The Highlander
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
For the week of Tuesday, April 5, 2022
VOL. 70, ISSUE 21
est. 1954
THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR ARE THE HIGHEST THEY’VE BEEN IN THE UC’S 154 YEAR HISTORY.
NEWS
UC Riverside has set a new record for freshman applications
ABHIJIT REGE News Editor
The University of California, Riverside has announced that a new record has been posted for freshman applicants for the upcoming fall 2022 quarter. A grand total of 54,365 applications were received by Nov. 30, the UCR freshman application deadline, representing an increase over the previous records of 49,252 for fall 2020 and 52,563 for fall 2021. Socioeconomic diversity continues to be a focal point of these applications, and this year alone, the pool of applicants is more diverse than previous years. Of those who applied, 49% identified as Latino, Black, American Indian or Pacific Islander, while 38% of applicants were Asian and 11% were white. UC-wide, the proportion of freshman and transfer applicants from low-income families grew to 46% and 56% respectively for this application period. Other UCs have experienced a similar
OPINIONS
climb in admissions as well, with the UC achieving the highest number of applications systemwide in its 154 year history with 249,855 applications received by at least one UC campus. With the consistent increases in applicants over the past few years, admission rates are unfortunately declining, especially with the current housing crises and other factors limiting the amount of students who can be admitted. President Michael V. Drake commented on the increase in enrollment across all UCs, stating, “The University of California remains an institution of choice for so many hardworking prospective undergraduates. This diverse group of students has shown their commitment to pursuing higher education and we are thrilled they want to join us at UC.” However, despite the increase in freshman applicants, the number of transfer applicants has overall decreased. Systemwide, transfer applications decreased 12.6% from the last application
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period. Much of this can be attributed to the drop in community college enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which greatly affected the number of students applying to transfer to UC from CCCs for fall 2022. Han Mi Yoon-Wu, executive director of Undergraduate Admissions at UC, cited this issue of transfer applicants and hopes to alleviate concerns stating that, “UC is aware of the decrease in transfer applications and California Community College students across the system and is working to ensure that this critical group
NEWS
is supported in their efforts to apply at our campuses. We are committed to having a strong and diverse pipeline of students.” Freshman applicants should have already received their admissions decisions on their MyUCR student portals by the middle of March while transfer students will be notified in the beginning of April. We at The Highlander wish the best of luck to applicants and hope that those admitted to our university can find their place and pursue their passions on our campus.
THE PASSAGE OF SB118 REVERSES THE ENROLLMENT CAP THAT WAS PLACED AFTER THE RESIDENTS OF BERKELEY SUED THE UNIVERSITY.
UC Releases brief statement regarding passage of legislation protecting enrollment spots at UC Berkeley
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César Chávez’s complex legacy needs to be acknowledged by the Chicano community
OVERLOOKING CÉSAR CHÁVEZ’S PROBLEMATIC PAST ONLY HARMS THE LATINX COMMUNITY. DAVID MORENO Assistant Opinions Editor
March 31 was César Chávez Day here in the state of California. In the Chicano community, he is seen as a hero for Hispanic and Latino people. Chávez himself was a member of the Chicano community after all and was born in the state of Arizona. If you grew up in the state of California in the 1970s, you likely heard about Chávez and his activism frequently. Hundreds of farmworkers went on strike to achieve more protections out in the fields. Chávez ► SEE CÉSAR CHÁVEZ PAGE 7
ABHIJIT REGE News Editor
University of California President Michael V. Drake M.D. issued a statement on March 14 regarding the California Legislature’s passage of bills SB 118 and AB 168. This statement primarily concerned the passage of legislation protecting enrollment spots for prospective UC Berkeley students. SB118 is a notable bill that would delete the provision requiring the consideration of environmental effects relating to changes in enrollment levels when preparing an Environmental Impact Report. State lawmakers hope to utilize this bill as a legislative fix for UC Berkeley’s issues with a cap on enrollment. The passage of the bill serves as a victory for the UC and other public institutions, as this limits a judge’s
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ability to cap enrollment if population targets are exceeded in the future. This bill comes in response to the California Environmental Quality Act, which served as the foundation for Alameda Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman’s court order to limit enrollment at UC Berkeley after Berkeley residents sued the university for the impact the school’s enrollment growth would have
on city services, local housing and more. This order had originally required the UC campus to cut its fall 2022 enrollment by 2,600 students, and in response, the UC planned on enrolling some of these new students online or alter their enrollment till spring 2023. The UC sought to reverse this change through an appeal, though it was rejected by the California Supreme ► SEE UC STATEMENT PAGE 5
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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
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UCR Arts is recognized with the American Alliance of Museums accreditation THIS IS THE HIGHEST NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THE NATION’S MUSEUMS.
AMARAY ALVAREZ Assistant News Editor
On March 4, 2022, UC Riverside received the American Alliance of Museums accreditation for the UCR Arts museum. The museum, located in downtown Riverside, houses the California Museum of Photography and the Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts. With this recognition, UCR Arts has become one of 77 museums accredited in California. The AAM is a non-profit organization that has recognized all types of museums since 1906. The organization’s mission “is to champion equitable and impactful museums by connecting people, fostering learning and community and nurturing museum excellence.” Museums that receive their accreditation both represent and educate their communities. “I’m excited and honored. This is a validation of the caliber of our work, and it speaks to the commitment we have to the community — to making UCR Arts accessible to the public,” said Sheila Bergman, the UCR Arts executive director. “I am grateful to every single staff member because this was a process that involved everyone on the team.”
