1
Women on the cover: 1 5
6 9
2
2
3 7
10
11
4 8 12
1. Roxane Gay Writer, professor, editor, and social commentator 2. Ai-Jen Poo Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance 3. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez U.S. Representative for New York’s 14th congressional district 4. Michelle Obama Author, attorney, and former First Lady 5. Amy Tan Writer and novelist 6. Angela Davis Political activist, philosopher, academic, and author 7. Greta Thunberg Environmental activist 8. Bell Hooks Author, professor, feminist, and social activist 9. Malala Yousafzai Activist for women’s education 10. Stacey Abrams Politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author 11. Patrisse Cullors Artist, activist, and co-founder of Black Lives Matter 12. Ruth Bader Ginsberg Lawyer, jurist, and associate justice of the Supreme Court
3
22 West Magazine Team 4
Issue 87.02
March 22, 2021 www.22WestMedia.com
Letter from an Editor This month has been a heavy one, but I also write with the excitement and anticipation of the stories you will encounter in this publication.
Magazine Staff
Kaleen Luu, Editor-in-Chief editorinchief@22westmedia.com Jireh Deng, Managing Editor managingeditor@22westmedia.com Joey Abe, Art Director artdirector@22westmedia.com
Jireh Deng
We are celebrating Women’s History Month and honoring the amazing strides women have made and still have yet to go. I’m encouraged by how far we have come and will continue to grow. We also honor Cesar Chavez as a landmark civil rights organizer and someone who has fought for farmer worker’s rights and we honor that commitment towards working class issues. This month has also been one of heightened visibility of the violence towards the Asian American community. As a queer Chinese American womxn, I want to acknowledge and hold space for the eight victims who were killed in the mass shooting that claimed six Asian lives in Atlanta, Georgia. These are their names: Soon Chung Park, age 74 Hyun Jung Grant, age 51 Suncha Kim, age 69 Yong Yue, age 63 Delaina Ashley Yaun, age 33 Paul Andre Michels, age 54 Xiaojie Tan, age 49 Daoyou Feng, age 44
Disclaimer and Publication Information: 22 West Magazine is published using ad money and partial funding provided by the Associated Students, Inc. All Editorials are the opinions of their individual authors, not the magazine, ASI nor LBSU. All students are welcome and encouraged to be a part of the staff. All letters to the editor will be considered for publication. However, LBSU students will have precedence. Please include name and major for all submissions. They are subject to editing and will not be returned. Letters may or may not be edited for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and length. 22 West Magazine will publish anonymous letters, articles, editorials, and illustration, but must have your name and information attached for our records. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 500 words. 22 West Magazine assumes no responsibility, nor is it liable, for claims of its advertisers. Grievance procedures are available in the Associated Students business office.
Avery Keller, Lead Copy Editor copyeditor@22westmedia.com Hien Le, Advertising Manager advertisingmanager@22westmedia.com Matt James, 22 West Media Intern Abel Reyes, 22 West Media Intern
Contributors Andrew Ayala, Writer
Rigby Celeste, Writer & Artist Perry Continente, Writer Andres Leon, Writer Abigail Rollins, Writer Caroline Smith, Writer Daisy Velasco, Writer & Artist Nina Walker, Artist
Cover Design Volunteer Meetings Meet on Mondays at 5 p.m. Zoom ID: 859 8109 4986 Passcode: 22westmag
Contact Us
Phone: (562) 985-4867 Mail: 1212 Bellflower Blvd. Suite 112 Long Beach, CA 90815
5
Table of Contents Culture 8
Jamie Tablason: Big Screen to Big Waves The story and career of a children’s book illustrator and adjunct professor at Long Beach State University.
10 Women’s History Month
Students share the most inspiring and influential women in their lives in honor of this month’s celebration.
12 Women in Media: Not One Size Fits All
The state of women leadership in student journalism at Long Beach State University.
14 Underappreciated and Overworked at Amazon
A career with the company means ample hours and rapid promotions, but at what cost?
16 Honoring Cesar Chavez Day
A glance at the civil rights and labor movement work of Cesar Chavez, recognized on his birth date, March 31.
17 Celebrating World Water Day
Insight on the importance of water around the world.
Arts
6
18
Second Grade
19
Pocket of Flowers
A poem. A poem.
Arts
20
Quarantine Cuisine
Cooking to feed the soul. Recipe included!
Entertainment 22
Women in the Gaming Industry
24
Promising Young Women
26
Movie Review: Nomadland
28
Inspiring Podcasts Led by Women
Women make their marks in an industry traditionally dominated by men. An interview with Nina Ferriera. Meet the Women in Film Association at Long Beach State University. Chloe Zhao challenges stereotypes by capturing the humanity and desire for freedom of elderly American nomads. Recommended listening to help through challenging times.
Grunion 32
The Dating Guru’s Advice Column
34
Top 3 Quirky Holidays in March to Cure Your FOMO
Incels seek help from The Dating Guru to find success in their love lives.
An essential guide to celebrating the month’s most lively festivities!
7
Jamie Tablason: Big Screen to Big Waves by Andres Leon
The story and career of a children’s book illustrator and adjunct professor at Long Beach State University.
