Week of Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Olympic-sized pool under construction at CSUF

Volume 110 Issue 3

OPINION

Investing in timeless clothing essentials combats heaps of waste SEE PAGE

6

NEWS The 2021 California Governor Recall election is fast approaching on Sept.

14. Here’s a rundown of the top candidates vying to replace current Gov. Gavin Newsom

The new pool will be located behind the CSUF Kinesiology and Health Sciences Building. (James Joslyn/ Daily Titan)

JAMES JOSLYN Staff Writer

An $8 million Olympic-size swimming pool is under construction at Cal State Fullerton, set to replace the 50-year-old swimming and diving pools located behind the Kinesiology and Health Sciences Building, according to a university press release..

The pool will be 53 meters deep with a movable 3-meter bulkhead that can separate the pool into sections, allowing multiple groups to use the pool at the same time, said Jim

Donovan, director of Titan Athletics.

It’s aiming for completion in March 2022, he said.

“Typically, much of the time, we’ll have actually two 25 meter pools so you can have two classes going on at the same time. You can have a class or open swim or you can have two teams using it at the same time,” Donovan said. “It allows for more functionality than the old pool could’ve ever had.”

The former pools failed to comply with code standards, according to the California Environmental Quality Act. The former swimming and diving pools were leaking up to 13,000

gallons of water per day, according to the press release.

Sarabdayal Singh, director of design and construction for Fullerton’s Capital Programs and Facilities Management, said the leaks came from under the pool in the utilities and the water line.

“We were moving a great amount of water on a daily basis,” said Singh.

“The best case scenario was to replace the pools to a new pool.”

SEE PLAN

3

SEE PAGE

2

LIFESTYLE “Shang-Chi” spotlights Asian American talent with a narrative on familial expectations and skilled martial arts

SEE PAGE

4

Hurricane Ida spurs Cross country and track support efforts & field hire head coach The American Red Cross and Salvation Army offer resources after widespread damage throughout the Gulf Coast.

CARLOS CORDOVA Staff Writer

On Aug. 29, the 16-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ida hit the Louisiana coastline, leaving behind an aftermath of destruction.

The 2005 hurricane killed over 1,800 people and was followed by years of rebuilding.

Hurricane Ida’s damage and death toll is still not fully known, but its recovery will pose a new challenge for relief efforts in a state already struggling to control the virus with 91% of hospitalizations related to COVID-19.

As Ida made its way up the Gulf Coast, the Category 4 hurricane made landfall with winds reaching up to 150 mph, causing structural damage to houses, buildings and landscapes while moving to the Northeast where it has caused major flooding.

John Berglund, the Salvation Army’s emergency disaster service director of the Western territory, said that the damage is absolutely as severe as Hurricane Katrina, but on a smaller scale.

“It’s not a Katrina, but it’s still extremely severe and it’s going to be severe. With no power, no water, no air conditioning, it is going to be tough for probably a month,” Berglund said.

In addition to the disorder the hurricane left behind, nonprofit relief organizations like The Salvation Army and American Red Cross must take extra precautions when

providing services to victims due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brianna Kelly, regional communications manager of the American Red Cross Southern California Region, said that the pandemic has changed the way relief organizations typically provide food and shelter in these situations.

“COVID has not changed our core mission, so you know we know disasters don’t stop during a pandemic and we’re not going to stop during a pandemic either,” Kelly said. “We can still provide more meals, we can still provide health service in this environment and do it in a way that people are safe, and they feel comfortable accessing our services.”

Even though they have had to adjust how they prepare and deliver food, both Berglund and Kelly said that the organizations have fed over 110,000 meals and snacks thus far to those who need them. In addition, they have provided socially distanced shelters to tens of thousands of victims left without a home, all while testing volunteers and victims for COVID-19.

For students and student organizations looking to help those affected by Hurricane Ida, contributions can be made on either of the organizations’ websites. Donations not only provide food and shelter but also go toward long-term financial support for Ida victims.

“Every disaster, we raise funds while we’re doing it, and that will determine how long we can provide services and especially when you go into recovery,” Berglund said.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @THEDAILYTITAN

SEE DISASTER

3

Marques Barosso (right) with CSUF 400-meter record holder Marcel Espinoza. (CSUF Athletics)

Marques Barosso was introduced as the head coach of cross country and track & field.

ANTHONY BAUTISTA Editor

On Sept. 1, Titan Athletics announced that Cal State Fullerton alumnus Marques Barosso has been promoted to head coach of track and field, as well as men’s and women’s cross country.

With the promotion, Barosso became the second cross country and track and field head coach in CSUF’s NCAA Division 1 history. Barosso has been with the programs the last seven seasons, serving as an assistant coach for five seasons before he spent the last two as the associate head of the track and field program.

Barosso replaces John Elders, the longest-tenured head coach in school history, after 33 years.

“Again, I’d like to thank John Elders for leading our cross country

and track and field programs for the past 33 years. I know Marques will continue John’s legacy of creating a positive experience, focusing on graduating our student athletes and winning conference championships,” said Jim Donovan, CSUF athletic director.

