it is quite impossible when there really isn’t a category to place them in. Realistically, both of these artists began their careers and broke the charts with rap songs, but since then, anyone can attest that they have heard both of them also sing ballads, something that hasn’t been seen by many rappers. Alongside them, we have artists like Olivia Rodrigo or The Kid Laroi who have entered the industry with only one album so far, yet in one album alone, we are able to hear rock songs, love songs and even house beats. With so many different forms of technology at their disposal, and so many different types of sounds that couldn’t be imagined before, the era of one-genre artists is clearly over, and the future of music looks to be a genre-fluid type of era. Of course, we will always love our classics, and those who paved the way for this new generation of music, but I hope it’s now easy to see that music is still in H its adolescent years, and the best is yet to come. ■
12
Sports TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
SPORTS
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports
Highlanders swept 3-0 in set play against the Mustangs HANSEL CHU Assistant Sports Editor
The UC Riverside women’s volleyball team lost 0-3 against Cal Poly Thursday night. After trailing 0-2 in set play, the Highlanders rallied in the third set but were unable to hold off the Mustangs as they lost 14-25, 11-25, 21-25 in their respective sets. This marked their fifth consecutive loss in Big West Conference play. UCR started the first set strong with a service ace from junior outside hitter Mylei Vargas-Deason. However, Cal Poly would quickly go up 7-3 in the first set, which included three straight kills. The Mustangs would continue their dominance in the first set as three straight aces from redshirt senior Jamie Stivers put Cal Poly up 11-4. The Highlanders would settle into the game and rally to bring the score to 17-14, which included eight kills from UCR. Cal Poly would then run away with the set as they won the next eight rallies to secure the first set 14-25, which included four kills for the Mustangs and three attack errors from UCR. In the second set, Cal Poly continued their dominance by going up early 8-2 in the set, which included five kills thanks
to redshirt freshman Tommi Stockham and redshirt freshman Amy Hiatt. The Highlanders could not keep up with the Mustangs as they quickly saw themselves fall behind 18-8, which included another five kills and two aces for Cal Poly. A couple of rallies later and the Mustangs quickly ended the second set with a 1125 victory. During the second set, UCR recorded a game high six errors and had a zero percent hitting percentage, which explained their blowout loss in the second set. On the brink of losing the game, the Highlanders made the third set competitive in an attempt to keep the game alive. After the Mustangs took an 8-4 set lead, which included two kills each from Stockham, Stivers and junior Meredith Phillips, UCR rallied back to keep the set close 9-8, which included three kills and an ace. Both teams continued to exchange kills and aces as both teams fought to secure the crucial third set. Nearing the end of the third set, Cal Poly was up 15-22 and on the brink of winning the game. However, the Highlanders made one last push to keep the game alive, as they would bring the third set to 20-22, which included a kill each from Vargas-Deason and
UC RIVERSIDE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL LOSES FIFTH STRAIGHT CONFERENCE GAME AGAINST CAL POLY SAN LUIS OBISPO.
junior outside hitter Amarachi Osuji, and two attack errors from the Mustangs. Nonetheless, Cal Poly would win three out of the next four rallies and win the third set, 21-25, and the game. Cal Poly finished with a combined 50 kills out of 75 attempts, while UCR finished with a combined 27 kills out of 46 attempts. The Mustangs also finished with six aces compared to only two aces from the Highlanders. Cal Poly finished with 57 digs compared to 40 digs from
JOSHUA WANG / THE HIGHLANDER
UCR, which gave the Mustangs more opportunities to strike back after a hit from the Highlanders. Osuji led the Highlanders with a team high of seven kills and sophomore middle blocker Anya Green finished with six kills. Senior setter Dejah Dade finished with an efficient three kills in six attempts. The Highlanders drop down to 4-11 (05) on the season and will face Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, Oct. 9, at the H SRC Arena. ■
UC Riverside’s women’s soccer face off against the University of Hawaii
“TONIGHT’S PERFORMANCE WAS VERY GOOD. THE BEST WE PLAYED ALL YEAR. HAVING SO MANY 1ST OR SECOND YEAR PLAYERS WITHOUT A REAL SEASON UNDER THEIR BELT SHOWS IN GAMES LIKE THIS.”
JOSHUA WANG / THE HIGHLANDER KEVIN CONTRERAS Sports Editor
The atmosphere was high inside the Riverside Sports Complex, on Thursday, Oct. 7. UC Riverside’s women’s soccer team faced off against the University of Hawaii for their season match up in the Big West Conference. Both the Highlanders and the Rainbow Wahine were eager to put the ball in the back of the net and add a victory to their record. With both teams playing intensely on the pitch, the result was a one to one tie in overtime. “Tonight’s performance was very
good. The best we played all year. Having so many 1st or 2nd year players without a real season under their belt shows in games like this,” said head coach Nat Gonzales. “The pressure is high and they have not developed the composure yet, but they will. It is a good group.” The University of Hawaii kicked off, but were immediately met with UCR’s aggressive vigor. The Highlanders pushed towards the opposing net, getting the chance to score with a corner kick. The Wahine managed to get the ball away and quickly tried to get a goal of their own.
Minutes later, UCR found themselves with another corner kick attempting to score once again but could not find the back of the net. As the game progressed, both teams managed to settle in and find a groove. Both teams traded the ball back and forth in attempts to score a goal. Both teams were unlucky up until the 30 minute mark, where the Wahine were awarded a penalty kick. Senior midfielder Maki Kono kicked the ball low and right into the back of the net, putting the University of Hawaii up one to nothing. Shortly after,
the Highlanders managed to get a penalty kick of their own, putting them in a position to tie the game. Junior midfielder Akari Shimizu kicked the ball straight down the middle and into the back of the net, tying the game 1-1. In the final minutes of the first half, both teams made various attempts towards the opposing net but to no avail, as they ended the half still tied. “Finishing chances is the hardest thing in the game. We need to believe that our chance creation will net us the result we are looking for,” continued Gonzales, “That was our No.1 priority tonight and I believe we achieved that, creating more chances. Now to stay composed in those moments is the key.” In the second half, the Highlanders demonstrated their eagerness to score, constantly reaching their opponents net, taking multiple shots but were unable to convert those opportunities into goals. The game seemed to head into overtime, but UCR was given one final chance in the 89 minute mark of the game. UCR was awarded another penalty and a chance to win the game. Unfortunately, the Wahine keeper got in the way. The game continued into golden goal overtime, but neither of the two squads managed to make the decisive finish. “I am not sure how many more opportunities we can create. We had 16 shots and seven corner kicks. I would imagine that is the best stat count we have had all year,” said Gonzales The women will return to the pitch on Oct. 10th, and face off against the UC H Davis Aggies. ■