8
Illustration by Jamie Tablason
J
T
ablason’s success in illusamie Tablason is an adjunct career,” she said. tration is remarkable givThroughout her college career, instructor for the art departen the state of women’s ment at Long Beach State she was interested in entering the University. She teaches illus- animation industry. More specif- employment in the art industry. tration classes while also being a ically, she wanted to storyboard Fortunately, she has not faced the for movies and utilize sequential discrimination that many women children’s book illustrator. artists do today in the competitive A true kid of the '90s, Tabla- imagery for storytelling. “It wasn’t until my last semes- job market. son was raised around the Disney According to the National animated films. The first movie ter where I really started to get she saw in theaters was “The Lit- into the idea of doing children’s Museum of Women in the Arts, books,” Tabla- while women earn 70% of bachtle Mermaid” elor of fine arts and 65–75% of son said. in 1989 and “[...] went crazy The first master of fine arts degrees in the this heavily indrawing. I was the book she illus- U.S., only 46% of working artists spired her to draw anytime kid that was copying trated was an (across all arts disciplines) are o p p o r t u n i t y women. she could. She VHS covers.” “I don’t feel like I’ve experishe got through would express a friend of a enced any discrimination,” Tablaherself artistically at any given time, drawing friend, of a professor. This ex- son said. “If anything, I feel like I the Stussy S’s in her school note- perience sparked her newfound get hired on at certain companies interest in children’s illustration, because I’m a woman. I bring a books. “As a kid, I wanted to be an pulling her attention away from unique perspective, perhaps, [but] I don’t ever animator. I wanted to get into the animation the movie industry and just, went industry. “I feel like I get hired think of myself as a woman art“I just did crazy drawing,” Tablason shared. on [...] at certain ist. I’m an illus“I was the kid that was copying that one book VHS covers… just being a kid in and it kind of companies because tratorTofirst.” aspiring the ‘90s growing up with all that led to other I'm a woman.” artists in the things down pop culture.” field, Tablason Tablason attended Mayfair the road. That High School and was a part of person got [the book] self-pub- leaves her final thoughts to them. “For artists, do what you love. the newly started art academy lished on Amazon and other pubprogram where she had various lishers saw it. I’ve just been fortu- Make things you enjoy making in-depth art classes. This helped nate from that one book back in and enjoy seeing. People will appreciate that authenticity and will her get a head start with her de- the day,” Tablason said. That book was a children’s recognize that,” she said. “It’ll velopment of art skills. “I was very privileged to be story based in Hawaii and was help you form an audience and I able to go to a high school that well-received across the islands, mean that goes for anything, any had an art academy. They had being carried in several souvenir career.” digital painting classes, animation shops. Since then, she has continclasses [and] life drawing classes. ued to illustrate more books based That really helped me just go cra- around the region and a wide va- See more of Tablason's work at zy with the start of my little art riety of other children’s books. www.jamietablason.com
9
Women’s History Month Students share the most inspiring and influential women in their lives in honor of this month’s celebration.
by Kaleen Luu
M
arch is recognized globally as Women’s History Month to commemorate the contributions and achievements of women. The recognition began in 1978 as Women’s History Week and became internationally acknowledged after it evolved to a month of celebration. Women’s History Month corresponds with International Women’s Day on March 8 to celebrate how women have succeeded in cultural, political and socioeconomic ways. As an important focal point in conversation with the women’s rights movement, the declaration calls attention to ongoing issues such as reproductive rights and gender equality. In celebration of Women’s History Month, students shared the most influential women in their lives and how their strength and tenacity has impacted them.
10
Christine Nguyen, Third Year Business Finance
My cousin Jenny. “She was the first person in our family to be born in America after we fled Vietnam. As a result, she didn’t have much help or guidance from a role model that was also a first-generation child. Jenny didn’t have a perfect life growing up and went through many hardships, but she was always resilient and optimistic while she pushed through these barriers. Even from a young age, she’s always been my role model. I’m glad to have someone like her in my life who could give me great life tips from her own experience. I would not be where I am right now if it weren’t for her advice and guidance.”
Photos courtesy of students interviewed
Shay Hashemi, Third Year Finance and Accounting
My grandma. “Back before the revolution in Iran she owned one of the biggest plastic manufacturing plants in all of Iran. After the Islamic revolution they seized her business simply because she was a woman. She taught me many things about life. Most importantly, she showed me that the one thing no government, or anybody for that matter, can take away from you is your education.”
Rachel Borje, Second Year Math Education
My high school marine biology teacher, Mrs. Mackert. “She’s a total badass and taught me about all the joys about being a teacher. She had cancer during the last few years of her teaching career, but she never slacked on making awesome presentations and projects. She’s one of the many reasons I want to be a teacher and just in general, a good person.”
11
Women in Media: Not One Size Fits All The state of women leadership in student journalism at Long Beach State University.
by Matt James
Bella Arnold
Paris Barraza Kaleen Luu
A
nyone who’s read a newspaper, listened to the radio or watched cable news can tell you that the media can be as male and white as the back of a USPS delivery truck. According to a 2018 study by the Pew Research Center, 48% of American newsroom employees are both male and white. That’s in stark contrast to 34% of employees from all industries combined. However, student media at Long Beach State shows that
12
might not be the case for long. The same study also shows that this problem is less pronounced the younger those employees are in regard to gender. For newsroom employees aged 18-29, only 38% are white men compared to 56% for employees 50 and older. “It’s a matter of intersectionality. One woman from this minority community has a different experience from a woman of a different minority community,”
said Paris Barraza, arts and life editor at The Daily Forty-Niner. A woman’s experience in any industry can be drastically different depending on factors such as race, ethnicity and socioeconomic background just to name a few. While the industry is trending in a positive direction for diversity, it still has a long way to go. “It feels like two things working against me sometimes,” said Kaleen Luu, 22 West Magazine’s very own editor-in-chief. “There’s
Photos courtesy of students interviewed
definitely times where I feel like the person would respond better if I was a man, but most of the time it also feels like they would respond better if I wasn’t Asian.” Luu, 23, transferred to LBSU's journalism program in fall 2019. Studying journalism wasn’t always her plan, but an interest in creative writing drew her to the field. Luu recounted how she has sometimes been expected to be an expert on things Asian by her peers and teachers based solely on her race. According to Long Beach State Institutional Research and Analytics, 101 of the 151 undergraduate journalism students enrolled at LBSU in fall 2020 were women. Furthermore, only 15 of total enrolled journalism students were white. Unfortunately, the faculty and staff that make up LBSU's journalism department are significantly less diverse than the students they serve. While there isn’t specific data on the journalism department, white people make up nearly 57% of the college of liberal art’s full time faculty this semester according to additional data from IR&A. A quick glance at the journalism department’s faculty page is a dead giveaway that they should do more to have professors just as diverse as their students. Now in her final semester, Luu said she has been commodi-
