The Corsair-Volume 124- Issue 2 (Fall 2022)

CONTENT

News | pg. 3

Photo Story | pg 4-5

Arts & Entertainment | pg. 6

Culture | 7-8

Opinion | pg. 9

Sports | pg. 10

EDITORIAL STAFF

Katheryne Menendez | Editor-in-Chief Jackson Tammariello | Managing Editor

Marlene Herrera | News Editor

Michael Zavala | Culture Editor

Sosana Shelah | Opinion Editor

Anna Sophia Moltke | Photo Editor

Sasha Funes | Sports Editor

Aaliyah Sosa | Arts & Entertainment Editor

Ee Lin Tsen | Multimedia Editor Anna Moricz | Multimedia Editor

Neil O'Loughlin | Design Editor

Cecil Alsanussi | Design Editor

Madison Piker | Social Media Editor

Brittney Ornelas | Social Media Editor

Timothy Lewis | Copy Editor

Anthony Clingerman | Copy Editor

Conor Heeley | Copy Editor

Andrea Marcy | Digital Editor

CORSAIR STAFF

| Caylo Seals | Tyler Simms | Nick McCall | Jamie Addison | Omar Pablo | Ethan Swope | Reis Nova kovic | Danilo Perez | Otis Vega | Tara Burrows | Co rey Fishwick | Guadalupe Perez | Rebecca Hogan | Lucian Polk | Kerrington Dillon | Jakob Walther | Emma Krul | Eva-Love Jopanda | Deshawn Pouper | Khadija Bellaftouh | Saige Washington | Brian Saurin | MyDari Baker | Richard Mendez | Drew Andersen | Kandy Barba-Downs | Josh Hogan | Brian Dockins |

FACULTY ADVISORS

Sharyn Obsatz | Journalism Adviser

Gerard Burkhart | Photo Adviser Samantha Nuñez| Social Media Adviser

CONTACT

Editor-in-Chief | corsair.editorinchief@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter | the_corsair

Instagram | corsairnews

Facebook | thecorsairnews

YouTube | thecorsaironline

WEBSITE

www.thecorsaironline.com

FRONT PAGE

Toroteo shakes his head next to the parked trail er. His riders have transported him from Del Amo, Long Beach to this event in Compton, Calif. (Anna Sophia Moltke | The Corsair)

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 22 I was waiting outside of the Math Com plex on Santa Monica College’s (SMC) Main Campus, anxiously waiting for my fate on my first math test of the semester. I had attempted to keep myself calm throughout the day, and had by that evening managed to calm down. That was until I received a call from the Santa Monica College Police Department notify ing me that around a few hundred feet away from me, at a location I frequent ed everyday I was on campus, a suspect had been befriending female students and luring them off campus, subsequently sexually assaulting them. My heart dropped as I heard the cold automated voice retail the details of the case, and the area that had just been bustling with the voices of my classmates and I racing to study for our exam went silent, as many of us were forced to reckon with the fact that our sense of safety had almost disappeared in a snap of a finger.

According to the American Psycological Association, 1 in 4 female college students experience nonconsensual sexual contact by force. Though the news of sexual assault on campus was extremely hurtful to hear, it was not surpris ing. I had learned long ago that as a woman, I moved differently through the world, and had to be careful and conscious of anytime I was walking home, in public, even at work and at school. But for many women, being careful may not be enough. That Thursday even, SMC students were forced to grapple with the truth: sexual assault is alive in well in all functions in society, including on and off of campus. Sexual assault is a serious issue that cannot continue to be over looked. It is imperative we believe victims, take allegations seriously, avoid vic tim-blaming, and facilitate the cultural change and education that will make it clear to everyone that sexual assault can take many different forms, all of which are unacceptable.

Though the suspect is apprehended, it is important we do not leave this in cident in the past. Even though the suspect may be gone, the damage done to victims may never be. We must prevent any potential perpators from harming anyone else, and we must make Santa Monica College a campus that is truly for all.

