Vol. 71, Issue 07 by The Highlander- UCR

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, November 8, 2022

VOL. 71, ISSUE 07

est. 1954

CHECK OUT OUR REVIEW OF “MIDNIGHTS”

PAGE 13

FEATURES Riverside celebrates Día de los Muertos covered in marigolds for its 19th annual festival JAELYN GONZALEZ Assistant Radar Editor

FEATURES

COURTESY OF REPUBLIC RECORDS

A Conversation with Jennette McCurdy tackled topics of mental health, eating disorders, family dynamics and McCurdy’s experience as a child actress AMARAY ALVAREZ Opinions Editor

and was instantly mesmerized by the flavors. The pairing of the seasoned guacamole and the savory carne asada was worth every bite. I also purchased the “Churaffle,” a combination of churro and waffle, from a vendor exclusively selling flavored waffles on a stick. Despite its clever idea, it was met with disappointment as the waffle was not fully cooked.

Upon arriving at the event, the streets of Riverside were filled with stunning makeup, Folklorico dresses and ranchero boots. The excitement from those entering was exhilarating as guests were greeted with banda music from the main stage on 14th Street. Dancing on the corner of University Street and Market Street was the unofficial requirement before entering the festival.

Shopping vendors all across Southern California were stationed along Market Street with toys, clothing and jewelry. Huipils, a common dress native to Mexican and Central Americans, were common to see and embroidered with intricate designs. The richness of Mexican culture was not shied away from, as leather goods from Guanajuato and beautiful jewelry from Oaxaca were on the market.

Along Market Street were food and shopping stalls. Food options ranged from traditional Mexican food to street tacos. I was able to try the “California Burrito” from Tacos Before Vatos

Occurring every so often, lines of Aztec dancers packed the street with smells of copal incense. The smell of copal incense is an enormous factor in the holiday, as it is said to be a

In preparation of McCurdy’s arrival, anxious and excited students began lining up about four hours before at 3 P.M., although the event did not start until seven. The line could be seen between Rivera and Watkins Hall stretching to the Bell Tower. It was said by students waiting in line that those who arrived to wait at 5:15 P.M. were the last few to make it into the theater once doors opened. Despite the large turnout, ASPB kept control of the crowd and gave those who had their R’cards a wristband before being sent to a bag search by security.

► SEE DIA DE LOS MUERTOS PAGE 11

The moderator of the event was ASPB’s Senior Coordinator, Jazmin Alvarez Barragan. She hosted the first half of

the evening guiding the conversation and started by asking McCurdy about her recovery through her eating disorder and abusive family dynamic. McCurdy welcomed the questions and did not shy away from starting with difficult topics. She stated that “we shouldn’t sugar coat topics when we are trying to heal” and that “humor can be a great coping mechanism if it isn’t used as a defensive mechanism.” She also spoke about her relationship with therapy and how it opened her eyes to the toxic relationship her mother had created where McCurdy had no choice but to obey and suffer. Her relationship with her mother ultimately resulted in the other mental health problems she faced throughout her career and 20’s. After this first portion, McCurdy read an excerpt from her book where she detailed the events of her attending an award show. She had just begun therapy and her therapist attended the event to help watch over McCurty so that she would not binge and purge as award shows were a trigger. Despite the evening resulting in a panic attack, McCurdy was held accountable and not permitted to give in to the unhealthy ► SEE ASPB PAGE 10

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OPINIONS 6

FEATURES 9

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

Study Break Massage 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 245 Costo Hall

Sensory Pop-Up Experience 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. SRC North

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid Campus Forum 10 a.m. to11 a.m. Virtual Event

Trans Group Meeting 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Campus Closed for Veterans’ Day 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday

Cabaret Matinee 2:30 p.m. Arts 113

Big Bear Weekend Adventure Big Bear OE Shop

Saturday

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 2022

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News

NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

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Alumna Katherine S. Newman appointed as provost of the University of California ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

The UC Board of Regents, on Oct. 18, approved Katherine S. Newman to be named the UC Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. Effective Jan. 9, she will serve as the University of California’s chief academic officer, following her tenure as the current system chancellor for academic programs and the senior vice president for economic development for the University of Massachusetts. She will lead the university’s efforts to advance academic opportunity and inclusive excellence across the 10-campus system. A California native and alumna of UC San Diego, she was selected after a nationwide search and numerous deliberations with a UCwide advisory committee made up of faculty, students, staff and other senior officials. Newman earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and sociology, and then earned her doctoral degree in anthropology at UC Berkeley. Her teaching career commenced at Berkeley Law in the

doctorate program in jurisprudence and social policy.

with the UC Academic Senate and other academic leaders.

Additionally, she has also held the positions of director of the Institute of International and Regional Studies at Princeton University, founding dean of social science at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University and provost at the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 2014-2017.

Newman will replace the current Provost Michael T. Brown, who is stepping down after five years in the role. UC President Michael V. Drake noted Brown’s achievements, having said, “I’m deeply grateful to Provost Brown for the many significant contributions he has made to the University over these past five years. With his leadership on the 2030 goals, UC has charted a bold path for the years ahead.”

“It is the honor of a lifetime to return to the University of California, my alma mater twice over as an undergraduate and a graduate student,” Newman said. “I lost count at nine in totaling up the number of people, across three generations of my family, who have completed their degrees within the UC system. Its excellence in all spheres — from its remarkable faculty to its extraordinary students — is recognized the world over. “ As part of this position, Newman will direct UC policy developments, oversee academic planning and work

Newman will lead the university’s efforts to advance academic opportunity and inclusive excellence.

UC President Drake has also voiced his praises explaining, “Dr. Newman is an excellent choice for helping us realize the vision of those goals. She is a talented academic leader who cares deeply about public higher education and the vital role it plays in helping communities thrive. I look forward to working with her to advance our shared academic priorities, including the important work underway to close equity gaps across the University of California H and to diversify our professoriate.” ■

New research reevaluates real causes of Salton Sea shrinkage

COURTESY OF PEXELS

ANN TAI Contributing Writer

In a study published in August 2022, Juan S. Acero Triana, UCR hydrologist, and Dr. Hoori Ajami determined the causes of the shrinking Salton Sea through models and data mining. Triana is a postdoctoral scholar specializing in hydrology, the science that examines the movement, the properties of, and relationship of water with its environment. Dr. Hoori Ajami is an assistant professor of Groundwater Hydrology in the Department of Environmental Sciences at UCR. The Salton Sea, despite its name, is not a sea at all. It is California’s largest lake, located in southern Riverside. It was created in the spring of 1905, when the Colorado River bursted an irrigation canal and flooded the Salton Sink, a dried riverbed in Southern California. Two years of continuous flooding before the canal was sealed up created the Salton Sea, an inland lake amidst the dry landscape. Tourism quickly sprung up around the lake as people flocked to the lake for water related sports and recreation. Due to its landlocked nature and being cut off from its water source, it has been maintained mostly by irrigation runoffs from agricultural practices in nearby Imperial and Coachella Valley. Due to the pesticides and other waste from the runoffs, the lake was becoming increasingly toxic. The water started to evaporate and the salinity in the lake rose. Birds and fish began to die off. Strong winds blew the toxins from the dried up riverbed into nearby Latinx and Indigenous communities. The tourists have long gone, yet the 650,000 residents in the area bear the brunt of the plethora of serious health issues (e.g. asthma) that were a result of the lake’s toxicity. Endorheic lakes such as the Salton Sea are landlocked and do not flow to an external body of water such as a river. They lose water through evaporation and seepage into the ground. They mostly occur in arid or semi-arid places. The researchers highlighted that endorheic lakes are essential for biodiversity and also “provide numerous ecosystem services,” such as retaining pollutants, but

Research by UCR hydrologists reveals the true causes of the shrinkage of California’s largest and most polluted lake.

they are “one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world” as climate change and water mismanagement tips the balance on these systems.

