The Highlander
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
For the week of Monday, November 30, 2020
VOL. 69, ISSUE 09
est. 1954
UCR professor named in lawsuit alleging fraud, copyright infringement and emotional distress
NEWS
UCR ALUMNI SUES FORMER PROFESSOR AND BUSINESS PARTNER OVER WORK ON GUARDIAN PRINCESS ALLIANCE.
LAURA ANAYA-MORGA News Editor
Ashanti McMillon, 29, UCR alumni and co-founder of the Guardian Princess Alliance, is suing the Regents of the University of California for emotional distress and negligence, alleging that her former professor, Setsu Shigematsu, used her songs, stories and likeness for her own personal and capital gain. In Spring 2013, McMillon was enrolled in Shigetmatsu’s Media and Cultural Studies 190 (MCS190) Special Studies course where she assisted in the development of the Guardian Princess Alliance, an educational media company whose mission was to transform the cultural meaning of the female hero. The Guardian Princess Alliance has released several books depicting stories
of racially and culturally diverse super heroines, the first two of which McMillon is listed as a primary author. In the lawsuit, however, McMillon claims that she was shut out from the business in 2015 and has failed to receive proper compensation for her work on the project. McMillon’s attorneys filed the initial lawsuit on her behalf on Aug. 13, seeking punitive damages, paid medical and professional expenses and compensation for loss of earnings and opportunity. The UC Regents, Professor Shigematsu, her husband and colleague Dylan Rodriguez and the couples’ non-profit organization, S.T.R.O.N.G. Edutainment — previously renamed from Guardian Princess Alliance — are all defendants named in the case. ► SEE LAWSUIT PAGE 3
RADAR
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BRETMAN ROCK, A SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER AND BEAUTY GURU, ANSWERS QUESTIONS FROM STUDENT FANS IN A VIRTUAL LECTURE.
The good, bad and the snubs of the 2021 Grammy nominations THE GRAMMYS CONTINUES TO FAIL TO NOMINATE AND AWARD DESERVING ARTISTS. COURTESY OF NETFLIX AMANI MAHMOUD Editor-in-Chief
Every year, the announcement of the annual Grammy nominations provokes criticism, and this year is no different. This year, in an effort to diversify, the Grammys changed the urban contemporary category to progressive R&B, best rap/ sung performance to best melodic rap performance and world music to global music. Despite these hollow gestures, too much remains the same, again calling into question the relevance of the award show. This year, Beyoncé leads with nine nominations, and Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and
Roddy Rich all tied with six nominations. Before nominations were announced, The Weeknd was expected to sweep the nominations with his smash hit “Blinding Lights” and his chart-topping album “After Hours.” While the record and album were both submitted and eligible for nomination, The Weeknd was surprisingly missing from the entire catalog of categories. In another shocking move by the Grammys, Fiona Apple’s “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” only gained nominations for best alternative music album and best rock song and performance for “Shameika.” ► SEE GRAMMY PAGE 10
FEATURES
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Guest lecturer: Bretman Rock glows with confidence ALEXANDRIA ESTEBAN Assistant Features Editor
On Tuesday, Nov. 25, ASPB held a Q&A session with Bretman Rock. The event was co-sponsored by the Asian Pacific Student Programs and the LGBT Resource Center. Rock is a Filipino-American influencer who has received worldwide attention for his YouTube videos, most notably known for his makeup tutorials and vlogs. Since his
career began, he has gained over 7 million subscribers on Youtube and over 15 million followers on Instagram. The event ran from 7 p.m to 8 p.m. Kim Vo and Lena Mousa were the co-hosts for the evening. At the start of the event, they encouraged students in the chat to submit their questions in the Q&A feature on Zoom. Those whose questions were selected received one-on-one time with Rock, where they could turn on
their cameras and mics to ask him their question. Many of the people in the chat were eager to meet and talk with their idol. Mia Lux Alabad wrote that she has “been watching [Rock] since [she] was 12.” Mya Maddox stated that she loves “how Bretman be minding his own business. He don’t be trynna get in the drama. He be thriving on his own love like that.” Rock dialed into the Zoom ► SEE BRETMAN PAGE 8
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Humans of UCR
Upcoming Events: Week 9
ISMAIL KISWANI | POLITICAL SCIENCE ADMIN | SECONDYEAR COMPILED BY THE HIGHLANDER STAFF
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Gluteus Max Out 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Virtual Event
Department of Anthropology Brown Bag Series: Dr. Ayana Omilade Flewellen 2 p.m. Virtual Event
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Introduction to Text Mining and Analysis 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Virtual Event
F-1 Employment Workshop (International Students Only) 12 p.m. Virtual Event
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6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Virtual Event
UCR Music: Andy Yu, Senior Jazz Guitar Recital 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Virtual Event
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
“These times have really taught me to appreciate the people around me. Pre-pandemic, I was constantly doing something, whether it was school, work or spending time with the people I care about.
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Thursday
Your Zip Code Determines Your Opportunities: A History of Fair Housing Laws 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Virtual Event
Dance Fusion 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. Virtual Event
Free Flu Shot 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Virtual Event
How to Create a Vision Board 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Virtual Event
Mountainfilm on Tour Virtual Festival - Riverside 9 a.m. Virtual Event
Virtual Living Succulent Wreath Making Class 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Virtual Event
But like everyone else, that was taken from me. I was forced to be put in a cycle of nothingness, waking up with no motivation to do anything and going to bed feeling unaccomplished. I spoke about it with my friends and it was something they also felt trapped in. So my friends and I decided to FaceTime each other everyday, and it
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just made our lives better. We often forget that we are not alone, and that the people we care about want us to reach out to them.”