fied and marginalized by some of her colleagues as the only Asian woman in many of the workspaces she finds herself in. “If you’re reaching out to me only when it’s Asian American History Month, then you’re not really diverse because you’re only using me as a headline,” Luu said. “If you’re pulling me aside to take a picture with me to show that your publication is diverse, you’re not really diverse either.” For Bella Arnold, assistant online editor at Dig Magazine, just finding a role model that looked like her was a challenge when she decided to study journalism, but that didn’t deter her. “I didn’t have a lot of Latina
“[...] older white men, who don't think I have a stake in what's being discussed.” journalist inspirations, which was really disheartening and another reason why I wanted to become a journalist,” Arnold said. “I do enter a lot of places with older people, and older white men, who don’t think I have a stake in what’s being discussed.” The 19-year-old journalism student was motivated not only by a lack of representation in the media, but also as a way to fight
back against inhumane immigration practices put in place by the Trump administration. For some, pursuing a career in journalism is a long-time dream. For Arnold, it’s also a way to fight back against injustice. “Having the confidence to say things in meetings and run news rooms and lead projects, I had a hard time because I was just the young girl who didn’t know anything about the world to a lot of people, ” Arnold said. No woman is just a woman. Oftentimes, more than one part of their identity plays a part in how the rest of the world sees them; women of color have a vastly different experience than their white counterparts. Unfortunately, when someone is willing to discriminate against someone based on their sex, it shouldn’t be too surprising to find that race-based discrimination isn’t too far behind. While it is important to have women in leadership roles, it’s just as important for those women to be as diverse as the communities and topics they report on. Not just women, but women of color, are sorely needed in the journalism industry. “We need to recognize it’s not just ‘let’s put a woman in this leadership position,’” said Barraza. “ We should be thinking about different backgrounds [and] different walks of life.”
13
Underappreciated and Overworked at Amazon A career with the company means ample hours and rapid promotions, but at what cost?
by Anonymous
was listening to my every anxious thought because when I looked at my screen, an email appeared. I double-tapped on the link, applied, and within 20 minutes I was instructed to take a drug test and submit legal documentation the next day. After two weeks, I was ready for my first day of working for Jeff Bezos, the richest man in the world. I went to bed at 6:30 p.m. and woke up at 2:30 a.m. I brushed my teeth, kept on the black sweats and hoodie that I slept in and drove to the warehouse, five minutes away from my house.
I A
fter the pandemic hit this time last year, I was furloughed from both of my jobs in Long Beach and forced to move back to the small city that drove me away from my family three years ago. I was 23, unemployed and still in college when I moved back into the room I lived in when I was a child, except the house had become my dad’s man-cave filled
14
with weird paintings of fish bolted to the tan walls. One day I was resting, laid flat on my back as I dozed off while staring at the white ceiling when out of nowhere my phone vibrated by my side. “Amazon Warehouse Associate: New Station Launching!! Start pay $17.25, hiring immediately!!” It was almost like Amazon
walked up to the giant sign that lit up the black sky that read “Amazon Logistics.” I was welcomed by an overly happy team at the entrance, where I got my temperature checked and received a badge and an orange vest. We spent hours watching training videos in the breakroom, filled with balloons and sugary treats, took a tour around the warehouse surrounded by conveyor belts, and were introduced to our managers who were running on only a couple hours of sleep and gallons of coffee. Within the first week I was five pounds lighter from the 8 a.m. lunches, heavy lifting and the 20,000 steps I walked each shift. Every day was the same: start at 3 a.m., unload and sort packages for five hours straight, one and a half hour of prepping routes for Graphic design by Joey Abe
the delivery drivers, and one more passed by the managers. We with Amazon, I moved up again hour of cleaning up for the next were pressured to work six days to Process Assistant, one step day. below Manager, for a different in a row every week during peak After a month, the station season and had our schedules department. This time I got a flumanagers noticed my hard work changed from early morning to orescent yellow vest with orange and wanted to promote me to late night shifts with only a day trim and was making a dollar Ambassador. The job of an Am- notice. We were told we would more than the average Associate. bassador meant that I would wear be given assistance, but never This position is better than the a bright yellow vest with blue received it during the holiday others, but this is where my climb trim, no longer be a “box pusher,” season, when we up the ladder as my manager liked to call us, single-handed- “The floor managers ends. run the assembly line and when- ly trained more I underthat loved me [...] stand that, ever they needed it; I would train than 200 seaa class of new hires. is how sonal workers in now resented me as a “This I was excited that I was mov- two months. We it works in the ing up fast, and was given more begged them to full-time trainer.” real world,” as responsibilities, but with a lot stop hiring peomy dad always more pressure and being scold- ple that they would just end tells me, but I loathe my job. I ed for making mistakes that I up letting go anyways, but they hate the feeling of being a part of shouldn’t have gotten the oppor- didn’t listen. a cult where I have to please the tunity to make in the first place. minions that work under Bezos, I noticed fast that if you Since I was being compensated as were not useful, they didn’t care who treat him as a savior for supan associate, I started to regret my about you. They often corrected plying jobs during a time of desdecision to put the blue vest on. me in front of my class, blamed peration and global fear fueled by I moved up again with- me for the low rates of associthe pandemic, when in reality he in a couple weeks and became a ates and mocked me by asking is benefiting the most from CoroLearning Coordinator. I trained a “What do you even do here?” navirus. class every day, There has to be more to life As much tracked the perthan this cycle where the wealthhate the “We were told we aswayI they formances of iest men on the planet sit pretty treat would be given the station and on their cash thrones, while the me, I know took an emoones who depend on them week anger assistance, but never their tional beating to week, are breaking their backs stems from from my peers building the empire they don’t get the same isreceived it...” for just 65 cents any part of. While Bezos added sue of workmore an hour. The floor managers ing tirelessly without being $1 trillion to his wealth in 2020, that loved me as a “box pusher,” recognized or the appropriate in contrast, according to the Sonow resented me as a full-time amount of compensation. Unciety for Human Resource Mantrainer. less you are a tier five employee, agement, U.S. workers have lost For four months, I was paired or run a whole department, you more than $1.3 trillion in income. up with two others who shared are making chump change just As much as I hate Amazon, the same title as me. We all en- like the rest of us. I can’t leave and my managers dured the constant scoffs as we know it too. After five months of being
15
Honoring Cesar Chavez Day A glance at the civil rights and labor movement work of Cesar Chavez, recognized annually on his birth date, March 31.
