In a groundbreaking revision to its stance on amateurism announced Tuesday, Oct. 29, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is starting the process to allow student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness. The announcement represents a major shift in the NCAA’s longstanding attitude towards student-athlete compensation, having previously prohibited such a concept. The organization’s top governing board voted unanimously to allow student-athletes to earn income. The NCAA’s decision comes one day after the National Football League (NFL) Players Association announced they’d be collaborating with the National College Players Association to investigate ways for student-athletes to be compensated for use of their name, image and likeness. Under this initiative, the two groups are set to make certain that licensing representation is open to college athletes in California, beginning in 2023. Additional states with similar legislation in the works include Florida, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and New York. Under California’s newly signed “Fair Pay to Play Act,” passed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September, student-athletes will be permitted to hire agents and receive compensation for endorsement deals. As is the case with much of the student-athlete compensation battle, here’s where the common misunderstandings begin. Under this new law, starting in four years time, the main thing that will change is that student-athletes receiving an athletics scholarship will now have the same freedom as a student on an academic scholarship — they can earn income. This now-legal compensation ranges from tutoring another student to signing an endorsement deal. The law isn’t about paying student-athletes, it’s not permitted under NCAA regulations. The NCAA board of governors announcement holds a “clear distinction between college and professional opportunities,” definitively stating that student-athletes cannot be compensated for any collegiate on-field or on-court opportunity. Student-athletes are being sold off for millions of dollars, while head coaches — like University of Virginia head men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett — make millions. Bennett made over $4 million in 2018, while 2019 NBA Draft top-5 pick De’Andre Hunter made nothing, despite leading Virginia to a national championship. College athletics is a professional world in every way, except in how student-athletes — who are responsible for the very product that enables coaches, universities and the NCAA to make millions in the first place — are compensated. That’s the sadly ironic part about this, these so-called ‘student-athletes’ face a glaring equity gap in comparison to those in power above them, despite their blood, sweat and tears. What’s equally frightening is that the NCAA’s fresh announcement contains multiple calls for “modernization” that are clear indicators of how far off a fair resolution to this issue truly is. The announcement states “student-athletes” must be treated similarly to “non-athlete students” and reinforces “that student-athletes are students first and not employees of the university.” On paper, putting college athletes in the same box as any other student at a university looks fine. But, that in itself is the major issue here. Athletes can’t be treated like any other student because of what’s demanded of them. It’s completely unreasonable for the NCAA to impose such a blanket policy on their ‘student-athletes,’ when the kid’s name, image, and likeness is so exploited. Allowing players to only benefit from a professional standpoint, through endorsement opportunities, isn’t enough. Players deserve at least a small portion of the million-dollar pie that the NCAA, universities and coaches suck out of them.
NEWS
A Report on SMC’s Campus Safety Eline Millenaar | Staff Writer Campus safety is a top priority for Santa Monica College (SMC), as it is for school officials and governing bodies across the country. Campus safety speaks to more than campus-wide emergency situations or petty crimes like theft. It also includes issues like stalking, assault, and sexual battery. Among undergraduate students, 23.1 percent of females and 5.4 percent of males experience rape or sexual assault, according to the report by the American Association for Universities (AAU) “Report on Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, published in 2015. “Campus Sexual Violence Statistics”, a study done by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network in 2016 shows that students are at the highest risk of sexual assault in the first few months of their first and second semesters in college. The chief of the SMC Police Department (SMCPD) is Johnnie Adams. He oversees the sworn officers, who are law enforcement officials with the power to arrest and carry arms, as well as other security personnel that serve the SMC community. A study done by the U.S. Department of Justice, published in 2015, shows that the average public four year university has an average of 1.4 sworn officers per 1,000 students if the campus has 15,000 students or more. Although community colleges were not included in this study, the report illustrates that in order for SMC to reflect national averages of campus security, it would need about 45 sworn officers to effectively police an oncampus population of around 32,000 students. This year, the SMCPD has 17. Nonetheless, Chief Adams thinks that SMC is in a comfortable position. “As a community college we’re actually fairly well-staffed,” said Adams. “Because of the fact that we do not have dormitories, we can lessen the amount of staff that we have overnight…We’re able to handle what we have thrown at us.” He also mentions that sworn officers are supplemented by other safety employees. Campus safety officers, parking enforcement officers, and 10 to 12 new cadets are all able to act as eyes and ears on campus too, according to Adams. Another tool that Chief Adams calls a “force multiplier” is the LiveSafe app. This safety app is free to download for any SMC student, and it provides the ability to send texts, pictures, and videos to the SMCPD. It also has a SafeWalk option where friends can virtually escort a student while commuting to school or between campuses. It allows
students to report suspicious activities on campus, with the option of staying anonymous. Associated Students (A.S.) President Daniel Cha thinks that the SMCPD is doing a great job. Cha said, “Out of a hundred, I think Santa Monica is really safe . . . If there is ever a situation where a student feels uncomfortable or they need access to different things or people, that opportunity is there for them and there’s people that will help them along the way.” Lucia Aguilar, Political Science and Economics major at SMC says that she feels very safe and secure on campus most of the time. “The cops on pay are all very professional, and that helps to keep peace between those students and the cops and any other outside influence that might get onto our school campus,” said Aguilar. However, she felt that there have been instances that were