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► FROM LAWSUIT
A hearing is scheduled to take place on Dec. 4 before Judge John W. Holcomb to review the dismissals issued by the UC Regents and the defendants. The lawsuit details McMillon’s two-yearlong contribution to the Guardian Princess Alliance that began during Shigematsu’s special studies course, MCS190. Here, the plaintiff claims that students were falsely promised that they would receive royalties, future compensation for their work and have the opportunity to reach top level, lucrative positions within the company.” “Shigematsu used this course to obtain free student labor to jumpstart capital resources and content for her own company,” states the lawsuit. McMillon contends that her copyrighted stories and songs she wrote for the series were grossly misused by Shigematsu and in turn caused her extreme anxiety and depression that required treatment and counseling. McMillon alleged that Shigematsu promised her a full stake in Guardian Princess Alliance but never delivered on those claims. “This professor took advantage of my trust,” stated McMillon in an Oct. 20 phone interview with the Atlanta Black Star. In a Nov. 17 email with The Highlander, McMillon declined to comment further on the details surrounding the case. The two books authored by McMillon, “Princess Vinnea and the Gulavores” and “Princess Mariana and Lixo Island,” are still currently being sold on Amazon; the music video for the song “My True Heart,” written by McMillon, was also recently removed from the Guardian Princesses YouTube channel. Soon after the lawsuit was filed, attorneys representing the UC Regents and Shigematsu filed motions to dismiss
NEWS
McMillon’s claims, stating that most are barred by a statute of limitations and “devoid of facts sufficient to state a claim against defendants.” Representatives from the UC Regents and Professor Shigematsu declined The Highlander’s request for comment. However, Brian T. Hafter, the attorney representing the Regents of the UC stated in his Oct. 20 motion that the case was the epitome of “too little, too late.” Wallenius and Banos, the attorneys representing McMillon, filed an opposition to the dismissals laid out by the UC and Shigematsu. According to the opposition, McMillon’s case surpasses the statute of limitations because her complaint “delineates the requisite elements of all counts against the Defendants but also states the conduct, motive and the intent of the defendants,” according to the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. Rule 8. Both parties will argue their respective dismissals and oppositions during the Dec. 4 hearing. On Nov. 16, the attorneys representing Shigematsu, Rodriguez and S.T.R.O.N.G. Edutainment addressed a letter to the Atlanta Black Star requesting to retract the title of an article written about the lawsuit, claiming it was defamatory and causing Professor Shigematsu “considerable harm.” The article was previously titled “‘To be treated like a slave is wrong’: Black California woman accuses former professor of using ‘free student labor’ to steal, profit off her work; files lawsuit” and was changed soon after to “Black California woman files lawsuit against former professor for allegedly stealing her work.” The letter stated, “Professor Shigematsu has not engaged in any activity that bears any resemblance to slavery,” and then detailed the long standing work Shigematsu and Rodriguez have done
to promote social movements such as Black liberation. Shigematsu also shared details of her previous experience working with the Los Angeles chapter of Critical Resistance. Founded by Angela Davis, Critical Resistance aims to end the prison industrial complex and policing. The opposition from McMillon’s attorneys also states that the university is vicariously liable for the acts of Shigematsu and Rogriguez, claiming that UCR was made aware of Professor Shigematsu turning her MCS 190 course into an “intellectual property sweatshop.” The opposition refers to a whistleblower complaint submitted by McMillon on March 15, 2018 against Shigematsu, Rodriguez and other UCR faculty. “Since 2012, self-proclaimed activist Professor Shigematsu has exploited students on and off-campus to develop her for-profit private company, Guardian Princess Alliance, LLC.,” stated the complaint. According to McMillon, Shigematsu’s actions were purposely overlooked and undisclosed by the university. “I am now stepping forward to prevent her from devastating the lives of other students, the way she has devastated my life,” she said. This is not the first time complaints have been filed against Shigematsu. One student, who chose to remain anonymous at the time of writing, spoke to The Highlander about the ongoing abuse she faced from Shigematsu during their time in her class and agreed with Ashanti’s claims. “There are so many people who know this situation very well and they are just … making a run for it,” they said. This story is ongoing and The Highlander will continue to provide H updates as the story unfolds. ■
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020
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RYAN POON / THE HIGHLANDER
ASUCR
ASUCR aims to extend S/NC deadline to week ten through spring 2021 THE SENATE TAKES A TEN-MINUTE RECESS TO DISCUSS AN ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION. LAURA ANAYA-MORGA News Editor
The eighth ASUCR meeting of the quarter was kicked off by a presentation from the University of California Student Association (UCSA) president, Aidan Arasasingham. Arasasingham, a fourthyear global studies student, addressed the senate to share the vision and values of UCSA, “to advocate on behalf of current and future students for the accessibility, affordability, and quality of the University of California system.” This year, UCSA is focused on securing an equitable COVID-19 response and recovery on all UC campuses, reenvisioning campus safety and the reinvestment of community support, expanding financial aid for students and strengthening student power, advocacy and representation for student government organizations across the UC system. During the approval of Finance Hearing Minutes #13, the senate took a 10 minute recess to further discuss a grant allocation of $600 designated for the Undergraduate
Business Association. Vice President of Finance William Wang stated that the funds would be used to book another event with Jonathan Javier, a UCR alumni and the CEO and founder of Wonsulting, a company focused on teaching others about professional development. GSOE Senator Stephanie Zeng raised concern with the Wonsulting CEO having previously been accused of sexual assault, stating that she would not be able to vote on the approval of the allocation. The Undergraduate Business Association grant allocation failed to pass with a vote of 1-10-1. During New Business, President Pro Tempore Orlando Cabalo presented SRF20-007 Proposition to Extend S/NC Measures Offered in Spring 2020 through Spring 2021. The senate resolution was authored by CHASS Senators Mufida Assaf and Lizbeth Marquez Torres in an effort to repeat the same extensions from last spring to change the deadline to S/NC a course from the end of the eighth week of the quarter to the end of the term. “Given that there has been a huge increase in the number of COVID cases and the second wave of economic relief has not been passed, students are now finding themselves in the same or worse situations as they were finding themselves in the spring quarter,” said Marquez Torres. She added that the Academic Senate should consider
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implementing the same relief to students throughout the entirety of the year, as the campus closure has now lasted longer than anyone expected. SR-F20-007 was passed with a vote of 13-0-0, and the senate will now pass on the recommendation to the Academic Senate as well as reach out to the deans of each academic department to encourage their support of the resolution. SB-F20-010 ASUCR Townhall Act was authored by Personnel Director Sean Nguyen and the bill outlines the requirement for the senate to host one town hall per quarter for each college of UCR. With the exception of the Graduate School of Education and the School of Public Policy, who would either have the option
to host their own town hall or collaborate with a separate college, each college would plan a town hall for students before week three of the quarter and host it anytime before week seven. The bill’s purpose is to ensure that students are being heard by their ASUCR representatives and to give the senate an opportunity to inform them of any important topics discussed in ASUCR meetings or their monthly dean’s meetings. “It is more important now than ever to allow a space where students can create open dialog in times of remote learning,” states the bill. SB-F20-010 was passed with a vote of 12-0-1. The senate meeting was adjourned at H 8:13 p.m.■
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UCR podcast
NEWS
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“Blue,, Gold & BLACK””
seeks to amplify Black voices NEW PODCAST WORKS TO UPLIFT BLACK VOICES AND EXPERIENCES AT UCR.
