Volume 72, Issue 23

T he h ighlander

ASUCR makes changes to executive fellows program NEWS

The Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) Senate passed legislation last Wednesday outlining changes to the bylaws governing the First Year Fellow Program, which provides mentorships for first-year students with ASUCR Executive Cabinet members. The 18th senate meeting of the year also saw legislation to promote inclusive food options on campus, Green Grant approvals and senator reports.

The First Year Fellows legislation, SB-S24-001, intends to further define the responsibilities and structure of the First Year Fellow Program, focusing on “required assignments and accountability,” according to the text of the bill. The amended bylaws contain new provisions outlining the responsibilities of those involved in the program, and other logistics.

Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE)

Senator Anjana Narasimhan, a primary author of the bill and former executive fellow, stated that the legislation was mostly “small edits and more explanations of what we’re going to do, because the bylaw itself originally was very broad and isn’t really

specific.”

The legislation also sets up more concrete measures of accountability, adding a section in the bylaws for disciplinary proceedings. Adam Ramirez, Head of Staff for the office of the President and a primary author of the bill expressed concern that previously, “there hadn’t been much recourse if a fellow or if an ECAB member would neglect their fellows or their duties.”

Senator Philson Ho, another primary author and former executive fellow, said in years past the Fellows Program “lack[ed] a lot of visibility from the rest of ASUCR” and that “not a lot of people take them seriously.” Senator Ho hoped the legislation would help address those concerns.

SB-S24-001 passed 14-0-0. Also passed unanimously by the Senate on Wednesday was SR-S24-002, or the Dietary Inclusivity and Sustainability Act. The resolution stated that ASUCR events with food must include a “vegan and/or vegetarian option,” pointing to diversity and sustainability concerns. College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) Senator Rachit Shah, a primary author

of the legislation, stated “beyond just mandating vegetarian or vegan options [at ASUCR events], we’re trying to encourage more student orgs to actually incorporate vegetarian or vegan diets for sustainability reasons.”

The Senate also approved about $8,000 of Green Grant proposals. $3,991.75 went to the Vegan Food Fair, an annual event which showcases the “diverse array of vegan cuisine provided by UCR Dining,” according to the grant proposal. The fair this year will be held on April 14, 2024. $4,000 was granted to the Sustainable Housing project, which, as stated in the grant proposal, aims to tackle “house design, construction, and sustainability” through the design and construction of a model sustainable house on UCR’s campus.

During roundtable and announcements, several senators described new developments in their office. CHASS Senator Ray Khan spoke on multiple meetings he has had with campus partners, such as the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), Student Life professional staff and African Student Programs (ASP). Khan

stated that he discussed collaborations with his office in his meetings with ASP and the WRC. BCOE Senator Narasimhan promoted an upcoming BCOE fair in May and Ground Up, an art fair in collaboration with the UCR Arts department. School of Public Policy (SPP) Senator Naia Pizarro advertised an upcoming Basic Needs CalFresh event on Wednesday the 17th. President Pro Tempore Abby Choy gave Legislative Review Committee updates. CHASS Senator Teesha Sreeram publicized upcoming events in the Campus Advocacy, Resources & Education (CARE) office. CNAS Senator Grace Su promoted the GCAP Earth Week Festival which runs from April 15-19.

The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. and was adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Senator Alex Lu was absent and Senators Leila Haidar, Kaden Ho and Amariah Peedikayil were excused. School of Education (SOE) Senator Crystal Toral and SPP Senator Naia Pizarro were initially marked excused, but joined the meeting at 7:07 p.m.

Continuing the vision of Rupert Costo

GRAND OPENING OF NATIVE AMERICAN GARDEN FEATURES PRAYER, SONGS AND DANCE.

MATA ELANGOVAN

Laying at the heart of the University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) campus, the Native American Garden has begun to grow and flourish. With an abundance of indigenous flora, a possible new classroom and mural created by local indigenous painter, River Garza, it is steadily instilling itself as a core part of UCR’s landscape. On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, a grand opening was held for the garden to establish its presence on campus.

The event began at noon with an opening statement by Associate Dean and Director of the University Writing Program, Wallace Cleaves. Starting off with UCR’s land acknowledgement, Cleaves proceeded to say, “We are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on these homelands. I always like to add to that how important it is to acknowledge those contributions in the long history of indigenous faculty and supporters here at UCR.”

An emphasis was placed on the role of community members in the creation of the garden, stating that their contribution was “vital” for its conception.

After Cleaves finished his speech, a Serrano elder led the crowd in an opening prayer. He stated, “Thank you very much. What an honor to be here with all these wonderful folks who have worked so hard and continue to bring change for people and country … And I’m glad to be here.”

Clifford Trafzer, a distinguished professor of history, and current Rupert Costo Chair in American Indian Affairs, while unable to attend the event, sent in

a statement to be read at the opening. Trafzer outlined the history of what led to the conception of the garden, beginning with the vision of Rupert Costo, who along with his wife, Jeanette Costo “shared a vision to develop UCR as a Center for Native American studies.” It was through their efforts that a seed was planted, and the “native garden we dedicate today will be our constant reminder of Rupert’s vision, of our renewed vision, for future generations who will know this garden and its meaning; we live and work in a native space and place.”

Following the end of the prayer, Professor Gerald L. Clarke from the ethnic studies department, reminisced about the work that went into the land acknowledgement and the creation of the garden. He elaborated on a specific word within the land acknowledgement, “responsibility,” and stressed the importance of how this “country in this system owes a debt of gratitude to the tribal people whose land they built these schools upon. So this, along with the other initiatives that we’re doing are all part of our responsibility back to the tribal people.” He explained how the garden is not just just a garden, but also a classroom and how he will be bringing in his class to teach them about this “ancient indigenous intellectual tradition.”

Clarke also discussed the possibility of using the garden as a classroom, “We are not simply spiritual and intuitive people, we’re incredibly intelligent people. And our knowledge of plants are things that

have been handed down generation upon generation. If you’re a basket weaver, I want you to come here and gather the grass. And if you need medicine, I want you to come here and gather, because this is what we owe you. This is our responsibility to our tribal people here.”

A moment was provided to Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox to explain the importance of the garden. He explained how the school has been trying to do their best in respecting the identity and language of the indigenous people and that “I’m particularly grateful for the people behind me who have been so helpful to me personally, as we’ve tried to do a better job of respecting that tradition, that history. And I’m very grateful to see such great people here today.”

Lorene (Laurie) Sisquoc, a scholar in residence, then came in to expand on the importance of various parts of the garden. “This is a classroom that’s much more, these are our relatives, and our teachings, and our responsibility. Our elders have said that these were put here for us to take care of, and they’ll take care of us, so it’s important to learn about them.” She highlighted four plants, the yucca, oak tree, sage and elderberry, and how the use of those plants are sacred to the indigenous community and acknowledged many tribal elders who began the process of spreading indigenous teachings, and how that work is being continued now.

After the end of individual speeches, the event turned into a more interactive setting. Many joined in as the social songs

began. Will Madrigal, a Cahuilla man, and graduate student at UCR began the first song. Prior to the start, he reminded the crowd, “We’re here to celebrate that exercise of sovereignty, history making … Those of you who are students here, those of you who are faculty here, you’re going to remember this, and you’re going to come here, and you’re going to feel the energy that’s going to be imbued in this place, because as Native people, that’s what we do, we go into places that have energy, and we bring that energy to the forefront when we sing the songs.”

Various other performances and social songs were carried out, the first detailing the First Migration. The circular formation of the benches and sand pit often would include a fire pit at the center, Madrigal explains, and it would be there that “we’ll start the song cycle at the beginning of the story, the story of our peoples first migration, and the new earth, and new people.” It was through this that they “learned about their connection to the land, to the water, to all creation, to the celestial beings as well. And so they sang about it. They celebrate it. That’s what we’re doing today.”

Each performance and song holds importance to the history of the indigenous people. Many people entered the sandy area in the middle of the garden to dance and sing along, while others stood at the outskirts and viewed the scene.

MATA ELANGOVAN / THE HIGHLANDER

OpiniOns

THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

Campus safety needs improvement, but private security is not the answer

AFTER A SHORT PROGRAM WAS IMPLEMENTED BY PARENTS AT UC BERKELEY, ATTENTION HAS BEEN PAID TO THE NEED FOR TANGIBLE ACTION TO IMPROVE CAMPUS SAFETY.

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.

Parents of UC Berkeley students recently launched a test run of private security patrols on campus-adjacent areas due to growing concern over students’ safety. The parent organization, Safe Bears, has been advocating for improved campus safety measures, and this most recent action received a lot of attention and some backlash. The organization was founded after a shooting that left four shot and one dead in October 2022. After a few publicized carjackings and an incident involving a gun in February 2024, concerns for student safety grew. While parent concerns are certainly valid, it’s questionable whether this effort did much to improve the safety of students or if it was the best way to improve campus safety.

Safe Bears spent upwards of $40,000 to hire private security officers from March 6 to 23 that patrolled from 6:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. These “safety ambassadors” underwent criminal background checks and a minimum of 32 hours of security officer training. They carried no “defensive equipment” such as pepper spray or handcuffs. The lack of ability to show force is concerning because it is unclear how these “safety ambassadors” would be able to protect students in actuality.

University officials and members of the campus community have expressed frustration at the existence of this program. A law professor at Berkeley, Jonathan Simon, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the program “seems more like a stunt than study.” In many ways, Simon was correct. Safe Bears President Sagar Jethani has stated, “We want to, frankly, turn up the heat with the administration … We want to show that we’re not content to just wait forever to have these safety ambassadors deployed.” Their goal is to pressure UC Berkeley to implement a similar program and use this as an opportunity to publicize their concerns by spreading awareness.

Outside of this specific program, Safe Bears advocates for a more visible security presence, fences around student housing, expanded hours for dorm security, discounted rideshares after dark, better use of security cameras, a dedicated security fund, better lighting near student housing and safety training for students. These parents are right to

want a safer learning and living space for their children, especially when there have been increases in reported crime on and near campus. Robberies and aggravated assaults increased somewhat, while reports of vehicle theft grew from 81 to 307 from 2021 to 2022. Off-campus violent and property crimes increased from 7,201 in 2022 to 7,960 the following year.