occasion have felt like there is someone that I could turn to in those specific moments. Obviously I could run to the police office and tell them what happened, but who cares if it’s just harassment? There’s no way to prove it.” Neither Jacalon nor Aguilar said they had heard of the LiveSafe app. The app was first introduced to SMC in 2016, and SMC was one of the first community colleges in the nation to adopt this safety app. Although it’s free to download and use for any student, the total subscription is priced around one dollar per enrolled student for the school year, and costs SMC around $28,000 a year. The A.S. Board of Directors has chosen to approve payment for the LiveSafe app every year since its introduction to SMC, contributing an annual $20,000 for the app’s subscription. The other $8,000 comes out
“not okay.” “There’s this one guy who always comes here and pretends he’s a student but he’s not. He follows women and tries to talk to them… I respect your space as a human, but when you starts to encroach on the learning environment of young women, it becomes slightly predatory,” Aguilar said. Haley Jacalon, an International Relations major, says her sense of safety on campus is a five on a scale from one to 10. Like Aguilar, she mentions men on campus being aggressive and following her around, not listening when she asks them to leave her alone. She also speaks of occasions where, in the library, people drop nudes or pornographic images to stranger’s phones via AirDrop. “I think there should be police on campus. I know we have police across the street but I never see them on campus,” said Jacalon. “I think just the sheer presence of an authority figure puts people on edge. I know that I stop speeding if there’s a police car around, so for sure I would stop harassing another woman if there’s a police officers around who would say something...I never in any
of the school’s Emergency Preparedness Fund. This fund also pays for the advertisement of the app to promote it towards the student body. When the app first launched at SMC in 2016, the A.S. Vice President at the time, Adrian M. Restrepo, reported to the Corsair that the app would be on a trial run, and further decisions would be based on number of downloads and the perceived benefits to the student communities. Current A.S. President Cha and A.S. Vice President Yongha “Eric” Hwang explained they have not seen a report about the frequency of usage of the app, and were unaware of past efforts to monitor the app, or the exact amount of money that A.S. has spent on LiveSafe each year. They, as well as Chief Adams, expressed that they do not have any concerns about the app getting funded again in the Spring. They believe the app is worth it, because it provides more accessibility and transparency. “If there’s only a small amount of number of students who are using the app, I think that app is still worth it, because we can save their life,” said Hwang. “If we can save just
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one student, it’s really worth it, and that’s why we funded for this app.” Hwang admits that, “it’s our mistake that we didn’t check their specific data and specific resources about how many people will use [the app].” They promise to discuss it with the A.S. Board, and to start requesting more regular usage reports beginning next semester. They will also present plans on how to further promote the app amongst students. One of the ideas Hwang has is to ask SMC faculty to add a paragraph about the LiveSafe App in each syllabus to raise awareness. “Also we can ask the Welcome Center, ‘why don’t you have some presentation or some slides about the LiveSafe app for the new incoming students when they have their orientation session?’” said Hwang. However, Adams has already been doing this. “Every Freshman VIP Welcome Day, I talk about it and I talk about it with [student’s] parents.” says Chief Adams. He has seen a big increase in downloads because of it; there were 1167 new SMC users this year. He has seen the biggest increase by doing give-aways, or by telling Freshman’s parents about the app, who then tell their children to download it. Yet, with only 300 calls/texts through the LiveSafe app and 172 people using the SafeWalk feature in the past year, it seems to only be scratching the surface. Adams is aware of the need for further promotion of the LiveSafe App and other crime prevention and community involvement for the sake of campus safety. He has found that people don’t pay attention to safety tools until they’ve become a victim. Adams referred to repeated occurrences when he speaks to a group of around 50 students about the app, and only five or six people know about it. “What people don’t realize is this: the time they really need the app, it’s too late - if they don’t have it,” says Adams. Adams would want to implement more training and crime prevention programs if he was given a bigger budget, because he believes utilizing the community is the key to a safer campus. With a full-time employee that is dedicated to such programs and classes, the marketing costs, and program costs combined, he estimates that this could be over six figures. “Right now, the budget is what it is, and I think we are doing a pretty good job with what we have.” SMC A.S. Vice-President Yongha Hwang and SMC A.S. President Daniel Cha being interveiwed by Corsair reporter at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California on Oct. 31, 2019. (Fernando Duran / The Corsair) Oct. 31, 2019. (Fernando Duran / The Corsair)
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Greta Thunberg Joins Youth Climate Strike
Dennisa Villa | Staff Writer Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish global activist, took to the streets together with the Youth Climate Strike on Friday in Los Angeles City Hall. She is the prominent figure of the international movement known as Fridays For the Future, which organizes the Climate Strikes. Thousands of young climate change activists demanded California Governor Gavin Newsom phase out the oil industry in California, one of the largest oil-producing states in the country. “We have oil drilling right next to our homes; we have oil refineries,” mentioned Nizgui Gomez, a freshman Santa Monica College student. A banner on top of the stage read, “Governor Newsom: It’s your last chance to choose: Our Future or Fossil Fuels.” Before Thunberg arrived in Los Angeles, she traveled across North America in a borrowed car. She also cruised through a zeroemission sailboat to the United States, before steadily making her way across the country to spread awareness about climate change. “Today, in California, we can see the wildfires happening just around the corner; wildfires that are being intensified by the climate crisis,” Thunberg said to the crowd. According to the Congressional Research
Service, the number of acres devoured by wildfires has inflated since 2000, with 72,400 wildfires clearing seven million acres of U.S.
