Volume 72, Issue 24

T he h ighlander

ASUCR Presidential Debate kicks off with four cabinets

In the midst of campaign season, contenders for various positions at Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) came together at HUB 269 for the first set of Presidential Debates. Featuring candidates running for the Vice President of External Affairs (VPEA), Vice President of Marketing & Promotions (VPMA), Vice President of Finance (VPF) and President positions, the debate covered general platform goals and position-centric actions.

Vice President of External Affairs

Vivian Herrera

“[Advocacy] for me, it means being

driven by your passion, being there to help un[der]represented students. As a person from an underrepresented background, I feel like a lot of the time, we’re overlooked. Our issues are overlooked ” - Current Civic Engagement Director Vivian Herrera shared one of her reasons for getting involved with advocacy, and what advocacy means to her. “One [goal that we want to work on] is just making UCR more affordable and accessible.”

In the past year, the External Affairs Cabinet has been backing Cal Grant reform and equity. With restrictions as to how many students are able to access the Cal Grant, a goal for Herrera is to “expand that margin” and make it so that “those that don’t receive Cal Grant have accessibility to that.” Other goals include

establishing educational programs on civil literacy and grant scholarships for student participation.

Vice President of Marketing & Promotions

Ashley Estrella

“In order to preserve the integrity of our student government, these values [of student engagement and student knowledge] must be at the forefront of our marketing department to establish trust and active communication,” claimed Ashley Estrella, citing responsibilities of the VPMA. Touting previous experience as the Executive Assistant of the Civic Engagement Committee, Estrella claimed to have learned how “to utilize

OPINIONS

The UC’s carbon neutrality goals reek of smog and empty promises

HIGHLANDER

The University of California (UC) announced ambitious goals to achieve carbon neutrality benchmarks by 2030 with startling positivity and optimism. With air quality in California at a dangerous low and the state struggling to comply with new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) soot standards, efforts by the UC to minimize carbon emissions are essential. However, the promises associated with this plan are inherently flawed and there is little hope that the UC will be able to meet their own objectives.

While the UC’s carbon neutrality plan may face challenges, it’s important to acknowledge the progress made on various campuses. In October 2023, UC Santa Cruz took the first step by publishing its plan to replace natural gas with renewable energy. This aligns with the UC’s subsequent July 2023 directive, which calls for all 10 campuses to create a plan to transition away from fossil fuels with renewable energy at the forefront.

UC Davis has already replaced the campus’ natural gas-fired steam system with an electric-based water heating system in what was called the Big Shift. UC Berkeley has begun designing a reconstruction of the campus’ energy system to cut building-related carbon emissions by 85%. Unfortunately, all of this work only accounts for a small fraction of emissions and is only a minuscule step towards carbon neutrality. The UC has been plainly optimistic about meeting these goals, but the truth is that these

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both in-person and online marketing strategies to form an accessible bridge of communication between the students and campus.” She broke down the core components of marketing to “easy access to information and resources, community outreach and recruitment, and dedication to an innovative mindset.” Estrella assures that she will take “the initiative to go in person and market to classes” in order to “inform students of current activities or future activities that will take place.”

Ian Tjan

“I believe that the position has a lot of great potential of becoming something greater than it is right now” began Ian Tjan as he delivered his introduction. He outlined a vision he held for the position in

Sophie Hall-Schorn shall033@ucr.edu MESCafe

Holly Dawson highlander.art.director@gmail.com

grAPhiC designer Layna Lapikas

Sumaya Khoury

Neorah Davis photo@highlandernews.org

Edwin Basurto

News

ASUCR’s 19th Senate Meeting

PASSAGE OF TWO RESOLUTIONS REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND CAMPUS SAFETY.

MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

On April 17, 2024, the Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) welcomed the presence of a representative from Grocery Outlet marketing affordable groceries for students, and passed legislation advocating for mental health resource awareness and increasing safety on campus.

Prior to a unanimous approval of the meeting agenda, a friendly amendment was made to push back State of the Association (SOTA) reports to the next Senate meeting as most of the Executive Cabinet (ECAB) was unable to attend the meeting.

During New Business, a representative from Grocery Outlet, located on Chicago Avenue, came to share the deals they could offer to students on campus regarding affordable groceries. Currently, they are running a UCR specific loyalty card where UCR students get a special 10% discount when they spend $35 or more on groceries at Grocery Outlet. To get a loyalty card, all students have to do is show their student ID card at Grocery Outlet.

The senate unanimously approved two resolutions, in a vote of 13-0-0, during this week’s meeting. The first was SRS24-001 Student Health and Counseling

Resolution which would call for ASUCR “to increasingly promote Student Health resources on campus open to all students through social media efforts and future program collaborations,” as stated in the legislation. The second was SR-S24-003 Resolution to Increase Safety on Campus, which was created due to students voicing concern for campus safety, leading to administration and ASUCR, specifically the Student Voice Committee to collect more information regarding these safety concerns. They planned for a safety walk to occur on Thursday, April 18, where they walked at the Bell Tower to advocate for better lighting on campus.

The preceding week’s Senate Meeting Minutes were unanimously approved in a vote of 11-0-0 and Executive Cabinet Meeting Minutes #1 was approved 12-0-0.

A recap of Finance Meeting Minutes #1 revealed that both the Pakistani Student Association (PSA) and Delta Gamma, a sorority, received $1,500 in grants, coming out of their existing budget, to go towards events they want to host. PSA is planning a cultural show in which they expect around 300 attendees, and the sorority wants to use the money to go towards the rental fee at the

Student Recreation Center (SRC) for their Anchor Splash event which would be open to all students. Both grants were approved by the finance committee in a vote of 5-0-1.

The Senate approved these allocations in an unanimous vote of 13-0-0.

During Senator Reports, Senator Pizarro announced that they have been working on a volunteer fair with other members of ASUCR, are in the process of planning their next Town Hall, and have been maintaining connections with the School of Public Policy team and their ambassadors. Senator Teesha Sreeram reported that when she went to Sacramento to lobby for student housing bills, she had the opportunity to meet with several assembly members and discuss student specific topics with them. Within UCR, she has connected with the Campus Advocacy, Resources & Education (CARE) program to collaborate with during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

Multiple updates and notices were shared during Roundtable and Announcements.

Senator Nadia Colon reminded the Senate that the safety walk would occur the day after the meeting ended at the Bell Tower. President Pro Tempore Abby Choy

reminded the Senate of Legislative Review Committee deadlines and announced that along with the Vice President of Campus Internal Affairs (VPCIA) Ruhi Barhman, she is planning an R’Safety event to train people to first response situations. Senator Sreeram announced that the Sexual Violence Prevention Committee will table on April 24, 2024. Senator Juan Campos shared that the Office of the President, in collaboration with the Creat’R Lab, has been working on Maker Week, and that the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair will take place on April 24, 2024. The final announcement was made by Senator Ray Khan in which he read a message from the Women’s Resource Center stating they are currently looking to hire two new student safety escort coordinators.

All senators were present except for Senator Alex Lu who was absent, and Senators Roshan Kannan, Grace Su, Kaden Ho, Anjana Narasimhan, Amariah Peedikayil and Naia Pizarro who were excused. Senator Kannan and Senator Pizarro later joined the meeting at 7:06 p.m. and 7:16 p.m. respectively. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m and adjourned at 7:33 p.m.

Public Hearing of Proposed STEM High School on UCR grounds

ARCENAS

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) has released its Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Center. The partnership of UCR and RUSD includes a ground lease to RUSD to build an 80,000 sq. ft, threestory, RUSD STEM Education Center, previously called the RUSD STEM High School. The new building will be a STEM-centered high school, supporting 9th through 12th grade students on UCR soil, and is projected to host about 1,200 students and 60 faculty personnel daily. The students who will be in attendance are supposed to be pursuing interests in areas of STEM.

The proposed center is to be built next to the UC Riverside Baseball Complex on the corner of W. Blaine Street and Canyon Crest Drive. The Center would be built with a 153-space surface parking lot, bus drop-off zone, a robotics testing area, garden beds, lunch and outdoor seating areas in addition to the new building

The public review and hearing of the Draft EIR took place on Tuesday, April 17, 2024, at the Courtyard by Marriott located on University Avenue. During the hearing, Stephanie Tang, Environmental Planner of UCR, welcomed the faculty of both UCR and RUSD, such as the UCR Vice Chancellor of Planning, Budget and Administration, Gerry Bomotti, RUSD Board President, Dale Kinnear and and Board Clerk, Dr. Noemi Hernandez Alexander.

After members of the RUSD faculty

introduced the project’s objectives, it was stated that construction would possibly take place by 2027. However, the date depends on the Division of the State Architect (DSA) approval and available funding. Environmental consultant, Annaliese Torres, gave an overview of the EIR and concluded that the RUSD STEM Education Center would have a minimal negative impact on the community and environment with proper mitigation measures in place.

Following the overview of the draft, a quick summary of project alternatives was presented. Then, the floor was open to the public for concerns or endorsements of the project. There were over 15 members of the community, teachers, professors, students and homeowners, who shared their thoughts on the project.

The number one concern amongst the participants was the issue of parking. Many in opposition to the project claimed it had inadequate parking measures, such as minimal parking spaces and lack of overflow spaces. There are also worries about increased traffic. The first speaker referenced this issue by pointing out that the study the EIR cited to claim that traffic would not be an issue was not taken at peak hours. Another person added to his statement that the study was taken during COVID-19 when UCR students were also not in attendance at the school. Thus, many people felt it was a misrepresentation of the heavy traffic that occurs during commuting hours.

The last speaker, UCR alumni and former ASUCR President Aram Ayra, voiced UCR student concerns. He

pointed out the “impact it will have on UCR students, the people who are being charged up to 30,000 dollars a year to attend,” explaining that UCR’s student body government has been fighting this project for six academic years across the changing student government representatives. “For the majority of UCR students, it will create increased competition for already limited resources … Adding 1,200 students and their families would exacerbate [f resources] with no clear mitigation efforts presented.”

Ayra also claimed that there is a “false dichotomy” being presented: one either supports the project and thus supports STEM education, or one does not support STEM education because one does support the project. He clarifies that “many UCR students support education and want to be good community partners, but not at the cost of their higher education, their access to campus resources, and their ability to utilize facilities that they, and their parents, annually pay an exorbitant amount of money for.”

Another student brought his perspective in as an athlete. President of UCR Club Baseball, Johnkeith Wong, shared that they use the fields the Center would be built on for practice 2 to 6 times a week. He spoke on behalf of his club, Club Rugby and The Ultimate Frisbee Team. He stated, “I am grateful to the competitive sports department for letting us use the facility. And, the disruption of the fields leads to no opportunities to practice.” He also shared that his team is in the running for the national championship and playoff spot in the league; therefore,

his team is practicing often and using the space often. He mentioned that changing practice locations could be an added cost to his members which the club is not wellprepared to take responsibility for.

A student who was in favor of the bill was a third-year engineering student, Michael Tin, who was well involved with high school school-centered organizations such as the Riverside STEM Academy Foundation. He argues that the Center has the “potential to make a difference in many kids’ lives.” He is not the only one who expressed this sentiment. Many of those in favor including teachers, professors, members of the PTA and others, expressed that the school would help incoming high schoolers be more college-ready.

Nevertheless, the concerns of the public will be addressed after the public review period, which ends on May 2, 2024. Any concerns or comments can still be received and taken into consideration by emailing ceqa@ucr.edu with the following information: your name, address, phone number and email address, and include as the subject: STEM Education Center EIR. All comments should be submitted by May 2, 2024, at 5 p.m. Once the Final EIR is prepared with the necessary responses to the comments UCR will be given time to publish the document.

ASUCR Presidential Debate kicks off with four cabinets

CANDIDATES EXPRESS THEIR GOALS AND MOTIVATIONS BEHIND THEIR CAMPAIGNS.

MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

which the VPMA would not only market ASUCR material, but also existed as a “communicator of these institutions on campus.” Tjan claimed that one of the reasons people do not really understand the purpose of ASUCR is because “there’s not a lot of outlets on where people can see what ASUCR does, either on the website or anything else.”

