Vol. 71, Issue 09

h ighlander

OPINIONS

Academic student workers deserve better treatment from the University of California

Across all nine University of California campuses, the academic student worker union, UAW 2865, has now been on strike for a week as contract negotiations occur with UC administration. UAW represents more than 19,000 teaching assistants, graduate student instructors, tutors and readers across the UC system. These student workers are asking for cost of living pay increases, child-care subsidies, enhanced healthcare for dependents, longer family leave and public transit passes amongst other necessities needed to support themselves in California’s economy. Picket lines and protesters on the campuses have made international news garnering support from influential leaders and politicians such as Bernie Sanders. Despite some undergraduate classes being disrupted, and others being canceled, this strike is necessary to hold the UC

accountable for its disrespectful treatment of its academic student workers that make up the backbone of their institution.

California’s housing crisis is at the forefront of problems that academic student workers face. Not being paid a living wage or having dependable housing from the UC is worrisome to graduate students attempting to finish their master’s programs. The UC system, one of the largest higher education institutions, is taking advantage of these students and has let them down. The UC is operating as a corporation only concerned with money instead of an institution that should uplift those wanting to learn. Not to mention that it is almost impossible to find a high paying job today without a degree.

Student workers have had to cut costs

Thousands of California academic workers unite to go on the largest strike of 2022

HARU CHANG Assistant News Editor

48,000 teaching assistants, postdocs, researchers and graders are on strike to demonstrate that their contributions are essential to sustain the quality of education that the University of California system locates its prestige and relevance as a proprietor of higher education. In UC Riverside, academic workers rallied in front of the Art building, Sproul Hall, the Bell Tower and advanced their picket line all throughout campus.

“We continue to be willing to negotiate in good faith in order to address the severe rent burden that academic workers suffer and to ensure UC doesn’t keep losing workers who can’t afford to live near campuses with salaries that don’t match increasing cost of living. UC unfortunately hasn’t shown us that same respect.” states Mai Nguyen Do, the recording secretary

of UAW Local 2865 and PhD student in the department of Political Science in UC Riverside. “We hope UC will come to the table and bargain in good faith immediately, but if UC doesn’t stop their unlawful conduct, we are prepared to keep withholding our labor and halting the vast majority of teaching and research done at the University.”

During the rally, rally speakers raised questions about the UC system’s priorities concerning the treatment of its academic workers and the distribution of the UCs’ resources. “With a $46 billion annual budget, UC has the resources as California’s biggest employer to ensure that academic workers who do the bulk of teaching and research at the university are fairly compensated. Research funding from the state continues to hit record

RADAR

BRENDA JOVEL Radar Editor

In celebration of Homecoming at UCR, ASPB hosted its second annual concert. Originally branded as Homecoming Bonfire, the night was transformed with hypnotic beats and fluorescent lights that welcomed UCR students to Homecoming Odyssey 2022.

Unlike previous events where lines were scattered across campus grounds, Odyssey was efficiently organized from the entrance to the lines at every booth and attraction. There was also a line for community members as people around the neighborhood were invited as well. Jordan Nevin, a 2020 graduate from UCSC, expressed their excitement when they saw that the Riverside community was invited to Odyssey. “I was able to enter a separate community line and get a wristband which was really nice! ASPB members were very helpful as well. I will

definitely be coming to more events like this,” said Nevin.

Guests were then directed to the merch tents where various promo items were given. Hoodies with a simple yet eyecatching design were passed around while bracelets, blankets and enamel pins also served as pieces of memorabilia.

The lines for food vendors began to form, but Baba’s Chicken stole the show as many students enjoyed their free chicken sandwiches. While conversing at the various tables to eat their meals, student DJ, Digital Twin, began their set.

Garett Geesink, a fifth-year majoring in computer science, along with his brother Aaron Geesink, make up Digital Twin. As Aaron stood offstage playing the live visuals for the show, Garett performed onstage with their VR headset. “One of

Homecoming Odyssey 2022 was a celebration of Highlander spirit

CONTACT US

Highlander 101 Highlander Union Building Riverside, CA 92521 www.highlandernews.org editorinchief@highlandernews.org

TIP LINE: (951) 827-2105

Help the Highlander stay on top of what is happening on campus and in the general UCR community. Call this number and leave a message for the Editorial Board with your tip. Be sure to include your full name, relation to UCR, and a number or email address where you can be reached for more details.

Editorial Office: (951) 827-3617 Business Office: (951) 827-3457

Classifieds & Billing: (951) 827-5039

Fax: (951) 827-7049

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Highlander accepts letters from the campus community. They must be 600-800 words at length and include the author’s name and contact information. Topics should be UCR-centric and/or pertain to our generation of students. Contact Opinions Editor Amaray Alvarez at opinions@highlandernews.org by Wednesday if interested in writing a letter and submit the completed letter by Saturday at noon. Letters can and will be rejected if it does not meet requirements.

LEGAL

The Highlander is published and copyrighted by the Highlander for the students, faculty and staff of UCR. All rights are reserved. Reprinting of any material in this publication without the written permission of the Highlander is strictly prohibited. Readers are allowed one free copy of the newspaper. For additional copies or for subscription information, please contact the Highlander.

The Highlander fully supports the University of California’s policy on non-discrimination. The student media reserve the right to reject or modify advertising whose content discriminates on the basis of ancestry, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation.

The Highlander has a media grievance procedure for resolving complaints against it. All inserts that are printed in the Highlander are independently paid publications and do not reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the staff or The University of California or the Associated Students of UCR.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Please submit Classifed ads by calling 951-827-3457 or by emailing Highlanderads@ucr.edu

PAYMENT

Visa and Mastercard Make checks payable to The Highlander Newspaper No refunds

RATES

Classified: $2 per line; 17 characters (spaces, dashes, etc.)

The seventh ASUCR meeting saw a Special Election for the Elections Director

ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

The Associated Students of UCR’s seventh meeting was called to order on Wednesday, Nov. 16th, 2022 in the ASUCR Senate Chamber at 6:31 P.M. All senators were present, excluding CNAS senator Brenden Cano. In addition to the senators, the Executive Cabinet was present as well, sans VP of Internal Affairs Jeanine Nassar. Motions to approve the current meeting’s agenda were called for by SOE senator Leyan Elkatat and seconded by CHASS senator Hemant Hari. Motions to open and approve the previous week’s meeting minutes took place and passed with a vote count of 15-0-0.

A public forum then began with an introduction from the Riverside UAW representative Mai Do, who came to recognize ASUCR’s support in the strike and explained how undergraduate tutors are represented by UAW contracts, and are fighting for minimum wage increase.

Following this, Anjana Narasimhan, an Executive Fellow for the Office of President Assaf announced at the podium , the UCR Global Fair on Tuesday, November 22nd, from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.

Interim Executive Director Brendan O’Brien also took the stand to detail how he has met with every pro-staff member of ASUCR and that all ASUCR mass announcements will be through him. He hopes to establish healthy boundaries when it comes to communication with HUB staff regarding availability.

Lastly, CNAS senator Abby Choy presented a speech which she also presented during the first day of the UAW strike. Here she vocalized her support for the cause and

thanked them for standing up for their right to basic needs for themselves and future TA’s. Her speech can be viewed here.