Katheryne Menendez

Editor-in-Chief

South of the Drescher Hall seating area used by SMC students. Santa Monica College main campus located in 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, Calif. Friday 23, 2022.

Photo by Jorge Devotto | The Corsair

Student Arrested in SMC Sexual Assault Case

Jackson Tammariello | Managing Editor

Tyler Simms | Staff Writer

Accordingto a statement re leased Monday morning by Santa Monica College (SMC) Chief of Police Johnnie Ad ams, Santa Monica College Police (SMCPD) announced the arrest of a suspect connected to reports of sexual assault against female students Mon day.

“Today at approximately 8:20 a.m., Christopher Noah Griddine II, age 27, was taken into custody on a probable cause arrest warrant for felony sexual assault,” read a statement by Adams. “The arrest was made on the SMC Campus by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department with the assis tance of the Santa Monica College Po lice.”

Griddine, an SMC student, current

ly holds a $1,000,000 bail after being transported to the South Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station.

“This is an active investigation being conducted by the Sheriff's department, questions about the case should be di rected to them," the statement contin ued. "Should you have any information that would assist with this investiga tion, you are encouraged to call Ser geant Belen Lemus of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau at (562) 946-7012.”

SMCPD released a digital crime alert Thursday evening to students via phone call, email, and text messaging. The notification described a man who had befriended female SMC students near Drescher Hall, and later lured the victims off-campus before sexually as saulting them.

According to Adams, the assaults

occurred in late September, with SMCPD being notified last Thursday, the same day the alert went out. In addition, there have been at least two victims, but SMCPD cannot provide further information as the investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Los An geles Sheriff's Department (LASD).

SMC students received a text alert around 1:32 p.m. regarding the devel opment, and the mood from several female students has been one of relief.

“It's good that he's not here any more,” business major Hannah Bryne said. Bryne, 25, and her friend Lovisa Lillemets, 21, both said they felt safer on campus now that the suspect is in po lice custody.

Film major Maya Malouf, 20, be lieved that the period of time between the crime alert and the suspect’s arrest was too long.

“I feel like he should have been ap prehended faster. It was quite a while, while he was lurking,” she said.

“It was terrifying, honestly,” com munications major Jessica Perrine said.

“As a woman trying to make friends, I was like ‘I shouldn't even try anymore.’”

In past weeks, Perrine, 22, had been leaving her taser and pepper spray at home because up until recently, she had been feeling safe on campus.

“But today specifically, I made sure to bring it,” she said. The announce ment of the suspect’s arrest made her feel safer.

The investigation is currently ongo ing, and any questions or additional in formation should be referred to LASD. Students are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the police and download the LiveSafe safety app.

Youth Demand Environmental Action

Emma Krul | Staff Writer

Eva-Love Jopanda | Staff Writer Saige Washington | Staff Writer

Astemperatures continue to rise and the environment continues to be depleted, many young people have tak en to demanding change. On Friday, September 23, Youth Climate Strike LA, a coalition of environmental causes started by Greta Thunberg in 2018, held a protest in front of City Hall.

Attendees, most of whom were stu dents, gathered around a parked flat bed truck that was set up as a makeshift soundstage on Main St. They listened to organizers read out a list of demands surrounding this year’s theme, #Peo pleNotProfit. Some of these demands included ensuring climate justice and equity and advocating for The Beyond Recovery Platform - which partial ly aims to increase green and shaded spaces in schools.

Youth co-organizers Merav Price and Sim Bilal expressed similar con cerns, many pertaining to local issues. Bilal said, “Right now in LA City Council, there are about 18 seats that sit within the chambers every single day and of the 18, only three have signed the no fossil fuel money pledge.” Attendees were pleading that LA’s mayoral can didates refuse any campaign money from the fossil fuel industry.