Because of this, Tjan created “a live streaming service called R’Span,” which makes meetings more accessible by recording “different events that ASUCR was hosting.” Tjan painted himself as someone who “jumps into the fray at the very beginning,” holding accomplishments such as opening up a store in Lothian and taking on other initiatives.

Justin Tam

“My goal is simple. To ensure that all UCR students know about the resources available through ASUCR.” Justin Tam established at the forefront of his introduction. He pointed out examples of students not knowing how to access ASUCR resources such as funding, being unfamiliar with the requisition process, or lack of knowledge of the $10 student fee that goes directly to ASUCR. “That’s why I’m committed to improving transparency between ASUCR and the student body.” In order to facilitate transparency, Tam promises to “collaborate with campus facilities to secure physical spaces for bulletins and posters,” and beyond physical presence, to do more than just table and host workshops to “foster a more active and informed campus community.”

Over the past years, Tam acted as the Marketing Specialist for the Judicial Branch and interned under a former VPMA.

money allocated and make sure that these organizations “take advantage of the resources that they have.” Ho emphasized his confidence in making organizational funding more “accessible” to students and that “together we can build a vibrant campus community.”

Philson Ho

“I plan on improving [ASUCR Finance] functions by increasing awareness for your club and fundraisers through collaborative efforts” began current CHASS Senator Philson Ho. Ho outlined his financial experience, stating he co-authored legislation “to boost funding for studentparents” and “also introduced meal swipes at the Barn.” As another current, active member of the Finance Committee,

committees, so that Choy can track their progress and ensure “that they are being efficient [and] they are actually doing what they are planning on doing,” and outlining timelines for projects and naming successors to carry on the work.

Adam Ramirez

“We as students pay a lot of money in tuition, we give our blood, sweat and tears to this place. We are trying to earn our degree. We as students deserve to have our needs met.” Adam Ramirez declared that he would make sure that student needs are met and that the quality of education does not decrease. As the California budget prediction overshot their forecast by 23%, Ramirez believes that the biggest issue that UCR will face is the budget deficit. He vowed to make sure that student voices are heard in topics such as rising tuition and address the deficit. In the past year, Ramirez has acted as Chief of Staff to the Office of the President. He claimed that his main ideology is to “listen to students” and that as President, he will be able to oversee the Executive Cabinet and hold the staff accountable. Recently, to maintain accountability, Ramirez pointed to a new legislation that established measures of accountability in the First-Year Fellows Program, which he oversees. “[Students] are the ones that we will listen to, and this idea of accountability extends all the way down to there.”

Vice President of Finance

Cooper Kumar

“My main goal of my campaign is to financially empower our student body,” established current Director of Campus Partnerships, Cooper Kumar, early into his reasoning on what he wanted to achieve as VPF. He explained how he wanted to work directly with student organizations to “provide tailored financial support” and provide “practical financial workshops that equip students directly with practical skills.” Kumar established two key areas he wanted to focus on, “working directly with student organization leaders in their funding processes,” as well as “implementing practical financial literacy workshops,” in order to ensure that funds are allocated to the most urgent and impactful decisions. Kumar ended his segment by stating that the Office of Finance needs to be flexible when working with these student organizations, and that “we can transform UCR into a place where students are equipped for lifelong financial success.”

Kaden Ho

“My goal as Vice President of Finance is to make sure that all clubs are properly educated on the money that we allocate … [and] streamline that process so that all clubs can get the financial support that they need.” Characterizing himself as a “current, active member of the Finance Committee,” Current CNAS Senator Kaden Ho explained that only “about 10% of [organization funding] was actually utilized by [clubs and organizations] for their own events and activities.” He promises to maintain transparency of

Ho explained that he noticed “a lack of transparency between the finance committee and the rest of ASUCR.” This he detailed, was due to a high number of abstentions, which he felt could be resolved if committee meetings were made publicly available. Ho promised that as the next VPF, he would “be able to solve these issues.”

President

Abby Choy

“I aim to foster ASUCR into a place where students can see their voices are heard and see what action is done on pressing issues,” illustrated Abby Choy, current President Pro Tempore. Her main goal is “to build a multi-year foundation for where all ASUCR residents can continue their projects” by “building strong campus department relationships” and maintain “long-term funding for these projects to move beyond their pilot stages and into the hands of students.” Choy believes that the most pressing issue students face right now is food insecurity, citing a survey from Basic Needs which claimed that 66% of students suffer from some sort of food insecurity. Establishing term goals, Choy promised to put funding into programs like the food recovery program, to let students take leftover food from the dining hall, and would continue fighting for the R’Garden Referendum, which would provide support to the R’Garden, which provides free farm-fresh produce to students. Reinforcing her role as a supporter and spear-header of initiatives, Choy’s primary goal is to “create a foundation” to support the goals of others in the organization. One part of the foundation is establishing committee quarterly reports, as there are over 40 existing

Teesha Sreeram

“As president, I’ll foster open communication with administration to uplift our student concerns, enhance commuter student experiences, and ensure comprehensive safety and well-being for all.” Current CHASS and SOB Senator Teesha Sreeram emphasized open communication and advocating for diverse student needs at the opening of the debate. Bringing up examples of lack of student engagement at Senate meetings, Sreeram believes the main issue that the office will face is student engagement. She wants to hold ECAB and the rest of ASUCR accountable, and that as President, she would “empower every single UCR student to do what they want, and have the space and opportunity to voice their concerns.” Sreeram promised to “advocate for UCR” both within campus and at the UC level. “Oftentimes [higher officials] want to silence our voices, but we are very powerful.” Sreeram established that she is “committed” to holding other members of her office and herself accountable, and that with her experience, she will work to create “tangible steps” for initiatives by “planting seeds to open lines of communication.”

Brandon Huang

“The main focus of my campaign is that I want to make sure that all students feel safe on campus.” Current VPF Brandon Huang explained his primary goal for his campaign, prioritizing student safety. He pointed to past experience he held in the area, stating he had “addressed student homelessness, food insecurities and LGBTQIA+ bias training” through initiatives he had taken on. Huang had shown up late to the debate due to having an overlapping class.

To watch the debate, check out The Highlander’s livestream on YouTube.

OpiniOns THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

The UC’s carbon neutrality goals reek of smog and empty promises

The University of California (UC) announced ambitious goals to achieve carbon neutrality benchmarks by 2030 with startling positivity and optimism. With air quality in California at a dangerous low and the state struggling to comply with new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) soot standards, efforts by the UC to minimize carbon emissions are essential. However, the promises associated with this plan are inherently flawed and there is little hope that the UC will be able to meet their own objectives.

passed onto the students in any way, shape or form.

AFTER YEARS OF BULK BUYING CARBON OFFSETS AND INEQUITABLE FUNDING, IT IS FARFETCHED THAT THIS PLAN WILL BE THE UC’S SAVING GRACE.

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.

While the UC’s carbon neutrality plan may face challenges, it’s important to acknowledge the progress made on various campuses. In October 2023, UC Santa Cruz took the first step by publishing its plan to replace natural gas with renewable energy. This aligns with the UC’s subsequent July 2023 directive, which calls for all 10 campuses to create a plan to transition away from fossil fuels with renewable energy at the forefront.

UC Davis has already replaced the campus’ natural gas-fired steam system with an electric-based water heating system in what was called the Big Shift. UC Berkeley has begun designing a reconstruction of the campus’ energy system to cut building-related carbon emissions by 85%. Unfortunately, all of this work only accounts for a small fraction of emissions and is only a minuscule step towards carbon neutrality.

The UC has been plainly optimistic about meeting these goals, but the truth is that these aspirations are lofty, costly and complicated. Achieving these standards is made less realistic with increasing admission numbers. The UC already admitted a record-breaking number of students in Fall 2023, making carbon neutrality that much more difficult.

These projects present short-term inconveniences and growing pains for the campus community, whether in the form of construction projects or blocked-off roads. Campuses’ existing accessibility will need to be preserved, and the cost should not be

Additionally, there are questions about how much the UC can be trusted in the fight against climate change when its original plan relied on the purchase of carbon offsets instead of actual infrastructure change. Carbon offsets or carbon credits are bought by a person or organization to fund projects fighting climate change at the pace of actually taking the initiative of lowering that person or group’s actual carbon emissions. These purchases “offset” the carbon emissions of the buyer by funding efforts to lower emissions such as renewable energy expansion or reforestation. Different UC campuses have taken this route to create the appearance that they have lowered their own emissions because it is less expensive than the restructuring necessary to divest from fossil fuels. As recently as 2020, UC Merced paid for offsets that halted the emission of methane gasses in Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Dakota and Nebraska. Before the 2024 plan was released by the UC, the previous goal was to offset approximately 650,000 metric tons of emissions, equating to over 80% of the UC’s current carbon emission levels.

A UC-commissioned research project in 2018 found that purchasing offsets was also incredibly misleading. In reality, the overwhelming majority of those offsets gave the impression that more emissions were being cut than were. This information indicated that purchasing offsets to equate to UC’s emissions would actually be more costly and that money was redirected to decarbonization projects on campuses in the 2024 plan. Therefore, while it is the express goal of the UC to limit the use of carbon offsets to reach carbon neutrality, they have particularly craven motives for doing so.

Furthermore, it’s unclear if the money allocated per campus will be enough to achieve what is necessary. There’s also a question of if the $6 to $10 billion should be distributed based on need. For example,

the level of air quality in Santa Barbara versus Riverside and Los Angeles is comparable. There’s no question that all campuses will need to get to work and receive funding for decarbonization, but the needs of different campus communities should be considered and factored in.

Unfortunately, the unbalanced funding per UC campus will likely not change with this issue. Currently, UC Riverside (UCR) gets the least amount of money despite admitting and enrolling the most low-income students. Undergraduates at UCR receive less funding from the state than students at all other UCs. UCR has been forced to make do with less funding per student despite meeting calls from state lawmakers and officials to admit more in-state students that bring in less tuition revenue than out of state students do. Without increased state support, UCR undergraduates will continue to be educated at $8,600 per student as compared to a UC-wide average of $10,000. This is not a pattern that can be allowed to continue, especially when it comes to addressing emissions and their negative impacts.

Adding insult to injury, the Inland Empire (IE) has been a tragedy for years for air and water quality standards. The American Lung Association’s 2023 report ranked Riverside and San Bernadino as the two most ozone-polluted counties. There have been cries to state and local governments to halt the expansion of warehouses in the IE, as they have significantly contributed to pollution and land shortages. This has always qualified as a dire situation in the IE.

Sustainability in higher education is essential, and the UC is already behind. Decarbonization is going to be a multibillion dollar endeavor, and each campus needs the state’s backing and internal accountability. Allocating resources and creating realistic plans has to be central as each UC puts its plans forward because, without efficiency, support and fairness, this will just be another dead initiative.

Op-Ed: Giants of undergraduate organizing: Students for Justice in Palestine

ThErE is much TO lEarn frOm nOT jusT Our classEs buT Our fEllOw sTudEnTs.

ERIC GUERRA

Eric Guerra is a 4th year History major who has participated in and follows Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) advocacy work.

“Todo hombre verdadero debe sentir en su mejilla el golpe dado a cualquier mejilla de otro hombre.” - José Martí, Cuban martyr and revolutionary

In attending this university, of course my learning has happened through both life experience and classes. But a key part of my education has likewise been learning from the various groups and clubs on campus. There are many, many great organizations that are doing good work and deserve credit. Providing Opportunities, Dreams and Education in Riverside (PODER), in their support for the #O4ALL campaign, has done excellent work, for example, and rightly deserves recognition for it. My highlighting of one group does not serve to denigrate any others but to recognize them for their excellence. This highlighting is as follows: from what I have seen, the University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) chapter of SJP is the most politically advanced group on campus. A largely undergraduate club, what SJP has accomplished this year has been impressive at an absolute minimum. SJP’s expressed goal is the liberation of the Palestinian people and helping to facilitate that goal through organizing on this campus in various areas. It is through their actions towards this fundamentally righteous goal that show the club’s advanced political acumen.

At the National Student Day of Action for Divestment’s walkout organized by SJP this

year, Professor Dylan Rodríguez of the Media and Cultural Studies department spoke to the specific walkout that day. However, what he said applies to much of SJP’s actions at large. He stated that the Palestinian liberation struggle was moving forward on campus through “the cultural practice of not being underestimated.” That is, the Palestinian liberation struggle was being advanced in the cultural sphere of campus, and one could not simply write it off anymore. Tangible and material wins have been won in addition to the cultural ones. The most momentous of this year was the Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) divestment resolution.