RYAN POON / THE HIGHLANDER
DAVINA GARCIA Assistant News Editor
Admissions recruiter, Dominique Beale, and the Community Engagement and Outreach (CEO) unit of Undergraduate Admissions have launched a new podcast titled “Blue, Gold & BLACK”, dedicated to engaging with the Black community at UCR as well as prospective Black students. According to Beale, prior to the official September launch, the Student Affairs and Marketing Department was instrumental in helping his team develop the podcast. With their help, the podcast came to fruition, and episodes are now developed largely by the CEO unit as well as himself. Each 45 minutelong episode features staff, faculty and administration interviews with the purpose of examining intersectionality as it pertains to the Black experience within the Highlander community. These episodes serve to amplify these
community members’ voices and bring awareness to the work that they do in their respective campus sector. As an admissions recruiter for the CEO team, Beale stated that he plays a role in the recruitment of Black and African diasporic populations. He emphasized the importance of developing new and engaging ways to communicate and engage with the Black community, especially during the social justice movement that has been gaining more traction in 2020. Beale added that this year has further proven how imperative Black voices are in the social discussions taking place across the nation. “It is important that Black voices are amplified and centered in conversations about progress because often they are the ones leading the charge,” he stated. Beale is optimistic that the podcast endeavor will be successful in engaging Black students, as it is and will continue raising awareness of all the people
and resources that UCR has for them on campus. He explained that UCR is a large campus with many people, meaning it can be difficult for students to connect with staff, faculty, alumni and administration; as a result, students might not be knowledgeable about the Black representation that does exist at the university. “It is my hope that this podcast increases that awareness,” he explained, “so that current and prospective Black students can find meaningful mentorship and resources to improve their experience as a Black student here at UCR.” Beale added that it is important for current and prospective students to know that the university’s representation is deeper than simply having faces represented in promotional materials. Jamal Myrick, director of African Student Programs, echoed these sentiments and voiced his support of “Blue, Gold, & BLACK”. He affirmed that the podcast is a “breath of fresh air”
for many in the Black community at UCR, especially now given the uncertain national and international climate. Myrick also expressed his belief that the podcast helps reiterate that Blackness is not a monolith, and it manages to do so by incorporating Black individuals straight from the university community. Though the school’s new virtual environment has created other issues for students looking to become involved and engaged with the Black community on campus, Beale assured that the “Blue, Gold & BLACK” podcast seeks to function as a useful resource for any individual desiring to learn more about the Black community at UCR. Beale concluded by adding that they hope to feature students in their newer episodes, which are aired every other Wednesday with the next scheduled for Dec. 2. For those interested, tune in to any streaming platforms like Apple, Spotify or YouTube, and find them on H Instagram or Twitter. ■
Opinions
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OPINIONS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2020
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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL
We should not expect progressive changes from the Biden JOE BIDEN’S CABINET CANDIDATES SUGGEST A SHIFT BACKWARDS TO OBAMA ERA POLICY INSTEAD OF TOWARDS PROGRESSIVE CHANGE.
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lthough Joe Biden’s win was a positive turn of events given the last four catastrophic years, the fight for a better America is not over. Given Joe Biden’s cabinet candidates, the country will likely see a shift back to Obama-era politics instead of moving forward toward more progressive changes. Although there may be some promise, it is still mostly up to U.S. citizens to demand more change from these civil servants. The country will stay in a stalemate if its people refuse to take action and hold the Biden cabinet accountable. Joe Biden’s election as the president of the United States cannot be seen as a complete victory if the U.S. expects progressive changes. However, a return to Obama policy seems inevitable considering many of the cabinet candidates served under that administration. Despite their experience, this should not be seen as a completely positive thing because not enough was accomplished during the Obama administration. Moreover, it should not be forgotten that President Obama deported more immigrants than any other sitting president. This is very concerning since Joe Biden recently named Alejandro Mayorkas as the Secretary of Homeland Security, who previously worked under the Obama administration as director of U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and assisted in those deportations. Additionally, most of the people that Biden nominated, aside from Bernie Sanders, have been too centrist. Without anyone willing to push the envelope and take charge in regards to progressive
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policies, it is likely that there will be little to no groundbreaking change. Perhaps the only promising outcome from candidates is the prioritization of climate change by implementing the Special Envoy for Climate. This is a small step forward in getting back to normal and getting the U.S. back on track with the Paris Climate Accords. Other than damage control, however, it is hard to see the Biden administration taking any more strides towards more progressive legislation and policy. It is expected that the Biden administration may consist mostly of compromise and cleanup instead of stepping on anyone’s toes with aggressive change. While it is beneficial to have Biden as president in order to heal the nation from the scathing Trump administration, there is so much work that needs to be done outside of fixing what the last administration broke. Without a reasonable push from the people, Biden and his cabinet may not be so eager to implement much needed progressive change, especially in the first 100 days. Nothing will get accomplished if people stay silent. Complacency has never had a place in politics and people need to be educated on how their involvement impacts the decisions made by public officials. Perhaps the most important thing that citizens need to be reminded of is the effectiveness of voting not just in the primaries, but also at the local and state level. For instance, Georgia is going to be a very key runoff election, and it could very well determine the chances for Joe Biden and his cabinet to have any progressive momentum. Otherwise, with a majority red senate, it will be
difficult for the Biden administration to get anything passed, and only so much can be done with executive orders. It is imperative that people send letters and contact voters in order to influence the outcome of that special election. Without adequate involvement such as this, four years from now, we may find ourselves in a similar situation with another president much like Donald Trump and any progressive change made will be all for nothing.Being politically active is not limited to posting on Instagram stories. Citizens need to reach out to representatives, help with campaigns and make sure everyone’s voices are uplifted. For instance, this summer, the nation had a huge racial reckoning with the Black Lives Matter movement, and we need to keep this energy up when it comes to demanding quality leadership from Biden and his cabinet. Additionally, citizens need to take it upon themselves to pay attention to proposition elections in order to ensure that more progressive legislation is passed. If everyone stopped paying attention after the primary elections, then the chances of real change occurring in the country are little to none. Although it is clear that progressive change may not happen all at once during the Biden administration, that should still not be a reason for the public to give up. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in addition to cleaning up after the Trump administration. Without Biden and his cabinet having any sort of accountability for themselves, much about the nation will not improve. Nevertheless, it is up to the citizens of America to make their voices heard and H push for effective policy change.■
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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.
6 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2020
OPINIONS
AS THE PANDEMIC FACES ITS FIRST MEDICAL CHALLENGER, WE SHOULD TACKLE THE VIRUS BY PROTECTING THE MOST VULNERABLE.