Barosso’s CSUF connection runs deep. In 2008, Barosso earned a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis on human movement and sports performance from CSUF before earning a master’s in kinesiology with an emphasis on physical education from Fresno Pacific University in 2012.

During his time as a Titan, Barosso was on the track and field team where he won the 2006 Big West championship in the 200-meter race, as he clocked in at 21.41 seconds.

Prior to returning as a coach, Barosso spent time with UC Irvine in 2013-14 as a sprints and relay coach.

SEE NEW

8

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

2 News

WEEK OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Voter Guide

California Governor Recall Election SPENCER OTTE NAVTEJ HUNDAL BRYAN CORRALES-REYES Staff Writers

On Sept. 14, California voters will decide whether to keep Gov. Gavin Newsom in office or recall him with a replacement candidate to serve the remainder of his term through Jan. 2, 2023.

California has been a Democratic stronghold since the ‘90s.

The state’s last Republican governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger after he won the recall election against Gray Davis in 2003, the only California governor to be recalled.

California is one of 19 states in the United States that allows citizens to remove an elected official from office at any time with a recall election, according to the Nati onal Conference of State Legislatures.

To put a recall on the ballot, citizens must acquire a certain number of voter signatures, and that number must be 12% of the total voters who participated in the last election for the office, as well as include voters in at least five counties.

Recall proponents began their effort on June 10, 2020 and had until November 17, 2020 to get roughly 1.5 million signatures, but COVID-19 lockdowns hindered their

ability to collect signatures. The Sacramento County Superior Court granted an extension until March 17, 2021.

Newsom has been criticized for his strict pandemic measures and the high cost of living in California.

Signatures spiked in November 2020 when Newsom was seen attending a party at The French Laundry, an exclusive Napa Valley restaurant, without a

mask.

Recall opponents, however, credit Newsom with helping to contain the spread of the virus.

Forty-six candidates appear on the ballot, but four of them have gained traction based on polls and fundraising numbers.

This guide breaks down the top four candidates running in the 2021 recall election.

Top Candidates Larry Elder Larry Elder announced his candidacy in July and despite never holding public office, the longtime conservative talk radio host, author and TV host, is the Republican party’s frontrunning candidate.

Elder has been outspoken in his criticism of Newsom’s handling of the pandemic. On his campaign website, Elder said that Californians who choose to not wear a mask or get vaccinated should not be forced to do so.

“Encouraging — not mandating — those who are unvaccinated to get the vaccine is a reasonable approach,” Elder said.

At a rally on Aug. 22, Elder said that if he were elected to office, he would repeal any vaccine or mask mandates still in place. He also stated in an interview with CNN that he is not an “anti-vaxxer” and has been vaccinated himself, and urged others to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Some of Elder’s prominent platforms include the housing crisis and climbing costs of living, fire prevention and drought control and the repealing of Proposition 47, which reclassified certain theft and

drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors.

“Californians can no longer afford to live in their own state,” he said on housing costs.

“Regulations and laws that benefit a select few have sent home prices soaring. I will repeal those perverse regulations.”

Elder is pro-life and belives that abortion rights should be left up to the states, he told NBC. He is against the minimum wage, as he believes it is ultimately unfair to both employers and workers.

Elder has received endorsements from conservative figures like Orange County Grand Old Party chairman Fred Whitaker, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

He also received the endorsement of the California Republican Assembly and California College Republicans.

Recent polls show Elder far ahead of other Republican candidates, but also show 58% of Californians opposed to the recall, making Elder’s political future uncertain.

John Cox San Diego businessman John Cox will have another go against Newsom in the recall after losing to him by a landslide in the 2018 election.

According to his website, Cox plans to cut state income tax by $30 billion, prevent corporations from getting tax breaks and minimize state spending that can be returned to taxpayers.

As Governor, he plans to offer treatment prior to providing housing for homeless individuals and combat climate change by exporting natural gas as a cleaner alternative to coal-burning, helping reduce greenhouse emissions of other countries like China and India.

When asked in an interview with KUSI about what

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

he would do about wildfires, Cox responded by saying that after the 2018 election he proposed the idea of doing fireburns as treatment to those fires. In order to get firefighters and equipment to fight these issues, Cox mentioned that he would build roads in the forests.

Instead of helicopters, Cox would replace those with planes as he believes that they could handle more water and would cause less problems while in the air.

During a debate between four of the Republican candidates, Cox said that people who had already contracted COVID-19 do not need the vaccine, despite the Centers of Disease Control recommending otherwise.

Kevin Faulconer Kevin Faulconer served as mayor of San Diego from 2014-20. During the recall election, Faulconer has released policy proposals on a variety of topics ranging from state income taxes to the state’s economy.

On his campaign website, Faulconer pledged to stop cutting wildfire funding, ease taxes on veterans while working on veteran homelessness and recover restaurants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2015, Faulconer passed the Climate Action Plan in San Diego, which required the city to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2035.

Nicole Capretz, executive director of the Climate Action Campaign, said that Faulconer’s track record is “less than stellar,” according to an article published by KPBS News.

In that same article, Capretz claimed that Faulconer failed to reduce city residents’ car dependence and was too slow to move San Diego towards 100% renewable energy.