Referencing the Beyond Recovery Platform, Bilal said, “And then we’re also striking against [the] Board of Educa tion for LAUSD, because, you know, for

years, communities that are black and brown have been complaining about the inequitable access to resources… they don’t have access to green spac es.” He goes on to express concern over limited access to AC and shaded areas during the Los Angeles heatwave. An Occidental Student, Eliza Portman, said she “passed by one of the LAUSD ele mentary schools and it’s 100% asphalt and it’s built on top of a parking lot, so they can’t plant anything on that cam pus.”

Lydia Ponce, representing the Tong va Tribe, was there to support Price as she voiced indiginous concerns. In this list of demands, Price said, “safe guard vital ecosystems like the Amazon through a recognition of the most crim inal global transgression of all Ecocide. Consecrate the very lands of natural life and support indigeous autonomy.”

Led by their teacher, a group of high school students from Brío College Preparatory joined the strike. Student leader, Rosemary, who declined to give her last name under advice from her teacher because she’s underage, spoke about how she created a group just last year to spread awareness about climate change. Her take on the movement as a whole reflected the wishes of many people there. Rosemary said, “We’re all affected by this, if you’re for it, you’re on the right track but if you’re not, like research and actually know what you’re fighting for.”

Sim Bilal encourages more people to join the cause, saying, “we need you here. We’re suffering out here, we’re dy

ing and we need more voices. We need more youth.”

Since Fridays for Future’s founding in 2018, an organization that partnered for the strike, the movement has re corded involvement in 232 countries, 8.7k cities, over 158k events and 18 mil lion strikers - numbers which grow ev ery year.

Above, Fia Layne (middle) striking on 1st Steet at the Youth Climate Strike after ditching school. This strike was part of a wider climate protest that took place on the same day.

Right, Sarah Chalek holding a sign which reads, "People Not Profit," with her dog, Little Prince, at the Los Angeles City Hall. She went to the strike because "we made some advances for the climate but I think people need to stay angry."

Photos by Caylo Seals | The Corsair

Celebrating Agricultural

Withover two hundred horses slow-trot ting through the streets of Compton, the third annual El Dia Del Ranchero Cabal gata kicked off on Sunday, September 25. Through equestrian appreciation, non-profit organiza tions such as Connecting Compton, Compton Cowboys, and Urban Saddlers gathered together to bring awareness to the importance of keeping the agriculture zoning with in the city of Compton.

Beginning on Greenleaf Boulevard, Connecting Comp ton led the herd of riders across Alondra Boulevard to an empty site where the non-profit advocates for a Multicul tural Equestrian Center to be built. The three founders of Connecting Compton, Rogelio Diaz, Hector Gomez, and Daniel Zepeda, united together from their shared appre ciation of equestrian culture. Working as teachers in the inner-city, they pursue their goal of building the center on a currently vacant Brownfield site.

Rogelio Diaz, one of the three founders of Connecting Compton, shared current roadblocks to the Multicultur al Equestrian Center; he said, "instead of helping support the horse community that exists here in Compton, they've actually now put no horse signs in the parks where we have our events. They've gone the opposite direction and are now trying to create limitations and parameters that are kind of closing us in."

Diaz says a more self-sufficient way of life has always been the norm for the Rancheros community, “Back in 1888, when the city was founded … you’ve had people on

Ricardo Vasquez gives his horse Lencho a kiss, and explains that this is Lencho’s first event.

Photos by Anna Sophia Moltke | The Corsair

After gathering, the group of riders and horses prepare for the trip to Alondra Blvd.

Over two hundred riders and their horses make a left turn onto Central Ave in

Anna Sophia Moltke | Photo Editor

Riders gather between Greenleaf Blvd and Walton Middle school, where a row of electrical towers form a line.

Celebrating Compton's Agricultural Roots

horseback, people with cows, horses, chickens, here en riching the farm. ... In the past, people could sell chickens, eggs, milk, straight from their own ranch. Unfortunately, now that the demographic has changed, it's illegal. You can't sell, you know, any of that stuff.”