More information can be found in Triana and Ajami’s paper. ■ H

In their study, the researchers determined that the decreased inflows from the Colorado River was the cause of the lake’s shrinkage, not the decrease of irrigation runoffs as previously thought. They used Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) simulations to identify the major factors of change on the water level of the Sea. They considered many variables that might affect the Sea’s water level, such as the climate, soil type, plant growth, and other surrounding factors. They used a multivariate approach; monthly time series of the precipitation, lake water balance, irrigation volume, and valley crop evapotranspiration–the sum of all the processes of evaporation and transpiration–were analyzed. The results showed that there were no significant changes in the climate but the water levels have gradually decreased since 1998. SWAT generates time series decomposition to identify the nonlinear relationships in the trends in order to find the major drivers of the water depletion. Through datamining, the results indicated that the decreased supply of water from the Colorado River was the main cause of the declining water level. The water from the Colorado river is mostly diverted to American and Mexican territories for agricultural purposes. They found that state water transfers correlate to the water depletion in the Salton Sea. The researchers believe that the frameworks they developed could be useful for other regions to identify meteorological versus manmade changes on lake depletion. The models will also be beneficial for basins with little existing data where the satellite analysis can only provide estimates of the climate and other environmental factors.

COURTESY OF MARC COOPER VIA FLICKR UNDER CCO 1.0

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NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

ASUCR announces their Solidarity with Iranian Students

SENATE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND STAFF RATIFICATIONS WERE ALSO PRIORITIES DURING THIS MEETING. HARU CHANG Assistant News Editor

The ASUCR Senate meeting was called to order at 6:30pm on Wednesday, Nov. 2. Besides President Pro Tempore Aalani Richardson and BCOE Senator Chloe Au, who arrived later during the meeting, all were present. A motion to add staff ratifications and judicial updates under Ex-Officio Reports on the agenda was approved by CHASS Senator Ruhi Barman and seconded by SPP Senator Sean Nguyen. SB-F22-002 was added to the LRC on the agenda. This motion was approved by CHASS Senator Brandon Huang and seconded by CNAS Senator Abby Choy. Another motion to add the ASUCR statement in solidarity with Iranian students under New Business was approved by CHASS Senator Alaa Mido and seconded by Sen. Huang. Finally, the agenda was approved by CNAS Senator Brenden Cano and seconded by CHASS Senator Hemant Hari. The previous meeting minutes were approved and the senate opened the floor to the public. Anjana Narasimhan, the Executive Fellow of the President, announced the schedule of the UCR Global Fair on Nov. 22 at 5 P.M. till 7P.M.. Students are welcomed to attend the celebration of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds where they will have the opportunity to connect with organizations on campus like Costo Hall’s Ethnic and Gender programs. The venue is to be determined, but Narasimhan stated that HUB 302 is being considered. The Executive Vice President Myra Usmani announcement concerned the application deadline of one CNAS and CHass senator positions. The applications are due Nov. 8 and the ratification of those new positions will be held the coming Wednesday in front of the Senate. Nimisha Gupta was ratified as the new Commissioner of Academic Affairs during the Ex-Officio Reports. Chief Justice Arias made a few announcements. Elections Director applications are open and Arias hopes that an E.D. will be selected and nominated by the next meeting for ratification. New Interim Vice Chief Fadi Zaki will be filling in the position in place of the current Vice Chief who took the quarter off for UCDC affairs. The Judicial meetings, concerns, or violations to be scheduled through their Judicial Secretary Michelle Wang. The first open meeting will be on Nov. 7, held at the Senate Chambers. Motion to open SB-F22-007 for an amendment to chapter 11 bylaws and SB-F22-008 to update the second position of commissioner of sexual harrassment and sexual violence prevention stipend were approved. CA-F22-002 saw the title change of the Marketing and Promotions Director to Vice President of Marketing and Promotions. This change would affect the next year’s senate since this is a Constitutional Amendment. All three motions were approved 14-0-0.

ASUCR’s statement in Solidarity with Iranian Student Community supports the protests. ASUCR finds that it is their collective responsibility to condemn the Iranian Regime and stand in solidarity with the people of Iran mobilizing against an oppressive systemic structure. ASUCR demands that UC President Drake recognize the letter created by the Iranian Student of California and meet their demands. “We are currently in the process of creating a resolution to provide specific support for students who have families that reside outside of countries that are going through political turmoil that can affect the student’s well being financially, academically, and emotionally UC-wide.” During public comments President Assaf elaborated on the updates from the previous week: working on matching other UC’s sustainable substitutions to important college necessities like cars, scooters, etc; Writing a resolution to create a lactation room for student parents; Working with VPCIA Nassar to have 24 hour access to the library during finals; Sponsoring many Basic Needs events, allocated $25k from her budget for this quarter. Concerning the Library hours, VPCIA Nassar discovered that the library is currently extremely understaffed. The Library is projected to be open until 2 A.M. during finals weeks, although not its full 24 hours. The handful of pro-staff available will be in rotation. For extended library hours pro-staff must be present and student staff are not allowed to be running these hours. Assistant Dean of Students, Interim Executive Director, HUB Director Brendon O’Brien introduced himself to the Senate. He will be restoring the HUB closing hours to 11 P.M. During finals week, rooms will be blocked out to be study spaces for students. He reported to be trying his best to find more adequate meditation rooms. In addition, he mentioned the SSC does have a lactation room available for student parents. CHASS Senator Jules Yang announced he is working on a Senate resolution with other Senators to extend library hours for students. Attended two Campus Safety Committee meetings to hold an event for Nov. 15. Discussed finalizing roles and organizational structure of the committee. The senator plans on collaborating with the International Student Committee to host two events. He is currently working on CHASS town halls with the Senators, and has been in contact with many orgs, and academic advisors on campus to attend their events.

centives like gift cards and food. Sen. Elkatat expressed interest in working on the legislation for the expansion of meditation room availability. The SOE senator was the secondary author for the Resolution in Solidarity of Iranian Students of California. SPP Senator Nguyen has been assigned to the Campus Safety Alliance Committee to assist through the Personnel Committee. Nguyen reported the Campus Safety Resource Fair being hosted on Nov. 15 and working on securing boba milk tea drinks for the event. He was able to pass 5 pieces of legislation and table 1 that should be presented to the Senate next week. An upcoming project Nguyen reported on was a CalFresh event in collaboration with CNAS Senator Choy and CHASS Senator Huang. Nguyen reported that he was in conversation with the deans, trying to get more SPP students to be more involved with ASUCR. CNAS Senator Shah presented 4 GCAP Green Grants to the Senate and all 4 were approved by the Senate earlier in the meeting. Concerning the Personnel Committee, Shah reported a unanimous vote for the Vice Chair. Shah announced that the first event planned by the Women’s Rights and Equity Committee was this Friday to discuss the state of Iranian women. Shah hoped to facilitate a safe and open environment for women. The senator also invited Dr. Louis Santiago and his entire research lab to speak at the CNAS town hall. Sen. Shah is currently working with CNAS Sen. Choy of possibly creating/implementing a Public Health major For the Roundtable Announcements, BCOE Senator Alexander Hunt made a correction to the GCAP movie night: Nov. 3 in AI Bowl at 5 P.M.. Senator Shah followed with another announcement that the Women’s Rights and Equity event was this Friday in the HUB. The motion to adjourn the meeting was approved by Senator Cheng and seconded by Senator Shahe at 7:40 H P.M. ■

SOE Senator Leyan Elkatat reported to be holding a meeting and introducing new committee members for the Undergraduate education committee. Elkatat reviewed and voted on adding two more Honors courses in SOE: HPNG149 & HPNG150. The senator is preparing for the SOE town hall on Nov. 9 in HUB 355. Elkatat reported having already emailed academic advisors, education committee, and will be preparing in-

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Opinions

OPINIONS

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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

Endorsements by the media should not be blindly followed, instead they should be used as a place to start Alden Global Capital, the second-largest newspaper publisher in the United States, has announced this election season that it will no longer endorse political candidates running for president, gubernatorial and senate positions. This shift comes as more people are paying attention to and realizing the importance of local elections. With a large majority of people now becoming more politically active, this change ends a long standing print tradition, but welcomes a new era for people wanting to better understand their local government. The end of endorsements is occurring as print media tries to distance themselves from misinformation. Endorsements are meant to help guide voters and provide information so that they can make sense of the political sphere. The opinion articles that come out with the newspapers’ candidate choices, however, are often taken as fact and used with little to no outside research done by the reader. This problem is not the fault of readers but instead falls on the way elections and politics are conducted in the country. Political jargon is confusing to the average person and is made to keep voters in the dark. The influx of campaign material that people receive and intake, whether online, through television, text messages or in the mail, is overwhelming. Instead, most people end up following endorsements and guides from publications or organizations that they already trust to make their voting decisions. This can be harmful and creates a less political and media literate nation. Endorsements from news sites can also be detrimental to a publication’s credibility. While journalism should be neutral and unbiased, the majority of media companies tend to lean towards different sides of the political spectrum with some being more towards the right or left. Readers of the various newspapers typically understand the position of the company that they support, but not everyone should be expected to distinguish the difference. This is especially true if someone is a first time voter or if English is not their first language. In this instance they can fall victim to the agenda of a side that does not align with their needs. It is also a concern of how the candidates endorsed are being selected. Not all endorsements are transparent and there could be lobbying or other deals being made behind the scenes that the public is oblivious to. The candidates selected reflect the company and can result in backlash if they end up in a scandal. It is difficult to know everything about a candidate and their political lives are often considered separate from their personal lives, although they should be looked at as a whole candidate.