UCR Arts began preparing to apply for accreditation several years in advance. This process included taking inventory of the collections and transferring records from paper to digital. This process was lengthy as the California Museum of Photography has about 500,000 objects in its collection which range from photographic prints, negatives, archives, books and technology. To receive accreditation, museums must conduct a year of self study then pass a site visit by members of AAM. “Over the years, UCR Arts has exhibited many thought-provoking installations,” Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox said. “Through the AAM accreditation process, UCR Arts has also exhibited a commitment to scholarly excellence and education for Riverside and the Inland Empire.” Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, UCR Arts shifted how the community experienced their museum by creating virtual tours accessible online. These tours helped connect the community by still allowing them access to the educational and artistic benefits of the museum. “I am proud that the American Alliance of Museums has recognized the
quality of the role UCR Arts plays in our community,” Provost Elizabeth Watkins said. “Their accreditation will help keep UCR Arts collections accessible and continue to serve the people of Riverside.” Entry into the museum is free although
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some activities may have a fee. Visitors are expected to register at the museum’s website prior to their visit. UCR Arts is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on most days and opens at H noon on Thursday and Friday. ■
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ASUCR
The Associated Students of UCR’s 19th meeting saw the introduction of elections
JOSHUA WANG / THE HIGHLANDER
FIRST TIME COLLEGE STUDENT DIRECTOR LILY ROMERO ANNOUNCED HER RESIGNATION.
ABHIJIT REGE News Editor
The Associated Students of UCR’s 19th meeting was called to order by Executive Vice President Mufida Assaf on Wednesday, Mar. 30, 2022 in the ASUCR Senate Chamber. All senators were present, excluding CHASS senator Hoang Vu and SPP senator Joshua P. Deese. Motions to approve the current meeting’s agenda were called for by CHASS senator Aalani Richardson, seconded by CHASS senator Victoria Nguyen and passed with a vote count of 15-00. Motion to approve the previous senate meeting minutes were also called by CHASS senator Torres, seconded by CHASS senator Christopher Kent and passed with a vote count of 15-0-0. A public forum then began with an introduction of the chief justice of ASUCR’s Judicial Branch, Mohamad Almouazzen. Almouzzan came on behalf of the Middle Eastern Student Center to spread awareness of the third anniversary of the Christchurch mass shooting and talked about a vigil that was held at the Bell Tower on Thursday, March 31.
Almouazzen urged members of ASUCR and the galley to attend the vigil to remember the victims of the tragedy and other mass shootings and to stand against hate and discrimination. A CALPIRG representative came to the podium next, explaining that CALPIRG is working on recruitment drives and gathering positions for their three campaigns: homlessness, plastics and wind conservation. The intern hopes that those interested in these positions will reach out to CALPIRG in the future. First Time College Student Director Lily Rimero discussed the Well and how health education groups are facing a lack of funding. Romero emphasized the need for students to utilize the Well’s resources in order to show its importance for the campus so they can get more funding. Director Romero further explained that the First Time College Student Committee is putting in a great effort to create events this quarter, including those that provide much needed support for first years. Romero abruptly announced her resignation as the First
Time Student Director, citing her mental health and focusing on academics as the primary reasons behind her decision. Ex-Officio report began next, with Ethnic and Gender Liaison Jeanine Nassar delivering an exofficio first. Nassar first urged senators to be more consistent when meeting with E&G’s and to add herself and Executive Vice President Assaf into the meeting invites. With the transition back into being in-person, more E&G events and activities will be held this quarter, including tabling events at the bell tower. Elections Director Tricia Sarmiento gave another ex-officio detailing the upcoming ASUCR election. Several candidates are running for the many open positions in the Executive Cabinet which includes the positions of President, Executive Vice President, VP of Finance, VP of Internal Affairs, VP of External Affairs, VP of Sustainability, Personnel Director, Marketing Director and International Student Director. Currently, the positions of First Time Student Director, Transfer Student Director and Non-Traditional Student Director
have no candidates running. Numerous candidates are also running for the Legislative Branch where 18 senators shall be elected to represent each college. Sarmiento noted the first convention that will take place on April 7 for Legislative candidates and reminded candidates of the rules that will be placed in office and on Instagram. CHASS senator Richardson posed a question hoping to clarify how the convention will be run and meeting with candidates. Director Sarmiento explained that visitors can meet with candidates tabling to learn more about their platform and campaign. Incentives will be presented to encourage visitors to explore the convention and meet with multiple candidates. CHASS senator Kent inquired about when the official list of candidates will be released. Director Sarmiento explained that the list will be published once SCAIP reviews are complete. For more information and coverage on the election, please take a look at the Highlander’s Elections Guides, and feel free to reach out to the Elections Director at asucrelections@ucr.edu or visit
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their Instagram page, @asucr_ elections, for any questions or concerns you may have. The meeting concluded with multiple announcements from senators. CHASS senator Kent announced that ASUCR offices have received a remodel that also includes electronic voting systems. CNAS senator Rachel Paredes discussed how she will be working on a campus-wide food drive with the R’Pantry and will be working on sustainable resolution for composting. President Pro Tempore Orlando Cabalo announced that on Friday, April 1, he will be meeting with UCR Botanical Gardens management about better wages. In addition, he also explained that the student debt advocacy campaign held its first coalition call over spring break and had nonprofits, student governments and student associations attend. CHASS senator Victoria Nguyen concluded the announcements with her detailing her work on a point to point shuttle program that she was able to secure funding on. The meeting was H then adjourned at 6:58 p.m.■
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THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/news ► FROM UC STATEMENT
was rejected by the California Supreme Court. However, the passage of SB118 negates the need for any of these measures. In his statement, President Drake outlined his support for the legislative measures and has stated, “We believe this bill provides a clearer, more transparent and more predictable process for analyzing and managing the environmental impact of campus populations under CEQA while also ensuring students are not harmed because of ongoing policy disagreements.” Two notable changes are implemented with the passage of the bills. The first is the usage of the terminology “campus population” as opposed to “student enrollment” when evaluating a school population’s environmental impact. The significance behind this change lies in how the term “campus population” encapsulates more than just students and includes UC employees. Second, the legislative measure prevents a court from imposing a
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population cap on any institution should a judge deem that a campus has exceeded its population goals. The judge would instead be required to inform the institution of the issue and can urge them to find alternative means alleviating the impacts of the population growth. This can come in the form of increased housing and financial assistance. In his statement, President Drake also expressed his appreciation for notable individuals in the California legislature who aided in the development and passage of the bill. “The University is deeply grateful for the leadership of Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Budget Committee Chairs Senator Nancy Skinner and Assemblymember Phil Ting in swiftly moving this legislation forward,” he stated. President Drake noted that their leadership was essential in allowing admission offers to a full class of students for the upcoming academic H year. ■ COURTESY OF WALLY GOBETZ VIA FLICKR UNDER CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
Journalist Soledad O’Brien will be the speaker for the Hays Press-Enterprise lecture THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM.