The City of Compton failed to follow through with Connecting Compton’s permit request. The cowboys persisted.

As the horse’s hooves clapped throughout the streets, neighborhood residents looked out of windows or stepped outside their doors to view the many cowboys roaming past. "When we ride our horses through any block here in Compton, it may be a gang block, it may be a territo ry that's dangerous; if you ride in with the horse, it com pletely makes it neutral ground. And every kid comes out of the house and runs over, saying hi, petting the horse. And it just, it has that power," said Diaz.

Connecting Compton hopes to improve communi ty relations by establishing the Multicultural Equestrian Center, “We create a workforce, employment opportuni ties, we want to be able to help our kids with special needs. The three of us, the founders, we're educators. I work at Locke High School where we have a high number of stu dents with disabilities. There's a lack of resources for our kids in general, but especially our kids with disabilities."

"What we've been asking the city is, 'Hey, we need you to be our champion.' But unfortunately, they're turning into the opposition. And that's where we're at today," said Diaz.

Above, Centenario gets his tail brushed out, and is fit ted with a Louis Vuitton saddle.

Left, riders take a stop in front of the vacant Brown field site where Connect ing Compton has goals of building a Multicultural Equestrian Center, with the approval from the City of Compton.

in Compton, Calif.

A resident watches from the top of a roof, as riders make their way down Caldwell street.

Ravi Coltrane: An Auspicious Night

seeing Pharaoh Sanders immediately prior to his set made it "an auspicious night". Coltrane went on to dedicate the evening’s performance to Sanders, who was a key member of John Coltrane’s groups in the 1960s and an extensive collaborator with his mother Alice Col trane before and after John’s death.

Sanders passed away in the early hours of Saturday, Sept. 24, just hours after Coltrane’s performance. Pharaoh was not just a collaborator of John and Alice Coltrane but was also widely rec ognized as a prolific musical force unto himself, releasing over 30 albums as a bandleader, consistently innovating and pushing the boundaries of what could be done as a musician.

when compared to life and death, the show that was dedicated to Sanders was an incredible one based on audi ence reactions. Each musician in Col trane's group played extensive solos that displayed technical mastery of their craft; whether it was Gadi Lehavi on keyboard, Rashaan Carter on bass, Howell on drums or Brandee Young er on harp, every musician seemed on point.

"The serendipity, no one knew this was going to happen and we just hap pened to be in town. That's God right there,” Younger said. “You think about the relationship between Ravi and John Coltrane's colleagues, and they are like uncles to him, you know? It's family."

Ravi

Coltrane entered a bit later than the rest of his bandmates on the evening of Friday, Sept. 23 for his scheduled perfor mance at The Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Cen ter. As he came to the stage he went to the microphone and seemed at a loss for words. He stated that, with it being the birthday of his late father, Ameri can music legend John Coltrane, him

Pioneering Exhibits at 'The Other Art Fair'

"We knew at that moment in time that him getting with Pharaoh was super important and a priority," said Grammy-nominated harpist Brandee Younger, explaining that Coltrane ar rived late to the show to be with Sand ers.

“I feel like everybody approached every song with the same intensity. It was heavy in everyone's mind with Pharaoh so in that way it felt differ ent, I'm not sure when that feeling will subside,” Elée Howell, the drummer performing the set said. “We were cele brating Pharaoh's life and going in with that intention."

While musical matters are trivial

In many ways the performance ex uded the spiritual elements of John and Alice Coltrane's music, being at once an homage to the past while an embrace of the present. Coltrane and his play ers gave a beautiful interpretation of what are widely regarded as some of the most influential pieces ever made. It was an auspicious night indeed.