Ex-officio reports then took place and saw Vice President of External Affairs Amina Hearns announcing updates regarding Staff Ratifications. She disclosed those who took the positions of Federal Relations Director and Labor and Relations Director. Motions to approve these staff ratifications were called for by senator Choy and seconded by SPP senator Sean Nguyen. They passed 150-0.

Judicial updates were also presented by Associate Justice Armando Ruiz-Rosas. He announced that the council has voted and approved a candidate for Elections Director, and that they stand in full support of the strike. Their statement is available on the official Judicial Instagram account.

Committee reports then followed and saw the approval of three Green Grants. Green Grant #9 is a large-scale initiative asking for $10,000 to provide free-of-charge carpool service for students going to Ontario Airport during holidays after finals. Green Grant #10 requests funds for Microgreens event, open to all undergraduates. Green Grant #11 requests of $500 to giveaway sustainable beeswax wraps during tabling. All three grants were approved with a vote count of 15-0-0.

Two senate resolutions were discussed as part of Legislative Review Committee reports. Vice Chair of the LRC and CHASS senator Ruhi Barman recognizes

that SR-F22-005 Library Hours Resolution recognizes that libraries have funding but lack staffing and calls to increase staff members in order to then increase hours. This resolution passed with a vote count of 14-0-1. SRF22-006 In Support of Ending Fracking and Oil Drilling in CA provides information about fracking in California and its impact on the environment. It calls for UCR to urge Gavon Newsom to stop giving oil drilling permits with a vote count 13-0-2.

As part of New Business, a special election was held for the role of elections director. The nominee, Austoria Heageny, gave an opening statement. She was then questioned regarding her experience and how she would accommodate the short timeline to set up the next election. She was also questioned about last year’s election and how improvements can be made for the future. Deliberations took place in a closed session where senators discussed and voted on the candidate, which ultimately resulted in the candidate not being approved.

Chief Justice Alexandria Arias then expressed that the Judicial Council holds no liability for this decision as they vetted and voted on the candidate through a lengthy process.

Find the full article on highlandernews.org

Thousands of California academic workers unite to go on the largest strike of 2022

HARU CHANG Assistant News Editor

48,000 teaching assistants, postdocs, researchers and graders are on strike to demonstrate that their contributions are essential to sustain the quality of education that the University of California system locates its prestige and relevance as a proprietor of higher education. In UC Riverside, academic workers rallied in front of the Art building, Sproul Hall, the Bell Tower and advanced their picket line all throughout campus.

“We continue to be willing to negotiate in good faith in order to address the severe rent burden that academic workers suffer and to ensure UC doesn’t keep losing workers who can’t afford to live near campuses with salaries that don’t match increasing cost of living. UC unfortunately hasn’t shown us that same respect.” states Mai Nguyen Do, the recording secretary of UAW Local 2865 and PhD student in the department of Political Science in UC Riverside. “We hope UC will come to the table and bargain in good faith immediately, but if UC doesn’t stop their unlawful conduct, we are prepared to keep withholding our labor and halting the vast majority of teaching and research done at the University.”

During the rally, rally speakers raised questions about the UC system’s priorities concerning the treatment of its academic workers and the distribution of the UCs’ resources. “With a $46 billion annual budget, UC has the resources as California’s biggest employer to ensure that academic workers who do the bulk of teaching and research at the university are fairly compensated. Research funding from the state continues to hit record levels, yet the University isn’t offering wages that reflect the contributions of academic workers to its research and teaching mission.” says Do.

The strike impacted not only the institution’s

graduate and research programs but also the quality of undergraduate education.

“I don’t think a professor can handle the UC’s class size without their TA. I don’t think it’s possible to grade assignments or exams from more than 200 students alone.” Michelle Ing, a 4th year undergrad Education major at UC Riverside, reflected on the erratic shift in her academic schedule. “TA’s definitely support the large class sizes and the larger UC undergrad student population.”

Navigating preparations for her final was complicated by the replacement of one of Ing’s professors on strike. While some professors canceled classes in support of the academic worker’s strike and even joined them in the picket line, others carried on with their classes. “They’re not grading my assignments or exams so I’m unsure about my grade. It’s difficult to reach out to my professor to ask questions about my assignment since they are more difficult to reach than TAs. It’s harder to do work without our TA, it’s more difficult to reach my group mates for my group project with my discussion classes canceled.”

The United Auto Workers (UAW) are demanding a minimum salary of $54,000 for all graduate students workers, a minimum salary of $70,000 for all postdocs, as well as annual cost-of-living adjustments in contract negotiations. UAW are also asking UC leadership for child-care support, enhanced healthcare for dependents, longer family leave, more resources for academic workers with disabilities, public transportation passes and lower tuition costs for international scholars.

The UCs proposed an initial 7% salary scale increase

and a 3% increase each subsequent year for teaching assistants and tutors. UC offered wage increases of 8% for the first year, 5% the second year and 3% in the following year. According to UAW, considering the 8.5% inflation rate, UC’s proposal would amount to an effective wage cut and exacerbate rent burden.

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Brown told university leaders in a letter that UAW’s proposal to increase financial support to address California’s housing cost could have a significant impact on UC’s finances. Provost Brown anticipates that meeting UAW demands would make the UC system obligated to keep up with inflation in their academic worker’s compensation. The provost is challenged by the union’s demand for a larger compensation package for non-California student employees proportional to their higher tuition costs claiming, “non-California student employees would in effect receive a larger compensation package than California resident student employees for doing the same work.”

Provost Elizabeth Watkin acknowledged the critical importance of academic appointees to the research and instructional mission of the university. Watkins asked for the adherence to the Principles of Community and called for respectful conduct from the UCR community. ■ H

THE SENATE DELIBERATED TWICE AS THE INITIAL DECISION WAS RESCINDED.

UCR ACADEMIC WORKERS PERSIST IN THEIR FIGHT FOR FAIR WAGES AND WORKER BENEFITS FROM CALIFORNIA’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.

Academic student workers deserve better treatment from the University of California

Across all nine University of California campuses, the academic student worker union, UAW 2865, has now been on strike for a week as contract negotiations occur with UC administration. UAW represents more than 19,000 teaching assistants, graduate student instructors, tutors and readers across the UC system. These student workers are asking for cost of living pay increases, child-care subsidies, enhanced healthcare for dependents, longer family leave and public transit passes amongst other necessities needed to support themselves in California’s economy. Picket lines and protesters on the campuses have made international news garnering support from influential leaders and politicians such as Bernie Sanders. Despite some undergraduate classes being disrupted, and others being canceled, this strike is necessary to hold the UC accountable for its disrespectful treatment of its academic student workers that make up the backbone of their institution.

California’s housing crisis is at the forefront of problems that academic student workers face. Not being paid a living wage or having dependable housing from the UC is worrisome to graduate students attempting to finish their master’s programs. The UC system, one of the largest higher education institutions, is taking advantage of these students and has let them down. The UC is operating as a corporation only concerned with money instead of an institution that should uplift those wanting to learn. Not to mention that it is almost impossible to find a high paying job today without a degree.

Student workers have had to cut costs by working additional jobs, selling their plasma or unfortunately living out of their car because they are simply overworked and underpaid. There is not enough housing in California and many of the UC’s are in affluent areas where rent is higher due to the demand and overpopulation of these schools. California is one of the more expensive states to live in and not being able to pay rent or find housing while being a student and being overworked is exhausting. Housing and job security should not have to be an added concern.