AMARAY ALVAREZ Assistant News Editor
María de la Soledad Teresa O’Brien will be delivering the Hays PressEnterprise lecture on Tuesday, April 19 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The lecture is titled “An Afternoon With Soledad O’Brien: Her Life Stories.” Soledad O’Brien is a journalist, executive producer and CEO who has received several awards in her field. She is the recipient of three Emmys and is a two-time Peabody winner. Her media coverage has ranged from racial issues to Hurricane Katrina and the BP Gulf Coast Oil Spill. Since 2016, O’Brien has been the host of her own show, “Matter of Fact
with Soledad O’Brien,” produced by Hearst Television. Since 2020, she has also released weekly episodes of her podcast, “Very Opinionated with Soledad O’Brien.” As well as being a journalist and media creator, O’Brien is the CEO of Soledad O’Brien Productions, a multiplatform media production company “dedicated to telling empowering and authentic stories on a range of social issues.” During the lecture, O’Brien will be interviewed by Daryle Williams, dean of UCR’s College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. O’Brien will give insight to her career and how she achieved success while overcoming
barriers. The Hays Press-Enterprise Lecture series began in 1966 by the late Howard H. “Tim” Hays, the then editor of The Press-Enterprise newspaper. Hays was a leader in the Citizens University Committee that lobbied the state to open a University of California campus in Riverside, and then served as a founding member of the UCR Board of Trustees. The event will be held virtually through Zoom and is open to the outside community. Those wishing to attend the event can register through the UCR Events Calendar. The UCR Youtube channel will also be livestreaming the H event. ■
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This week, we discuss...
News: UCR Sets New Freshman Application Record Features: Making Ethnic Food in College and The Comedy Closet Radar: Bridgerton Season 2
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Opinions TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL
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The Supreme Court deserves a judge like Ketanji Brown Jackson, whether conservatives like her or not REPUBLICANS WOULD HAVE GRILLED JOE BIDEN’S NOMINATION NO MATTER WHO HE PICKED. JACKSON’S QUALIFICATIONS CANNOT BE OVERSHADOWED BY HER RACE AND SEX.
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ollowing the retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer, President Joe Biden chose to follow through on at least one of his campaign promises: to nominate a Black woman to be Breyer’s successor in the Supreme Court. Of all the potential nominations that were initially on Biden’s radar, the woman he chose, Ketanji Brown Jackson, was an excellent choice given her numerous qualifications as a judge. During her questioning by the Senate, many noted their racially-coded language and lack of generally relevant questions about what she will do as a Justice. The reality is, regardless of what the Senate thinks of Jackson, she’s the woman for the job. The nomination of Jackson has truly shown what a circus the American government has become. Although Jackson
is incredibly qualified, her questioning was a waste of time thanks to Senators asking her about the content of childrens’ books or what she would do if she were “surprised” with a rape allegation in a similar vein to Justice Kavenaugh when he was being nominated. While Republicans are stewing and calling Jackson a “diversity hire,” there’s much more at play here. It must be acknowledged that the United States has become so incredibly divided that even Supreme Court Justices, who are meant to be non-partisan, are expected to hold up the goals of either political party. The hyper-emphasis over the following centuries on what wing a Justice leans towards has become a gross power play that was put on display at Jackson’s questioning. Both Republicans and Democrats really only care about getting people who will support their agendas into the
Supreme Court, despite the fact that the Judges are supposed to be impartial to either party. This doesn’t help when this push to get someone they know opposes their ideas is set to be questioned, and this questioning is televised. Politicians want to put on a show for their supporters; this is especially obvious in the questions the Republicans asked Jackson, essentially saying “I support what you support” to the people that will vote for them, more than actually asking proper questions to Jackson. With midterm elections rapidly approaching, it’s unfortunate that Jackson’s worthiness was drowned out by ridiculous Republican noise. Whoever Biden picked, Republicans would have had something bad to say. Their snide comments about Jackson being a “diversity hire” dismiss all the incredible achievements that she has under her belt;
and yet, they won’t tear her down from being an obviously good choice for the Supreme Court. Though it will still be conservative-leaning, Jackson’s extensive accomplishments — more than several Justices’ combined — mean that she is more than likely to get in all the same. While it is a shame that American politics tried to cloud her professional history, Jackson very clearly will be the next Supreme Court Justice and will bring hope to Americans H across the country.■
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, APRIL 5, 2022
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WHILE UTILITY COMPANIES ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH TO MAKE THEIR EQUIPMENT FIRE RESISTANT, THOSE CHARGED WITH HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE HAVE FAILED IN EVERY CAPACITY.