It was SJP’s honorable president, Hibah Nassar, who co-authored the historic ASUCR bill that will divest ASUCR funds from companies that are on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) list. The senate vote had a massive turnout, galvanized by SJP. It was incredible to witness the club’s ability to control the crowd, ensuring people were on their best behavior. Speaker after speaker went up in support of a vote in favor of the resolution, culminating in the viral moment when it passed. It was surreal to see fellow students who I have walked by or interacted with being praised by media outlets and on social media posts, which they rightfully deserved.

Rather than just getting recognized by outside media outlets, an organic social media presence is crucial to any movement in the modern era. SJP maintains their social media well, specifically on their Instagram account @SJPUCR. Their graphics look

clean and professional, posted in a timely manner. The account is active, and posts are clearly planned out ahead of time, showing discipline on the part of the social media team. While social media can be written off as ineffective on its own, the way that SJP uses it in tandem with other campaigns is done very well and shows the usefulness of the medium.

Graphics and flyers made by SJP do not just promote actions or protests, but also different forms of political education. A great many of these are discussions or lectures aimed at teaching about Palestine or related advocacy with different people or organizations. Palestine Legal is one such organization that “Protects the civil and constitutional rights of people in the U.S. who speak out for Palestinian freedom,” which they have collaborated with. In addition to this, major figures like writer and poet Mohammed El Kurd and Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, have been hosted by the club. Both of the aforementioned people are under extreme surveillance and targeted by Israel. At the time of the writing of this article, Professor Shalhoub-Kevorkian has just been arrested on “suspicion of incitement,” and her home has been ransacked by the Israeli police. I fondly remember going to her discussion on the third floor of the HUB and can only hope that she will be released soon, able to walk freely in her native land of Palestine.

Perhaps more than anything, SJP is an effective organization because they are not simply reactive, but they have mechanisms in place that allow them to be proactive. SJP

has been organizing on campus since its inception, which is clear in its actions. The club has a strong ability to mobilize students quickly with a combination of the following: social media promotion, print flyers, personal as well as club connections and popular support from the student population. This has not just been done for one great campaign but for multiple. When an anti-Palestinian speaker comes on campus, for example, a protest can be organized very quickly because of these already-existing relationships and structures that are ready to go. This certainly drives their effectiveness as an organization, but what bolsters their goal of Palestinian liberation as well is a deep love. In my experience, and I am certain in the experience of many others, the club leaders are personable, dedicated and truly kind.

It is one thing to have popular support, which the Palestinian cause overwhelmingly has in the hearts of the humble people of this earth. But to harness that support for specific actions requires hard-earned skill, which SJP has shown that they have. It has been an honor to learn from and struggle with members of SJP in my time at UCR. I hope others learn from their example and do not just keep their education to the confines of the classroom. Beyond hope, I have an immovable conviction that Palestine will indeed be free.

Op-Eds are not edited by The Highlander, excluding those related to grammatical errors and AP requirements. Op-Eds do not reflect the opinion of the Editorial Board and are not written by Highlander contracted writers.

Coachella Valley billboards represent deep issues in Palm Springs’ politics

CECILE DIROLL Assistant Opinions Editor

Freeway billboards slandering a desert Community College distriCt trustee paint a skewed version oF the College oF the desert expansion plans.

As concertgoers drive down the 10 Freeway for the second weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, they encounter multiple imposing billboards featuring Desert Community College District trustee Bea Gonzalez. Her face is plastered on the right side of the billboard against a loud orange background, with a caption reading, “Bea Gonzalez. Shame on you for voting against COD students!”

The “watchdog” group Promises Made Promises Broken is sponsoring the billboard and is alluding to the highly controversial expansion plan for the College of the Desert (COD) in downtown Palm Springs which Gonzalez opposes. Gonzalez is pushing for COD to build its new campus in her district, “putting [the new campus] in Palm Springs makes no sense since there’s already a smaller facility there, and far more students reside in cities such as Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs…” Expansion supporters, like Promises Made Promises Broken, argue the new campus in downtown Palm Springs will foster “double the current enrollment” of East Valley residents — to reverse a decline of 16% between the fall of 2020 and 2021. They suggest the campus location also creates space for “new programs such as hospitality, engineering and film.”

Plans for COD’s expansion began 20 years ago when the college raised approximately $346 million in a voter-approved bond to develop a new campus in North Palm Springs. In addition, the City of Palm

Springs gifted the campus 120 acres of land for the campus. However, the original plan was derailed when Southern California Edison withdrew from building solar panels to supply campus electricity.

In 2016, new plans were brought forward to build the new campus at a downtown mall in Palm Springs. But when Martha Gracia succeeded Joel Kinnamon as President of COD, the plans stalled due to declining enrollment and reduced funds during the pandemic.

After the 2022 election, former President Kinnamon returned to the board of trustees — despite retiring in 2016 — and has been pushing for his previous version of the expansion plan to be passed. Kinnamon has been heavily criticized for not following through on his promise to invest COD in “each desert city” and for getting into a “physical altercation” with a Gonzalez supporter during a meeting.

spending. Although there is much more to the COD project timeline, including a defamation lawsuit and an investigation to censure a board trustee, it’s clear that the COD plans have been fruitless and will not improve anytime soon if the COD board cannot agree on a location for the new campus. Unfortunately, while the Board argues, it’s the underserved, disadvantaged students who suffer.

About 60% of both Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City are Latino. Additionally, the poverty rate in Desert Hot Springs is 21%, and is 17.3% in Cathedral City. For comparison, 71.7% of the population in Palm Springs is white and earns a median household income of $67,451.

group, Promises Made Promises Broken is not required to disclose its members or how the group spends its funds. The group’s founder, Brue Hoban, said in an interview that one billboard in Coachella Valley costs “$500 to $4,000 a month” — an expensive price for multiple billboards. On the website, the group also states they are a “group of concerned residents of the Coachella Valley.” This statement does not specify its members as Palm Springs residents, which raises questions about what other interests are at play here.

Until Promises Made Promises Broken is transparent about its members and donors, this group cannot be considered the voice of local residents. “Watch-dog” groups are important to keeping leaders accountable — which COD leadership seems to need — but Promises Made Promises Broken’s public intimidation and bullying tactics against Gonzalez are hypocritical for a group that doesn’t want to show its faces.

Muddying things further, COD is currently attempting to sell the land to real estate developer Watermarke Homes and is even in litigation with the City of Palm Springs for violating the California Public Records Act after they failed to meet deadlines for submitting records of tax funds

The new COD campus should be built in the community with the greatest need for the opportunity and would benefit the most from it. By advocating for her district and underserved students, Gonzalez is doing her job as a representative and is not caving to the possible economic benefits of building the campus in downtown Palm Springs.

Plus, Promises Made Promises Broken may not necessarily be considered as representing local residents. As a “501(c)(4)”

Ultimately, underserved Coachella students are hurting from COD’s botched leadership. Taxpayers deserve to have their money go towards building a campus in their community. As a public institution, COD has a responsibility to provide equitable access and opportunity to all its students. Hopefully, by next year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the billboards will say, “New COD campus, serving all students in Coachella Valley.” ■ H

California Democrats use budget cuts to forge durability in the next election cycle

KHAN Contributing Writer

with non-stop CritiCism oF the golden state as a ‘liberal dystopia,’ newsom and state lawmakers use budget reduCtions as an attempt to Foster eConomiC stability.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom and his Democratic colleagues have proposed a comprehensive plan to cut state spending on numerous public resources. This pressing need for action comes after analysts projected the state’s deficit to increase by $73 billion if no changes are made. The proposed budget cuts, therefore, will maintain financial security and enhance support for the Democrats in power.

The initial proposed budget reduction totals $17.3 billion, split into five different categories. Roughly $3.6 billion are immediate reductions in spending. There were low-hanging fruits, such as the over $750 million worth of salaries allocated to vacant positions. But there were also major decisions such as pulling back $500 million

from K-12 school building projects. While these decisions may be tough calls, they are the necessary sacrifices to prevent the state deficit from ballooning into a financial crisis. If Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democrats in power decided to keep spending rampant, then the state deficit could spiral out of control. This would lead to severe economic hardship for Californians and a loss of trust in the current leadership. In certain cases, budget cuts are essential for sustaining a vibrant economy and can help states attain financial security. Without stability, the economy is more susceptible to a recession. It is also important for lawmakers to begin more comprehensive auditing of where the state funds are headed. Auditing is critical for ensuring that the public funds are being used optimally.

The transparency that comes with official audits indicates whether the program is effective.

It also determines where the public expenditures need room for improvement. California

has had an extensive history of wasteful public spending. In 2008, voters approved a proposition that allowed the state to use billions of public money to create a highspeed rail from Northern California to Southern California. The original goal for the high-speed rail was to be completed by 2020. What voters didn’t foresee is how inefficient the state officials would be at implementing it. Four years after the state’s initial deadline, there is still “no set timeline” as to when the project will be completed.

Another critical issue California has been facing is homelessness. Despite state lawmakers and bureaucrats investing billions to address the crisis, the state, unfortunately, holds the record for the most unhoused people. To add insult to injury, audits have found that there has been a notable absence of consistent oversight of the effectiveness of these homeless support programs. Wasteful spending of public funds and incompetency to properly track how these public funds are being utilized give the public a reason to be extremely skeptical of public leaders. The budget cuts are a step in the right direction toward regaining the electorate’s trust.

Gov. Newsom is in the midst of his lame-duck session and has strategically placed himself in the spotlight during this 2024 election cycle. Even though Joe Biden is the Democratic nominee, it is likely that

Newsom intends to use the spotlight given to him as a campaigning tool to try and become the frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic Primaries. However, with Democrats having supermajority control in California, there is a stigma that West Coast Democrats are too far to the left and, therefore, are unelectable nationwide.

Even though Newsom has a net positive in statewide public support, most California voters believe that the budget deficit must be dealt with by “making major cuts.” More than 60% of registered voters in California agreed with Newsom’s “call to scale back” the state’s funding towards “comba[ting] climate change.” With the budget cuts in place, Newsom and his fellow Democrats have the leverage to reclaim that they are more moderate and do indeed have fiscal responsibility in their governance.

Lawmakers in California have a unique opportunity to steer the state toward a more prosperous future. While these budget cuts may be challenging choices, they are also the necessary ones. A state where politicians make wise fiscal management decisions is favored and imperative for a prosperous economy. By embracing these tough but essential cuts, California’s leaders demonstrate their commitment to financial discipline. This, in turn, showcases their ability to embrace a common ground and not just placate towards one side of the aisle. ■ H

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

AAZAM

Disneyland’s Autopia says goodbye to gas cars

SPANDANA JANAPATI Staff Writer

Despite an unclear trajectory, Disney is taking positive steps towarD creating a more environmentally sustainable amusement park.

Autopia, a miniature motorway attraction in Tomorrowland at Disneyland, has decided to remove its gas-engined cars. Designed by Bob Gurr in 1955, the attraction was inspired by the invention of “freeways” at the time. The public’s fascination with transportation changes fueled this ride’s popularity. With the prevalence of climate change and the negative environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions through pollution, Disney is taking steps toward becoming a more conscientious amusement park.

The upgrades in Autopia are just the beginning of changes being brought to Disneyland in an effort to become more sustainable. Removing gas cars would be the first step toward the Disneyland Resort’s ultimate goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a typical vehicle emits 4.6 metric tons of just carbon dioxide annually. Mixing in gasoline-produced methane and nitrous oxide, the continuous use of Auto pia’s cars for the past few decades amounts to a high level of greenhouse gas emissions. Disney’s commitment to environmental sustainability is a demonstration of the changes necessary to tackle this eminent global threat.

Climate change activists Zan Dubin and Paul Scott have noted Disney’s negative en vironmental impact in the past. They filed two case investigations with the California Air Resources Board for air quality test ing. Despite complaints, officials’ hands were tied for regulations as the amusement park is private property, and visitors can easily take the necessary precautions not to go near certain rides. Moreover, attraction-goers also complained about Au

Ocean acidification should be made a priority

topia and the distinct gas smell that permeates the surrounding air. Some attributed the stink to exhaust and fuel.