UAW’s contract expires this year which has prompted the strike due to UC administration not agreeing to their new requests. These requests, however, are necessary and not outrageous or something that should be pushed aside. The union is currently asking “for a package that would amount to 4.5% of UC’s total budget,” a small price to pay for all of the work and research that these students do. The UC has long treated these

academic student workers like they are expendable, but they are not. A list of unlawful labor practices from the UC has even been created by students to track how they have taken advantage of. A petition in support of the strike on behalf of undergraduate students has already garnered over 17,000 signatures thus far.

Since the strike began, many undergraduate classes have been disrupted with the loss of a TA, classes being moved to zoom or professors canceling class in solidarity. Students have also been urged to not attend their classes or support UC businesses in an effort not to cross the picket lines. UCR’s campus, for example, has been exceptionally empty since Monday due to the strike. With professors unable to carry out class like normal, UAW’s strike has revealed how much this higher education institution relies on them to support their undergraduate communities.

With finals approaching, it is unknown when the strike will end and “normal” instruction will resume. Some undergraduate students have expressed concern over the strike disrupting their classes but it appears that most have been in solidarity agreeing that these demands need to be met. The work the academic student workers do is instrumental to the UC and has been proven to be a task that professors cannot do alone. It is unclear how the UC’s reputation will recover from this scandal or if all requests will be made. If this continues, the unfair labor practices put forth by the UC may deter students from applying to its undergraduate and graduate programs harming its “business.”

More information on UAW 2865 and their strike can be found at fairucnow.org.

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.

UAW 2865’S STRIKE HAS REVEALED HOW MUCH THE UC RELIES ON THEM TO SUPPORT THEIR UNDERGRADUATE COMMUNITIES.

Monopolies like Ticketmaster are harmful to the everyday consumer

YSABEL NAKASONE Assistant Opinions Editor

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

Taylor Swift fans struggled through disappointment after disappointment during the presale for her long awaited tour after years of COVID-19. After claims from Ticketmaster about facing a “historically unprecedented demand,” Swift herself later commented that Ticketmaster had repeatedly assured her that they would be able to handle said demand. Prominent politicians including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Amy Klobuchar have criticized the platform for market abuses as what is essentially an unchecked monopoly. While it’s currently unclear how many issues contributed to the disaster of a presale, Ticketmaster’s status as a monopoly and the need to break up the merger that led to this are not.

As of Summer 2022, the Department of Justice was already investigating Ticketmaster, and its parent company, for antitrust violations. The merger of Ticketmaster with Live Nation, a major concert production company, played an enormous part in this fiasco. This agreement was done with federal permission and management. It demanded that Ticketmaster and Live Nation, among other things, could not compel the usage of Ticketmaster by any venue.

This agreement was violated as Ticketmaster appeared to have forced venues and artists to use their services over others. The agreement was extended to 2025. It’s unclear as to why this would stop Ticketmaster and its parent company from continuing to operate as a monopoly and box out all their competitors when, historically, they have been broadly noncompliant.

While it was the record-breaking sales for Taylor Swift’s Era Tour that brought this issue to light and has the general public examining Ticketmaster’s market abuses, artists and venues have put out grievances related to Ticketmaster frequently prior to this sale. There has been a constant and consistent barrage of criticism over Ticketmaster’s anti-competitive business model.

Their dominance in the industry has led to ridiculous service fees and wait times since they can’t be challenged by other companies. Numerous politicians commented on the danger of Ticketmaster as a monopoly, demanded that the companies be broken up and heralded the decision to allow the merger as a fatal mistake. Their status has allowed them to get away with horrific service

conditions that they have no motivation to improve and fees that have added up sometimes to about 78% of the actual ticket price.

These companies have shown that they cannot be trusted to follow antitrust laws and do good by consumers. Ticketmaster and Live Nation have taken advantage of their status and are harming an entire industry as venues, artists and fans pay the price. The merger between these companies has given them too much leverage and breadth. If market abuses like these are allowed to continue, the competition which drives businesses to improve and stay competitive is already dead.

Erewhon, the hotspot for transplants and gentrifiers, is erasing the real Los Angeles

JAELYN GONZALEZ Assistant Radar Editor

From Kim Kardashian to Hailey Beiber, Erewhon is the trendiest spot to shop for one’s weekly groceries or grab a smoothie. Erewhon Market is a luxury grocer with an emphasis on vegan, raw and organic foods. While the shelves look similar to Whole Foods or Sprouts, the grocery store serves a particular consumer with its enor mous price tag. Erewhon, however, is not just a typical West Los Angeles fad. Unlike the trendy Alfred Coffee, Equinox, or Nobu, Erewhon is expanding its network deeper into LA. With the addition of its Silver Lake location, it is questionable what steps Erewhon will take as it moves further east into communities that built LA. The problem with Erewhon is its expansion into parts of the area that house cultural significance. When an Erewhon is transplanted into a neighborhood, it is a sign of death to true LA history.

All eight Erewhon locations are located in the West LA neighborhoods: Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Pacific Palisades, Fairfax, Santa Monica, Venice and its new est location, Silver Lake. These locations are carefully placed to deliver to the wealthiest populations of LA, with notable visits by influencers and celebrities. Ere whon is not an LA native either, as the business moved to the west coast seeking to expand its capital.

In recent years, Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Echo Park have all undergone extreme changes as the neighbor hoods have fallen victim to gentrification. In what once was a Latine-serving neighborhood, now lies a hipster, transplant, Keto, Birkenstock dumpster fire. Latines are being forced to move beyond Los Angeles and into the Inland Empire after the neverending rent hikes.

Establishments like Erewhon, shove themselves into culturally diverse neighborhoods and destroy the culture that once was. These businesses find properties in exist ing towns to build the “new” hip neighborhood of LA. The attraction of such enterprises calls upon an unfor giving consumer, causing rent prices up and cultural populations down. Cultural spaces become nonexistent and get lost in the history of what once was.

LA is lavishly filled with Latine culture and for native Angelenos to be stripped of a place that was long-called home is devastating. Although Erewhon is not the only place that brings a wave of gentrification with it, the grocery store is a symbol of the influx of displacement and the willingness to do anything for profit.

As for the future, Erewhon is the business model chains have creepily been following. Expanding east into

Chicano heights, with a different market in mind, is a strategy Erewhon leads the way in. Time will only tell how much damage the grocer and others cause. It is overdue to question how worthy Kourtney Kardashian’s $18 smoothie is compared to neighborhoods marked by historical and cultural importance. ■ H

THE

OF TICKETMASTER DURING THE TAYLOR SWIFT PRESALE ARE BRINGING MARKET ABUSES TO LIGHT.

THE GROCER IS A LIFESTYLE EMBRACED BY LOS ANGELES INFLUENCERS, PUSHING PAST THE LIMITS OF CULTURALLY RICH NEIGHBORHOODS.

Horoscopes

YSABEL NAKASONE Assistant Opinions Editor

ARIES

What You’re Looking for this Winter… WINTER WEATHER BODES A SHARP TURN IN YOUR LOVE LIFE.

(March 21 - April 19): Eight of Wands

The Eight of Wands predicts travel and movement. Things are moving fast lately and everything is shifting. New information has come to life and your life is going to feel a little out of control for a while. Embrace this time because there will be a very clear alignment between everything that seems unexpected and what you’re looking for soon..