in October, including Saddleridge, Kincade, Getty, Easy, and Maria, were all prompted by the broken power lines. The most recent
Crowds gather as 16-year-old Swedish Climate Activist, Gretta Thunberg speaks at a rally hosted by Youth Climate Strike LA outside Los Angeles City Hall on November 1, 2019. (Anthony Mayen / The Corsair)
land each year. “Right now, we are living at the beginning of a climate and ecological breakdown, and we cannot continue to look away from this crisis anymore,” Thunberg added. Five of the latest wildfires that happened
one that broke out was Maria wildfire, which burned the top of the South Mountain between Santa Paula and Somis. “Why all the people in power still pretending that everything is fine as if we could continue to live like now as if there was no
tomorrow?” asked Thunberg. The energized crowd cheered and applauded. “We young people have had enough. We say no more. And if our parents won’t speak up for us, then we will,” declared Thunberg. Other young climate activists also spoke up on the stage and expressed their frustration to the government leaders. “We’re not going to stop striking until they start listening to us,” said Chandini Brennan Agarwal, 16, a sophomore at New West Charter School on L.A.’s Westside. A central demand amongst multiple organizations present at the strike was the need for a Green New Deal. “Green New Deal is reminiscent of the policy back in the 40s’, comprehensive, not only [in] climate action but also [in] workers’ rights, as well as indigenous rights and things to help protect our world and generate millions of jobs in the process,” explained Jackson Carol, a USC student. Famed actor and climate activist Leonardo DiCaprio described Thunberg as a “leader of our time.” He met and discussed with Greta about securing a brighter future for the planet. He addressed on his Instagram, “I hope that Greta’s message is a wake-up call to world leaders everywhere that the time for inaction is over.”
Black Market THC Cartridges Marley Alaniz | Staff Writer On Oct. 4, the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] released a statement advising the public to stop consuming all Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vaping products, due to an ongoing investigation regarding medical cases related to lung illnesses. As of Oct. 22, 34 people have died from the mysterious, ongoing epidemic. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] has had over 1,600 cases related to severe respiratory problems reported to the nation’s health protection agency. According to Psychology Today, THC is an active ingredient found in marijuana that releases the psychoactive element, producing a “high.” THC oil is used to create inhalable vape cartridges, which are filled in tiny disposable containers. “Vape pens have gained acceptance from the cannabis community for their ease of use,” stated Gina Coleman, a photographer for a popular source for everything weed-related, WeedMaps. “Since vaping technology is so new, long-term health effects of vaping aren’t known yet.” The lung injuries reported share a common association with counterfeit vaping products containing cannabis THC oil, nicotine, or both. 85 percent of the cases reported said that patients vaped illicit THC cartridges, which they admittedly purchased through the black market.
An example of a legal weed cartidge on a Stiiizy wax pen, bought in Los Angeles, Calif. (The Corsair)
The leading agency responsible for regulating commercial cannabis licenses either for medical and/or adult-use in California is the Bureau of Cannabis Control [BCC]. The BCC licenses retailers, testing laboratories, temporary cannabis events, and distributors. According to the BCC’s Chief of Communications, Alex Traveso, the Bureau is working hand-in-hand with the California
Department of Public Health [CDPH], who have taken the lead on investigating the matter. “We are definitely working closely with them [CDPH] to determine the cause of the illnesses. Potentially, we may need to ask our lab to test for certain additives,” said Traveso. The Bureau claims to be “crafting regulations that protect public safety,” as per Traveso. “Regulations include sensible daily purchase limits, strict testing standards, and
a robust enforcement program.” Victoria Arana works at a licensed dispensary, California Caregivers Alliance [CCA], located in Silverlake, Los Angeles. According to Arana, “All properly tested cannabis products come with a CoA [Cannabis Certificate of Analysis]. These labs test for potency, full cannabinoid profile, chemical contaminants such as pesticides or solvents, microbial contaminants such as mold or mildew, and other physical contaminants such as dirt or dust.” Obtaining a license from the BCC in the Los Angeles county has been an “uphill battle,” mentioned Arana. “A licensed facility would not be willing to risk their ever valuable license over tainted product.” Numerous unlicensed dispensaries have been reportedly raided by police officials for not having proper paperwork to distribute certain, if not all, cannabis products. Although illegal, these dispensaries thrive in the industry for slashing tax prices, which ultimately lowers the price value. “If your dispensary is not transparent with all of its products you should be thinking twice about consuming the product… although it may seem more convenient to buy from ‘illegal shops’ that don’t tax, at the end of the day, were those few dollars worth the toxicity?” Arana advised.
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(Top) In Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of the human cycle. It is not a day of sadness but a day of celebration because their loved ones awake and celebrate with them. The Dia de los Muertos celebration was held on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019, in Santa Monica, California at Woodlawn Cemetary.| Bottom: Ceramic skulls were part of the arts and crafts provided during the 8th Annual Woodlawn Cemetery Dia de los Muertos event on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019, in Santa Monica, California. (Rachel O’Brien/Corsair)
Left: Rainbow Painted Smiles Art Services provided face painting for the 8th Annual Woodlawn Cemetery Dia de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019, in Santa Monica, California. (Rachel O’Brien/Corsair) Right: Company Ballet Folklorico Santa Monica perform at The City of Santa Monica’s seventh Annual Dia de los Muertos Event, in Woodlawn Cemetery, 1847 14th St, Santa Monica, Calif. on Sunday, Nov. 4th, 2019. (Randy Martinez / The Corsair)
Dia De Los Muertos
Top: Families decorate their loved ones gravestone to celebrate and remember them during the Dia de los Muertos celebration at Woodlawn Cemetery, on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019, in Santa Monica, California.| Left: A memory wall is made to honor loved ones who have passed during the Woodlawn Cemetery Dia de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, November 2, 2019, in Santa Monica, California. (Rachel O’Brien/Corsair)
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(Left) An LAFD Firefighter takes a break after fighting hill fires around Bundy Dr. on October 28, 2019. (Anthony Mayen / The Corsair)
California W A State Engulfed Dakota Castets-Didier | News Editor
(Above) Firefighters take a break after trecking the scorched hills near The Getty Center on October 26, 2019.