In its initial efforts to offset carbon emissions, Disney spent over $15.5 million in carbon offsetting schemes related to deforestation and reducing industrial gases. While the company claims the use of verified offsetting projects, most of them are not directly eliminating greenhouse gas emissions to combat Disney’s pollution. Several companies have turned to offsetting projects as a way to continue unsustainable business operations without facing consequences.

However, Disney’s position on sustainability seems to have changed.

The resort’s Spokesperson, Jessica Good, spoke on Disneyland’s intentions to use al-

changes in their car engines within the next few years, hopefully reducing the pollution caused by the ride. Gurr himself expressed joy at the upcoming change in Tomorrowland, supporting the park’s transition into renewable energy and sustainable technologies to create a better tomorrow. However, it seems that Disney has not worked out the details of the process nor through the steps necessary to implement alternative fuel sources or electric vehicles. This makes their goal of zero emissions within the next six years seem improbable.

In 2019, Disney World implemented up to 270-acre solar farms, which can generate enough power to sustain two out of the four Disney theme parks. They also have up to 300 buses running on cooking oil, a strange

be taken to continue this sustainability journey, helping the park reach its eventual goal. Examples include dual-flush toilets to reduce water waste and reduction of plastic items in the food court areas. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has expressed commitment to clean energy and sustainable attractions, working with parks such as Six Flags to implement solar-powered initiatives, leading to a significant decrease in the park’s carbon footprint.

Disney is one of the few multinational private enterprises that have started to consider their environmental impact. As a media conglomerate, Disney can pave the way for more environmental awareness in the private sector as well as the public sector to be more considerate toward the environmental impacts of their business operations. This allyship between companies has already been initiated through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act which prioritized clean energy and sustainability. Companies like Kaiser Permanente and Patagonia have set similar goals to Disney regarding zero carbon emissions. At the same time, others, such as Netflix have implemented a Sustainability Advisory Group to mitigate the emissions of the company but also to promote sustainability stories through their media outreach.

Changes in policies and government or public sectorled initiatives can help increase cooperation and create a sense of togetherness in the fight against climate change. As more industries become aware of climate change, tackling this daunting problem and encouraging positive changes that create significant impacts will become easier. ■ H

marine life anD habitats are in Danger Due to high levels of ocean aciDification in california.

Research has uncovered that the ocean has become more acidic due to absorbing an excess amount of carbon dioxide. This trend is especially concerning since the ocean’s acidification is dangerous to marine life, such as plankton, shellfish and essentially the entire ocean food web, while also playing a role in rising sea levels. This phenomenon is more prevalent in California as opposed to other coastal areas due to the operation of waste and water facilities. California should prioritize protecting the ocean by increasing funding for improving wastewater plant operations.

Improving ocean water acidification is not a simple task. California’s water waste plants are the first place to turn to when looking at what variables can be changed to improve the condition of the ocean. There are many environmental advocates, specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration (NOAA), which has put out information stating, “Such changes can affect seafood supplies and the ocean’s ability to store pollutants, including future carbon emissions.” Their expertise and commentary should be urgently considered for the good of the ocean and coastal states.

Jenn Eckerle, executive director of the Ocean Protection Council, said the council is “supporting the development of policies through investments in modeling and monitoring to better understand the effects and potential responses.” The desired policies are targeted around setting a water quality standard for wastewater facilities in an effort to prevent ocean acidification hotspots. The Council is hoping that new policies and decisive political action will improve the situation at hand. Through model-based research studying nitrogen and wastewater recycling found that wastewater plants are a significant

part of the problem. The process through which the wastewater plants are discarding the waste is too harsh for the environment.

Setting a standard that can be applied to all wastewater institutions can decrease the amount of harmful waste being discharged into the ocean. Water waste plants will likely continue to operate regardless of the ocean’s condition. Therefore, solutions should be implemented to counteract their effects on the marine environment. Without policies creating a standard for wastewater plants, the ocean will continue to become more acidic, endangering shellfish, other animals and humans.

Without proper attention and care to this issue, the quality of shellfish and seafood will diminish, affecting the market for seafood in Southern California. The people consuming these foods will put themselves at risk. Holding California officials accountable for these

changes and policies is important to setting a standard for wastewater facilities. They have the most power to impact the ocean in a positive way and save the ocean from further degradation. Although there are many difficulties that require the government’s attention, this should be high on the list.

The quality of seafood, the habitats of marine life, and the delicate balance of the ocean are all at stake with the continuation of ocean acidification. Major contributors such as wastewater plant processes can be altered to reduce the acidity of large portions of wastewater released into the ocean. This would reflect a more conscientious effort to reduce pollution. In Southern California, there should be a standard implemented, and this starts with the government battling ocean acidification as a priority.■ H

Features

How you can give back to your community tHis eartH Day H artH

everyone Has sometHing Different to contribute.

aries: king of sworDs

marcH 21 - april 19 arcH

Sometimes, it’s hard to see the forest for the trees. Take a step back and consider the big picture with an open mind. You know how best to proceed, and you know that it’s your responsibility to be thoughtful and mature — a true leader is responsible for everything around them, not just themself.

cancer: tower

June 21 - July 22

Things aren’t looking good, whether there’s been a massive, catastrophic upheaval, or simply a series of smaller upsets. Take care of your loved ones, and be prepared to let go of the things you don’t need. Sometimes it takes a forest fire for new growth to begin.

libra: strengtH ibra: september 23 - october 22 eptember

You’re running up against obstacles both external and internal, but know that you have the will to overcome them. All you need right now is to maintain your belief in yourself and in your cause; the rest will come in time, as others see your determination and are inspired and moved to lend a hand.

capricorn: king of pentacles apricorn: December 22 - January 19

The King of Pentacles is the master of turning vague ideas into tangible success and wealth. You’re surrounded by opportunities for improving both yourself and the world around you: this card is a sign to trust your intuition. You know which direction to go in order to grow and flourish, and how to guide that growth to build something truly wonderful.

taurus: page of cups : age

april 20 - may 20

You’re just bursting with ideas and energy, Taurus. Whether you pass these ideas on to those around you, or take them up yourself as new projects, you have the seeds of new possibilities for you and your community. Don’t let that inspiration go to waste!

leo: six of pentacles s p July 23 - august 22

The Six of Pentacles is a sign of charity and abundance. You’ve been doing well, and it’s time to give back! Whether it’s as simple as donating to a charity you care about, lending your time and effort to a friend in need, or planting a tree, you have something to contribute to the world around you.

scorpio: temperance emperance october 23 - november 21 ctober

It’s tempting to throw yourself wholeheartedly into a single issue, project, or cause, but that would be a mistake. Now more than ever, it is critical that you maintain balance and keep a clear and cool head. Be a mediator and a team player, not the figurehead; only by incorporating all perspectives, all possibilities, will you achieve success.

aquarius: tHree of cups

January 19 - february 18

You’ve been looking inward, recently, but it’s time to turn your attention back to those around you. Focus on even the simplest of connections, even the smallest acquaintances, as well as your closest friends. Nurture those bonds, uplift those around you, and they will uplift you in turn.

Aedan Ferrara, Production Manager

gemini: JuDgment emini: may 21 - June 20 ay

You’re at a bit of a crossroads, Gemini, and it’s time to take your first step onto a new path. You won’t be able to fully analyze and consider your decision — at some point, you’ll have to trust your intuition to guide you down the right path. Know that whatever decision you make, it’s the right one.

virgo: two of wanDs irgo: w Ds august 23 - september 22

The Two of Wands emphasizes clarity of purpose and direction. You may have the beginnings of an action plan, but make sure you’re absolutely certain of how to proceed before taking that first step. You’ll find that you will thank yourself for it in the long run, and you might even discover something new about yourself along the way.

sagittarius: page of sworDs

november 22 - December 21 ovember

It’s easy to start a new project, trusting that you’ll move it forward with nothing more than inspiration and willpower alone. You’re right to explore the possibilities, and you’re right to feel enthusiasm for your new goals: but you’ll have to find a way to keep up that momentum, even if that enthusiasm begins to fade.

pisces: five of pentacles

february 19 - marcH 20 ebruary H

The Five of Pentacles indicates that something is missing: this might be a time of financial trouble, or some other perceived failure. You’re focused on what’s been lost, on what you could have; in fact, you’re so focused on it that you can’t see the way out, even when it’s in front of you. You have to be proactive in looking for solutions and asking for help, even if you don’t want to; only then can you build up a community and a support network to uplift both yourself and those around you.

R’Garden how-to guide

How to take advantage of tHe weekly free produce pickups from ucr’s r’garden.

MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) R’Garden is a student and community centered garden offering free and freshly grown produce to the UCR community, as well as opportunities for students to learn about the environment and sustainability. The garden offers free produce pick up for students, so here is a guide on how to take advantage of this community space.

How to pick-up produce:

The first option to pick up produce from the R’Garden is during Wednesday club tabling. There, the organization has set up a table with some produce from their garden. In order to get the produce, they will ask for a quick form to be filled out on your mobile device, and you can leave with some farm fresh crops.

The second option is a lot more accessible than the first. On any weekday, anyone can go to the R’Garden, located in Lot 30, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to pick up crops. There, a similar process will take place where a form will be filled out in order to grab some produce. A bonus of this method is that you can go any day of the week (not the weekends), and it is not restricted to the produce that they bring to tabling.

Fun fact:

There are no restrictions as to who can pick up produce at the R’Garden or during their tabling. Anyone, regardless of food security level, is welcome to drop by to grab some fresh fruits and vegetables. No proof of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) or food insecurity will be asked for — the only requirement is to fill out the form before picking up produce.

How to get to the R’Garden:

Starting from the overpass on Canyon Crest Drive, walk towards Parking Lot 30. From there, veer right and walk towards the gated fence at the end of the parking lot. Looking around, there will be a sign that says R’Garden and next to it will be an entrance gate. Directly at the opening of the gate is the community garden plots. Venturing further into the area, the R’Garden shed will be right of the canal in the area. With a quick knock on the door, you’re in.

To learn more about these eight acres of community garden plots, greenhouses, and orange groves check out the R’Garden website or their instagram, @ucrcommunitygarden.

The s’more the merrier

five day-trippable spring camping spots close to ucr

NATALIE DAHL Features Editor

Camping is a great way to start if you’re looking to spend more time outdoors this spring, stress-free. You don’t have to bring to these locations much more than a tent, some food and a good attitude. So celebrate Earth Day by getting out there in these top camping spots of Southern California!

Lake Arrowhead: 34.9 mi (approx. 45 minutes) from UCR

Providing fun water activities, this is the spot for those who love to splash. At Lake Arrowhead, kayaking and paddleboarding are great activities for both pros and beginners, allowing you to explore secluded coves and admire the surrounding mountain vistas from a unique perspective. Swimming in the refreshing lake is also a picture perfect activity, and perfect on a warm day, offering a chance to cool off and have fun in the water. Fishing is another beloved activity at Lake Arrowhead, with ample opportunities to catch trout, bass and catfish; although I’ve never tried, I’m sure it would be just as fun as it is in Animal Crossing. And all of these activities let you beat the heat that Riverside is unfortunately gaining, and being around the water forces you to be more present (as you have to get off your phone to avoid dropping it in the lake).

tions and vast open spaces. If you’ve been captivated by Dune these past couple of weeks like I have, this is the closest you’ll get to its sandy hills in SoCal. The park’s surreal scenery offers campers an unparalleled experience of sleeping under starfilled skies against a backdrop of unusual

bursting with stunning wildflower blooms in the spring and extensive hiking trails to choose from. Camping amidst the colorful fields of wildflowers arranges a unique experience, while the park’s diverse trails cater to all skill levels, showcasing breathtaking desert landscapes, hidden waterfalls

Joshua Tree: 75.5 mi (approx. 1 hour 20 minutes) from UCR

If you’re looking for a unique spot, this is the place to view the beautiful scenery that Southern California has to offer. Joshua Tree National Park is a unique and captivating place to camp due to its distinct desert landscape characterized by its namesake, Joshua trees offers towering rock forma-

geological formations. The park’s diverse ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife and plant species adapted to the desert environment, adding to the raw, untouched beauty of the desert landscape.