SHIFTING FROM NATIONAL TO LOCAL ENDORSEMENTS WILL CREATE A PUBLIC THAT IS MORE POLITICALLY EDUCATED.

By shifting from national endorsements to local ones, newspapers can better assist their communities. Too many voters only take an interest in national elections. They are taught to trust the two party system and typically vote for the candidate that their party has also already endorsed. These types of voters then get upset when the change they want to see at the local level doesn’t happen. Governments at all levels should be prioritized, especially local, as they are the ones who make most of the decisions that affect us daily. By not paying attention to these candidates when they are first starting their political careers, Americans are allowing them to rise up in ranking without knowing if they have the same values that they consider important. Only allowing local endorsements can create a space for the common person to better understand their own community. Starting with this change could open local politics to a larger array of people who may otherwise feel that it is too complicated or less known to them. Endorsements, however, can only be helpful if the public knows how to use the information they are given. These endorsements should not be taken as fact or used as the only source of research the person does. They should be a place to start and continue from when examining who and what to vote for. This shift in politics, along with material that H is readable, will create a public that is more politically active and educated. ■

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.

COURTESY OF PEXELS

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Critical race theory should be taught in K-12 schools RAMITA SETTY Contributing Writer

IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO BECOME WELL-ROUNDED CITIZENS, CRT IS A NECESSARY TOPIC FOR THE CLASSROOM. This past April, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District banned the teaching of critical race theory. In response, Cal State Fullerton announced that they would be temporarily halting the placement of their student teachers in the district, claiming that the new policies of the district did not align with the university’s beliefs. Critical race theory is an academic framework that centers on the idea that racism is systemic and not just the product of individual people or prejudices. The events to ban it are a part of the broader portrait of anti-critical race theory panic gripping the nation. It is necessary for schools to not keep their students in complete ignorance of complex issues like race, and how they affect them and the society they live in. Marie Evanston, a UCR Professor that teaches contemporary moral issues such as racism, explained, “Critical race theory asks us to look more closely at the assumption of individualism. That as an individual person living in a society you are subject to systems and institutions, which mean that you’re not completely free.” Understanding the deeper systemic forces that affect an individual’s path to success is important because it is impossible to dismantle them otherwise. This is why there is such a push to demonize critical race theory. If it is seen as a problem and not a solution, then there is less willingness to embrace any tools that will allow people to critically assess the forces that shape – and for some, oppress – their lives. It allows the government to pretend everything is fine and that the system doesn’t need change. Fullerton’s punitive response to the school district’s resolution may prompt some to question if it was reasonable for a higher education institution to demand this of public school districts. Fullerton and Placentia-Yorba Linda have an almost symbiotic relationship. A large percentage of the district’s students will go to California colleges, like Fullerton, where they will employ the knowledge and critical thinking skills they learned in school. Once they graduate, a number of them will go back to school districts like Placentia-Yorba as educators. Fullerton has chosen now to break this mutually beneficial relationship, and it has the right and responsibility to do so. The moral panic conservatives have generated over critical race theory has been slowly working at a microscopic level, through the actions of individual school districts such as Placentia-Yorba Linda. It signals a bleaker future for critical race theory. As the demonization of it continues, ideological stand-offs like the one between Fullerton and Placentia-Yorba Linda will only get worse unless there is a concerted effort to combat this. A hard line has been drawn, and students along with overworked teachers will be the ones hurt the most if America continues to be unable to have a meaningful talk H about systemic racism that leads to real change. ■

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OPINION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

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President Biden should reschedule marijuana HARRY STOLTZ Staff Writer

President Biden recently announced thousands of pardons for people convicted of marijuana possession at a federal level. “I am announcing a pardon of all prior Federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana… There are thousands of people who have prior Federal convictions for marijuana possession, who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My action will help relieve the collateral consequences arising from these convictions.” The pardons will clear the records of around 6,500 Americans, allowing them easier employment and even voting rights in states like Florida, where felons have restricted access to voting. Although no one is currently in federal prison for marijuana possession – the federal government stopped prosecuting the charge in 2016 – President Biden urged state governments to issue similar pardons in their own jurisdiction. Perhaps more significantly, President Biden also announced his intention to “look into” rescheduling marijuana from a schedule I drug to a lower classification, which could potentially decriminalize it federally, and even trigger decriminalization in many states. If he follows through with this move, President Biden would remove a massive burden from millions of

Americans – disproportionately minority groups. While the President can’t change state laws, he has direct influence over federal law. Even federally, Biden’s legal scholars agree that he can’t unilaterally decriminalize the drug – or even reschedule it unilaterally. This process is up to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the HHS. Luckily for Biden, the HHS is an executive branch agency, which means that he has direct influence over the agency. Among the president’s powers is the ability to ask HHS Secretary Xavier Beccara – who was appointed by President Biden last year – to review the scheduling of Marijuana or other drugs. In the president’s statement, he announced that he was instructing Secretary Beccara and Attorney General Merrick Garland “to initiate the administrative process to review expeditiously how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.”

United States’ broken view on crime, we not only have the most prisoners of any country, we also have the most prisoners per capita at 639 prisoners per 100,000 citizens. Furthermore, mental health experts have already cautioned against treating drug use as a crime. An analysis done by Pew Charitable Trusts found no correlation between imprisonment and a decline in drug use. If criminalization doesn’t reduce drug use, it serves as a purely punitive measure – one which burdens millions of Americans, often on racial grounds. The War on Drugs needs to end, and the fight to decriminalize H Marijuana is one of its biggest battles.■

PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED PARDONS FOR 6,500 FEDERAL CONVICTIONS OF MARIJUANA POSSESSION - THESE MOVES TOWARD DECRIMINALIZING MARIJUANA ARE SORELY NEEDED.

Decriminalizing marijuana would be an important step towards a more just legal system. Despite using at around the same rate, Black Americans are almost four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than white Americans. As a consequence of the

Political candidates don’t get to claim privacy and avoid being held responsible for their platform YSABEL NAKASONE Assistant Opinion Editor

This October, a second woman has come forward alleging that political candidate Herschel Walker pressured her into having an abortion. According to Jane Doe, she and the, at that point, married Walker had an affair which led to pregnancy. At which point, the candidate asked her to get an abortion. After not wanting to go through with the procedure when she went to the clinic alone, she says Walker drove her a second time and waited in the parking lot during the procedure. This paints a troubling picture for a number of reasons, including that it’s direct clash with Walker’s platform and support of the 15 week abortion ban. Jane Doe has said that despite her voting for former President Trump and her independent voting status, she feels that Walker’s platform is a danger to the people of Georgia. As a public figure, there should be a reasonable expectation of privacy when it comes to things like one’s family, but that doesn’t apply to illegal actions, actions which impact other people or actions which paint one as a hypocrite. In this specific instance, this is

primarily Jane Doe’s story. If she has decided to make her private life public, that is her right. Walker’s alleged actions, which was essentially an unwanted and forced abortion, are traumatizing and irreparable. Candidates asking for citizens’ votes do not have the right to hide their misdoings from the public, especially when they are in direct opposition to how they want to shape the country. Walker, as someone who will never understand the difficulties of making decisions regarding reproductive healthcare, shouldn’t get to ban abortions and make women feel more unsafe in the first place. It’s even more despicable when his position seems to be nothing more than an insincere political maneuver to get widespread Republican support. Walker doesn’t appear to be interested in living by the standards he’s setting, and he’s not entirely in the wrong because he won’t have to live by them. He, like every other male lawmaker who will never get pregnant and supports abortion bans, shouldn’t be a part of such legislation because he has no real stake in the

outcome. Additionally, abortions remain accessible only to the independently wealthy who can pay to travel to sanctuary states like Walker. There does have to be a line between what is public and private. There are things that candidates should not be required to expose about themselves and that the people do not have a right to know. If a piece of information is not pertinent to a person’s platform or position, the public does not have a right to know. Being a public figure shouldn’t mean one’s life becomes a side show. However, the expectations for those running for public office is greater than a general public figure or a regular person, so when hypocritical choices are made public, there’s no longer an expectation of privacy in regard to that decision. In other words, when people run for higher office, they should be prepared to be held to a H higher standard. ■

THERE SHOULD BE A CLEAR BOUNDARY BETWEEN WHAT IS CONSIDERED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INFORMATION, BUT PRIVACY SHOULDN’Y BE A TOOL TO KEEP MISDOINGS A SECRET.