(Right) Firefighters prepare to climb the hills during the Getty Fire on October 28, 2019.
As California settles into the autumn, the State has once again found itself in a fight against a growing wildfire hazard. Coming off of a record setting year of fires in 2018, California has adjusted its models and projections, and has found success in 2019. By early November in 2018, it is estimated that over 600,000 acres had burned across California, damaging and destroying infrastructure and homes without prejudice, prompting the state to increase its preparedness for the 2019 fire season. This increased preparedness is being cited by fire officials across the state as one of the reasons this year’s fires have been less destructive. As of the beginning of November, only 75,000 acres have been burnt by wildfires in California, a significant improvement over 2018’s 600,000 acres by this time. Yet still, fire officials have discouraged fire fighting agencies and residents near areas that present wildfire dangers from falling into a sense of complacency. Luck seems to have also had its part to play this season, and the dangers of new fires are still present. Official’s have routinely pointed to the Santa Ana winds as a major culprit in the spreading and development of major fires this season, contributing to both the Kincade and Getty fires, as well as 16 other conflagrations that have come and gone across the state. The Santa Ana winds, which form off the coast of California in the autumn months and gust inland, have been recorded as the strongest winds of the decade in 2019, and show no signs of lessening in
the com ity. The wildfire velopme often th and urb many m Even in Califo will play evacuati power c prevent like the and kille egy, pio helpful i fornia re certain p Californ cal infra fires in t Thou across th the part change i other w future fo them.
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LAFD Firefighters extinguish a brush fire at a facility near the Metropolitan Water District during the Getty Fire on October 28, 2019.
Wildfires: d in Flames
ming years as climate change increases their severese winds pose a unique challenge to California fighters, as the gusts are a major factor in the deent and spreading of these fires. These winds are he force that drives the flames toward residential ban areas, while also carrying dangerous smoke miles away. n facing the strongest gusts in a decade, fire officials ornia are optimistic for how the rest of the season y out, citing quicker decisions and methods around ions. Officials are also working with California’s companies to organize intentional blackouts to their electrical infrastructure from sparking fires Camp Fire in 2018, which burned 153,000 acres ed 85 civilians. This new intentional blackout stratoneered by San Diego Gas & Electric, has been in fire prevention. However, it has frustrated Caliesidents and even Governor Gavin Newsom; at points, up to 3,000,000 people across the state of nia were without power for hours at a time. Electriastructure is still responsible for starting at least two the 2019 season. ugh the season has been less severe, fire officials he State reiterate their warnings against laxity on of both residents and firefighters alike. As climate increases the severity of the Santa Ana winds and windstorm systems, California faces an uncertain or how its wildfires will develop, and how to contain
(Left) LAFD Firefighters near Bundy Dr. prepare to mount up and relocate as a fire begins to spread towards the Pacific Palisades area on October 28, 2019.
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SPECIAL REPORT
Wildfires Worsen Air Quality in California Martha Ramirez | Managing Editor Ashes rain down from the sky, coating everything in an eerie blanket of grey. In the distance, plumes of black smoke bleed into the sky. The air smells charred, burnt like ruin. Its acrid stench clings to everything, a reminder that the earth is burning. This is not the setting for a post-apocalyptic movie. It is not a scene from a dystopian novel or a feverish nightmare. This is the new normal for California during wildfire season. According to the American Lung Association’s (ALA) 2019 State of the Air report, seven of the 10 most ozone-polluted cities are in California, with Los Angeles being the worst. However, while poor air quality has long been a staple of life in California, frequent wildfires have further degraded the air quality. In a guide published to help inform public health officials, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explained that wildfire smoke is made up of thousands of individual compounds, including particulate matter, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and carbon monoxide. According to the guide, “particulate matter is a generic term for particles suspended in the air, typically as a mixture of both solid particles and liquid droplets.” Larger particles may cause irritation in the mouth, nose, and throat, while smaller particles can be inhaled deep into
the lungs and pose serious health risks. In addition to eye irritation and cough, breathing in smoke can also cause chest pain, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, difficulty breathing, pulmonary inflammation, and bronchitis. It can also exacerbate respiratory illnesses, such as allergies and asthma. Santa Monica College (SMC) student Alex Muñoz explained how the poor air quality negatively affected his well-being. “I got the worst allergic reaction … I’ve been sneezing the past weeks because of the fires,” he said. Other students voiced their frustrations on Twitter, with many of them criticizing the college for keeping campus open during the Getty Fire. Grace Panosian wrote, “Currently on SMC campus and there is a very large and noticeable amount of smoke right above us. And the air just smells very heavily of smoke. Please don’t make us breathe this in all day.” While wildfire smoke negatively impacts everyone, certain members of the population are at greater risk. In a press statement released by the ALA, Dr. Sonal R. Patel, a pediatric allergy specialist practicing in Los Angeles, stated, “Children, seniors, people with asthma and lower income individuals face greater risks due to unhealthy air, which can cause asthma attacks, respiratory and cardiovascular harm, and even early death. Cleaning up our California’s air is vital to all our health.”
A Helicopter drops a payload of water on the hills surrounding the Metropolitan Water DIstrict during the Getty Fire on October 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Anthony Mayan / The Corsair)
According to numerous health officials, the best protection from smoke is to remain indoors. Dr. Eric Kleerup, a pulmonologist at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, said, “It’s important to use common sense. If it looks smokey outside, or if you see ash or soot in the air or on your car, stay indoors with the windows and doors closed.” Given the length and frequency of wildfires in California, it may not be feasible for everyone to remain indoors when air quality is poor. When venturing outdoors, experts suggest wearing a respirator. The ALA, however, cautions that paper dust masks, the kind commonly used to protect from large particles such as sawdust, do not offer suitable protection from smoke. Masks must be able to filter tiny particles and must create an airtight seal around the wearer’s nose and mouth. Appropriate masks are marked with either “R95,” “N95,” or “P95.” According to the ALA, “soft masks with higher ratings (R, N or P99 and R, N, or P100) are also available and will filter out even more particles.” As California’s air quality continues to worsen, citizens need to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves. “It’s also important to pay attention to your health,” Dr. Kleerup said. “If you’re experiencing symptoms from smoke exposure that aren’t going away, you should seek medical care.”