Anza Borrego: 104 mi (approx. 2 hours 15 minutes) from UCR

Offering beautiful spring blooms, this is the spot for those looking for some great hiking. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is

and even ancient petroglyphs (aka rock carvings). And if you’re feeling in the spelunking mood, you can journey into the Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves for an adventure to remember. So whether you’re seeking a leisurely stroll or a more challenging trek, Anza-Borrego has something to offer.

Big Bear: 98.2 mi (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes) from UCR

For those wanting a traditional camping

experience, this is the spot for you. Cherished for its traditional camping experience amidst picturesque alpine scenery, Big Bear Lake is a beloved spot by many Riverside residents. The campground areas around the lake offer classic camping amenities such as tent sites nestled among tall pine trees, providing a serene and rustic atmosphere. Campers can enjoy traditional campfires under starry skies, cooking meals outdoors and sleeping in the peace of nature. This mountain retreat is the perfect spot for those who want to experience the quintessential joy of college camping.

Crystal Cove: 98.2 mi (approx. 1 hour) from UCR

If you’re looking for a close beach getaway, this is the spot for people who adore being right next to the shore. Crystal Cove State Park is a fantastic destination for beach camping due to its stunning coastal location and unique camping experience. Beach campsites at Crystal Cove allow campers to wake up to the sound of waves and enjoy breathtaking ocean views right from their tents. The park offers a range of amenities, including fire pits for evening bonfires on the sand and campers can spend their days swimming, soaking up the sun on the sand and exploring tide pools along the pristine coastline. And being so close to residential areas, this is especially an easy trip to make on the weekend with friends that will make for a memorable camping experience by the sea.

Hope these spots will aid you and your fellow Highlanders in becoming happy campers!

■

MATA ELANGOVAN / THE HIGHLANDER

Swim shirts and class crushes: the ingredients for love

YSABEL NAKASONE Opinions Editor

Dating aDvice from the highlanDer’s infamously anD terminally single opinions eDitor, because coaches Don’t play...

Crushing on this redhead because we had one conversation, and he sounded so smart/cool and was super into sustainability and environmental awareness. Don’t even know his name and he may have just disappeared off the face of the planet?? Used to regular this one spot, but not anymore, I guess. Advice? - Anonymous

First off, he sounds like a cool guy, and Happy Earth Day to you and the mystery boy!

Now, not to rat myself out, but I am guilty of passing by areas where I’ve seen a crush more regularly. It’s normal, okay! I definitely don’t recommend stalking, but if that spot is on your route, well, then no one could blame you for doing a bit of a look.

With connections like those, it’s kind of like a sitcom. It’s more about the fun than actually knowing them. It keeps you entertained, like a good Netflix series. I don’t know about you, but a class crush is what keeps me coming to class sometimes: for the internal drama. In real life, not in a million years would I actually be interested, but you do what you have to do to motivate yourself. If you run into him again, great, and maybe try to find an in to talk or hang out. If not, the chase is part of the fun, and it’s not that deep. If you’re looking to get over him, there’s something that I always think of when I see a redhead. Just remember that they had to wear a swim shirt as a child. I don’t know why but when I think that, I just can’t take someone seriously anymore. There’s always an “ick” you can root out and use to your advantage. ■ H

UCR’s Lollicup Boba & Tea will be your newest obsession

NOLA PERIFEL Contributing Writer

a look into our university’s very own boba shop in the market at north District.

As of late 2022, the Market at North District has served Lollicup Boba & Tea to the UCR community. The shop has many drinks to choose from, including different types of milk teas, regular teas, slushies and smoothies, each with the option to change the sweetness level which is a great option for people who prefer drinks that are unsweetened or that don’t have too much sugar.

Ordering at the boba shop is really simple and practical as you can do so via a screen and avoid what can sometimes be awkward conversations. On the screen, you can select the level of sweetness, as well as add-ons such as crystal boba, brown sugar boba, honey boba, popping boba, aloe, coffee jelly, lychee jelly and rainbow jelly, which cost an additional $1.00 each. If your drink is a smoothie or milk tea and contains dairy you can also select a $1.00 milk substitution such as almond or oat milk.

Once customers have completed their order, they receive a receipt that is used to pay at the general counter of the market. It is important to print a receipt because this guarantees you will acquire your order. Students can pay with dining dollars and bear bucks as well as credit and debit cards. Another thing that should be mentioned is the add-ons option as it can get a little bit confusing. Some drinks come with boba already included like the Roasted Brown Sugar Boba Milk and some come without like the Thai Milk Tea. Adding boba to a drink that includes boba will just give you extra boba and make you pay an extra dollar. To avoid any confusion, it could be helpful to ask the employees if your drink of choice already contains boba or not. If that is something you wish to add to your drink even if it is not included, you always have the option to do so.

The Lollicup Boba & Tea signature drinks include Thai Milk Tea, Roasted Brown Sugar Boba Milk tea, Sweet Sunset tea, Mangonada slush, Pineapplenada slush, Snow Crunch cookies and cream smoothie and their regular milk tea.

A fan favorite is Thai milk tea. A good customization for this drink, in my opinion, is to add boba to it and choose the regular 100% sweetness. Having tried the same drink at other boba shops, I felt like this one had a strong flavor that was brought out by the right level of sweetness. Another op-

tion for this drink is to make it a smoothie. The smooth and thick consistency made it even better than the regular Thai milk tea. The creaminess of the smoothie is wonderful and unexpected, which really brings out the flavor and I really took my time to savor it. This allowed it to melt a little, making the drink even creamier than it was initially and it was honestly delicious. There are many other smoothie versions of the drinks that they offer which could be very interesting to try.

Another very good drink was the rose milk tea. If flowery drinks are more your style, this one is the one for you. When I tried this drink, I was shocked by the strength of the rose flavor. The best way to describe this drink is that it feels like you are tasting the smell of roses which makes it a really interesting and pleasant experience. The rose compliments the milk beautifully as well which makes the combination very deliciously sweet. If you like this drink, another flowery drink that is offered is the lavender milk tea. For this drink, the flowery taste was less prominent than in the rose one, but I was still pleasantly surprised by the accuracy of the lavender taste.

If fruity drinks are the type that you prefer, you have many options in the regular tea choices that include mango tea, pineapple tea, passion fruit tea, peach tea and many others. These drinks are great refreshers for hot spring and summer days, and their fresh taste is perfect to cool down. The many options that are offered are delicious and they usually come with many different toppings such as lychee jelly and popping boba, but I felt like these toppings only added to the refreshing taste.

Whether you like milk teas or fruit teas, flowery teas or smoothies, Lollicup has delicious options for everyone. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at the North District’s own boba shop and would definitely recommend checking it out! ■ H

COURTESY OF FREEPIK

Club Spotlight:

The blood, sweat and tears endured to prepare for Katipunan PSO’s cultural night the hard work and dediCation put in by the katipuneroS ShineS through their work.

KIMBERLY BEJEC Assistant Radar Editor

Katipunan Pilipino Student Organization (PSO) is one of University of California Riverside’s major cultural student organizations. The club “aims to enrich the understanding and appreciation of Filipino culture.” Open to everyone of any background to join, Katipunan raises awareness about the culture, while also building a community among UCR students. The club holds events such as general meetings, socials, cultural showcases, intramural games and more. Among their plethora of events that uphold the mission, is their biggest and most anticipated Pilipino American Cultural Night (PACN). In its 35th year of holding the cultural night, this year’s cast of actors, dancers, singers and backstage crew have been tirelessly working to ensure a night to remember. Held for one night only, PACN will be on April 27 at the University

suites such as Maria Clara, Rural, Tinikling, Filipino Martial Arts and Moden, the night is sure to be full of impressive performances. Intertwined with the various dances is a play titled “Stardust.” Also mixed in with the play is music and songs sung by the play’s cast along with a choir joining in.

“Stardust” written by fourth-year PACN Coordinator Karissa Lagunte, alongside acting coaches Makena Sapida and Leonardo Gardia and the creative team, explores the intergenerational relationships in Filipino-American families as well as liberation and following your own path. When asked about the play, Lagunte raved about how “the story means a lot to [her] ... as it is the first PACN in Katipunan’s history where the main characters are queer and where queer themes have actually been explored.”

The play follows the eldest daughter,

PACN is a long-running tradition for the organization where members can join and showcase their talents while also presenting the Pilipino American culture. In 2020, the cultural night changed its title from Pilipino Cultural Night to Pilipino American Cultural Night to “better reflect the current members of the organization along with the position [they] hold as an American University.” Featuring an array of cultural dance

Faith (Ren Fang) who is the epitome of a perfect daughter — a studious, aspiring lawyer and churchgoer. However, her life turns upside down when Tala (Arei Estrada), a girl who is just as bright, transfers to her school. The two become academic rivals until they get assigned to a project together, making Faith realize there might be feelings underneath the spite she feels for her. As Faith battles her sexuality, she turns to the stars for help. Meanwhile, Faith’s

mother, Abigail (Klarisse Dayrit) is facing emotional and financial turmoil fresh from a divorce while also being financially abused and manipulated by her parents in the Philippines. As her daughter is coming to terms with her sexuality, Abigail is set on breaking free from her restraints and living the life she has always wanted.

Held at Olmstead, the practices run from 8 p.m. until midnight and occur every day as PACN quickly approaches. At the beginning of practices, the cast members stretch out for the day’s practice and start their motivation chant. The chant has three levels increasing in volume to get them hyped for the night of practice. After stretches, they do some basic dance moves to warm up and prepare for their respective dances. Once this has concluded, in select practices, groups go into circles and engage in increas-

a beat. Simultaneously, dancers use their graceful footwork and rhythm to navigate through the poles quickly. The practices for the dance are different and more demanding compared to the others, except for those acting in the play. Tinikling runs a bit of cardio every day and the club even has a tradition of running across half of campus and doing exercises up the hill at the Student Recreation Center to prepare for the endurance. When asked about handling the pressure of the dance, third-year Tinikling coach Alex Taberna explained the coaches’ use of daily practice itineraries for the team to work on while also encouraging “everyone [to] work on their academics first, but also prioritize the dance during practice.”

Entirely run by the students, PACN exemplifies the dedication of its board and cast members. Among the board include

ing levels of deep and meaningful talks to manage their mental health and get to know one another. Following their circles, they begin practice for their cultural night.

The Maria Clara suite is a blend of Spanish courtship and European dances. Fourthyear Dance Director Janessa Zamora described it as “flirtatious and romantic.” The suite has two subsets for PACN this year, Imunan and Pampilpilalcan. The Rural suite represents the festive lives and spirit of the Filipino people through lively music, bright colors and big smiles. These dances are common after a good harvest or in fiestas. Filipino Martial Arts features an array of fighting styles originating from the Philippines. Using traditional weapons-based combat such as sticks, knives and other bladed tools or unarmed techniques, the suite highlights the fluidity, tactical versatility and art in the fighting styles. The Modern suite breaks away from the rest of the traditional Filipino cultural dances. Similar to hip-hop dance, the suite aims to showcase how people express themselves today paired with songs featuring Filipino artists or producers.

One of the most-anticipated dances for PACN is the national dance of the Philippines, Tinikling. The captivating Filipino folk dance involves bamboo poles sliding and tapping together and to the ground to

coaches and directors motivated to ensure the preparation leading up to the big night happens seamlessly while working with the rest of the cast members to practice for the play or dance suites. The many layers of PACN from those behind the scenes to those on stage are numerous, demonstrating the commitment the organization has to their culture. Beyond the actors and dancers in the frontlines, much of the backstage crew such as the stage crew, media team, directors and coaches put in a lot of work to uplift everyone in preparation for PACN.

Despite the long nights of consecutive rehearsals, the cast manages to maintain high energy. Cheering on each other when they are up on stage, they hype each other up to keep up the good vibes and momentum. However, some also remain on the sidelines to get their class assignments done, keeping up with balancing PACN and school work. Keeping up with both school and PACN, the cast members ensure they stay on top of tasks and work hard to put on a good show when the big night comes.