Faulconer also failed to keep the Chargers football team from moving from San Diego to Los Angeles — a goal that he set during his first State of the City Address in 2015.

Faulconer could not get enough support to build a new stadium with taxpayer money.

A month before he left office in San Diego, he passed the Complete Communities Program which offered developers relief from height and density regulations by reducing parking requirements and adding incentives to their projects as long as they built them near public transit.

Kevin Paffrath At 29 years old, real estate agent and YouTuber Kevin Paffrath is the youngest of the top four candidates, as well as the only Democrat.

On his website, Paffrath lists the one-year, five-part plan that he would implement if he was elected as governor.

The five-part plan includes optional emergency housing for all homeless within 60 days, crime reduction by focusing on community policing by reintegrating trust between law enforcement and communities and for education, a concept called “Future Schools’,’ which combines high school, college and trade school into one.

The plan also includes options to make housing affordable and create new roads to

reduce traffic, commute times and pollution.

He also wants to roll back health restrictions for COVID-19. Paffrath suggests the installation of High Efficiency Particulate Air filters, air filters that prevent the entry of elements that can carry the virus to living areas.

To increase vaccinations, he wants the state to compensate adults $250 if they get the vaccine.

In a conversation with the San Diego Tribune, Paffrath said he believes there needs to be changes made to the justice system, and that his goal is to establish a closer relationship between civilians and the police.

FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

News 3

WEEK OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Disaster: Grappling with Ida’s aftermath

Wendy Halsey of the American Red Cross walks past damage caused by Hurricane Ida in New Sarpy, Louisiana.

(Scott Dalton / American Red Cross)

CONTINUED FROM

1

Berglund said that students should be aware of where they donate, and encourages a little research before donating to an organization.

He said to make sure that the agency has a real presence on the ground in affected areas.

Lesser-known agencies tend to run out of money after a short period, causing them to exit

from the site, he added.

For those unable to make financial donations, there are other ways to offer support, such as donating blood at Fullerton’s Red Cross Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center located at 1144 Rosecrans Ave, Fullerton, CA 92833.

Kelly reassured that donating blood is an important way of supporting relief efforts for Ida, and that the Red Cross also has

the ability to move blood around the country as needed.

Donations made toward Hurricane Ida relief will go towards a number of immediate services for those affected by the disaster, such as meals and shelter, warm blankets, recovery services and financial support, Kelly said.

“Something that’s going to be really important too, as people begin

this recovery process especially with a storm as devastating as this one, they are going to need a lot of long term support from the Red Cross and from partners,” Kelly said. “We’re talking not just days, weeks and months into the future, so your donation can be put to use right away and it can also be used down the road for recovery services.”

Plan: New project costs $8 million

CONTINUED FROM

1

Opinion Assistants Kryrstin Huxtable Hugo Rios Nollyanne Delacruz Lifestyle Editor Nicole Trinidad Deputy Lifestyle Editor Jessica Choi Lifestyle Assistants Eder Ramirez Darius Johari Alan Bautista Layout Editor Amber Juarez Deputy Layout Frank Portillo Layout Assistant Therese Lim

Copy Editor Stepheny Gehrig Deputy Copy Editor Jessica Bernal Copy Assistants Guadalupe Rodriguez Stephanie Jasso Dimitra Doiphode Photo Editor Eliza Green Photo Assistants Danica Huynh Eric Rodriguez Jon Buzdar Multimedia Editor Kassandra Vasquez

ADVERTISING

Director of Sales Izzy Cambiaso Marketing Manager Dakota MacDonald Marketing Coordinators Norma Vazquez Connor Hedges Annie Kuo

Account Executives Chloe Lau Tyler Costa Manuel Zambrano Isabela Veloro Uri Sandoval Accountant Doris Henriquez

Distribution Manager Kim Pham Graphic Designers Josephine Tang Allison Nishi Faculty Adviser Michelle Kurland

Editor-in-Chief News Line Sports Line Advertising

EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief Taylor Arrey Managing Editor Michelle Ibañez News Editor Lily Lopez News Assistants Jessica Benda Jasmine Raine Rivera Emily Melgar Sports Editor Anthony Bautista Deputy Sports Editor Marisa Palmerin-Flores Sports Assistant David Goodkind Jeseny Escobar Opinion Editor Vanessa Siguenza

CONTACT

Donovan said it is suspected the pool may have been damaged by the same earthquake that closed floors in Pollak Library in 2014, but because it was in the ground, it went unnoticed.

“Apparently, the leak got bad enough that campus facilities obviously noticed it, so it had to either be repaired or replaced,” Donovan said.

Donovan said the cost to repair the old pool was over half of the cost to build a new pool, and there was no guarantee the repairs would be successful.

“The new pool will cost about $8 million, and the estimated cost for repairing the old pool, which was over 50 years old, was about $5.5 million. There was no guarantee that even at $5.5 million that it would be effectively repaired because unless you take the whole thing out, you don’t know for sure that you’ve repaired it correctly,” Donovan said.

Donovan said students, staff and faculty will all have access to the new pool during designated times.