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20): Queen of Wands

is winter is not going to be about external connections for you, Taurus. You already have lots of connections and friends made, but you don’t seem to spend too much time focusing on yourself. Your goals seem to have fallen by the wayside and you nd yourself wondering what they were in the rst place. You need to reestablish yourself to others before you fade away to even yourself.

(May 21 - June 20): ree of Swords

I hate to break it to you, but this winter is going to be a season of heartbreak. Someone is going to take action which hurts you and you have to find a way to express it. This card is also a sign to keep a fraction of your heart reserved for the future instead of drowning in sorrow.

Gemini Cancer

(June 21 - July 22): Six of Pentacles

You’re going to benefit from someone’s unparalleled generosity this winter, Cancer. Someone is going to offer you something, it could be a material object or a piece of information, that will be essential in how you choose to go forward with your feelings. It will be the piece that signals whether or not to be honest with this person.

(July 23 - August 22): Justice

Some things are immutable as gravity, Leo. This season, things will be clear to you. While love is often confusing, this time the answers will show up honestly and obviously. The true issue is whether or not you will believe the signs as they are right in front of you.

(November 22 - December 21): e Hermit

Sagittarius, you are embracing the cold as you isolate yourself from love. This decision to push people away will lead to exactly what you’re afraid of: loneliness. It’s simply counterproductive. Withdrawal from your own life is going to have a cost that you’re not going to want to pay.

(August 23 - September 22): Nine of Wands

This winter is going to be about patience, Virgo. Take your time as you build the foundation for a long-lasting relationship. Boundaries aren’t established easily and in fear. This isn’t someone random or someone unimportant in your life, they are going to have a major effect on you. Fitting them into your life is something that shouldn’t be done hastily.

Leo Virgo Libra

(September 23 - October 22): Death

A relationship will come to an end, one that has been a long time coming. This isn’t a heartbreak for you, Libra. This was an unhealthy relationship that you’re breaking free of. It is a weight of your shoulders and will break the pattern of self-hatred you’ve been peddling.

Scorpio

(October 23 - November 21): e Lovers

Winter is going to be a harmonious period for you as the choice you have made recently will add up to a relationship. Love is absolutely in your immediate future. Continue to make choices that represent you and be honest about yourself with others.

(December 22 - January 19): Ace of Pentacles

You haven’t been focusing on the future lately and have been consumed by the past and present. This winter bodes major change for you and without foresight, it’s going to hit like a truck. Be strategic and consider the people and things in your life that haven’t been at the forefront lately because they’re about to make an appearance.

Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius

(January 20 - February 18): Five of Cups

This winter, you’re going to be feeling very pessimistic about life and love. You are going to get hung up on regrets about past relationships. As you go home for winter break, don’t let hometown history bury you. You may feel like your love life hasn’t made much progress, but others can see growth where you can’t.

Pisces

(February 19 - March 20): Ten of Cups

e Ten of Cups bodes bliss for you, Pisces. As the quarter comes to an end, you’ll have some time to revel in harmonious love and relationships.

e connections that have felt cut o lately will be strengthened as you take the time away from stressors to recalibrate.

Alamy

Adobe Stock

Alamy

AdobeStock

AdobeStock

Depositphotos

VectorStock

Adobe Stock VectorStock VectorStock VectorStock

VectorStock

Pangs of Hunger

DE LA TORRE Contributing Writer

The Thanksgiving morning of her nineteenth year, Lucinda took those first blessed steps onto the ledge of the train’s platform, hands trembling from the biting November air. Misty fog gathered at her exposed ankles while dew clung to the coiled strands of her dark hair. Standing there in the cold, feeling the powerful thrum of the engine beneath her, the uncertainty of the day palpitating in her chest, she had never felt more alive.

The body of the foreign town seemed to sprawl out before her. The buildings, animals, even the cars all seemed to be waking up around her in the glow of the morning light. Gold and reddish leaves littered the streets, crunching as she took tentative steps down the pavement that was still slick from last night’s rain. For once, the earth she tread was solid, capable of sustaining her weight. It was nothing like the vacuum of insecurity home had been.

Lucinda’s childhood existed in a kind of negative space, the kind punctuated by the painful sting of need. There had never been a place for her in the small shack of a home her family called their own. The more time went on, the less her parents could support the throng of growing and aging siblings she shared a cot with at night. Her portions at dinner had diminished consistently as the months went on, and soon she realized that within her family she had been the one selected to bear the brunt of the sacrifice. Still, the hunger never quieted.

It got to the point where Lucinda dreamt of food, the desire for it finding a way to puncture her subconscious. She saw in these visions lavish table settings, plates piled high with servings of roasted game and candied vegetables, flaky pastries and frosted cakes, only to be awoken by the humming growl of her empty stomach in the morning.

One day she had had enough. Under the cover of night, with nothing but the clothes on her back and a few dollars she

had stowed away, she made her escape to the only train that could take her past the outskirts of town. She let herself be led by the voice inside her that spurred her to flight, convincing her that there was something worth seeing far past the expanse of brush and dying crops she had lived in her whole life.

It was that same instinct that drew her closer to an isolated stand on the sidewalk, where a heaping pile of browning pretzels sprinkled with salt rested behind a glass window. The warmth of the bread fogged the glass as the smell of the fresh batch seemed to waft down the stretch of empty apartment buildings for miles. Lucinda felt a surge in her chest at the sight of the food, so easily accessible, brimming over the stand’s counter. Like a beacon of hope, the lone cart seemed to designate the city as a haven of the plentiful.

Beside the stand, an older man in a worn workman’s jacket huddled beneath the stretch of a red umbrella. Tufts of white hair peeked from beneath the newsboy cap on his head, just as fixed as the scowl he wore across his face. He watched Lucinda, noticing her shining, pleading eyes staring into the glass. In her he recognized something he had seen too many times before in the city. It was the look of someone in need, a person the rest of the world would have preferred to let go on unseen. In all of his years on that block he had stood idly by, allowing those lost souls to carry on without extending a hand of compassion towards them. Maybe it was the holiday, maybe it was the splendid way the sun seemed to coat the streets with warm light, but something had undoubtedly changed in the old man. He wouldn’t allow himself to let someone carry on unseen today.

“Here,” the man grunted as he outstretched a steaming bundle of wax paper towards her, urging her to take it. Lucinda began to shake her head in refusal despite the gnawing feeling emanating from the pit of her stomach, begging her to accept.

AN ONGOING FEATURES SERIES OF SHORT STORIES.

“Just take it. Happy Thanksgiving.” No words could substantially express the wave of gratitude that seemed to wash over her at that moment. It was in the look exchanged between the two that said everything words could not.

Lucinda pressed the bread to her lips, eyes closed and blissful. It had been the first morsel of food to touch her tongue in days, and the pang of hunger she had welcomed like an old friend would finally cease. With the pain came a feeling of ecstasy, the first bite serving as a reminder of her early years when food was more scarce than it was now, but treasured that much more because of it. If her family could see her now they would marvel at the whopping serving of pretzel she had all to herself, they’d pick the rock salts off its surface and relish in the taste of it on their tongues. Long gone were the days of pulling apart rye loaves to distribute amongst herself and the flock of siblings that trailed her like ants. With the twisted limbs of her pretzel in hand, as holy as a palm on a bible, she vowed never to go back to that life again.