Additionally, Berkeley’s Warn Me system received much attention after the

“The system that alerts the campus community of danger and protects them needs to be faster than 40 minutes because the consequences will not be abstract, and they will not be little.”

shooting on Bancroft Street in February 2024 after it took 40 minutes for UCPD to send a Warn Me alert about the incident. Warn Me was implemented in order to comply with federal law, specifically the Clery Act. Campuses must do more than adhere to the Clery Act, which requires colleges that receive federal funding to “annually compile and report specific crime and fire statistics for the university campus.” It also demands that schools have emergency response programs and that it notify the community of emergency situations, among other things. The system that alerts the campus community of danger and protects them needs to be faster than 40 minutes because the consequences will not be abstract, and they will not be little.

UC Berkeley has failed many times to meet the standards of the Clery Act and protect its community. Cal was fined over $2 million for Clery Act violations in 2020 and misclassified over 1,000 incidents that largely involved liquor, drug and weapons violations over a six-year period. The Warn Me system was an effort to comply with federal law, but the system is still unacceptably flawed and needs significant improvement.

The Clery Act’s disclosure requirements help improve campus safety on a huge

scale by helping students and applicants understand and prepare for campus life. They are also essential to allow advocates for public safety, like Safe Bears, to hold their institutions accountable. UC Berkeley and all other universities need to comply with the requirements. UC Riverside’s Chief Compliance Office has done a decent job of maintaining compliance regarding reports and the accessibility of those reports, and that will hopefully continue.

However, campus safety at UCR leaves something to be desired. Campuses like UC Riverside need to make the effort as well by ensuring that the Blue Emergency Call boxes are always working and increasing the effectiveness and availability of the campus escort service. Every student should have the UCPD phone number saved in their personal phone. Self-defense education should be expanded and made more widely available or compulsory.

While Berkeley needs to do more to ensure campus safety, it is unclear how beneficial Safe Bear’s program was in protecting students and pushing the university on campus safety. While some students might feel safer, there’s a difference between feeling safe and actually being safe. There are some very real concerns about the ability of the “safety ambassadors” when it comes to experience and training. Thirty-two hours of training is insufficient and unacceptable, especially when they don’t have the latitude or equipment to intervene in an altercation of any kind.

The addition of six “safety ambassadors” to patrol assigned campusadjacent zones is not the kind of deterrent that the community needs. These campus officers are also not looped in with UCPD or any campus security entity, operating independently of actual campus security protocols. Not being linked with the university makes this program even more obsolete.

The UCs should work to add more surveillance cameras, grow campus escort services and many other campus security efforts. Spending more than $40,000 on what amounted to a publicity stunt might be a waste of money compared to increasing funding for lasting and effective security. Hopefully, this will lead to meaningful change and administrative action rather than platitudes and dismissal.

California bans the sale of combustible engine vehicles by 2035

APRIL BUTLER Contributing Writer

California takes the plunge and bans the sale of gas-powered vehicles in an effort to combat climate change.

According to the Hollywood classic “Back to the Future,” everyone in 2015 drove a flying car. Now, in 2024, electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles represent realistic technological advances. The Biden Administration plans to take advantage of these innovations and ban the sale of gas vehicles. Although this is the most stringent and expensive environmental package in U.S. history, the plan is well-thought-out and beneficial for a sustainable future.

Congress has approved the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule proposed by the Biden Administration, which is scheduled to take effect in 2027. The rule will increase electric vehicle (EV) sales and eliminate the production of combustible gas-engine automobiles, including commercial trucks and diesel fuel engines, to reduce emissions.

According to the President and Chief Executive of the American Lung Association, Harold Wimmer, the Biden administration’s plans to move from gas-powered vehicles to EVs are commendable. Wimmer states, “Reducing emissions from both cars and trucks is critical to improving public health, advancing health equity and addressing climate change.” The pollutants

from combustible engines emit an alarming amount of greenhouse gasses that are harmful to the environment, the atmosphere and physical fitness from the small particles emitted from the discharge of gas-powered vehicles that make their way into the lungs and bloodstream.

Considering soot and other fine particulate matter — known as microscopic pollutants — have been linked to strokes, heart attacks and respiratory diseases, the EPA rule is crucial, especially in cities like Los Angeles, where many of the homes are positioned on the edge of the freeway and air quality greatly needs improvement. These pollutants also affect the developing lungs of young children. According to studies, the ban on gas-powered vehicles will decrease hospitalization due to emergencies resulting from respiratory illnesses,

such as asthma, by 2040.

California reserved the right to adopt independent emissions regulations since 1967 when brown smog layered Los Angeles’ skies due to gas exhausts from unmaintained combustible engines. Today, every gaspowered vehicle over eight years old in California is required to pass a smog check — with the exception of EVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that do not emit smog; hybrids require maintenance every two years. Although environmental protection is costly, ignoring the benefits of it will come at a greater cost: the expense of our planet and all societies.

The California Air Resource Board (CARB) is an organization that is responsible for assuring that the public is safe from the harmful effects of air pollution

and the development of programs and actions to combat climate change. According to the Chair of the ARB, Laine Randolph, “We understand that not everyone can buy a new car.” To counter this issue the ARB and the EPA ensure that state programs are available for low-income families. This includes clean vehicle ownership incentives that offer rebates such as finance assistance provided by the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, which promises up to $7,500 down payment assistance and a free vehicle charger with the purchase of hybrids and EVs.

Although the transition from gas-powered vehicles to EVs and fuel cells in California is a pricey ambition, the longevity of the planet and the life of its inhabitants must be a higher priority. There are questions about the demand for EVs and if consumers will respond to the change. However, state officials believe they will. California has the most EV owners than any other state, making up 20.1% of new car sales. Concerning the need for environmental restoration and public health, humankind will simply have to bite the bullet and take the sour with the sweet as society sways in the alternative eco-friendly direction. ■ H

R’Perspective: Commuting to UCR — life on and off the highway

THOMAS CAZNEAU-MERCADO Contributing Writer

A senior’s take on commuting to campus.

Commuting to campus can feel like a bit of a drag. Personally, the combination of rush hour traffic, rising gas prices and distant parking lots is enough to make me scream in my car a few times. Take a journey with me as I navigate through the personal obstacles I experience as a commuting Theatre, Film, and Digital Production (TFDP) major.

Traffic is a given in our area. My classes tend to start around 9 a.m., meaning that I need to be out the door by 8 a.m. — and that’s putting it nicely. Honestly, 7:30 a.m. is the smarter option. Sometimes, those early morning classes and commutes are

enough to make skipping a lecture appealing, but the A+ Ravenclaw side of me definitely won’t let that happen. Regardless of the traffic, I do my best to be at lectures on time and ready to go. I can’t say that I have perfect attendance, but I always try my best to show up.

Rising gas prices don’t make commuting to campus any easier. It’s almost like the money saved from not living in dorms and campus apartments goes towards gas instead. For local students in Riverside, it makes more sense to commute. But, for those who have moved away from home to be here, living further away from campus is

a tricky and costly experience. There have been days when I’ve driven to campus only to find out that a lecture was canceled at the last minute, making the drive a bit pointless, especially if that was my only class of the day.

Finding parking can be its own traffic jam. When parking in Gold Lots 30 or 50, not only is finding a spot essential, but the walk to campus can take a good 10 minutes. I’m sure that part isn’t a biggie for those who have scooters or bikes. Thankfully, I have a Blue Lot parking pass this quarter, so no qualms necessarily there. However, there have been days where I need to try different Blue Lots before a spot is found. Sometimes, the delay in parking in Blue lots makes me wonder why the specific parking spot colors Blue, Red, Gold and Orange were selected, but I digress.

Another commuter hurdle that I have to personally jump through is FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out. Even if I have a class that doesn’t require attendance — or happens to be Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC) — I can’t justify missing it unless it is a life emergency. Some students might love missing classes, but as a TFDP major, most of my classes involve perfecting my craft as an actor and creator. I love learning about new acting methods and processes from our esteemed TFDP faculty. Sure, I could get the parts I missed from a peer, but I’ll never get to experience those valuable lecture moments again. I’ll get off my soapbox, but needless to say, fear of missing out definitely motivates me to commute to

campus, even if I’m feeling a bit under the weather or a tad tired from a late shift the night before.

The “otherness” feeling of being a commuter versus a resident is definitely one that I have. Once I arrive on campus, staying as late as possible helps for a bit, especially the longer that I stay. Whether it’s catching a club meeting, eating at the Highlander Union Building (HUB) or visiting the tables near the Highlander Bell Tower, simply existing on our lovely campus is a reality that I never want to take for granted. The less sentimental and more practical might save their time for other matters. Still, something about soaking in the UCR atmosphere and appreciating the ground that we are on is something I consciously do, even if it’s simply walking from Rivera Library to the HUB or from the Arts Building to Ivan’s across the street.

As a former commuter who now lives on campus, I no longer have to deal with long traffic, finding parking or planned drives home. Now, I have dorm rent, a meal plan, residential parking and brisk walks to campus. It’s difficult to say which reality feels more like I’m immersed in college life when sometimes the hustle and bustle of commuting to school feels just as much like college life to me as using my key card to enter my Glen Mor apartment. I think it’s okay not to know which feels more collegiate but instead to appreciate each moment as it comes. It’s not more. It’s not less. It just is, and each one of your college memories is beautiful.■ H

A lack of commerce regulation and illegal markets lead to fatalities

LEILANI ACOSTA Contributing Writer

California woman’s fatal poisoning from hemorrhoid cream highlights lead risks.

Medicinal and health products are never “one size fits all.” People can’t know for sure the authenticity and possible allergens of a product unless they see and test it themselves: it’s a game of roulette and risk. Enforcing pre-established laws will mitigate the risk of contamination and falsification of internationally shipped goods, especially health products.

An anonymous woman was found dead a month ago after applying a medicinal cream bought from a seller on Facebook Marketplace. The cream, called Cao Bôi Trĩ Cây Thầu Dầu, fatally poisoned her. Upon sampling the cream, scientists uncovered 39,000

parts per million of lead, which, when compared to the permitted amount of 10 parts per million in cosmetic products, is toxic. In Facebook’s e-commerce policies, the company states, “Listings may not promote medical and healthcare products and services, including medical devices, or smoking cessation products.” Sellers are falling through the cracks of oversight and policies must be emphasized to ensure this problem stops in its tracks.