“We anticipate to have an open swim time during the week, during lunchtime roughly, so that students, faculty and staff will be able to come in and utilize the pool around lunchtime Monday through Friday,” said Donovan. “We haven’t

completely worked out the hours or the details but it’s tentatively penciled-in for an open swim during roughly the lunchtime hours.”

In the press release, CSUF President Fram Virjee said that the pool will be managed by the Athletic Department. Pool time will be shared between the College of Health and Human Development for its academic programs and the Athletic Department.

“The pool will also be open for recreational swimming to all Titans. And it will be a revenue source – there is a significant demand for pool time from local off-campus entities. In sum, this will be a university asset that will benefit the entire campus,” Virjee said.

Singh said the Olympic-size pool will give the campus an opportunity to look at adding more swim programs.

“The college is looking to see what other programs they can add, and athletics is also looking to add more events,” Singh said.

Singh added that the construction on the new pool is moving along.

“We have basically completed the demolition. We have dug in the new pool.

Underground utilities are complete. We are right now doing the tiling in the pool,” Singh said. “We are about 35-40% into the construction.”

Social Media Assistants Maria Pareja Nicole Mariona Animator Carly Uyematsu Illustrator Rebecca Mena Illustrator Assistants Michael Butorac Griselda Ruiz Gabriela MendozaLegorreta Vivan Han Gabriela Vega Faculty Adviser Walter Baranger

(657) 278-5815 editorinchief@dailytitan.com (657) 278-4415 news@dailytitan.com (657) 278-3149 sports@dailytitan.com (657) 278-4411 ads@dailytitan.com

FOR THE RECORD It is Daily Titan policy to correct factual errors printed in the publication. Corrections will be published on the subsequent issue after an error is discovered and will appear on page 3. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections will also be made to the online version of the article.

Please contact Editor-in-Chief Taylor Arrey at (657) 278-5815 or at editorinchief@dailytitan.com to report any errors.

© COPYRIGHT DAILY TITAN 2021 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Daily Titan is a student publication, printed every Monday through Thursday. The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, Inc. College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSU. The Daily Titan has functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. The Daily Titan allocates one issue to each student for free.

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

4 Lifestyle Movie

REVIE W “Shang-Chi” celebrates Chinese culture with its first ever Asian lead.

WEEK OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Marvel redefines legacy with newest action film

FRANCISCO PORTILLO Editor

In a film centrally focused on legacy, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” not only lives up to the martial arts films that came before it, but manages to pave a road of its own.

In its runtime of just over two hours, the visual spectacle that director Destin Daniel Cretton delivers as he introduces Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first leading Asian superhero is amazing.

The film follows Shang-Chi who must confront the legacy of his family and his father’s expectations to inherit control of the dangerous Ten Rings organization.

Drawing clear inspiration from early martial arts films that employ what is known as “Wire Fu,” using wires and pulleys to make the actors seem as if they are floating in air, this film’s fight sequences are truly a sight to behold.

A lot of the jaw-dropping action scenes have clear inspiration from films such as “Crouching Tiger,” “Hidden Dragon,” and “The Matrix.”

This makes sense considering that this film was shot by cinematographer Bill Pope, who also shot films such as “The Matrix” series, “Spider Man 2” and “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.”

The opening fight sequence quickly establishes the tone and never lets up. One of the more memorable moments in the film finds Shang-Chi

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

(Marvel Studios)

fighting for his life on a bus in what is a beautifully choreographed scene.

One of the things this movie does best is infusing Eastern and Western cultures. It accomplishes what “Black Panther” did for African Americans and tells a story that unapologetically celebrates the Asian and Asian American communities.

Instead of attempting to kowtow to the Asian audience overseas, as many Hollywood studio films now find imperative to a film’s commercial success, Eastern culture sensibilities are weaved into Shang-Chi’s DNA in a genuine way.

Simu Liu, starring as Shang-Chi, delivers a fantastic performance alongside international legend

Tony Leung Chiu Wai, who plays his father, Xu Wenwu, and leader of the deadly Ten Rings organization.

Liu is a welcome addition to the amazing actors currently playing in the MCU and this film does a great job of establishing him as a future anchor in the fictional universe. One of the most important reasons for his presence is representation, as the superhero film industry has historically been a platform dominated by white male actors.

Liu is perfectly cast and manages to play both the everyman Shang-Chi tries to be and the hero he becomes in an effortless way.

Leung’s performance as Shang-Chi’s estranged father strays from being a one-note villainous stereotype and,

along with the script, manages to humanize him and his motivations in a heartbreaking way.

The women also shine bright in this film. Fala Chen, starring as Li, is amazing as Shang-Chi’s mother, an important side of his duality. Meng’er Zhang plays the ultimate warrior, Xialing.

Watching her swing a spear on a rope is one of the coolest things we’ve seen a Marvel character do. From sorrow to awe, Chen and Zhang’s roles are integral to the film’s emotional value.

One of the minor letdowns of this film is the same trap that most Hollywood blockbuster films fall into, which is relying on CGI-heavy spectacle to close out a film. Once the third act has reached an

emotionally satisfying conclusion, there tends to be another 15 minutes of visual noise that kills movies like in “Wonder Woman.”