C U LT U R E
Fundraising Knows No Borders Dana Binfet | Staff Writer On Oct. 26, 2019 people from all over Los Angeles came together to honor Terry Fox at the Santa Monica Terry Fox Run to help raise money and awareness for cancer research. The Santa Monica Terry Fox Run is a 5km race that takes place annually on the Venice Boardwalk, right across from the Shutters Hotel. Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete and cancer research advocate, who lost his leg in 1977 during his battle with bone cancer at the age of 18 years old. Terry Fox’s first hand battle with cancer inspired him to run the length of Canada, with a prosthetic leg, starting on the east coast in St. John, Newfoundland to raise money for cancer research in what he called the “Marathon of Hope.” As Terry Fox’s “Marathon of Hope” gained traction, he set a goal of raising one dollar from every Canadian to go towards finding a cure for cancer. His cancer spread, and he had to stop running after 143 days and 3,107 miles, getting as far as Thunder Bay, Ontario. Terry Fox lost his battle to cancer on June 28, 1981 but he inspired something much bigger than himself. The Terry Fox Foundation, established in 1988, has helped raise more than $750
A group of runners of the Terry Fox 5k Run. Oct. 26, 2019. Santa Monica, Calif. (Fernando Duran / The Corsair)
million for cancer research as a result of the impact one man had. “Our International Terry Fox Runs have been taking place since 1992,” said the Terry Fox Foundation International Director Rhonda Risebrough. “Some started earlier, but that year was really when they became official and we started tracking them… We have Terry Fox Runs in 37 countries and we fund research in about a dozen countries, including Vietnam, India, Singapore, Hong
Kong, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, and the US.” Although the Terry Fox Runs have taken place all over the world, it wasn’t until last year when former head of YouTube Canada, Dave Brown, decided to start a Terry Fox Run in his own neighborhood of Santa Monica. “As someone who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017, the initial reaction is shock,” said Brown. “I would literally say
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to myself ‘If Terry Fox can attempt his brazen trail amidst cancer, surely you can attempt to complete this set of push-ups.’ His icon isn’t amorphous, it is very tangible, and very real, to those who know his story, and who need a role model to draw strength from.” Since Brown founded the Santa Monica Terry Fox Run in 2018, the Santa Monicabased run’s attendance has grown rapidly. According to Brown, the growth in attendance from the first year to the second year is over 1,110 percent. By the time The Santa Monica Oct. 27 Terry Fox Run commenced, the race had raised over $10,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. “The disease itself is global. It affects everyone,” said Brown. “When I poll our participants at the beginning of the race and ask, ‘who here has been affected by cancer, in their families or group of friends?’, the answer is unequivocal and unanimous. It’s everyone.” Brown intended to unite members of the Santa Monica Community to support what he believed to be an important cause. “People need a hero. Terry Fox is a hero,” said Brown to crowds at the race. “People who are struggling especially need a hero. Terry Fox is that hero.”
SMC Dance Department Presents Synapse Eline Millenaar | Staff Writer On Nov. 2 and 3, the Santa Monica College (SMC) Contemporary Dance Ensemble portrayed nearly two hours of moving artistry at the Fall 2019 showcase. They stirred the audience to both laughter and feet tapping through pieces like the wildly colorful ‘Ode to the 80’s’. This contrasted with the breathless silence during the Ballet duet ‘Overlook’, and the deeply emotional piece 'A-155510.' In addition to the pieces by faculty and student choreographers, the grand finale of the dance concert featured segments of ‘Songs of the Disinherited’ by guest choreographer Donald McKayle. Synapse Contemporary Dance Company was created almost forty year ago by the SMC dance department. Every semester, they choose one or more guest choreographers to feature in the showcase. Art Directors Mark Tomasic and Jae Lee chose to feature choreographies of the late Donald McKay. “His works were very focused on social injustice, racial segregation and black life in America, so he illustrated a lot of those political-social issues,” Lee elaborated. The show was composed of 11 separate pieces, each distinguishable from the next. The opening piece titled ‘Encounters,' set
to the tunes of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, set a high-energy tone for the rest of the showcase. For the next composition, 'The Sun,' a large, golden ribbon was wrapped around one of the dancers, pulling her across the Broad Theater’s stage. In another piece, dancers covered in
SMC dance majors auditioned eight weeks prior to the show to be a part of the Synapse Contemporary Dance Theater’s showcase. Many of the dancers had a performance in China during rehearsal, which decreased the amount of time they had to prepare for the show by another week and
emergency blankets walked off-stage and surrounded the audience as the silver foil shimmered in the bright stage lights. The show’s program describes SMC dance major Julisa H. Figueroa’s ‘Reality/Dream/Assimilation’ as “a reaction to the American citizen’s participation in the exploitation and detainment of immigrants in U. S. detention camps.” Additionally, many of the other pieces had a strong social justice theme.
