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President Donald Trump Visits California For His 2020 Campaign Fundraiser
Juliana Wingate | Staff Writer
Pedestrians walking along Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, Calif. cheered on protestor Therese Sweeney on the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 17. Therese, a 68 year old retiree, wooed honks from cars stuck in rush hour traffic, as a group of LAPD officers monitoring President Trump’s arrival huddled up for a coffee break nearby. Therese was one of the peaceful demonstrators who turned out to protest the President’s arrival at Santa Monica Airport on one of his infrequent visits to California. Protests were expected at the President’s stops throughout the state of California on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. Earlier on Tuesday morning, an organization of demonstrators in San Francisco, Calif., named Vigil for Democracy, inflated the now infamous “baby Trump” balloon along the Embarcadero while dozens of protesters marched. In his fourth visit to California since taking office, Trump came to attend a fundraiser with donors in Silicon Valley, Beverly Hills, and San Diego, using the opportunity to comment about California’s homelessness crisis. Previous statements from the President throughout the summer have been focused mainly on the appearance and sanitation implications for those who work, live, and commute around homeless encampments. According to the Washington Post, departments within the administration that are involved in planning for the homelessness crisis include the White House, the Justice
Department, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Health and Human Services. Though the administration and the President have made various remarks with regard to Cali-
County officials to discuss the crisis last week, the President's California visit serves mainly to increase the funds of the Republican National Committee and the Trump 2020 campaign, which according to reports
Air Force One ( carrying President Donald J. Trump ) approaches the northern runway of LAX at 4:11pm on Sept. 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Joshua Nicoloro/The Corsair)
fornia’s homelessness crisis, official proposals have yet to be made. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in an August 2019 interview that federal aid could come in the form of money or property, but beyond that, it is unclear how the administration will fulfil its goals. Though officials have met with both LA City and
by the Federal Elections Commission has already allocated $210 million. In a White House report published Monday, the Council of Economic advisors concluded that their strategy to address the state of homelessness was one of deregulatory policies in the housing industry, with the intention of increasing supply of available
has made on members of communities nationwide, outside of the eating disorders community. The campaign emphasizes the idea that weight discrimination affects people of all sizes, leading to fears of weight gain for those in any size body. Additionally, weight stigma can exacerbate eating disorders for those in bigger bodies, as the struggle to seek or receive treatment statistically comes with more roadblocks. “I would imagine that social media has both a positive and negative effect on weight stigma,” said NEDA's communications manager Chelsea Kronengold. “There are many fat activists and organizations (including NEDA) that are taking a stand and spreading awareness about the prevalence and harm of weight stigma and fatphobia, yet influencers and companies that promote “thinspo” and “fitspo” are likely contributing to increased weight bias among their followers.” On the topic of social media, Instagram rolled out new guidelines on Wed., Sept. 18, with plans to restrict posts promoting some
weight loss products or cosmetic procedures. Once initiated, users registered under the age of 18 will be blocked from viewing any content that promotes diet products or cosmetic enhancements and includes a price or incentive to buy. The policy will also entirely remove any post that makes a “miraculous claim” about said products and includes a commercial offer or discount code. "Miraculous claims means they aren't sustainable,” said University of Sheffield lecturer in digital media and society Dr. Ysabel Gerrard. “Products like skinny teas, these have been publicly criticised as they offer short term solutions to something that naturally takes a lot longer. It's hard to blame social media solely for influencing eating disorders, but the content we see on social media is a contributing factor to how we feel about our bodies." According to representatives of the social media platform, the new community guidelines were created in response to the increase of influencer marketing, a process by which
housing. Brookings Institute writer Jenny Schulz wrote on the subject of housing deregulation on Brookings' blog “The Avenue." Giving credence to the idea of deregulation boosting supply, Schulz writes that “state, regional, and national policymakers should reduce barriers to housing supply erected by local governments.” Flipping that coin, the Brookings' post goes on to say that, “the most direct solution is to supplement the income of poor families,” whose rent cost burdens are often high enough to deprive them of other basic necessities. In response to President Trump’s plan, Therese Sweeney said, “...deregulation is not the answer.” She instead suggested “lower rents and stronger rent control laws.” Beyond the homelessness crisis, Therese highlighted issues informing her bad feelings towards the administration and her motivations behind protesting. She mentioned the climate crisis and job creation as being specifically important to her, as well as wanting to see the United States back off from their support of Israel and Saudi Arabia. These political visits to California are particularly significant in framing national and local conversations about the housing and homelessness crises facing American and Californian families. “We have the right and responsibility to confront and monitor what our government is doing and saying.” Therese said, waving her sign.