Both the mid-credits scene and post-credits scene, Marvel Studios’ staples, push the narrative forward in an exciting way so make sure to stay seated after the movie.

Marvel Studios is finally starting to do a fantastic job of representing different cultures and with upcoming projects like “Ms. Marvel” focusing on the Muslim Pakistani American community, the future looks bright.

“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is now in theaters with a rating of PG-13 for sequences of violence, action and language.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @THEDAILYTITAN

Lifestyle - Opinion 5

WEEK OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Column: Breaking the toxic sleep cycle My insomnia locks me in a state of worry and doubt, affecting my day-to-day life.

JESSICA CHOI Editor

The unhealthy cycles of overthinking make their way into my sleep schedule, and figuring out how to sleep soundly seems impossible.

When sleep finally washes over me, waking up in the morning is an even harder task.

Poor sleep from the night before often translates to a difficult morning after, affecting my performance in school and work. From not being able to pay attention during a lecture or forgetting to complete responsibilities at work, bad sleep takes a great toll on me.

Sometimes four hours of sleep cannot sustain me throughout the day so I take a midday nap, which furthers my toxic sleep cycle.

Let’s confront the harsh reality of insomnia. Anxiety and depression in college students have reached higher levels than ever before, according to a mental health survey conducted by the University of Michigan. In the survey, 47% of participants screened positive for clinical symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Living with the gnawing fear of anxiety and the drowning pull of depression are some culprits of stealing the sleep we all need

and deserve. Most nights, I struggle with my anxious thoughts and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

I often try to wind down my nights at 11 p.m. as I make the last changes to my homework, close my laptop, brush my teeth and hop into bed.

Scrolling through TikTok and Instagram subject me to a digital abyss; it’s now 1:30 a.m., and I need to regroup, turn off the phone, turn off the night light and really try to sleep.

The ceiling is so black and blank, the perfect empty canvas for splashes of overthinking. Did I turn in the chapter quiz that’s due tomorrow?

Am I going to get food before or after class? Wait — how come the friend from class never called? Phone calls — right. I have to call the dentist tomorrow and reschedule. Man, my throat is kind of dry, is it worth it to get up and grab a cup of water? Do I have to pee again? Why is my heart beating so fast and loud?

And now it’s 3:30 a.m.

This toxic sleep cycle can possibly be remedied by an expensive therapist or a spiritual retreat is the best solution, but as a college student on a schedule and budget that’s not a viable option.

We all try our best to cope with these mental illnesses through wholesome means such as exercise, meditation, journaling and other healthy life habits. However,

GABRIELA VEGA / DAILY TITAN everyone’s holistic journey to bettering their mental health differs greatly from one another.

Besides trying to fix my overall mental health — a difficult journey as a college student with a multitude of stressors — I’ve tried more localized approaches to fall asleep. Reading a book before bed, turning off my phone, listening to sleep meditation tracks and planning the next day out in my head are some

of the methods I use to calm my late-night anxieties.

Of course, these quick methods aren’t an exact science, and the restless hours staring at the ceiling still hold me hostage. I often wonder when I’ll be able to fall asleep effortlessly again.

The struggle of sleep is a personal issue that has close ties with stress and mental illnesses, and dealing with the root is still something I am figuring out.

For now, trying to make a consistent night time routine with calming elements and trying not to overstimulate my brain right before bedtime will be the majority of my efforts.

I know that sleep is a struggle for many students, overthinking and fake scenarios are coping mechanisms, and that 3 a.m. is the only time we have for ourselves to dwell, the only solace I can give is that you’re not alone.

Column: Fixed labels of sexual identity constricts queer experience Gender binaries cannot box in LGBTQ+ youth.

REBECCA MENA Freelancer

There is nothing like the queer experience — waking up one day and realizing that you are deviating from the heteronormative standards set by society. Believe me, some could kick you to the ground for the slightest rumor that answers their suspicions about you.

Instead of attraction towards the opposite sex, that attraction is directed toward an individual of the same sex.

Perhaps it could be the realization of belonging beyond the gender binary. Personally, after being told how manly I looked growing up, I somewhat had to thank my haters for teaching me that no matter what, they are jealous of my fluidity.

In any case, welcome to the LGBTQ community! A diverse group of people with their own unique stories and experiences, all with one thing in common — the trials and tribulations that come with pride.

The struggles that the community faces is not just about being called a slur online by a random person, or

reconsidering whether it is time to head out of the closet or extend your stay, but also about the tedious, time-consuming search for an identity or label.

Those searching for an indentity or label may tell themselves, “Well, obviously I’m a lesbian since I’m exclusively attracted to women.” So, off we go to join those who go by the same sexuality, a win for solidarity right? For some, one label just won’t do it.

Others may keep multiple labels in a mental rolodex for future reference. Spinning it to their heart’s content until it lands on a label that feels right. Until it does not

REBECCA MENA / DAILY TITAN VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

anymore and we are back to the drawing board.

Extensive research on sexual and gender minorities done by Bali White, a principal strategist and research fellow at the National Institute of Health, has highlighted the pros and cons of labels and their influence on the LGBTQ community.