Not only is this illegal on Facebook, but even on other sites. Young adult fentanyl overdoses have been on the rise, alarming researchers and physicians worldwide. It is no joke that mental health is slamming young ones, especially those who lived to tell stories of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many growing up in today’s day and age are turning to drugs and alcohol to cope with their problems. Easy access to illegal drug markets via social media sites is certainly not helping these already alarming patterns. This month, a grieving mother is suing Snapchat for permitting drug sales,

which ultimately led to the death of her 20-year-old daughter in March 2021. Her daughter, Avianna Cavanaugh, was under the impression she was ingesting Xanax, a drug popular amongst students because of its stimulating aspects. After a toxicology report, it was found to contain fentanyl, a drug that has racked up multiple deaths.

Fentanyl has made a name for itself with its contamination in tons of counterfeit medications. According to Snapchat’s policies, users “Don’t use Snapchat to send or post content that’s illegal in [their] jurisdiction, or for any illegal activity. This includes promoting, facilitating, or participating in criminal activity, such as buying, selling, exchanging, or facilitating sales of illegal or regulated drugs.” Policies such as this one must be enforced more strictly to ensure sellers aren’t getting away with killing innocent people just to make a quick buck.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires products that are being imported into the United States to abide by the FDA’s rules and regulations. However, this aspect often goes unnoticed, especially recently. It’s not a matter of where consumers are getting these substances but rather a question of why it is circulating in

markets in the first place. For example, there has been a trend of abusing Ozempic, a drug popularized due to its weight loss-inducing aspects. These drugs are getting into the hands of those who aren’t prescribed them, ultimately leading to substance abuse and deaths. Innocent consumers are dropping like flies, and commerce must be strictly regulated to ensure pills aren’t getting into the wrong hands. Distributors are urged to either hire more employees to regulate commerce or enforce new, stricter policies to guarantee that pills aren’t given to the wrong people.

Purchasing health and wellness products is dangerous if the consumer hasn’t researched. With the growth in popularity of certain drugs and creams, many turn to cheaper alternatives and hope to reap similar, if not the same, benefits. However, this is a dangerous risk consumers are taking, considering the permanent damage that can be done when playing roulette with your organs and bodily functions. In a perfect world where products can be strictly regulated with no indirect or direct negative effects, people will be protected from their own curiosity and irrational decision-making. ■ H

Immigrant workers must have better working conditions

SONALI WHITTLE Staff Writer

Immigrant labor helps America’s infrastructure but does not benefit their well-being.

The ongoing discussion about immigrant rights and treatment in the U.S. has been in the news and media for ages, yet there is not enough action that has been taken to make a change. The recent collapse of the Baltimore Bridge highlights the dangerous working conditions that immigrants are continually placed in. For centuries, immigrant labor has been used to advance America’s infrastructure without proper credit and respect. The Baltimore Bridge collapse revealed that immigrants are the victims of this country’s failure to properly protect and value them.

The bridge collapse unfortunately resulted in six deaths. All six men who died were fixing potholes on the bridge for an independent contracting company called Brawner Builders, and all of the men who died were of Latin American descent.

reported, making the problem even more urgent. The immigrants who work in high-

and safeguards should be in place to prevent these workplace injuries, especially for im-

Statistics show that mining, logging, agriculture and construction are some of the riskiest jobs, with a higher number of immigrant workers on these sites. The men who were fixing potholes in the middle of the night paid with their lives due to these risky conditions, and they were not the first.

In general, workplace injuries are under-

risk environments are not being protected, which is an injustice. A major part of why these injuries are underreported is because those who are not in America legally are scared of losing their jobs and sources of income. Thus, they are forced to protect their job security by neglecting their own basic needs. This issue should be a public priority,

migrant workers who are not able to speak up for themselves. Citizenship status should not affect the amount of legal protection and worker’s rights these individuals receive.

Everyone, especially those in vulnerable positions, should have access to the best work conditions and legal protections possible.

Immigrants have been and continue to be

the backbone of this country’s infrastructure. Through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, immigrants from places such as China, Germany, Ireland and Italy were all involved in major projects, such as the transcontinental railroad and the Brooklyn Bridge. While building the transcontinental railroad, bosses withheld food rations and used the threat of violence to force Chinese workers to accept their working conditions.

The misrepresentation and mistreatment of workers have been overlooked for centuries. America profits off of immigrant work without giving them the credit and respect that they deserve for the unwavering time and effort they put into advancing this nation.

In an effort to improve dangerous conditions for people working in professions like construction, especially for immigrant workers, there should be more programs to advocate for those who are not in a position to advocate for themselves. The Baltimore Bridge collapse is just another wake-up call for America to improve their working conditions for immigrants and actively put forth effort to create a safer environment. ■ H

IMAGE COURTESY OF FREEPIK

A right-to-disconnect bill will improve the mental health of California’s workforce

MAISHA AHMED Contributing Writer

A new California bill will ban employers from disrupting after-work hours, strictly keeping work and personal life separated.

Californian Assemblyman Matt Haney is introducing a bill to create a “rightto-disconnect law.” Assembly Bill 2751 states that workers will have uninterrupted personal time after work hours, instructs employers to implement the bill into their company policies and penalizes those who regularly violate it. AB 2751 has great potential to improve the state of work-life balance, especially post-lockdown. The right-to-disconnect bill should be passed because it protects California workers’ mental health and well-being.

American culture pushes people to prioritize their work over other parts of their life. The concept of the “American Dream” has created a toxic hustle culture. The American Dream makes citizens believe that by working hard enough, they can achieve their goals no matter what. However, it is improbable that everyone can effectively climb the social ladder. Yet, this concept is still perpetuated by Americans in various industries. Thus, the average

worker feels inclined to put work over their personal lives under the guise of one day reaching their ideal life.

After the pandemic, work-life balance worsened as the lines between work hours and personal time became more blurred. The use of virtual work platforms like Zoom has made it easier than ever for employers to send work home. The expectation to complete work-related tasks outside the workplace has decreased work-life balance. This is an alarming reality for many workers across the nation whose personal time has been infringed upon. In addition, work-related communication through social media, phone calls and e-mail has interfered with workers’ personal lives as well.

AB 2751 would help improve the state of mental health for employees in California. In 2023, nearly one-third of American adults with mental illness were unable to receive treatment. Considering the difficulties people face when trying to find

resources, workplaces should also mitigate potential mental health struggles, as the workplace is often a source of stress for many workers. Long-term stress, for example, has been shown to exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, depression and substance abuse problems. In addition, poor mental health negatively affects physical well-being as well. Stress positively correlates with cardiovascular diseases, sleep problems, weakened immune systems and high blood pressure. Stricter boundaries will help eliminate stressors, and cultivating work-life balance will help eliminate a multitude of other health issues. Improving employee mental health will also help companies in the long run. Studies have found that poor mental health results in more absences, less productivity and profits, and an increase in costs by companies to deal with said issues. Studies conducted on a four-day workweek help prove this. After implementing a shortened workweek, companies found their workers

to be more motivated, consistent and present. Additionally, employees will be more actively engaged at work and less likely to experience burnout. Those who sustain a healthy work-life balance also tend to develop better concentration skills, which can increase productivity and retention rates.

Protecting employee mental health is important because it alleviates health issues and increases productivity within the workplace. Beyond that, workers shouldn’t need a legal justification to have their personal time respected. Legislators must prioritize the well-being of Americans and pass laws that improve the mental health crisis. Employers should also care about employee mental health because they benefit from happier and healthier workers. The right-to-disconnect bill will create positive changes for the work-life balance that California workers needs. ■ H

FEATURES

Spring brings new possibilities...

Something is in the air, that’s for sure.

ARiES: LOVERS

MARCH 21 - APRiL 19

Aries, this week will be about finding harmony and alignment with someone in your life. Love comes in many forms, and now is not the time to neglect any of them. Someone you consider important will seek you out and you will need to find it in yourself to connect.

CANCER: THREE OF SWORDS

JUNE 21 - JULY 22

It’s a sad week with the Three of Swords. This card, with three swords slicing through a heart, predicts heartbreak. The mechanism is unclear, but your heart is about to be decimated. There is no way to prepare for this, and there is no way to dull the ache. The suffering has to end eventually, if that’s any comfort.

LiBRA: KNiGHT OF WANDS SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22

This week is going to be jam-packed, full of action and constant energy. You are about to go through a whole hero’s journey, Libra. Let loose and allow impulsivity to guide you instead of thinking too much. Overthinking will only make this week stressful and longer than it already feels.

CAPRiCORN: MAGiCiAN DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19

This week, Capricorn, you will be full of inspiration. Your outlook will prove worth it as your ideas come to fruition. Your actions will feel guided by fate and the inevitable, however they are unfolding due to the power you hold over the situation and your past actions that led to this moment.

TAURUS: TEN OF CUPS REVERSED

APRiL 20 - MAY 20

You are going to struggle this week as you feel the bonds you’ve built up are deteriorating. You feel disconnected from your own life, and you need to reclaim it. Demand more, and don’t let these misalignments stand. Choices need to be made, and complacency will only cause further misery.

LEO: PAGE OF PENTACLES REVERSED

JULY 23 - AUGUST 22

You will be a bit stuck this week as the Page of Pentacles reversed suggests that this will not be a time where you make significant progress and instead learn from past failures. Don’t let this further blockade your development and evolution. Learn what not to do before you fail on a bigger scale.

SCORPiO: HERMiT OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21

You need to rely on yourself right now, Scorpio. There is very little others can do for you at this juncture. Look inward for inspiration and motivation. Sometimes, you have to do things alone, and right now is the time to lean into that.

AQUARiUS: TWO OF CUPS JANUARY 19 - FEBRUARY 18

This is a spicy week for you! The Two of Cups suggests mutual attraction and unity. This week, be on the lookout for a blossoming partnership or a strengthened relationship. This is about reconnecting with the part of you that feels attraction and magnetism.

Ysabel Nakasone, Opinions Editor

GEMiNi: FOUR OF PENTACLES

MAY 21 - JUNE 20

You are spending this week protecting what you have, Gemini. You are holding onto control of what you think you have to lose. The thing is, if it can be taken from you, it was never really yours — and it was never worth it to begin with. Let go and know that you will find peace in just moving on.

