Issuu

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

VOL. 66, ISSUE 14

For the week of Tuesday, January 30, 2018

est. 1954

POWER DOWN Laptopping — the political practice of approaching a student and coercing them to vote on an insecure electronic device — was banned from the 2018 ASUCR elections following a 9-1-0 vote during Wednesday’s State of Association meeting.

JIMMY LAI / HIGHLANDER

ASUCR bans laptopping from 2018 elections

EVAN ISMAIL Senior Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Jan. 24, ASUCR senators voted to officially ban laptopping from the 2018 elections with a vote of 9-1-0. This decision comes after senators banned political parties Wednesday, Jan. 17 after a contentious debate that resulted in a vote of 4-3-9. The bill on laptopping was scheduled to be discussed during the Jan. 17 meeting, but tabled after senators agreed there should be more time to deliberate on the topic. Around 7:15 p.m. this past Wednesday, CHASS Senator Carolyn Chang motioned to take the bill, titled SB-W18016 or Senate Bill on Laptopping, off of the table, which was seconded by CHASS Senator Marco Ornelas. Executive Vice President Carisha Moore opened the speaker’s list from the galley allowing 10 minutes for those who wanted to speak for or against the bill. The first group to speak was those for the ban on laptopping, beginning with Bradley Evans, an electrical engineering and computer science

student who previously served in the US Marine Corps with the rank of sergeant, working as a cryptographic materials custodian and communications specialist. Evans also taught communications security at the Joint Expeditionary Warfare Laboratory in the Coronado naval base near San Diego. Regarding laptopping, Evans described an experience he had during the 2015 elections, where former CHASS Senator Jonathan Javier approached Evans and asked him to vote on Javier’s computer. “I was really baffled by the interaction because here, a stranger was asking me to provide my personal login credentials onto a machine that was clearly a privately owned computer,” said Evans to the senate. Evans said that he was convinced someone was trying to scam him. He then explained that when he tried to warn others away and questioned Javier’s ethics, he was told by Javier that he was “‘just one opinion. You don’t matter.’” Evans requested an apology for the treatment he received by Javier following his win, only to be told by then-ASUCR President Ashley Harano “that the President of ASUCR has nothing to

do with elections, and that it is not her concern,” stated Evans. “This was my first impression of this body (ASUCR), and it has been a lasting one,” he said. He later criticized ASUCR, suggesting that the reason they want to keep laptopping around is because “this body has failed its students. It has failed to do any meaningful outreach more effective than laptopping.” With numerous white papers written to the chancellor, four past ASUCR presidents and an op-ed in the Highlander, Evans called laptopping “textbook phishing.” He explained that the security costs of laptopping are tremendous and that a “talented collection of political scientists, sociologists, psychologists, historians, scientists and engineers, and many others such as what is here could come up with a better, more ethical — and, most critically, a safer and more secure — way of reaching out to students and encouraging their participation.” ASUCR President Aram Ayra shared Evans’ concerns in his speech to the senate. “We are putting students at an unnecessary risk during elections,” stated Ayra, continuing, “we (used) to have paper ballots, we (used) to have just poll-

ing sites and it worked just fine.” Ayra advocated outreach to bring voters to the polls, instead of relying on tools like laptopping. Ayra cited a conversation he had with LGBT Resource Center Director Nancy Tubbs in which she expressed her concern with Costo Hall being used in the conversation of laptopping as, in Ayra’s words, a “political throw-around.” Ayra added that “they (Costo Hall) don’t exist for that reason, they do a lot of amazing, tangible work on campus and they shouldn’t be used as a shield to hide behind every time you (the senate) don’t want to make a decision on a stance.” Ayra closed with the point that ASUCR’s decision to ban laptopping would “really (add to) the change that this student government so desperately needs.” The practicality of enforcing a ban on laptopping was a key point of ASUCR Judicial Council Chief Justice Casey Thielhart. He explained that, when running as a CHASS senator in 2015, laptopping was problematic despite an official ban on the practice. ► SEE ASUCR, PAGE 4

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

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HUMANS OF UCR

UPCOMING EVENTS: WEEK 4

JACQUELINE ‘JJ’ JACOBSON, SCIENCE FICTION LIBRARIAN

Wilfred Elders, UCR 4:10 p.m.– 5:00 p.m. Chung Hall 138

Tuesday Talk - Ace & Arrow Talk 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Costo Hall 245

Making the New College Town: How Preparation and Partnerships Transformed Kent, Ohio 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CHASS Interdisciplinary Bldg South 1111

Self-Defense: Be Aware! Be Prepared! 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Student Recreation Center Multipurpose Room B/C

ENCUENTROS/ENCOUNTERS Conference: The Music of Valencia, Spain 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CHASS Interdisciplinary Bldg South Symposium Room, INTS 1113

W’18 FIIS | Reflections: Tales from the Field | WORKSHOP 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Rivera Library Teaching & Learning Center A0101A

Feminist Fridays 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Costo Hall 260

Mapping Political Communities: A Statistical Analysis of Lobbying Networks in Legislative Politics 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Humanities & Social Sciences Building 1500

Tuesday

COMPILED BY JIMMY LAI

Wednesday

Thursday

“I used to be a sourdough consultant. Then I went to library school to

02 Friday

become a culinary history librarian and I did that at the University of Michigan for six or seven years. Then I came here to curate our science fiction collection. It’s weird — internationally, science fiction scholars know the collection is here, but a lot of people on campus don’t know that we have one of the world’s largest science fiction collections.”

Saturday

Build A PC Workshop 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Highlander Union 302 South

Intramural Indoor Soccer 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. MAC Gym

Cycling 12:15 p.m.-1:00 p.m. FitWell Studio

Interviewing for Introverts 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Highlander Union 268

Sunday

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

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News ASUCR

ASUCR bans laptopping from 2018 elections ► From ASUCR, page 1

“What ended up happening, even though laptopping was banned, the ASUCR Judicial Council that year basically threw their hands up and said ‘this is not something we can properly adjudicate’ because most cases that were submitted about laptopping were submitted third-party because most students aren’t aware of the elections code.” Thielhart said that, in his personal interpretation of the elections bylaws, “what you guys are trying to accomplish is banning laptopping in a way that voting is only done offline or at approved polling stations and from my interpretation ... in reading these bylaws, this really does not accomplish that at all.” He highlighted the fact that the bylaws do not state voting cannot be done from a personal computer, stating that using a public computer, in a library for example, is not a personal device and would not qualify. “These are really not ironclad bylaws for banning laptopping and making sure voting is only done at approved stations,” said Thielhart. After Thielhart, Vice President of Internal Affairs Semi Cole spoke about his concerns on student participation would be affected by the

ban. “Students are not going to take the time to wait in a line ... a lot of students have places to be, a lot of students already don’t care about ASUCR, a lot of students don’t have the time to care about ASUCR so assuming that they’re going to take ... the time to research who they’re going to vote for is quite idealistic.” Cole advocated for electronic voting on the premise that students are busy and do not have the time to go to a physical polling location. He also spoke on the importance of regulation and making sure candidates are following the rules. BCOE Senator Patrick Le moved to approve the bill to ban laptopping and CHASS Senator Marco Ornelas seconded. The senate’s vote on the bill carried out as follows: • CHASS Senator Alkhalili: Yes • CHASS Senator Chang: No • CHASS Senator Demeku: Yes • BCOE Senator Le: Yes • CHASS Senator Mengistu: Yes • CHASS Senator Nakaoka: Yes • CNAS Senator Ng: Yes • CHASS Senator Ornelas: Yes • CHASS Senator Wong: Yes • BCOE Senator Xaypraseuth: Yes In an interview later in the week, Le explained that his view on laptopping is “straightforward ... I do not want laptopping whatsoever ... This

opinion is based on my own beliefs and the wishes of my fellow engineers.” Le reassured that the elections committee will “ensure a remarkable turnout” and that this ban will make elections more fair and secure allowing students to become a more educated voter. Cole expressed in an interview with the Highlander that he respects the senate’s decision but says his concern primarily centers on student accessibility, and his belief that online voting is a prime medium for students to access the polls on their own time. “I’m all for supporting creating a pathway for students to vote on campus ... once we cut the way students can vote on campus, we’re cutting out student voices, we’re cutting out democracy,” stated Cole. Without electronic voting, Cole believes voter turnout will be lowered. The 2017 race, which ran only independent candidates and no political parties, netted only 21 percent of the vote, just one percent above the minimum required for referenda to pass. He cited his conversations with various political science professors on campus explaining that their expertise on elections and voter behavior in the United States provided clarification on the impact of an election without parties and laptopping.

