Portland State Vanguard, Vol. 73, Issue 4

PORTLAND STATE VANGUARD

VOLUME 72 • ISSUE 4 • OCTOBER 2, 2018

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PSO WAKE O EVER P C S E ...

E S PI CCU CE IN TH A MOVIE O U EN PS ILL ARM NE FLOR T GODZ S I D S BE ICA S: # NEW R: HURR RE: THE E U COV & CULT S ART

CONTENTS COVER DESIGN BY ROBBY DAY NEWS HILL TO HALL

INTERNATIONAL THIS WEEK AROUND THE WORLD

P. 10

INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST ORGANIZATION KICKS OFF NEW SCHOOL YEAR P. 3

INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS BUSINESS CONFERENCE P. 4

UNITED STATES–CHINA TRADE RELATIONS

P. 11

THE SCIENTIFIC WHALING LOOPHOLE

P. 12

#DISARMPSU OCCUPIES CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICE

P. 5

OPINION NIKE DESERVES NO ACCOLADES

ARTS & CULTURE FIFTY YEARS OF GODZILLA

P. 13

P. 6

THE PC BALANCING ACT

P. 7

SPORTS KAILA GIBSON PLAYER PROFILE

P. 14

COVER STAND UP FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE

VOLLEYBALL MATCH AGAINST NAU

P. 15

P. 8–9

SPORTS STATS

P. 16

STAFF

P. 3

SPORTS EDITOR Davy Gillespie

EDIT ORI A L EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nada Sewidan

ONLINE EDITOR A.M. LaVey

MANAGING EDITOR Missy Hannen

COPY CHIEF Hannah Welbourn

NEWS EDITORS Chris May Fiona Spring

COPY EDITOR CJ Claringbold

INTERNATIONAL EDITOR Marena Riggan ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Justin Knipper OPINION EDITOR Katharine Piwonka

Contributors Lukas Amsden Cory Elia Andrew Gaines Isabelle Garnand Cam Howard Shandi Hunt Karina Santacruz

PHO T O & MULTIMEDI A PHOTO EDITOR Brian McGloin MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Emma Josephson PRODUC TION & DE SIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robby Day LEAD DESIGNER Savannah Quarum DESIGNERS Lisa Dorn Danielle Emeka Margo Smolyanska Colin Davis DIS T RIBU TION & M A R K E TING DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Chris May

MARKETING MANAGER Katelyn Plummer T ECHNOL OGY & W EB SIT E STUDENT MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR Corrine Nightingale TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANTS Damaris Dusciuc Long V. Nguyen Annie Ton A DV ISING & ACCOUN TING COORDINATOR OF STUDENT MEDIA Reaz Mahmood STUDENT MEDIA ACCOUNTANT Sheri Pitcher To contact Portland State Vanguard, email info @psuvanguard.com

MIS SION S TAT EMEN T Vanguard’s mission is to serve the Portland State community with timely, accurate, comprehensive and critical content while upholding high journalistic standards. In the process, we aim to enrich our staff with quality, hands-on journalism education and a number of skills highly valued in today’s job market.

A BOU T Vanguard, established in 1946, is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Student Media Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers and do not necessarily represent the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. Find us in print every Tuesday and online 24/7 at psuvanguard.com Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @psuvanguard for multimedia content and breaking news.

NEWS FIONA SPRING

SEPT. 23: REGULATORS CANCEL LICENSE OF CANNABIS FARM LINKED TO EXPLOSION

SEPT. 26: MERKLEY SUES TO DELAY KAVANAUGH VOTE

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission announced its decision to cancel the recreational marijuana producer license of a central Oregon cannabis farm linked to a butane honey oil explosion that burned two people. The OLCC has accused High Cascade Farms of 13 violations, including seven related to inaccuracies in the statewide database used to track cannabis plants and seeds.

SEPT. 25: MEASURE 103 OPPONENTS SAY MAJOR GROCERS VIOLATED CAMPAIGN LAW

SEPT. 23–29

Opponents of an Oregon ballot measure that would ban taxes on groceries have accused major grocery stores including Albertson’s, Fred Meyer, Safeway and QFC of illegally compelling their employees to distribute political materials supporting the measure. The “Vote No on 103” campaign claims the grocers violated a state law that bans employers from forcing their employees to engage in political activity on the job. The Yes on 103 campaign has denied the allegations, saying campaign workers, not store employees, were distributing magnets and flyers reading “Keep Our Groceries Tax Free” and encouraging shoppers to vote in favor of the measure.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., has filed suit in federal court requesting the Trump administration be compelled to release 100,000 pages of documents on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Merkley has accused the White House of violating the Constitution’s separation of powers by withholding these documents.

SEPT. 28: OFFICERS CONTINUING RANDOM TRIMET FARE CHECKS A week after Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge John Wittmayer ruled that TriMet fare enforcement officers had violated the constitutional rights of David Douglas School Board member Ana del Rocio when they stopped, cited and arrested her in a March 2018 fare evasion sting, Transit Police Commander Mike Frome said officers will continue to conduct random fare sweeps. “Until we are absolutely told that we cannot engage in fare inspections one way or another, we’re going to keep doing them,” Frome told The Oregonian.

INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST ORGANIZATION KICKS OFF NEW SCHOOL YEAR SHANDI HUNT Portland State’s International Socialist Organization kicked off the new term on Thursday, Sept. 27 with an open meeting in Smith Memorial Student Union. Attendees included PSU adjunct faculty, alumni and current students.

The ISO is a small but active student group that helped organize PSU’s April 2018 student strike against tuition increases. “The Portland State ISO seeks to provide a socialist alternative for students looking beyond the capitalist system for the change they would like to see in the world,” the group’s organization and purpose statement reads. “We develop as political leaders through reclaiming working class history, studying political theory, collectively analyzing current events from a materialist lens, debating theory and tactics and organizing on the basis of democratic centralism.”