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What Mercury means for your love life… YSABEL NAKASONE Assistant Opinions Editor

Aeries

Taurus

Aries in Mercury goes straight to the point and expect everyone else to as well. The good news is that the person you’re thinking of will respond, at least slightly, to your honest and brash nature. They need encouragement in this regard and you will need to take the lead.

Gemini

Mercury is not particularly kind to you, Taurus. It makes you hesitant and you rush nothing. Make sure you know when the caution ends, and the delaying begins. The person you’re interested in won’t wait forever and you have to consider that being a bit headstrong and giving in to risk could, oddly enough, be the practical option.

You’re being too logical, Gemini. Mercury makes you scattered as you consider your options at a mile a minute so you’re leaning on what is clear and things you can find evidence for. You keep looking for explicitly obvious signs of this person’s feelings for you, but you are leaving emotion out of your analysis. The thing is, finding the answer to this puzzle means understanding emotion.

Leo

Cancer

Cancer, Mercury is bringing out your introspective side. This period is making you more thoughtful and considerate, allowing you to better read and understand the feelings of others. This season is giving you insight into someone important to you and allowing you to strengthen the current state of your relationship, laying the foundation for greater connection with them in the near future.

Virgo

You’re looking for honesty, Leo. Based on Mercury, you are prioritizing sincerity. You don’t want things dressed up and down with this person, just the plain bare bones truth. Make it clear that you’re not interested in tip-toeing around either of your feelings and you will accept their feelings or lack thereof towards you.

Mercury has you in a state, Virgo. As your feelings may be clear to you, you’re having difficulties communicating them clearly. You’ve got yourself in line and are succeeding independently, you feel that your attempts at flirting and making your feelings clear are falling flat and are rather lackluster.

Scorpio

Libra

Libra, you seem to be entrenched in this role of peacekeeper. You’re focused on balancing everyone else’s ideas of how you should handle your own feelings so much that you seem neutral about something rather important to you. You’re asking the right questions in breaking down your emotions, but you’re asking the wrong person for the answers. The right person to ask, by the way, is you.

Sagittarius You’re in the mood to get a reaction out of someone. In an effort to get the attention of one person, you’ve decided the best way is to be a spectacle on the off chance they’re paying attention. Mercury has you feeling a bit desperate, but you don’t need to be. Take a minute and pay attention to the person whose attention you’re looking for and you’ll realize that they were looking before.

As N are ovem sea wel ber s ta son l in , a to S rts w c t Me ime r orpio e rcu ul ed ry by

Mercury has you hiding your feelings, Scorpio. You’re shoving your little crush down deep. You don’t feel like sharing with your friends how you feel because you don’t feel like you have a handle on these emotions. Your usual way and energy don’t seem to be having an effect on the subject of your affections so you feel stunted. Ride this out, Scorpio, you’ll get a handle on it soon enough.

Capricorn

Mercury in Capricorn likes to change direction at every chance. This season is one of shifting dynamics for you and lots of options. You’re not looking for one person and you’re having fun. You don’t feel like living by a strict set of rules at the moment and feel like going with the flow for the time being. Rigidity has no place with you right now, Capricorn.

Aquarius

Mercury is bolstering you up, Aquarius. You’re going out more and feeling more confident. This is translating to others who find your forwardness and spirit as you gain the attention of many. However, be careful of those who only wish to feed off your determination and break it down in the hopes of lifting themselves up.

Pisces

You’re mysterious this time of year, Pisces. Your thoughts remain impervious to others. The problem is, as you try to discern the feelings of someone important and hide your own, they are doing the same. Someone has to make a move first because all this pining H and angst is all to dreary. ■

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

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A Conversation with Jennette McCurdy tackled topics of mental health, eating disorders, family dynamics and McCurdy’s experience as a child actress AMARAY ALVAREZ Opinions Editor

UCR’s Associated Students Program Board hosted, “A Conversation with Jennette McCurdy” this past Wednesday featuring the actress, and now author, Jennette McCurty. During her talk, McCurdy discussed her New York Times Best Selling book, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” as well as topics regarding the entertainment industry and her journey with recovery. In preparation of McCurdy’s arrival, anxious and excited students began lining up about four hours before at 3 P.M., although the event did not start until seven. The line could be seen between Rivera and Watkins Hall stretching to the Bell Tower. It was said by students waiting in line that those who arrived to wait at 5:15 P.M. were the last few to make it into the theater once doors opened. Despite the large turnout, ASPB kept control of the crowd and gave those who had their R’cards a wristband before being sent to a bag search by security. The moderator of the event was ASPB’s Senior Coordinator, Jazmin Alvarez Barragan. She hosted the fi rst half of the evening guiding the conversation and started by asking McCurdy about her recovery through her eating disorder and abusive family dynamic. McCurdy welcomed the questions and did not shy away from starting with difficult topics. She stated that “we shouldn’t sugar coat topics when we are trying to heal” and that “humor can be a great coping mechanism if it isn’t used as a defensive mechanism.” She also spoke about her relationship with therapy and how it opened her eyes to the toxic relationship her mother had created where McCurdy had no choice but to obey and suffer. Her relationship with her mother ultimately resulted in the other mental health problems she faced throughout her career and 20’s. After this fi rst portion, McCurdy read an excerpt from her book where she detailed the events of her attending an award show. She had just begun therapy and her therapist attended the event to help watch over McCurty so that she would not binge and purge as award shows were a trigger. Despite the evening resulting in a panic attack, McCurdy was held accountable and not permitted to give in to the unhealthy needs of her eating disorder. The crowd cheered following the end of the passage praising her strength.

EAGER STUDENTS SPENT HOURS CAMPING OUT IN ANTICIPATION OF MCCURDY’S ARRIVAL. Students Dina Mirmotalebisohi, a 2nd-year biology major, and Hana Hassan, a 2nd-year philosophy major, hosted the student question and answer portion during the second half of the talk. While in line, members of ASPB walked around with QR codes that allowed students to submit questions. The questions asked ranged from topics in her book to less serious questions like if McCurdy was a morning or night person. She responded that she preferred the night. McCurdy stated that implementing boundaries is important when considering self care and that developing your own fashion style is a pivotal step when in recovery. She even admitted that she’s a Sabrina Carpenter fan. The last question asked was what the best advice that McCurdy had received was. She responded that what she could think of at the moment was “to keep your eyes on your own paper,” advice that was given to her by friends that are also writers. This means that you shouldn’t compare yourself to others and that you should focus on your own work. Overall those who were lucky enough to attend the event had a good time and McCurdy was friendly throughout the evening. Star-struck students cheered as McCurdy stated their names and answered their questions directly. A select few were also able to connect with her when she reversed roles and began asking the audience questions such as what people’s favorite ice cream ﬂavors were and if they had read the novel “The Three Women.” She ended by taking a group selﬁe with attendees right before leaving for the night. While the University Theater is a nice venue, it was too small for the crowd with about 200 students being turned away. Camping culture has taught young people that it is normal to clear their schedules and wait for hours in order to meet someone famous. There was no registration for the talk and it was not live streamed. Getting an accurate count of students who wanted to attend would have allowed for the use of a larger space or the option to watch online. ■ H

WALT DISNEY TELEVISION | SEBACHEBA

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Riverside celebrates Día de los Muertos covered in marigolds for its 19th annual festival

JAELYN GONZALEZ Assistant Radar Editor

A COMMEMORATION OF THE COMMUNITY’S LOVED ONES GROWS STRONGER THAN EVER ON SATURDAY’S FESTIVAL.