Cole proposed several solutions for solving a possible decrease in turnout. “The elections director could, for the candidacy workshops, do each of them in a different location on campus, like Costo Hall,” Cole said, referring to the workshops held prior to elections to educate candidates on ethical campaign practices and laws. Cole explained that this would be a way to reach out to communities in Costo Hall that may be unsure about elections. He also suggested that candidates could do more outreach with social media, campaigning throughout campus and genuinely interact with students. In an email from CHASS Senator Mariam Alkhalili, she lauded the ban on laptopping as a way to “deter the formation of underground political parties,” and that this will be a “100% push toward a cleaner elections (sic).” Alkhalili acknowledged that it will be harder to obtain votes but that this will place more responsibility on the candidates to reach out to students and convince them to vote. Alkhalili also outlined a collaboration between herself, Elections Director Taylor Brown, Le and CHASS Senator Grant Nakaoka aimed to discuss ways to increase turnout. “We will also be working together to come up with strategies

to increase voter turnout, such as creating a website for students to view the candidates and distributing voter guides, and etc.,” wrote Alkhalili in an email. She clarified that, although these actions are not concrete, they are working on finding the best methods to educate students and engage them in the elections process.

Highlights • The Highlander News referendum was approved unanimously, 100-0, meaning it will appear on the 2018 ballot. The referendum seeks a $2 increase to the student fee provided to the Highlander Newspaper which will go toward operating costs, make up for declining ad revenue and “help preserve UCR’s only independent news source.” • Ayra’s Fair Housing and Neighborhood Relations Committee has around 50 houses signed on. The committee is aimed to help students solve issues concerning absentee landlords, inform students of tenant rights and improve relationships between students and their neighbors. They will host a Fair Housing Council workshop on March 6 to focus on renter issues. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 31, beginning at 6:30 p.m. inside HUB 221. ■H

Interim VCSA Smith speaks about plans for campus Andreas Rauch Senior Staff Writer

The Highlander sat down this week with Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs (VCSA) and current Dean of the Graduate School of Education (GSOE) Tom Smith to discuss his vision and plans for UCR. Smith highlighted the VCSA office’s commitment to working with student groups, securing funding for student programs and expanding existing infrastructure to serve student needs. Appointed as interim in the wake of former VCSA Jim Sandoval retiring in early January, Smith has served four years at UCR as dean and professor in the GSOE. “I came to UCR to help the GSOE get the national recognition it deserved,” said Smith. “We have a new undergraduate major … several new masters programs and we have expanded the faculty by 50 percent.” Smith emphasized that his position is temporary, as he will serve as VCSA while a national search for Sandoval’s replacement commences. The search is expected to be completed by the end of the spring quarter. “The way I’m seeing my role as the interim is to be very supportive of staff and student affairs. I’m trying to clarify what the vision would be for student affairs 20 years down the road,” said Smith. He emphasized, however, that this includes keeping an eye on student needs now

to better predict how these needs would evolve as UCR expands. Smith indicated his office’s focus on personnel changes, including the filling of other administrative positions. According to Smith, a search is underway for a new permanent Dean of Students, a position currently occupied by interim Dean Joe Virata. Virata occupied the interim VCSA position for a short time immediately following Sandoval’s leave of absence in November. Smith expressed hope that this search will be concluded “by the time a new vice chancellor (of student affairs) comes online.” Discussing his financial goals, Smith emphasized a continuing commitment to the expansion of campus facilities and student support services. One of the key components of this plan is a new medical facility located on University Avenue next to the UCR Extension Center. According to Smith, the center “will be a major inpatient and critical care center for UC Care, which is run out of the medical school.” Of particular concern, Smith noted, is “how that building will serve the undergraduate population through Student Health and Counseling and Medical Services. There is an interest in maintaining what students expected in Student Health Services, but if … there is a need to refer students to a specialist it would be right there, in a modern medical facility.” An additional area of interest to Smith is the wide array of gender and ethnic programs located in Costo Hall. These programs, which

are largely funded by the Highlander Empowerment Student Services Referendum (HESSR), fall under the VCSA’s office. The referendum, which is up for renewal in this year’s ASUCR elections, is the product of cooperation between ASUCR and the VCSA since 2015, said Smith. Smith emphasized the importance of securing funding for the continued existence of these programs. “This is an important referendum for Costo Hall. We have this balance between the administration advocating to students to keep funding these programs, and (the need) for students who make use of those services (to know about) the range of services available in Costo Hall,” said Smith. In line with this commitment, Smith expressed interest in working further with student leadership to promote diversity through endeavors such as the Students of Color Conference (SoCC), a UC-wide event centered on issues faced by minority students annually since 1988. This year’s SoCC was hosted by UCR from Jan. 26-28. Smith emphasized, “Part of the supports that are available include financial support but also other kinds of support. If students want to reach out to the administration, we’re there.” Smith also plans to establish a new “student success center,” a building which would include classrooms and student activity space to supplement the spaces currently offered by the Highlander Union Building (HUB). “This facility would mainly be a combination of multi-use student space, additional study space, hangout

space and classrooms. We’re reaching out to the regents … the funding should be there, and we’ll know by the summer whether we can proceed with planning.” The new facility would most likely be located on the lawn between the Student Services Building and the Interdisciplinary South (INTS) building. Smith admitted that these plans are not without their challenges, with a primary obstacle being the limited space for expansion in the area surrounding campus. One area of possible expansion, according to Smith, is the area known as “west campus,” which runs along Canyon Crest Dr. and University Ave. “Right now, all of the discussions and designs about the north (campus) districts would put more than 6,000 dorm beds and apartments (for students).” Smith added, “while nobody wants to eliminate housing, we think that with the growing number of students … providing more housing options at a range of different price ranges is really important. We recognize that the cost of housing is one of the biggest challenges students have.” Smith concluded by acknowledging student ideas and concerns as integral to improving the student experience at UCR. “If students want to work through ASUCR or student groups they can,” he said, “but in general we have student offices with leadership that is very open to meeting with students, listening to concerns, listening to ideas … having that kind of open working relationship with students is very important to us.” ■H

UCR study shows Trump’s rhetoric activated voters in Latino areas

Amani Mahmoud Contributing Writer

In June of 2015, Donald Trump announced his presidential candidacy with the promise to build a wall on the border of the United States and Mexico. Throughout his campaign, Trump’s racially provocative rhetoric about Latinos defined his candidacy. According to research conducted by Benjamin J. Newman, associate professor of public policy; Sono Shah, a Ph.D. candidate in political science and Loren Collingwood, an associate professor of political science, Trump’s

rhetoric about Latinos kindled his voter base in areas that recently had a significant increase in its Latino population. In an interview with The Highlander, Shah wrote, “What the paper demonstrates is that residing in a high Latino-growth area is predictive of support for Trump, following, but not before his inflammatory statements about Mexican immigrants.” Shah also noted that it is “definitely possible” that this case could apply to other groups such as Muslim Americans and Arab Americans who were also targeted by Trump’s rhetoric. Shah stated that, in areas like Riv-

erside, their research would indicate a similar relationship between the area’s growth in the Latino population and the activation of latent Trump support following his “inflammatory” comments. Shah, however, noted that it is important to be careful of how these findings are interpreted particularly when disaggregating the data to a specific state, let alone a specific city. Silvestre Aceves Reyes, a member of the Undocumented Students Program at UCR, stated, “I feel like these Republicans felt like they were hiding at first. I think they felt like in a way, they were chained up and as soon as Trump came out with this rhetoric,

they were let loose and they felt comfortable supporting Trump’s beliefs about Latinos.” Rubyd Olvera, a fourth-year student at UCR and member of Undocumented Student Programs, claimed, “This research is important because it is tangible verification of everything Latinos have always known to be true. I think the belief that Latinos are all rapists and drug dealers and that we should be feared has always been held by Republicans in areas such as Riverside. I think Trump’s rhetoric just simply gave them an excuse to finally vocalize these beliefs.” Cristina Canales, a second-year

student at UCR who is a member of the Chicano Student Programs, has always believed that Trump’s rhetoric allowed Republicans in areas with growing Latino populations to become more “overt” in their racism and discrimination. She stated, “I think it’s disheartening that we need the hard facts and this research to sometimes to confirm things that people like me have been saying all along. This research however, gets people to listen so I think it is really important.” Reyes also noted, “Having this tangible research is amazing because it validates this feeling that the Latino community has felt all along.” ■H

NEWs

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

Proposition 64: Riverside anticipates effects of legalization

Vasken Najarian Contributing Writer

As of Jan. 1, 2018, California Proposition 64 went into effect, making California the fourth state to legalize the sale and taxation of recreational marijuana. The decision is expected to particularly affect college campuses, as marijuana is a drug that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) claims one in every 22 college students use daily or near daily. The end result of legalization is largely undetermined, but according to an article from the Orange County Register, there are several likely outcomes regarding potential tax revenue and how it will directly affect consumers. The Register reports that, in Colorado, recreational sales have already surpassed medical sales by accounting for around 60 to 70 percent of all marijuana sales. Both sectors netted around $486 million in total sales in their first five months alone, and plans in California are to place a 15 percent tax on all marijuana sales. The WELL cautions students To prepare UC Riverside students, the WELL sent a campus-wide email on Oct. 30 titled, “Get the facts on Marijuana,” advising against the use of the drug. The email cited “learning impairment, slowed reflexes, increased risks of lung cancer, and potential dependence,” as possible consequences of smoking marijuana. However, on Jan. 10, the WELL sent a revised version of its email that included notable differences. In the revised version, the WELL retreated from its claims of potential lung cancer as a consequence, adjusting it to “potential lung damage.” In an interview with The Highlander, the WELL’s director, Devon Sakamoto explained that “Lung damage seemed to be a broader, more all-encompassing side-effect to marijuana use, including things like the possibility of respiratory infections, bronchitis, and airway inflammation … we sent the second email in the new year after the law went into effect, as a reminder to people. And we wanted to make sure that email had the most up to date information in it.” She

added that the WELL has rarely come across students who come to discuss issues pertaining to marijuana. While she anticipates legalization will lead to more people doing so, she has not noticed an increase yet.

legislation and taxes. He added, “This is a victory that could hold some significant implications for when the Democrats go up against Trump in the 2020 presidential elections.”