Instagram Challenges Diet Culture During Weight Stigma Awareness Week
Jackie Sedley | Culture Editor
Throughout the month of September, different organizations have been using their platforms to publicly address issues pertaining to diet culture and weight stigmatization. Two different companies have been at the forefront of the month’s wellness campaigns – the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and the social networking company Instagram. Last Fall, NEDA merged with the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) in an effort to unify the eating disorders community. This year, NEDA is furthering these efforts by hosting the first-ever Weight Stigma Awareness Week. As defined on NEDA’s website, weight stigma is “discrimination or stereotyping based on a person’s size. Weight stigma also manifests in fat phobia, the dislike or fear of being or becoming fat.” While the campaign is being run by NEDA, the company urges people to recognize how much of an impact weight stigma
advertisers pay Instagram members with high follower counts to promote their products. Over the years, the frequency of advertised diet teas, supplements, cosmetic surgeries and other products have shown a significant increase. “We want Instagram to be a positive place for everyone that uses it and this policy is part of our ongoing work to reduce the pressure that people can sometimes feel as a result of social media,” said Instagram’s public policy manager Emma Collins. While NEDA is less of a social media platform and more of an advocacy organization, the collective was involved in Instagram’s decision to implement their new guidelines, and NEDA’s Kronengold believes these changes fall in line with the hopes of NEDA’s Weight Stigma Awareness Week. “We’re proud to have worked with Instagram (along with Jameela Jamil and I Weigh) on this policy,” said Kronengold. “This is certainly a step in the right direction!”
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LA County Attempts to Regulate Homelessness Jackie Sedley | Culture Editor In 2018, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) reported that there are an estimated 129,972 homeless people in California. Of that number, roughly 52,765 resided in Los Angeles County, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). In the past year since these findings, there has been a 12% increase of homeless people in LA, up to nearly 59,000. In order to properly comprehend the current steps being taken to combat homelessness, one must understand a brief timeline of the history of homelessness in Los Angeles. For geographic context, California is ruled by the same Court of Appeals as Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and twelve other districts, under the title “Ninth Circuit.” According to a 2018 Forbes report, of the top 10 U.S. cities experiencing the highest homeless populations, seven cities fell within the Ninth Circuit – four of which were in California (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose/Santa Clara, and San Francisco). In 2007, the Jones v. Los Angeles case dealt with LAMC 41.18, a law which states that “no person shall sit, lie or sleep in or upon any street, sidewalk or other public way.” The case was settled by withholding enforcement of that particular law until 1,250 homeless housing units had been built (at least half of which were to be near Skid Row). Meanwhile, across the Ninth Circuit, citizens were arguing against laws that they believed discriminated against homeless people; some have to deal with the citizens
A Los Angeles Police offecifer speaks with a man outside of a tent set up inside Echo Park in Echo Park Calif. on Sept. 22, 2019. (Josh Nicoloro/The Corsair)
themselves, while others deal with the disposal of property. In late 2018, a case known as Martin v. Boise in Idaho once again addressed laws similar to LAMC 41.18, this time setting a standard to be implemented across the Ninth Circuit. The court ruled that it was unconstitutional to prosecute homeless people for sleeping on the streets when they do not have anywhere to relocate, claiming that this act would violate their 8th Amendment rights that prohibit cruel and unusual punishment. In other words, the ruling forbid municipalities from criminalizing any form of public camping unless the local govern-
ment could offer every unhoused person an acceptable form of shelter. By this point, Los Angeles had met the Jones settlement’s obligations to create 1,250 homeless housing units. However, the Martin verdict quickly re-implemented similar housing laws and procedures. In Southern California, most cities lack enough shelter beds to adequately house the growing population of homeless people; therefore, with this ruling in place, some Los Angeles Council Members felt as though their hands were tied. As a result, nearly a year later, in late August of 2019, the Los Angeles Homelessness and Poverty Committee proposed an amendment to LAMC 41.18d, in an effort to maintain the right to address camping in public places. These revisions would implement several restrictions as to where people cannot sit, lie or sleep, including within 500 feet of a park and within 500 feet of a homeless shelter that has been opened since January 2018. The proposed law would also make it illegal to follow or speak to a person in a manner that could cause them to fear for their safety, be concerned about loss of property, or to intimidate a person into giving money. According to Mitch O’Farrell, who is Councilmember and acting Chair of the Homelessness and Poverty Committee, the Martin decision unrightfully limits the local government’s ability to maintain the safety of both homeless and non-homeless Los Angeles residents. O’Farrell is on the Board for the 13th district, which oversees Echo Park, Hollywood, Silverlake, Koreatown, and other surrounding cities, and he drafted
the LAMC 41.48d amendment. “The reality is we have sensitive areas to consider and as city leaders we must strike the balance between the needs of those experiencing homelessness and keeping our public spaces safe and accessible,” said O’Farrell to the Los Angeles Times. The most recent move made by local government was by the LA County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 17. The Board filed a formal request known as an amicus brief to the Supreme Court, asking the court to overturn the ruling of Martin v. Boise. “Martin places an enormous burden on the County,” said the Sept. 18 motion created by supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn. “Local governments need to have the ability to regulate public camping to protect everyone, especially the most vulnerable and in need. Unregulated encampments can create a public health crisis to those inside and outside those encampments.” On the opposition side, different organizations and advocacy groups have cited the proposed laws as inhumane and misdirected, seemingly serving the interests of the local governments more than the needs of the homeless. Many advocates agree with the opposition in terms of the need for more housing infrastructure; however, advocates like Pete White of Los Angeles Community Action Network (LACAN) feel that the approach to this issue is two-fold. "Let's keep building, and do what we need ever we need to do to keep people inside of housing so we don't increase the homeless ranks," said White. "But let's also make sure we provide public health infrastructure for those who are forced to live on the streets."