by Abel Reyes
C
esar Chavez, one of the most identifiable activists, was not an especially gifted orator. However, he showed that the best way to convey thought was through action. When the time of public speaking came for him, Chavez chose a simple and direct way to speak to attract an outcome. He left school to become a full-time farm laborer to help support his family, only finishing up to junior high at the time. As an adult, Chavez started
16
to work for community service engagements. His work for the National Farm Workers Association made public speaking essential for him. He gave a speech that demonstrated the values of religion and the role of the Catholic church in the lives of Mexican-Americans. Chavez realized that the religious community could help the farm workers movement. Taking from his own experiences, he communicated the familiarity of struggle between that of Catho-
lics and of migrant workers. He realized that his work went beyond farm workers. Around this time, the now-titled United Farm Workers of America was having a massive decline in financial support. It was through his empowering speech that reassured the UFW movement would not go unnoticed. From “Peril of Pesticides Address to Pacific Lutheran Church,” 1989: “The U.F.W. has always had to be something more than a union. Because our people are so poor. Because the color of our skin is dark. Because we often don’t speak the language. Because the discrimination, the racism and the social dilemmas we confront transcend mere economic need. What good does it do to achieve the blessings of collective bargaining and make economic progress for people when their health is destroyed in the process?” Throughout Chavez’s lifetime, he advocated for improvements in labor regulations. At the time of his death, he was campaigning about the dangerous use of pesticides and how it was poisoning farm workers and causing birth defects. Chavez died in 1993 at the age of 66 and his birth date, March 31, is recognized as Cesar Chavez Day. His life’s legacy and work continues on.
Photo by Cathy Murphy | Edit by Joey Abe
Celebrating World Water Day Since 1993, the United Nations has observed March 22 as World Water Day to call attention to climate change and the global water crisis.
by Daisy Velasco
W
orld Water Day is a celebration to raise awareness towards the global water crisis, climate change and sustainable freshwater. This year, their website (www.worldwaterday.org) asked individuals to share what water means to them on social media. Members who are part of the event write posts to teach the importance of how water is used in our daily ecosystem. Earth’s surface is 71% water which creates resources for terrestrial plants. These plants, along with agriculture, are the greatest water consumers because they require energy and nutrients to grow. Water is essential to our food cycle and integral to our survival. The surface of the Earth primarily being made of water also Illustration by Daisy Velasco
drinking water. The ocean helps transport tanks of clean water across the globe and World Water Day works with organizations to assist areas that lack a source of water. Water is an essential element to our existence. It can also maintain a peaceful atmosphere and connection to oneself. By meditating and listening to the movement of water, the spirit and mind is relaxed. According to Explore Health, the sound of water triggers a response that increases blood flow to our brain, which can reduce stress, anxiety and depression. benefits the marine biosphere. World Water Day is a day to The sea is home to thousands of act and raise awareness. Accordspecies and plants that breathe ing to Tsunami Products, over 20 and grow underwater. Howev- cities are dealing with the lack of er, climate change has negatively water sources. affected the sea-surface temperaIn 2018, Cape Town, South tures. The increase of ocean acidi- Africa placed a water restriction ty makes it difficult for certain or- that allowed only 50 liters per ganisms to grow person. Al“The sound of water and repopulate. though the reAnimals are begion is supplied [...] can reduce ing harmed and by six dams, stress, anxiety and they have been the coral reefs are also slowly dealing with a depression.” disappearing. drought due to The production of water is the rising global temperature. utilized in water infrastructure, World Water Day is a day to sanitation and health services. educate yourself the global water Water infrastructure filters water crisis. A few suggestions on how to be released where it is needed people can make a difference is by the most and sanitation is used as taking shorter showers and relaya provision for people to main- ing water conservation informatain a hygienic environment for tion to their community.
17
Second Grade by Kaleen Luu To my second grade teacher, Ms. Ana Ardon, for allowing me to embrace my passions and for endless amounts of love, courage and encouragement. The most inspiring woman I’ve met, thank you for helping me realize the beauty in books and for going above and beyond. I push the elevator button to my life and count down Take me back to seven and second grade, with recess and reading time. We swung so freely, Balls beating the pavement: no bawling in the bedroom Skipping rope instead of skipping meals Erase those etched outlines this is my sidewalk chalk of dreams My favorite teacher, She smelled like honey and flowers Love isn’t only in fiction She gave me the gift of Junie B. now I wonder who I want to be The elevator dings door Agape it left her somewhere Her scent lingers I get on anyway my story isn’t over yet I push the button.
18
Illustration by Kaleen Luu
Pocket of Flowers by Rigby Celeste Hyacinths: Balloon columns in ink God stippled on strokes of watercolor green. Lilies: Umber & gold grown wild. Palid beneath grocery glass, bulbs tip stalks like round fawn knees. Roses: What oppressor did empress slay to stain your kisses carmine? Windflowers: A martyr for our families’ jubilee, crushed beneath eager cousins feet & scooter wheels dirty pink. Mums: Fireworks which remind me of a time I didn’t fear the words “I love you”. Hydrangeas: Our front porch garden barren, a husband’s promise broken.