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Domestic abuse is the most dangerous side effect of quarantine MADISON RHEINS Opinions Editor
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As a result of lockdowns, domestic violence rates have skyrocketed worldwide, putting many families in danger. With nowhere to go and rules keeping people at a distance from one another, people have lost their connection with others, and tensions in households have escalated. In order to help domestic abuse survivors during the pandemic, resources need to be smarter and readily available over the phone. Methods such as key words or phrases should also be put in place for a survivor to indicate whether they are in danger or not. Additionally, just as hotels have been used to house the homeless during the pandemic, they need to also be used to aid those who are escaping their abusers. Domestic violence as a consequence of the pandemic has increased globally, and whether this has to do with financial strain, lack of personal space or stress from the virus, it has become a concerning issue resulting from lockdowns. There does not seem to be enough substantial media attention about this, given all of the other news in the world. As a result, victims are most likely suffering alone in silence. If more awareness is brought to this issue, resources and housing would become more accessible for those to escape their abusive environments. Now that everything is digital, there needs to be a more efficient way for survivors to get help. Many abusers use phones to spy on their partners — this is why there needs to be a more organized system
that utilizes code words via text or phone call in order for survivors to let helplines know when they are in trouble. Although some establishments may already have this in place, there needs to be a more organized effort, and there needs to be more attention brought to these resources. This is the only socially distanced way that a survivor will get the help they need, so it is of the utmost importance that these relief systems are organized for effectiveness. In order for survivors to be safely relocated to an innocuous environment, hotels and motels should be made readily available. Over the course of the pandemic, the homeless were granted safe haven in clean hotel rooms. This resource should be extended to domestic violence survivors. Additionally, universities should use their vacant student housing and convert them into apartments for these people and their children as well. These methods not only give aid to those affected by domestic violence, but they also bring profit to hotels and campuses so that they do not have to do mass employee layoffs. People have been blindsided by the pandemic and have not paid much attention to the side effects that come as a result of it. Just because there is a pandemic going on does not mean other dangerous issues should be ignored. There needs to be more attention given to those who are suffering from domestic violence so that they can get the help they deserve. If more people face the reality of the dangers that the pandemic puts these individuals in, the doors for more effective resources and H available housing are bound to open. ■
So your governor just broke his own COVID safety guidelines — that just means we need to do better than him EVELYN HOMAN Assistant Opinions Editor
California Governor Gavin Newsom got himself into hot water when he was spotted at a maskless party in Napa Valley on Nov. 18, despite indoor dining being prohibited. Even in the strange environment that the coronavirus has created, this would not be a completely uncommon sight; after all, plenty of people have continued to attend small events with and without masks throughout the pandemic. What makes this instance so unusual is that the governor was going against his own strict guidelines for coronavirus safety. Not only that, but he lied about the party being outside until photos proved this to be false. People, understandably, were taken aback by this, and many are using it as a chance to discredit the governor and his guidelines. What really needs to occur instead is that the California public should learn a lesson from Newsom disobeying his own rules and, though their skepticism is valid, work to do better than Newsom did. First order of business: Newsom absolutely should be shamed for his breach of his own policy. Though he promised to start practicing what he preaches, an apology means nothing if it is not backed by effort. The best course of action would be to subject Newsom to fines for attending a gathering that was fairly risky, considering others would have been fined for doing the same. It is important to recognize that the governor of California is not above anyone else when it comes to responsibility for curbing the pandemic.
This goes for every public official who makes guidelines and then proceeds to breach them. Andrew Cuomo was called out this week for planning on seeing his mother for Thanksgiving after advising New Yorkers to not travel for the holidays. Meanwhile, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi canceled a dinner for new House of Representatives members because it would be held in a poorly ventilated space. People are rightfully calling out the disobedience of strict COVID guidelines, and they should be — it holds these public officials accountable and allows us to use them as an example to improve ourselves. An even better way to shame the governor for his reckless behavior, however, would be for us as a population to do better than him. Yes, it is understandable to cast some doubt towards his rulings, especially with his infamous “no singing” guideline and now this breach. He rightfully should be given the side-eye for his wrongdoings. Nonetheless, we should continue to follow the guidelines put in place to prove that we can, since he could not. Moving forward, if we want to go out, we need to do it safely, and if we want to meet with others, we do it while following distancing guidelines. We need to make it our job, as citizens of California, to do better than our governor at following his own rules. By all means, question Newsom’s morals and meanings, especially given the lavish lifestyle he leads, but in the name of public safety, let’s do better than public officials and beat H them at their own game.■
GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM MAY HAVE ATTENDED A MASKLESS PARTY, BUT THAT’S NO EXCUSE FOR THE PUBLIC TO GO HAYWIRE.
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OPINIONS
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2020
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IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE A GREAT EFFORT TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE IN ORDER TO ENSURE A FUTURE FOR THE COUNTRY.
The Biden administration must do more to tackle the issue of climate change ABHIJIT REGE Staff Writer
With the official concession of Donald Trump, Joe Biden and his administration now have the chance to begin implementing some of the policies and legislation promised for the next four years. Climate change reform has become a prominent issue that Biden aims to tackle, since the former administration’s efforts resulted in a huge step backwards for the nation. As such, it is imperative for the Biden administration to combat climate change in order to ensure a better future, not only for the country, but for our planet. Actions by the former administration have made people question if the country completely understood the severity of climate change. Trump himself has taken major steps backwards, such as his withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, which was adopted across the globe to address and combat climate change. Lobbying, as well as the politicalization of climate change as a partisan issue, has led to countless efforts to obstruct progressive legislation and deregulate the high standards that we need. This means the practicality of legislation lies in obtaining a balance between economic and environmental impacts, with the most effective pieces of reform having the lowest economic cost with the most environmental
ROBERT GOLD Contributing Writer
To desecrate the flag is the most American thing that any citizen of this nation can do. For in this seemingly heinous act of unpatriotic fervor is the symbolism of why America is an exceptional nation. The Founding Fathers gave the American people the right to criticize and disrespect that very government which they built with their own sweat and blood. The flag that many hold dear would cease to represent a great nation if we were to turn our back on the very thing that made it great to begin with. In America, it is always important for every generation to be reminded that no symbol, object or individual is above ridicule or dismantling: not the president, not the White House, not even the American flag. Those who are offended by the idea of damaging the flag have a true misunderstanding of what makes America truly great. What makes America great is the fact that any American can stand in front of the White House and burn that flag. However, in 1947, Congress passed a law prohibiting the desecration of the U.S. flag in the District of Columbia. Furthermore, the law also specified punishment for anyone who “knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States,” a punishment that included a fine and/or jail time. In the subsequent years that followed, nearly 48 states passed similar laws. Then in 1968, Congress passed the Flag Protection Act, which expanded flag desecration laws to
benefits. As the incoming administration has made climate change one of their key issues, reform is more likely to be pursued, which is necessary as global temperatures are rising exponentially. The current proposed climate plan is quite moderate compared to other popular policy ideas. The plan aims to ensure the U.S. achieves a 100% clean energy economy and reaches net-zero emissions no later than 2050. While this goal is promising, the manner in which the administration hopes to achieve this is rather vague since specific guidelines have not been established. Instead, the administration has stated that they will fulfill these goals by demanding Congress to enact legislation that “establishes an enforcement mechanism that includes milestone targets no later than the end of his first term in 2025” and “makes a historic investment in clean energy and climate research and innovation.” The plan has specifically laid out $2 trillion to be used in the next four years for clean energy and infrastructure, which Biden claims will create millions of jobs and move the country to a carbon-free future (although many are skeptical of this being possible.) Unfortunately, while the Biden plan seems promising on the surface, it is likely that it will fall short from bringing lasting change. Despite these criticisms, Biden’s plan is a step in the right direction, as we must be