Governor Gavin Newsom Makes Community College Cheaper For California Students Jack Hughes | Staff Writer California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Legislature have approved a large budget increase for California community colleges. The increased funds will go towards extending the California Promise Program (CPP) to a second year. The CPP provides in-state high school graduates with one free year of community college education. The California Promise Legislation, passed in 2018, supplements similar private initiatives that have been underway since 1985. In January 2019, only days after being sworn into office, Newsom proposed a 42.6 million dollar expansion to the state budget. The bill sought to make California a part of the growing national movement for cheaper community college fees.
The state legislature approved the Governor’s proposition over the summer, and as of Aug. 27, approximately 33,000 first-time, full-time California community college students will receive two years of tuition-free education. In an official statement on ca.gov, Newsom said “This is real help for students trying to improve their lives and build their future.” Newsom also made a surprise appearance at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento after the announcement, and recently promoted the programs expansion at East LA College. He stated that “by offering two years of community college tuition-free, California is taking a meaningful step toward chipping away at the cost of higher learning for students and their families.” California Community Colleges serve approximately one quarter of the United
States’ community college students, or 2.1 million people. According to California's state website, “community colleges awarded more than 96,000 certificates and 160,000 degrees” in 2017-18. Newsom hopes the decreased cost will expand options for young people seeking higher education at a lower cost. Santa Monica College (SMC) staff members agree. Academic counselor Oscar Galindo said, “With my experience in financial aid I can tell you, the less expensive class is, the more people tend to use it.” Galindo also stated that “ever since I started working here 27 years ago, one of the things that distinguishes [SMC] from almost any other school is that it draws from all over.” He hopes this legislation will allow students an even broader range of access to higher education that they otherwise would
not have been able to. Film Production major Adina Berg was shocked when she heard the news, stating, "This makes everything so much easier.” The freshman was elated that California was making steps to reduce the cost of higher education. “Obviously there are already a lot of options to get financial aid here, but the fact that it’s guaranteed takes so much stress off of students and their families.” Governor Newsom and his associates wish to lead the nation in solving the modern student debt crisis. Students and staff members at SMC alike welcome the legislation and believe it will open higher education to more students across the state. Galindo was clear, “people come to Santa Monica with the intent of continuing their education and transferring, and this will allow more to do so."
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Thousands March In Support of the Climate Change Action Plan
Photo at Right: Youth demonstrators arrive at the South Enterance of Los Angeles City Hall. Maki Omori chants along with the crowd demanding LA Mayor Eric Garcetti step out and speak on September 20, 2019 / Photo at Center: Head of School, Marcos Aguilar of Anahuacalmecac International University speaks to a large crowd of demonstrators outside of Pershing Square on September 20, 2019 / Photo at right: A climate activist beckons for traffic attention during the Global Climate Strike in Santa Monica, Calif. on September 20, 2019. (Left & Center - Anthony Mayem / The Corsair ; Right - Micheal Waas / The Corsair)
On Sep. 20, the residents of Santa Monica, California marched in support of the Climate Change Action Plan. As they marched in the heat chanting, one canot help but smile at this community coming together to support this important cause. Over 500 people participated in the Downtown Santa Monica Climate March and thousands more took part in the March in Los Angeles. A global unity all marching towards a better future.
“No more time for thoughts and prayers, its time for panic.”
- Terry O'Day
Santa Monica City Council Mayor Pro Tempore Terry O'Day giving a speech to climate activists on the steps of City Hall in Santa Monica, Calif. on September 20, 2019. (Micheal Waas / The Corsair)
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California Feetwarmers, a New Orleans style second line marching band preforming and marching down Ocean Ave. at Coast 2019.