Professor Ronald Loveridge reacts UC Riverside Professor of Political Science and former Mayor of Riverside Ronald Loveridge provided insight on the recent legalization in an interview with The Highlander, stating that “California is not the first out of the gate regarding marijuana legalization, and I do not expect the impact of marijuana’s legalization to be any different from how it impacted the likes of Colorado, Washington and Oregon.” To Loveridge, it is California’s high population that heightens the significance of legalization in the state. Washington, Oregon, and Colorado have populations of 7 million, 4 million and 5 million respectively, whereas California boasts a population of around 40 million, meaning the amount of people to be impacted by marijuana legalization is nearly doubling with California legalizing the drug. Loveridge also emphasized marijuana’s increasing popularity in the state, as well as its relative safety compared to other drugs that are currently on the black market. “However as seen in the polls and other public forums, marijuana is one of those things that has seen a significant change in view over the last few decades. Marijuana doesn’t seem to be as dangerous as the other drugs out there, and legalizing it will help legitimize it by taking it off the black market where the products are likelier to be made with harmful ingredients.” He went on to explain that while he doesn’t know how marijuana really is, there are substances out there that are causing people more harm than marijuana. To illustrate, he shared that the opioid crisis has already claimed the lives of more people than the War in Vietnam in the last year alone, and requires more attention than marijuana. He went on to explain that marijuana’s legalization in California was also a monumental victory in California’s tug-of-war with Washington, which includes a multitude of other issues including immigration

Students reflect An environmental engineering student at UC Riverside who requested anonymity shared their outlook on recreational marijuana legalization in an interview with The Highlander, claiming that “marijuana is widely used amongst college students as is, and its legalization will not be that heavy of an influence on the amount of people that use it. What legalization will change is that it is legitimizing marijuana, and it will help ensure that the products that people are using are safe.” A business administration student, who also requested anonymity, addressed common safety concerns surrounding marijuana. “Another important factor is that it is an undisputed fact that alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana, and it is already legal,” said the student. “Whereas there have been countless cases of alcohol poisoning, there has not been one recorded incident of marijuana overdose killing a person.” The student also turned attention to the the economic potential that recreational marijuana has now that it is legal. “California’s economy will reap significant benefits to marijuana legalization through the taxes that will be imposed on it. Also, now local businesses that cater to growing plants and gardens such as the Home Depot have a business opportunity to sell marijuana-related products.” Marijuana dispensaries anticipate potential impact In an interview with The Highlander, a representative from a local marijuana clinic who requested anonymity claimed that the full effect of legalization has not been determined yet. “All I can say for certain is that marijuana being legal allows us to sell it to anyone who brings in a valid identification verifying that they are over 21 years old,” they said. “This helps us because before legalization we had to turn a lot of peo-

ple down because they would come in not knowing they still needed a doctor’s recommendation in order to buy from us.” According to reports from CNN and Forbes, the legalization of recreational marijuana could lead to significant tax increases, which would mean trouble for individuals looking to purchase marijuana at its current price. A representative from another local dispensary, who also requested anonymity, explained, “Legalization is helping us in the short term because now people 21 and over can come down and buy weed without needing any rec card, but we will see what happens after a tax plan is passed. Currently we sell roughly at $10 a gram, depending on the quality of what you buy, but if it is going to be taxed heavily then that price will definitely have to change.” How legalization is impacting plant nurseries An unnamed representative from Riverside’s Parkview Nursery noted that the legalization has not affected their day-to-day operations but has affected the products they carry. “At this point in time, it is inevitable that our business is affected by marijuana legalization. While we will not be selling marijuana until it is federally legalized, we have started seeing more and more products that relate to marijuana,” the representative said. “However, as I mentioned before, Parkview Nursery cannot sell marijuana itself until it is legalized by the federal government.” Legalization’s impact on Riverside According to a report from Press-Enterprise, Riverside County has made an effort to increase transparency between itself and the public by setting up a website in October in order to answer questions and receive public input on the county’s regulations. The report claims that officials have been working to form a regulatory framework that would permit marijuana commerce in areas that are not directly part of any city in the county. In addition, the plan would place a measure on the November 2018 ballot that would allow residents of the county to vote on whether or not to impose a local tax on marijuana. ■H

UCR research on mantis shrimp claws provides insight on producing stronger and lighter material

Mark Bertumen Contributing Writer

On Tuesday, Jan. 16, Professor David Kisailus, the Winston Chung Endowed Professor in Energy Innovation in UCR’s Bourns College of Engineering, published a research report explaining the “ultrastructural design” of mantis shrimp claws. The goal of this research was to understand how their claws are assembled in the hopes of constructing lighter and, appropriately, “ultra-strong” materials with a vast range of practical applications. Mantis shrimp are crustaceans known to use their club-shaped claws to strike hard-shelled prey with an acceleration faster than a .22 caliber bullet. Kisailus and his team wanted to find out how the shrimp could attack at that speed without any harmful repercussions. Kisailus first posted his

team’s findings in 2012, where he and his team dissected the self-regenerating clubs of 15 mantis shrimp. They discovered that the impact region of those clubs was structured with an extremely crystalized form of calcium phosphate, the material that makes up human teeth and bones, in a zig-zag “herringbone structure” that gives the club both extra protection and strength. Kisailus’ collaborator Pablo Zavattieri, professor of civil engineering and university faculty scholar at Purdue University, showcased the practical applications of this knowledge by producing a 3D-printed helmet with the same herringbone pattern in its structure. Tests on the helmet yield that damage is virtually non-existent when applied to the protective gear. “The more we learn about this tiny creature, the more we realize how much it can help us as we design better planes, cars,

sports equipment and armor,” Kisailus said in an interview with 3DPrint. The applicative implications of this research are far-reaching: Alongside helmets, there is now the prospect of fortifying vehicles both on the ground and in the air, from cars to planes to even spaceships. Body armor is also on the table for improvement; “Preliminary tests show the materials are bulletproof,” Kisailus said to Science Magazine. The research report from last Tuesday identifies another protective structure in the clubs: A collection of aligned fibers that works “much like the hand wrap used by boxers when they fight,” Kisailus told UCR Today. The striated fibers help keep the club compacted and prevent expansion that could lead to cracking. Tuesday’s report also discusses the hydrodynamic design of the teardrop-shaped claws. This feature decreases drag as the

club travels at high speeds, to the point where the claw rips the surrounding water, creating a bubble in its wake that quickly implodes and doubles up the damage to the mantis shrimp’s prey. Kisailus remarks that we can already see this design in cycling helmets and golf clubs, and comments that nature still has much to offer. “The natural world can provide many more design cues

that will enable us to develop high performance synthetic materials,” Kisailus told UCR Today. At UCR, Professor Kisailus is in charge of the Biomimetics and Nanostructured Materials Lab. Biomimicry relates to the fabrication of materials based on living organisms, and nanostructure relates to creating products at or near the microscopic level. ■H

COURTESY OF UCR TODAY

$370,000 donation given to Young Oak Kim Center

Atenas Odriozola Contributing Writer

On Friday, Jan. 12, Chancellor Kim Wilcox received a $370,000 donation for the Young Oak Kim (YOK) Center for Korean American Studies at the UC Riverside. The donation was given by Dr. Myung Ki Hong, founder of Dura Coat Products, a Riverside-based oil coating company, and long time activist for Korean American empowerment. Dr. Hong grew up in South