ViRGO: KiNG OF CUPS REVERSED AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22

You’re going to be feeling moody, Virgo. This week you will face an inner struggle as you try to sort out the things in your life that don’t make sense and are sucking your energy. There is something or someone in your life that is taking pieces of you, and you need to reflect on whether or not keeping that feeling around is worth it.

SAGiTTARiUS: SEVEN OF SWORDS REVERSED NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21

Right now is a difficult time as you feel like you are deceiving those around you and have somehow tricked your way into success. The truth is that you have in some ways, and must continue to prove yourself. Be open to learning and respect that others are on a different page and path. Don’t pressure them because of your own perceived inadequacies.

PiSCES: SEVEN OF WANDS REVERSED FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20

So you’ve decided to give up. You’re exhausted and out of the will to continue as usual. You get one week to feel overwhelmed, and then you have to pull it together. You don’t get a lot of free passes in life, but count this week as one.

Dos Hermanas Mexican Food is the comfort cuisine you’ve

been looking for

With a savory authentic food profile and relatively inexpensive items, this spot will keep you coming back for seconds.

MARIBEL GAMEZ-REYES AND CECILE DIROLL Assistant Features Editor and Assistant Opinions Editor

Dos Hermanas Mexican Food is the restaurant you’ve dreamed of when it comes to those sudden soft taco cravings, childhood home-cooked meals, nostalgic throwbacks of fiestas and taquizas with lively music.

Attracting customers since its opening in 1978, this family-owned restaurant has evolved but thoroughly maintained the consistent gold standard of Mexican food that many Riverside residents have unwaveringly enjoyed and supported throughout the years. This “hidden gem” of a spot has a well-loved legacy, having been previously named Original Tina’s Mexican Food and operated by Justina Renteria, a mother of eight children. Since 2021, she passed the torch within the family, having a grand opening that is operated by a sister-duo team, also reflected in the renaming, now called “Dos Hermanas Mexican Food.”

Its authenticity doesn’t solely come from the extensive quality of food choices from the menu but can also be spectated from the exterior space occupied on the intersecting corner of University Ave and Douglass Ave. The restaurant showcases round patio tables for enjoying meals on a sunny day, personalized window paintings of a guitar, chili pepper, tacos and a set of maracas, as well as a banner and a sign proudly showcasing the name of the restaurant and creative designs rooted in Mexican culture. This setup nicely paves the way for the immersive familiarity and comfort that the inside provides, with booth seating, a lively playlist of older and newer Latin hits, food wall art prints, a decoratively hung sombrero and the walls proudly colored in resemblance to those on the Mexican flag.

Having eaten our fair share of tacos in Los Angeles, where you can throw a nickel and catch someone selling tacos, we can confidently say that Dos Hermanas Mexican Food prioritizes producing quality over quantity, elevating it from the generic.

Combo Asada Plate

Generously served, you receive all the staple goods that consist of beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, flour or corn tortillas, rice and carne asada. If you’re hesitant about ordering something unfamiliar and don’t want to stray too far from what you do enjoy, this plate is a great option for trying something different. Offering a fluffy, soft cooked rice that complements the fresh taste of refried beans that have been garnished with the perfect measure of melted cheese, you’ll find that everything can be enjoyed separately or to-

gether, maybe even building your own taco if that’s what you want.

Traditional Taco de Asada (Beef)

You can’t go wrong with picking carne asada as your choice of protein when asking for a taco. This remains true for many other dishes including carne asada since its tenderness and succulent taste are delicious in any dish. Ordering a taco with garnishes on the side is a must, if you doubt your spice tolerance and all are visually appealing when everything is served to your table. You’ll have your taco glistening, waiting to be eaten and be further encouraged by the sight of the generous garnishes that include diced onion, cilantro, bright green lime slices and a savory chili sauce that complements without overpowering other flavors — you’ll most likely find that you have some toppings left over.

Traditional Tacos de Pollo Asado (Chicken)

Layered with two traditional corn tortillas, the taco was well supported so that it didn’t break apart. It’s probably not something that most people consider, but it’s greatly appreciated when having to eat out of your hands. The chicken was fresh and tender, grilled to perfection to bite with ease. It had a well-balanced seasoning that didn’t overpower the complexion of a minimal but homemade taste that is rarely replicated among upscale and average food places.

Traditional Tacos de Al Pastor

This perfectly marinated protein choice provides a delicious smoky edge, with an aromatic distinction that lets you know that it’s treated with the care that comes with a home-cooked meal. Prepared on a spit grill, the al pastor is tenderly cooked and juicy and is held nicely in the double tortillas. We recommended adding the tomato or spicy salsa to enhance the delicious flavor.

Potato Taco

The restaurant also offers potato street-style tacos perfect for vegetarian and vegan customers. Packaged in a hard-shell tortilla, the tacos include warm mashed potatoes and sliced green lettuce. Depending on your dietary restrictions, customers can also add shredded cheese, such as swiss or cheddar.

Although hard-shell tacos are often considered an inauthentic Mexican taco, these shells were not pre-bought from a store. Rather, each taco is freshly made with corn tortillas and is uniquely shaped. Every bite makes a satisfying crunchy sound. The potatoes inside are soft and creamy which pairs well with the crispy lettuce and smooth cheddar cheese. Overall, if you have dietary restrictions or just want a lighter meal, the potato street tacos are a great option.

Drinks

Agua de jamaica, an iced Hibiscus tea, is one of the agua frescas on the menu along with limonada, horchata and other soft drinks. This drink meets your expectations with its sweet and tart flavor, serving as a refreshing beverage for some of the spicy flavors. If you want a cool and classic beverage with your plate, the agua de jamaica does the job well.

By far, Dos Hermanas Mexican Food has some of the best and most affordable tacos near University of California Riverside’s campus. Students can easily take the Riverside Transportation Agency’s bus Route 1 down University Avenue to the restaurant. If you are looking for comfort food away from home, this is the place.

How to avoid feeling lonely in your first year

ASHLEY CARRANZA Contributing Writer

How to make Riverside your home away from home.

Moving away from home can be both thrilling and unnerving. If you find yourself feeling homesick and lonely nearing the end of the year, here’s how to embrace the spring quarter.

The key tip to avoid feeling lonely is to surround yourself with individuals you can count on for emotional support. Whether it’s your best friend from home or a parent, being in connection with someone from back home that you can update about your college experience can help you feel supported and seen. Try making time for a FaceTime call or a phone call once a week for an hour. Try improving your relationship with yourself as well. Write in a journal to keep track of your moods and adventures you embark on. The first year is always the hardest because you are learning how to navigate a new school system and balance your personal life with your academic life. Try keeping a daily planner and update your phone calendar daily to not feel overwhelmed. If you are feeling overwhelmed and lonely, sign up for a class at the Student Recreation Center! Exercise like Zumba and cycling can help you blow off steam and feel happy due to the release of endorphins.

Another important tip is to join clubs! Putting yourself out there and breaking out of your shell is key to feeling included into your new environment. If you’re new to the area and don’t know anyone, joining clubs and participating in the events on campus is a great way to meet people and network. I joined Mujeres Unidas, a nonprofit organization, last quarter and felt immediately welcomed into their intelligent community. The social events they host allowed me to get to know the club members on a personal level and learned how to make connections that have helped me in my career. Now I have friends that I can study at the library with, go to the gym with and socialize with.

can even see what extracurricular activities they are in that you could check out as well.

Tip number three — socialize in class! Look around at the students who sit next to you, ask them questions, get to know each other and exchange socials. This is helpful if you miss a class and need the homework, but it also gives you the opportunity to get to know someone outside the classroom. You

Spring into a successful quarter

NEORAH DAVIS Photo Editor

My ultimate advice is to put yourself out there and take that leap of faith! If you see a flier with a party hosted by a social club, attend it! If you see a fundraiser hosted by a club, drive out there to support the organization and meet new friends. Or if you stumble upon an event on campus, walk in and introduce yourself. Leave your fear of rejection at home and you will see that being around a lovely group of people can bring out the best in your college experience and can help you succeed at the University of California, Riverside. One specific event I recommend to you is that lots of social clubs tend to host study sessions at the Orbach and Rivera Library during midterms and finals — if you feel that you don’t have the time to socialize with a busy course schedule, this could be the perfect solution for you.

Last tip is to explore the city of Riverside and the surrounding areas to get to know the

How to stay afloat during the final quarter of the academic year.

Spring is finally upon us! April brings sunshine, floral growth and the start of a new quarter. After two long ten-week stretches and a too-short spring break, it is understandable if not all students are thrilled about beginning this third set of classes. But given the fresh start that the season represents, this is the perfect time to make an effort to desert unhealthy patterns and reach new heights. Come June, you can be proud of the ways in which you’ve grown and all that you’ve accomplished.

One thing that may be helpful is to set a goal for the end of the year. This can be something like earning high grades in the majority of your classes or developing new skills in an extracurricular interest. Whether it’s personal, social, or academic-achievement based, having a clear objective can provide the motivation necessary to keep up with responsibilities even at a time when you might be burnt out and dreaming of summer. Make sure your goal is something you are confident you can achieve by the end of the academic year, so that the time and energy dedicated to it amounts to something real, giving you a welldeserved self-esteem boost.

In order to stay on track to achieve that goal, setting up a personal schedule to stick to through-

out the coming days and weeks would be advantageous. This can be through Google Calendar, on a physical calendar, planner, whiteboard or through one of the many scheduling and reminder apps available to get on your phone. Consider setting aside time each morning this quarter to create a more specific daily to-do list as well. Setting and sticking to a schedule can help remind you of your priorities and ensure that none of your commitments fall to the wayside. And a daily to-do list is a great motivational tool; not only does it allow you to clearly see and remember everything you need to get done, but literally checking off or crossing out completed agenda items also provides an unmatched sense of accomplishment and the perfect jolt of energy to get you through

a busy day.

Though it is crucial to stay on top of academics, classwork should by no means be your sole focus. Students ought not to give up on enjoying all that spring has to offer because of a demanding workload. A healthy, balanced life includes the incorporation of focused work time, social time, leisure time and time outdoors in each and every day. If it feels impossible to set aside time for all of those things, try combining them. A good place to start could be taking your work outside. The days of exceedingly cold weather are largely behind us, so there is no excuse for staying cooped up indoors, when your brain and body crave nature and sunlight.