more mindful in order to save our planet. Those who oppose reforms will often argue that said changes will negatively impact the country’s economy by being too costly and risking too many jobs. While this may ring true sometimes, some reforms, especially those which expand the usage of renewable energy, would have the opposite effect by shifting jobs from high to low-polluting businesses. The need for climate change reform comes at a time when global temperatures are rising to crisis levels, generating disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes across the world. In turn, more progressive policies and plans have been proposed in order to bring change at a quicker pace. More progressive Democrats including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez have given their support to the Green New Deal, which aims to bring the net-zero goal in a much more aggressive manner through trillions invested over the next ten years with more
expansive reforms. While the broader reforms will be more beneficial for the country, the plan is considered by most opponents to be too costly and disruptive to the economy. However, the urgency of fighting climate change combined with widespread support make it clear that the Biden administration must at least consider implementing some of the more radical measures of the deal in order to make an impact on the issue as a whole. While bringing change may seem a daunting task due to a divided Congress, the incoming president has the best chance compared to any other predecessor to bring great change in our nation. Biden’s plan is considered to be one of most progressive and ambitious plans proposed for the country, which inspires hope for the future. Tackling the issue of climate change and reversing the damage to the environment caused by the former administration will go a long way to save the planet and our H nation.■
all 50 states and its territories. For the next 31 years, these state and federal laws remained in effect until 1989 when one of the most historically significant free speech supreme court cases of the 20th century, a 5-4 vote struck down the Flag Protection Act of 1968 in Texas v. Johnson. This
federal government has a freer hand in prohibiting expressive conduct. Whereas the spoken and written words are clearly defined as being protected rights under the First Amendment, actions are not, especially actions which can be deemed harmful or an incitement of violence. In the protests surrounding the Texas
of our troops, and by burning our flag, you are dishonoring all those American soldiers who have fought and died for the country. To those who have had family members killed in combat fighting under the American flag, it is important that we understand the pain, sorrow and frustration that these victims feel when they see protesters defacing the flag that their fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters have died for. But just because someone is offended does not make them necessarily right. The right to be offended is just as sacred as the right to be offensive. Those who are offended by the desecration of the American flag should be offended; it is their right to be offended and their right to speak out publicly against their alleged offenders. But nonetheless, at the end of the day, the offenders must still be able to burn that flag, for to take away that right would be to rob the flag of what makes it truly great. Unlike most nations, the American people are not bound by ethnic homogeneity; instead, we are bound by a shared set of principles and ideas to which this nation was founded on. We are to always strive for a more perfect union, and to always work towards the promises of the constitution, even when the nation’s laws do not reflect those promises. Even when the truth of our shared equality is self-evident but not expressed through law, it is the promise of the American people to continue the fight through civil disobedience to pursue H these inalienable rights. ■
GAGE SKIDMORE VIA FLICKR UNDER CC BY-SA 2.0
Burning the American flag is the most patriotic thing you can do CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, BURNING THE AMERICAN FLAG IS A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT.
landmark case accomplished four pivotal feats. First off, it struck down the Flag Protection Act of 1968, and by using broad language, it deemed that expressive conduct and actions are forms of speech. Moreover, it adjudicated that no symbol or object in America can be held so sacred that its desecration or display can be protected by law, and finally, free speech or expressive conduct which results in indirect violence, does not hold the speaker liable. The court’s dissenters argued that the
v. Johnson case, protesters destroyed property, broke windows and spraypainted graffiti on private businesses. While the direct incitement of violence and lawlessness is not protected under the First Amendment, the court ultimately ruled that the desecration or display of a symbol or object is not a direct incitement of violence. It is understandable why some people would push for legislation to protect the American flag. These advocates see flag desecration as a degradation
8 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2020
Features CAMPUS COPE IS A STUDENT ADVICE COLUMN AIMED TO PROVIDE INSIGHT ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS PERTAINING TO DAILY LIFE.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
It’s still possible to embrace the holiday spirit during the pandemic — here’s how
ADRIANA MANDUJANO ANGEL Feautres Editor
COURTESY OF PEXELS
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae
My favorite time of the year has always been the holiday season. I remember the time I spent as a child helping my grandmother make tamales and ponche, eagerly awaiting the arrival of my cousins to play and overall seeing my entire family spend the holidays together. Those memories are what I hold in my heart, and now for the first time, I am unable to spend my holidays with them. Despite not spending the holidays with my family, there are still various ways to celebrate with them. FaceTime, Skype and Zoom all are good methods of communicating and video chatting with family members. For my birthday in May, I FaceTimed my family to celebrate, and now in November and December, it is the same method that I will use to celebrate the holidays with them. For Christmas, I plan to make myself a nice meal and dress up to give myself a sense of going out. I will call my family to virtually eat dinner together and spend an entertaining evening together. Although we might not be able to spend time together in person, spending time over a screen is better than nothing. Now more than ever, it is easier to get together and watch a movie virtually. Netflix Party is a popular way to watch movies together, and getting everyone together after dinner to binge holiday-themed movies
is a relaxing and safe way of spending quality time with your family. It makes the holidays enjoyable and nice while also allowing you to know that your family is happy and safe. Although I would love to visit my family, I cannot do that since I am an essential employee. Instead, I will mail them their Christmas presents and virtually spend time with them. For other people, quarantining and testing negative might be the way to go. As long as everyone is communicating with their family members while keeping in mind everyone’s safety, you can employ this method to spend time with your family during the holidays. If you are the only person self-isolating, it might be a bit risky unless your family members have been doing the same. However, if your family members have all followed the same method of quarantining and testing negative, spending time together can be possible, so long as everyone takes the proper precautions and follows CDC guidelines, such as social distancing and wearing face masks. With the pandemic still raging on (even with everyone testing negative,) it is better to be safe than sorry. Overall, ensuring that you and your family members are all safe and healthy is most important. This holiday season might be harder for some people, but it is important to be kind to each other during H these times.■
ALEXANDRIA ESTEBAN /THE HIGHLANDER ► FROM BRETMAN
call from his bedroom in Hawaii. Throughout the Q&A session, he sat on the floor doing his usual makeup routine. At one point, he shared that during quarantine, he’s been acquiring new hobbies, such as sewing. He shared that “everyone should learn how to sew at some point.” He found the hobby useful because he has been able to sew his own masks and mend tears in his clothes. Rock answered questions about a variety of topics, such as his experience growing up in Hawaii and his desire to travel to more places. When asked which person has inspired him the most in life, he
responded, “My dad inspired me to be the person I am today.” When Simrithi Sethupathi asked him what his favorite makeup look has been so far, he replied with his red carpet look for the “Mulan” premiere. During the meeting, he also revealed that he will be doing some voice acting for Disney, though he could not reveal too much about the subject. Rock has been an entertainer for years, and he claims he would like to focus more on advancing his acting career. Rock was genuine in his interactions with student fans. He encouraged everyone on the Zoom call to “do everything with confidence.” In particular, he
was happy to see how many other Asian Americans attended the event and “how everybody’s questions are so different from the ones I usually get.” Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming number of questions students wrote, not everyone’s questions were answered. However, Rock did a good job of answering as many as the time allowed for. This event was a fun way for students to talk with a celebrity that many admire. His easygoing, confident attitude kept everyone engaged and interested in what he had to say. The ASPB has helped bring many well-known faces to campus. After this event, students are eager to find out which H celebrity will give the next guest lecture. ■
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2020
FEATURES
Questioning your gender identity?