Brian Saurin | Staff Writer

Anart fair is for everyone and highlights those with visual prowess. But here we have ‘The Other Art Fair,’ an inter national art fair that travels through Australia, England, and the United States. Held this year at The Bark er Hangar, Sept. 22 through Sept. 25, this year’s rendition was the easiest for artists to participate in ‘The Other Art Fair’ and display their global collection since the beginning of the pandemic.

Despite the fact that about half of the exhibitors present were new to the fair, 55% of the creators present were women, demonstrating great repre sentation of worldwide female creativ ity. This year's art fair gathered artists from the United Kingdom, Turkey, Ja pan, Korea, Australia, and throughout South America.

The artist’s work is influenced by their past, spiritual connection or over all interpretation of life as a human being. Nicole Garton, Fair Director for The Other Art Fair Los Angeles, shared what she gets out of organizing the global gathering. “My favorite passion really is discovering new artists and

just seeing the styles and the ideas they are exploring and tapping into their en thusiasm,” Garton said.

Making one's way towards the heart of the art, each exhibitor has their own section to design and display their art based on the materials used, aesthetic placement, and their provided origin story. The artists themselves have the chance to narrate how they created that piece before anyone gets to purchase it.

Every event held by The Other Art Fair has one featured artist. This year's featured artist was Melissa Anne Vil laseñor, comedian, actress, singer, and former Saturday Night Live cast mem ber. Expressing what kind of message she would like to portray in her art, Vil laseñor said, “I want the message that they’re not alone in these feelings … I looked at my pieces and felt the spirit of all of them being safe to break apart, safe to break free, be a mess, be what ever you want.”

The Other Art Fair will be having ex hibits in London from Oct. 13 through Oct. 16, and then in Dallas from Oct. 20 through Oct. 23, before moving to Brooklyn and Sydney later in the year.

Photo by Nicholas McCall | The Corsair

Artist Melissa Villaseñor poses with her work for Tommy O'Rourke, Media and Shipping Captain for Moonlight Arts Collective, while at The Other Art Fair.

Sosana Shelah | Opinion Editor

Tyler Simms | Staff Writer

Photos by Tyler Simms | The Corsair

Ravi Coltrane waits to play his saxophone at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, Santa Monica, Calif. Ravi dedicated the evening's performance to Pharaoh Sanders, a former col laborator of both John and Alice Coltrane.

Ravi Coltrane (left) and Brandee Younger (right) play at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, Santa Monica, Calif.

Festival of Unity in Koreatown

and engaged the elderly crowd with a plethora of dance moves that had the audience dancing around. The multi cultural dance sequence had a worldly influence with Spanish renditions of popular songs like “Stand By Me” and moves that are inspired from both western and eastern cultures from around the world.

Event volunteer and University of Riverside student Matthias expressed how grateful he was for volunteering at the event.

“I’m glad to be out here supporting the community and spreading the Ko rean culture as well as connecting other cultures,” he said.

The food may have been the high light of the whole festival. It was diffi cult to not go without catching a whiff of something delicious being fired up on the outdoor grill or to see some body walking by with a mouth watering snack. Event-goer Min was enjoying a chicken skewer when asked what he most looks forward to when coming to the Korean Festival.

Timothy Lewis| Copy Editor

TheLos Angeles Korean Fes tival took place a week after Cheseok, also known as Kore an Thanksgiving. The four day festival ran from Thursday, Sept. 22 to Sunday, Sept. 25. The festival was held at the Seoul International Park in Ko reatown, stretching from San Marino St. to Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles (L.A.) holds the largest Korean population in the world second to Seoul, with the fes tival allowing the Korean community to celebrate their heritage with the many other ethnic communities that call Ko reatown their home.

The Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation, a non-profit organization with the sole purpose of organizing and hosting the Los Angeles Korean festival, has celebrated their 49th an nual festival after three years of being unable to throw their event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Garcetti gave a press release that acknowledged that the festival has evolved into a multicultural event fea turing multi-ethnic groups, perfor mances, and exhibits that highlight the diversity of L.A. In her own press release, Karen Bass praised the orga nizers and volunteers for overcoming adversity and their continued efforts to keep Los Angeles a culturally rich city. The theme of the event this year was Restoration and Unity through the Strength of Hallyu.