Mobile Dance Brigade performs at Ocean Ave. a
Santa Monica "Coasts" at Open Street Festival Aleah Antonio | Staff Writer Bikes, skateboards, and rollerblades cruised the shut-down streets of Downtown Santa Monica in celebration of the annual COAST Festival on Sunday, Sept. 15. The city closed sections of Ocean Avenue, Colorado Esplanade, and Main Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide a car-free space for people to ride freely. As a fairly new tradition to Santa Monica, the fourth annual COAST Festival aimed to inspire “people-powered and sustainable” transportation throughout the community, according to the city's official website. To this end, various artists collaborated with COAST for three weeks leading up to the event to host workshops on decorating bikes and helmets, creating cardboard signs, and designing masks. An abundant number of booths like Santa Monica Spoke, a non-profit organization dedicated to healthier and safer transportation, brought an educational aspect to the festival. The organization hosted an interactive immersive pop-up experience to teach children how to safely and confidently ride their bikes. The pop-up booth also offered free bike safety checks, including air pumping and minor repairs. "Open streets events open our eyes to the possibilities of how we can interact, experience and enjoy our communities," said Cynthia Rose, director of Santa Monica Spoke. "[They] expand our views as to what is possible — streets that belong to people and not simply to moving cars." While the organizers of COAST emphasized sustainability and street safety, they also emphasized the power o f community. With this goal in mind, the event coordinators aimed to make the day's festivities both immersive and interactive for participants. "This year we saw even more ways for people to enjoy art, entertainment and community interactions," Rose continued. "More events and activities… [gave] folks ways they could become part of the experience the day of." "It was wonderful to see so many families and kids exploring and enjoying two miles of open streets," said Constance Farrell, Public Information Officer for the city of Santa Monica. "We hope it inspired residents to opt for car-free ways to get around in everyday life.”
Attendees roaming down Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica, Calif. on Sept. 15, 2019 at Coast Street Festival.
PHOTOSTORY
at Coast 2019, in Santa Monica, Calif., On Sept. 15, 2019. (Fernando Duran/The Corsair)
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Attendees riding down Colorado Ave. at Coast Street Festival.
"Open streets events open our eyes to the possibilities of how we can interact, experience and enjoy our communities." - Cynthia Rose
A performer from Mobile Dance Brigade riding down Colorado Ave. at Coast Street Festival.
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The Importance of Seeking Academic Help
Markeis Jefferson | Staff Writer During the week before the semester begins, you promised yourself that this school year will be better than the last one. You vowed that you were going to sleep earlier, eat healthier, and study harder. Now, 12 weeks have passed into the semester and you’re in distress because your grades are suffering. Does this scenario sound familiar? Well, if it does, then that means you’re a student who didn’t know when to ask for academic help. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many college students, including myself, have been in this situation before. In the past, I was a student who never knew when to ask for help when I faced trouble in the classroom. When I finally decided that it was time for me to ask for
help, it was too late because the semester was practically over. One of the main reasons I was so reluctant to seek help from an academic professional was because I feared being judged; I felt that if I asked for help, people would think that I was an idiot because I didn’t understand the material. For years that fear prevented me from reaching my fullest potential to be a great student. During that time, I didn’t know the importance of seeking help early on in the semester. I didn’t even take school seriously. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t have struggled as much during my early years in college. Asking for help early on in the semester can be a life saver, because it can rescue students from falling behind. It’s easy to ignore assignments when you don’t understand the material. At times, students can feel that the material isn't im-
portant enough to learn if they don't understand it. That logic is false because the material that is taught in school can be valuable to your life. After years of struggling in school I can finally lend advice to students who are having difficulties. If you’re a student feeling overwhelmed, ignore that voice in your head that’s telling you not to ask for help. Immediately reach out to your professors by going to their assigned office hours. Office hours are designed so that students can ask questions and go over topics that are confusing. I know going to office hours may seem scary, embarrassing, or awkward at first, but you have to conquer that fear because it will help your grades in the long run. If you still can’t get over your fear, and are still apprehensive about going to office hours, there are other methods to help you.
One way is to reach out to your professors via email, through which you’ll be able to eliminate the potential awkwardness of having to speak with them in person. Another method is seeking help through free tutoring provided by Santa Monica College. Tutoring can be a better option for students because the tutors are most likely to be students just like you. All in all, whichever method you choose to do will save you from failing classes and having to retake them. Don’t let your fear or pride hinder your academic career like I did. These resources are not only free, they’re provided to you for a reason. Once you let go of that antagonizing fear, things will get a little easier. If I can have the courage to ask for help, then so can you. Do yourself a favor and seek help. Your grade point average will thank you later.
One Semester As A Digital Nomad Eline Millenaar | Staff Writer Maybe another coffee will help. The cubicle’s walls are closing in, the stack of papers on the desk are even higher than when the workday started, and the office dropped down to arctic temperatures thanks to the freezing AC. This is what four years in college has lead to. Eight hours a day, five days a week; this is the reality for the average working American. But it doesn’t have to be, and it won’t be for much longer. The job market is changing. Digital nomads are people who can work from anywhere, using technology to perform their jobs. This career path is becoming more popular and more common. The job market is changing as more companies switch to online platforms. As such, college students should take at least one semester of online classes to prepare themselves for the benefits and challenges of a remote job. Trending Instagram accounts feature people who travel across the States in a van or backpack through Europe. This lifestyle is no longer reserved for the elite or the retired. More and more millennials are switching out a mainstream career for more flexibility and freedom. 9-5 jobs don’t cut it anymore, unless it’s for a cause or company they deeply believe in. Research by MBO Partners found that people who spend 80 percent or more of their workweek working remotely increased from 24 to 31 percent in 2017. This same report says that 4.8 million workers currently describe themselves as digital nomads, a number that keeps on climbing. There’s a change happening in the job market - one that can’t be ignored. Location independent jobs don’t just appeal to those with insatiable wanderlust.