The LGBT Resource Center and Dr. Alexis Ungerer are here to help
MARGARITA MANZO Contributing Writer
On Wednesday, Nov. 25, the LGBT Resource Center (LGBTRC) held a discussion and Q&A titled “Dismantling and Understanding Your Gender with Dr. Alexis Ungerer.” The event took place over Zoom at 5 p.m. Assistant Director of the LGBTRC Toi Thibodeaux hosted the event. Dr. Ungerer is a gender and sexuality therapist that mainly deals with transgender patients. The event set out to answer students’ questions about their gender or transitions. The event aimed to teach students about the spectrum of feeling a gender variant energy (femme/butch, masculine/feminine) versus dysphoria in thier body. The general atmosphere was conversational, starting with the hosts’ introductions. Most of it was conducted through a Google Slides presentation that contained a breakdown of the questions and answers that Ungerer usually receives from the general gender assessment test that she performs during her sessions as a gender and sexuality therapist. The event was great for students who do not have too much of an understanding about the complexities of gender presentation, gender and biological sex. However, for students who are already knowledgeable about the subject, the event may have felt a bit repetitive. She began the assessment by first emphasizing that behaviors do not equal gender identity. She used the example of herself and how she was more of a tomboy growing up, playing football and riding motorcycles, yet she is a cisgender woman. Ungerer discussed how she has had transgender patients come to her with concerns becuse they enjoyed doing things that were typical of their gender pre-transition. She explained that those transitioning are not transitioning their personality, so they should not feel ashamed of enjoying things that are stereotypical of their gender pre-transition. Ungerer presented students with questions, asking them to answer internally or to share how they would answer it. Her purpose was to put students in the shoes of her patients, especially her transgender ones. In her assessment she asks three sets of questions. The first set was: What is your name? What do you prefer to be called? Did you ever entertain different names to masculinize or feminize your name? Another question she asked was how students felt about their body before
and after puberty. Ungerer also asked students to imagine they had a magic wand and could change anything about their body, asking what they would change. While it may seem easy at first to answer these questions, especially the first set, when students began to actively talk about their answers, they portrayed how complicated the relationship between gender and the self can be, even if they are cisgender. There was conversation (mostly between the hosts) about how their nicknames changed depending on how they felt about it and how others interpreted it, especially if it was from someone who was from a different culture than them. They’re both cisgender and had attempted to change their names to be either more masculine or feminine-leaning. Before she got into her second and third set of questions, she defined and introduced the concept of dysphoria, specifically that there are three types: social, body and mental. She also explained how even biologically there is not just a binary of female and male, as people who are intersex exist. As the questions went on, Ungerer explained how someone who is transgender would answer the questions she presented in comparison to someone who is cisgender. When someone who is transgender answers the second and third questions, they usually describe it as “their body is betraying them” and that “trans men would describe their breasts as actually painful.” Most cisgendered people would answer the third question by stating that they would change their weight or height.
While the event was not as engaging as I was hoping it would be with participants only occasionally engaging in the conversation, it succeeded in informing students about the spectrum of feeling a gender variant energy versus dysphoria H in one’s body.■
9
DR. ALEXIS UNGERER ANSWERS STUDENT QUESTIONS ABOUT GENDER AND GENDER TRANSITION.
COURTESY OF FREEPIK
Be Together. RYAN POON /THE HIGHLANDER
10 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2020
Radar
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae
Grammy
The good, bad and the snubs of the 2021
COURTESY OF XO AND REPUBLIC RECORDS
n o m i n a t i o n s
THE GRAMMYS CONTINUES TO FAIL TO NOMINATE AND AWARD DESERVING ARTISTS.
T
► FROM GRAMMY
he album, however, was universally received as one of the best albums of the year, and it has the highest Metacritic rating of any 2020 album with 98/100 and a 10 on Pitchfork, which is notoriously impossible to achieve. “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” could have easily won album of the year, but the Grammys shocked everyone when it wasn’t even nominated. Instead, Coldplay secured a nomination for album of the year with their album “Everyday Life,” surprising many. The album did not receive much fanfare, and many were shocked to discover that the band even released a record in 2020. It’s shocking to see Coldplay get nominated for album of the year when it made no waves and wasn’t groundbreaking in comparison to the many other more memorable and sensational albums released. International artists, such as BLACKPINK, BTS’ “Dynamite” and Bad Bunny’s “YHLQMDLG,” were shut out of the popular Grammy categories while BLACKPINK was completely shut out. BTS was relegated to best pop duo/group performance, and Bad Bunny was annoyingly relegated to the best Latin pop or urban album
COURTESY OF THE RECORDING ACADEMY VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS UNDE CC-BY-SA-4.0
category. And while Harry Styles may have received his first nominations after being nominated in the best pop vocal album category for his sophomore album “Fine Line,” the artist was also shut out of all four major categories. Styles still respectively picked up three nominations including best pop vocal performance for his single “Watermelon Sugar” and best music video for “Adore You.” However, “Fine Line” is acclaimed and was included on a Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list, a major feat for the artist’s sophomore album, making it deserving of being nominated in at least one of the major categories. Beyoncé deservedly swept with a whopping total of nine nominations, making her the most nominated female artist ever; however, this proves weary because while she may be the most nominated female artist, the Recording Academy has a habit of not granting her the awards she rightly deserves. The many snubs of the Grammys
illustrate how they may no longer matter, and their relevance continues to fade year by year as they continue to pass up worthy artists. No matter how much outrage and criticism the Recording Academy receives, they continue to make the same mistake year after year. The Grammys has also once again proved how out-of-touch they are culturally. While Megan Thee Stallion rightfully became a first-time nominee with her record “Savage” receiving nominations for record of the year, best rap performance, best rap song and best new artist, the Recording Academy has especially proved how out-of-touch they are with their nominations for best rap albums and their questionable renaming of some categories. The best rap album category was filled with so many odd and puzzling nominees that it’s almost embarrassing for the Recording Academy. The category is filled with nominees 35 years or older: Jay Electronica (44 years old), Freddie Gibbs (38) and
Alchemist (43), Nas (47), Royce da 5’9” (43) and D’Smoke (35). Younger and more universally known artists and rappers such as Lil Baby, Da Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, Pop Smoke and Juice Wrld were notably absent from the category. Female rappers were also notably absent from the number of nominees for the category despite it being one of the biggest years for women in rap. None of the nominees for best rap album were nominated for album of the year, illustrating how once again, an artist from the most popular music genre has not been deemed worthy enough by the Recording Academy to take home the biggest prize. In 2019, winner of the best rap album category Tyler the Creator criticized the Recording Academy for labeling him as a rapper when he doesn’t consider himself one. He rightfully critiqued the academy for placing Black artists in the rap or urban categories when they make genre-bending work. Not only is the practice out-of-touch, but it’s frankly racist, especially considering the racial implications of the “urban” category. However, the Recording Academy still hasn’t learned from their mistakes. In response to the criticism, the Recording Academy has dropped the word “urban” from all their categories, but what does “progressive R&B,” and “best melodic rap performance” even mean? And does changing “world music” to “global music” even make a difference? While these categories are supposed to position the Recording Academy to be more inclusive, they have proved again that they will continue to dump Black and international artists into these categories to avoid nominating them in major categories. By continuing to overlook deserving artists, especially in the major categories, the Grammys’ relevancy has continued to be put into question. By failing year after year to nominate or award a diverse range of nominees, the Grammys continues to fail at being the catalyst for a driving change in the music industry that has notoriously failed to recognize artists of color, H women and Black artists.■