Illustration by Nina Walker
19
Quarantine Cuisine Cooking to feed the soul.
by Perry Continente
A
s we drag ourselves into a second year of this interminable purgatory, it is easier than ever to slip into an unhealthy and uninteresting routine. Some of the most insidious enablers are the plethora of food delivery apps. What could be more tempting than having a McFlurry only a few clicks away? They certainly had a soporific effect on me, I spent a lot of money on honestly terrible food. Why pay $8 for a meal at the store when I can just stay home and pay $16 plus tip? One of the best ways to break out of this culinary monotony is to start pushing the bounds
20
of your palate. Maybe try a new restaurant, order something you never had, or best of all, cook something new. It doesn’t have to be labor intensive or exorbitantly expensive, there are several little things you can do to punch up common and inexpensive ingredients. Cooking is ultimately about transformation, it is taking the component parts of a dish and synthesizing them into something far better than they normally would be. For example, almost every component part of a cake tastes terrible. I would never eat flour, baking powder, raw eggs or cocoa powder by themselves,
but given the proper mixing, time and heat they make something extremely palatable. Think of learning new recipes less as hard and fast rules, and more as processes, like a new shade of paint on your palate. The following recipe features many of my favorite processes without getting too technical. This is far from beef wellington, but it is quick, inexpensive, tasty and versatile. This recipe only needs a skillet, a baking sheet and an oven. If you don’t have an oven but do have a hot plate, the pasta portion of the recipe is still totally doable.
Photo by Perry Continente
Elevated pasta and vegetables Ingredients: For vegetables: 3-4 strips of thick cut bacon ½ pound brussels sprouts cut in half or quarters depending on size Olive oil Salt and pepper Smoked paprika (recommended but can be omitted or changed easily) For pasta: 8 oz dried pasta, fettuccini recommended 2 cups of pasta sauce ½ pound of sausage, preferably spicy but anything will do. ½ yellow onion 3 cloves of garlic, chopped Process: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. While the oven is heating up, rinse and prepare your sprouts. Toss them with olive oil, salt, spices and pepper and arrange them on a foil-lined baking sheet with the flat side up. This helps them get that characteristic crunch. Cut the bacon into bite sized pieces and place on top of the sprouts. This causes the bacon to deeply flavor the vegetables. Place into the oven for 25 to 35 minutes; baking here helps the flavors intermingle and prevents the vegetables from becoming mushy and unpalatable. While your vegetables are baking, take your ground sausage out of its casing if it has one and cook it on medium high heat in a skillet with a dash of olive oil. This promotes browning of the meat which creates a more complex overall flavor. When your meat is properly browned, this should take 3-5 minutes, remove it from the skillet, lower the heat to medium, and add your ½ diced onion. Cook this for 5-8 minutes stirring occasionally. This begins to caramelize the onions, ultimately adding a deep complex sweetness to the sauce. After the onions have taken on a brown color, add your minced garlic and stir in, continue to cook for 3-5 minutes. At this point it should start to smell amazing. Add the sauce and meat back to the pan and turn the heat down to medium low and stir well. Cook for 3 minutes then turn the heat down to low. Cook your pasta for 2 minutes less than the package recommends, add them to the sauce and toss to combine. I like to plate this simply, with my plate split roughly 50/50 between pasta and vegetables. This is ultimately a simple dish that is elevated by improving inexpensive and common ingredients, a flexible recipe that is much more than the sum of its parts.
21
Women in the Gaming Industry Women make their marks in an industry traditionally dominated by men. An interview with Nina Ferriera.
by Andrew Ayala
W
omen are continuing to constantly break barriers in the video game industry. Whether they are successful streamers, competitors or developers, women are continuously opening doors for proper representation in a field that was once dominated by men. Newzoo.com, provider of games and esports analytics, says that women make up 46% of gamers in the U.S. Their research says that 36% of women gamers are time-filler gamers who play when they have time to spare or at social events. Long Beach State University, like many other colleges across the
22
U.S., has an esports club with many women who are members.
T
hird year kinesiology and exercise science major Nina Ferriera has a passion for video games and likes to play when she has free time. “I used to watch my brother play when I was little because my hands weren’t big enough to hold the controller yet. I’d just watch him play with his friends and would think ‘that looks like so much fun, he’s always laughing and having a good time,’” she said. “Soon enough, I got sucked in and started playing
and now I can’t stop.” Ferriera admitted she doesn’t keep up with too many streamers but does watch Pokimane at times because she can be entertaining. Although Ferriera doesn’t stream as often as she likes due to a busy schedule filled with work and school, when she can, she live streams her favorite game “Rocket League.” For now, her intentions with streaming are to entertain herself and others. In the future, she says it would be “awesome” to eventually become someone who competes or streams for a living. The issue is keeping up with those who have the time to conImage capture by Andrew Ayala
stantly practice and broadcast live. If her following continues to grow she feels she has the potential to become a big-time streamer who promotes representation for women in the industry.
the man has a full and proper ing with her team and someone suit of armor. shouting, “Is that a gamer girl?” Ferriera says that she always Hearing statements like that shut plays the male protagonist be- her off and make her not really cause of the over-sexualization want to talk anymore. that comes with choosing a “From what I have seen, there woman character. In her experi- are women who sexualize themlobalWebIndex, an audi- ence, that wasn’t limited to the selves to try and make money that ence targeting company character’s base form. Even the way,’’ she said, “[but] I have a lot that provides audience armor upgrades seemed flimsy of fun with my friends and think insight, said that in 2019, 35% of and unsatisfying. we’re really funny, so I just want Twitch’s users were female. This In a few other games how- to try and spread that joy to other was a signifever, such people.” icant change tiAlthough some barriers have “Whenever I play astles some considering from the been broken, there is still much online, I'm almost “ P o k e m o n ” progress that needs to be made. that just two years prior, only and “Assas“If [women] started talking afraid to talk in the 18.5% of users sin’s Creed” more in-game, then it would on the platform series, make make that ‘Is that a gamer girl?’” game...” were female. women char- joke less common,” she said. “I think it’s cool for people acters look good without the In addition, with more and like me who have only seen men over-sexualization and stereo- more women competing in proplay and dominate the industry types. fessional games and pursuing to see other girl streamers and S o m e careers in the “I started to think professional players. It can bring thing Ferriera industry, Ferriup other women and make them brought up that that it's something era believes the feel like, ‘Oh I can do that,’” said has produced playing field girls weren't Ferriera. “It always seemed like a issues for her in will finally level guy's game. That’s almost why I the past is men out in terms of supposed to do.” didn’t start playing and I would completely losrepresentation. just watch him. I started to think ing their cool and acting like “I think if we keep pushing that it’s something girls weren’t children as soon as they hear her we can eventually make it more supposed to do.” voice via game chat. of a norm for girls to be in the Characters in video games “Whenever I play online, games and in turn, break down can also be an issue when it comes I'm almost afraid to talk in the some of the barriers that are still down to the proper representa- game if I’m not in a group of up,” Ferriera said. tion of women. There are count- friends, or if I’m playing solo,” less instances where players can she said. Watch Nina Ferriera play games choose either a man or woman for “Valorant” is a first-person like “Rocket League” and “Valorant” their character, and the woman is shooter where she has had many at twitch.tv/EliteEliminator4. wearing little-to-nothing while instances of her communicat-
G
23
Promising Young Women Meet the Women in Film Association at Long Beach State University.