After so many practices, this year’s PACN is ready for its big night to show off its talents and showcase the Pilipino-American culture. Their hard work will finally be showcased to audiences on April 27, 2024 at the University Theater.

Theater by Olmstead.

BLOSSOM 2024: Was Spring Vibes At Its Finest

ASPB’S INDIE LIVE CONCERT HAD STUDENTS LAYING OUT THEIR BLANKETS AND ENJOYING THE MUSIC.

By: Brendan Vo, Radar Editor and Kimberly Bejec, Assistant Radar Editor

As the seasons change and the Riverside weather slowly transitions towards a friendly warmth, University of California, Riverside (UCR) students can look toward a plethora of new events this quarter to get into the spirit of spring. One such event is BLOSSOM, hosted for the second time by the Associated Students Program Board (ASPB) on April 17, 2024. The mid-spring indie music concert features local artists of all types, cutely designed t-shirts for those who line up early and, of course, flowers.

THEME

With ASPB’s last event being outer space themed, ASPB switches it up and opts for an old internet and floral aesthetic reminiscent of the beginning of the digital age that can be seen in their merchandise and Instagram posts. While it was solemnly utilized outside these mediums, this would be typical of smaller ASPB events. Regardless, students still enjoyed the exclusive limited edition BLOSSOM ringer tees and other attractions that ASPB offered for this year’s event.

ATTRACTIONS AND AMENITIES

While for many, the merchandise still proved to be a large draw for many concert-goers, students were also able to enjoy a wide array of attractions and amenities. After obtaining the exclusive ringer tee, almost all students gravitated towards ASPB’s bouquet-making station, leaving with lovely sets of flowers perfect for spring vibes.

Nearby the stations were tables with student artists and three small shops stationed as well, including HugHugKissKiss, Rooted In Love and My Skeleton Heart. There students were able to purchase trinkets, Mother’s Day cards, plants and assortments of stickers, accompanying the floral theme excellently. At the student artists tables, artworks and pieces from James Barragan, Sara Paulin-Martinez, Anna Monterroso, Sarah Zohary, Sovian Quesada, Jennifer Gomez and Litzy Cruz were all on display for all to see.

Of course, food trucks and the photo booth proved themselves to be a mainstay for concerts. FryDay Food Truck, DD’s Chick and Cat Shack provided for mid-concert munching and photobooth gave students a way to immortalize the fun times during the festival in photos with a choice of various props. ASPB also had its own station where concert participants could help themselves to free posters from older ASPB experiences, a welcome addition for many who seek to hold onto the memories of the well-executed events.

STUDENT PERFORMERS

After students helped themselves to the attractions, they would make their way to the actual show and lay blankets on the lawn in front of the Bell Tower. The first student organization to perform would be Wushu at UCR. Equipped with bow staffs, swords and other weaponry, organiza tion members had an opportunity to put on a dazzling demonstration of martial arts one by one. As they ended their show, all members came together striking a dynamic pose, UCR audience.

After, the 909 Dance Troupe, formally known as the 909 Hip Hop Dance Troupe and, subsequently, Tartan Seoul took the stage with multiple teams per- forming and captivating the audience. The dance teams got the crowd more and more excited as they started flawlessly performing well-known choreographies of today’s hip-hop and Korean pop hits. Concertgoers were treated to dance renditions like Le Sserafim’s EASY and ENHYPHEN’s Sacrifice (Eat Me Up) leaving the crowd hyped up and ready for the first band to come in.

PERFORMANCE

First off of the lineup was a band from the Inland Empire, Porkboii. The band started off strong as students lounging on the lawn were bopping their heads along to the music. It was the classic image of chill vibes with the band playing as the sun set behind the Bell Tower. The band played music from their discography including their newest single “WJ,” “Junebug” and “Criminals.” Before ending their set, Porkboii addressed the crowd, calling out that “everybody deserves all the beautiful things that the world has to provide,” before starting their last song.

With the colors overhead illuminating the three-man band, Foxtide set the perfect ambiance for their set. Some songs the band played included “Ocean Blue,” “Paradise” and their version of “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.” The band was heavily focused on the build-up of their songs at the beginning. Among the build-ups, the band would often take instrumental breaks throughout the songs, showcasing their talents. The instruments highlighted their soft vocals as the band worked off of each other seamlessly. As Foxtide continued to play, a few crowd members stood up to the front to jump and dance along to the music. The band made sure to conclude on a high note, keeping the crowd ready for the next set.

Closing off BLOSSOM was a Latinx band from Dallas, Texas, Luna Luna. The band had a slow serenade-like start, entrancing the crowd with its music. The band played music that had the crowd swaying and vibing to their songs. Luna Luna played a mix of their best songs including “Solo Tu,” “80’s Tune” and “lonely lullaby.” Much of the songs had dance pop, Latin alternative and electric riffs. It was a set that could satisfy fans of different genres with its versatility and range of songs. Fans in the crowd called out to the band and were hyped by their talents shown throughout the set.

BLOSSOM was a perfect celebration of local artists all around and has UCR students hoping for a three-peat next year. With students spread throughout the lawn on picnic blankets facing the Bell Tower, the set was the epitome of a chill and relaxed aura. The concert was a huge success that had the students focused on more than just the attractions and fully focused on the performances. More relaxed than their other smaller concerts such as AREA951 and Winter SOULstice, BLOSSOM was perfect for fans of indie or those simply looking for a nice night on the lawn with friends and good music.

photos courtesy of Irene Tu

RadaR Replay: ‘Shrek 2’ re-released in theaters, celebrating its 20th anniversary

SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

‘Shrek 2’ defieS the traditional fairytale narrative and proveS itSelf aS the peak of cinema.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the seminal classic film “Shrek 2” was re-released in theaters on April 12, 2024. Known as a record of success, “Shrek 2” was the highest-grossing DreamWorks film, making upwards of $440 million domestically and $950 million internationally during its 2004 release. The iconic film continued this successful path and even outweighed all expectations when the film grossed over $1.3 million domestically, outperforming recent Disney films by a landslide, in its 20th anniversary release.

Collaborating with Universal Pictures to make this re-release possible, DreamWorks Animation President, Margie Cohn, stated “The enduring popularity of ‘Shrek 2’ and the ‘Shrek’ franchise is a testament to its universal appeal and timeless storytelling … We are thrilled to partner with Universal in celebrating this milestone anniversary by inviting audiences to rediscover their love for Shrek and the fantastical world of Far, Far Away.”

In addition to its box office triumph, “Shrek 2” has garnered critical acclaim, obtaining Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song.

The 2004 animated classic directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon, transports watchers to the distant fantasy world of Far, Far Away. Taking place in the aftermath of “Shrek 1,” the sequel opens with newlyweds Shrek (Mike Myers) and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) blissfully settling into married life at their swamp, only happily interrupted by fan favorite Donkey (Eddie Murphy).

Fiona’s parents, King Harold (John Clesse) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews), Rulers of Far, Far Away invite the two lovebirds to a royal ball to celebrate their union. Scheming to separate the pair, King Harold, alongside Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), hatches a plan to force Fiona to marry Fairy Godmother’s son, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett). King Harold orders Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) to assassinate Shrek. Unable to defeat the Ogre, Puss re-

veals that he was paid by King Harold, and opts to join Shrek and Donkey on their quest to get Fiona back.

Although Princess Fiona is perfectly happy with her union to Shrek, terrified by the comments of the King and Queen alongside a passage from Fiona’s childhood diary declaring her love for Prince Charming, Shrek is still worried about losing the love of his life to the princess lifestyle she left behind upon their marriage.

Following the consumption of a stolen “Happily Ever After” potion, Shrek and Fiona awake the next morning to find that they have transformed into humans and Donkey transformed into a white stallion. For the change to be permanent, Shrek must kiss Fiona by midnight. Upon returning to the castle, Shrek finds Prince Charming, posing as Shrek, attempting to win Fiona’s love. Shrek and his posse reluctantly leave the castle until they overhear Fairy Godmother’s plan to drug

Fiona with a love potion to ease her skepticism toward the Shrek fraud and coerce her to fall in love with Prince Charming.

Rejecting the traditional fairy tale narrative with ogre main characters, the “Shrek” franchise is reinventing the beauty standards

often pushed out by movies such as “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty” and other Grimm’s Brother Fairytales. In the iconic line from “Shrek 1,” “ogres are like onions, they have layers,” Shrek is no different; noted as not the traditional prince charming in the first movie. Regardless, he is chosen by Fiona above the literal Prince Charming. It is him as a person, or ogre, who she fell in love with, not his appearance. Uncertain that the beautiful Princess Fiona could ever fall for him, Shrek is only reassured of their love when he overhears the Fairy Godmother plotting to split them apart, despite FIona’s constant reassurance of him, the ogre is plagued by insecurity.

Attempting to save his love from this royal scheme, as the royal ball begins, a battle scene breaks out with the Fairy Godmother singing the musical masterpiece “I Need a Hero.” As this villainous woman belts a beautiful melody, which Fiona and Prince Charming are dancing to, Shrek, Donkey, Puss, the Gingerbread man and a giant Gingerbread man cheffed up by the Muffin Man (all voiced by Conrad Vernon) storm the castle and fight off royal guards. In an unexpected plot twist, upon kissing the fraudulent Shrek, Fiona and Prince

Charming do not fall in love. Instead, King Harold revealed that he did not drug his daughter with the love potion. A failed spell by the angered Fairy Godmother, which was aimed at Shrek, caused King Harold to turn into a frog and Fairy Godmother to burst into bubbles.

Following the disappearance of the Fairy Godmother, Fiona declines Shreks proposal to remain human, and as the clock strikes midnight Shrek, Fiona and Donkey return to their previous ogre and donkey forms. During a mid-credit scene, Donkey is seen with the Dragon, whom he married in the previous film, where it is revealed that the couple had several donkey-dragon hybrid children. They all live happily ever after, until the next film, “Shrek 3,” where the trio is sent on yet another adventure, testing their love for each other.

Princess Fiona was always happy with the life she created with Shrek and had no desire to go back to her human princess lifestyle displayed in the first film. Shrek, lacking confidence in his ogre form, and feeling like he was not enough for Fiona, allowed a meddling Fairy Godmother and in-laws to intervene in his happy relationship. All of the muss and fuss could have been avoided had Shrek communicated with his lover, Fiona, who was perfectly happy with her union to Shrek and their life together as ogres at their lovely swamp. “Shrek 2,” masquerading as a children’s movie, is a movie about accepting oneself for who they are, trusting the love and life created with a partner.

This cinematic masterpiece might take the cake as the best animated film of all time, and 20 years later, its cultural impact and adoration by the masses still proves true. DreamWorks Animation, with a knack for sequel movies (specifically the second ones), topped “Shrek 1,” and every other animated classic with this beautiful metaphor. “Shrek 2” is definitely worth the watch and can be enjoyed by viewers, both young and old, looking to be entertained through the whole film. ■ H

girl in red is doing it again

REBECCA SUN Contributing Writer

giRl in Red bounces back in sophomoRe album, ‘I’m doIng It agaIn babY!’ with songs centeRing on peRsonal comebacks and Young love.

Marie Ulven Ringheim, also known by her pop project and stage name, girl in red, released her sophomore album, titled “I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!” on April 12, 2024. With its 10 tracks, the album chronicles the ordinary mishaps of the singer’s life in a fusion of laid-back alt-pop and rock melodies.

Known for her mellow bedroom pop songs on queer love and mental health, the 25-yearold Norwegian singer-songwriter and producer has garnered a dedicated fanbase and solidified herself as one of the most notable young voices within the queer music community after singles like “we fell in love in october” and “i wanna be your girlfriend” went viral on social media in 2020. With this, she became a symbol of queer identification on TikTok with users adopting the phrase, “Do you listen to girl in red” as a discreet way to ask if someone is gay or a lesbian.

Since then, her 2021 debut album, “if i could make it go quiet” received critical acclaim and commercial success. This was followed by a sold-out world tour and an opportunity to perform as an opening act for multiple shows of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour last year.

In a podcast interview, she described this new album as “super confident, super playful, fun and humorous,” with its sad songs coming from a place of “sincerity.” The confident energy of the album title is channeled in the first two tracks. “I’m Back” details her return — both personally and professionally — with relatable lyrics about feeling at peace with oneself again. Amidst the soft piano beats, she tells us, “I’m back, I feel like myself / I was gone for a minute ‘cause I went to get help.”