“I don’t have any – ”

ELIANA

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Features

THE PERFECT PUMPKIN BREAD

Fall is never complete without the delicious taste of pumpkin. So when it comes to fall dinners and potlucks, the go to dish to bring is my pump kin bread. It’s not too sweet, it’s easy to make and tastes wonderful every time.

By: Brandyn Guerra, CW

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 3 cups sugar

• 2 teaspoons fine salt

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Intructions:

• 1 cup of unsweetened pumpkin puree

• 1 cup vegetable oil

• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten

• 2/3 cup water

Prep Time: 1 hours and 20 minutes

Serving Size: 10 people

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and prepping your pans with either a nonstick cooking spray or unsalted butter. I like to use two 9-by-5 inch pans. You can find easy, disposable tin ones from the grocery store for easier clean up. In one bowl, whisk together the sugar and oil, and then add in the eggs and pumpkin until it’s all combined and smooth. Combine the flour, salt, baking soda, baking pow der, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and cloves in a medium bowl and whisk until well combined. Slowly incorporate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients bowl, along with a little bit of the water at a time, stirring in-between to ensure there are no clumps. Bake for about one hour. The loaves should look nice and golden brown and a cake tester should come out clean.. Let the loaves cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 min utes. Remove from the pans and let cool completely for about another hour. Best served while they’re still warm! Enjoy! It’s straightforward, simple, and tastes amazing! It’s a perfect fall treat for any occasion!

THE PERFECT PALESTINIAN HUMMUS

Grocery store hummus often falls short, lacking the flavor and depth of the dish. Here is a quick and easy authentic Palestinian Hummus recipe you should try at home.

Ingredients:

• (all ingredient measurements are approximations and can be altered for taste and preferences)

• 1 can of garbanzo beans

• 2 tablespoons of tahini (sesame puree; can be purchased at local Arabic market)

• 1 lemon (squeezed)

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

• 1 clove of garlic

• Salt to taste

Instructions:

Prep time: 10 minutes Serving Size: 4 servings

Open a can of garbanzo beans and rinse with water. Add rinsed garbanzo beans, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and olive oil into a blender or food processor and pulse till smooth. Spread hummus onto a plate, top with olive oil, and serve. You can enjoy this dish with various vegetables, pita chips, and pita bread. Bon appetite and happy hummus making!

By: Senna Omar, Assistant Features Edito

Homecoming Odyssey

was a celebration of Highlander spirit

BRENDA JOVEL Radar Editor

In celebration of Homecoming at UCR, ASPB hosted its second annual concert. Originally branded as Homecoming Bonfire, the night was transformed with hypnotic beats and fluorescent lights that welcomed UCR students to Homecoming Odyssey 2022.

Unlike previous events where lines were scattered across campus grounds, Odyssey was efficiently organized from the entrance to the lines at every booth and attraction. There was also a line for community members as people around the neighborhood were invited as well. Jordan Nevin, a 2020 graduate from UCSC, expressed their excitement when they saw that the Riverside community was invited to Odyssey. “I was able to enter a separate community line and get a wristband which was really nice! ASPB members were very helpful as well. I will definitely be coming to more events like this,” said Nevin.

Guests were then directed to the merch tents where various promo items were given. Hoodies with a simple yet eye-catching design were passed around while bracelets, blankets and enamel pins also served as pieces of memorabilia.

The lines for food vendors began to form, but Baba’s Chicken stole the show as many students enjoyed their free chicken sandwiches. While conversing at the various tables to eat their meals, student DJ, Digital Twin, began their set. Garett Geesink, a fifth-year majoring in computer science, along with his brother Aaron Geesink, make up Digital Twin. As Aaron stood offstage playing the live visuals for the show, Garett performed onstage with their VR headset. “One of my friends thought it would be funny if I wore the headset during my set. I’m actually using the built-in cameras so I can see the audience and my mixer in VR. It did make performing a bit difficult, but I thought it looked pretty cool, so I went with it,” said Geesink when asked about their headset.

Geesink described their experience at Odyssey as

an amazing one where they got the chance to connect with the backstage visuals team. Both Geesink and their brother created their own visuals that swirled on the screen as they performed, creating an animated experience of music and colors. As for other UCR students who wish to perform at similar events, Geesink said, “If you want to be a DJ, then just play the music you believe in. I’ve been going to UCR’s DJ club for a year now and they’ve given me so much support to help me as an artist. I never would have gotten where I am without the support from my brother and friends, so I’m really grateful to all of them.”

Soon after, the cries of various students who were anticipating the arrival of Weston Estate were heard as the young boy band scampered onto the stage. Based in North Carolina and self-branded as “ya aunty’s favorite boy band” from an interview with Monsoon, the young group was quick to engage with the audience. They were playful in their mannerisms and displayed contagious dancing as they began their set with their song, “Sixty.” With the crowd cheering and jumping along to their beats, the group flourished with energy and smiles as they spoke to the audience. Tanmay Joshi even took the chance to take a fan’s BeReal as they prepared for their next song. The energy between Joshi, Panchavati and Luka as they sang songs like “Daisies,” “Saturday Nights” and “Cotton Candy” made audience members sing along and wave their arms.

As the young group greeted and signed hoodies and even shoes for fans at the side gate, a video by UCR Athletics played onscreen as it congratulated the men’s soccer team’s win. UCR Collective Faction went onstage and delivered a fast-paced and sharp dance routine before Scotty grabbed the spotlight. Scotty and ASPB members threw light sticks and plastic basketballs into the crowd, and we were quickly mesmerized by the firework show that blew into the night sky while bagpipes played in the background.

As Headliner, ARMNHMR made everyone in the

crowd dance and jump to their heavy beats of remixes. It was a sensory overload of joy as people climbed on each other’s shoulders to watch the duo perform. Popular songs such as “Do It To It” and “Satisfaction” vibrated against the stage and flew in techno beats that the crowd moved along with. Joseph Chung continuously spoke to the audience, reminding us to stay in school with awkward jokes or to wave and jump to their sounds. The duo even had Scotty showing off their best dance moves in the crowd. They ended their set with an electrifying remix of “Dynamite,” causing students to sing along to the popular song before the duo said goodbye.

When asked about their thoughts on the rebranding of Homecoming during the event, Mustafa Hassan, an ASPB Concerts Division Intern, said, “I definitely think it embodies our student-athletes and it brings the entire student body together.”

Alex Ha, a second-year majoring in computer science said, “The event was great! ASPB did an amazing job choosing artists that cater to the school’s environment.” Tomin Kappiarumalayil, a third-year computer engineering student said, “My favorite part was the organization of the venue and how they accommodated everyone and handled the long lines. I also appreciate how the event took place on concrete instead of grass because you don’t risk slipping with the pushy, energetic crowd.”

The rebranding of Homecoming allows a new set of traditions to flourish on our Riverside campus, yet many were confused about the meaning of ‘Odyssey’ and why it was rebranded in the first place. ASPB briefly described on their Instagram that the rebranding would “emphasize the journey to becoming a Highlander.” Though the meaning was a bit foggy for students, it was a thrilling experience that brought everyone together for one night.