With a book to read or a paper to write, try ditching the desk and instead making

city you’ve moved to! Take a bus to downtown Riverside with a new friend you met at a club and make a day of exploring the city together. Stop by Back To The Grind coffee shop or visit the Mission Inn or one of the many other museums downtown. Sign up for a pole class at Rise and Climb Fitness. Try kickboxing at 9Round Riverside. Go to a paint and sip or take a hike!

If you’re still feeling lonely at the end of the day, consider seeing Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for emotional support. Make sure that you are also fueling yourself emotionally, mentally and physically by going outside and taking a walk during the afternoons or having lunch at the park near Lot 26. Or visit a professor during office hours and ask them how they dealt with their first experience in college. Emotional support pets like cats and dogs can also help you feel safe if you have your own room or are allowed to have pets at your apartment.

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help! Have the most fun you can your first year away from home and remember that your family and friends are only a phone call away. ■ H

use of outdoor seating in one of the many courtyards dispersed around campus. An open-air environment has the potential to be conducive to more focused work. Hopefully the warm sunlight, gentle breeze and trees in full bloom will ground you and inspire you to reach your full academic potential. And when it’s time to take a break, a mindful walk around campus can be a nice way to mentally recharge and destress as well.

All in all, while a new quarter means a world of new opportunities to learn and grow, it also promises a new set of challenges and individual hurdles to overcome. This spring, don’t let minor setbacks interrupt your progress for too long. Instead, stay focused on your goal and continue moving forward with optimism, no matter what life throws at you.

Being a university student is truly a constant exercise in resilience. May the spring season remind you that each one of us is capable of emerging from seasons of darkness and frost with newfound life. Keep walking steadily along the path you have chosen for yourself and striving for excellence in all that you do, and success is sure to follow. Just don’t give up yet — the school year will be over before we know it, and continued hard work and resolve will make summer feel well-deserved once it arrives.■ H

ARONNE CHAN / THE HIGHLANDER

RadaR

Beyoncé defies genre boundaries in her newest studio album ‘COWBOY CARTER’

The singer breaks down musical barriers and opens up conversations about singers confined to genres.

Music artists are typically sectioned off into specific genres such as pop, R&B, EDM, rap and so on. Throughout their music careers, many artists tend to remain in these genres and release music that stays within these boundaries. However, in her latest album “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé dismantles the genre barriers and ventures into her country roots. In doing so, she redefines the meaning of genres and how they can influence many musicians’ future work.

On July 29, 2022, Beyoncé released her seventh solo album, “RENAISSANCE” after hinting on the internet that something big was coming. Also referred to as “Act I,” “Renaissance” was announced to be the first of three new projects from work curated during the pandemic. Following the release of her album, she went on her “Renaissance” world tour and released a movie following it, “RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCÉ.” After the success of her “Renaissance” era, the singer continued on the momentum, confirming “Act II” of her project during the 2024 Super Bowl. With the release of two singles from the album, “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and “16 CARRIAGES,” fans were surprised that the album would be country-inspired.

On March 29, 2024, Beyoncé released “Act II: COWBOY CARTER,” which resulted in an outpour of positive reviews from listeners. According to Spotify and Amazon Music, the album had the most streams in a single day and had the biggest album debut. This not only showcased the success of Beyoncé’s versatility as an artist, but also her decision to venture into a

genre not seen in her discography. Filled with a total of 27 new songs, “COWBOY CARTER” showcases Beyoncé’s talent along with an expansive list of collaborations such as Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Linda Martell and various rising Black country artists. Typical of any Beyoncé album, the singer delivers a chart-topping work of art. Despite the album’s run-time coming in at a total listening time of an hour and 18 minutes, the songs will have listeners hooked in from start to finish, even replaying some songs to get another listen in. The album demonstrates the amount of range and versatility Beyoncé has, from singing with her country roots to even surprising listeners as she belts out an Italian operatic on “DAUGHTER.” The message that Beyoncé is sending out is clear: she will not be trapped in a box held together by restrictions of genres. Overall, the album successfully brings up conversations about genres, Black culture and the history behind country music.

Ten days before the release of “Act II: COWBOY CARTER,” Beyoncé took to Instagram to thank fans and explain the album’s significance to her. In discussing the making of the album, she mentioned “[the album] was born out of an experience that [she] had years ago where [she] did not feel welcomed … and it was very clear that [she] wasn’t.” The criticisms she mentioned are speculated to stem from her song “Daddy Lessons” performance at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards with the country music band, the Chicks. This performance sparked much

backlash and controversy among country music fans who felt the music star did not belong in the genre. Much of the criticism was racially and politically charged, especially as the Chicks faced controversy that was still fresh for some.

Country music has for so long been predominantly ruled by the stereotypical white male with cowboy-esque vibes. Yet, many country music elements have deep origins traced back to African American traditions with blues, gospel and folk music. As such, despite many white artists being the face of country music for so long, much of its history has been shaped by Black musicians’ shape and style. The Texas singer reclaims country music, defying the limits and stereotypes set on the genre. In doing so, she takes what country music is today and wields it in a way that opens up the boundaries of the music and extends it forward. The album’s cover is another example of this as it depicts a Black woman surrounded by classic country through the American symbolism of Beyoncé as a cowboy riding on a white horse, holding the American flag while dressed in red, white and blue.

In redefining country music, Beyoncé has found the opportunity to uplift Blackness and Black artists through the album. With how big of a platform Beyoncé has, she can bring change and uplift rising Black artists, especially in country music. In “BLACKBIIRD,” Beyoncé is joined by Black country singers, Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell and Tiera Kennedy. She gives the artists a platform to perform and showcase their talent to her

wide fanbase. In tearing down the boundaries of country music and its stereotypes, Beyoncé can bring back and uplift the significance of its Black roots and influence.

Overall, “COWBOY CARTER” is a testament as to how Beyoncé defies the boundaries of genres. In the Instagram post, she announces “this ain’t a country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.” Beyoncé makes it clear to listeners that she will not conform to labels that might hold her down. Her refusal to be limited to a genre allows her to expand her music and bring in a wide palette of musical influences. Genre is a big motif in the album and its confines that it puts on Black artists. She addresses it throughout the album through references and interludes that point to the obvious answer being racism. In all, Beyoncé’s decision to call out genre conformity demonstrates her ambition to push the boundaries and remain the powerful artist that she is.

The influence of the album can turn to other artists in the future regardless of their race or genre they fit in. Inspired by the work Beyoncé has put out, artists can experiment and test out new genres that they felt they couldn’t before. Though not all artists can accomplish switching genres or incorporating new ones into their work, it would be an opportunity to showcase their own versatility. “COWBOY CARTER” is a well-thought-out work of art that defies genre limits, not only succeeding in its own goals but also inviting other artists in the industry to break out of their genre’s chains.

■ H

KIMBERLY BEJEC Assistant Radar Editor

<3 :3

GET IN LOSERS WE’RE GOING TO DRAGALICIOUS

GET IN LOSERS WE’RE GOING TO DRAGALICIOUS

Dragalicious Drag Ball XX: A masterclass in serving

“I think in times of geopolitical turmoil, people might wonder why we waste time with the frivolity of drag. And I think the answer is, if you can find political power in reverence, you can make social change more joyful. And that’s a radical act” was a statement delivered by Shakina Nayfack, showcasing the power of subverting social and cultural expectations and being true to oneself. As the original founder of Dragalicious Drag Ball, Shakina joyously returned to host its 20-year anniversary.

Returning with a roar, Dragalicious Drag Ball opened its doors to exhilarated students and faculty, friends and community members on April 11, 2024. A collaboration between Queer Alliance and Drag Club at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), the night came to life with performances by Drag Club members, alumni and special guest, the one and only Mayhem Miller from RuPaul’s Drag Race.

As HUB 302 slowly darkened, audience members waved around their light sticks and blew into their noisemakers in a frenzy. Shakina stepped onto the stage with a fabulous sequined jumpsuit that sparkled against the lights. As the host, she brought in bursts of energy for the crowd as she introduced performers. It is no wonder that 20 years ago Shakina shook things up with UCR’s first Drag Ball, or as she puts it, “I came through like a wrecking ball and really tried to f*ck it up and bring the queerness hardcore.”

“The person who is going to kick it off is gonna blow your mind and set the bar really f*cking high. You know her because she is a legend,” Shakina announced. The audience grew into screams the second they saw RuPaul’s Drag Race star, Mayhem Miller, elegantly enter onstage. Dressed in a black velvet dress with diamond sequins that perfectly complimented her long, diamond earrings, Mayhem Miller gave a showstopping performance. Hair styled into an elaborate top knot and makeup painting a stunning portrait, her entire being radiated an aura of sophistication. Audience members showered her with dollar bills to celebrate her iconic status. She was graceful in her movements and proved herself as the diva of the night.

Drag Club members were also given the spotlight, starting off with duo Bear Beringer and Reina Rey. Together they performed a playful and alluring version of “Promiscuous Girl” by Nelly Furtado. They proved to be a power couple as the two complimented each other’s facial expressions and attitudes, even continuing their performance offstage. The duo was later reunited in their performance for “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Elton John and Kiki Dee. Dressed in retro shirts with peace signs and giant glasses, their performance was heartwarming as they captured feelings of friendship and love altogether.

Shakina then introduced Just Robin, known as “UCR’s Lady Gaga.” Dressed in a white button up, black gloves that matched her long black boots, Just Robin slayed the house boots down. Red and white lights continuously flashed throughout her performance as she daringly stared into the audience. Just Robin was full of energy in her dance moves as they matched the rhythm and beat of the song that echoed throughout the room.

Static noise opened up the next performance by Drag Club’s President, Killian, known by their drag name Melodrama. Dressed in a black hoodie, dark shades and sweatpants, Melodrama’s set changed between various songs from the early 2000s that had many millennials nostalgic and Gen Z dancing. Screams and shouts from the crowd made Melodrama’s performance even more exciting, especially as they underwent an onstage outfit change that revealed a sleek black dress that complimented their bold performance of “Naughty Girl” by Beyoncé and “Toxic” by Britney Spears.