“Around the world, people use many words to describe LGBT experiences,” White said.

“At the same time, we see a growing number of people who do not like to label their sexual orientation or gender identity at all, finding existing labels too confining.”

The argument here is not to invalidate those who often use labels to introduce themselves to the world. In fact, labels have, more often than not, helped people find their letter in the acronym in the first place.

But how much longer can people keep up with the ever-changing dictionary of sexual orientations and gender identities, when it seems they have left their own identity far behind?

What stems out of these labels are restrictions that rule out intersections between them. In other words, it denies people the space they need to discover their own definition of being queer.

Sadly, even their own peers and allies tear down their safe space rather than uplift it.

Examples include homosexuals claiming that

bisexuals and trans people are not 100% queer because they do not fit into their conventional idea of what it means to be part of the LGBTQ community by dating someone of the opposite sex. I guess you are not “queer” enough for developing romantic feelings for someone’s personality and not their sexuality.

Even heterosexuals have the audacity to put in their two cents and accuse bisexuals of being closeted gays and lesbians.

As if the letters ‘L’ and ‘G’ were pulling a made-up rank on ‘B’ and ‘T,” and allies suddenly have a seat at the table. We did not get slain and called slurs for some heterosexuals to chime in.

It’s disappointing to see the community come so far, only to become the toxicity we swore to destroy, instead of dismantling the gender binaries that perpetuate these biphobic and transphobic ideas.

Transgender women should be able to date cis males and still be 100% queer. Bisexuals — even pansexuals — should be able to date people of the opposite sex and still be 100% queer. And so forth.

Gender and sexuality should be celebrated for their fluidity and ability to have such a profound influence on who people become. They should not become stagnant and used as confining labels to validate queerness.

Because only you can define yourself.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @THEDAILYTITAN

6 Opinion

WEEK OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Fashion micro trends harm environment Fleeting styles produce garment waste and overspending.

KYRSTIN HUXTABLE

Asst. Editor

Every month there seems to be a new trendy fashion item escalating into a shopping craze. With the influence of social media platforms including TikTok, where trends seem to last only as long as the 15-second video clips, trend cycles have been speeding up.

This year alone, TikTok has gifted us with fashion trends such as tie-dye sweatsuits, crochet crop tops, colorful chunky rings and vintage rectangular sunglasses.

But these so-called micro-trends reach their peak in a few months or even days.

Select pieces become extremely popular for a short time, only to fall faster than they rose, plummeting to their inevitable death to be deemed uncool, tacky or just plain ugly.

Micro-trends have warped the way consumers think about clothes. It is not necessary to have a different outfit for every Instagram post, complete with the latest trendy pieces. In essence, succumbing to micro-trends contributes to a vicious cycle of overconsumption and overproduction.

Typical trend cycles last five to ten years, which is plenty of time to live out the life of clothes, shoes and accessories. But, micro-trends are accelerating the fashion cycle, now lasting a few

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

months or years. To keep up with this fast-paced fashion environment, consumers buy way more clothes than necessary to appear trendy and chic.

Their closets are filled to the brim with cheap, low-quality fast fashion items to be worn a few times, then never touched again.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, consumers buy 60% more clothing pieces than they did 15 years ago, which goes to show the influence micro-trends have on fashion consumption.

The fleeting popularity of micro-trends is dangerous.

Not only does it cause people to over- consume clothing pieces, but shoppers ditch them once they have become irrelevant. Clothing should not be seen as disposable.

As reported in a BBC article, an estimated 92 million tonnes of garment waste is created every year, and by 2030, that number is expected to increase to 134 million tonnes.

This immense production of waste is perpetuated by micro-trends and the shortening of fashion cycles.

Even if clothes are sent to donation centers, most have a slim chance at another life.

Approximately 15% of all textile waste was recycled in 2018, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The rest of these discarded clothes are tossed in a landfill, left to slowly decompose for hundreds of years. Instead

GABRIELA MENDOZA/ DAILY TITAN

of cycling through massive amounts of clothes every year, purchasing clothes for the long term is the best route to take.

There are some alternatives that stray from influencer culture and hopping on micro-trends. The simple solution is to start purchasing fewer clothes or, when possible, shop second-hand to give clothes destined for the landfill a second life.

Investing in timeless essentials that are more likely to stay in the closet is a great way to combat unneeded waste. It is important to create a wardrobe filled with

classic essentials that will never go out of style, such as a few good pairs of jeans, tank tops for easy layering and casual day dresses.

Social media creates pressure to stay “on trend,” which causes many to mindlessly cave in to the next up-andcoming micro-trend. But before buying a new piece of clothing or a pair of shoes, it is always important to ask whether or not you actually like it.

Will you still be wearing it in a year? How about in five years? Asking these questions and shopping consciously can help eliminate unnecessary

waste.

Keeping up with micro-trends can be exhausting. Constantly searching for the next hot item draws consumers away from developing their own unique style.

One of the best ways to ensure that clothes will be wellloved is to buy pieces that speak to consumers’ taste and style.