On Saturday, November 5th, Riverside’s community gathered for its Day of the Dead, Día de Muertos, festival. The festival ran through the heart of Downtown Riverside along Market Street, between 14th Street and University Avenue. From 1 pm to 10 pm the party hosted by the Division 9 Gallery, was a success with a non-stop celebration. Upon arriving at the event, the streets of Riverside were filled with stunning makeup, Folklorico dresses and ranchero boots. The excitement from those entering was exhilarating as guests were greeted with banda music from the main stage on 14th Street. Dancing on the corner of University Street and Market Street was the unofficial requirement before entering the festival. Along Market Street were food and shopping stalls. Food options ranged from traditional Mexican food to street tacos. I was able to try the “California Burrito” from Tacos Before Vatos and was instantly mesmerized by the flavors. The pairing of the seasoned guacamole and the savory carne asada was worth every bite. I also purchased the “Churaffle,” a combination of churro and waffle, from a vendor exclusively selling flavored waffles on a stick. Despite its clever idea, it was met with disappointment as the waffle was not fully cooked. Shopping vendors all across Southern California were stationed along Market Street with toys, clothing and jewelry. Huipils, a common dress native to Mexican and Central Americans, were common to see and embroidered with intricate designs. The richness of Mexican culture was not shied away from, as leather goods from Guanajuato and beautiful jewelry from Oaxaca were on the market. Occurring every so often, lines of Aztec dancers packed the street with smells of copal incense. The smell of copal incense is an enormous factor in the holiday, as it is

said to be a guide for the dead to the feast at the accompanying altar. Aside from the busy street lined with stands, the sentimental portion of the festival laid in White Park. The smell of marigolds instantly hits you as you enter the park. Along the park pathways are ofrendas—offering altars for deceased family and friends. While the tradition has many layers to it, its overarching purpose is to honor the dead by welcoming loved one’s on the journey to celebrate life in the land of the living. The altars brought many to tears, while others shared laughs in remembrance of the memories made with those who have passed away. At the center of the park, the gazebo was filled with notecards for messages for loved ones. Messages of strength and sorrow crowded the gazebo. The walk through White Park was an emotional, yet sentimental one. The altars remind us to remember the memories, legacies and the life of those who have moved beyond us. On the main stage, Ace Plata Music, ended their set with cheers and further excitement for La Catrina Pageant. La Catrina is a cultural illustration associated with the holiday— while also a social commentary on class. The mortal woman caricature is a skull dressed in elegant clothing. Each woman took the stage in colorful dresses paired with complex makeup. Each woman exuded grace and glamor. Besides attempting to find parking and a bathroom, the festival was superb. While being a bittersweet holiday, events like the Day of the Dead festival bring the community closer and allow for cultural embrace within Riverside. For updates on next year’s festival, event details are posted H on Instagram. ■

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The Barn returns live music and community beyond the lots of UCR SEBASTIAN BUSTAMANTE CEJA Contributing Writer

Once the sun took a seat on the freeway watching through The Barn’s dining hall, the show once again began. Tonight, November 3rd, the stage was set for Milpa, Aztlan Radio, and the main performer, Miriah Avila. What was once a recently renovated yet shallow venue due to closures brought upon the pandemic, now helms live music Thursday nights which spark again the spirit of community that was present as such when Lorenzo “Laurel” Aitken performed back in 1998. Milpa, a group with Afro-Indigenous rhythms and lyrics of healing and liberation, started off the night with cumbias that would instantly get crowds on their feet to the dancefloor. During their set, Milpas played their “Arte de Resistencia” songs “La Rana,” “Levantate,” “Doña Maria” and others that included Milpas member Cristal dancing on stage and with the crowds wearing Mascaras de Cartoneria that would correspond to the song being played by the group. The pace of cumbias and artful songs by Milpas, the guests found themselves enjoying the company of each other, celebrating among one another, and dining to the fruits of UCR at The Barn. At the end of their set the group joined the crowds who took the chance to refill their drinks and order more food while host and guest DJ Angel Baby from Aztlan Radio KUCR 88.3 FM warmed up the crowd with songs from Los Sueños, Thee Sacred Souls, Joey Quinones, and more. As the night chilled and the sky darkened more guests began to take seats at The Barn. Finally Miriah Avila appeared on stage with everyone in the crowd cheering as the musicians took their place. She started with “Agree to Disagree,” a clear crowd favorite as most begin to sing along, and continued on the night with a combination of original songs, her rendition of Barbara Mason’s “You Never Loved me at All,” and songs composed by Joey Quinones, who performed at The Barn earlier this year for Cinco de Mayo celebration. Miriah Avila’s charm would

pour out of the stage as she got down and sang next to her guests. The night would go on to be magical and the crowd ranging from all ages would get the chance for photos and autographs as well as purchase merchandise to close the evening at the barn. With the series of Thursday evenings with live music at The Barn, Moses Preciado-Senior Manager of Dining Services-looks optimistic to the future despite the closures The Barn has had to endure.

VARIOUS COMMUNITIES CONVENE ON CAMPUS TO ENJOY THE SOCIAL FRUITS THE PANDEMIC HAD HALTED.

“With the recent renovations and closures at The Barn, there are a host of UCR community members that are learning about our offerings for the first time. With free shows this Fall we hope to attract students, faculty, and staff to learn more about our food, drink, and entertainment offerings. We look forward to providing memorable experiences for our students and campus community,” Preciado said. “All shows this Fall will be free for everyone. We are exploring the possibility of including paid shows alongside free shows in the Winter and Spring. At the conclusion of our Fall concert series, we will be sharing a survey on our social media profiles to gather feedback about the performances thus far, and collect information on what artist and genres people want to see perform next at The Barn.” The Barn is open to the campus community and the public Monday to Friday from 11 A.M.-8 P.M. Guests can enjoy great food, local craft beer, and live music throughout the year. Follow their Instagram account @thebarnucr to keep H up with their latest events and announcements. ■

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Fall Day Trip Date Ideas 4 DAY-TRIPPABLE OUTINGS FOR YOU AND YOUR BOO. NATALIE DAHL Contributing Writer

Looking for some fall-themed day trips for you and your signiﬁcant other? Here are 4 day-trips from UCR.

Big Bear Lake 50.0 mi (~1.5 hours)

Julian

98.2 mi (~2 hours) Julian is a historic gold mining town ﬁlled with historic sites, quaint museums, and local restaurants. Make sure you stop by Julian Pie Company for a bite of their famous pies. (The rhubarb is my favorite!) If your date is into animals, visit the California Wolf Center for a tour of their wolf reserve. And if you want to make a weekend out of it, drive down another hour to visit San Diego!

Farther up the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake takes the cake for colorful fall foliage. Can you imagine a more picturesque place for a romantic picnic? Once you’re done admiring the lake, stroll the streets of Big Bear Lake Village and pop into one of the countless boutiques and gift shops.

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Wrightwood 43.2 mi (~1 hour)

Oak Glen

32.1 mi (~45 minutes) Filled with farms and orchards, Oak Glen is snuggled up to the San Bernardino mountains, making the weather perfectly crisp. You’ll need to pull out your winter jackets that you don’t get to wear in Riverside and cuddle up next to your date. Enjoy apple picking at the local orchards and you might even get to press your own cider!

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If you’re looking for a more outdoorsy date, Wrightwood is the perfect option for you. This small town in the San Gabriel Mountains has countless hiking trails. My personal recommendation is the Blue Ridge Trail, a moderate hike clocking in at approx. 2.5 hours and 4 miles round trip. Once you’re tired from your hike, make sure to visit the Raccoon Saloon, locals’ favorite place for hearty food and live music. H Hope you and your loved one have a blast! ■

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Taylor Swift continues to break world records with the latest release of her album, ‘Midnights’ LAVERK HARPER Contributing Writer

Once again, Ms. Taylor Alison Swift has released another groundbreaking album that calls back to her earlier pop albums such as 2014’s “1989” and 2017’s “Reputation.” Although the album was teased by Swift in late August, she decided to change her approach when releasing new projects. Instead of the typical single being released to the public to give audiences a hint at what “Midnights” would feel like, Swift opted to use her TikTok platform to announce track names one by one. “Midnights” became an enigma to Swift’s fans and others on the internet until she finally released the 13-track album at midnight on Oct. 21 of 2022.

a strong love story and how the individuals in the relationship ended up falling out of love with each other. “Maroon” is the type of song people sing in the shower after a bad breakup. Some critics have even compared the track to Swift’s 2012 song “Red” from the album of the same name as a continuation of the song but from the perspective of what happened after “Red.”