PSU adjunct faculty members Colin Patrick and Eva Perelló opened Thursday’s meeting by explaining the mission of the ISO. Perelló said there is a possibility for an alternative to capitalism, and following the financial collapse of 2008, there has been an increased popularity of socialism. “The 2008 collapse brought out the contradiction of the system,” Perelló said.

According to Perelló, one way change can be accomplished is through protests. She ref-

erenced the 2017 Women’s March, calling it “the largest protest in the history of women’s rights.” According to The Washington Post, it was also the largest single-day demonstration in recorded United States history.

Perelló argued that strikes can also be an effective approach to meeting worker demands, referencing the recent teacher strike in Vancouver, Wash., which ultimately resulted in new contracts and wage increases for teachers.

In an article from their official online publication, socialistworker.org, the ISO stated workers can create a socialist society once they are able to collectively control the wealth their labor creates, versus having a select few who control all of the wealth and profits from the majority. “We believe capitalism needs to be overthrown and replaced,” Perelló said. “If we want society to be run by us, for us, we’re going to need a revolution.”

The ISO’s constitution explains the expectations and requirements for PSU students to join the organization. These include supporting the group’s politics and attending meetings regularly. Non-member students are also welcome to attend meetings, but are asked not to record or take pictures under any circumstances.

MARGO SMOLYANSKA

PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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NEWS

INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS BUSINESS CONFERENCE RETURNS TO PORTLAND DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON LEGAL, MEDICAL FUTURE OF MARIJUANA

CORY ELIA

JIM BELUSHI SPEAKS AT THE INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS BUSINESS CONFERENCE. CORY ELIA/PSU VANGUARD

Amid a national debate over marijuana legalization, nearly 500 individuals representing more than 20 companies showed up on Sept. 27–28 to Portland’s downtown Hilton hotel for the fourth annual International Cannabis Business Conference.

Oregon legalized recreational cannabis three years ago and collected more than $8.7 million in tax revenue in 2017.

The main conference on Sept. 28 broke into a series of speeches by keynote speakers including Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D–Ore., actor and Oregon cannabis farmer Jim Belushi and former Portland Trailblazer and cannabis advocate Cliff Robinson—who attributes his long-running NBA career to his use of cannabis.

The majority of conference attendees were individuals working in the production, processing and packaging areas of the cannabis industry, largely local to the Pacific Northwest.

Prozanski’s speech kicked off the conference followed by a video message from Sen. Jeff Merkley, D–Ore. “It’s time to change cannabis laws in America,” Merkley said. “Four years ago, I was proud as an Oregonian to support Measure 91 and become the first United States senator to vote for legalization of cannabis in my home state. Now I’m in Washington fighting for it on a national level.”

Merkley said during the conference that states which already embraced legal cannabis have experienced more jobs, more tax revenue and less crime.

sure that legalized recreational marijuana in 2014—discussed plans for future legislation and regulation of the industry. Johnson noted current attempts to introduce bills which would allow for marijuana sales between states, remove cannabis from the Clean Air Act, and dismiss cannabis-related criminal offenses from the records of people convicted prior to legalization.

Oregon Liquor Control Commission Executive Director Steve Marks gave a presentation on the future of OLCC industry regulation.

LEGISLATION TO EXPAND MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

RAISING CAPITAL

Medical marijuana is legal on some level in 30 states, with nine states currently allowing legal recreational use. Recently, several U.S. Senators have introduced legislation to expand legalization. In June 2018, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced a bill that would remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances, and in August 2017, Sen. Cory Booker, D–N.J., introduced a bill seeking full federal legalization.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, cannabis and its psychoactive compound THC remain listed as a Schedule I narcotic, defined as “drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Earlier this year, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he would seek to ramp up federal enforcement in the future.

Much of the discussion at the conference revolved around how best to realize the growing potential of an industry facing the omnipresent threat of federal drug laws.

Anthony Johnson, the chief petitioner and co-author of Measure 91—the Oregon ballot mea-

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PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

ABC’S OF CBD

One of the more comprehensive speeches at the event was “The ABC’s of CBD,” a panel discussion featuring Cedar Grey, CEO of cannabis and hemp production company Siskiyou Sungrown; Aaron Pelley, a founding member of the Cannabis Defense Coalition Legal Committee; Justin Tombe, co-founder of hemp cultivation and processing company Phytonyx, and panel moderator Siskiyou Sungrown Chief Operating Officer Michael Johnson.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the non-psychoactive compound of the cannabis plant, which studies have found to have potential for medical applications including alleviating pain and seizure symptoms.

“The good thing is people aren’t afraid of CBD like they are of THC,” Grey said. According to Pelley, however, “CBD is still in a hazy area as to whether it is a controlled substance or illegal.”

In their discussion “Raising Capital,” panelists Arthur Kwan, CEO of CannaIncome Fund, a private investment company focused on the cannabis sector; Dean Arbit, CEO of Wagner Dimas, Inc., a company that develops technology used in the mass manufacturing of hemp and cannabis pre-rolled cones; and moderator Ted Roe of Veritas Business Law, a firm focused on intellectual property litigation, explained ways that people wishing to break into the cannabis industry can raise funds to get their company started.

In his speech, Belushi discussed the historical stigma around cannabis, its medical applications and his current work with the OLCC to start a program which will offer free cannabis to veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and individuals dealing with opiate addictions.

Belushi’s brother, famous actor and comedian John Belushi, died from a drug overdose in 1982.

Belushi said there would be a lot more people alive if they saw cannabis as a medicine and not a drug.

“It is not a gateway drug,” Belushi continued. “It is a medicine [and] it is a gateway to sobriety.”