Chuseok is one of the most import ant holidays of the year for Koreans. The holiday period lasts three days. It is also known as a cause of one of the largest annual traffic jams in Korea due to many families leaving Seoul province to visit family living outside of the city.

The Korean festival had many booths set up for attendees to explore. Merchants selling Korean goods, food vendors cooking up amazing Kore an Barbeque, games and activities for people of all ages to take part in and local community resources were avail able for community members to take advantage of. A Lotus flower making station allowed guests to make their own colorful art pieces that they could take back home with them.

Traditional games were aplenty at the festival. Many of these have been picked up in American pop culture. Jegichagi is a game very similar to the American Hackysack game, and re quires a bit of skill to master. Ddakji has most recently stepped into the spot light due to its appearance in the popu lar Netflix series “Squid Game.” Festival attendees were able to make their own ddakji while also familiarizing them selves with the rules of the game.

There was also a Hanbok wearing experience where guests could try on brightly-colored traditional dresses and take a memorable picture to show their loved ones. A Hanbok is a traditional Korean clothing item worn during the 19th and early 20th century. Depend

ing on one’s class, the Hanbok differed in styles and color. Age and marriage status also applied, with younger peo ple wearing brighter colors and married couples often wearing darker green and blue colors. Some colors like green and red were often worn as they were be lieved to bring prosperity to the wearer.

The Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, a dance studio, took to the main stage

“A Lot of the time, I come here just to see if I can find old friends I haven't seen in years, and usually I’m right, usually they come here,” he said. His comments show just how integral this festival is to the community at large and really is a part of the Korean cultur al identity here in Los Angeles. When asked what his favorite Korean dish was, Min replied jeyak bokkeum, a pork bulgogi dish.

Through overcoming pandem ic cancellations and expressing a love for all cultures, the L.A. Korean festival brought restoration and unity to the Koreatown community.

Traditional performers pose for a portrait while attending a costume fitting during the 49th annual Los Angeles Korean Festival at the Seoul Interna tional Park. The festival included traditional performances such as a parade, fan dancing, and korean drumming.

A paper lotus flower is assembled during the 49th annual Los Angeles Korean Festival at the Seoul International Park. Papercraft is a traditional Korean art often used to construct intricite lan terns.

Photos by Anthony Clingerman | The Corsair

'Viva Mexico!'

Chanted Throughout Los Angeles

at 10 a.m. and traveled west down Cesar Chavez Ave. from Mednik Ave. to Gage Ave. Guest appearances were made by for mer Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzue la, city council member Kevin De León, as well as L.A. mayoral candidates, Karen Bass and Rick Caruso.

Flyers for the event shared the theme of this year’s parade reading “United for Strong Physical and Mental Health.” Francisco Moreno, Executive Director of COFEM and President of CMCP, wanted to emphasize this theme to honor the many immigrants who were on the front lines working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are so, so grateful with the people that were there in the emergencies, work ing with COVID, people sick of COVID,” he said.

tives of different states of Mexico, came out in support of the event with floats present ing dances and performances with their own cultural significance. Aztec inspired clothing and various dances and games were also featured at the parade. One game, called Pok-a-Tok, is a Mesoamerican ball game that is won by scoring goals using only your hips.

COFEM also focuses on helping undoc umented immigrants receive their papers needed to gain their citizenship, as well as empowering the Hispanic communi ties through other activities. One of these ways is with various food drives set up to support the community. COFEM positions itself as a foundation for community mem bers to get back in touch with their roots and receive any help that they may need.