Responsibility for a lack of wildfire threat mitigation doesn’t only lie with utilities companies
YSABEL NAKASONE Staff Writer
The threat of wildfire season is not something California residents are unfamiliar with, but it’s certainly become even more worrisome as the state has undergone its second driest year on record. California already experiences extensive wildfire seasons due to the effects of climate change, but drawn-out dry spells are expected to continue until summer. This will mean that fuel moisture levels are significantly lower and therefore sparking a greater possibility of wildfires. It’s a shock that the new Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety and the Public Utilities Commission have failed to hold utility companies accountable for their slow progress on antiwildfire safety measures. A report released by the Office of the Acting State Auditor, Micheal Tilden, to the California Legislature concludes that the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety approved deficient wildfire prevention plans of utilities companies. It stated that the plans contained “Class-A deficiencies,” which are the most dangerous and
leave people vulnerable to wildfires and blackouts. Among these approved plans was those by Pacific Gas & Electric, whose equipment caused the Camp Fire in 2018 that had a casualty count of 85. The energy office released a statement disagreeing with the audit and claiming that their intent was to incentivize companies to engage in safety measures The report was also a scathing review slamming the Public Utilities Commission for their failure to enforce or punish violations of necessary safety measures. Specifically, it said the commission “does not use its authority to penalize utilities when its audits uncover violations.” In the PUC’s favor, they responded by publicly announcing that they would work towards putting the suggestions made in the report despite the fact that the audit technically has no authority other than to inform. The truly concerning part of this revelation is not that the utility companies themselves are not doing enough on their own or that they have deprioritized wildfire safety measures. Utility companies are just that: companies.
The United States should have adopted a “Zero COVID” policy It’s imperative to note that China’s
AS THE U.S. DROPS MASK REQUIREMENTS, CHINA COVID reporting is almost certainly CONTINUES ITS AGGRESSIVE ANTI-COVID POLICIES. underreported. All countries seem to HARRY STOLTZ Staff Writer
It’s pretty uncontroversial to say that China could stand to learn a thing or two from liberal democracies around the world. Between cultural genocide of its Uyghur population or crushing surveillance of its population, China is undeniably a menace of human rights violations. Whatever legitimate grievances one could levy against countries like the United States, it’s practically undeniable that our liberal system of government is more effective at protecting civil rights within our borders. Admittedly, this is notably not the case in our foreign policy, and this notion completely falls flat when analyzing the United States’ lackluster response to COVID compared to China’s more aggressive approach. Despite massive underreporting in China, their COVID policies have been much more effective than the United States. Since early 2020, China has attempted to implement an ambitious “zero COVID” policy to fight the pandemic. This meant strict lockdowns in at-risk regions, aggressive quarantines for infected people and large-scale testing of the population. Only half a year later, the pandemic was largely absent from China, with most of the country looking forward to a COVID-safe summer. Meanwhile, the U.S. continued to oscillate between very-concerning and only somewhat-concerning COVID numbers.
underreport COVID deaths to some extent, although this is mostly an administrative issue and not so much a means of “covering up” data. According to an investigation by The Economist, the United States underreports COVID deaths by about 30%. Worldwide, Forbes reports that Amber D’Souza, who is a Professor of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, estimates that the true death toll “is two or three times higher than the number of deaths we know about.” In contrast to the U.S. at approximately 30%, an even more shocking Economist estimate claims that the total death toll in China is likely 1.7 million — roughly twice as many deaths as the United States. According to The Economist, China underreports its COVID death rate by a shocking 17,000%. Even with the country’s malicious underreporting of COVID cases in mind, China still beats the United States on COVID. Despite totalling roughly twice as many deaths, it’s important to keep in mind that China is home to 1.4 billion people compared to the United States’ stilllarge, but much smaller, 330 million. It’s important to call out China’s oppressive political system while still acknowledging the millions of lives saved as a result of “zero COVID.” Had the United States taken a similar approach to COVID, we might be in a much better position, roughly H two years into the pandemic.■
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They do what is economically smart over the costly implementation of wildfire safety measures. That comes as no surprise. What is truly reprehensible is the active choice of the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety to blatantly disregard the very imminent threat of wildfires on humans. They approved plans by ignoring deficiencies and that the safety projects were “targeting the highest-risk portions of the electrical grid,” according to the report. It’s not simply that the energy office is experiencing bureaucratic issues or that small, inconsequential mistakes are being made. There was a purposeful decision not to consider safety. There was negligence. Wildfires are not an abstract threat with
minimal to no consequences. They can directly affect the livelihoods and safety of California inhabitants. In fact, power lines have been responsible for 20 of California’s most destructive wildfires since 2015. Tilden’s report revealed a failure on the part of the utilities companies, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety and the Public Utilities Commission to protect Californians. There have been demands to overhaul and investigate the PUC for their lack of action, and this type of action is not unfounded even with the PUC’s statement in favor of the report. With something that affects Californians in such a widespread manner, holding these organizations H accountable is long overdue.■
COURTESY OF PEXELS ► FROM CÉSAR CHÁVEZ