Though, where the first track gives selfassurance, the title track, “DOING IT AGAIN BABY’’ features a more sped-up experimental punk that emulates confidence, placing the singer at the public forefront as she adopts over-the-top personas. She sings, “Got those Japanese denim and loafers on my feet / Looking like a rockstar from the s-s-seventies.” This physical embodiment has her thinking, “I’m loving this new selfesteem / Like the one I had at seventeen.” The second half of the song finishes with a fast banjo that fits the thrilling new pride.

“You Need Me Now” is the fifth and only feature track with pop singer Sabrina Carpenter

as a collaboration. It’s a classic breakup song reminiscent of Olivia Rodrigo’s “good 4 u” as its emotions of rage fit well with its upbeat rock tunes. She begins, “I wanna say all bad things end / But right now, I’m not convinced.” Here, the aftermath of the singer’s failed relationship manifests into frustration because it seems like it hasn’t failed to end. She continues, “Yeah, you’re swinging right back like a pendulum, babe.” This frustration is elevated in a fast-paced chorus: “Don’t tell me you need me now / You got your feelings back.” Sabrina is then introduced in a spoken interlude. With the rhythm of the song subdued, Sabrina’s verse in the bridge evokes a playful rebuttal. “I’ll be somewhere by myself in Hawaii / Doin’ all the things we always wanted.”

“Pick Me” is an overtly queer song about trying to win a girl over. Its incorporation of piano drops in the beginning with softer vocals creates sympathy for our singer: “Pick me over him / Let the loser win.” The tempo eventually builds up more loudly towards the end to convey frustration and hopelessness as the singer loses grip of the female muse as she leaves with the man instead.

Another song that brings attention to the singer’s inner struggles is “Ugly Side.” It’s snarky and self-questioning. “I was born with a case / Of imperfections and a whole lot of mental disarray,” she tells us. Again, the diaristic style of her lyrics that recounts common teenage insecurities makes her music relatable and appealing to young adolescents.

One valid criticism of the album is the disordered placement of the songs that disrupts the overall flow. This is audibly noticeable from the get-go as the album is constantly switching between energetic tracks and the more somber, introspective ones. The more upbeat tracks like “New Love” and “DOING IT AGAIN BABY” could’ve been placed earlier to better complement the bold title. If you enjoy listening to albums in chronological order, this placement could make the listening experience exhausting or unsatisfying. Overall, girl in red’s musical beginnings having started in the private space of her bedroom have allowed her to pour honesty and intimacy into her lyrics, making her appealing and relatable to her young audience.

Verdict:

Although the song order wAs A bit out of As plAce, girl in red picks off from where she ce, left off, writing from A plAce of personAl Ace person struggles And ideAls thAt her fAns Are A A yeArning to heAr AgAin. A

Racist backlash against black actResses — this is still happening in 2024

the inteRnet had a veRY pRedictable Response when FRancesca amewudah-RiveRs’ casting as Juliet was announced.

When it was announced that Tom Holland was starring in London’s West End adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” produced by The Jamie Lloyd Company, as the titular Romeo, fans were ecstatic. Although Holland was the only one that had been cast so far, tickets sold out in a matter of hours. At that point, it was obvious that this adaptation would receive much more attention than most West End plays do due to Holland’s name being attached. However, that extra attention quickly became ugly and racist when Francesca Amewudah-Rivers was cast as Juliet. In typical internet fashion, whenever a Black woman is announced to star in a role typically associated with a white woman, people are quick to attack Amewudah-Rivers.

There were the usual cries of “woke Hollywood” (despite Hollywood having nothing to do with a West End production), vows to boycott the movie (even though it is a play whose run is already sold out) and criticisms over “historical accuracy (despite Romeo and Juliet being a fictional story). But the worst part was all the criticism over

Amewudah-Rivers’ looks, with thousands of trolls hiding behind anonymous Twitter and Reddit accounts calling her too “ugly” and “masculine” to play Juliet. It was a clear-cut case of misogynoir.

There was a quick response to this outcry. The production and the director of the play quickly put out a statement condemning the racial abuse towards Amewudah-Rivers.

Playwright Somalia Nonyé Seaton organized an open letter signed by more than 800 Black actors in solidarity with Amewudah-Rivers. These are all important steps and people working in the theater industry should stand in solidarity with Amewudah-Rivers. But, it is hard to ignore how often Black actors who are cast in racebent roles like these are simply left to shoulder racial abuse on their own while the people who cast them stay silent.

actors’ casting. Just recently, Leah Sava Jeffries faced it when she was cast as Annabeth in the new adaptation of “Percy Jackson.”

Again and again, racist attacks online dominate the narrative surrounding Black

But the backlash aimed at Amewudah-Rivers stands out for a couple of reasons. One, it isn’t even the first time a Black woman has played Juliet. In 2013, Condola Rashad played Juliet opposite Orlando Bloom on Broadway. Two, Black actors have been acting in Shakespeare’s plays since the 19th century. The theater community, for the most part, has embraced diverse casting and none of the actors of color that have been a part of this have been subject to online racial hate campaigns the way Amewudah-Rivers has because they were lucky enough to not be starring opposite Spiderman.

And therein lies the real root of the hatred against Amewudah-Rivers from people who haven’t read Shakespeare since 10th grade English class. They do have a vaguely per-

ceived idea that racebent casting is “wrong” because of racism. But they also hate that a dark skinned Black woman like AmewudahRivers gets to play the love interest of a beloved white male actor like Tom Holland. To be clear, it is because of misogynoir. Now Amewudah-Rivers can’t just celebrate being cast as the lead of one of the most famous plays of all time, she has to brace herself to overcome the narrative that she isn’t worthy of the role created by people uninterested in seeing a Shakespeare play anyway. But she is worthy of the role. And she deserves to have the people surrounding her stand up for her and take steps to protect her. That includes Tom Holland, who has stayed silent so far even though the majority of the people attacking Amewudah-Rivers have been his fans. Besides the director of the production, the majority of the people sticking up for Amewudah-Rivers have been other Black women. But the white actors and the people who cast these Black actors cannot stay silent in the face of racial abuse like this and then call themselves allies.■

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANCESCA AMEWUDAH-RIVERS ■ H

RAMITA SETTY Staff Writer

‘Civil War’: Photographing a fallen nation

LUKE LIAO Staff Writer

A teAm of wAr photogrAphers survives A dystopiAn AmericA in this out-of-focus thriller.

Alex Garland’s “Civil War,” released on April 12, 2024, takes place in a near-future America where the nation is factionalized and eating itself alive. Bearing a two-starred flag, California and Texas formed an alliance known as the Western Forces in hopes of usurping the President (Nick Offerman) while other states vowed allegiance to him. The President is a dictator, three terms deep and bunkered in the White House, unconcerned about pulling the desolate country out of the civil war. So, across the country, artillery lights up the sky, riots break out and ghost towns and refugee camps flourish.

Capturing this devastation on their route to D.C. to interview the President is a group of war photographers led by Lee (Kirsten Dunst), a trauma-afflicted veteran. The team consists of adrenaline junkie Joel (Wagner Moura), fledgling Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) and Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), whose best photojournalism days are behind him. The emotional bonds that Garland, the writer of the film, tries to string along never yield into the pseudo-family we expect the eclectic band to become. Regardless, the collective responsibility, the heavy air in the press van and (mostly) unspoken understanding of the death driving their work requires is always communicated well.

Lee and Jessie’s mentor and mentee relationship is the film’s throughline, but it’s far too superficial to justify its foreground. Save for Sammy, who has little purpose ex-

radar repLay: ep ay:

cept for being a warm presence and a brief moment of glory, Lee is the least interesting character, solely defined by her trauma — a trope that demands wariness (absent here) if used. Lee sees her younger self in Jessie, so we understand there is a passing down of burden, trauma and passion between the two, slowly occurring as the novice overcomes her nerves and throws herself into the conflict, encapsulated in the penultimate scene. Still, because of Lee’s passivity, there aren’t enough scenes of her influence being exerted, leaving Jessie’s metamorphosis up to circumstance and herself.

A slant that “Civil War” seems to only graze, through monochrome snapshots of Jessie’s photographs, is how events, people and places become immortalized through photography. That is to say, there is a missing, deeper reflection from the team on their work after a life-threatening shoot. A brief scene where Jessie scans and observes her negatives is the closest we get to such thought. Garland does, in certain interludelike scenes, reach for another type of profundity: beauty amidst the destruction, but it never assumes form. Working against this half-hearted gesture is the film’s assemblage — the hard cuts to violence or graceful melodies succeeding the other are thrifty at best and manipulative at worst which blunts the building and releasing of pressure.

Punctuated across this fluctuation of tension are stops, rarely voluntary, in the team’s

road trip. Viewing these scenes altogether results in a rather antithetical, inconsistent depiction of war and violence. Take the sequence involving an encounter with a jingoist militia soldier (Jesse Plemons) or the sniper standstill; each is played out to rack the nerves but is vaguely written to convey the notion that war is senseless. The violence here is appalling but, more importantly, blunt, making it all the more potent. It’s also difficult to think of a recent film where bullets sounded so heavy and resounding, appropriately deadly unlike its expected slick or dampened on-screen persona.

Contrast this to the film’s final act, where the photographers arrive at the White House, a now bombed-out frontier under heavy invasion. The need to have a conventional show-stopping climax devolves “Civil War” into that like a video game, betraying its unglamorous depiction of war for the very opposite. The approach of keeping the camera close to the actors rather than their surroundings is lost with the camera

and Garland is seemingly more interested in helicopters and tanks blowing up the faceless enemy. It’s a formally well-executed finale, but like the rest of the film, it is noncommitted and scatterbrained in thought.

Verdict:

Lacking charged characters and a hoListic Vi- Listic Vi sion, “ciViL War” pLays Like ciViL a fiLm in its conceptuaL Lm stages.

‘The Lorax’ speaks for the trees of not just Thneedville but for the world

this hopeful tAle is A perfect re-wAtch for eArth dAy.

From Director Chris Renaud, known for “Despicable Me” and “The Secret Life of Pets,” the 2012 feature film adaptation of Dr. Suess’ beloved children’s story, “The Lorax,” presents a sickening view of a future devoid of nature. The film opens in Thneedville, a fictional town in which grass and trees are made of plastic, and atmospheric pollution is so severe that citizens are compelled to purchase fresh air for their homes. One man in particular, the film’s de facto villain, Aloysius O’Hare, is worth billions of dollars with his air-industry monopoly. He makes a spectacle of his wealth and status by flying in an O’Hare Air blimp, a surely high-pollutant vehicle that adds to the

environmental degradation of Thneedville.

Despite all this, however, the people express nothing but jubilation at living in such a manufactured place. In the first high-energy musical number of the movie, smiling citizens affectionately refer to their city as “have-everything-you-need-ville,” a paradise in which things that appear glaringly problematic to any mature viewer, like radioactive water that turns a boy glow-stick green, are not to be fretted over. It is then revealed in act one that most of these people have never seen living trees. With no concept of what the world used to look like, they are content in their man-made bubble.

It’s only when the film’s main protagonist, a tween boy named Ted, first ventures outside of town to investigate what happened to the trees that the true state of nature is revealed. The barren wasteland beyond the steel border wall encircling Thneedville is utterly depressing. It’s depicted in an almost monochromatic indigo, a stark departure from the vibrant and varied tones of the city, which has a definite emotional impact. Thunder claps as Ted rides his motorbike through fields of tree stumps to the sole dwelling outside town boundaries, the Once-ler’s house. The Once-lor, who hides behind a boarded-up window when Ted comes to talk to him, clearly regrets the actions of his younger self, an entrepreneur with a lofty dream whose greed blinded him from the devastating effects his business practices would have on the environment.

As the Once-lor begins telling Ted the story of the trees, the film returns to a view of the world before it was destroyed by industry. When the Once-ler first arrived, the region was a lush wonderland. Many species thrived together in harmony; fish sang and danced in a glistening river and families of bears frolicked among the brightly colored truffula trees. This was an ecosystem undis-

turbed by the Anthropocene. The sublime portrayal of the world as it was makes the world Ted inhabits seem even more dismal in comparison, an intentional and effective move on the part of the filmmaker.