NEWS

#DISARMPSU OCCUPIES CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICE ORGANIZERS SAY THEY WILL NOT LEAVE UNTIL DEMANDS ARE MET

FIONA SPRING

MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE CAMPUS POLICE OFFICE ON MONTGOMERY STREET TO DISARM PSU. BRIAN MCGLOIN/PSU VANGUARD

A group of protesters belonging to Portland State University Student Union’s #DisarmPSU campaign announced an occupation of PSU’s Campus Public Safety Office on Sept. 24 to protest the fatal shooting of Jason Washington, a Portland man killed by campus police officers on June 29.

Organizers said they are calling for the immediate disarmament of PSU’s campus police, the construction of a permanent memorial for Washington to replace the one that was removed in August 2018 at the university’s request, and the firing of James Dewey and Shawn McKenzie, the two officers involved in the shooting. PSUSU organizer Olivia Pace said the occupiers will remain camped in front of CPSO until their demands are met.

“The point of this action is not like other occupations we’ve seen,” Pace said. “We are not shutting down this building. What we want to do is to say that any time you come to [CPSO], if you think you’re going to come here and feel safe or be protected, you’re not going to. You’re not safe on this campus…we don’t want people to be able to pass into the space without being reminded of that and without being reminded of Jason Washington.”

Organizers announced the occupation at the end of a rally beginning at noon in the PSU Park Blocks, featuring speeches from Washington’s family and friends, along with local activists and public figures including Portland NAACP chapter president E.D. Mondainé and Portland City Council candidate Jo Ann Hardesty.

Ralliers chanted “Disarm PSU,” and “PSU, blood on your hands,” as they marched, stopping at the location on SW College St. between SW 6th Ave. and SW Broadway where Washington was killed; then at the Academic and Student Recreation Center where PSU Board of Trustees meetings are held; and finally outside CPSO, where organizers announced their plans to occupy the outside of the building as Chief of

Police and Public Safety Donnell Tanksley stood by with two other officers.

Recently released police body camera footage from the night of the shooting shows Washington attempting to break up a drunken fight between his friend Jeremy Wilkinson and another unidentified man. Amid the altercation, a voice can be heard shouting, “He’s got a gun.” Washington can be seen walking away from the scene as an officer shouts, “Drop the gun,” several times before firing.

Officers Dewey and McKenzie fired their weapons a total of 17 times, hitting Washington, who had a concealed carry permit, nine times. It is unclear whether Washington had the gun in his hand at the time he was shot.

Many rally participants discussed racism as a potential factor in Washington’s death. “Jason is dead today because he was a Black man picking up a weapon when police showed up,” Hardesty said. “Where is the outrage?”

Organizers said they blame Washington’s death on the Board of Trustees’ controversial 2014 decision to authorize the commission of an armed campus police force, which PSUSU has publicly opposed since 2015.

“The blood is not just on the hands of the officers, but on the hands of every single board member who voted this policy through,” Pace said. “It’s on the hands of our former president Wim Wiewel; it’s on the hands of our new president Rahmat Shoureshi, who has not done enough to clean up the mess that they’ve made; it is on the hands of every person and entity who had anything to do with this policy being pushed through. They can try to avoid that, but the blood of Jason Washington is on their hands just as much as the officers who pulled the trigger on him.”

Since Monday, protesters have consistently occupied the front entrance of CPSO, distributing flyers, circulating a petition during the day and holding vigils at night.

OLIVIA PACE, A MEMBER OF PORTLAND STATE STUDENT UNION, SPEAKS IN FRONT OF THE CAMPUS POLICE OFFICE HEADQUARTERS. BRIAN MCGLOIN/PSU VANGUARD “Jason Washington’s death has had a profound impact on the Portland State community, and the university recognizes the right to participate in peaceful protest,” university representatives stated in response to the protest. “PSU has hired an independent security consulting firm to review campus safety policies and procedures, which will hold a series of public forums in the upcoming weeks on this issue to provide students, faculty, staff and the public opportunities to speak. That review will study all options to protect the campus and make recommendations to President Rahmat Shoureshi and the PSU Board of Trustees.”

In a press conference, Pace said occupiers have had limited contact with PSU officials, police and safety officers thus far.

“Our interactions with police have been minimal,” Pace said. “Friendly on their part, but our policy in this space is to not interact with the police on this campus extensively.”

At a Sept. 28 meeting, six members of Associated Students of PSU’s CPSO ad hoc committee voted unanimously to officially endorse and support the protest.

“Civil rights didn’t happen because people were quiet and nice,” said Student Fee Committee Chair Donald Thompson III. “Jim Crow laws [and] slavery didn’t end because people were nice. It happened because people got angry, spoke loudly about injustice and took action…We can be a body that has power, that says these student organizers [and] the movement that they’re putting forward is what is necessary for the future.”

Pace said protest organizers are not willing to compromise with PSU officials on their demands.

“We feel like the administration is about to be at a tipping point where they have to crack under the pressure,” Pace said.

“We feel like this is an escalation we need.”

Additional reporting by Chris May.

PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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OPINION

NIKE DESERVES NO ACCOLADES

CORPORATIONS MOTIVATED BY PROFITS, NOT SOCIAL JUSTICE KATHARINE PIWONKA Colin Kaepernick, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, has shown the world he knows how to “believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.”

Nike, however, isn’t sacrificing much; in fact, the company is capitalizing on controversy and making a sizable profit. As a corporation motivated by profits, its main goal is accumulating wealth, not paving the way toward political change.

After Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem, a politically motivated demonstration protesting police brutality against people of color, the NFL allegedly iced Kaepernick out of playing the sport he dedicated his life mastering. Since then, the former quarterback has become the face of Nike’s new campaign, featuring the phrase, “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.” For Kaepernick, everything refers to his career in the NFL. The campaign with Kaepernick was well-thought-out and calculated; Nike knew exactly what they were doing when they made Kaepernick their front and center. Shares increased after the ad went public, despite ridiculous protests in which people burned their already purchased Nike merchandise.