was able to unionize field workers across the state of California with this simple goal of fair treatment. This is a very brief and simplified version of his legacy, but it’s the version most people hold as the truth. This past Thursday, the Chicano Student Program held its 19th annual César Chávez 5k run, open to anyone in the community no matter their background. This community event was held with the intention of bringing people together to celebrate the achievements of César Chávez. The only contradiction here is that Chávez himself didn’t hold the same values of the importance of community unity. Holding Chávez to such a high standard only highlights the Chicano community’s ability to overlook his many faults as a leader. César Chávez held a hostile mindset towards immigrants coming in from Mexico. Oftentimes, he referred to immigrants by a variety of different racial slurs. He was known to not like the fact that immigrants who came in from Mexico would break picket lines looking for work in the fields. Instead of working to come to a solution which benefited everyone in the community, Chávez would urge his supporters to call immigration on these workers — workers who only wished to provide for their families and who only wanted a brighter future for themselves. When members of the National Farm Workers Association urged him to change his language around immigrants, he simply responded with, “You get these hangups.… They’re wets, you know. They’re wets, and let’s go after them.” This is only a small fraction of the complex legacy left behind by César Chávez. The closer you look into his past, the more this perfect image of a social activist begins to alter, especially when you look into NFWA, which would later become the United Farm Workers of America. It has been reported that he paid his staff little to nothing while using an authoritarian style of leadership. This resulted in many staff members at the time deciding to disassociate with the organization altogether. A hostile working environment which has persisted long after Chávez, with a lawsuit against UFW as recent as 2013. Which cited that employees at the organization had been
repeatedly overworked and underpaid. Powerful phrases like “Viva la Raza” or “Viva César Chávez” are all staples in the Chicano community. However, these phrases have negative connotations when considering the man who coined them was exclusionary not just to immigrants coming in from Mexico, but to key founding communities of the UFW. The Filipino
COURTESY OF MARIO VIA FLICKR UNDER CC-BY-2.0 / ARTIST OCTAVIO OCAMPO
community had already been laying the groundwork for farm worker rights in California years before Chávez. It was on the back of the Filipino community that the very first grape strike was organized which directly led to the creation of the UFW. Yet, when people learn about the creation of the UFW, the Filipino community’s effort is hardly ever recognized. Instead, phrases like “Viva la Raza” are used to alienate people from the cause by prioritizing the Chicano experience instead of the actual community. Nonetheless, it’s been said that every great hero has their faults. After all, nobody is a perfect person. In the case of César Chávez, it’s a rarity within the Chicano community to hear widespread criticism about his legacy. At its core, the movement that was pushed by Chávez was extremely useful for farm workers across the country, a group that even until this day are widely mistreated in the workforce. This movement undeniably set the issues of these workers on a larger stage. The greater dilemma comes from within the Chicano community. It’s a question of ethical morals, questions that have been successfully avoided for years. We can acknowledge the positive effects of the UFW while simultaneously H being critical of its past. ■
8 TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
Features CLUB SPOTLIGHT
FEATURES
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features
The Comedy Closet: UCR’S MOST WELL-KEPT SECRET ... FOR NOW by: Nathaniel Nasongkhl, Contributing writer A FRESH LOOK AT THE MISSION OF UCR’S NASCENT ORGANIZATION: COMEDY CLOSET.
COURTESY OF @COMEDYCLUBUCR VIA INSTAGRAM
ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY OF GSTUDIOIMAGEN
Gather your wit, drop all pretenses of formality and prepare to succumb yourself to egregious laughter. The Comedy Closet is UCR’s first running organization to operate like a Comedy Club. The Comedy Closet is an inclusive space for fellow Highlanders to familiarize themselves with the art of comedy, practice their comedic timing and demonstrate their comedic prowess. “Don’t expect much,” said Comedy Closet President Siah Salazar, who entered his first year at UC Riverside noticing the campus was lacking a place to refine his background in standup comedy. Being a freshman posed significant obstacles to start up the club, but capturing the opportunity, the Comedy Closet has been recognized as an on-campus organization running meetings every Thursday at Boyce Hall 1471 since November 2021. The name Comedy Closet, coined by first-year secretary Citlali Gomez, is a play on the phrase “Coming out of the closet.” Aside from giving the club a light-hearted feel, it represents an overlooked truth that comedy is for everybody and that everyone has the potential to hone the craft. The organization conducts comedy workshops during meetings with a couple main focuses: Stand-up Comedy and Improv. Stand-up comedy is about precise writing, storytelling and holding the art of joke-writing to
a T. In complete contrast, perhaps, improv is about winging it on the spot and letting your imagination out of its cage. Nonetheless, both realms are unique forms of self-expression that relay jovial messages to an audience that may or may not resonate with the performer’s consciousness. “Comedy is a way of thinking and viewing the world. You have to be brave to put yourself out there and perform front and center on a stage.” Towards the end of each quarter, the Comedy Closet hosts a showcase to feature club members, eager to display their acts cultivated over the quarter. Each performer is granted a 5-minute slot within a 2 hour show period. In addition, the organization invites out local Riverside comics to attend, perform, and give talking points. Last winter’s showcase saw the attendance of Dick Salas and Corey Baldwin. President Siah Salazar holds great pride in how the organization has progressed. His favorite aspect is being able to watch those who’ve never attempted it before, be good at it. There is a special feeling of bringing a crowd together and sharing laughter drawn by each member’s individual wisdom. Over 40 people were in attendance in last quarter’s showcase. The Comedy Closet’s is hosting an open mic at the Getaway Cafe next Thursday, H April 7 at 8:00pm. ■
FEATURES
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
9
UNDER THE KILT: Miles and miles
TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE A LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP WORK
By: Alexandria Lachman, Contributing Writer Relationships are hard enough when both partners live in a 5 mile radius, but long distance is a whole new level. For some people it’s a deal breaker, and that’s normal, but there are some people who are all in when the long distance reality begins to arise. With every relationship, there are always going to be struggles and setbacks. One thing that is important especially with long distance is to have open communication. Being honest with your partner is important because without that, then there is no guarantee on the both of you progressing. Being able to speak about your concerns or uncertainty is the key. If down the road one of you feels neglected or, in simpler terms, the long distance is not for you, communicating that will save both of you time and stress in the long run. Let’s be honest, we all have lives and days where it’s hard to talk normally. Having a healthy balance is really what makes or breaks a relationship that already is feeling the tension from being miles apart. Now, with all the seriousness out of the way, there are some ways to help your long distance relationship.