The track “Lavender Haze” is the first on the album, opening with the tagline “Meet me at midnight” which has become the main line of the album since the moment she announced it back in August. “Lavender Haze” like other songs on the album utilizes synths and constant beats throughout its playtime. The song itself is mellow in its tone.

Despite releasing to critical levels of success, some fans have expressed doubts about certain aspects of the tracklist. In “Anti-Hero,” the third song of the album and probably the most introspective track, Swift reflects on how she isn’t the villain but also isn’t the hero of the story. Swift lays out her vulnerabilities and doubts for the world to see while simultaneously admitting that she would do anything other than confront herself. “Anti-Hero” is overall a good song but some of the lyrics fall short in the long term. One line that sticks out from this track is from the chorus where Swift says “It’s me / Hi! / I’m the problem, it’s me” The line hasn’t resonated too well with certain audiences but the message it conveys is a powerful one that no one can deny. Despite audiences not liking this line, the song has made it to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list. Swift’s album has made waves in the music industry for its ability to grasp tightly to listeners and not let go, holding us captive in her web.

The second track on the album titled “Maroon” tells

From the moment Swift’s auto-tuned voice starts

Swift’s 10th album, “Midnights,” was released to thousands of streams and even broke Spotify for a short period. However, that wasn’t the only thing the artist managed to break. The album broke the record for the most-streamed album on Spotify in 24 hours on the day of its release. Additionally, she broke the record for most day-one streams on Spotify as well.

VERDICT:

TAYLOR SWIFT’S ‘MIDNIGHTS’ IS A LOVE LETTER TO ALL OF US WHO LIE AWAKE IN OUR BEDS AT NIGHT TRAPPED INSIDE OF OUR MINDS. singing, you become trapped in the song “Midnight Rain.” It tells the story of a young love that ended years ago and still haunts you well into adulthood. Lovers who went separate ways to find what they wanted in life outside of each other. It’s a slow song that will have you clapping along with the beat. “Midnight Rain’s” chorus is Swift’s voice with deep auto-tunes attached to it that somehow works marvelously with the rest of the song. She eventually switches to her unedited voice, becoming the best part that’s sure to wow listeners. There were speculations that both “Karma” and “Vigilante Sh—” would see Swift’s return to her “Reputation” era from 2017, and they were correct. Both songs plot revenge on the singer’s enemies but while “Vigilante Sh—” is the idea of actually planning, “Karma” is Swift living her life to the fullest and watching her enemies crash and burn around her. In “Karma” Swift claims Karma saying “’Cause Karma is H my boyfriend / Karma is a god.”■

TAYLOR SWIFT IS A BRILLIANT LYRICIST WHO DESERVES EVERY AWARD SHE HAS RECEIVED. HER 10TH ALBUM “MIDNIGHTS” IS A POP ALBUM WITH MELANCHOLY UNDERTONES THAT HELP ADD TO THE “LATE-NIGHT OVERTHINKING” VIBE. FROM HER GENIUS HIDDEN LYRICS AND DOUBLE MEANINGS, EVERYONE WILL FIND SOMETHING TO LOVE ON “MIDNIGHTS.”

Arctic Monkeys: ‘The Car’ - the album we’ve all been waiting for

ISABELLA DAY Contributing Writer

WITH ORCHESTRAL STRINGS AND THE ESSENCE OF NOSTALGIA, THIS ALBUM HAS A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE.

COURTESY OF DOMINO MUSIC

VERDICT:

“THE CAR” IS A WONDERFUL ALBUM AND THE ARTISTIC LIBERTIES THE BAND TOOK ARE PART OF WHAT MAKES THIS ALBUM SO EXCITING AND IMAGINATIVE.

The wait is finally over as the Arctic Monkeys graced the world with the release of “The Car’’ on Oct. 21. The record is their seventh studio album in four years since the release of “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.” “The Car ‘’ takes listeners on a transcendental journey through the mind of Alex Turner, the band frontman. He seems to lyricize fond memories with the use of poetry and beautiful orchestral strings that capture the essence of nostalgia, as well as what it means to be alive. “The Car” is perfect for a late-night drive while looking back admiringly at sentimental memories. This album does what no other Arctic Monkeys album has done before which is to create a feeling of melodrama and remembrance. Every song on this tracklist reminds me of a faraway memory that I can feel but can’t quite put my finger on. Each song has its own unique ambiance and pattern. While the album stands as a cohesive unit, the songs themselves are almost paradoxically outlandish to the overall feeling of the album. The lyrics are not profound or special; it feels as if Alex Turner sat down and wrote every single thought that entered his head. While on the surface it seems these lyrics are completely random and have no apparent meaning, thinking about it for a second will induce thoughts of existentialism. Every Arctic Monkeys album is distinctly unique, but they still contain instrumental and lyrical elements that make

it a distinct masterpiece created none other than by the Arctic Monkeys. While many have noticed that “The Car” and “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino” share certain aesthetic similarities, which they most certainly do, “The Car” holds its own among the rest of their albums. The LP offers a look into a new era of music from the Arctic Monkeys. The record pivots away from the grungy rock and roll sounds of their previous albums and takes on the form of a loungey, relaxed shape. Many people aren’t very fond of this album as they reminisce about the old sound from the band. Yet, the wonderful thing about the Arctic Monkeys is how their sound and style have evolved just as equally as the band has. New and old fans get to witness all these outstanding eras of music as the band matures and takes on this new shape. Each band member brings their unique essence to this album and it’s absolutely beautiful what they can create together as a cohesive unit while shining individually. While the album does an amazing job of introducing a new sound, a few songs truly stand out. The following gives the record the most vibrancy: “There’d Better Be A Mirrorball,” “Jet Skis On The Moat,” “Big Ideas” and “Hello You.” These songs are what give the album depth of feeling. Many might not agree with this compilation, but that is what makes this album so astonishing. There is a little bit of everything for everyone. This album does a great job of exploring a wide scope of musical emotions. The addition of the orchestra, which hasn’t

been seen in previous albums, adds another layer of complexity that is hard not to appreciate. Everything from the lyrics to the gorgeous orchestral instruments makes this album feel mature in contrast to their previous albums which are whimsical. The record has an adolescent quality and is exactly what one might expect from this band as they themselves reinvent themselves in this new era of music. The album itself felt very inviting as if the band was offering me their hand to take me on a new journey. With the addition of “The Car” to their discography, the band has created a new sound to share with their fans as they embark on this next chapter of their career. ■ H

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‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’: an everlasting film that deserves to grace the screen again CAROLYN STARR Contributing Writer

The modern film industry has a habit of running interesting concepts dry, specifically through the production of reboots and never-ending franchises. The original works that pave the way for these series are often forgotten and overlooked by their successors. A prime example of this is the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise. This is not to say that remakes or sequels are necessarily terrible nor do they live up to the standards the originals do. In fact, there are many reimagined versions that can be deemed superior to their parent films. However, there is no denying the influence earlier films have on pop culture. “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) has left behind a legacy that can be observed in films in and out of the horror genre. Recently, this influence is reflected most notably in Netflix’s hit series “Stranger Things” (2016-present). The Duffer Brothers, the show’s creators, have cited the film and it shows in the best way possible. 40 years later, the impact this film has had is still manifesting itself — and successfully at that. Viewers can make connections between Vecna and Freddy Krueger, along with Eddie Munson and Rod Lane. Another scene to add to the list is the segments of the Demogorgon/Krueger emerging from the wall. This is one of the most popular streaming series of all time, so you are likely to enjoy the film if you love the show. “Stranger Things” has become incredibly iconic, and I don’t think the producers would want us to forget the films that helped it come to life. Smaller parallels can be made to “It,” both the 1990

and 2017 versions and “Inception” (2010). Glen’s death is visually similar to Beverly’s nightmarish experience in the bathroom. “Inception,” an incredibly well-received film, has an ambiguous ending the same way the film does. Both have themes of being unable to differentiate between dreams and reality, a motif executed in dystopian movies, which have become increasingly popular. If we love these movies, how can we not love this one? After a long run, sequels tend to lose the magic that goes into production. Audiences are drawn in by the name associated with the films themselves and love them for the same reason — not because they stand alone as great films. It’s always refreshing to go back to where it all started. This might even add a deeper sense of appreciation for the later films. This classic movie has all of the elements of a horror film: suspense, gore, jumpscares and those overwhelming feelings of frustration and disgust. The tense music, eerie sound effects and atmospheric lighting help create a tangible, cinematic experience. It sets a precedent for future films in the same genre. It’s not just about having actionpacked scenes or crazy scary moments that serve no real purpose. There is a plot, it moves forward and leaves you wanting more. There is time for characterization and time to fall in love with them — you pity them and don’t want them to die. There is room for interpreting Krueger as a metaphor for feeding into negativity and allowing it to consume you rather than ignoring it. All in an hour and a half. “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is more modern and relevant than ever. We should try hard to keep it alive!