Nike received more than $43 million worth of neutral or positive media exposure within the first 24 hours of the Kaepernick campaign. With 67 percent of Nike’s customers younger than 35, most saw the ad blow-up on social media, and about every news organization covered the story. The majority of Nike supporters are in favor of the message, and those who aren’t will be “quick to outrage and quick to forget,” according to brand expert Chris Allieri.

The company has yet to give a statement addressing police brutality in the United States explicitly. The corporation is letting others do all the talking.

There is something positive to be said for Nike supporting Kaepernick’s activism publicly, and indirectly denouncing those who do not believe in Kaepernick’s message, such as President Donald Trump, who said Nike’s ad sends, “a terrible message” and “there is no reason for it.”

Nike’s contract with Kaepernick also includes a donation to his charity, the Know Your Rights campaign, an organization built to raise awareness for “higher education, self empowerment and instruction to properly interact with law enforcement in various scenarios.”

There is also something to be said about Nike almost not going through with the campaign. Nike is not the pinnacle of social justice; they almost dropped Kaepernick after the initial controversy surrounding his public protest on the field before any talk of making him the face of their 30th “Just Do It” anniversary campaign. They decided against dropping the former quarterback due to concerns over negative public backlash for siding with the NFL, which Kaepernick is currently suing for collusion.

The company has caught onto the recent trend of activism as advertisement. Coca-Cola, Airbnb and Walmart have all used the “woke” approach to appeal to consumers. Brands are trying to appear moral and ethical in the eyes of the public. However, morality is a human characteristic; brands and corporations are not people and therefore cannot be ethical or moral.

Don’t think for a second Nike is doing anything other than capitalizing off the activism Kaepernick practices. Neoliberalism should not be confused with productive social justice and activism efforts. Nike has sacrificed nothing while Kaepernick continues to sacrifice it all.

Nike deserves no accolades; save it all for Kaepernick.

LISA DORN

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PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

OPINION

PC BALANCING ACT

POLITICALLY CORRECT LANGUAGE BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

MARGO SMOLYANSKA ISABELLE GARNAND Political correctness is under scrutiny. What’s okay to say and what isn’t? Currently, there is debate over what constitutes as offensive. Political correctness­­—when used well—fosters a progressively inclusive environment that welcomes all groups of people; however, politically correct language used incorrectly can negatively affect discussions around inclusivity in the face of diversity, creating hostility for those who try to use PC language and those who don’t.

PC culture aims to encourage inclusive, sensitive and accurate language around marginalized groups of people to give them recognition and respect. This cultural shift is a testament to the changing nature of language itself and how it is used. If we use different language to describe something, we shift how we perceive it, potentially expanding or narrowing our point of view.

This is called linguistic relativity.

Altering our language and the words we use to be inclusive isn’t simple. It also requires changing our perspectives and how we think about the world. These shifting perspectives include, but are not limited to, integrating a non-binary gender spectrum and recognizing racially driven microaggressions. Both have long ways to go, and political correctness can help push society in positive directions regarding these and other topics.

In the United States, PC culture is under attack. President Donald Trump, a known criticizer of PC language, seems to regularly say or tweet something which is offensive to one group or another. Trump has given a voice to those who felt they were shoved to the back of the closet: Those who believe PC culture is taking over and oppressing their right to free speech.

Along the same vein, being so-called PC has been stereotyped as being an overly sensitive idiot, which isn’t helpful for broadening the minds of our nation. It has been demonized and claimed to be infringing on rights and basic liberties. Attorney General Jeff Sessions stated in September 2017, “The American university...is transforming into an echo chamber of political correctness and homogenous thought, a shelter for fragile egos.” This attitude is missing the point; PC language exists to expand thought by allowing diversity to feel welcome, not to minimize it.

However, this line of thought can be dangerous too. PC language policing has been used to silence the very groups it aims to protect. “When women and people of color are told what words to use, and how to use them, it’s more than mere political correctness gone awry,” stated Jess McHugh for DAME magazine. “It’s a form of silencing that sustains a moral, class and racial hierarchy.”

In order for PC language to thrive, we need to let go of being wrong. “‘Politically correct’ is a term we use to dismiss ideas that are uncomfortable,” stated Amanda Tub for Vox. Instead of avoiding what we do not have the knowledge to approach accurately, we can ask questions.

Ignorance should not be confused with intolerance. People today are afraid if they don’t use PC language correctly, they will be criticized not only on their speech, but also on their character. Therefore, discussions are being avoided altogether. These important discussions on race, religion, gender and culture are critical to talk about. That said, it is important to recognize when you have messed up and potentially caused harm. Know when to make space for someone else instead of taking it.

The barriers politically correct language face are threefold. First, some see PC culture as overly sensitive and unnecessary, something that hinders our personal thought process. Second, PC language is overpoliced, hurting the groups of people it is supposed to protect. Finally, out of fear, people are avoiding progressive conversations because they lack the knowledge needed to be PC. How do we hit three birds with one stone and balance politically correct language between a rock and a hard place? Evaluate intent. Is someone using incorrect language alongside the intent to learn and be a better ally? Or are they using language as a weapon to be hurtful?

There is still a long way to go on all issues politically correct language aims to help, but as long as we keep these conversations open, the more progress we will make.

PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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COVER

STAND UP FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE CLIMATE CHANGE CONTINUES TO IMPACT MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES

KATHARINE PIWONKA Similar to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Florence has disproportionately impacted disenfranchised communities, and natural disasters will continue to be more destructive as climate change worsens.

On Sept. 10, evacuations in the Carolinas were ordered in response to category one Hurricane Florence. The storm, at one point being four times larger than Tennessee, caused massive flooding which impacted nearly 5 million individuals upon its arrival to the mainland.