1. mail love letters There’s nothing more romantic than writing out a love note and sending it to your partner. Having the personal touch of thought in an age where people are used to the small digital texts. Pick a day of the week, and just write down what anything and everything; the gesture alone will be enough. The small act can be a monthly ritual and is something your partner will look forward to every month.
2. zoom movie Ever since COVID, there are now a wide variety of different streaming networks that allow both parties to view the same content from one screen. It’s the second best thing to going out for movie night. Make it a night by ordering in food and dressing up or keep it lowkey and just have your favorite snacks. Have a weekly show you both can watch together, and make this a weekly thing or watch the latest movies here and there. The notion itself is what is important.
3. care packages During the times where the long weeks are becoming too much, sometimes sending a care package can make all the difference. Filling a box with their favorite snacks or interest can make the difference during that time apart because honestly, long distance can be a little lonely, and receiving a care package can just show that they’re on your mind. It’s the little things that are H going to make all the difference. ■
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10 TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
Radar
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae
‘Bridgerton’ Season Two
A SLOW BURN LOVE STORY THAT CAPTIVATES AUDIENCES WITH ITS TENSION AND CHEMISTRY
By: Kimberly Bejec, Staff Writer The Regency era romance continues as the eldest Bridgerton battles between choosing his duty and his heart’s desires. Fans have been anticipating another season of Netflix’s highly popular show, “Bridgerton,” since its successful first season in December 2020. The release of the second season on March 25 has reignited audiences’ discussion of the bingeworthy show. The series, based on the novel series of the same title by Julia Quinn, follows the Bridgerton family on each of their love stories. The series follows each of the eight Bridgerton siblings: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth. While the first season focuses on Daphne’s love story (Phoebe Dynevor), the second season follows Anthony’s story. After the unfortunate death of the father, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) took over as Viscount and head of the Bridgerton family. In this season, he is looking for a wife that would be suitable for the role of Viscountess, choosing to keep emotions and love out of the picture. Although fans were disappointed to see the Duke (Regé-Jean Page), Daphne’s love interest in season one leave, season two made up for it with new characters. Season two introduces the Sharmas: Kate and her half-sister Edwina Sharma (Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran) along with their mother, Mary Sharma (Shelley Conn). With Edwina as the diamond of the season, Anthony has his sights set on her. However, he has to get the approval of Kate first, who learns of the Viscount’s reputation as a rake. With Kate wanting the best for her sister, Anthony and Kate butt heads as she tries to stop his advances towards Edwina. The two’s banter sets up the enemies-to-lovers trope that fans of the book were eager to see play out on the streaming platform.
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While the romantic dynamic between Anthony and Kate may have dragged for some, it helped to create the slow-burn romance that their love story is. The gradual romance they have helps to carry the tension between the two leads as they slowly come to terms with their feelings. It sets up anticipation for the couple as their relationship develops and they get through their own obstacles. Bailey and Ashley’s portrayal of Anthony and Kate, respectively, aids in the evident chemistry between the characters. With Anthony and Kate’s intense, yet amusing bickering, the chemistry between them is clear for audiences to see. The tension between the two gives audiences an exciting season that is sure to keep them at the edge of their seats. Their acting is truly commendable, as it gives audiences scenes that stand out from the rest. While scenes with the two contain plenty of chemistry, their overall
acting in the season deserves praise. Bailey’s performance shows how heavy the burden of taking on the role of the family’s patriarch has on him. Despite the arrogance and stubbornness of Anthony, audiences find themselves rooting for the male lead. From the first appearance of Ashley’s character, it was obvious that she would fit well into the show. Her delivery of lines and expressions on her face is what makes her performance as Kate so outstanding. While Bailey and Ashley take on the main roles of this season, side characters’ performances help to bolster the show and give an entertaining season. Since the first season, fans have appreciated the representation of POC characters in the show. Although there was a theory that Queen Charlotte had African ancestry, historians do not have accurate proof to confirm this. However, the show casted Queen Charlotte and a few other characters
with African descent despite being set in London’s Regency period. While this may not be historically accurate, it is a fictional show that has reimagined people of color during this era. Season two gave South Asians representation with the Sharma family. Fans on social media noted how appreciative and represented they felt to see the Sharma family practicing their South Asian culture. Examples of this include Kate putting oil in Edwina’s hair, Edwina doing the haldi ceremony before her wedding, and both sisters using traditional Indian terms of endearment with their family. Despite the many highlights of the season, critics argue the overwhelming amount of side stories that distract from the main story. However, some side stories, especially of the other Bridgerton siblings, help to establish the characters before their own storylines come out. While a few other side stories did steer away from the main story, they help to set up future seasons and provide more plot rather than just the main one. For example, the side plot of Lady Whistledown is important, as the gossip writer influences the main story as well as the scandals that occur during high society’s social H season. ■
Verdict: Season two gives audiences another season filled with drama, fun family dynamics, gossip and plenty of scandal. It is an engaging season that carries on the success from its predecessor and continues the excitement for future seasons.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
Oscars 2022