a half. Tomasic said that he was glad to see it all come together. “Right before the performance, the week before, you don’t think you’re going to be ready and things seem to be falling apart," said Tomasic. "Then magically, it all ends up coming together." One of the dancers, Andrew Limas, felt the performances this past weekend went well. The audience could clearly see his
excitement through his facial expressions. "It was an amazing opportunity for me to just go on stage and share my passion with the audience, and I would do it a thousand more times if I could,” said Limas. SMC President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery attended the evening performance on Saturday. Visiting backstage with the dancers before the show, Jeffery took note of the performers' levels of enthusiasm and excitement. “Some of the pieces were provocative… it touched on a lot of different segments of social engagement.” said Jeffery. “It was extremely beautiful and energetic. They put a lot of heart and soul into this and it shows.” Attendee Jeffrey Lover also had nothing but praise for the Synapse Dance Theater. He attends their performances almost every year for the talent of the performers and choreographers. “This year was especially good… it had such juxtaposition of emotions,” said Lover. “It goes from ‘Havana Nights’ where you’re just thrilled and having a great time, to like this really deep… feeling that was so poignant I had to cry. It was very moving.” Illustration by Dana Binfet and Chloe Geschwind
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Adult Swim Festival Turns Two Dorothy Alexanian | Staff Writer Adult Swim Festival turns two this year at Banc of California Stadium in downtown Los Angeles. The Nov. 15-16 event, expected to draw over 20,000 fans, includes a genre-defying blend of live performances, screenings, rides, and games. The network, while known for its adultoriented cartoons, began promoting the music of up-and-coming artists through its Singles project with Williams Street Records in 2010. Festival lineups reflect the eclectic mix of genre and style present in the Singles releases, from electronica to indie rock to rap – and everything in-between. Many of the musicians included in the Singles campaign play live at Adult Swim
events; artists featured in both the 2019 festival and the Singles releases include noise-rock band Health and rapper Captain Murphy, the animated alter-ego of musician and producer, Flying Lotus. The fictional death metal act Dethklok, from the cartoon Metalocalypse, boasts headliner status alongside Long Beach rapper Vince Staples. Festival-goers are also able to watch a live performance of the Eric Andre Show, though the show’s guests have not yet been revealed. This year includes a number of “experiences” hosted by Adult Swim; the phrases “Squidbillies 10 Man Bunkhouse Stampede” and the “Robot Chicken Intergalactic Power Summit” grace the flyer, without further explanation. The Meatwad Dome, a three-
hundred-and-sixty degree theater themed for the network’s "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," returns to the event to air network premieres and reruns. Similar to its previous iteration, Adult Swim Festival 2019 includes a plethora of "Rick and Morty"-themed attractions. The intergalactic animated comedy, which began in 2013 and surpassed shows like "The Big Bang Theory" in millenial network ratings during 2017, is set to begin its fourth season right before the festival. Attendees will have the chance to screen episodes of the new season in advance at the event, as well as immerse themselves in two separate virtual reality games involving the "Rick and Morty" universe. While THE ROW DTLA worked as a
venue for 2018’s festival, the event was moved to Banc of California Stadium for 2019. The stadium, which opened in April of last year, is accessible by the Metro Expo Line. Adult Swim also includes recommended accommodations near the stadium on their website for those planning to attend. According to a statement from Nick Javier, a representative of the publicity company behind the festival, “There will be shade, food, and multiple stages, games and experiences...and most importantly – places to sit down!” Four tiers of tickets are available on the festival site, from one-day general admission to VIP passes.
“Through a Different Lens: Stanley Kubrick Photographs”
Cartoonist Peter Arno talking to a nude model, from the Skirball Cultural Center’s exhibition, ‘Through a Different Lens: Stanley Kubrick Photographs,’ at the Center’s gallery in Los Angeles, California, on October 27th 2019. (Marco Pallotti/The Corsair)
Marco Pallotti | Staff Writer The Skirball Cultural Center recently opened an exhibition of Stanley Kubrick's photographs made in the years 1946 to 1950, when he worked for Look Magazine. Kubrick is better known as a film director, helming such classics as “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “The Shining.” Titled, “Through a Different Lens: Stanley Kubrick Photographs,” the exhibition opened Oct. 17 and runs until March 8, 2020. Born in 1928, Kubrick sold his first images to the biweekly photo magazine, Look Magazine, in 1945 while still in high school, and was hired on staff soon after he graduated. The exhibition covers the years Kubrick worked at Look, and almost 150 black and white photos are on display, along with issues of Look showing Kubrick's work. The magazine published photo stories accompanied by text, and every image in the individual layouts contributed to the narrative of the overall story. Kubrick seemed to have a natural ability to shoot photos that told a story, and the images he created were full of human interest and values. Some of his photos, particularly from his later work, actually look like movie stills, and his visual sense sometimes seems more cinematic than photographic. The majority of the photographs are portraits, and they display Kubrick’s ability to
capture a prominent part of the subject's character. In a list compiled in the early '60s of the top 10 movies that influenced him, Kubrick ranked Orson Welles' “Citizen Kane” as third on his list. That influence is visible in the unusual angles, low points of view, and dramatic lighting Kubrick often uses. A vertiginous photo from 1946 of radio personality, Johnny Grant, standing on a windowsill high above a New York City street, is shot from the floor above with the street far below. Kubrick also explored the voyeuristic nature of photography, as shown by a shot of a young couple looking slightly surprised when caught mid-embrace on a fire escape, and another of a showgirl putting on makeup in front of a mirror, with Kubrick taking the photograph behind her. The most provocative example is an unpublished image featuring rakish cartoonist, Peter Arno, facing in the direction of the camera while talking to a nude model facing him, as she puts her hair up. The image is suggestive, mildly erotic, and suspenseful; it can lead a viewer to wonder what is going on, what the power dynamic is, and what is going to happen next. Kubrick's time at Look, shooting these narrative images every day for several years, educated him in the art of telling stories with pictures, which is exactly what filmmaking is. This exhibition takes an intimate look at his earliest work, as well as elements of the photographs that reverberated throughout his career as a filmmaker.