■ H

SEBASTIAN CEJA / THE HIGHLANDER

RAMITA SETTY Contributing Writer

On Nov. 6, the series finale for AMC’s “Interview with the Vampire” was released, ending the first part of the twisted saga of love and gothic horror. With the full story of the season released, it became much easier to understand the angle the writers were going for and how it would all end.

In modern-day Dubai, Louis du Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) invites investigative journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) to hear the story of his life. The story begins with his life in early 20th century New Orleans as the wealthy owner of several brothels where he meets and is made a vampire by the charismatic Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid), who then becomes Louis’ lover. Further complications arise when the duo takes in teenage vampire Claudia (Bailey Bass) into their home. Louis narrates the story of his turbulent and volatile affair with Lestat for thirty years, filled with love, jealousy, possessiveness, parenthood, domestic violence and murder.

Based on Anne Rice’s famous “Vampire Chronicles” books, the show does not hesitate to make radical changes. Chief among them concerning the character of Louis, who is transformed from a white slave plantation owner to a closeted Black Creole man whose wealth comes from the chain of brothels he owns. The period of the novel is also changed from the mid-1700s to the early 20th century. The series also embraces the queer elements of the novel, in particular with the relationship between Lestat and Louis, which the 1994 adaptation did not.

Changes of this magnitude in an adaptation can often go poorly because it’s often an ill-thought attempt on the part of the studio to put their spin on the work. In this case, the changes work because the writers understood the themes of the original novel intimately and served to reinforce those themes.

The series uses the changes made to lean further into Louis’ internal struggle over the morality of vampiric existence. In the very first episode, Louis, a relapsed Catholic, has a mental breakdown in a church over the morally dubious nature of being a brothel owner. Then, after confessing his sins in a box, he goes right back to it. He’s aware of the nature of the work, but he isn’t willing to do the work to change. Eventually, it does get taken away from him. It serves as a wonderful human parallel to his more vampiric struggle over the ethics of feeding on and killing humans. This aspect highlights how out of all the vampires we meet, Louis remains the most human. He is both self-aware and in denial, which gives him greater depth and complexity.

Other elements that deserve praise are the extensive costumery, which more than anything makes the period of the series. Some standouts are a shot of Claudia, clad in a girlish dress with flowers stained red with the blood of her victim and Lestat in the final episode clad in garish 18th-century drag.

But the series is not without its problems. Several critics have noted that there are much more scenes of gratuitous violence against the series’ Black characters that their white book counterparts never faced. Between a sexual assault attempt on Claudia and a particularly brutal domestic violence scene against Louis, it can feel like the show plays into the same gratuitous Black trauma countless other pieces of Hollywood media have in the past. It is also an example of the series’ need to be rather heavy-handed with its themes. Instead of Lestat remaining just emotionally and mentally abusive with Claudia and Louis like he was in the novels, the series makes him physically abusive as well, perhaps because they did not trust their audience to understand his abusive nature otherwise.

Ultimately, it depends on the direction the writer takes the show in, which has already been renewed for season 2. The novels end with Louis and Lestat as a couple, despite all of their past toxicity and backstabbing. If this is what the series intends, it will be more difficult to resolve the issues between Louis and Lestat, especially with the more extreme elements of domestic violence and the added racial dichotomy that exists between the two. In several interviews, the cast and showrunner have said that domestic violence will not be ignored or swept under the rug which we’ll have to wait until the next season to see. ■ H

AMARAY ALVAREZ Opinions Editor

Nov. 21 marks the 14th anniversary of a movie that started a global franchise and caused a cultural shift in how we perceive vampires. The movie “Twilight,” however angsty and problematic it may be, was a monumental occasion that created several pop culture references still used today. The first installment of the four movie franchise, based on the novels written by Stephenie Meyer and directed by Catherine Hardwicke, started our obsession with vampires and the love triangle rivalry that would become known as team Edward or team Jacob.

Before the “Twilight Saga” gained popularity, vampires were typically portrayed as dark and pale characters that lurked in the night, slept in coffins and were sometimes able to transform into bats. Meyer put an end to this tired-out image, inventing a vampire that was lust-worthy and someone to root for regardless of their villainous background. She made vampires hot despite them being cold-blooded. The new persona Meyer gave vampires launched an obsession for them with several other vampire-centered shows and books following; most notably “The Vampire Diaries.”

The love triangle created is also one of the most memorable and popular components of the movie. In the first film, we are introduced to “the not like other girls” character Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, and the 100-year-old vampire Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson. Edward becomes infatuated with Bella, stating that her blood is just too alluring to him and starts a relationship with her. Their dynamic is questionable, due to the age difference and power struggle, but Bella is pulled in by Edward’s vampire charm and is unable to resist. Even though Edward is disliked by Bella’s father, as well as her close friend/love interest Jacob Black, played by Taylor

“INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE” IS A GORGEOUSLY DARK, GOTHIC HORROR AND ROMANCE THAT MANAGES TO STAND ON ITS OWN NEXT TO THE NOVEL. IT IS ONE OF RECENT YEARS’ BEST FANTASY SERIES THAT EMBRACES THE LONGEXISTING LINK BETWEEN QUEERNESS AND VAMPIRISM IMPLICITLY.

VERDICT:

Lautner, she is drawn to him and everything it means to be a vampire.

Although the first “Twilight” movie started an international craze, it has not all been received positively. Meyer has been largely criticized for her writing style as well as her portrayal of indigenous peoples, like the Quileute tribe referenced throughout the series. Meyer took an already existing group and exploited them by recreating their culture and the narrative surrounding them. The werewolf folklore that accompanies Jacob, who is played by a nonindigenous actor, and his tribe is disrespectful to the real Quileute who were never paid for the use of their image. They are written to seem animalistic and feral while the mainly white vampires are portrayed as proper and good in Bella’s eyes. Jacob’s character is always second and never as worthy as the white man. Many of the actors who make up the wolf pack are also not indigenous due to them needing to cut their hair as part of their transformation. The actors that play Jacob’s friends, who are seen at the beach, do not return for this reason.

The “Twilight Saga” is constantly replayed on television, bounced from one streaming provider to another and the infamous love song “A Thousand Years,” by Christina Perri, is still played at weddings today, but it is important to criticize it when watching. The series does attract people with its romance and nostalgia, but it is equally cringy and hilarious — especially when being rewatched for the 100th time. Celebrate this 14th anniversary of the movie by wearing old merch and making Bella’s mushroom ravioli, but be sure to catch the subtle missteps, like when Bella fails to use the ketchup bottle correctly or when Anna Kendrick’s character is on screen. Meyer recently published a new version of the first book in 2020 from the perspective of Edward titled “Midnight Sun.” The impact this movie and the saga have had is immeasurable and will only continue to grow.

‘Interview with the Vampire’ is a modern masterpiece of an adaptation

ANNE RICE’S IMMORTAL TALE HAS BEEN REVITALIZED FOR A NEW GENERATION.

‘Where the hell have you been loca?’ — The ‘Twilight Saga’ celebrates its 14th anniversary

DESPITE ‘TWILIGHT’S’ LONG-STANDING GLOBAL FAME, THE PLOT IS PROBLEMATIC AND FAILS TO ACCURATELY REPRESENT INDIGENOUS GROUPS.

COURTESY OF SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT

‘Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths’: A chimeric, sentient glimpse at the human condition

LUKE LIAO Contributing Writer

ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ

IÑÁRRITU TACKLES AN ARRAY OF UNIVERSAL DILEMMAS IN A DECADENT FASHION.