Later on, Melodrama came out once more in a spectacular and emotional performance. Lip-syncing along to the “The Greatest Showman’s” memorable song, “Never Enough,” Melodrama sauntered onto stage in a white dress and charming white veil, ornate with crystals and beads. Already intense in its lyrics, Melodrama made the song even more gut-wrenching as they allowed audience members to write on their white dress. Audiences wrote sweet messages like “Be Yourself” or iconic lines like “Slay,” drawing in a sense of community within the event that lasted even after its ending.

The next act featured lip-sync champion from Drag Club’s Lip-Sync Showdown, Odeng Lee, as they danced to “Buttons” by The Pussycat Dolls. Odeng Lee quickly stripped away their white button up shirt to reveal a risqué dress that made the audience go crazy. But their act didn’t just end there.

“Just because I took a bite of that big, red, juicy apple. That’s not my fault. The snake was really convincing, but then they called me a wh*re. Then, why not be into it? I am the original sinner and I’m gonna keep doing it,” was the beginning narration of Odeng Lee’s re- turn. Dressed as the biblical figure Eve in a nude bodysuit with leaves and gems ornament- ing it, Odeng Lee defined fierceness with Nicki Minaj’s infamous song, “Anaconda” as she danced licentiously with a glittery snake. They lived up to their champion name in their legendary and unforgettable performance. Enticing and electrifying, Odeng Lee was a crowd favorite of the night.

Fashionably dressed in a denim dress and long leather boots, Azealia Shanks stomped onto the stage with a powerful demeanor after the lip-sync champion. As they went into the crowd, it took little time for Azealia Shanks to command their presence before they danced on top of a chair. It was a feel-good performance that reignited the audience’s spirit as they cheered the performer on. Azealia Shanks left little to the imagination when they skillfully launched a foam glow stick from their mouth that flew into the air. The impressive spectacle made many hysterically scream out from the sight.

Beginning with Michael Bublé’s smooth song, “Feeling Good,” Hunter sported long black slacks and a blazer before showing off a red brassier beneath. Dancing along to Britney Spears’“Gimme More,” Hunter owned the entire stage with their stellar presence. Their smile charmed the audience as several guests showered the stage with dollar bills and pride.

Soon after, AliceAce took the stage.Adorned with fairy lights around their arms and the bodice of their velvety corset, Alice Ace was breath-taking.

With intricately crafted and fluid movements, she radiated a tranquil aura and left the audience speechless. Elegant and swift in every movement,AliceAce was an enchanting and mystifying performance that took the stage.

Even with dark, glamorous makeup and a vibrant red nose, Nirvana Mind remained beautiful and mysterious on the runway as the next act. Her long silver claws held an umbrella as she walked down the runway with a black cloth draped effortlessly over her body. Reaching the top of the stage’s stairs, Nirvana Mind unfurled their umbrella in an arcing motion, letting loose a shower of flower petals which brought a pop of color to their performance. It was an impressive sight to see, leaving many with their jaws on the ground. Beautiful wasn’t even enough to describe this performance — you simply had to be there to witness this marvel.

Possibly one of the most celebratory acts was that of Brujo Paraiso who welcomed graduating seniors to dance alongside them in “High School Musical.” Heart-pounding and enthralling, this performance was fulfilling to watch as those who will soon end their college years celebrated alongside their peers.

Shakina would not be not the only legacy alumni to return on-campus; She welcomed Wright Wicked, one of the founders of Drag Club at UCR, to the stage. A “Godfather” shirt, long black trench coat and clown makeup compli- mented Wright Wicked’s hypnot- ic performance. Amidst the glar- ing green and red lights, Wright Wicked held a bag of chips in one hand and a drink in the other performing a gluttonous show. Adding on to the spirit of the performance, event assistants flung bags of chips into the crowd, causing several guests to reach out and grab at wherever they could catch on to.

As Mayhem Miller opened the event, she perfectly closed it with another diva performance. Spotting luscious long hair and a sparkly bodysuit, Mayhem Miller did not disappoint. Her struts down the runway were powerful in every step that she took, marking it a glamorous end to an eventful night. She served, delivered and left no crumbs.

Dragalicious Drag Ball will be one for the books. Iconic and legendary in its performances by alumni, UCR students and Drag stars; it certainly made a mark on UCR’s legacy of drag.

Heaven for your ears: Conan Gray’s ‘Found Heaven’

STELA NOELLE ABASTA Contributing Writer

Conan Gray brings listeners back to the best era of music with an 80s-inspired album.

On April 5, 2024, Conan Gray released his third album titled “Found Heaven.” Sonically, it is without a doubt a pop album, mixing both glam and synth-pop. It is specifically an 80s-style pop album with every song resembling the same synths and vocal layering you would expect in music from such an iconic time. Amongst all the music that sounds the same due to the TikTokification of modern pop music, “Found Heaven” asserts itself as one of the most unique pop albums released this year. Despite the upbeat rhythms in almost every song, there is also an undertone of melancholy, a Conan Gray trademark.

The title song is first on the tracklist. In an interview with NME, Gray shared, “It’s a song about finding your own sense of happiness even if it disappoints everything in your life.” It begins with a chorus angelically singing “No god above us / Can we repent

this sin? / No soul is innocent / Everybody wants to love.” The use of a chorus to sing the introduction is brilliant as it reminds listeners of a religious choir and sets the tone for Gray’s discussion of religion in the song itself. However, in the aforementioned interview, the artist shifts the conversation: “I think people maybe might take the song as … a religious song, but it’s not necessarily.” Despite the singer emphasizing the track as not being directly about religion, queer listeners with religious guilt feel a connection towards it. Topics such as getting parental approval of who they love, feeling like a monster for falling in love and trying to pray it away are evoked in the hard-hitting lyrics.

The next track is called “Never Ending Song,” which preceded the album as a single. Because of its initial release as a single, this was many listeners’ first taste of Gray’s new musical style. When he performed it at the music festival Outside Lands in San Francisco in 2023, it stuck out like a sore thumb amongst his set list full of sad, downbeat songs from his debut and sophomore albums. Many fans of what Gray himself calls “whisper songs,” such as “Heather,” were in for a shock that came with “Never Ending Song.” This song is unlike any other that the artist has released, so a few fans of Gray’s previous musical styles didn’t exactly find heaven in this particular song. The instrumental and chorus are catchy, but it feels a bit emotionless with the monotonous singing of “on and on and on,” which is completely uncharacteristic of Conan Gray

who belts out emotional ballads on almost all his tracks.

“Alley Rose” was the fifth pre-released single, and Gray’s favorite song on the album. In a Rolling Stone interview, he explained, “I’d been dumped, and I was in London … So I decided to come up with a name that kind of sounded like Abbey Road.” This song reminds listeners of his song “Memories,” with the belting of the lyrics “Don’t leave me hanging alone again” before the high note in “Oh, where’d you go, go alley rose?” equating to the lyrics “I wish you would stay in my memories” later followed by “I wanna put you in the past ‘cause I’m traumatized” in “Memories.” This is one of the only songs on the album that listeners could indubitably associate with his other discography. Those who go to Gray’s Spotify artist profile specifically for a certain type of sound would find it in “Alley Rose.”

The final track on “Found Heaven” is “Winner,” also one of the pre-released singles. It’s a piano ballad about Gray’s family, a topic he has written about before in the song “Family Line” off of his previous album. He sings, “Take a bow ‘cause you’re the winner.” Here, he satirically calls out his family members’ self-centered and manipulative behavior. It is an incredibly vulnerable song about a topic that not many artists feel comfortable sharing. On top of that, it checks all the boxes of being an all-around great song. The lyrics are heart-wrenching, and the build-up to him singing “winner” in

the chorus was satisfying. Being able to fully hear the rawness and realness of his voice in the pre-chorus and verses was great, but the chorus didn’t hit as hard as one might expect despite the satisfying build to it.■ H

Verdict:

‘Found Heaven’ is unlike anything else in Gray’s discography, running against the repetitiveness of today’s diluted pop music. However, if you don’t like 80s music, you’re better off sticking to his past albums.

Get ready to hit the club with your boo in ‘After Hours’

BRENDA JOVEL Editor-in-Chief

Kehlani’s latest single will be a number one favorite for this year’s summer hit.

Known primarily for her R&B soulful hits, Kehlani recently released what could be the new addictive summer track, “After Hours” on April 4, 2024. Serving as her first solo release since 2022, “After Hours” delivered a faster tempo with bouncier beats. Its electrifying sound makes it the perfect song to let go on the dancefloor with that perfect someone in mind.

The song first begins as if one is at the club. Its beats mimic the sound of clapping and slowly become louder before Kehlani’s naturally light voice welcomes listeners into this transcending world. She sings, “We don’t gotta take it slow / I’ma hit the gas if you ready to go / I wanna feel the sweat, breathin’ through your clothes / The way you touch my neck got me ready to fold” as the first verse. It’s a tantalizing set of lyrics, especially as Kehlani takes the listener into this setting of a dark atmosphere where two individuals can get lost into each other. Intimate and slow, Kehlani creates a sultry and fun atmosphere that makes you want to kick off your shoes and dance the night away.

As the refrain picks up the song’s fastpaced rhythm, echoes of the singer’s voice overlaps with the sounds of others singing. This technique creates the illusion of a collective body of voices united in song, adding layers of unique vocals to its lyrics. Once the chorus is heard, Kehlani’s voice intermingled with these other voices becomes stronger.

As she continues singing “Why don’t you stay? / Stay here after hours / I know you

don’t wanna leave / Stay here after hours / After hours, we can—,” it emphasizes how Kehlani tries to get whoever she has found to stay with her. Kehlani uses her vocal range brilliantly throughout the chorus. Either jumping from high notes to create that convincing desire of wanting that person to stay or singing in lower tones that heightens the song’s intimate setting, her voice shines through in her newest creation.

“After Hours” is that one-of-a-kind playful tune that has to be on repeat. Its beats are easy to dance to and its lyrics are mesmerizing to sing along with. It reveals a simple message of wanting to spend more time with that one person who has caught your eye. Given that the song is meant to allude to a club setting, its already intimate and sultry background makes it perfect to its core.