Parents are searching for jobs that can keep them at home with their children. Freelancers are opting to work from an aesthetically pleasing coffee shop — which is probably why the average latte now comes with the desperate hunt for an empty chair. There is no set career path for the digital nomad. Many work in creative fields, like writers and designers, or in marketing or e-commerce. Other popular jobs of digital nomads include IT professionals, developers, administrative assistants, translators, and project managers. Companies in every industry will continue to add remote positions and require local alternatives to cheaper foreign outsourcing. A career that’s safely confined by the walls of an office is
slowly becoming extinct. Higher education isn’t off limits for the digital nomad either. Colleges across the United States are offering online classes, and some even have fully accredited degrees through a Distance Learning Program. Santa Monica College is no different, with online classes in almost every area of emphasis. However, the majority of college students still choose a traditional classroom setting. Because of this, they may be missing out on some invaluable experiences. The world of academia applauds a Cum Laude or a 4.0 GPA, but future employers are simply looking for someone who can get the job done well and on time without too much constant oversight. Most digital
nomads make their own schedule. This requires more time management skills and self-discipline than the traditional worker. Digital nomads are also more dependent upon their devices, so they have to know communication apps like Slack, file-sharing platforms including G-Suite and Dropbox, and project management tools such as Asana like the back of their hand. If students graduate without transferable job skills like time management and prioritization of tasks, and without at least a basic understanding of popular productivity tools, then their first jobs will come with a steep learning curve. One semester as a digital nomad will prepare students for a changing job market. A few months without the physical presence of professors, set class times, and familiar environments will do more for personal development than all other semesters combined. This online semester does not have to take place in the Philippines or the dunes of Morocco. Anywhere outside of their normal environment will have an effect, although international travel will expedite the process. Internet-enabled work takes on a more prominent role every day. Businesses are quick to move their sales and structures to online platforms, which could force college students to adjust to a remote working position rather soon. Taking one full online semester will prepare the student to navigate the challenges and benefits of remote jobs. A word of warning: the nomadic lifestyle is addictive. Checking off your General Education classes while getting a sunburn, or your third cappuccino, might ruin your traditional career plans for life.
Illustration by Janet Ali
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Gisela Colon poses next to her 2014 work, "Oval Melt Glo-Pod," created from blow-molded acrylic. (Kevin Tidmore/The Corsair)
A gallery visitor observes pieces by Tony Berlant, Laddie John Dill, Kelly Berg, and Edward Ruscha. (Kevin Tidmore/The Corsair)
SMC's Barrett Gallery Exhibits Work of Prominent California Artists Across Time
Dorothy Alexanian | Staff Writer SMC's Barrett Gallery hosts "Made in California: Contemporary Art from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation", providing a peek into a collection of work documenting influential artists of LA from the 1960s to the present. Located at Santa Monica College's (SMC) Performing Arts Center, the Pete and Susan Barrett Art Gallery is currently hosting the works of over twenty-five local artists in “Made in California: Contemporary Art from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation.” The exhibit is free and open to the public from Aug. 27 until Dec. 6, 2019. Squeezed into the 29,000 square-foot space are a range of mediums that saunter from wall-size murals to found-item sculptures and textural paper relief. The second collaboration of its kind between the Barrett Gallery and the Weisman Foundation, the
collection features the works of Californians from the 1960s to the present. The goal of the Weisman Foundation, according to the curatorial statement provided, is to make notable artistic works accessible to the surrounding community. “We had the opportunity to visit the Weisman Foundation last year," said Westside resident Jane Auerbach. "I saw that this [current collection] not only had artists we liked, but was curated by Ms. Weisman, and I thought, ‘I know she has taste.'” While Barrett Gallery director Marian Winsryg curates most collections featured in the space, Billie Milan Weisman, president and director of the Weisman Foundation, is the mastermind behind “Made in California.” Weisman expressed that a common practice in her curation is placing well-established artists alongside emerging ones. “If they hold up, it gives credibility," she
said. "I think these hold up well.” While the pieces in the collection vary across time, medium, and movement, every artist is connected through the Golden State. The collection includes pieces like Gisela Colon’s 2014 “Oval Melt Glo-Pod,” a life-size, iridescent vesicle, displayed alongside the glowing concentric circles of Gary Lang's “BLUELIGHTEIGHT.” The red streaks of Lita Albuquerque’s intensely pigmented “Ceaseless Memory,” created in 1984, sit catty-corner to the diverging canvas of Scot Heywood’s “Untitled Yellow, Blue, Red.” Displayed near the far wall of the gallery are two paintings, “Morphology 1205” and “Morphology H2O” from Andy Moses, son of prominent Los Angeles artist Ed Moses, whose works are also on display. Moses played a pivotal role as a middle man between the Weisman Foundation
and the Barrett Gallery. The Weisman Foundation has provided patronage for the Moses’ artists since the days of L.A.’s Ferus Gallery, but he connected with the Barrett Gallery through a solo exhibition of his work in 2017. “Billie [Weisman] does a lot of shows up at Pepperdine, which we love, but I think she wanted to do something that was closer in town, that more people could come to,” said Moses. “I said, ‘I have a great idea!’ and I introduced her to Marian.” High insurance costs on works of art are a common problem faced by smaller institutions like SMC’s Barrett. However, according to Winsryg, the gallery was able to insure the collection without breaking their budget. “This is a different level for us," said Winsryg when asked about the caliber of the exhibit. "We’re grateful for the opportunity, for students especially, to see the body of work."