Breaches in respectability face repercussions AS WILL SMITH AND CHRIS ROCK CONTINUE TO FACE BACKLASH FOR THEIR INTERRUPTION AT LAST WEEK’S OSCARS, THE PARAMETERS OF PROFESSIONALISM SHIFT TO FIT VARYING NARRATIVES. ELIAS ALMAREZ-HERRERA Staff Writer
A live screening of the previously recorded 94th Academy Awards ceremony ran short of three hours long, but just one moment in the top of the third hour has pervaded public discourse in the week following the Sunday night airtime. It was not the moment Ariana Debose earned her monumental win as the first openly queer Afro-Latina to win best supporting actress for her role as Anita in “West Side Story” (2021). No, this year’s “In Memoriam” which honored recently-deceased academy members like Sidney Potier and Betty White did not make headlines the next morning. Even performances of Oscar nominated songs “Be Alive” (2021) and “No Time to Die” (2020) by Beyoncé, Billie Eilish and FINNEAS respectively were overshadowed by one slap seemingly heard across the globe. After co-hosts Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes introduced comedian Chris Rock to present the award for best documentary, the mass lack of face masks served as his opening punchline to the audience of aristocratic industry investors in attendance. He examined the crowd, selecting best actor nominees Will Smith and Javier Bardem for his next comedy bit. An air of awkwardness developed when Rock employed best actress nominee Penélope Cruz as the butt of his joke targeted at Bardem. “If she loses, he can’t win,” he said. “He is praying that Will Smith wins.” From that point, his next joke took a pivot toward actress Jada Pinkett Smith. He continues: “Jada, I love ya. ‘GI Jane 2’, can’t wait to see it.” His comment places Pinkett Smith, who shared publicly that her hair loss is related to alopecia, an autoimmune disease, in comparison to Demi Moore who wore a buzz cut for her role in “GI Jane” (1997). What has taken international media outlets by storm is the fact that Will Smith, known best for his roles in “The Fresh Prince of BelAir” (1990-1996), “I Am Legend” (2008) — and the film that earned him is first award in the best actor category — “King Richard” (2021), proceeded to walk on stage and slap Chris Rock across the face. Once Smith was seated again he proclaimed aloud: “Keep my wife’s name out your f— mouth,” a statement that was censored in the Oscars’ live broadcast of the previously recorded ceremony. It should be noted that the Academy Awards have long cultivated a culture of humbling its academy members through targeted humor relayed by famous hosts and presenters. Comedian Amy Schumer who co-hosted the event made actress Jennifer Lawrence’s alleged pregnancy weight gain the butt of her joke earlier that night, setting the tone for personal-roasting in lieu of thoughtful or substantial comedic efforts. Comedians have seen their role in popular
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culture shift as sociopolitical conditions continue to develop and as time progresses. #OscarsSoWhite makes a resurgence annually and with the continual call for the academy to recognize marginalized artists’ films, the Oscars have made a string of changes to the show’s format to make the night a spectacle; entertainment that leaves a lasting-impression on those who have tuned in and foster fear in the person who risks missing out. The issue lies in the misogyny and sexist messaging that forms the basis of this entertainment. Over 16.8 million people tuned into at least some part of this year’s previously recorded show. Even more have gravitated to coverage of this incident.
“If a person with a disability of any kind is in attendance at any event, they should not be burdened with concern that their condition will be mocked for the entertainment of others.” During his acceptance speech for best actor, Smith spoke on forms of abuse saying, “In this business you … have people disrespecting you and you got to smile and pretend like that’s okay,” he said. The Smith family have developed displays of strategic vulnerability to engage with followers while attempting to remain elusive figures. Will Smith has expressed grieving his inability
to protect his mother growing up under domestic violence. His lived experiences inform his response to the glaring abuse of power present when a comedian directs a room full of people’s attention to a side effect of her illness. The constant need to meme current events and the entitled-nature of all forms of public opinion shed light on a sinister standard in spaces that follow respectability politics. To continue fitting in amongst a crowd who promotes professionalism as a racialized person whose identities have been placed as contradictory to those ideologies, little grace is extended for breaching the code of conduct. For Smith, he addressed a culmination of jokes made at his wife’s expense by Chris Rock. It is becoming increasingly important to shift away from advocating for representation in respectable spaces. Ariana Debose and Troy Kostur both earned recognition in the supporting role categories, representing Afro-Latin and deaf populations respectively. These wins, while deserving of celebration, do not provide tangible benefits to the people who see themselves represented on-stage. If it is belligerent, aggressive or vulgar to defend the safety of immunocompromised people during a performative awards ceremony, there must be room for collective divestment from that space in favor of one that practices inclusivity and accountability. Will Smith’s resignation from the Academy H marks action in that very direction. ■
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Sports TUESDAY, ARPIL 5, 2022
SPORTS
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports
UCR Baseball opened their series against UC Davis with an impressive win THIS FOURTH STRAIGHT VICTORY PUT UC RIVERSIDE IN FIFTH PLACE IN THE BIG WEST. KEVIN CONTRERAS Sports Editor
If you find yourself humming the famous “Take me out to the ballgame” tune, it is because baseball season is underway at UC Riverside. Interim Head Coach Justin Johnson is looking to propel the team forward and turn a new page, especially after last year’s less than favorable performance. A number of rocky performances in the preseason, as well as early Big West match-ups, seemed to set the tone for the rest of the season, but the Highlanders seem to have turned a new page with their most recent display. In the very first inning, the first to complete a loop around the baseball diamond was senior infielder J.D. Mico on behalf of the Aggies, hitting a double towards left field. With two outs on the board, it was up to Nick Leehey to bring Mico home. He singled to center field, which gave Mico just enough time to traverse the final stretch towards home plate, opening up the scoreboard 0-1. From the get go, the Highlanders were able to find their opponents’ pitches early on.