Discovering our inner fashionista not only provides a confidence boost, but it is also one of the best ways to cherish our clothes while combating overconsumption and the micro-trends that create it.

FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

Leisure 7

WEEK OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

WRITTEN by Stepheny Gehrig

03/2104/19

ARIES Feeling secure in your

LIBRA Although you may

relationships is essential for them to flourish. Take some time this week to allow yourself to be vulnerable with those who you wish to grow with.

feel like being outspoken is the best choice, take a step back and try to see what your tone is coming across as. Your tone can take your outspokenness from being helpful to being accusatory.

09/2310/22

TAURUS This week might be

04/2005/20

a little difficult for you. You will feel very nostalgic and want to reminisce on some old memories. While it’s always nice to indulge in these feelings, it might make this week a little harder to get through.

SCORPIO Making

10/2311/21

GEMINI Holding yourself

05/2106/20

accountable might be difficult, but it is a step in the right direction. This week, being able to recognize your responsibilities and understand how to take accountability can allow yourself to grow and boost your character.

06/2107/22

LEO Letting yourself get out

07/2308/22

of your comfort zone will help you get out of the rut you’ve been going through, Leo. Get active in your community and give yourself the option to accomplish something new.

assumptions might get you into trouble. Assuming the wants and needs of those close to you can lead to underestimating what they are asking of you.

Give yourself the chance to take a step back when you recognize yourself assuming things.

SAGITTARIUS Scattered

11/2212/21

CANCER Although things may not seem to be spectacular, the week will be good for you, Cancer. Things will be mellow, but hang on this week, great things are in progress for you!

thoughts might hinder your week. You might find yourself daydreaming and focusing less throughout the day. Daydreaming might even be the cause of some communication errors, so be vigilant.

08/2309/22

Follow us @thedailytitan

titan titan titan trivia trivia trivia rivia

CAPRICORN Working in

12/2201/19

01/2002/18

groups will help your productivity this week.

Seek out people who you feel make good partners, and try to work alongside them.

AQUARIUS You might find yourself getting your wires crossed this week.

Miscommunication and confusion might make tasks a little more difficult to complete. Writing things down can make it easier for you to complete things.

VIRGO This week will be filled with love, Virgo! You’ll find yourself wanting to hang out with your close friends or spending more time with your family. Set aside some time for yourself to do all those things, but also give yourself some space if you feel overbooked.

Do you know where Tuffy is?

Follow @thedailytitan and submit your answer on Instagram for a chance to win.

PISCES You will find

02/1903/02

yourself to be a communication expert this week! You might find yourself being able to solve problems that stem from miscommunication.

Use this week as a way to help others!

• What was the Daily Titan called before?

A) Titan Times B) Titan News C) The Titan D) A and C •How could I win a $25 Titan Shops gift card?

A) Following us on Facebook B) Submitting a Song of the Week request C) Entering our Where’s Tuffy contest D) Following us on LinkedIn • Which cafe can I get coffee and a copy of the Daily Titan from?

A) 7 Leaves Cafe B) Veronese Gallery Cafe C) MADE Coffee D) All of the above *Answers on bottom of the page

Correction to last week’s Word Search: the “i” in the second row and column is supposed to be an “n”, where “nursing” could be found vertically.

Submit a song request: https://tinyurl.com/dtsongoftheweek

American Marketing Association (AMA) The American Marketing Association (AMA) is an organization that’s geared towards helping students develop professional skill sets in marketing and business in general. In AMA, members are given the opportunity to meet new friends, expand their network through social events, and gain insights from various guest speakers from different companies. AMA also offers different executive committees such as Social Media Committee, Advertising, Professional Development, and many more. Here, members are given the opportunity to have hands-on experience to develop their skillset or interests. In addition, AMA has a Western Regional Conference and Inter-Collegiate Conference that helps members connect with students from different schools.

For your club or organization to be featured, email production@dailytitan.com with photo(s) and a description with no more than 125 words.

Titan Trivia Answers: D, C, D VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

8 Sports

WEEK OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

New: Barosso ready to lead Titans to victory CONTINUED FROM

1

He then served as a speed development and strength and conditioning coach with the Baltimore Orioles in 2014 before he joined Elders’ staff in 2015.

“I will establish a culture of hard-working, high character, dedicated student athletes, on and off the track. We will share common goals of personal development, winning championships and building our brand at the national level,” Barosso said.

Since joining Fullerton in 2015, Barosso has been part of three men’s and one women’s Big West track and field championships.

Barosso has also seen many records get broken during the last six seasons.

New records have been set in seven total events including 100-meters, 4-x-100 meter relay and 4-x-400 meter relay.

The women’s outdoor track and field team set a new record in the 400-meter

hurdles in 2016.

In women’s indoor track and field action, new records have been set in the 200-meters, 800-meters and 4-x-400 meter relay.

Cross country opened the season on Sept.3, the Titans’ first event with Barosso as head coach, on a strong note at the Mark Covert Classic in Brea.

In the women’s 5K race, senior Trinity Ruelas finished in first place with a time of 17:39.5 minutes.

On the men’s side in the 8K race, senior Sam Ayala clocked in at 24:52.0 and sophomore Alexis Garcia recorded a time of 24:54.4 to finish second and third in the race respectively.