THE ICONIC LEGACY OF THIS HORROR FILM HAS LASTED FOR YEARS TO COME, AND STILL CONTINUES AS A REMINISCENT FILM IN MODERN MEDIA.

■H

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Don’t blur the line between fantasy and reality by letting this film be just a dream among horror lovers. Its legacy looms large.■ H

‘Triangle of Sadness’: a powerful, poignant analysis of the lives of the ultrawealthy meets and exceeds all expectations THE FILM’S AMBITIOUS MIX OF DARK SATIRICAL COMEDY AND SOCIAL COMMENTARY CULMINATES IN A WONDROUS PIECE OF ART SPEARHEADED BY GREAT PERFORMANCES. Swedish director Ruben Östlund’s first foray into English language film, “Triangle of Sadness,” widely released on Oct. 7, 2022, took the Cannes Film Festival by storm, earning an eight-minute standing ovation and winning the illustrious Palme d’Or. A highly respected auteur, this is Östlund’s second Palme d’Or winning work, with the first being “The Square” (2017). Filled to the brim with biting analysis on class structure, its masterful direction and powerful acting lead it to serve as a worthy successor to Julia Ducournau’s “Titane” (2021), resulting in a rich visceral experience where the amount of idiosyncrasy is synonymous with its quality. The film mainly follows two fashion influencers Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean) as they navigate their relationship all while embarking on a luxury cruise, one with unforeseeable circumstances. Told in three distinct chapters, each with more fervor than the last, the entropic nature of a capitalist society is laid out with precision. As soon as the first chapter begins, the viewer is subjected to the rather shallow size of the model and influencer industry that plagues our world today. “Happy” brands like H&M are greeted with smiles, while serious ones like Balenciaga are met with stoic faces. The comedy in this act is far from bombastic and relies on its wit to gain the audience’s favor, a choice that will not leave anyone disappointed. Carl and Yaya themselves are the embodiment of what exactly is wrong with influencer culture on the surface; their relationship is only built upon the desire

MAX BRIGGS Contributing Writer

to boost their follower counts. The small insights given to us through the couple’s conversations highlight their inability to gauge the world around them, subtly foreshadowing what has yet to come. The second chapter introduces us to the crew and guests of the cruise, each who seem more unhinged than the last. While the guests greedily indulge in pleasures such as wine and dancing, the strain on the crew grows increasingly. Pacing is the area where the second chapter begins to revel in its glory, ultimately providing a brilliant transition of the incessant cracking of the upper class’ shell, the remnants succumbing to chaos. In particular, Östlund’s writing shines within the character’s varying interactions with one another. The juxtaposing political ideologies of Captain Smith (Woody Harrelson), an American communist and Dimitry (Zlatko Burić), a Russian capitalist, capture the wondrous energy the film exudes. Constant quips combined with the prominence of the production design serve as a perfect balance between the comedic and dramatic nature of the film, always ensuring that there is tonal consistency. Never straying into the waters of pretension; the fluid style of its direction complements the narratives’ descent into madness. If one were to explain each of the chapters separately, it would not be unintelligent to suggest that they are composed of parts, each from completely separate films. However, the uniqueness of the film’s structure utilizes its unconventional style to keep the audience engaged. Visually rich as it is thematically, cinematographer Fredrik Wenzel’s work especially stands out in the

outdoor scenes. Dickinson, Dean and Dolly de Leon are the certain stars of the film overall, and the nuance they bring to the table certainly does not go unnoticed. The mannerisms on display add up to bountiful rewards in the future, pleasing anyone who has an eye for detail. In a climate where overly political media is heavily frowned upon, there is no doubt that being subtle is of the utmost importance to a film’s messaging. Gut-wrenchingly impactful on the scale of relevancy, Östlund takes advantage of the ever-growing narcissism present within human nature, crafting a tale of pure intricacy. Down to the core, the resounding bleakness that Östlund believes is present in a capitalistic society cannot be denied, no matter where one stands in the political spectrum. Extending far beyond the confines of the cinema industry, the film’s message is clear — basic empathy will be forsaken for the sake of greed if we further descend into our sense of self-indulgence. The world presented is one where the morality of human nature and its capacity for basic goodness must prevail over materialism, a concept that has rung true since the first spark of civilization. Cryptic to its final frame, questions are left unanswered to encourage the viewer to contemplate what is truly important in today’s world, a H reflection that we all must undergo at some point. ■

“TRIANGLE OF SADNESS” TAKES A DOMINANT, BITING SATIRICAL STANCE ON THE FOOLISH VANITY PRESENT WITHIN THE LIVES OF THE ELITE, NEVER MISSING A BEAT DESPITE ITS SEEMINGLY OVER-ASPIRATIONAL OVERARCHING THEMES.

VERDICT:

RADAR

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/radar

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

‘Titans’ season four premiere takes a gruesome dive into the mystical

MADISON ZEPEDA Contributing Writer

THE FOURTH SEASON KICKS OFF WITH THE UPBEAT CREW FACING OFF AGAINST THE GRIM VISIONS OF A BLOODTHIRSTY CULT.

Ever since its series premiere in 2018, the central characters of “Titans” have successfully faced off against all sorts of foes hailing from different corners of the DC universe. Whether it’s Trigon, Deathstroke, Scarecrow or even Jason Todd, Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) and his adopted family of rookie superheroes have (almost) always beaten the odds by relying on their strength as a team. However, in the two-episode premiere of its fourth season, the Titans seem to have met their match when it comes to the mystical powers of the mysterious Mother Mayhem (Franka Potente). Starting off where season three ended, the Titans take a visit to Metropolis so that Superboy (Joshua Orpin), can visit the person behind one-half of his geneticallyengineered DNA — Superman. Yet when the plan goes sideways, Superboy and the rest of the Titans end up coming into contact with his evil other half, the millionaire mastermind Lex Luthor (Titus Welliver). True to the recurring theme of inescapable origins in “Titans,” the character growth of Superboy becomes intrinsically tied back to Luthor and his role as one of his biological “fathers.” Though this theme felt too concentrated on parental figures in earlier seasons, such as Dick Grayson’s annoyingly rebellious attitude towards Bruce Wayne (Iain Glen), it ends up fitting well for Superboy given his unique backstory. Meanwhile, Raven (Teagan Croft) and others begin to see bloody visions that seemingly appear out of nowhere and then disappear altogether. From crimson streaks on windows blocking out the sun to people finding their food literally blood-soaked, these horrific apparitions will leave viewers truly terrified and disgusted by the imagery alone. To add further insult to injury, the force behind these gory

daydreams then begins to take out ordinary citizens in slasher-like styles ripped straight out of a horror movie. As the visions and attacks begin to overlap with Luthor’s nefarious intentions, the Titans realize that they are in the midst of another big-bad situation complete with mystical complications far too gruesome to ignore. For a show that often takes its darker elements a bit too seriously at times, the frightful essence of these scenes aligns with its normally brooding nature. Additionally, the use of the “rule of thirds” in these scenes creates an eerie tension by placing characters off to the sides instead of leaving them completely exposed to viewers. While the main plotlines of the season delve into harsh material, the lively personalities and close-knit relationships among the characters manage to effectively lighten the tone from these bleaker moments. From purposeful body language to detailed one-liners thrown between characters, the cast and screenplay work at their best during scenes that involve less fighting and more downtime for the team. The comedic relief offered by Beast Boy’s (Ryan Potter) light-hearted personality especially excels in this area as it has throughout much of the course of the series. Newbie Tim Drake (Jay Lycurgo) also brings a nice comedic element to “Titans” through showcasing the trials of being both a Batman stan and a potential candidate for the next Robin. Yet, chief among all of these this season is the electric and palpable chemistry between Grayson and Starfire (Anna Diop), which just might be enough to bring their season one romance back to life.

and her cult’s plan are unclear at this point, their ability to attract susceptible followers, such as the soon-to-be Brother Blood (Joseph Morgan), makes them formidable enemies for the Titans this season. The thematic element of mysticism also presents major challenges for the show as a result of Raven’s demon father Trigon (Seamus Dever), turning out to be less exciting than anticipated. Overall, the question of whether this season will stick its landing remains yet to be seen. However, if one had to guess, chances are it will definitely be a wild ride and a nice postHalloween treat. ■ H

VERDICT: THIS TWO-EPISODE START TO “TITANS” FOURTH SEASON SHOWCASES SOME OF THE SHOW’S GREATEST STRENGTHS WITH THE PROMISE FOR EVEN MORE EXCITING MATERIAL ON THE WAY. ALTHOUGH THE SHOW HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO FIND ITS FOOTING, IT FINALLY SEEMS TO HAVE FOUND A NICE GROOVE FOR ITS BROODING TONE AND GOOD-HEARTED CHARACTERS.