Freshman utility player Andrew Gamez was up to the plate first, taking a walk to first. Redshirt senior Cole Pofek was up next but was hit by pitch, forcing him to take first, and Gamez second. With the first and second bases loaded, the redshirt freshman first baseman, Joey Nicolai, managed to find the ball and reach first by fielder’s choice who targeted Pofek, Gamez now on third. Redshirt senior Dylan Orick stepped up to bat in order to bring his teammates home. He doubled down the right field line, allowing Gamez to score and pushing Nicolai to third. Sophomore infielder Anthony Mata kept it going, singling towards left field which allowed Nicolai to score another point. Mata managed to reach second during a throw, pushing Orick towards home. Mata was able to reach home after the next batter to put the score 4-1 in favor of the Highlanders, the inning ending shortly after. UC Davis managed to score another run during the top of the second inning, trailing by three now. The Highlander’s did not score until the bottom of the third. Mata returned to the plate and helped kick things off, with a single towards third. Freshman Andrew Rivas came shortly after, singling towards right field and advancing towards second on the throw, Mata now on third. Redshirt freshman
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infielder Sean Mcleod was up next and walked to first, leaving the bases fully loaded. Tensions ran high, as sophomore catcher Mason Grace walked up to bat. A double down the right field line was all it took for Mata, Rivas and Mcleod respectively to cross home plate to bring the score 7-2. UC Davis scored yet another run in the fourth inning to bring the score to 7-3. In the bottom of the fourth, the Highlander’s managed to score multiple runs once again. Freshman outfielder Jacob Badawi
was up first and managed a single down left field. Next came Nicolai who walked, pushing Badawi to second base. The Aggie threw a wild pitch, giving both Nicolai and Badawi to advance one base forward. Mata came next and also walked, leaving the bases now completely full. Rivas stepped up to the plate and hit an impressive triple towards left center, bringing Badawi, Nicolai and Mata home and darting the Highlander’s forward 10H 3. ■
A STRONG OPENING FOR THE HIGHLANDERS IGNITED THEIR MOMENTUM FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.
UC Riverside softball team crushes Cal State Fullerton in a 15-5 victory
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HANSEL CHU Assistant Sports Editor
The UC Riverside softball team defeated Cal State Fullerton 15-5 Friday evening at the Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, California. Just the game prior to this one, the Highlanders set a school record with 16 runs against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In this game, UCR set another school record with seven doubles in a single game. UC Riverside came out slinging in the first inning as they amassed six total runs to open up the ball game. Junior infielder Lauryn Garewal got things started off with a single down the left center. Moments later with the bases loaded, a double down left center field from redshirt junior infielder Max Ortega put the first runs on the scoreboard for the Highlanders, 3-0. A couple hitters later,
a home run hit from redshirt sophomore catcher Jantzen Owen brought home another three runs for UC Riverside as they led 6-0. In the bottom of the first, Cal State Fullerton responded with a three-run home run from junior Deshea Hill bringing the score to 6-3 at the end of the first inning. In the top of the second inning, UCR continued to dominate from the bat as back to back doubles from sophomore catcher Gigi Araki and sophomore infielder Kat Montuya brought in another two runs to extend the Highlander lead to 8-3. In the top of the third inning, junior shortstop Marissa Burk joined the action with a double down the infield line to bring in another two runs for UC Riverside. Moments later, Araki hit another double down center field to bring in a run and pushed the lead
to 11-3 for UCR. Senior pitcher Chrys Hildebrand was excellent on the mound in the bottom of the second and third inning as she allowed no hits and 10 strikes, which included two strikeouts. In the top of the fourth inning, the Highlanders were shut out as they had three consecutive outs at the bat. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Titans managed to get on the scoreboard once again as a home run from sophomore catcher Jessi Alcala brought in two scores for Cal State Fullerton. In the top of the fifth inning, UC Riverside went back to their dominance at the bat as they brought in another four runs to bring the score to 15-5, one run shy of the school record they set just the game before. Ortega and Montuya both hit two run home runs to extend the Highlander lead. In the bottom of the fifth inning,
redshirt senior pitcher Katie Barbarack closed out the game with a strikeout and a groundout to give UC Riverside the win 15-5. Hildebrand in 4.0 IP allowed only two hits and had five strikeouts, but also allowed five runs in the four innings. Ortega, Montuya, and Owen all hit home runs in the game. Ortega led the team with five RBI, while Montuya and Owen both contributed three RBI each. The Highlanders improved their record to 13-18 (4-5) and sit in sixth place in the Big West Conference standings. They will take on UC Davis at home in a three-game series next H weekend from April 8-9.■