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‘RUN’ SHOWCASES A MOTHER’S POSSESSIVE LOVE AS A TEENAGER TRIES TO ESCAPE HER CONTROL IN THIS PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2020
11
‘Run’: An intense race between a menacious mother and a witty teenager that highlights the complexities of motherhood COURTESY OF LIONSGATE
JASHANPREET MALHI Contributing Writer
It’s no doubt parents have an impact on their children, either with their absence or presence. They have an indestructible attachment with their children that allows parents to provide them with the very best. But to what lengths will a parent go to protect their child? At what point does a mother’s love become too much? Diane Sherman (Sarah Paulson) explores these qualities of motherhood in Hulu’s recent film “Run,” a psychological thriller in which her overprotective nature prevents a teenager from going to college. “Run” opens up in a grim hospital setting where Diane loses her premature newborn to a plethora of health problems. It then transitions to her later years living with a paraplegic 17-year-old, Chloe Sherman (Kiera Allen), in an isolated house where they conform like robots to a daily routine Diane schedules: Chloe takes her medications, does her exercises and is homeschooled. Everything is hyperorganized, and it all seems too perfect. When Chloe becomes aware of Diane’s pretenses, she becomes enthralled in a hunt that brings about multiple unsettling discoveries. The film utilizes a plot that disengages the audience to a certain degree. In the beginning, the narrative is too fast as it immediately transitions from the newborn
to a teenager ready for college without a backstory that prevents the audience from witnessing Diane’s journey as a mother. Then, the plot twist is revealed early in the film, which makes the character’s intentions and actions predictable. For example, in one scene, Chloe tries to go behind her mother’s back to seek answers for a suspicious medication at a pharmacy, and it is apparent that Diane will find her soon. However, the storyline is still intriguing for the most part. The ending and Diane’s fate seem anticlimactic at first, but a cliffhanger reveals the possibility of a sequel. “Run” also uses an interesting storytelling technique as we travel along Chloe’s journey as she tries to read her enigmatic mother and obtain the truth. The audience is kept in the dark just as much as Chloe is, and we follow her as she solves the mystery. With Paulson as the lead, it’s no doubt that “Run” has praiseworthy performances. Paulson is known for her roles in horror shows such as “American Horror Story” and
“Ratched,” and her unique performances in these shows make her the embodiment of horror. Paulson captures an insane mother with facial expressions that are creepy yet still express her motherly concern. She delivers her lines exceptionally with a hint of innocence that makes the audience want to believe her. Paulson has an interesting character dynamic because she captures a warm motherly aura, but uneasiness surrounds her character. Moreover, Allen outdoes herself as she performs arduous scenes exceptionally and with great confidence. Chloe is very intelligent and puts her knowledge to the test when faced with difficult situations. Allen completely immerses herself in her character as she becomes engulfed in emotions of rage, fear and shock as her character discovers Diane’s truth. The soundtrack works extremely well in setting the terrifying tone of the film. The fast-paced music which ensues when Chloe secretly tries to uncover answers places the audience on the edge of their seats as they wonder whether she will get caught. Moreover, the music makes the audience view the settings from a different
perspective. For example, one would look at the house and see it as a welcoming, comforting sanctuary where Diane and Chloe live a happy life. However, the eerie and ominous music shows it as a cage where Chloe is limited to the confines of her mother’s desires. The chilling, as opposed to the lighthearted music in the house, makes it feel as if the house is being haunted by Diane and strips it from safety. With Diane controlling Chloe to fill a void of loneliness, “Run” calls into question whether Diane’s actions as a mother are justified. The film highlights motherly grief and the emotional toll it has on a child. On one hand, Diane cares about Chloe and would do anything for her. On the other, she becomes obsessive by controlling every minute of her day. Although some of Diane’s efforts may be seen as motherly love, the film paints a tainted relationship between the two. Ultimately, “Run” lives up to its name, as Chloe must escape from a deranged mother’s clutches. Despite the minimal flaws in plot, the outstanding performances and soundtrack immerse the viewer into the mystery that is H sure to make one’s skin crawl.■
VERDICT:
If you’re craving a good thriller, “Run” is a great one-time watch that is sure to captivate you with its applaudable performances. A mother’s love is unconditional, though Diane’s psychotic nature showcases how it can chain children to limitations.
SAINt JHN flips the bird to the current state of the world with his new project ‘While The World Was Burning’ JAMES JONES Contributing Writer
Brooklyn MC SAINt JHN has crash landed back on the scene with his sophomore album “While The World Was Burning.” This is the follow up to his debut project “Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs,” which I was quite a fan of. It was filled with melodic comatose trap beats accompanied by an eccentric melodic flow from Ghetto Lenny that left me intrigued about where he would go with his next release. Prior to his follow up record, the lead single “Sucks to be You” and the TikTok smash hit “Roses” definitely had me checking for this album’s release. This record came at a succinct 13 tracks, with the bonus 13th track being the “Roses” (Imanbek Remix), the mix that sent this song flying up the charts via TikTok. I really appreciate an artist that puts an emphasis on album covers; he really outdid himself with the consistency between both “While The World Was Burning” and “Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs.” The cover for
this record really captures the eye, and it gives a nod to the fans of his prior release where SAINt’s Ghetto Lenny persona is being used yet again to express that this is indeed a follow up endeavor. What also stood out was the star-studded guest appearances from the likes of Kanye and Future to JID, Lil Uzi Vert, DaBaby and Kehlani. I was surprised to see all the features on this record; it just goes to show how much work SAINt’s put in as well as how many of his contemporaries dig his sound. Some highlights from this project are the songs that are a continuation from his prior release. Cuts like “Highschool Reunion, Prom” with Lil Uzi and “Monica Lewinsky, Election Year” accompanied by DaBaby are both continuations from his project before, and while I have no issue with it, I feel as if this record is mainly just remixes with a few new pieces to tie everything together. As aforementioned, this album is definitely a follow up from his project last
year, judging from the amass of remixes and bonus tracks. Truth be told, I could have done without all of the “Roses” remixes. However, I appreciate and understand what JHN was trying to do as far as converging his two projects, but at the same time, it feels a little lackluster. While this project is very fun production-wise, a lot of the subject revolves around failing relationships and crippling depression while taking a moment to step back and look at the success of his music. I enjoyed the high points of this album; from the fun remixes to the melodic production accompanied by SAINt’s lyrics, there was a lot to like on this album. On the other hand, it still feels as if this project lacked more ambitious material because it sounds almost exactly the same as the record before. Looking at the tracklist, there’s at least four tracks that are remixes, and as good as they are, they really bloat the album and leave no room for H more creativity.■
THE CURRENT UNCERTAINTY OF THE WORLD CAN HAVE ANYONE’S CREATIVE JUICES HINDERED OR AT A STANDSTILL — SAINT JHN IS INSPIRED BY IT.