Human activities have exacerbated Hurricane Florence due to CO2 emissions from vehicles and excess carbon released through burning coal. A recent study from Stony Brook University, “The Human Influence Hurricane Florence,” found humans are likely responsible for over a 50 percent increase in rainfall in the Carolinas during Hurricane Florence.

“What we do know about hurricanes and climate change is that the probability of large and very wet hurricanes will likely increase as the climate warms,” said Paul Loikith, a professor of Geology at Portland State.

Although Hurricane Florence was listed as a category one hurricane, it’s still considered one of the more destructive natural disasters. “What made Hurricane Florence so impactful was that it slowed down and nearly stalled around the time that it made landfall, so the heavy rains that accompany any hurricane continued to affect the same places for several days.

This resulted in severe flooding.”

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“Dangerous climate change is here now,” Michael Wehner, a senior staff scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and researcher on human impact on Florence, told Business Insider. Local economies hurt alongside climate refugees forced to leave their flooding homes to flee to safer grounds. Hurricane Florence victims are some of the most vulnerable groups in the United States, such as minority groups, impoverished communities and geographically vulnerable individuals.

Those suffering from natural disasters like Hurricane Florence are experiencing climate inequality disproportionately, including prison inmates, low-income communities and even animals.

LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES

Climate change relates to gender, race and class in the same way colonization does. When we decide to value certain groups’ safety above others in times of climate catastrophes, we participate in modern day colonialism. Those who cannot afford alternative housing, food sources or transportation to safety are the individuals whose lives are most at risk. Homes destroyed in the wake of Hurricane Florence leave families without shelter. Food shortages, power outages and submerged roads leave already vulnerable people defenseless. These are immediate threats to safety, but now that the storm has subsided, disenfranchised communities are faced with serious, long-term dangers.

PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

In North Carolina, the poorest communities in the state surround at-risk animal agriculture farms with infrastructure unable to support the hurricane’s weather damage. Manure is overflowing out of hog lagoons, and livestock carcasses litter the surrounding areas. The longer waste takes to degrade, the more dangerous fluids, gases and toxic chemical compounds will get. Another source of hazardous waste in low-income communities in North Carolina come from coal ash disposal sites. The collapse of these at-risk sites will lead to exposure of heavy metals and radioactive materials which can lead to cancer and neurological damage.

“It’s like so many other issues; the people with the least to begin with are the ones that will suffer the most,” said Marlene Howell, a senior instructor in the School of Gender, Race, and Nations. “When [vulnerable individuals] lose something, they are more likely to lose everything they have.”

A disproportionate amount of minority groups live in low income communities inland from the coast, where flooding has occured, according to interactive maps by Direct Relief.

SOUTH CAROLINA PRISON INMATES

In South Carolina, 650 prison inmates have been left behind.

After the National Hurricane Center officials ordered evacuations expecting potentially “life-threatening” rainfall, the state decided against evacuating the MacDougall Correctional Institute. This isn’t the first time: South Carolina hasn’t evacuated

COVER

any of its prisons since 1999 in response to dangerous conditions. Last year, Houston left inmates at the mercy of Hurricane Harvey, leading to food shortages, sewage flooding and no drinking water, and many fearing for their lives. In 2006, Hurricane Katrina left unevacuated prison inmates in the same circumstances, with more than 500 people unaccounted for.

“We’re not going to gamble with the lives of the people of South Carolina. Not one,” said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster in a news conference. However, despite the risks, forcing human beings to stay in known dangerous situations is a clear violation of basic human rights, more specifically, the right to life.

“Climate change has a disproportionate impact on people experiencing incarceration because...they are seen as less than human,” said Professor Deborah Smith Arthur, former defense attorney. “They are asked to put their lives on the line in fighting wildfires for $1 an hour [and] are used as cheap labor for cleanup after disasters. We must begin to understand that the people we incarcerate are human and deserving of care and human rights.”

ANIMALS

Animals are often the silent sufferers of natural disasters. In the case of Hurricane Florence, millions of farm animals have been left to perish in the hurricane when farmers failed to evacuate livestock. 3.4 million chickens and turkeys and 5,500 hogs make up the death toll, as well as euthanized, unrescued

dogs and cats in shelters, migrating birds and loggerhead sea turtles. Farmers are also hurting, with more than $1 billion lost in crops and livestock for this year.

Animals are seen as commodities in the agriculture system and therefore are not protected during disasters. Over the years, Hurricane Matthew, Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Floyd led to countless animal deaths around the country, solidifying a pattern: one where history continues to repeat itself.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Hurricane Florence is part of a bigger problem. “People who are most responsible for the climate crisis have to do more, have to pay their fair share,” said Naomi Klein in an interview with Street Roots last year.

To make matters worse, the U.S. government seems to be indifferent. The Trump administration recently transferred $10 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and instead gave it to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This is money that could have saved lives.

Positive change and steps in the right direction are being taken at the local level. In Oregon, we can look to Climate Solutions in the Pacific Northwest, which focuses on clean energy and air quality. Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism is another organization with a mission to “Bring Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship.” BARK is an organization that takes a more radical

approach in protecting the Mt. Hood National Forest and local and cultural communities. Organizing People, Activating Leaders stands up for environmental justice and focuses on addressing climate change through a human rights lens.

“Environmental injustice comes from systematic, historical discrimination, displacement, violence, and exploitation,” states OPAL. “Being a part of a marginalized community, being able to access these spaces, and being able to make community is amazing and so profound,” said Darrow Omar, who is completing a fellowship with OPAL this year and works in the office of Gender, Race, and Nations at PSU. “It really shapes how you view the systems we are living in.”

Recently in Portland, community members and organizations participated in a rally focusing on climate change and environmental justice. The rally acknowledged another climate crisis: Rising waters are putting the Marshall Islands at risk.

“Justice is about seeing the humanity in the most marginalized peoples, and honoring their humanity in a way that acknowledges the impact of environmental degradation,” said Howell.