Green Screen: The Earthing Movie
Mariely Alaniz | Staff Writer
As students make their way inside The Center of Media and Design’s (CMD) auditorium wearing all sorts of footwear on Sept. 23, guest speakers and award-winning filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell chose to welcome the crowd, barefoot. While the idea of walking barefoot in public can be mind-boggling to some, the practice can actually provide with loads of physiological and psychological health benefits. The Tickell duo's documentary, “The Earthing Movie," serves to educate viewers on these potential advantages. The documentary was shown in the Center for M edia and Design auditorium as a part of Film Studies Adjunct Professor Sheila Laffey's course "Green Screen: Films on the Environment and Transformation." The concept of earthing, or grounding, was discovered by Clint Ober after having a near-death experience. The definition is found within the word itself, as earthing relates to connecting the soles of one’s feet firmly on the ground. This allows humans to have a connection with Mother Earth that has been impacted by the invention of rubber soles for tennis shoes, as stated in the documentary. By establishing human contact with the Earth’s natural energy, the film claims that electrons provided by the planet are believed to serve as antioxidants which are then released throughout the human body. The film claims that studies have shown that this practice
reduces inflammation associated with chronic illnesses such as cancer, arthritis, and even brain inflammation related to depression and anxiety. Throughout the film, various case studies involving people from all walks of life are documented by Josh and Rebecca to reinstate the fact that the concept of earthing has benefited a wide range of people with mild to serious health conditions. “All this time we’ve been trying to save the planet, turns out that the planet can save us quite literally," said Rebecca Tickell during the Q&A following the screening, which was held after by Professor Laffey. Film student Dawn Smith, who is enrolled in Professor Laffey's course, shared an intimate story regarding how grounding has improved her health. “As a child I used to walk around barefoot a lot and I feel like that has, in hindsight, significantly helped with my chronic health issues … with my heart problem, with my respiratory issues, with my … all my other things," said Smith. Touched by Smith’s story, Rebecca gifts her with an earthing mat to continue benefiting from the groundbreaking phenomenon. This semester's series will host three more film screenings: "Bringing It Home" on October 7, "Free Willy" on October 28, and "Poisoning Paradise" on November 4. All will be screened in the Center for Media and Design Auditorium.
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Disney Unveils New Magical Streaming Service Josh Hogan | Staff Writer Disney+ is an upcoming streaming service owned by the Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International Division of The Walt Disney Company. The service will be filled with content from Disney's main entertainment studios, including Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, National Geographic, and includes some films from 20th Century Fox. In 2019, Disney also owns 21st Century Fox and Hulu. Bob Iger, CEO and Chairman of The Walt Disney Company, stated, “Disney+ will be focused specifically on family-oriented entertainment (not carrying any R-rated or TV-MA rated content), and Hulu will remain oriented towards general entertainment. Hulu will also host Disney+ as an add-on service.” With Disney's extensive library of movies and television shows, Iger is confident Disney
+ will be able to compete with other streaming services such as Netflix , HBO, Apple TV, and others. "We enter the market in a very, very unique position," Igor said in an interview with CBS This Morning. "Those brands, those stories, both the library and the original product that we're creating under those brand umbrellas. So, while we believe we're competing with others, in reality there's only one Disney with those assets." It is reported that Disney+ will have approximately 7,000 television episodes and 500 films. New releases from 20th Century Fox will not be available on either Disney+ or Hulu, until Fox’s existing output deal with HBO ends in late 2022. Captain Marvel will be the first theater released Disney film to stream exclusively on Disney+. Iger also said that “Disney+ will eventually host the entire Disney film library, including Classic Disney Films currently in the Disney Vault.”