The song is also meant to serve as a sample of “Move Ya Body” by Nina Sky. Both have the same tune and rhythm to them, but there are still differences in their lyrics and meaning. Both songs are worth taking a listen to if “After Hours” was your cup of tea.

But do not fret; the single isn’t the last thing we will hear from Kehlani this year.

The Oakland artist brilliantly teased an upcoming album on a billboard enroute to those attending Weekend 1 of Coachella.

The singer is seen wearing a bold, red leather outfit as she poses in the middle of what looks to be a desert of red sand. Kehlani certainly isn’t done with her musical endeavors this year and it will be a nail-biting wait before she drops her fourth studio album. ■ H

Verdict:

Kehlani’s “After Hours” will be the perfect summer hit to dance to on any vacation or party and, with the addition of her teased album, it will only get better.

‘The

Tearsmith’ definitely won’t make you cry

Two about-to-be-adopted siblings tackle their rising feelings for each other in this niche romance.

SPANDANA JANAPATI Staff Writer

A wolf, a moth and crystal tears fashioned from clear glass set the fantastical yet misleading background for Netflix’s latest release “The Tearsmith” on April 4, 2024. Based on the international best-selling Italian novel “Fabbricante di lacrime” by Erin Doom, the film follows the blossoming forbidden romance between Nica (Caterina Ferioli) and Rigel (Simone Baldasseroni) from their time at the Sunnyside Orphanage, dubbed the Grave by the children there. Once Nica and Rigel are faced with the prospect of being adopted by the same family, things become more complicated.

The navigation of complex traumas that Nica and Rigel endured at the hands of the Grave’s cruel matron Margaret (Sabrina Paravicini) becomes a central focus of the story. While Margaret had taken a special liking to Rigel, treating him as her son and using him to enforce her malicious rules, the other children were not given the same fate. Nica specifically faced a majority of Margaret’s cruelty, enduring countless nights strapped to a bed, forced to remain in the dark by her lonesome. Despite their likely future as adopted siblings, the two grow closer as Nica takes care of him dur-

ing a fever and discovers that Rigel may be more than just her first enemy at the Grave.

Although Rigel and Nica’s relationship falls into a niche category of sibling-ish, perhaps bordering on incest romance, it is nothing that audiences haven’t seen before. Classic films like “Clueless” where Cher dates her ex-step brother Josh and well known TV show “The Fosters” where Callie has a romantic relationship with her foster brother Brandon have explored the nuances of more strange romantic plotlines. Director Alessandro Genovesi does a decent job of drawing the audience’s attention away from the siblings aspect of Nica and Rigel’s relationship as the film progresses and delves more into the connection they formed at the Grave to escape their traumatic experiences which still haunts them.

Despite uncomfortable-to-hear dialogue on Nica’s part, claiming she and Rigel were like brother and sister, it helps to know that Rigel never intended to get adopted. He only accompanied Nica due to his undying love for her, which is revealed when he refused the finalized adoption and learned that this was the first time

Rigel left the Grave, despite being wanted by several families in his youth.

Strange yet vaguely interesting would be the best way to describe this film. The unorthodox romance combined with tastefully tacky high school side plots and a recognizable soundtrack should’ve led to more praise. However, even Olivia Rodrigos’ “vampire” and Billie Eilish’s vocals could take attention from the atrocious acting. Despite the build-up of tension between Nica and Rigel, it’s hard to ignore the dry and expressionless delivery of dialogue by both actors. Their romance felt elusive and one-dimensional as it didn’t seem like Nica and Rigel truly understood each other or even spoke often enough to be together.

The terrible acting combined with the production team’s inattention to detail is made even more noticeable through Nica’s interactions with competing love interest Lionel. While Nica is on her way back from purchasing a gift for Rigel’s birthday, she runs into Lionel whose pushiness is supposed to make Nica drop the glass gift. While the intentions of the scene are made clear, the actual execution falls short as Ferioli seems to simply stumble about

a bit before losing her grip on the bag. Scenes like this point to an overall lack of care on the part of the editor and director since something as simple as another take could have fixed the issue.

Perhaps the most curious and underexplored aspect of this film falls in the title itself. Throughout the film, Rigel and Nica take turns referring to each other as their Tearsmith — the only individual who can derive such passionate and indescribably feelings of joy and agony from the other. With the title, wolf imagery during the death of Nica’s parents, the audience is partially misled into believing there is a fantastical nature in this film, alluding to a real character as the Tearsmith. However, director Genovesi followed Doom’s novel with the well-deserved persecution of Margaret for her abuses.

The film closes with arguably the worst cliché of all as Rigel awakes from his coma as Nica monologues and weeps by his bedside. Nica and Rigel ultimately get their happy ending pointing to a future free from their traumas at the orphanage, completely forgetting about the few months where they came impossibly close to being siblings.

Verdict:

“The Tearsmith” is a strange romance that attempts to capture the complexities of navigating love and past trauma through straight-faced dialogue and below-average acting.

SPORTS

Highlanders Softball survive disastrous start in 7-5 comeback win against Hawaii

UCR split the home doubleheader against the Rainbow Wahine.

On Friday April 12, 2024, UC Riverside (5-7) hosted the Rainbow Wahine (6-4) in a doubleheader at the Amy S. Harrison field. The opening game saw the Highlanders squander a 4-0 lead after two innings. Hawaii’s senior Mya’Liah Bethea homered twice to help give her team the victory. The Rainbow Wahine would carry the momentum right into the second game.

After senior Haley Johnson earned a walk, the Rainbow Wahine quickly loaded the bases. UCR head coach Nikki Palmer quickly replaced sophomore Emma Falen with sophomore Brooke Perez. Perez was thrown into a tough situation and it would only get worse for her. Redshirt senior Dallas Millwood drilled a line drive right back into Perez’s hand. Perez looked visibly shaken up as Millwood reached fi rst and loaded the bases again.

With a hurt hand, Perez had to face junior Chloe Borges again with the bases loaded. With the count at 2-2 count,

Borges launched the ball past the left field wall. Her grand slam gave the Rainbow Wahine an early 5-0 lead.

Bethea flew out to right field, but Perez’s day was done after she walked freshman Jamie McGaughey. Junior Maddie Heinlin got the call as the Highlanders were onto their third pitcher in the fi rst inning. Fortunately, Heinlin would take command of the mound and struck out sophomore Maycen Gibbs to end the nightmare inning.

After earning the loss in the fi rst game, Heinlin seemed determined to right her wrongs.

After scoring five runs in the fi rst innings, the Rainbow Wahine went three up, three down the next three innings.

Heinlin’s pitching kept the Highlanders in the game, but the hitters would eventually need to come through.

Sophomore trio Jackie Alday, Rebecca Cabezas and Bella Scozzola were critical to UCR’s comeback. Alday and Cabezas opened up the

second inning with back-toback singles. With a chance to break open the game, Palmer replaced Alday with speedy junior Allyssa Alano. Then, a sacrifice bunt from Scozolla advanced Alano and Cabezas into scoring position. With one out, senior Gigi Araki’s sacrifice fly was just enough to bring home Alano and put the Highlanders on the board.

In the fourth inning, the sophomore trio rallied once again. Three straight singles from Alday, Cabezas and Scozzola loaded the bases. Araki drew a walk, a twoRBI single from junior Samiya Jones and a two-RBI double from senior Nadia Witt gave UCR their fi rst lead of the game.

Witt followed up her clutch hit with a great play in the field to get the Highlanders out of a potential jam. In the bottom of the fifth inning, freshman Elise Nishimura drove in Alday to extend the lead to 2.

Despite entering the game in the fi rst inning, Heinlin would

close out the game for the Highlanders. She showed faith in her infielders and forced a ton of ground balls. Heinlin even showed off the glove on a couple of occasions enroute to 6.1 shutout innings.

On Saturday, the Highlanders and the Rainbow Wahine played the third and fi nal game of the series. It came down to the wire, but Hawaii would eventually prevail. With two runners on fi rst and second and two outs, Millwood snatched a hard-hit line drive from UCR’s fifth-year Lauryn Garewal to put the game to bed. Redshirt junior Addison Kostrencich pitched her second complete game of the weekend to help secure a 4-2 victory for the Rainbow Wahine.

Following the series against Hawaii, UC Riverside dropped to 6-9 on the season. The Highlanders will look to pick up the pieces in their upcoming road series against Cal State Northridge starting April 19. ■ H

Carlos Sainz should replace Sergio Perez ahead of the 2025 Season at Red Bull

TERRY NGUYEN Contributing Writer

Sainz’s strong performance makes him a noteworthy Red Bull racing candidate in 2025

Since the start of the 2023 F1 season, there have only been three grand prix winners: Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz. Red Bull has been nothing short of dominant since 2023, and they hold the most coveted seat on the F1 grid for 2025. While Max Verstappen is under contract through 2028, teammate Sergio Perez’s contract expires at the end of this season.

Perez, 34, collected two wins and ten additional podium fi nishes for Red Bull in 2023 and 2024 (four races in). Despite putting up solid race results, his efforts pale in comparison to his teammate and generational talent, Max Verstappen. Perez came under scrutiny in parts of the 2023 season due to poor race results by Red Bull’s standards. In Japan, Perez endured multiple collisions to open the race, and on lap 12, ended his chances of contending after colliding with Kevin Magnussen. Two races later during his home grand prix in Mexico City, he crashed out on the fi rst turn in the opening lap, resulting in

a DNF.

Perez’s presence of inconsistency prompted some speculation that he could be replaced prior to or at the conclusion of the 2024 season. One threat that has strongly come to emerge is Ferrari’s Carlos Saniz.

After Ferrari announced their intentions to add Lewis Hamilton to their driver lineup for 2025, it left Carlos Saniz without a racing seat in F1 for 2025. Sainz, 29, fi nished seventh in the drivers championship in 2023, six points behind teammate Charles Leclerc. Sainz has three career grand prix victories, including earlier this year in Australia. In his three race appearances in 2024, he’s beaten teammate Charles Leclerc each time, and out-qualified him twice.

If Sainz were to join Verstappen at Red Bull, it wouldn’t be the fi rst time they’d be teammates. At Toro Rosso (now known as Visa Cash App RB) Sainz and Verstappen were teammates during 2015 and the fi rst four races of 2016, before Verstappen got

promoted to Red Bull.