According to Cisco, the next event that COFEM will be organizing is a two-part Dia de los Muertos event at Hollywood Forever cemetery on Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Chants

of “Viva Mexico” filled the air during the East L.A. Mexi can Independence Day Parade on Sunday, Sept. 18. The annu al event was organized by the Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) and the Comité Mexicano Cívi co Patriótico (CMCP). The parade began

For Oscar Cisco, the Program Coordi nator of The Council of Mexican Feder ations, one of the main issues facing the city is mental health, and that by bringing awareness to mental health issues, the con cerns of people can be met.

“Talking about it more destigmatizes it, and creates a conversation of open and honest dialogue of what’s plaguing our so ciety,” Cisco said.

A total of 11 federations, all representa

The new up-and-coming generations of Hispanic Americans have grown up in a country of mixed cultures, so events such as the annual parade provide the chance for many to connect with their culture.

Moreno believes that the parade serves as a way of passing down heritage that has been maintained through generations of His panic communities.

“If you know your past, you’ll work bet ter for your future,” Moreno said.

A performer doing a traditional Aztec dance during the Mexican Independence Day Pa rade & Festival. East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022.

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Karen Bass speaking before the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival in East Los Angeles, Calif.

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso speaking to members of the crowd and media at the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festi val in East Los Angeles, Calif.

Photos by Caylo Seals | The Corsair

Michael Zavala| Culture Editor

Controversy Under The Sea

MyDari Baker | Staff Writer

Over the past couple of weeks, there has been an excessive amount of blatant hate and obvious racism on social media due to the trailer of the new “Lit tle Mermaid'' movie.

Now that a black actress is receiving massive representation for portraying the famous Disney princess Ariel in the world-renowned film, racist viewers have taken the well-deserved attention given towards Halle Bailey and turned it into a controversial argument. Users have taken to Twitter, TikTok and even YouTube to express their disdain over Bailey being chosen to play the role of a fictional mermaid character.

The controversy started when it was officially announced that Bailey would be cast as the lead role in the live action remake, in which the animated charac ter is originally portrayed as white. Now that the trailer has officially arrived, critics of the film were quick to express their ignorant remarks about Bailey. These remarks ranged from disdain over Bailey’s skin color to complaining over the color of her hair not being as bright red as in the original. The trailer quickly amassed over 1.5 million dis likes and the comments were flooded with racist trolls expressing their hate ful opinions over the minute-long trail er. Users went as far as arguing that the movie is now “ruined'’ due to chang es in Ariel’s skin color, claiming that it wouldn’t be the same.

Sadly, this wouldn’t be the first time that a Black actor has been bashed for being cast in a role traditionally charac terized as a white person.

Steve Toussaint, an African Amer ican actor starring in “House of the Dragon,” caught a wave of backlash and racism from the “Game of Thrones” fandom due to him being cast as Corlys Velaryon, described in the books as pale skinned and purple eyed. Fans im mediately expressed that he wasn’t fit for the role due to not matching the de scription that his character had in the books.

Some commenters have also ex pressed that Princess Tiana from the animated film “Princess and The Frog” should have her skin color changed from black to white if there were to ever be a live action adaptation. But un like Ariel's story, Tiana's story is set in New Orleans, a predominantly African American city. Her skin color is signifi cant to her character. In the movie, Tia na struggles to open a restaurant in the city due to her financial status, clearly drawing inspiration from the difficul ty many Black Americans faced in the early 1900s. There is also a clear com parison between Tiana and her friend Charlotte, a rich white business man’s daughter with higher status and greater

wealth. Ariel's character, however, has the opportunity to be a diverse char acter because her story does not cen ter around the struggles of her skin color.

The hate that Black actors receive for playing the roles of fictional char acters is beyond absurd. Black people have only recently begun getting the proper representation in films that they deserve, yet their hard work is overshadowed by the hate and neg ativity brought on by the tantrums being thrown online focusing on the color of their skin, and not their talent.