Alejandro González Iñárritu has a lot on his mind. Iñárritu’s newest film, “Bardo, False Chronicle of a Hand ful of Truths,” marks his return to the director’s helm, nearly seven years after the 2015 film “The Revenant.” In “Bardo,” maestro journalist and documentary film maker Silverio Gama (Daniel Giménez Cacho) returns to Mexico, his homeland. Shortly after he arrives, personal, creative and existential pillars come crashing down.

From the start, it is evident that Silverio is a vessel for Iñárritu. Physically, Silverio resembles the auteur — both men even don the same hairstyle. Silverio’s return to Mexico can be juxtaposed with Iñárritu’s return to film making in his motherland. The filmmaker’s last Mexican feature was in 2000 with “Amores Perros.” “Bardo” works as a fictionalized autobiography, a way for Iñár ritu to let the audience know everything that he has been ruminating about during his hiatus.

“Bardo” feels like a summation of Iñárritu’s work for better or worse. The zaniness and self-reflexiveness of “Birdman” is put into sixth gear in “Bardo.” A comi cally indulgent party with David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” playing and not one, but two sequences where a newborn reenters the womb, illustrates Bardo’s absurdist, bohe mian sensibilities. The film is also aware of its acceptance of grandeur and abundance yet it holds an inconsistent critical lens toward these same themes. Many lines and conversations that are clearly meant to elicit a sense of self-awareness come off as strangely inoculated, almost like an unsubtle reminder.

Whether it was through the tribulation and emotional impasses of the Death Trilogy and “Biutiful,” or the identity crisis in “Birdman,” Iñárritu has always been fixated on the human condition. “Bardo” synthesizes many of these themes, touching upon family, birth, death, grief and identity. On paper, the melange of these ideas seems compelling, but a front-loaded plot and the sheer extravagance of concepts “Bardo” tries to undertake causes certain aspects to be watered down. Fortunately, the narrative is supple enough to keep the larger storyline at stake engrossing.

Due to Bardo’s deep connection to heritage, the film finds Iñárritu at his most intimate, an artist becoming inseparable from their art. Through Silverio, the audience can see that Iñárritu views himself as ostracized between realms, stranded between Mexico and the US. Silverio’s work documents Mexican people and issues, such as immigration, but he found acclaim in an American audi ence. Silverio’s friends and critics from Mexico taunt or dislike him for assimilating with the “gringos”, and in the U.S, Silverio feels guilt for the success he receives. Additionally, Silverio despises when outsiders attack his culture, but he catches himself doing the same frequently. The disconnect and confusion between cultures becomes a complicated portrait of isolation and a state of limbo, which is what the title “Bardo” broaches.

The surreal, Fellinesque sequences and visuals are the show-stealer. Although it’s easy to get lost in the eye candy or feel hazy from the etherealness, these dream scenes reveal a deceptively large amount of information

in a script that doesn’t always say much. In one sequence, Silveiro walks down a dreamscape, an abandoned city with lifeless blue skies and gaunt buildings. He sees a mound of dead Mexican natives and climbs it. At the top, he meets a resting Hernán Cortés, and talks with him. The conversation that unfolds reveals Silverio and Iñárritu’s views on Mexico’s history, further pushing the crisis of selfhood.

To capture the decadence in or out of dream states, cinematographer Darius Khondji uses a wide angle to capture one of best-looking films of the year and the best in Iñárritu’s catalog of already highly stylized films. Low shots are incessantly used to construct a childlike sense of awe around Silverio’s surroundings. The fervid dance se quence and a notional battle at the Chapultepec castle see Khondji flexing his bravado, weaving in and out of the action. Everything from stained glass, disco balls, strobe lights and even sunsets have never looked better.

From the palatial set pieces to the ambitious breadth of concepts, it is evident that Netflix, the producers of the film, gave Iñárritu close to, if not total creative control and a hefty budget. Lavish sequences and many visual effects would not be possible without these freedoms, but this autonomy is likely responsible for the scopic, unrestrained nature of the film, which diminishes the al ready sparse intimate moments and overarching gravitas. Bardo’s ambition is ultimately its achilles heel, and one can only wonder what untapped potential a more focused, restricted cut could yield.■ H

Book Nook: The Cycle continues in Tracy Deonn’s second book in the ‘Legendborn Cycle,’ ‘Bloodmarked’

LAVERK HARPER Contributing Writer

If there was ever a perfect sequel to a book series, Tracy Deonn’s “Bloodmarked” is it. Deonn delivers all of her promises of the previous book in this heartbreaking action-packed adventure. “Bloodmarked,” released on Nov. 8, 2022, follows Bree as she navigates the ancient secret order of the round table. “Legendborn” introduced us to the strong-willed Bree as she grieves the death of her mother. The instant New York Times Bestseller for young adults hit number one.

When we last saw Bree, she has just been given the keys to a kingdom she never wanted and barely understands, but “Bloodmarked” goes much deeper into the inner workings of the round table Bree now sits as the head of. Where “Legendborn” focused on Bree’s grief of her mother and how she came to terms with it, “Bloodmarked” has Bree and her friends grieving the death of their friends in “Legendborn.” Bree additionally has to hold onto the grief of her ancestors through the gifts that her root craft gives her.

Black girl magic is the literal name of the game in this Arthurian retelling. Within the book, Bree is stuck between two worlds of magic and the narrative explores both. Rootcraft, the magic of asking to borrow power from one’s ancestors and bloodcraft, using the powers of one’s ancestors as their own. This book plays with the idea of power; who gets it, who already has it and

how to use it responsibly. Very early in the book, we are introduced to the regents who rule over the Legendborn, characters who were alluded to in the previous books but were not encountered until now. Here we see the full reach of their power and how they use it.

Being a descendant of a slave, Bree is already wrapped with a lot of heavy feelings towards the world and how she looks at it. She sees that not everyone is going to treat her with the respect and kindness that she deserves, but hatred and animosity for the color of her skin. From “Legendborn” to “Bloodmarked,” racism is a recurring obstacle Bree is forced to face along her journeys. Some say that depictions of racism are not something that should be in the media, but clearly, Tracy Deonn thinks otherwise. Racism is what makes this book a little more believable and places it closer to our world. Despite how many people attempt to forget it, racism is a part of a lot of POC lives, so it seems right that Deonn decided to depict it in her works. Thanks to her blood-walking abilities, Bree doesn’t just have to deal with her own racist experiences — she also has to deal with those of her ancestors who came before her. This story will resonate especially well with those who have dealt with great grief in their life or have been the only BIPOC in a room full of non-BIPOC.

Scion of Arthur, blood-crafter and medium between

all of these abilities, Bree carries a heavy burden that is made no easier by her ancestors. Because her bloodcraft abilities allow her to experience her ancestors’ lives through blood walking, Bree is forced to carry around their trauma as well as the trauma she has dealt with throughout her life. From the rape of her enslaved greatgreat grandmother Vera to the racism her grandmother Jessie experienced; all of these things culminate as something no one person should be forced to carry. Bree is made to bear the full force of this generational trauma. She goes through the book trying to figure out how to deal with it – eventually coming to terms with it on her own.