Light the Barricades Dana Binfet | Staff Writer Architect, artist and designer Candy Chang, alongside writer and graphic designer James A. Reeves, are responsible for creating the Annenberg Space for Photography’s first ever public art installation to hit the streets of Los Angeles. Three different walls made up the installation at different landmarks across the city. Each wall represented a different emotion; Judgment, Resentment and Doubt. The walls were intended to mirror the internal barriers people tend to build up inside of themselves, and the artists hope that the pieces will evoke moments of self-reflection from viewers. The installations acted as a preview to the Annenberg's upcoming exhibit, "WALLS: Defend, Divide and the Divine," set to open on October 5th. While every wall described a different emotion, they all featured an hourglass encased in a glass circle each accompanied by an introspective question: "Who do you judge unfairly and why?", "What are you afraid of?", and "What will it take for you to forgive?" This was the interactive component of the exhibit; people could rotate the circle in order to flip the hourglass and let the sand trickle out. Each hourglass kept time for five minutes with instructions that read, “Five minutes of contemplation.” The first wall, Judgment, was located at the Natural History Museum. While many visitors in the crowd were at the museum for Dinosaur Day and not for the installation, the wall caught the eyes of some attendees. The wall maintained a contemplative tone with a fable that read, “We climbed away from our bruises and failings until we could touch the clouds … the height makes us giddy
until the temperature drops, the air grows thin, and nobody notices we are gone.” Boogie boards, volleyball games, swing sets and pop music were the setting for the second wall, “Doubt." Located at the Annenberg Community Beach House, a venue that generally draws a demographic that is mostly made up of families, contributed to a smaller crowd turnout. “There are a lot of children around here and they don’t always have five minutes to contemplate,” said Beach Recreation Leader Scott LeWinter. The third wall, “Resentment,” overlooked the Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain in Grand Park, where the sound of children splashing in the water below mingled with the electronic beats of the park's weekly Sunday Sessions DJ set. Although the scene contrasted with the throngs of families spending their day enjoying the festivities, the wall led some visitors to think introspectively. Los Angeles resident and Film Location Manager Kokayi Ampah reflected on this question and the power that resentment has had in his life. “Through being sober for 33 years you learn to get rid of resentments. If you have resentments, you go face those or if you know people who you think might have a resentment with you, you go and make those amends,” said Ampah. The "Light the Barricades" installation was a precursor to the Annenberg Space for Photography’s upcoming exhibit. The walls were inspired by the theme of physical and emotional barriers. The upcoming exhibit is intended to act as a commentary on how societies have interacted with walls throughout history and how this relationship has changed over time.
This service will also hold exclusive streaming rights to The Simpsons, with all thirty seasons of the series available immediately upon launch. Several original series’ based on Marvel and Star Wars characters are being produced. These include eight new Marvel Cinematic Universe spin-offs involving the characters of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," Hawkeye, Loki, Scarlet Witch and Vision, She-Hulk, Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, and a What If animated series. The Star Wars original series’ includes The Mandalorian, which takes place between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. Additionally there is set to be multiple Star Wars spin-off series’, including one based on Cassian Andor from Rogue One, also a seventh season of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and an untitled Obi-Wan Kenobi series with Ewan McGregor reprising his role from the prequel trilogy. Disney+ will launch in the United States
on November 12, 2019. The service will be released worldwide over the next two years, first focusing on Western Europe and AsiaPacific countries by late 2019, and then Eastern Europe and Latin America during 2020. The timing of these international releases depends on the expiration date of existing streaming rights deals for Disney content with Netflix and other streaming and television companies. Disney+ will cost $6.99 per month and offer 4 simultaneous streams, 4K Ultra HD in Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. It will also offer a streaming bundle that combines Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu for $12.99 per month. Disney+ will be offering, from day one, entire collections such as Disney Vault Features, The Simpsons episodes, Marvel and Star Wars. According to a recent UBS survey, 43% of Americans say they are “extremely likely” to subscribe to Disney+. Disney+ is open for preorders now.
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Louis Vuitton Exhibition
Louis Vuitton collaborated with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama to create this one of a kind designer Keepall bag. Yayoi Kusama is well known for her eccentric dots in her artwork due to her symptoms from bipolar disorder. (Anthony Mayen /The Corsair)
Upper:Artistic Directpr of Louis Vuitton's Virgil Abloh's famous technicolor statue. Variations of this installation are in NYC and Harujuku as well. The piece is a visible representation of the new sping line in Virgil Abloh's spring collection. / Lower:Artisan shows audience the process in making one of Louis Vuitton's bags. (Anthony Mayen /The Corsair)
Louis Vuitton created this box to represent Louis Vuitton's history in the form of a Time Capsule". The room itself is completely surrounded by screens playing through Louis Vuittoms history. (Anthony Mayen /The Corsair)
Alec Michaelson | Staff Writer Louis Vuitton is a name that has stood the test of time for over a century. In honor of 160 years, Louis Vuitton’s Brand Representative decided it was time to educate society about the global fashion empire's history, and came up with a global exhibit known as Louis Vuitton X. This exhibit will be on 468 N Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills and go from June 28th to November 10th. Many of these global exhibits feature collaborations with Louis Vuitton and famous artists from around the world. All throughout the Los Angeles exhibit, each room is dedicated to a portion of Louis Vuitton’s historic attributes as well as its more modern aspects and designs. The last exhibit, you enter a dark room where the only light is from the screening of Louis Vuitton’s timeline played on a continuous loop. Each screen displayed a clip of Louis Vuittons history from 1854 - present. In the center of the dark room was a case. The audience is meant to feel as if they had just opened a “time capsule”. The box itself representing the unopened history of the global industry that is Louis Vuitton. This exhibit tells the story of one man with a passion for creativity and how he created the global fashion empire, Louis Vuitton.