“The hatred Halle Bailey has been receiving for her new role in the “Little Mermaid’’ has been outrageous and unfair,’’ Santa Monica College (SMC) freshman Amir Moreno said. “I think that people who are filled with hatred will not want to watch the movie, but I hope that they do to see what an excellent and talented actress Halle is, and how the color of her skin has nothing to do with her ability to play the role that she earned.’’

Despite the controversy surround ing the trailer, other fans have found a way to bring a positive light to the film.

Excited mothers were quick to pull out their cameras and record their daughters’ reactions to seeing their favorite Disney princess now become a representation of themselves. Many little black girls can be seen jumping in excitement, on social media, as Bai ley appears on the screen, exclaiming “she looks like me” while their mother captures the moment.

Illustration by Cecil Alsanussi

Corsairs Beat Raiders: 3

2

Hot Streak Continues: Women Clinch Comeback

Sasha Funes | Sports Editor

After losing the first two sets, and almost losing the third, the Santa Monica College (SMC) Cor sairs Women’s Volleyball team were able to pull off an epic comeback win against the Moorpark College Raiders on Friday, Sep. 23. This propelled them to a 6 game win streak, and a 7-3 record on the season. As wonderful as the season sounds now, it wasn’t always the case.

First year Head Coach Christian Cammayo was proud of his team. Cammayo said it's “a huge win” that puts them up 3-0 in the Western State Conference against the Raiders who were ranked the number ten team in the California Community College Athletic Association. “In the sport of volleyball if you’re down 2-0 it’s usually lights out.”

Libero Halle Anderson was extremely happy with the win as well. She acknowledged the rough start to the game, saying, “It was a little slow. I think everyone was trying to get into that rhythm.”

Miscommunication and lack of energy were also key components that contributed to the rough couple of sets. They started off the first set going back and forth with Moorpark, but eventually Moorpark took the lead and held onto it to secure the first set, 16-25. Moorpark took the early lead in the second set and never took their foot off the gas, winning the second set, 20-25, to secure back-to-back set wins.

The third set seemed to be going the Raiders way, but the Corsairs were able to rally late in the set with key blocks and win 25-21. The Corsairs carried over that mo mentum into the fourth set and took the early lead. The Raiders threatened a comeback during the fourth set,

but the Corsairs were able to hold onto their lead, 25-20, tying the game at two sets apiece.

A shortened fifth set meant there was hardly room for error. The Corsairs were down 13-8 in the set, meaning the Raiders only needed two more points to secure the game. The Corsairs, however, had other plans and quick ly tied the game 13-13. The teams exchanged the lead a bit more, but ultimately the Corsairs were able to pull off the comeback win, 17-15, and add onto their five-game streak. “The team has the belief in themselves and they won’t quit and that’s just a fantastic quality,” said Cam mayo.

This current win streak comes after a three game los ing streak in weeks one and two of their season, when they were 1-3. “We had a couple of disciplinary issues and it also then impacted chemistry and our flow,” said Cam mayo

Anderson mentioned that this year’s team is fun to play with and has a different vibe from the previous season. “Once we started prioritizing our chemistry, our hanging out, our team bonding, the quality of everyones conversations changed for the better so that definitely helps on the court.”

The Corsairs are taking their season one game at a time. Both personally and for the team as a whole, the rest of the season is all about improvement, which An derson is hopeful about. Speaking after the game, Cam mayo said, “Being my first year, we’re trying to set the standard for what we want the program to be.”

The next Corsairs Women’s Volleyball game is against the Bakersfield College Renegades on Wednesday, Sep. 28 at the Corsair Pavilion, SMC Main Campus, at 6pm.

Photos by Nicholas McCall | The Corsair

Above, Santa Monica College Corsairs' Mackenzie Wolff during the women's volleyball match against the Moorpark College Raiders.

Right, Santa Monica College Corsairs' Halle Ander son dives for the ball during the women's volleyball match against the Moorpark College Raiders.