Korea, but moved to the US to study chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles. In 1959, Hong graduated with a degree in chemistry. Hong became the founder of Dura Coat Products in 1989, which creates tube and coil coating products that were not only more efficient, but were also eco-friendly, producing less volatile organic compound (VOC) pollutants. After the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Dr. Hong became more openly involved in the Korean American community, funding the statue

of Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, a Korean independence activist, located in downtown Riverside, and donating $2 million to the UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for two endowed professorships, which supports a professor’s research. The institute was named after Colonel Young Oak Kim, the only Korean American officer to serve in a predominantly Japanese American World War II unit. The institute focuses not only on Korean American empowerment, but the ability

to “bridge ethnic and generational gaps,” according to the center’s website. The YOK Center studies the history of the Korean diaspora, focusing on those who arrived in the United States; how Korean Americans play into helping unite the North and South Korea and analyzing how the identity of Korean Americans were affected by the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. With the donation given by Dr. Hong, the YOK Center will set up a program structured toward youth, which would

fly students from Young Oak Middle School (the first middle school in Los Angeles to name itself after a Korean American) to Washington D.C. to learn the mechanics behind democracy. YOK Center Director Dr. Edward Taehan Chang, researcher Crystal Baik and Carol Park, researcher at the YOK Center and writer of “Memoir of a Cashier: Korean Americans, Racism, and Riots” did not respond to a request for comment. The YOK Center is located in CHASS INTN 4031. ■H

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Opinions

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

UC regents must seek greater financial efficiency — not a tuition hike

fter a few agonizing days of wondering if they would be squeezed to the tune of $342 in yet another tuition increase, UC students were free to breathe a momentary sigh of relief: On Wednesday, Jan. 24, the UC regents, faced with vehement student protests, decided to delay the vote on the proposed tuition increase for all students until sometime in May, and the vote on increases to nonresident supplemental tuition until March. Though this may seem a “victory” for struggling students, any sense of calm or ease of mind gained here is dampened by the knowledge that, if alternative solutions for satiating the UC system’s perpetually growing financial needs are not found, the proposed increase will simply come back around again as an increasingly likely option. With many students continually worrying about affordability and student loans, the UC regents need to use the time they’ve bought with this delay to seek other ways of addressing the need for funding while maintaining an affordable education for their students — and tuition increases need to be off the list. This funding problem never seems to go away — despite the cool $1.2 billion in funding increases from the state since 2012 and the tuition increase in January last year — and the regents cite a lower ratio of available funds

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per student as a key factor. It is easy for students, who fundamentally sit at the center of this debate, to become cynical each time a tuition increase is proposed. If it doesn’t pass, we’re told the UCs won’t have the money they need to maintain or improve the current quality of education, and if it does pass, our future financial security, food security and housing security get less and less certain. Let’s not forget, of course, the rising student debt and the growing costs of higher education this leaves for future prospective students, who may be deterred from entering the UC system because of the lack of affordability. From a student’s perspective, neither option is appealing. As difficult as it may be, then, there need to be more efforts on behalf of both the UC regents and the state to figure out a way of funding the UC system while also ensuring that the students can still afford the cost. This will require a multifaceted approach, starting with dedicated efforts for the UC to find where its spending is inefficient or wasteful, to make sure each budgetary decision is made in the interest of furthering students’ education and question the value of decisions whose benefit to students is not immediately obvious (especially with last year’s controversial audit — which revealed a reserve of money that some critics

accused of being a “slush fund” — and the interference with it still fresh in memory). Simply put, the regents need to go over their spending with a fine-toothed comb and figure out what more they can do to make the most efficient use of the money they already have before shaking students down for even more. And as important as the money is, the UC also needs to address the longstanding concerns and damaged trust of the students — many of whom, as suggested by the immense outpouring of opposition to the proposed increase, may feel like these tuition increases indicate a lack of care for students’ struggles to make ends meet even with tuition as it is now. The state also has an interest in ensuring that the UC, and other university systems, are properly funded in order to make sure that those who want to take on the responsibilities of pursuing higher education are able to afford it. Governor Jerry Brown was justified in opposing the tuition hike and urging the regents to drive costs down, but there is also a need to meet the UC system in the middle and see how the state can assist in making sure that universities are properly funded, thus (hopefully) obviating the need for yet another costly tuition hike. Given higher education’s role in empowering social mobility for many and in forming tomorrow’s leaders,

the state needs to do its share to make sure that the universities are getting the money they need, provided that the universities are spending it reasonably and efficiently. Students shouldn’t be saddled with even greater tuition costs when many are already struggling to fund their college careers as it is. Insofar as it’s possible, the UC regents need to put forward as much effort as they can to ensure that they cut inefficient and unnecessary spending, center their priorities on ensuring the academic success of all students and, finally, to make sure that this is done as transparently as possible so that students can hold them accountable for it — that must be their priority, above all else. The state also has an obligation to make sure that the universities are properly funded in the interest of maintaining the high-quality education they provide. Ultimately, the onus shouldn’t keep coming down onto the students to perpetually make up the difference on an ever-increasing bill, not when many are already struggling to afford their education on top of staying afloat on their studies. ■H 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.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

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OPINION POLL Compiled by Bri Chew, Staff Photographer

“If you could live in any fictional setting, which one would you choose?”

Kevin Ha Psychology Third-year

Alexis Orellana Creative Writing Third-year

Priscella Sanchez Biology First-year

Omer Sohail Public Policy Third-year

Erika Anocibar Political Science Third-year

Noe Torres Politcal Science Third-year

“I’d probably have to say ‘Harry Potter’ because magic is cool and they don’t have to learn math.”

“The ‘House of Knights’ fictional world because vampires are very interesting.”

“‘Star Wars’ because it’s one of my favorite series and I love space.”

“A non-colonized world where colonialism never existed. I would like to see what those cultures would end up turning into without theviolenceandoppression that they were dealt by Europeanpowers.”

“‘Game of Thrones’ because I like dragons.”

“I’ve never thought about that before. I would like to be in ‘Rick & Morty’s’ world. Get my own portal gun and go around exploring for the sake of it.”

New York City billionaires neglect city’s homelessness epidemic MICHAEL BEELI Contributing Writer

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s proposal to build homeless shelters across the city is facing backlash from local residents due to plans to build a shelter to replace the Park Savoy Hotel, which stands just behind the One57. The One57 is a “super-luxury” residential skyscraper in a wealthy New York neighborhood commonly referred to as “Billionaire’s Row.” Although the shelter may diminish the neighborhood’s luxury appeal, the city’s wealthy elite cannot continue to hide from the endemic problem of homelessness that pervades their city. According to a December report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, there are more than 76,000 homeless people living in New York City, more than any other city in the country. These numbers represent a 4 percent increase in homelessness numbers from 2016, and include increases in

both people living in shelters and in the streets. 30 percent of the nation’s homeless families with children live in New York City. The cause of the city’s homelessness epidemic is an affordable housing crisis that has plagued the city as its population has grown steadily since 1980, adding over a million new residents since then. As the city has grown rapidly, the private sector has been unable to keep up with the demand for housing at an affordable price, thus leaving many New Yorkers homeless in the city. The average monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is about $3,100, while the minimum wage in the city ranges from $12 to $13 an hour. However, a full-time 40-hour worker making $12 in New York only receives about $2,900 in pretax income monthly. Although $3,100 may be the average cost of rent, real estate company Zumper has estimated that the lowest prices for single-bedroom apartments hover around $2,100 monthly. After paying

taxes and other expenses, however, it’s dubious that many minimum wage workers will be able to buy housing for just themselves, let alone for their families. New York City is a city of incredible wealth; in 2016, the GDP of the metropolitan area alone was approximately $1.5 trillion, and 82 of the world’s billionaires have homes in the city. The great prosperity of that city is not due solely to its richest inhabitants; the entire community of New York, especially the minimum wage workers, are all integral to the infrastructure of the city. As all of this wealth has been generated, New York’s homeless shelters have seen their population nearly double since 2007. It’s undeniable that the city’s homelessness epidemic is a problem of shared responsibility by all residents. As record numbers of residents have seen themselves rise to prosperity, others have fallen behind. In 2014, the bottom 50 percent of the city’s earners brought in just 5.6 percent of the city’s total earnings, while the top 0.1

percent brought in 24 percent of the earnings. While some level of inequality is inherent in an efficient economic system, New York’s income inequality is an issue that has been clearly dismissed by the city’s economic elite for too long. De Blasio’s plan is a restrained, reasonable proposal that will distribute costs upon each of the city’s neighborhoods in a fair manner. In addition to increasing housing subsidies aimed to prevent homelessness, de

Blasio is now moving forward with plans to create 90 new homeless shelters that can house about 150 people each. The shelter to be built on “Billionaire’s Row” may diminish the value of the $1.5 billion luxury skyscraper that it is next to; however, as the shelter is built, it will not only fundamentally change the lives of 150 people who may need it the most, but also force the city’s affluent residents to confront the darker elements of the city that they have neglected for so long. ■H

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2017 is the second hottest year on record: Why we need to pay attention ELAINE CHEN Contributing Writer