It was also announced on Thursday, April 11, 2024, that two-time world champion Fernando Alonso signed an extension with Aston Martin. This eliminates any possibility that he will join Red Bull in 2025.

Sainz may have to contend with RB drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda for the second seat at Red Bull in 2025. Ricciardo and Tsunoda fi ll the two seats at Red Bull’s junior team, RB. Tsunoda, 23, is in his fourth campaign with RB and has said in recent interviews he wants to race for Red Bull: “I mean, hopefully they will consider it,” Tsunoda said following the Australian Grand Prix three weeks ago. “I just want to increase my value as a driver so that I can be pretty strong.”

Ricciardo, 34, has an attractive personality and is an eight-time grand prix winner and won seven with Red Bull. He’s also a former teammate of Verstappen and previously worked with Red Bull’s current

team principal, Christian Horner. Despite his prior experience with Red Bull, his chances of landing the coveted seat may be in jeopardy due to being outperformed by Tsunoda thus far in 2024.

It’s noteworthy to mention that Red Bull has a history of moving on from drivers prematurely to their contracts expiring. After four races in 2016, Red Bull demoted Daniil Kyvat to its junior team for Max Verstappen. In 2019 after 12 races, Pierre Gasly was demoted from the main team for Alex Albon, who was promoted from the junior team. Most recently in 2023, Nyck de Vries was cut from AlphaTauri (RB) after ten races in his rookie season. If Carlos Sainz puts together a strong 2024 campaign, expect his name to be in a lot of rumors surrounding the second seat at Red Bull. F1 will travel to Shanghai for the fi rst Chinese Grand Prix since 2019, and the race will take place on Sunday, April 21.

■ H

ARONNE CHAN / THE HIGHLANDER

Three teams that won the NFL Offseason … so far

The 2024 NFL Offseason has shaken up the league by storm, here are some teams that made significant improvements to their roster

The NFL offseason has kicked off, which means quarterback carousels, big money signing and blockbuster trades. With many teams looking to make a name for themselves, this is the first window of opportunity for them to shape their 2024 destiny. Here are three teams that set themselves apart from the pack so far.

Philadelphia Eagles

Entering the 2023 NFL season, the Eagles appeared to be locked to once again make it out of the NFC and feature in back-to-back Super Bowls. But after a blazing 10-1 start to the season, a crushing loss to the San Francisco 49ers made the team implode, winning only one more game the rest of the season before getting bounced out of the playoffs in the Wildcard Round.

Their once-promising season would end in despair, disappointment and frustration. All of the signs were pointing to a slippery slope falloff to the team once destined to put an end to the Chief’s dynasty. Captains Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox would hang up their cleats marking the end of two Hall of Fame careers. And worst of all, it seemed that the league had finally figured them out.

Luckily enough for the Eagles, general manager Howie Roseman has been in this position before. After winning Super Bowl LII in 2017, the team never seemed able to recapture the magic that led them there. But mere four years later, they found themselves back at the pinnacle of the league, one stop away from glory. But after all that transpired in 2023, pressure on the Birds was at an all-time high and Roseman needed to cook up a masterclass, which he delivered.

Prior to Week 12, the Eagles’ offense was averaging 28.2 points per game. Their scoring output dropped to 18.9 points per game the rest of the season. That was unprecedented and frankly unacceptable with the players they roster. They needed a change. Their bruising style of play fell flat and teams caught onto their onedimensional offense by stuffing the run and forcing them to play from behind. Enter Kellen Moore, who made a name for himself in his years as the offensive coordinator for division-rivals Dallas Cowboys. Down in Dallas, Moore orchestrated the Cowboys’ offense making them one of the most prolific in the league. He left to join Justin Herbert and the Chargers in 2023, but after they decided to clean the house, Moore finds himself in the “City of Brotherly Love” looking to resurrect Jalen Hurts and the rest of the offense.

year in South Beach. With more than 40 years of NFL coaching, he’s developed a “Fangio Tree” of coaches and he brings a versatile defensive style that incorporates many different schemes and packages. Fangio’s longevity and reputation speak for itself.

Unlike the offense, the Eagles’ defense is an aging unit. It was extremely evident that they were wearing out as the season progressed. Edge rusher Bryce Huff and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson were signed to massive three-year contracts, both combined to be worth over $64 million. Huff is coming off a breakout season where he recorded a career-high 10 sacks for the New York Jets and was one of the most sought-after players at his position. At only 25 years old, Huff is just scratching the surface of his potential and adds some youth to their defensive core. Gardner-Johnson is a familiar face for Eagles fans as he was part of the 2022 team that faced the Chiefs in Super Bowl LII. During that season, he led the NFL with six interceptions to go along with 67 total tackles. GardnerJohnson has struggled with injuries since then, but he looks to bring some much-needed juice to a defense that

Smith was hired as offensive coordinator. Despite being lackluster in his time at Atlanta, Smith was phenomenal in his lone season as offensive coordinator. He was the mind behind a Tennessee Titans offense that ranked top-10 in the league and made it all the way to the AFC Championship game. The run-game should be revitalized under Smith, who now has talented backs in Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris at his disposal.

With the void at offensive coordinator now filled, the Steelers turned their head to focus on solving the quarterback problem. By all means, Pickett hasn’t been terrible. He’s shown flashes, but six touchdowns in twelve starts just isn’t gonna cut it, especially for a playoff team like the Steelers. All offseason, rumors swirled that the Steelers were looking to bring in competition for Pickett, perhaps through a veteran. Names like Jacoby Brissett, Jameis Winston and Ryan Tannehill (who played under Smith in 2019) popped up. But when news broke that Russell Wilson had been released by the Denver Broncos, no team was faster than Pittsburgh to swoop in and sign the former Super Bowl champion.

ranked second-last in forced turnovers in 2023.

An under-the-radar, yet potentially genius deal Roseman cooked up was signing linebacker Devin White to a one-year $7.5 million deal. Since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2019, White has been extremely productive for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recording over 120 tackles in three straight seasons (2020-2022) and registering 23 career sacks. It is surprising that the former All-Pro was signed for such a bargain, especially since he’s still only 26 years old.

Wilson was signed to a league-minimum one-year deal worth only $1.2 million. Wilson’s time in Denver was disastrous, but in many ways he bounced back in 2023, throwing for 26 touchdowns in 15 starts. He’s a massive upgrade for the Steelers, and if he’s able to play anything close to the way he did during his Seattle years, this could be the best signing of the entire offseason. Signed for only one year, the Steelers are very well aware that Wilson could very much be a rental and not the long-term answer they need. Hey, maybe it’s Kenny Pickett? Nope. He would get shipped out to Philadelphia for a late-round pick, days after the Wilson signing. Instead, the Steelers would go out and acquire Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Like Wilson, Fields’ tenure with his former team was filled with highs-and-lows. His talent is undeniable, showing signs of becoming one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the league. But with the Bears bound to draft USC superstar Caleb Williams firstoverall this year, his time with them was up. The former 11th-overall pick was traded for nothing but a 2025 5thround pick, and now he finds himself in a situation very much favorable for him (and for the Steelers).

But it didn’t stop there on offense. If that side of the ball wasn’t already stacked enough with the likes of Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, the Eagles went out and signed two-time Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year deal worth up to nearly $48 million, a deal that sent shockwaves around the entire league. We all know who Barkley is and what he can bring to the table. When healthy, Barkley is one of the most dynamic runners in the entire league. His combination of speed, agility and brute strength is reminiscent of Adrian Peterson. Last season, DeAndre Swift put up a career-best 1049 yards rushing, which was fourth best in the NFL. Now imagine what a player with twice his talent in Barkley can do this upcoming season.

Furthermore, the Eagles inked standout offensive linemen Landon Dickerson and Jordan Mailata to hefty multiyear contract extensions, making sure they retain a monster offensive line unit that has dominated the trenches up front. Smart, budget-friendly deals in passcatchers Parris Campbell, Devante Parker and Albert Okwuegbunam round out their moves on offense. Howie Roseman turned this crumbling, stagnated Eagles offense to perhaps the most talented unit the league has ever seen.

The defense needed a massive retooling as well. Wellrespected and renowned defensive coordinator Vic Fangio takes over that same role in Philadelphia after spending a

Pittsburgh Steelers

Under head coach Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to experience a losing season. Reminder: Tomlin has been there for seventeen seasons now — it’s a testament to the culture they have built throughout the years. However, it’s been almost a decade since the Steelers have been serious contenders. They have been seemingly trapped in purgatory, always competitive, but just never good enough to compete for anything significant. Pittsburgh won three straight games to end their season, but once again it would amount to nothing as they would lose in a blowout to the Buffalo Bills.

So what’s the problem? Two words: the offense.

Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the Steelers have constantly found themselves in a rotation of Mason Rudolph, Mitchell Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. Pickett, who the team drafted with 20th-overall in 2021, was supposed to be “next-up.” But injuries, inconsistencies and a lack of production signaled that he was anything but the answer. It didn’t help that offensive coordinator Matt Canada was fired midway through the season. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Steelers ranked 28th in points per game (17.9), 28th in yards per game (310.1), and 30th in yards per play (4.8) with Canada calling the shots on offense.

In the offseason, former Falcons head coach Arthur

Now that their weaknesses were addressed, why not make a splash signing to bolster their strengths on the defensive side of the ball. Pittsburgh would go on and win the Patrick Queen sweepstakes, signing the former Raven to a three-year $41 million deal. Queen had a careeryear in 2023, tallying a career-best 133 total tackles and earning All-Pro honors. To say the least, Queen is a complete linebacker — able to do it all, he excels in coverage, disruptive in stopping the run and one of the best at generating pressure on the quarterback (ranking 6th-best in pressure rate among all linebackers per NFL Next Gen Stats). He joins a defensive unit headlined by names such as Cameron Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt.

Signings of veteran players such as Van Jefferson, Cordarelle Patterson and Quez Watkins add muchneeded depth for the Pittsburgh offense. They also resigned special teams standout and locker room leader Miles Killebrew to a two-year deal after he was named to an All-Pro team. It’s hard to argue and undermine what the Steelers did during the offseason. They turned their weaknesses into potential strengths by adding elite talent to both sides to the ball. A team now with a healthy mix of veterans and youth on their roster, the Steelers have a chance to make a deep postseason run in 2024.

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