We all have limitations to what we can contribute. We may not be able to go to every meeting or rally, but we can all stay informed. We can all contact members of Congress. We can all show up for our neighbors in times of crisis in the ways that work for all of us.

We all have a responsibility to stand up for climate justice.

PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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INTERNATIONAL

THIS WEEK

around the

WORLD

September 23–30

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Sept. 23

India

The Indian government initiated one of the boldest public healthcare programs in the world, officially known as Ayushman Bharat and dubbed “Modicare.” The program is estimated to assist 500 million people in India, with $6,900 allotted for serious medical issues to all qualifying families. While the program is much needed due to India’s shortage of public health centers, The Independent reported serious concerns with the planning and implementation, which was just announced in February 2018.

Sept. 23 2

Nepal

According to the World Wildlife Fund, Nepal has nearly doubled the number of wild tigers inside its borders since 2009. A survey conducted in the Terai Arc Landscape between November 2017 and April 2018 showed an estimated 235 tigers, only seven shy of the target population. Nepal is one of the 13 tiger range countries attempting to double tiger populations by 2022, as outlined in the 2010 St. Petersburg Tiger Summit.

10

3

Ongoing

New York City, NY: U.N. General Assembly The 73rd United Nations General Assembly opened at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 18, with the General Debate opening on Sept. 25. The annual assembly brings leaders from around the world to speak and interact, with topics this week including the Iran nuclear deal, election meddling by various countries, the two-state solution in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Rohingya repatriation and more.

Saudi Arabian and Canadian relations have not improved, with Saudi Arabia demanding an apology for Canada’s support for women’s rights activists currently residing in Saudi jails. President of Iran Hassan Rouhani warned against Israeli possession of nuclear weapons, while Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu presented pictures of an alleged “secret atomic warehouse” in Tehran. Following a meeting between foreign dignitaries from Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and Iran, the EU announced a new payment system that would allow trade with Iran while subverting U.S. sanctions.

PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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Sept. 24

Beni, Congo

According to Al Jazeera, due to an increase in violence which began on Sept. 22, aid agencies have halted field work fighting the Ebola virus in the northeast city of Beni.

The Congolese army suspects the violence, which left 21 dead, is in connection with a rebel militia group known as the Allied Democratic Forces. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been fighting the Ebola virus since September, and on Aug. 1 the government officially declared it an outbreak. The Norwegian Refugee Council, which provides assistance such as necessary provisions and education, halted all activities on Sept. 24, while other aid agencies were forced to discontinue administering Ebola vaccinations.

“What are my sins? Did I steal money? Even just one peso?

Did I prosecute somebody I sent to jail? My only sin is extrajudicial killings.” ­– Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines

5

Sept. 27

Philippines

President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte allegedly admitted to illegal executions during a speech, saying, “What are my sins? Did I steal money? Even just one peso? Did I prosecute somebody I sent to jail? My only sin is extrajudicial killings.” Duterte is currently facing charges of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. According to Human Rights Watch, over 12,000 Filipinos have died, almost 3,000 of which are due to police, as Duterte wages his so-called war on drugs.

6

Sept. 28

Indonesia

Hundreds are dead after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake, subsequent aftershocks and a tsunami hit the island of Sulawesi around 5 p.m. on Sept. 28. Around 400 people were recorded dead the following day; however, as of the evening of Sept. 30, The New York Times reported at least 832 dead, with more yet to be accounted. Additionally, infrastructure and thousands of homes and buildings were destroyed, and the city of Palu’s main road has been covered by landslides.

INTERNATIONAL

UNITED STATES–CHINA TRADE RELATIONS ASIAN DEV. BANK REPRESENTATIVE VISITS PORTLAND STATE

BART ÉDES FROM THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK EXPLAINS FINANCIAL MARTEKT DATA. MARENA RIGGAN/PSU VANGUARD MARENA RIGGAN & KARINA SANTACRUZ Members of the Portland State community gathered in the College of Urban and Public Affairs on Sept. 29 for a presentation from Bart W. Édes, North American representative to the Asian Development Bank, in which he described ADB’s role while answering questions.

Unlike private, commercial banks, the ADP is an international, multilateral organization owned by 67 governments, 70 percent of which are in Asia and the Pacific. The ADP provides financing for infrastructure, such as improving irrigation, building roads and throughways, or providing electricity in order to assist developing countries, predominantly through the issuing of loans and sometimes grants. Additionally, ADP provides capacity development; meaning, they provide advice along with financial aid in order to assist countries achieve their own development objectives.

“In terms of examples, the areas we work in most frequently are transportation, energy, and water and sanitation sectors but we also work in softer areas like education and health,” Édes said. “We have a big new project coming in Bhutan…to expand healthcare to provide access to people in mountainous areas of that country.” Édes spoke on the possible effects of current trade relations between the United States and China, such as trade diversion. “One of the risks to Asia, to its economic growth in the next few months is what happens next. There’s the threat there will be more tariffs, so not only these tariffs that have been applied by both sides continue, but that the U.S. for example might apply higher tariffs into a broader set of Chinese goods.” Though tariffs and the subsequent trade diversions have not had a major effect on the region, the impacts may play a greater role depending on how the situation continues. Édes described China’s economy as transitioning, saying, “They’re putting more emphasis on building up their services sector, finance sector, tourism, hospitality, other services, and generating domestic consumption, not relying only on exports. Their model is changing and in the process the economic growth continues at a high rate but a little slower rate. They’re trying to find a good balance.”

On Sept. 26, the ADB published its economic analysis of the region in the 2018 Asian Development Outlook Update, which projects China’s markets to slow from 6.9 percent in 2017 to 6.6 percent in 2018, decreasing even further to 6.3 percent the following year.

Though the markets are slowing down, the effects are estimated to be negligible as the economy in China matures. “[The China Securities Regulatory Commission] estimated the worst case scenario if the tariffs keep increasing and covering more products,” Édes said. “It would cost 0.7 percent of their GDP…it’s a big hit but it doesn’t wipe out all the growth for the year.”