On Thursday, Jan. 18, NASA released an analysis of last year’s global temperature, claiming it to be the second warmest year since 1880. While 1880 was the first year that global surface temperatures were recorded, it’s still no coincidence that 16 of the 17 warmest years on record have occurred since 2001. These statistics alone are worrisome due to the fact that a rise in the overall temperature of the Earth leads to environmental issues such as polar ice caps melting, sea levels rising and longer lasting fire seasons. So why is the 21st century abnormally warm? Climate change is undoubtedly a central contributor to the warming of the Earth’s surface, as NASA also reported that carbon dioxide levels are at their highest in 650,000 years. Carbon dioxide is a key greenhouse gas that traps heat inside the Earth’s atmosphere, therefore warming the overall surface temperature, and this can cause environmental catastrophes to be even more destructive than

they already are. Seeing that we are experiencing new peak levels of heat and greenhouse gas emissions, we have a responsibility now more than ever to do our individual parts to mitigate our carbon footprint. This is even more applicable to us American residents, as we are also no longer part of the 196 countries signed to the Paris Climate Agreement. The excessive outpour of greenhouse gas emissions has initiated a negative domino effect on the environment. One of the first victims of this rise in global temperature is ice, specifically in the Arctic. In a graph organized by NASA depicting the Arctic Sea ice depletion from the 1980s until today, there is a prominent negative trend in terms of ice levels in the Arctic, and the rate of change is a decrease of 13.2 percent per decade. The disappearing ice then leads to a rise in sea levels, roughly 0.13 inches a year for the past 20 years, which National Geographic claims is “twice the average speed of the preceding 80 years.” The consequences of water inching further inland can include destructive erosion

and can jeopardize the homes and lives of the people living in coastal regions. Another long-term effect of warmer oceans and sea levels rising? Worsening hurricanes. Surely everyone can remember the catastrophic hurricanes that ripped their way through parts of Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico last year. Hurricanes have been occuring on record for the past century, but how did three Category 4 and 5 hurricanes occur within less than three months? While there is no definite proof that climate change is the sole cause for hurricanes, Heidi Cullen, the chief scientist at the environmental advocacy group Climate Central spoke to Time and analogized global warming having an effect on hurricanes as smoking would influence lung cancer: There’s no direct causation, but there is correlation. Essentially, a multitude of factors influence the strength and formation of hurricanes, but there are reports of ocean temperatures rising nearly 0.13 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1901. However, we as humanity definitely have the potential

to ascend from correlation to causation if the global surface temperature continues to rise. Speaking of environmental extremes, 2017 was also the year that we saw the largest and most destructive fires burn their way through California. The breakout of fires throughout the state caused a total of 281,893 acres to be burned, surpassing the Cedar Fire of 2003, which burned over 273,000 acres. Because of the dry weather that produced dead brush, this created the perfect storm that cost California nearly $177 million to fight. California has had a history of drought, and even in 2012, 81 percent of the population were living in abnormally dry conditions. Consequences of such dry weather are not restricted to breeding the fuel for fires — in other global areas that are prone to drought, the dry atmosphere can dry land to the point where it can only absorb minimal amounts of water, and this can cause flooding. Let’s go back to the first domino: Greenhouse gas emissions. There are 196 countries signed in agreement to help keep their carbon footprint

to a certain percentage, but the U.S. pulled out of that deal this past June despite the fact that we produce the second largest amount of carbon dioxide in the world, right behind China. In addition to withdrawing from a promise to attempt lowering levels of harmful gases to a certain percentage, our nation also recently rolled back on several Obama-era regulations that restricted coal companies from dumping into streams, and jobs are being created to make it easier to mine coal; all these factors have the potential to push the U.S. even further in production of carbon emissions. Since the leaders of our nation have decided it’s not a priority to look into such environmental issues, it’s urgent that there is awareness raised for the catastrophic incidents climate change can cause. Otherwise we can expect temperatures to continue to rise to dangerous levels, as well as bigger tolls on the environment, which will ultimately harm a larger population as time passes. If action is not implemented today, we cannot expect a better world for future generations to come. ■H

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 30. 2018

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Features

Marcelo Garcia, Contributing Writer

MARTIN LOPEZ / HIGHLANDER

The savory smell of pasta, the sizzling of hot oil and a booth setup inside Glen Mor Market attracted a small crowd to “Homegrown Meals!,” an event held by Highlander Chefs. As an up-and-coming student organization that strives to tackle the problem of food insecurity by educating students on cooking, Highlander Chefs hopes that students can have healthy alternatives to what many consider the easier and more convenient options of fast food and microwavable meals. From 5 to 6:30 p.m. cooks from the organization gave demonstrations for organic, vegetarian pasta. Recipe pamphlets were handed out after the demonstration for those interested in cooking the pasta for themselves. The recipe itself consisted entirely of ingredients that can be purchased from Glen Mor Market at an affordable price. Highlander Chefs is run by its president Dakota Salazar, a fourth-year neuroscience major applying for medical school in the spring, who essentially built the organization from the ground up. Salazar found Highlander Chefs in his second year and felt that it was a unique organization that was a fit for him. However, at this time, the organization not only had no events organized, but was extremely small. By the end of his second year, the members of the Highlander Chefs board, who were all fourth-year students and graduating, left the organization in the hands of Salazar. In order to keep the organization running, Salazar recruited two people to form a board with the minimum number of members. “It’s really funny because I had nobody to help form a board with me. Everyone was leaving that year,” he tells me, “I literally ran into two of my friends at Rivera and asked if they were willing help me out with this. Thankfully they agreed.” In the nearly two years since then, with Salazar at the helm, Highlander Chefs now has 12 members and a full lineup of events

planned for this school year. The organization even received $20,000 from the UC Global Food Initiative (UC GFI) this fall quarter. The UC GFI is an institution devoted to developing solutions to the problems of food security, health and sustainability found in UC’s. The Tuesday night event was attended by UCR Chancellor Wilcox’s wife, Diane Del Buono, who felt that the organization could make an impact on campus. “I came because I love to support campus activities and I think this is a great idea to help students,” she shares. But, as second-year Biology major and assistant social media chair of Highlander Chefs Danielle Pente emphasizes, the organization is meant for more than just meetings and event planning. Pente joined after a Facebook post by the group caught her interest and has enjoyed her experience ever since. “Not only am I in an organization that is making a difference,” explains Pente, “but I’ve met this amazing group of people that I consider my friends.” She says that members socialize not only at meetings but at different places on campus and even in shared classes. “It’s a really big networking and social opportunity,” she says. “If you’re asking yourself why you should join, the better question to ask is ‘Why shouldn’t I join?’” As for the future of the organization, Salazar hopes to witness a bit of the fruits of his labor before his graduation in the spring. “I really hope that it (Highlander Chefs) makes an impact now, so we can show students that cooking isn’t as hard as people think it is,” he says. As for the impact this organization could have on other UC’s, Salazar expressed plans on branching out to more campuses. A Berkley chapter was considered but unfortunately did not gain enough traction, however, Salazar hopes that a similar organization can be founded elsewhere and eventually lead to cross-campus collaborations. ■H

MARTIN LOPEZ / HIGHLANDER

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FEATURES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30. 2018

Campus Cope

The Gender Divide: How to lure a potential crush by: ja nine l a no & edwa rd da ve Staff Writers Janine and Edward will be having a dialogue about embarking on a new relationship or person of interest, offering perspectives from a male and female point of view in an effort to see where any potential divides and similarities emerge. A vast amount of people are under the impression that the male and female approach to relationships is worlds apart. But in reality, the approaches are much more comparable than meets the eye.

In 2018 there are a load of ways to enchant someone you have a crush on. But what is the first thing that you tend to notice when checking out prospective crush?

Well I pay acute attention to things like body movement. Does she walk with sass? Is her posture on point? These are subtle cues that may seem minor, but many times they forecast how someone feels about their own image. When you walk with purpose, there’s a good chance that you have confidence. I usually notice how they carry themselves. I believe there is a fine line between arrogance and confidence, and if they exude arrogance, I don’t find that attractive.

So now that there’s been a mental lock onto someone appealing, how do you go about making your first move? Should the male be the first one to capitalize on the attraction? Or is that ancient tenet a thing of the past?

Personally I believe that anyone can make the first move. I think it’s wrong to allocate too much responsibility to any respective gender. Whoever is feeling froggy should leap into action. But generally speaking, I like to treat first meetings like a game of chess. Your first move is crucial in deciding the outcome of the match. People place a lot of emphasis on first impressions and I can’t say that I blame whoever does so. But it’s always best to easily coast into an interaction by starting off with something of mutual interest. Luckily in college, we are all students who do a lot of the same things despite our different schedules.