OPINION
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We Need to Celebrate Veterans Day Everyday Clyde Bates Jr. | Staff Writer We need to celebrate Veterans Day, not only on one day, but every day. This story is about why we should celebrate Veterans Day every day. I’m writing this paper because a survey came out that says 22 veterans commit suicide every day. I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. and on Aug. 4, 2019 I had surgery on my knee. On Aug. 26, the first day of school, all hell broke loose. I was admitted into the emergency section of the Veteran’s Administration (VA) hospital, and that same day I had emergency surgery due to a Staphylococcus infection. I stayed in the hospital for two weeks and on the second week I told my doctor I needed to go because I was having thoughts of suicide. And at that time my doctor said, “What do you mean?” I said, “I cannot stay in this hospital. I need to get back in school.” He said to me, “If you have to do this, you won’t have to do certain things to be
discharged.” And I did some things and I got discharged. I had to wear a peripherally-inserted central catheter (PICC) line in my arm with antibiotics for a whole month. That time was the start of my recovery process. My first day out I was in a wheelchair, then I went to a walker, and then went to crutches. All that time, I had to go up and down 16 steps to get to my apartment, every day. One of the main reasons I wanted to write the story is because veterans get misused and abused in the hospital and I had to get out. But I am real grateful that I had a place to go and that was back to school. Man, that
first day of school was real hard, but I am real grateful that I had the determination to get there. If it wasn’t for the school, I probably would’ve lost my life. Graduating from SMC by the spring of 2020 is one of the most important things I want to do. But, one morning I was in severe pain all night. I had a real hard experience that night, and I was ready to give up. Then I got a call from my friend, Lisa, and the one thing she said to me was, "You are not a quitter." Lisa didn't know at that time I was thinking about suicide and that she saved my life. Man, it took three to four hours to get ready for school, but I got through it. I re-
member getting to school that day after talking to Lisa and her telling me the five little words: "You are not a quitter." And one of the ladies at the SMC Disability Center office said to me, "Look me in eyes, Clyde. You know you can quit." She meant I could end the semester early, and it wouldn't hurt my GPA. I looked her back in her eyes and said, "You know I’m not a quitter." Both of them ladies, Lisa and the lady in the DPS office, were the turning point in my life and I really need to tell both of them thank you for saving my life. That is one of the reasons why I wanted to write a story is that sometimes kind words can make all the difference in the world. Even when I got to school, even the people in my class, they just don’t know when I said, “How are you doing today,” was all the difference that made me a better person and made me want to live and I need to tell all of them, “Thank you.” If you see a veteran just say some kind words, you might be saving a life. Illustration by Dana Binfet
Of Cults and Culture Tatiana Louder | Staff Wrtier The word “cult” is like the word “love”; both have been overused to the point of senselessness. Everyday, people say they “love” things that they certainly wouldn’t marry or die for. Pop culture elements that tout a dedicated group of fans are quickly dubbed as a “cult” following, though the fans likely wouldn’t drink poisoned FlavorAid to show their devotion to, say, Rocky Horror Picture Show. To be fair, with Rocky Horror fans, you never know. When it comes to the Golden State, some pretty big names rule the scene. Children of God, the People’s Temple, Buddhafield, the Source Family; these aren’t band names (although The Source Family did release 65 psychedelic rock albums based on member improvisations). These cults, who are some of the largest, most harmful, and most influential cults in United States history, all share California as their birthplace. Even Santa Monica has a history of nefarious cult activity. By definition, most organized religions and many spiritual groups fit under the umbrella of “cult”. Having a complex etymology, the simplest and most commonly used definition of “cult” in Merriam Webster’s dictionary is “a system of religious beliefs and ritual.” Netflix original docu-series Explained says the characteristics of a cult include a charismatic leader, evident use of brainwashing, and finally, widespread exploitation. This list explains why many cults target young adults and college students. Synanon, founded by Charles Dederich,
clearly fits the bill for a cult no matter which definition you choose. It started right here in Santa Monica. Rehab systems already existed when Dederich started his own style of doctor-less
In Synanon, former addicts served as drug counselors, and admitting a problem became the first step for more than 1,300 followers treated as inpatients at Synanon facilities. While Synanon did help members
treatment for addicts in a Santa Monica storefront in 1958, according to LA Magazine. Before the existence of Synanon (which got its name from Dederich fusing the prefix “syn”, which denotes togetherness, with the suffix for anonymity: “anon”), addicts were considered to have an incurable ailment. Some were treated by medical doctors, most were jailed. Enter Dederich and his supposedly-positive new philosophy.