Based on data from the World Bank, the GDP of the United States only grew 2.3 percent in 2017 compared to China’s 6.9, a difference which is emblematic of where the respective countries stand in development. “Many parts of eastern China have become really developed, and if you’re driving down a major street in Shanghai, it’s as developed or even more developed than parts of the U.S.,” said Édes before describing the stark difference with China’s rural areas.

Recently, the Trump administration imposed another round of tariffs on China amounting to $200 billion, adding more fuel to the already heightened tensions between Washington, D.C. and Beijing trade relations. China responded by imposing tariffs equalling $60 billion, with Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen comparing U.S. actions to “holding a knife to someone’s throat,” as reported by Al Jazeera.

As world leaders attended the United Nations General Assembly this week in New York, Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad criticized the diminishing trade relations between the two nations, saying, “the rest of the world is feeling the pain.”

Though many of the effects of decreased relations are dangerous, the conflict between China and the U.S. is spurring greater regional cooperation within Asia, such as in the case of the TransPacific Partnership, which was signed by 11 members, seven of which are in Asia and the Pacific.

According to a Sept. 30 article from the Financial Times, the U.S. has imposed a 10 percent tax on Chinese goods, with the possibility of raising them to a massive 25 percent in 2019. However, with the shifting dynamics between the U.S. and China in international relations, it’s unclear what the outcome will look like. “You’ve got 1.3 billion people in an economy that’s completely restructuring. A mature economy like the U.S. or Germany, or Canada or New Zealand—these are changing too but a little bit each day. China’s changing dramatically in the space of ten, twenty, thirty years.”

Vanguard conducted a private interview with Bart W. Édes to discuss various topics relating to the ADB, including how United States–China trade wars could affect the region.

PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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INTERNATIONAL

THE WHALING LOOPHOLE JAPAN SEEKS LEGALIZATION OF WHALING

SAVANNAH QUARUM LUKAS AMSDEN The Japanese government, along with other pro-whaling countries such as Norway and Iceland, attempted to lift the 33-year whaling ban at the annual International Whaling Commission meeting in Brazil, held on Sept. 14. The Japanese delegation at the IWC put forth a proposal to move IWC rules away from conservation and toward “resource management control.”

“There is this perception that we are asking [for the] total lifting of the moratorium. That is not the case,” said Joji Morishita, Japan’s commissioner to the IWC. “We are just asking for a small quota based on science, and of particular species in particular water. That’s it.” The proposal, which would open up the possibility for resuming commercial whaling, was rejected in a 42-27 vote.

The IWC first banned commercial whaling in 1982, though it didn’t take full effect until four years later in 1986. In 2016, Japan lobbied against the IWC to allow for small coastal hunts in four communities that trace a 5,000-year-old cultural practice of whaling, arguing “they are unjustly barred from a traditional food source.”

Conservationists were overjoyed when the IWC not only shot down Japan’s proposal, but reaffirmed the moratorium in a declaration seeking to bring the 1982 ruling up to modern conservation principles.

Kitty Block, president of Humane Society International, expressed support for the decision. “It is an immense relief that the IWC’s moral compass has led it to reject Japan’s reckless and retrograde attempt to bring back commercial whaling,” she said. “What Japan tried to do here was to bend and break the rules of the IWC to lift an internationally agreed ban on killing whales for profit. It deserved to fail; the world has moved on from commercial whaling, and so must Japan.”

Japan came under scrutiny when their whaling operations were recently discovered by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature in a protected zone of the antarctic called the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area. The Ross Sea MPA was established in 2016 by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources in order to protect krill, penguins, seals and whales in the area.

12

PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

According to the WWF, Japan used a legal loophole to justify the killing of 50 minke whales between January and February 2018, saying it was under the pretense of scientific research. The scientific program sets its whale quota to 333 per year, with about 4,000 whales killed in a 12year duration.

Rod Downie, polar chief adviser at WWF, criticized the program, saying, “Krill and thousands of other species are protected in this part of the Ross Sea, so it is shocking and absurd that minke whales are not. The banner of so-called scientific whaling used to justify killing whales in a protected area needs to stop once and for all.”

The goal of the program is to better understand the health of a number of whale populations by gauging the age of the whales; however, Japan argues their lethal methodology is necessary to this endeavor.

The WWF has called on the CCAMLR to close the loophole. Chris Johnson, senior manager of the WWF Antarctic program said, “People around the world who celebrated this historic ocean sanctuary will be shocked by the killing of whales within its boundaries.” Despite a ruling by the International Court of Justice in 2014 calling for the abolishment of all existing scientific whaling programs in the Southern Ocean, Japan has issued itself a new permit to continue harvesting minke whales until 2027.

Additionally, whale meat has fallen out of favor in Japan, with only four percent claiming to eat it occasionally and 37 percent abstaining completely. According to a 2013 survey done by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, nine out of 10 people in Japan reported they hadn’t bought or consumed whale meat in the past year.

“Actually, many people don’t have any interest in whales or whaling now in Japan,” Nanami Kurasawa of the Dolphin and Whale Action Network (IKAN) told CNN, noting that eating whale has decreased in popularity.

Despite the diminishing demand and thousands of pounds of whale meat being stockpiled, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party continues to keep the industry alive through government subsidies.

ARTS & CULTURE

GARBAGE DAY

GODZILLAFEST FIFTY YEARS OF GODZILLA ANDREW GAINES A Godzilla sequel is on the way: Godzilla: King of the Monsters, from director Michael Dougherty of Trick ‘r Treat and Krampus fame, but since that doesn’t come out until next year, it’s a good time to watch all the previous Godzilla movies.

Fans split the movies starring Japan’s favorite monster into different eras, identifiable by distinct styles and tones, so here’s a little primer discussing a few favorites from each era.