If only the Once-lor had heeded the warning of the eponymous Lorax! The Lorax, who “speak[s] for the trees,” acts as the voice of the environmentalist movement in the film. The wise, orange, mustachioed creature is summoned down to earth when the young Once-ler chops down his first tree. The Lorax urges him to leave, and then, failing to persuade him to do so, makes the Once-ler promise that he won’t chop down any more truffula trees.

Before he departs, The Lorax utters a prudent assertion to the young businessman; “A tree falls the way it leans, be careful which way you lean.” If the Once-ler had kept his promise, the wooded landscape would have still existed for Ted’s generation to enjoy. But he didn’t. It was only because the Onceler began to harvest trees to mass-produce thneeds, and didn’t stop harvesting, that the world ended up in the state of ruin that it did. As demonstrated in the song “How Bad Can I Be,” he acted with total disregard for anything but his self-interest and the perpetual accumulation of more and more wealth.

This narrative parallels the real history and trajectory of global climate change. The aggregate pollution from factories and power plants has already had catastrophic effects on the planet. If society doesn’t find a way to put corporations in check to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and soon, the real world may come to resemble the lifeless dystopia depicted in “The Lorax.”

Luckily, though, since “The Lorax” is a movie made for children, its final act goes to a more optimistic place. The Once-lor reminds Ted of the power he holds as a determined young person to change Thneedville,

and consequently the world, for the better. Empowered by his penitent old mentor, Ted returns to the city to remind people of the suboptimal reality they’re all living in and ultimately act as a catalyst for environmental restoration and the take-down of O’Hare Air.

The film leaves viewers young and old with a feeling of hope, displaying the transformative power of individual and collective action to solve the world’s most pressing problems. Its main takeaway: if we as a society pay attention to what’s most important and care enough to overcome large-scale transgressions, we can create a future to be proud of. It’s never too late. ■ H

NEORAH

SportS

Highlanders Softball trade blows with CSUN in 7-5 win

Lauryn Garewhal’s arm saves the day against the Matadors.

ISAAC SOLNICK Staff Writer

This past weekend, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) (6-9) made the trip out west to face rivals Cal State University Northridge (CSUN) (2-13). Following an up-and-down series against Hawaii, the Highlanders looked to steady the ship against the Matadors. On Friday, the two teams played out a doubleheader before the final game of the series on Saturday.

In the first game of the doubleheader, UCR’s offense set the tone early. The top of UCR’s batting order knocked three hits past CSUN’s sophomore pitcher Isabella Alonso in the first inning. However, the Matadors turned a double play to limit the damage. After one inning, the scoreboard only reflected senior Kat Montuya’s solo home run.

For the Highlanders, the reigning Big West Pitcher of the Week, Briza Blanco, took the mound. The fifth-year pitcher struggled with her control early on. She hit redshirt senior Shayla Whatman with

her very second pitch, but Blanco kept her cool. She struck out junior Mikayla Carman to end the inning spotless.

In the second inning, mistakes from the Matadors would cost them another run. With two outs, senior Gigi Araki reached on an error. Then, Alonso walked sophomore Eta Lauti on a full count. With Araki at second, sixth-year Nadia Witt knocked the ball up the middle for her second hit of the day. An urgent Araki beat the throw home to put UCR up 2-0.

The Matadors would quickly respond with back-to-back-to-back singles to get the run back. Junior Sydney Freijanes drove in fellow junior Kylie Galindo for CSUN’s first run of the game. In the third inning, Galindo came up to bat once more. With Whatman on third, Galindo’s second single leveled the scores.

This back-and-forth game would swing right back into UCR’s favor as the Highlanders exploded for five runs in the fourth. Witt and sophomore Alday each drove in

two runs to put the visitors back in front. Blanco was replaced by sophomore Emma Falen, but her outing was shortlived. The Matadors did well to work long at-bats against the sophomore pitcher. Freshman Lulu Sanchez fouled the ball off five times before batting in CSUN’s third run of the inning. A bounce-back frame for the Matadors brought them back into striking distance.

After just one inning, Falen was replaced by junior Maddie Heinlin. Heinlin did well to avoid danger until the bottom of the seventh. With the score still at 7-5, the Matadors rallied late. With two outs and runners at second and first, junior Jizzell Ruiz pinch ran for Galindo who was on second. Riverside native and Martin Luther King Jr. High School alum junior Alexis Chavez stepped up to the plate. With the game on the line, Chavez smacked the ball past Heinlin’s outstretched glove and into center field. Ruiz rounded third just as fifth-year Lauryn Garewal scooped up

the ball. It seemed certain that Ruiz would score, but a perfect throw from Garewal saved the day.

After game one’s dramatic finish, the two teams played out a low-scoring game two. It was a classic pitcher’s duel between sophomores Lauryn Carranco of the Matadors and UCR’s Brooke Perez and Alexis Galvan. The Highlanders were held to just two hits as Carranco pitched all seven innings en route to a 1-0 win for the Matadors. Junior Kaylee Escutia’s solo home run was all that separated both teams.

On Saturday, the third and final game of the series also produced another pitching duel. With the game tied at 1-1 in extra innings, a double from Araki scored two runs and secured a series clinching 3-2 victory. After a closely contested series against the Matadors, the Highlanders improved to 8-10. UCR’s next series is this weekend against UC San Diego (7-10).

■ H

2024 Paris Olympic open water events face environmental issues

Concern regarding pollution in the Seine river may cause Olympic open water events to be postponed or canceled.

SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, officials have detected alarming levels of pollution in the Seine river. Multiple open water events are set to take place in the Seine including triathlon, marathon swimming and Para-triathlon. Although there has been outcry from health officials and athletes to change the location of open water events out of the very polluted Seine, Paris governing officials have insisted that pollution levels will be mitigated before the summer, and that it was an important legacy for the Seine to be included in the Olympics.

Surfrider Foundation Europe, a network of activists supporting efforts to protect the ocean and its users, conducted 14 tests on water samples taken from different areas of the Seine. All of the samples failed to meet European Union (EU) water regula-

tions and contained alarming levels of bacteria found in human fecal matter, such as E.Coli and enterococcus faecalis.

Public swimming has officially been banned from the Seine since 1923, following determination from officials that the water was unsafe. After spending over $1.5 billion dollars in a decades-long cleanup effort of the Seine for public use, officials are instilled with false hope that the river will be swimmable before the Olympics. These efforts are part of an ambitious plan to re-open the river to public swimming by 2025. French President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo have both personally promised to swim in the Seine before the Olympics to showcase the city’s efforts to clean the river and prove it is safe for the athletes.

President of the Paris Olympic Organiz-

ing Committee, Tony Estanguet has admitted that despite the insistence from Paris officials, the triathlon swimming section as well as marathon swimming could be canceled or postponed if pollution levels are still too high. Estanguet stated that he was “confident that it will be possible to use the Seine,” however there could be “a final decision where we could not swim — it’s part of the rules of the International Federation. It’s what we want to avoid, of course.”

The International Olympics committee commented that Estanguet was simply restating the rules laid out by World Triathlon, and if necessary, the event can be made into a duathlon. This would mean that if the water is too polluted, the committee would remove the swimming portion of the event and have athletes only participate in the running and cycling portion.

Predictions for the 2024 NBA Playoffs

Brazilian gold medalist winner of the women’s marathon 10-kilometer swim at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Ana Marcela Cunha, has been very vocal with her concern regarding the pollution in the Seine. Cunha emphasized that the “river is not made for swimming” and Olympic officials “need a plan B in case it’s not possible to swim in the Seine.”

Despite instances from French public officials, it is necessary to put the health and safety of the athletes first to mitigate health risks as a result of swimming in the polluted Seine. Even if officials hold that the Seine is a necessary part of the Paris Olympics due to its historical significance, if the alarming levels of sewage bacteria remain, it would be best for Olympic officials to have a plan B for these open water events. ■ H

With the NBA talent at an all-time high, this year’s playoffs should shape up to be the most exciting in years.

TERRY NGUYEN

Contributing Writer

The brackets for the 2024 playoffs are officially set! Here are the predictions for the drama to come.

New York Knicks (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)

After finishing the regular season being mentioned in Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate talks, Jalen Brunson hopes to lead the Knicks to another playoff series victory, this time over Philadelphia. Outside of Julius Randle, the Knicks are finding more health come playoff time, with forward OG Anunoby and center Mitchell Robinson returning to the lineup. However, they’ll have to match up with last season’s MVP, Joel Embiid. After returning from a left meniscus injury, Embiid can very well take the 76ers on a deep postseason run if healthy. That’s a big IF, considering he only played in 39 games this season.

Prediction: Knicks win series, 4-3

Milwaukee Bucks (3) vs. Indiana Pacers (6)

The Milwaukee Bucks have announced that Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the start of the series versus Indiana. This will initially leave the team without their leading scorer and rebounder, as they hope Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton can step up in a big way. On the other hand, Indiana has had a strong year when playing Milwaukee, as they’re 4-1 against the Bucks in the regular season, including a win during the In-Season Tournament.

Prediction: Pacers win series, 4-3

Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. Orlando Magic (5)

After a disappointing first-round exit in last season’s playoffs, Donovan Mitchell hopes to lead the Cavs on a deep playoff run. They’ll match up against an Orlando team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020 in the bubble. The Magic are led by first-time all-star, Paolo Banchero, who, in his sophomore season, averaged 22.6 points and 6.9 rebounds this season. The

Cavs and Magic split their regular season series, 2-2.

Prediction: Cavaliers win series, 4-2

Boston Celtics (1) vs. Miami Heat (8)

Boston finished the regular season with the league’s best record, seven games ahead of anybody else. They’ll get a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, against the Miami Heat. Although Miami beat the Celtics in 7 games last season, they’ll have to compete without Jimmy Butler for at least multiple weeks. Boston is entering the playoffs with a healthy, rested roster, and is led by all-stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Prediction: Celtics win series, 4-0

Denver Nuggets (2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7)

The Denver Nuggets have been the Lakers’ kryptonite dating back to last year’s Western Conference finals. Anthony Davis seems to struggle guarding Nikola Jokic, and Jamal Murray has had his way against the Lakers. However, don’t sleep on the return of Laker’s forward, Jarred Vanderbilt. He is an elite defender who can limit the Nugget’s offensive output. And finally, despite being in year 21, LeBron is going to be LeBron in the postseason.

Prediction: Nuggets win series, 4-2

Minnesota Timberwolves (3) vs. Phoenix Suns (6)

After barely creeping into the 6th seed, the Phoenix Suns matchup against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota is coming off its second-best regular season record in franchise history (56-26), and they hope to win a playoff series for the first time since 2004. On the flipside, Kevin Durant is looking to build upon his already impressive legacy, as he chases his first

championship outside of Golden State. This time, he has Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to assist in his quest.

Prediction: Suns win series, 4-3

Los Angeles Clippers (4) vs. Dallas Mavericks (5)

The Clippers have a loaded roster with many players looking to win their first NBA Championship, including Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and James Harden. While the Clippers have two-time Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard, his status for game 1 is up in the air due to knee inflammation. Health has been a problem in recent years for Leonard, and much of the Clippers’ postseason success could ride on him. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks finished the regular season red-hot, going 16-4 to close out the season (their final two games were losses, in which multiple starters sat out). Luka Doncic has had an MVP candidate-worthy season, as he hopes he can find some magic in the playoffs this year after missing the playoffs the previous season.

Prediction: Mavericks win series, 4-2

Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8)

After finishing 40-42 last year and missing the playoffs, Oklahoma City has vaulted into the 1st seed of the wild Western Conference. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having a career year, and his stellar play has been complimented by the rise of the rookie, Chet Holmgren. Coach of the Year, Mark Daigneault, hopes he can lead his mostly inexperienced roster through a loaded Western Conference bracket, which saw ten teams finish ten games above .500. They face a Zion-less New Orleans team, which has gone 7-5 this season without him on the court. New Orleans will need CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram to step up for them in a big way if they want to compete with OKC.

Prediction: Thunder win series, 4-2 ■ H

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