The women finished with a score of 36 and the men posted a total of 58, both good enough for first place in their respective competitions, as the Titans started the Barosso era with a pair of victories.

Titans lose home opener to LMU

Midfielder Sebastian Cruz (right) races for the ball against LMU defender Noel Caliskan at Titan Stadium on Sept. 3. (Danica Huynh / Daily Titan)

After taking an early lead, men’s soccer fell to the Lions 2-1, in overtime.

JOSHUA VILLAFRANCO Staff Writer

Cal State Fullerton men’s soccer team lost their home opener, 2-1, in overtime on Friday night against No. 15 Loyola Marymount University.

Fullerton came into the matchup on a two-game losing streak, while

LMU has been undefeated so far this season.

Titans’ forward Mario Gomez was suspended after receiving a red card in the last match and was not able to play, but midfielder Samuel Owusu contributed in his season debut.

The opening 10 minutes of the match saw four fouls go against the Titans and only a single shot on goal

by LMU that was saved by the Titans’ goalkeeper Jose Espino.

In the 13th minute, Owusu, who was left open, hit a header off the

Defender Irving Arvizu (bottom right) fights for a loose ball at Titan Stadium on Sept. 3.

(Danica Huynh / Daily Titan)

corner kick to give his team the opening goal of the match and his first career goal for CSUF. After Owusu’s goal, the Titans gained confidence in their attack and had two shots on goal that were saved

by LMU’s goalkeeper Jacob Jackson.

Espino tallied two more saves to keep the Titans ahead in the match.

CSUF led the game until the 31st minute when midfielder Kyle Kirkland committed a foul in the box that led to a penalty kick for LMU. The penalty was converted by midfielder Noel Caliskan to tie the match, 1-1.

The Titans were kept at bay by Jackson with two further saves.

In the first half, Cal State Fullerton defender Edward Salazar received a costly yellow card. Four minutes into the second half, Salazar received his second yellow of the match and was sent off. The resulting red card left the Titans down to 10 players for the rest of the contest.

Although LMU kept attacking after Salazar was sent off, the Titans’ defense shored up as they were defending with eight men behind the ball

and a sole striker up top trying on the offense.

Espino cleared out a cross and made a save off the rebound to keep the score tied, 1-1, at the 77th minute.

Toward the end of the half, LMU’s Creggton Charlton had a shot in the box that was deflected off a Titan defender on to the post, which kept CSUF in the match. Two minutes later the whistle blew and the teams headed into overtime.

Although Espino had a great game in which he had five saves, he unfortunately allowed a shot through in the seventh minute of overtime by forward Creggton Charlton, which resulted in the match-winning goal..

CSUF’s head coach George Kuntz said after the match that his team showed a lot of heart even with the odds stacked up against them.

Now on a three-match losing streak and still looking for their first win of the season, the Titans must regroup and get ready for the upcoming twomatch road trip against Air Force and the University of Denver on Friday and Sunday.

Women’s soccer comes up short against UCI

Despite UC Irvine having less players for most of the second half, the Titans lost 2-1.

NAVTEJ HUNDAL Staff Writer

Cal State Fullerton women’s soccer is now 0-5 in the 2021 season after they lost to UC Irvine, 2-1, on Sunday.

UCI won its third-straight game and is now 4-2 for the season.

Through the first half, Fullerton attempted only two shots while UCI attempted six shots, one of which resulted in a goal during the six-minute mark by UCI’s midfielder Scarlett Camambero.

It was the only goal in the first half, and UCI led 1-0 by halftime.

However, both teams played aggressively on defense, committing a combined 14 fouls in the first half.

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

Around the 24-minute mark, midfielder Karla Rodriguez was substituted out for the start of the second-half due to an injury.

In the second half, Fullerton attempted 10 shots, while UCI attempted only two shots. Both teams cooled down on fouls as they committed a combined total of four fouls in the half.

A red card was called on UCI’s Maddy Chavez during the 52nd minute, which meant UCI finished the game with 10 players and resulted in a penalty kick opportunity for Fullerton.

CSUF forward, Callie Petrey-Juarez, took on the penalty kick for Fullerton to tie the game, 1-1. This was Petrey-Juarez’s first goal of the season and the second of her career.

With the game tied, 1-1, Fullerton had the opportunity to take the lead later in the match.

The nine-minute scoring drought came to an end in the 63rd minute when UCI’s Camabero scored a goal to give her team the lead. This goal resulted in a UCI victory.

CSUF ended the game with three saves, which came from the first half, by goalkeeper DeAira Jackson while they allowed two goals from UCI. UCI’s goalkeeper Glo Hinojosa recorded one save and one allowed goal

for the game.

Fullerton is on a five-game losing streak for the first time since the 2018 season, where they finished with a record of 4-12-3.

Fullerton will have two more opportunities to secure their first win of the season when they visit the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder, Colorado on Thursday, followed by the Northern Colorado Bears on Sunday.

Karla Rodriguez (left) looks to dribble past a UCLA defender on Aug. 22.

(CSUF Athletics) FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @THEDAILYTITAN