COURTESY OF HITCO
VERDICT:
Overall, “While The World Was Burning” is definitely a joyride in its entirety: it’s short, sweet and doesn’t last too long. If you were a fan of “Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs,” then this follow up will either leave you underwhelmed or pleasantly surprised. This album, while falling short of the creativity and hunger as the record prior, still has so much to enjoy that makes the first listen worthwhile.
Sports 12
SPORTS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2020
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports
UCR loses against University of the Pacific
COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS
HIGHLANDERS COME UP SHORT 66-60.
KEVIN CONTRERAS Assistant Sports Editor
Basketball returned to UCR on Wednesday, Nov. 25 as the UCR Highlanders faced the University of the Pacific Tigers from Stockton, California. After much uncertainty on whether college teams would be allowed to resume gameplay, UCR began its basketball campaign for the 2020-21 season. It was a slow start for both teams as they stagnated at seven points before the Tigers managed to pull ahead to 14-7. The teams’ scores stayed close to each other at the beginning of the game, and UCR did not let the Tigers gain any substantial advantage. UCR freshman Wil Tattersall,
who joined the UCR team from the Center of Excellence in Australia, hit a turnaround jumper and managed to cut the Tiger advantage to 14-9. Flynn Cameron, another international transfer hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, helped UCR catch up further by hitting a threepointer. Though UCR fought hard, the Tigers were leading at the end of the first period 38-27. UCR trailed by 11 points and shot 41% from the field and 71% from the line, though the 18% shooting from beyond the arc was subpar. Unfortunately, the Pacific Tigers continued to score, improving their lead to 17 points halfway through the second half. It wasn’t until UCR’s defensive
play was triggered that the Highlanders were able to get a leg up on the Tigers. UCR worked hard to keep the Tigers close all throughout the second period. Their intensity led them to take the lead for a few moments, closing the second period 33-28. Forward senior Arinze Chidom’s long-distance three-pointer from the top of the circle managed to cut the lead of the Tigers to 53-43. Unfortunately, the Tigers quickly came back. At halftime, the Tigers were up and held on to the lead. With only 2:32 left in the game, UCR cut the deficit of the score to five, at 58-53. But the University of the Pacific did not let UCR get ahead by much and scored again with
2:10 remaining in regulation. The Highlanders attempted to cut the lead once again and did so by five, resulting in 60-55 with over a minute remaining on the clock. There was not enough time on the clock for UCR to close the lead in any significant way, although they put up an admirable fight through sophomore point guard Zyon Pullin and Chidom, who hit a step-back two to get the score to 63-57. Tattersall hit a three-pointer for UCR with 6.6 seconds left on the clock, but the Tigers sunk two freethrows, making the score 6560. The Tigers closed out the game with a score of 66-60. Though the game ended in defeat, there were still some
victories for the Highlander team. The strengths found within the UCR team were highlighted throughout the game. Chidom was able to showcase his talents by scoring 16 points throughout the game. Tattersall was close behind; with a total of 14 points, he made a strong debut. This game was not without its complications. Unfortunately, head coach Mike Magpayo was unable to attend. He flew down to Riverside to be with his wife during labor. Assistant coach Mike Czepil stepped in to lead the team. The Highlanders will return on Monday, Nov. 30 to face the H Fresno State Bulldogs.■
Diego Maradona passes away at 60 years old KEVIN CONTRERAS Assistant Sports Editor
COURTESY OF VINOD DIVAKARAN VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS UNDER CC-BY-SA-2.0
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF THE ARGENTINIAN SOCCER LEGEND.
It was a beautiful sunny day in the world-renowned stadium, Estadio Azteca, in Mexico City. A stadium full of fans let out a loud deafening roar. The 1986 World Cup was in the quarterfinal stage. After an intense first half, Argentina and England were both without goals. Five minutes into the second half, Diego Maradona changed the world of soccer forever. Receiving the ball near mid-field, he worked his way towards the goal. He worked in tandem with his teammate. Passing the ball, his teammate lobbied the ball towards the keeper. Maradona leaped into the air and guided the ball towards the back of the net. Unbeknownst to the referees, the camera caught something unusual. He used his hands to score his goal, an act of God himself he said, calling it “The hand of God.” From this moment forward, he was elevated from a great soccer player to a legendary one. Argentina would go on to win the game 2-1 and would also go on to beat West Germany in the World Cup finals. On Nov. 25, Diego Armando Maradona, the Argentinian soccer legend, passed away after suffering from heart failure. Maradona was born in Buenos Aires on October 30, 1960. Emerging from poverty, his amazing
talent led him to play in prestigious clubs in Argentina, Italy and Spain. Maradona was a soccer prodigy from a very early age, winning tournaments with the various teams he was with. He led the Argentinian under-20 squad to win the Junior World Cup in 1979. From then on, he joined the Boca Junior soccer club in 1981, leading them to victory. He was then signed by FC Barcelona in Spain, winning the league title and Spanish Cup in 1982 and 1983 respectively. From there, he transferred to SSC Napoli. It was there that Diego Maradona would spend the majority of his soccer career, transforming the club into a winning team. From 1984 to 1991, Diego Maradona’s skill elevated the club greatly leading them to win the league title and league cup in 1987 and the title again in 1990. Diego Armando Maradona is undisputedly one of the greatest players ever to dribble a soccer ball. His performances on the field impacted the lives of many soccer fans across the world. After his retirement in 1997, Maradona would go on to coach various clubs, even the national team of Argentina for the 2010 World Cup. Making history on the field was his strong suit. Though he has tragically passed away, his moments on the field will live on in the memory of many H soccer fans for years to come.■