by Caroline Smith
A
s much as I love film, it gets frustrating to see that the industry does not often love or respect my fellow women and I back. The film industry is not kind to women. On the screen she is a sexualized mass of misogynistic tropes. Behind the camera, her work goes un-awarded and un-celebrated in favor of her male counterparts. And in the field, her work is constantly considered second best and she is lucky to have a career.
24
At LBSU, members of the Women In Film Association are working to combat the patriarchy and oppression towards underrepresented groups in film by building a supportive community of motivated students. Under normal circumstances, the club empowers its members with knowledge and hands-on experience through camera, grip, and lighting workshops. Now, virtual meetings have shifted to include discussions on tropes and representation and
guest speakers like cinematographer Chloe Weaver and production manager and producer Julie M. Anderson. When school gets stressful, meetings involve watching short films and talking about mental health. Vice President Jessica Scott would like to clarify that even though it’s called Women In Film, “People should know it's not exclusive to only people who identify as female, we use it more as a tagline for branding. But really it has evolved to encompassing Image capture by Caroline Smith
everyone of any gender. Everyone is welcome,” Scott said. Majors also range from film to business, but everyone is interested in the silver screen.
can pull a “Christmas Story” and is pleasurable,” said Cota. “But replace a female character with a we don't talk enough about sexy lamp without much changhow it tends to [sexualize] the ing, you’re not treating women as extremely young. There is a tenpeople. dency to fetishize innocence Ultimately, that’s what motibecause the camera is doing all hen asked about the this work where the character vates many WIF members. They obvious ways wom- might not even see the same old “Here you make en are discriminated be in a sexual disrespect on against in the film industry, Pres- moment.” screen and say, connections with “F*** that, we ident Victoria Cota said, “Behind The conthe camera there is a severe lack stant mis-replike-minded people can do better.” of representers. We talk about resentation of As for how who will make you lack of representation on screen, women the association and which is important, but we need girls in film is helping memmore confident.” people behind the camera for has long lastbers to achieve there to be accurate representa- ing effects on how they perceive their ambitions, Scott explains, tion. Not a lot has changed for themselves, and it gets exhaust“Everyone will tell you that film the past 40 years, there’s not a lot ing. Once you notice the patin general is all about making of women behind the camera.” connections. terns and tropes, it’s all you see. When women and underrepHere you make connections Well what do women want? resented groups are written and “As a woman of color, with like-minded people who directed by men, you get tropes there’s not enough fun roles for will make you more confident in like the “manyourself and abilities as a filmus. I’d like to ic pixie dream maker and as an underrepresentsee a woman “[The Women in girl” and the ed person in the industry.” of color as the “final girl,” Be- Film Association is] lead in a romIt’s about the support system, chdel Test failthe community that makes opcom,” Cota ures, and the not exclusive to only said. portunities, and the sisterhood e v e r - p r e s e n t people who identify made along the way. “I think male gaze. that there as female.” In WIF, should be there is an efThe Women In Film Association more angry fort to look deeper at these tropes women,” she continues. “We meets Fridays 6 to 7 p.m. and patterns and understand what get antihero men all the time, I Follow on Instagram @csulbwif. is at the root of them. want to relate to a woman like “There is the literal male gaze that psychologically. I also want where the woman is sexualized to see women and their fun hiand the camera favors her body. jinks, like the guys get in high We see a woman changing, the school comedies. Films like camera pans up her legs, goes “Booksmart”, girls being girls.” up her body, and it's normalized. Basically, women are tired Culturally, it is what is sexy, what of being objects in film. If you
W
25
Movie Review: Nomadland Chloe Zhao challenges stereotypes by capturing the humanity and desire for freedom of elderly American nomads.
by Jireh Deng
O
n YouTube, one can find hundreds of videos where millennials living the RV or van life proudly display how they live off the grid and on the road. Chloe Zhao chooses instead to display another aspect of nomadic life behind the camera as she directed “Nomadland,” in which she received the title of first woman of color to have won a Golden Globe for directing.
26
The film itself is intimate and humble as it follows Fern, an elderly American, who is living in her van and grieving the death of her husband after being displaced when a US Gypsum plant closes in Empire, Nevada. We first see Fern grasping an heirloom plate at a storage unit with her belongings and then working a series of jobs including an Amazon warehouse, a restaurant, and camp host.
While the film is avoidant of political themes, the story and themes exist in a larger context of capitalism, and the unique struggles faced by those who don’t fall neatly into the category of “homeless.” Many of her peers are older Americans who are unable to subsist off just social security benefits. The film itself is a closer look at a part of the American population that has been neglected and
Photo by Joshua Richards/Searchlight Pictures
forgotten at times: the members of the baby boomer generation that is not being caught by the created social safety nets.