In this day and age, I think anyone can make the first move. Finding a potential boyfriend or girlfriend requires a risk, even though it’s scary. Sometimes, you just have to go for it. I find it’s better to receive a “yes” or a “no” rather than wondering “what if.” Both women and men have to let go of the nervous feeling one gets when making the first move and push the fear of getting rejected aside. We just have to remember, your crush, no matter how cute or beautiful they may be, is still human and talking to them first won’t make the world implode.

Social media is a huge factor in the millenial world of dating. How could you use these platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat effectively?

Social media is one of the easiest ways to finesse yourself into someone’s world. Sliding into someone’s messages with a meme or a funny joke has proven to be successful in many cases. However, it also serves as a crutch for others. Online messaging leaves a lot to be desired in the tone department. And many people get too reliant on communicating virtually which hinders the first interaction they might have in person. Social media is meticulously monitored to display the best parts of ourselves. So it’s best not to fall into a trap of romanticizing someone who is attentive with what they want the world to know.

I think social media is a great way of breaking the ice with a potential crush. Instead of just stalking your crush (yes, don’t say you don’t do that), actually comment on one of his pictures on Instagram or respond to a story on Snapchat. It’s minimal effort but gets your foot in the door.

Once your crush sees a sufficient amount of potential, it’s time to plan the first date. Do you go all out and plan a unique outing that is guaranteed to surprise your date? Or is it best to keep things as simple as possible so that you minimize any chance of coming off too strong?

Well, that’s kind of difficult to answer because a lot of people respect when someone goes beyond their means to orchestrate an original date. Even if you risk coming off strong, there’s some semblance of respect that is likely to be there because you actually tried to do something different. I think it’s cool to differentiate yourself from the pack during the first date. It’s something you’ll look back at in 20 years (assuming a relationship blooms from it) and you don’t want it to be a memory you have to cringe at.

I think it all depends on the person. Find out if they like to be surprised in an over-the-top way or if they’re okay with catching a movie and going out to dinner. If it’s a simple date, it doesn’t mean one didn’t put any effort into it. Location is only one aspect of the date. Conversation and bringing forth respectable manners are another part and are mostly the aspects that stand out the most.

Finally, what would you say to someone whose confidence is constantly wavering? Do you think it’s important to have it all together before you embark on a relationship?

Ideally, yes. People can notice really quick if you suffer from a lack of confidence. And while it’s completely normal to have off days, it’s important that you’re in a decent head space before trying to make a move on someone. If you feel the weight of the world closing in on you due to academics and other extracurriculars, adding a relationship to the equation won’t negate the stress you feel in those other areas. One of the leading killers of relationships is bad timing. Make sure that you are in a position where you’re absolutely certain you can spare time and effort on another human being. No one likes to be strung along. Confidence is really important to have when going into a relationship. But remember, having confidence is not that easy. I believe having confidence requires a mindset that you must check up on everyday. A person can’t say, “I’m confident!” and be good for the rest of their lives. It takes work. Being in a relationship can help boost that confidence and keep it in check but ■H don’t rely on your partner for it. It’ll only hurt the relationship and yourself in the end.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

RADAR

YOU’RE SO THIS SUMMER: HOW WE EMBRACED EMO

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JULIAN MEDRANDA Senior Staff Writer

When I look back at my formative years from middle school leading into the beginning of high school, a tenderness fills my heart. I cringe a bit too, but mostly I smile — something I didn’t do too much of during that time, either for fear of shattering my image or because I hated my smile I can’t be sure. Surely I am not alone in these sentiments. As much as I refused to self-identify as such, I can retroactively say that I was an emo kid: Super skinny jeans, band tees, thickrimmed glasses, straightened hair, ennui and all. But where I can reflect fondly on these years now, a deeply wedged and excruciating embarrassment occupied my thoughts in the years that followed that phase. Nobody, save for the kids you saw on YouTube in 2007, proudly claimed to be emo, least of all pimple-faced 13-year-olds who borrowed their mothers’ straighteners at 6 in the morning and championed the platitudinous idea of individuality over societally enforced labels. I even started listening to T.I. and Lil Wayne in an attempt to prove that I wasn’t emo, something I do now, only now I do it because I actually like the music instead of trying to deflect ridicule. The tides of popular culture wax and wane in mysterious ways, and recent years have seen emo music and its accompanying subculture evolve from punchline to legacy. The origins of this shift aren’t clean-cut, but early mainstream pop-punk and pseudo-emo bands like post“Take This To Your Grave” Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco and Paramore have played substantial roles in the evolution of the music genre. Long before Gerard Way would birth a surge of emo tweens with their seminal “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge” record, before kids would stumble upon Chiodos and Scary Kids

Scaring Kids on YouTube and be introduced to screamo and posthardcore, emo was aggressively antithetical to its contemporary pop-influenced iteration. It’s been documented to the point of banality that Rites of Spring are the forefathers of emo music, but as Thomas Lloyd of the band Northvia points out, “what one person defines as ‘emo’ is not to the next, it all depends on the point of view.” Is emo a genre defined by its technical features, which itself varies from band to band? Compare the gleam of the guitars on American Football’s “Never Meant” to the blitz of Joyce Manor’s “Orange Julius;” contrast Britty Drake of Pity Sex’s hushed delivery on “Drawstring” versus Billy Talent’s Ben Kowalewicz’s screaming on “Line & Sinker.” Or more broadly, is emo an ethos characterized by emotional sincerity and dejection? All answers seemingly result in contradiction, though the latter answer continually feels more correct when artists associated with the term come under closer scrutiny. To make a sweeping generalization about all types of music, it’s fair to state that expressing emotion and personal strife isn’t a novelty that emo alone embodies, but its grueling emphasis on sadness and isolation are what make it noteworthy. From D.C. basements to suburban bedrooms, emo’s gradual ascendence out of obscurity inevitably came with the cost of sterility and integration with other genres. Fate meted out the former consequence in the form of some radio-friendly hits and, eventually, shit-tier derivatives that would gain cult followings through the internet (nature gives and she takes). More excitingly, musicians outside of rock subgenres would develop their own sounds inspired by emo’s emotionally bare ethos. The most popular genre of music per Nielsen’s Music Report is (surprise!) hip-hop. To

synthesize what can rightfully be declared the whitest music genre ever with the quintessence of contemporary black art is not without its mishaps (see: Brokencyde and the entirety of the crunkcore movement). In spite of how corny it might have read on paper in years prior, their commonality of lyrical vulnerability bonds the multifaceted genres closer. “My shit is like emo music for gangbangers,” said LA rapper 03 Greedo in an in interview with LA Weekly. Greedo’s music is soaked in emotion much in the same way gangsta rap by the likes of Bone Thugs and Pac was in the ‘90s, mourning the loss of close friends and documenting the crippling realities of street life. His relation to what we understand as emo is thin, but if it’s to be believed that the essence of the music is laid bare for heartache to occupy it, the self-proclamation rings true. Emo’s big break among the hip-hop community came in 2017, with popular Soundcloud rappers like Ka5sh, Trippie Redd, XXXTentacion, the late Lil Peep (along with the entirety of the Goth Boi Clique) and, most prominently, Lil Uzi Vert. This is where the intermingling of genres gets exciting. Where Kanye paved the way for artists like Kid Cudi and Drake with his raw and deeply personal “808’s & Heartbreak,” young artists raised on Marilyn Manson and Taking Back Sunday would firmly define emo for a new generation. Does it bring pause to reflect that one of the top songs of last year was a post-breakup cut of maudlin rumination? Uzi’s “XO Tour Llif3” is a lovelorn confessional not too dissimilar to prototypical emo ballads like Hawthorne Heights’ “Ohio Is For Lovers,” where Xanax-popping trades places with wrist-cutting and nail-painting. Self-harm was never the lure of emo per se, but it’s willingness to be open about such difficult subjects is precisely why kids can find solace in these artists’ music. It’s why Lil Peep

was the monolithic ﬁgurehead of the movement before his tragic death in November, crying for help when he sang in his characteristic Tom DeLongeresembling voice, “I used to want to kill myself/ Came up still want to kill myself/ My life is going nowhere/ I want everyone to know that I don’t care.” Along with fellow GBC members such as Lil Tracy and Cold Hart, their sampling of The Microphones, Bright Eyes and Modest Mouse paired with rabid cult followings foreshadow the steadily evolving genre that acknowledges its roots. 18-year-old Ohio native Trippie Redd developed a dedicated fanbase online with the release of his two-part “A Love Letter To You” mixtapes, fortiﬁed after his collaboration with Florida rapper XXXTentacion on

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“Fuck Love.” Unfortunately, it’s with rappers like X that emo’s less-than-desirable relationship with women returns to mind. His highly publicized domestic abuse case still looms over his name which, while miles away from the latent misogyny in most emo classics, is nonetheless a case of old habits dying hard. As Junkee’s Allison Gallagher writes, “As a 25-year old, listening to young men objectify the women in their lives and vilify those who chose to leave is a bitter pill to swallow.” Paired with hip-hop’s shaky relationship with women (calling women “bitches” in rap is so commonplace it’s easy to mistake it for the moral convention and not the anomaly it is in casual conversation), emo rap still has a long way to go before it dusts itself off from its parent genre’s blemishes. ■H