Nevertheless, the major antagonists of this season take no time at all in making their ghoulish methods for obtaining power known to the viewer. Although Mother Mayhem

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Sports 16

SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

UC Riverside women’s basketball blowout Whittier College to open up the 2022 season HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

The UC Riverside women’s basketball blowout Whittier College 92-32 in an easy win where the Highlanders saw every player that touched the court score at least two points. Last season, the women’s team made it to the semifinal round for the first time since 2019. Trying to build off last season’s success, UCR came into this game with a sense of purpose and urgency. The Highlanders dominated the offensive glass in the first quarter to get plentiful of second-chance points. After a missed three-pointer from senior guard Mele Finau, sophomore forward Esther Matarranz grabbed the offensive rebound and laid it back in to get the first points on the board for UC Riverside. On the other end, the guard, Rhe Nae Leech, connected on a midrange jumper to put the first points on the board for Whittier College. Both teams went back and forth in the first five minutes of the game. Leech started off hot for the Poets as she scored all six of Whittier’s points. A three-pointer from junior guard Jordan Webster put the score at 10-6 with 5:16 left in the first quarter. Redshirt junior forward Matheya Bryant took the ball coast-to-coast after a steal and laid the ball in to put UCR up 13-6. The Highlanders never looked back in that quarter as they went on a 20-4 run to end the first quarter. Offensive rebounding for UC Riverside was the main factor in the first quarter as they grabbed eight of them, which resulted in 19 second-chance points. In the second quarter, the game slowed down as the defense from both teams started to show up. Webster started to get cooking as she hit back-to-back three-pointers from the right wing to push the lead for the Highlanders 39-16. Even though the offense stalled for UC Riverside in the second quarter, the defense intensified as they held the Poets to only six points in the quarter and made them turn the ball over eight times. A steal and layup from senior guard RyAnne Walters put UC Riverside up 41-16 at halftime. The UCR offense picked right back up in the third quarter as they went on an 11-2 run to open up the quarter. After a steal by Bryant, sophomore guard Rose Morse finished the layup on the fastbreak plus the

foul, extending the Highlander lead to 34 points, 55-21. Moments later, freshman guard Jordyn Marshall sank a three-pointer to push the lead to 59-21 with 2:48 left in the quarter. Off a steal from Blount, Marshall sank a midrange jump shot to put UCR up by 41 points with less than a minute left in the quarter. After back-to-back missed three-pointers for Whittier College, Blount grabbed the rebound and took the basketball down the court and was fouled on the layup attempt with two seconds remaining. Blount sank one out of two free throws to put the Highlanders up 67-23 at the end of the third quarter. All players started to contribute in the fourth quarter as the game was well over. Players that didn’t see much playing time got their numbers called to showcase their skills. After a steal from Blount, freshman guard Zoe Tillery found junior guard India Aikins for the jumper for her first points of the game. Moments later, transfer guard Julia Stenberg sank her second three-pointer of the game to give the Highlanders a 73-25 lead. After a turnover from Leech, freshman forward Hanna Hansson finished a layup to give UC Riverside a 50-point lead with 5:49 left in the game. A turnover from Whittier led to another three-pointer from Stenberg, her third of the game. Whittier College could not get anything going offensively as UCR pressured them the entire game. With time winding down, Morse sank a jump shot in the paint to push the lead up to 60 points for UC Riverside and as time expired, UCR won 92-32. Webster led the way for the Highlanders with 14 points and three rebounds. Finau had a solid game with 11 points, three rebounds, and five steals. Blount held down the paint with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds along with four steals. The Highlander defense was the highlight of the game as they were able to force 32 turnovers and 24 steals, which resulted in 46 points off of turnovers.

ALL PLAYERS THAT ENTERED THE GAME FOR THE HIGHLANDERS SCORED IN A GREAT TEAM WIN

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UC Riverside will play their first official game on Monday, Nov. 7, H against Pacific University in the SRC Arena at 1:00 PM. ■

UC Riverside men’s soccer cruise past CSUN 4-1 en route to Big West Finals KIA NOOSHI Contributing Writer

THE HIGHLANDERS SECURED A DOMINANT VICTORY IN THEIR HOME BIG WEST SEMIFINALS MATCH WITH HELP FROM PERFORMANCES FROM LOPEZ, IBARRA, AND CLARK. UC Riverside’s men’s soccer team had a stunning display this past weekend in the Big West semifinals against Cal State Northridge at the UCR Soccer Stadium, winning 4-1 and moving on to the Big West Finals to face UC Santa Barbara, who defeated UC Irvine 2-1 in their matchup. The Highlanders came into the matchup favorites as the one seed in the Big West bracket. However, the pressure was very much on as they had lost to CSUN in the Big West league opener earlier in the season. The Highlanders started the game off incredibly bright with sophomore forward Noah Lopez converting a beautiful chip over CSUN’s goalkeeper off an assist from sophomore defender Adrian Meade-Tatum just five minutes into the match. Two minutes later, senior midfielder Leopoldo Hernandez had a stunning long shot saved by CSUN’s keeper as the Highlanders found their rhythm early on. CSUN grew into the game as time went on and their first big chance came from miscommunication from UCR’s centre backs, leaving CSUN through one-on-one with junior goalkeeper Carlos Gonzales, who came off his line to clear the ball with a daring slide tackle marking the first of many impressive actions by Gonzales to prevent CSUN from having easy opportunities on goal. The Highlanders had a few more chances as the half went on, the most notable being a shot from senior midfielder Oscar Penante bouncing off the right post preventing the Highlanders from gaining a 2-0 lead. This missed chance allowed CSUN to equalize two minutes later when a mis-clearance by the Highlanders landed at

the feet of CSUN forward Enrique Pineda, who finished the chance bringing the two teams to level just five minutes before halftime. The Highlanders showed amazing resilience to regain their lead within two minutes of CSUN’s equalizer when Armando Ibarra found the net for his first goal of the night. The second half was akin to a game of chess with both teams being at a stalemate for the majority of the half. During this deadlock, defenders Aleksander Vukovic and Freymar Omarsson interchanged with midfielder Christian Ceja on countless occasions to recycle possession and stifle any CSUN chances that occurred during the deadlock. On these players’ relationship, head coach Tim Cupello said, “your defensive line is always important. As the season went on and these players are playing together more and more, those relationships are getting stronger and the guys are starting to understand how to play off of each other. The defensive line, midfield line, and forward line are now starting to really gel and understand each other”. The Highlanders managed to break the secondhalf deadlock on 77 minutes through senior defender Brendan Clark, who scored off an assist from Hernandez who added to his impressive tally of eight assists on the season, bringing his season total to nine which is good for the top 20 in the entirety of Division I for assists. Tensions rose following this goal as CSUN’s AJ Johnson stamped on Clark causing the referee to show him a red card, which allowed the Highlanders breathing room being two goals and a man up effectively ending the game. The party was not over yet as in the dying minutes of the

game the Highlanders scored their fourth of the match through a beautiful strike from Ibarra bringing his tally to two goals on the night. That was the final key action of the game as the referee blew his whistle less than a minute later, capping off a dominant display from UCR. The Highlanders now look to their Big West final matchup against UC Santa Barbara next Saturday, Nov. 12, at 7:00 P.M. at the UCR Soccer Stadium. When asked about their mentality going into the final, Lopez said, “I feel great winning the regular season, but the main goal for this team is to win the Big West Championship and I want to do it again and be a part of that. We H are not satisfied yet”. ■

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