W
hen we are perhaps thinking of the urgency of youth synonymous with a desire to buck the system and be free, this is exactly what Fern and many of her elderly peers want for themselves. Swankie, another elderly nomad, is dying of cancer with only a few more months to live. Swankie wants to make a pilgrimage up to Alaska to make some final memories, refusing to spend the last of her days dying in a hospital. Instead of relying on cliches of pitying the less fortunate, Zhao centers how these characters strive towards autonomy in a world of oftentimes limited and scarce choices. Fern herself is offered two opportunities to settle down in a comfortable sedentary life with her sister and then with the affluent family of a fellow nomad, David. She ultimately turns down these living situations and we sense that Fern has a restless spirit in her. Throughout the film, we see the large expanses of the wilderness of the desert and Fern’s attraction to the freedom of the road. In one scene, she rests naked, floating in a stream, and in another, she shouts her own name into the surrounding woods atop
a rock. Fern chooses this lifestyle for herself and perhaps the film’s strongest closing is when we see her return to seasonal work with Amazon again. She visits the former home she shared with her late husband and releases the items she held in storage before hitting the road once more. It’s a moment of release and freedom for Fern who has come to accept that this is the lifestyle she thrives in.
O
and her comrades face in the daily in flat tires and improvising toilet plumbing. Perhaps what lends the heightened sense of reality is how Zhao chose to weave real-life individuals on the road including Swankie, who is a real nomad who plays herself in the film. I’m drawn to the authenticity of these characters in their peripatetic lifestyles. The story challenges the constraint of Generation Z’s perceptions of the baby boomer generation as popularized through catchphrases like “Ok boomer;” seeing older Americans as a stubborn sore spot in the new demographic and political shift in the country. Zhao essentializes and captures the essence of the tenacity and adaptability of the human spirit of these elderly nomads in this tour de force film never shying away from the grittiness of reality.
n the humble budget of $5 million, in comparison to the $200 million for Zhao’s next Marvel blockbuster film “The Eternals,” the simplicity of “Nomadland” rests so firmly in the realist imaginary that at times I remind myself over again this is a fictional film based off a journalistic non-fiction book and not a documentary. Her prowess as director, writer and editor shows how her creative energy funneled a gentle touch in which her presence is so quiet, the Nomadland is now playing in audience is allowed to sit with the theaters and streaming on Hulu. mundane and the struggles Fern
27
Inspiring Podcasts Led by Women Recommended listening to help through challenging times.
by Rigby Celeste
L
ate August last year I was dumped by a 22 year-old boy I thought was the love of my life. I suddenly had a ton of alone time, and I dedicated most of it to overthinking every conversation we ever had. I tried to watch TV, listen to music, read a book, anything, but all that content inevitably walked back to the topic of romance. The word “love” was enough to make me dry heave. It took me
28
about two months but I ended up finding two solid pieces of media that were so focused it drowned out my thoughts without romanticising anything. The first was the HBO series “Succession”, which I highly recommend. The second was podcasts. The sound of people’s voices are noisy enough that it takes my attention away from myself, and they’re often so niche that
no one brings up anything to do with love. I drowned myself in podcasts about pop culture, makeup, movies, and social justice. I wanted to share the magic of podcasts with you and curated this list of shows hosted by women in honor of Women's Month. Hopefully, the sound of these ladies’ voices will drown out any overthinking you’ve been doing after midterm season.
“You Down?”
“Polyester”
I discovered “You Down?” this month in search of strong podcasts, expecting to listen to an episode or two then move on. I’ve since dropped my favorite series in favor of my four new best friends, the self-described “Obama’s Other Daughters”: Ashley Holstons, Shakira Janai, Yazmin Monet Watkins, and Maame-Yaa Aforo. Every episode the girls drop a topic and dig in with fresh and relatable takes. They have covered topics from roommates to cults to colorism. But their range is not what makes the show work; it’s their chemistry. Each time you listen you are drawn in to a set of funny and self-assured women that make you feel like part of the crew. I find myself chiming in with the hosts like, “I know right?”. Any episode will brighten the mood when you’re alone and without demanding too much attention, so it’s great to pop on while cooking or cleaning. Do yourself a favor and give them a listen this spring cleaning season!
“Polyester” is a London-based publication that aims “to bridge the gap of URL cyberfeminism with the IRL world.” The zine itself is subscription based, but their podcast is entirely free and entirely wonderful. The two hosts, Ione Gamble and Olivia Graham, get together and chat up feminist issues and solutions every other week in “The Sleepover Club.” In the weeks between, they invite successful women to talk about one thing she’s obsessed with that has nothing to do with her work. Each conversation always hits on something I’ve felt but couldn’t articulate. I always walk away with something new, and I often feel like a better activist after hearing their perspective. Plus, their accents are super fun! I’ve “defo” picked up British and Australian phrases from the hosts. Give it a listen and support a small publication!
29
“The Bechdel Cast” is technically a feminist film podcast, but I consider it the epitome of a comedy podcast. Hosts Caitlyn Durante and Jamie Loftus examine popular films from an intersectional feminist lens. They use the Bechdel test as a jumping off point for a discussion about the socio-political implications of your favorite films. Both women are talented comedians with a clean and kind sense of humor that always hits. The premise sounds intellectually heavy, but their sense of humor makes every conversation engaging and inviting. If you’re into movies at all you have to give it a chance!
“The Bechdel Cast”
“What'sHerName” 30
BONUS POD ALERT! Not into films, but big into social justice? Check out Jamie Loftus’ 10-episode deep dive on Vladimir Nabikov’s “Lolita.” Simply titled “Lolita Podcast,” Loftus examines the novel for its underlying social content and how all following adaptations totally got it wrong. This podcast is much heavier and explores issues of sexual abuse, so trigger warning for content.