kick their addictions, like any cult, exploitation was abound. “The Game”, a form of group therapy where members were encouraged to talk about themselves and then face violent verbal abuse from other group members, was imposed on members as part of the healing process. Newcomers were hazed by being forced to shave their heads. By 1969, the messages of hope and the goal of graduating
from the program were all but forgotten. Now called the Church of Synanon, members were taught that staying sober meant residing in Synanon indefinitely. Because Dederich didn’t think children were a good investment for Synanon’s vast funds (the cult had $22 million in assets and $8 million in annual revenue by 1976, including Santa Monica’s Casa Del Mar hotel), members of the group were pressured to get abortions and vasectomies. Spiraling deeper into the abyss, Synanon turned more violent. Dederich threatened and conspired to kill Paul Morantz, a lawyer who had begun an investigation into the cult and found out that they were not licensed to be doling out rehabilitation treatment. Dederich pleaded no contest to the conspiracy to commit murder charges in 1980. After a long and financially draining trial, the court ruled in favor of Morantz in 1984. By 1991, Synanon declared bankruptcy and disappeared almost completely. However, a small leg of Synanon still operates in Germany. While California has seen its fair share of cults, Synanon stands out in its focus on Santa Monica. The Casa Del Mar still stands on the oceanfront, though the American branch of Synanon rests in peace. The building stands as a secret reminder that folks come to California looking for love, healing, and a new life. The Santa Monica beach at sunset is the only reminder one needs that joining a cult is a step that may be skipped on the journey to find love. Illustration by Chloe Geschwind
SPORTS
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Corsair Basketball Preview
Members of the Corsair Men’s basketball team pose during Men’s basketball Media Day on Saturday, November 2, 2019 in Santa Monica College (SMC) in Santa Monica, Calif. Left to right: Chastin Mouton, Teddy Parham, Coach Joshua Thomas, Daison Hughes, Ja’Shawn Chisel. (Peter Minges / The Corsair)
Members of the Corsair Women’s basketball team receiving their new uniforms on Saturday, November 2, 2019 in Santa Monica College (SMC) in Santa Monica, Calif. (Kevin Tidmore / The Corsair)
Tiffany Mankarios | Staff Writer
Jinea Cole | Staff Writer
Men’s Basketball
Focusing on detail and perfection, Santa Monica College (SMC) men’s basketball hopes for a victorious, successful season. Cesar Meza, Teddy Parham, and head coach Joshua Thomas give a sneak peak into what they have been doing to prepare for this upcoming season, and how they plan to be successful as a team and as individuals. Parham, a sophomore point guard, believes the Corsairs have immense talent and chemistry that will guide them to success. He also thinks team unity is going to be key for the Corsairs to record wins. “For offensive play, everybody contributes, whether it be scoring, passing or rebounding,” he said. “Chemistry is great this year, we bond a lot outside of practice so everybody’s been getting close.” Meza, also a sophomore point guard, spoke about the little things that contribute to the team’s defensive play and what they hope to keep in mind throughout this upcoming season. “We were slow on defense all last year ... this year we’ve been really trying to be on point from the beginning,” said Meza. Parham also believes that the dog-eatdog mentality players instilled in themselves will only help them get closer to their goal. When it comes to weaknesses for the team, Parham stated, “Sometimes there is a lack of ‘Basketball IQ’ and poor communication. Last year we fell short of the
Elite Eight title but hopefully this year we can pull through and win both the Conference and State Championship.” Thomas added, “We won’t be as good rebounders as we were last year, we were pretty big and good at that last season. I think interior defense, shot blocking, and rim protection is something we’re lacking this season.” He moved on to say that, “The experience we have this year [eight returning athletes] will certainly help due to the knowledge and preparation aspects it provided for us last season.” Thomas made it clear that goals for the team include “getting to the next level” and capturing the state championship. “We have a lot of guys that know what we want, which is really great,” he said. “Winning a state championship, not just that though. Our main thing is winning, whether it be as a team or winning the scholarship that all the kids come here to play for. Everyone’s using [SMC’s] platform to go out and play for a university, that’s the primary goal.” He went on to express that some of the players have already received scholarship offers from universities. Roads to the state championship and scholarships are not far out of reach for Corsairs’ men’s basketball players. SMC’s first preseason game will be Friday, Nov. 1 at San Diego Marymount College. Their opponent will be Barstow College at the Miramar Gehler Memorial College Tournament.
Women’s Basketball
Laughter and excitement filled the Pavilion gym as the Santa Monica College (SMC) women’s basketball team kicked off their season with Media Day to reintroduce familiar faces and show new faces that are heading into the 2019-2020 season. Although last season didn’t go as planned for the Corsairs, going 1-5 in Conference and 8-17 overall, this year’s team isn’t letting that hold them back. With a new 15-woman roster, the Corsairs are planning on taking this season by surprise. Head coach Lydia Strong is going into her 19th season and sees a lot of potential in her team this year. “I feel a lot better because of the depth we have now, and three returning All-Conference players Nina Gazzo, Ariana Quintana, and Mariam Moges, which is a huge plus. Also with the leadership of five sophomores to help guide the freshman,” she said. Strong has high expectations for her team this season because she feels they are going to be seen as the underdogs. With that comes commitment. “The commitment aspect is gradually getting there; some still don’t know that they are accountable for their actions. Whether that’s being late for practice, that has to come with consequences like running sprints, but they understand that this is a team and it’s bigger than them as individuals,” explained Strong.
Three of SMC’s sophomores – Camryn McMahan, Chassen Gutierrez, and Katie Georgev – shared how they feel about this upcoming season. McMahan, who played last year and saw the difficulties of last season, explained, “Last year we were good, but we weren’t ready yet. We had missing pieces. This year we found the missing pieces to complete us, we complement one another, and I believe this season is going to be exciting.” Even with a losing record, SMC doesn’t have to worry about players buying into the vision. “As a returner that didn’t play last season, I felt that I really wanted to play for this program. I’m glad I made that decision,” Gutierrez said. Georgev added, “This season is going to be exciting after playing at another school and taking a year off. Once I decided to come back and play again, I felt that SMC was a better place for me overall as a studentathlete.” This year’s team is made up of 10 freshmen and five sophomores that are ready to play and bring a winning mentality back to SMC. The chemistry is there between coaches, players, and the student managers. SMC’s season opening game is at Palomar College on Nov. 15, at the Palomar College Tournament in San Diego. The Corsairs’ first home conference game will be against Bakersfield College on Jan. 8.