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

FROM EMINEM TO OFFSET, AN ANALYSIS OF HIP-HOP’S HISTORY OF HOMOPHOBIA MARCELO GARCIA Contributing Writer

On Wednesday, Jan. 17, the music video for VFN Lucci’s single “Boss Life” was released. The track features Offset of the rap trio Migos, who caused outrage with an offensive line in his verse. “I cannot vibe with queers,” he raps. Offset has since apologized, claiming that his use of the word “queer” was not a slight at the LGBT community but rather used the word’s dictionary definition, meaning something strange or odd. While this incident could easily be written off by some as a misunderstanding, this is not the first instance of Migos coming under fire for comments regarding homosexuality. The group found themselves in a similar controversy a year ago for their response to questions about fellow rapper iLoveMakonnen coming out as gay. In an interview with Rolling Stone, all 3 members implied that iLoveMakonnen’s sexuality was a direct contrast to his rap music; Quavo called people’s acceptance of Makonnen “wack,” while Offset claimed the support stemmed from “The world (being) fucked up.” This air of homophobia, or rather an obsession with heteronormativity and masculinity, is something that anyone who has kept up with hip-hop culture is very familiar with. Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, The Game and T.I. are just a few of the many rappers who have used the homophobic fslur in their lyrics. Jay-Z spit the line “‘Cause faggots hate when you gettin’ money like athletes” on “Heart of the

City (Ain’t No Love)” and Lil Wayne’s “A Milli” featured the lyric “On some faggot bullshit: call ‘em Dennis Rodman.” In fact, throughout the discography of the best selling (and most controversial) hip-hop artist of all time, Eminem makes liberal use of the the pejorative. However, despite constant allegations of homophobia, Eminem has fervently stood by the statement that he is not homophobic and even was an advocate for gay marriage before its legalization. As he said in a 2013 interview with Rolling Stone, “That word, those kind of words, when I came up battlerappin’ or whatever, I never really equated those words to actually mean homosexual.” Many individuals agree with the sentiment that words like “faggot” are not inherently homophobic. For example, Tyler, the Creator, whose most recent album “Flower Boy” was interpreted by many as a confession of his homosexuality, has seen constant controversy for alleged homophobia based on lyrical content in his past. His debut studio album “Goblin” was filled with lines such as “I’m stabbin’ any bloggin’ faggot hipster with a Pitchfork” and “(Can we get backstage man?) No, faggot, it’s sold out.” This album, as well as every one of his studio albums to this point, also featured fellow Odd Future member Frank Ocean, who has been openly bi since 2012, a point which Tyler has cited multiple times in defense of himself. But in 2015 the U.K. went as far as banning Tyler for 3-5 years, claiming his lyrics “encouraged violence and intolerance of homosexuality.” When asked about his use

of gay slurs in an interview on The Arsenio Hall Show, Tyler responded, “When I say that word I’m not thinking of someone’s sexual orientation. It’s just another word that has no meaning.” This perspective is especially interesting when we involve other openly gay hiphop artists such as Kevin Abstract, leading member of the hip-hop boy band Brockhampton. Kevin not only publicly professes his homosexually, but makes a conscious effort to include his sexual preferences in his verses. However, he has also used homosexual slurs in lyrics; one example can be found in the track, “STUPID,” in which he says “I’m a faggot, I say it/ I scream that shit like I mean it.” In fact, according to Kevin’s Twitter, the track was originally planned to be titled “FAGGOT.” However, unlike Tyler the Creator, who received a flurry of backlash for his use of the word, Abstract appears to have a pass to use the f-slur freely. Instead of being criticized he has been praised for owning his sexuality and his clever use of it in his verses. These circumstances ring a familiar tune to the situation Toronto rapper NAV found himself in a year ago. NAV, who is of Indian descent, was heavily criticized for his use of the n-word in his lyrics, with music magazine The Fader even devoting an article to the subject titled, “Why We Can’t Give South Asian Artists Who Say The N-Word A Pass.” Tying this back to Tyler and Kevin, when Tyler uses the f-slur, it is homophobic and offensive; when Kevin says it in a verse there seems to be no issue. In both of these

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Hip-hop’s often strained relationship with the LGBT community extends further beyond Offset’s sketchy lyrics on “Boss Life.”

situations, there are inherent biases toward individuals of certain groups, whether the groups be sexual orientations or ethnicities, and whether or not it is acceptable for them to use offensive slurs. The problem with hip-hop and its culture is its non-inclusiveness. Since its days of infancy hip-hop has always been an outlet for minorities and segmented groups to express themselves through music. And while it is true that the groups it attracted in its early days were mainly ethnic minorities, the genre has branched out beyond that. Hip-hop artists now include women such as Nicki Minaj and Azealia Banks and the previously mentioned queer artists Frank Ocean and Kevin Abstract. Even popular white artists such as Eminem and

Macklemore, challenge the belief that hip-hop is something solely for minorities. So while being a genre that celebrates diversity and nonconformity, why is it that hiphop instills these biases on its artists? If the point of the genre is to offer an alternative to the thinking of the establishment, why are rappers called out for being offensive? In a 2011 interview with New Musical Express, Tyler the Creator said he used the f-slur because it “hits and hurts people.” To him, and clearly to many others, it’s a word that has an impact because it causes controversy. And that’s exactly what hip-hop itself is, controversial — constantly pushing the envelope as to what society finds acceptable — only in this conversation does it teeter to an obvious wrong. ■H

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

Women’s tennis drops conference opener; men’s tennis splits doubleheader

HIGHLANDER

HOT TAKES MLB Hall of Fame voters need to get over themselves

JON HAMMOND Senior Staff Writer

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

JONATHAN FERNANDEZ

Senior Staff Writer

UC Riverside’s women’s tennis team (1-2, 0-1) lost their opening conference match of the season to Big West rival Long Beach State (1-0), 5-2. Two of the three doubles teams were able to win their sets to give Riverside their only two points of the match. The winning doubles teams included freshman Tia

Elpusan, sophomore Sarah Kattab, senior Karla Dulay and junior Tracy Van. The Highlanders were unable to keep the momentum from the doubles matches going as they were dominated on the singles side. UCR only won one out of six sets to give Long Beach State the 5-2 victory. The only player who won their singles set was Khattab. The women’s tennis teams next match will be on on

Saturday, Feb. 3 against Cal State Fullerton. UCR’s men’s tennis team (2-2) hosted a doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 27 against Westmont University (0-1) at 11 a.m. and UC San Diego (0-2) at 3:30 p.m. The Highlanders made easy work of Westmont, winning eight of the possible nine sets to win the match 7-0. In the second match of the doubleheader UCR fell to UCSD 4-3. The Tritons took

a quick four-point lead by winning the doubles point after winning two of the three doubles matches and the first three singles matches. The Highlanders were able to win the final three singles matches, but at that point it was too little too late as the match was already decided. The men’s team’s next match will be in Las Vegas, Nevada against UNLV on Friday, Feb. 2. ■H

UCR men’s basketball program needs to follow women’s team’s example JONATHAN FERNANDEZ

Senior Staff Writer

As UCR’s men’s and women’s basketball teams approach their final eight games of the year it’s clear that the two are on very different paths and they have been for some time. The men’s basketball team (5-16) is without a permanent head coach and stumbling throughout conference play, going 0-7 through their first seven games with Interim Head Coach Justin Bell at the helm. Bell was promoted to the interim position after former Head Coach Dennis Cutts was fired on Jan. 1. The women have a similar overall record (6-15), but have upped their performance in conference play to own a 3-4 record. Both teams’ current in-conference records serve as an accurate example for what each program has been for the past 14 years with the men’s basketball team in flux, looking for their next head coach, and the women’s team being as consistent as ever. Head Coach John Margaritis has been a calming presence over the entire women’s program while also having tremendous success at UCR during his 14-year tenure. The opposite can be said for the men’s program as they have gone through coach after coach with no real success. The importance of a good head coach is something that cannot be understated, especially in college basketball where they are responsible for recruiting and developing a culture within the program. While the women’s team nailed their choice back in