“What’sHerName” is another new podcast I found, but it excites the deepest part of me. Each episode, Dr. Katie Nelson and Olivia Meikle tell the stories of fantastic women in history that have been overlooked until now. And, yes, you read that right, doctor! This is not at all a casual podcast like the other four. Each episode is a well-produced retelling of real stories about spectacular women, complete with sound effects and background music. Both hosts bring in relevant sources and guests to celebrate each woman’s history. Best of all, the podcast is deeply calming. I consider it a sort of lyrical, informative ASMR. Listening to it makes me feel like I’m engaging in something from PBS when I was a kid. Big Mister Roger vibes. With midterms nearing their close, relax your spirit and expand your knowledge with “What’sHerName!”
Are you into makeup? Britney Spears? Sugar-free gummy bears? Do you consider “hot girl shit” eating tinned fish and ordering oat-milk lattes? Meet Esther Povitsky and Caroline Goldfarb, two best friend food & beauty gurus. Originally a beauty podcast between two Hollywood friends, this podcast encourages you to indulge in your teenage dream life. Their episodes have been running since around 2018, but they had a big hiatus until lockdown. Since then, their content has had a glow up of their own. This year, they’re talking a lot about food and the glitziest forms of self-care. “Glowing Up” is like an Eat, Buy, Gab of the book “Eat, Pray, Love.” Check it out, ‘cause sometimes it's good to indulge in your inner hot girl.
“Glowing Up”
Graphic by Jireh Deng
BONUS POD ALERT! Both hosts have their own podcasts. Caroline deep dives into Jeremy Renner’s strangely-discontinued app, Jeremy Renner Official, in “The Renner Files.” Esther has a self-led podcast, “Esther Club,” where she discusses her favorite foods in lists of five-ish and mental health pro-tips to fight sadness in lockdown.
31
The Dating Guru's Advice Column Incels seek help from The Dating Guru to find success in their love lives.
by Paperman
32
Illustration by Nina Walker
Hello Dating Guru, I am writing to you because I am struggling to hit it off with women. I have been told that my fashion sense is the issue by many online forums but they don't seem to get it. How else will I show them my sense of humor without my ‘Pickle Rick’ tees paired with my cargo shorts and a fedora? Signed, a keyboard warrior Dear keyboard warrior, Invest in some jeans and a flannel, I don't think using your fashion as a hail mary for your unique humor is worth it. Burn the ‘Pickle Rick’ shirt. Sincerely, Dating Guru
What's up Dating Guru, I keep trying to show my dates my favorite film, “Pulp Fiction.” As it turns out, they don't want to watch it, costing me the relationship! How else will they appreciate this piece of art with me if they are not able to truly absorb this work's essence? How do I find a woman that will appreciate this special film? Best, an obnoxious film buff Dear obnoxious film buff, Are you on a date with Samuel L. Jackson or the woman? Maybe consider reevaluating where your interest is and show a different movie. Sincerely, Dating Guru
Greetings Dating Guru, Help! I've been following the YouTube web series, “How to become THE ALPHA MALE,” for months now and one of the suggestions is to only shower once a week. Now that I feel in touch with my primal self, my pheromones should be attracting the ladies but to no avail, they all wince whenever I enter a room! What should I do?
Good day Dating Guru, I'm writing this as an inquiry for help from my dearest dating guru. I don't quite understand my situation because each time I greet a lady with “Good day, M’lady.” It seems as if every time I attempt to impress a lady, I am met with laughter and boisterous ridicule. Are classic gentlemen not meant for this world anymore?
Yours, the noxious gentleman
Regards, a dastardly gentleman
Dear noxious gentleman, For the love of all things held sacred, not showering would be a spit in the face of human development. Sincerely, Dating Guru
Dear dastardly gentleman, I would heavily suggest investing in a modern day thesaurus and throwing out the 1700s edition that you seem to have. Sincerely, Dating Guru
33
Top 3 Quirky Holidays in March to Cure Your FOMO March Madness is the plethora of ways you can celebrate this month. The big holiday season is far behind us, and though winter is beginning to thaw and herd immunity is on the horizon, it’s hard not to miss the warmth of friends, family and life-threatening fevers. Whether you just have a hankering for a second dose of COVID or you’re looking to wipe out the last of the elder population, this essential holiday guide is sure to liven up your March.
by Holly Day
34
Illustration by Nina Walker
National No Smoking Day MARCH 10
It’s 2021 and high time we get serious about smoking. This year, buy up all the cigarettes from your corner liquor store and dump them into the ocean. Remember to take a picture and post it to Instagram along with a caption explaining how it is a hard-hitting metaphor for how five minutes of nicotine can mean you’ll be sleeping with the fishes five years sooner. Don’t think we’ve forgotten about the children. It’s no secret that the key to tobacco prevention is to start young. It’s also no secret that programs like DARE have categorically failed in scaring kids enough about lung cancer. We need to cut out the bureaucrats and taxpayer dollars from this equation and take matters into our own hands. You can make a difference this holiday and you need not go further than your local playground. Offer kids a drag, show them pictures of black lungs, and push them down the slide– the trauma will stick with them longer than the tar in their lungs.
National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day
National Flower Day MARCH 21
With over 500,000 deaths from COVID-19, American Funeral directors and morticians have been up to their eyeballs in formaldehyde and crematory smoke.
In between fires, rising annual temperatures, and a dry winter, this year’s Superbloom is shaping up to be a Superbummer. For the influencers and online daters of our community, this is heartbreaking news. But don’t lose hope! MidMarch storms are sure to bring at least some blossoms to the side of our county’s finest freeways.
This holiday, show your local funeral home you love them and all they do for your community.
Simply pull over, throw on your hazards, and get ready to become the most majestic bitch on the 405.
Pay it forward with a memento mori they can look to for the rest of their days. In lieu of flowers, make them their own grave!
Worried about crowds cramping your style? Step off the beaten path and make your own! Pack a glitter bomb and some spray paint to really make your desire trail unique to you. And, of course, bring along your friend with the best camera to snap as many pics as possible. We may not have a bright future, but you can make yourself and what little flora we have immortal in digital images in the data sphere.
MARCH 11
What better way to get to know your local death workers than chatting them up about their own corpse plans? Ditch the masks and show up in person for that extra special touch and they will be OMG literally dead.
35
36