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Women’s Volleyball Falls to Cuesta
Deshawn Pouper | Sports Editor The Santa Monica College (SMC) Women's volleyball team is off to a rocky start after failing to win a game this season. Coming off a sweep to the hands of Fullerton College - in which they failed to score double-digit points - SMC fell again, this time to Cuesta College. The Corsairs let the first set get away from them with Cuesta winning 25-10. In the second set, Cuesta got off to a strong start with a 9-6 lead and never looked back. SMC's mistakes led to Cuesta eventually gaining a 16-6 lead. Cuesta looked stronger than the Corsairs all-around, whether it was kills, aces, or blocking attacks. Throughout the second set, SMC struggled to keep Cuesta off the scoreboard from kill plays. At one point, the Cougars went on a 9-score run to put themselves up 19-6. The Corsairs were battling through bad defensive lapses, and part of that was their inability to block Cuesta’s kills. Towards the end of the set, the Corsairs showed some fight, highlighted by an incredible dig by No. 14 Natalie Crockenberg. But SMC still wound up losing that set 25-13. To start the third set, the Cougars picked up right where they left off, continuing their
SMC Women’s Volleyball team memebers standing for the national anthem at Santa Monica College, in Santa Monica, Calif., on Sep. 18, 2019. (Kevin Tidmore/The Corsair)
My Mind Playing Tricks: The Mental Health of Student Athletes
Jinea Cole | Staff Writer
When the game ends, there's that one athlete who heads to the locker room sunken back into the reality they tried to escape when they play their favorite sport; getting into their own head, wondering if they were “good enough.” Athletes often don’t know when they are displaying signs of mental illness and they can’t get enough help if they don’t know how to vocalize their true feelings. Santa Monica College (SMC) can help tackle this issue by paying close attention to the mental health of athletes. Three Sophomores on SMC’s Women’s Basketball team - Camryn McMahan, Nina Gazzo, and Ariana Qunitana - shared their personal insight about how they feel on the topic of mental health. “Being both a student and athlete is tough because they both go hand and hand,”
Qunitana said. “You have to get good grades in order to play, and get scouted by universities to make it out. With that comes pressure.” When dealing with their own mental health, student athletes - even those at SMC - go through a process of self-discovery. “When you first get to college you start to figure yourself out, [you] figure out how you handle things mentally,” McMahan said. Qunitana added, “I personally don’t use - Reggie Ellis the resources at school. I chose to rather confide [in] my teammates and coaches when it comes to my problems." College has also been an adjustment for Gazzo. “Coming out of high school you have everything taken care [of] for you,” she said. “So, coming to college [is] a huge transition … I do go to counselors, but I don't take advantage of all of the resources." One would think college athletic departments would be able to effectively target
"We’re working closely with the Wellness center to have a mental health awareness session with our coaches."
student athletes that struggle with their mental well-being. If three student athletes - such as the three SMC athletes mentioned above - are aware of these issues, who's to say other teams don’t notice the signs. When discussing the relationship between mental health and sports, SMC Athletic Director Reggie Ellis emphasized the importance of realizing how mental affects student athletes. Ellis said, “We’re working closely with the Wellness Center to have a mental health awareness session with our coaches, to talk about the different issues [about] how [they] affect the student athletes. This program is in full effect and we’re just waiting to set a date.” Ellis is trying to change the narrative of mental health at SMC by starting the conversation on mental illness. “The biggest thing [we can do] is to make [student athletes] aware of what they are feeling and let them know it’s okay,” he said. “There are tremendous support systems at SMC that are here to help. One thing we are going to implement is a self check kiosk that allows athletes to check in and [perform] a self assessment.” If you are dealing with any type of mental health issue you can seek help from the Wellness Center, located on the SMC Main Campus in the Liberal Arts Building, Room 101.
offensive dominance with a 6-2 lead. Later in the game, down 13-6, the Corsairs attempted to hang in the game. No. 19 Madison Reiner earned some clutch kills at a point where it seemed SMC couldn’t score against Cuesta, cutting the Corsairs' deficit to 14-8. After bringing SMC's run to a halt at 15-10, Cuesta showed that they were the better team. Aces and kills seemed to come more at ease for the Cougars, and it proved to be too much for the Corsair’s down the stretch. Cuesta was the more dominant team. They were better coached and better prepared for whatever SMC coaches had planned. Ending the game with a score of 25-17, the Corsairs showed there is still a lot of room to improve. This 0-9 start only tells part of the story for a season that spans 22 games long. There is a lot of time for this team to improve, and with solid players like Reiner, Crockenberg, and Camila Wilson, there is still time to build and get better each game. The Corsairs will go on the road to Santa Barbara College on Sept. 20 as they continue the quest to earn their first win of the season. Graphic by Deshawn Pouper