2004 when they decided to give the vacant head coaching title to Margaritis — he spent 26 years coaching before coming to UCR, having led Northeastern Illinois to a NAIA Elite Eight and No. 6 national ranking in his early career — the men’s program has shuffled through six coaches in that same span, two of whom only held the position for one year. Through that same period the men’s program has only had one season where they won more than 50 percent of their games while the women’s team has had nine such seasons. The men’s program’s lone successful season came in 2008-09 with arguably the best coach the Highlanders have had (not a very high bar), Jim Wooldridge coaching the team, but he followed up his most impressive season by missing the Big West Conference Tournament the next year and left after the 201314 season to take over as Athletic Director. Margaritis on the other hand had almost instant success as soon as he joined UCR, leading the women’s program to consecutive NCAA tournament appearances in his second and third years on the job. He was also awarded the Big West Conference Coach of the Year award for the first time after the 2006-07 season in which his team finished 21-11 overall and 12-2 in conference. Margaritis again won the award in the 2015-16 season when his team was basically unstoppable and finished the year with a 23-9 record overall, and were literally unstoppable in conference finishing a perfect

16-0. Margaritis has led his team to three BWC Championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and three WNIT appearances. The men’s basketball program should look to recreate what the women’s team did back in 2004 and hire a coach who can change the entire

culture and have consistent success. While the two teams have been on completely different tracks this season and for years now, it’s time they start trying to replicate the blueprint for success set up by the women’s program which all started with the hiring of a good coach. ■H

The 2018 MLB Hall of Fame class was announced Wednesday, Jan. 24 and Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome and Trevor Hoffman were all selected to be immortalized in Cooperstown. A casual fan would call this a job well done for the voting committee, only it wasn’t, because the voters are still barring Barry Bonds and Pete Rose from the Hall of Fame in an effort to “protect the integrity of the game.” Baseball and its voters all need to get off their high horse, because in 2018 people are tired of the centuries-old attitude baseball has. Major League Baseball has approximately 1 million “unwritten rules” all of which have to do with respecting the game — not staring down batters after a home run, not staring the pitcher down after a home run, taking too long to round the bases on a homerun and my personal favorite, stealing signs. This old-head mentality is the only thing standing between two of the greatest players of all time, Bonds and Rose, and the Hall of Fame. Sure, Bonds is a known steroid user, and that is obviously against the rules. However, as Max Kellerman of ESPN put it, Bonds already had a Hall of Fame resume before he doped. More importantly than that, taking steroids does not automatically make someone hit 50-plus homers, you still have to actually make contact with the ball which isn’t easy in an era when even the pitchers were juicing. Also, let’s not forget that baseball did not start testing its players until 2003, which means Bonds’ 73 home run season cannot be proven as tainted. The bottom line is that Bonds’ career 162.4 WAR, .298 BA, 1996 RBI and 2935 hits is too amazing to let a bunch of old men who think he maybe, probably, could have cheated keep him out of the Hall of Fame. As for Rose, he leads all players in career hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,503), singles (3,215) and outs (10,328) and also has two Gold Gloves and was a 17-time All Star at five different positions. Rose never tested positive for any banned substance, nor was he ever caught using such a substance during the game, so what’s keeping him permanently ineligible from the Hall? He bet on his own games, for his own teams, to win. That alone keeps the literal greatest ball player ever out of the Hall of Fame because baseball and its writers are stuck in the 1900s. ■H

JIMMY LAI / HIGHLANDER Margaritis (above) has been a pillar of stability for the Highlanders.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

SPORTS

Men’s basketball remains Holt reaches 1,000-point milestone as winless in conference women’s basketball drops two straight JON HAMMOND Senior Staff Writer

After a three-game homestand the UCR men’s basketball team (516, 0-7) hit the road to take on UC Irvine (9-14, 4-3) on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The Highlanders were trying to notch their first conference win of the season, but that proved impossible as the they left their offense in Riverside. The Highlanders opened up the game against Irvine with their only showing of efficient offense, starting 4-6 and taking a 10-9 lead. Senior forward Alex Larsson and redshirt sophomore forward Eric Rwahwire carried the load for UCR early, scoring all 12 Highlander points together. Larsson, however, exited the game after 12 minutes due to an ankle injury sustained in the game and would not return. The loss of inside presence hampered the Highlanders on both sides of the ball, as Irvine attacked the paint and mounted a 14-1 point run. While the Anteaters were on a run, the Highlanders went 1 of 14 on all shot attempts as the first half ended with Irvine up 39-19. The second half was more of the same for both teams as the Anteaters continued to dominate while the Highlanders were unable to stop the bleeding or put together an offense. Despite exiting the game early, Larsson still led all UCR scorers with eight points. Irvine got the win 79-40. On Saturday, Jan. 27 the Highlanders looked to bounce back on their home floor as they took on UC Santa Barbara (16-5, 5-2). UCR was once again without point guard Dikymbe Martin for the fourth straight game. Larsson was also out due to the ankle injury sustained against UC Irvine and both players’ absence was felt. Of course, the hole in the lineup allowed a few other Highlanders to step up and have career nights. Redshirt senior guard Chance Murray recorded his first career double-double with 18 points and 11 assists. Senior forward Brandon Rosser pitched in a career-high 17 points for the Highlanders to back Murray up, along with a career high 10 points and four assists from freshman guard Alec Hickman. Despite all three Highlanders having career games, it wasn’t quite enough to get the win. The Gauchos led the entire game, but the Highlanders were able to keep in striking distance for most of the game. UCR was unable to muster the offense to take the lead, and the Gauchos put together a 7-0 run with seven minutes remaining to put the game away, 76-69 The Highlanders are on the road for their next two games as they take on Cal Poly on Wednesday, Jan. 31 and Hawai’i on Saturday, Feb. 7. Both matchups are the first meetings of the year for the Highlanders. ■H

Upcoming Events Lauren Holt (no. 12) joined the 1,000 point club on Jan. 25.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Wed., Jan. 31 at Cal Poly

Sat., Feb. 3 at Cal Poly

Wed., Feb. 7 at Hawai’i

Thurs., Feb. 8 vs. UC Santa Barbara @ SRC Arena 7:30 p.m.

MEN’S TENNIS

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Fri.-Sat., Feb. 2-3 at UNLV

Sat., Feb 3 vs. Cal State Fullerton @ SRC Tennis Courts 11 a.m.

*Bold Italics are home games.

Sat.-Sun., Feb. 10-11 at UNLV

JARYD BONGCARAS Contributing Writer

With fellow seniors Michelle Curry and Clemence Lefebvre sitting out with undisclosed injuries, guard Lauren Holt took charge for UC Riverside last Thursday Jan. 25, and posted a career-high 33 points, putting her just over the 1,000 career point mark. However, a shorthanded UCR (6-16, 3-5) was defeated by UC Irvine (12-8, 4-2), 81-71. Riverside remained on top for most of the opening half, though their lead never reached more than 8 points. Being within striking distance for most of the game, Irvine went on a 9-2 run late in the third quarter, taking a 5750 lead. Irvine guard Lauren Saiki connected on 10 of her 14 free throws in the final two minutes of the third quarter alone, finishing 12 of 16 from the line. It seemed like every time Riverside was close to tying the game, they’d foul an Irvine player on the other end. Even after Holt drained two consecutive threes to cut the Anteater lead to 61-58, more free throws from Saiki, as well as junior guard Morgan Green, slowed down the pace that Riverside began to pick up. With the deficit at 65-60, UCR sophomore Marina Ewodo banked in a three, bringing the Highlanders within two with just under five minutes left to play. This would end up being the closest deficit for the remainder of the game, as UCI freshman Jordan Sanders would sink two free throws moments later, contributing to the Anteater’s 14-6 run in the closing minutes to take a 79-69 lead — their largest of the fourth quarter,. Holt has now scored over 20 points in three of her last four outings, reaching a career-best of 14 consecutive games that she has scored in double figures. Holt also reached a career-

JIMMY LAI / HIGHLANDER

high at the charity stripe, shooting a perfect 8 for 8. Sophomore guard Jannon Otto had a career night from the line as well, shooting 7 of 10, just missing out on a double-double with 15 points and 9 rebounds. She also finished with four assists and a steal before fouling out late in the fourth. Free throws proved to be the difference maker for this game, as UC Irvine went 33 of 43 from the line, compared to UC Riverside going 17 of 23. Another slow start to the second half resulted in UC Riverside playing catch up for most of the second half as they fell to Hawaii (2-6, 9-12), 57-63. The Highlanders led after halftime, 31-29, but were outscored 21-9 in the third quarter. Hawaii led for the majority of the game, 32:29 to be exact, while Riverside only led for 3:23. Holt led the team in scoring again with 22 points, but struggled to shoot the three ball, going 1 for 6. These struggles from deep go for rest of the team too, as they shot an abysmal 2 of 17 from beyond the arc. Though it doesn’t really show in the final score, free throws would again be one of the major factors that decided the game. Hawaii’s Sarah Toeiana connected on 9-of-12 free throws alone, with her team shooting 22 of 33 total. This is in sharp contrast to UC Riverside only shooting 15 attempts from the line, knocking down 11. Curry still sat out this game as Lefebvre made a brief return to the court, going scoreless in her three minutes of action. The Highlanders will then head to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to try and split the season series after losing their conference opener in overtime, 82-87. The game is on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. ■H