Bree has always been surrounded by people that love her whether it be her father or her best friend Alice Chen who stole readers’ hearts in “Legendborn.” Here she gets more time to shine as she and Bree go on this journey together along with the merlin, Sel, and the scion, William. They are all put in a position where they are forced to understand each other and build relationships in new ways. These four make up the main group and are the best part of the story. Their banter and conversations make even the worst situations better.

VERDICT: TRACY DEONN HAS MADE ANOTHER SMASH HIT IN THE BOOK WORLD AND WE SHOULD ALL ADMIT THAT. “BLOODMARKED” IS A MUST-READ IF YOU ARE A FAN OF YOUNG ADULT NOVELS THAT FEATURE A GREAT CAST AND AN AMAZING MAIN CHARACTER.

TRACY DEONN DELIVERS AN EMOTIONALLY HEAVY SEQUEL TO HER DEBUT YOUNG ADULT NOVEL ‘LEGENDBORN’ THAT EXPANDS ON THE WORLD SHE CREATED.

VERDICT: ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ IÑÁRRITU CRAFTS A ZANY AND SURREAL EXAMINATION OF AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS BUT ITS MULTIPLICITY OF FOCI HINDERS THE PROJECT FROM GREATNESS.

UC Riverside cruises past Occidental College

in the Homecoming game. EN

MATTHEW AU Contributing Writer

The UC Riverside’s men’s basketball team swept Occidental College 106-30 on Saturday night. After traveling to Omaha, Nebraska earlier in the week to face off against Creighton University, UCR suffered a stunning defeat and eagerly awaited a strong comeback against their next opponent. As the SRC Arena roared to life, the Highlanders challenged and overpowered the Occidental Tigers the entire game without setback.

UCR opened the game with two successful steals by graduate guard Flynn Cameron transitioning into two layups made by Flynn and senior guard Zyon Pullin. With a quick layup scored by the Tigers, the Highlanders in reprisal scored two three-pointers and an additional layup from Cameron, Pullin and sophomore center Jhaylon Martinez to set a 10-point lead of 12-2 with 14:47 left. UCR established a sudden 16-point score streak with four successful three-pointers made within a span of five minutes. Feeling confident, UCR substituted most of their starting players despite Occidental beginning to trade three-pointers and jump shots with UCR. Once more UCR scored back-toback three-pointers from Pullin and graduate guard Jamal Hartwell II, followed by three successful free throws yet again from Hartwell with 5:25 left. In the final five minutes of the first half, Occidental began to eat away at UCR’s lead with two threepointers and one jump shot. Without ease, the Highlanders outperformed OU’s efforts with redundant three-pointers and free throws to bring a close to the first half at 52-19, a 32-point lead for UCR.

Beginning the second half, freshman forward Lachlan Olbrich scored two layups following a steal by Pullin. As UCR and OU continued to exchange two-pointers, UCR once more gained another scoring streak with 16:35 left. After subsequent threepointers and layups scored by Olbrich and Flynn, UCR was able to substitute their lead shooters for auxiliary players. Keeping the scorestreak alive, Hartwell and sophomore forward Vladimer Salaridze scored repetitive three-pointers with many other players

contributing to the scoreboard as the game’s final ten minutes rolled around. As Occidental continued to put up an unsuccessful defense and offense, Highlander starters were once more put in to finish off the game. Martinez, Olbrich, Pullin and Salaridze all put up additional three-pointers or layups with additional assists and shots made by freshman guard Nate Pickens and sophomore forward Luke Turner. In the final minutes of the game, Occidental valiantly scored another successful layup and one free throw but was met by two layups from both Martinez and Turner. With only 12 seconds remaining, OU scored one final layup to close out the game 106-30.

The lead scorers from the blowout were Olbrich and Hartwell, scoring 16 and 15 points respectively, both season highs. Pullin trailing on the scoresheet put up 14 points and 2 steals. All three players established season highs for the number of three-pointers made and attempted. Olbrich shot 2-3 from three-point range, Hartwell 4-6 and Pullin 2-2. This game recorded the season high for most three-pointers made and attempted by the entire team, shooting 19-40 from downtown, cumulating to a 47.5% success rate in three-pointers made.

As the Highlanders tie their season win-to-loss ratio at 2-2, they aim to beat Weber State at Henderson, Nevada, another NCAA Division 1 team on Monday, November 21.

UC Riverside men’s soccer team falls to University of Portland in the opening round of men’s NCAA soccer

KIA NOOSHI Contributing Writer

UC Riverside men’s soccer team suffered a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament this past week, marking the end of a fantastic season which included becoming both the regular season and tournament champions in the Big West Conference. This was only the second time the Highlanders had gone dancing in program history with the last being in 2018 when they also suffered a close loss in the first round.

The match started off slowly, with both teams attempting but failing to gain the upper hand within the first 10 minutes of the game. Portland was the favorite going into the match with much more prior tournament experience having made it to the second round the year prior. The Highlanders appeared to match up well against their opponents, stifling Portland’s wingers to start the game. The Pilots’ experience helped them gain the advantage in the 16th minute when a well-won freekick turned into a headed goal for the Pilots. Following the goal, UCR went on the offensive in an attempt to tie the game up going into the break getting off multiple shots to no avail. The Highlanders went into the half with a one-goal deficit but were very much still in the game.

The game was all but sealed at the beginning of the restart when less than a minute into

the second half the Highlanders lost the ball close to their own goal while attempting to build up play out the back and the Pilots capitalized scoring off a shot within three passes after winning the ball back. Following Portland’s second goal the match turned into a cat-and-mouse game with the Highlanders having to find a balance between sending men forward in search of an equalizer while maintaining defensive integrity in order to not concede a third. During this period of transition UCR’s fullbacks put in a shift pushing up and down the wings to create wide overloads on offense whenever Portland did not have possession.

Desperation began to kick in with around 10 minutes to play and the Highlanders began committing more and more men forward to combat Portland’s deep defensive block. This led to an interesting tactic where UCR’s tall, strong center backs pushed up alongside the forwards and the wingers dropped to cover and send in crosses from deep whenever Portland cleared the ball. While unconventional, the tactic proved effective as with less than two minutes to go sophomore defender Aleksander Vukovic tipped the ball past the keeper from a Brendan Clark ball from deep which sophomore forward Noah Lopez was able to head into Vukovic’s path. That gave the Highlanders some hope to find an equalizer and force extra time but that hope was short-lived as Portland held on and the Highlanders’ time at the dance ended before it really began.

While the season ended in defeat, the team, coaching staff and everyone involved in the athletic department can come away from this season with their heads held high as the program was on the brink of collapse just two years ago from financial difficulties due to COVID-19. Head coach Tim Cupello, and athletic director Wesley Mallete have shown great care and passion for a program that appeared to be in transition with 14 new players joining the roster and facing adversity early in the season. Cupello and Mallette helped turn the season around, sweeping both possible Big West titles, driving huge turnouts at games and setting up the soccer program for continued success in the upcoming years and hopefully a deeper run in upcoming NCAA tournaments.

THE HIGHLANDERS END THEIR SEASON AFTER SUFFERING A HEARTBREAKING LOSS TO THE PILOTS

COURTESY OF UCR SPORTS

COURTESY OF UCR SPORTS

Be imaginative.

Have an idea, opinion, or visual you just can’t get out of your head? Whether you’re a photographer, writer, or designer, the Highlander is ready to get you published. Join us every Monday at 5:15 p.m. in HUB 101 to learn more.