This is by no means definitive, of course, so the best way to decide which are your favorites is to watch all 28 Godzilla movies in one sitting. Give it a shot; I assure you it’s not a terrible idea.

SHOWA ERA (1954–1975) Godzilla (1954) We’re required to start with the original. Born from post-war Japan’s fears of atomic weaponry, Godzilla in his debut role is a being of revenge against mankind. We created the atomic bomb, the atomic bomb woke Godzilla up, and now we must pay the price for creating such a weapon. Add to this heavy mix the incredibly loaded imagery that nuclear destruction carries in Japan and you’ve got a metaphor-laden monster movie like no other. The special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya, the godfather of rubber monster suits, hold up remarkably well. It’s the perfect place to start your Godzilla pilgrimage—by paying homage to the franchise’s dark roots.

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) You can point to this film as the rough beginning of Godzilla’s transformation from harbinger of annihilation to rougharound-the-edges antihero. Sure, Godzilla stomps on some cities now and then, but there are way bigger and badder monsters out there, and someone’s got to protect Japan from them.

This film is also the first of the Godzilla team-up movies; the giant pterodactyl Rodan and the ever-rad Mothra put their differences aside to join Godzilla in fighting a three-headed dragon from outer space.

As if the increased monster count and high-quality suit effects weren’t enough, Ghidorah features one of the best human plots of the franchise: An amnesiac Japanese princess, claiming suddenly to hail from Venus, starts predicting monster attacks with frightening accuracy while assassins attempt to take her life. The movie becomes a fun mix of goofy political thriller and awesome monster action.

Godzilla vs Hedorah (1971) Also known as Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster, this one’s a bit of an ugly duckling among the Showa period Godzilla films.

Restrained by a much smaller budget than the previous films, Godzilla first-timer Yoshimitsu Banno turned out a film that the higher-ups at Toho reportedly hated. Instead of nuclear paranoia, the film features a heavy environmental message: The villainous creature is an alien microbe that grows and feeds off of pollution, becoming a giant, acidic blob that must be dealt with—by Godzilla.

The film preaches frequently about how humanity must learn to treat the earth better, but also punctuates its action with surreal, psychedelic special effects to make up for the rougher monster suit work. On top of this, the Godzilla of the film is a bit different from others in the franchise. Not just an antihero, the big G here is a tired, grumpy protector of the earth, whose vanquishing of Hedorah is one of the most brutal deaths in the series.

HEISEI ERA (1989–1995) Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) Heisei era Godzilla flicks separate themselves from previous films by containing a full series of Godzilla movies: Each film in this era leads into the next one. Biollante is the direct sequel to the soft reboot that started the era, 1984’s The Return of Godzilla, but the connections between movies are never intense enough that you must have seen the previous films to understand what’s going on. In this one, a weirdly complex B-plot sees a grieving scientist attempt to revive his daughter who died in a terrorist attack by merging her DNA with that of roses. This leads to the creation of a horrible rose bush monster. Biollante is one of the most impressive monsters in the franchise, with a combination of suit work, puppetry and a small army of stage hands required to bring the mass of vines and teeth to life.

The Heisei era saw a shift away from Godzilla as superhero into a more dangerous wild card for humanity, and the slightly darker characterization combined with the human plot’s goofy, overly intricate spy movie antics give the film a unique tone.

The plot has something to do with the Japanese government employing superpowered mutants to take down monsters in Godzilla’s absence; aliens dressing like extras from The Matrix and briefly pretending to be cool with humanity before unleashing a horde of monsters on us; and a gruff American general who intends to sword fight Godzilla to the death.

At one point, Godzilla fights the terrible dinosaur from the 1998 Roland Emmerich Godzilla—set to a Sum 41 song. The fight lasts all of thirty seconds before Zilla is turbo-murdered.

That’s the sort of tone Final Wars is dealing with. You’ll either love or hate it for its excess, but it’s something you need to see to believe. As the last traditional Godzilla movie for over a decade, it’s a hell of a way to go out.

The Japanese era names found in this article are related specifically to the Godzilla franchise timeline. They do not reflect past or current eras.

Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) The grand finale of the Heisei era, Toho heavily marketed Destoroyah as “the one where Godzilla dies!” The finality of such a claim doesn’t really last through the film itself, as we’re still stuck with a Godzilla when credits roll, but a morbid air lingers after the film nonetheless. Various characters from previous entries in the Heisei series are brought back—including Godzilla’s adopted son Godzilla Jr.—as the world is plunged into panic over Godzilla’s impending nuclear meltdown.

This version of Godzilla was not simply awakened by radiation, but born from it. The film’s various scientists propose that Godzilla’s heart acts like a nuclear reactor, and as Godzilla nears the end of his lifespan, his heart threatens to go critical and take the planet with it. However, the “Oxygen Destroyer” superweapon from the 1954 original accidentally creates a new lifeform that quickly evolves into a second global threat, and humanity is left hoping Godzilla can defeat one last monster before he dies.

This movie’s Godzilla is clearly in bad shape; his chest glows brightly as his heart nears critical mass, and steam escapes various cracks in his body. It’s a legitimately awesome suit effect, though it was apparently hellish for the actor playing the role.

MILLENNIUM ERA (1999–2004) Godzilla 2000 (1999) This movie isn’t great and the villain monster is pretty bland, but at the end of the movie, a scientist wistfully looks off into the distance and says, “Maybe Godzilla is inside all of us.” It deserves a special mention for that, at the very least. If you remember nothing else from this article, remember that there’s a little bit of Godzilla in each and every one of us.

Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) Final Wars is a complete mess. Stuffed to the brim with every monster you can ask for and the cheesiest, most overwrought plot for humans imaginable, it’s a production that threatens to crumble under its own weight.

Toho’s final send-off to Godzilla (until 2016 brought the radically different Shin Godzilla) is a fever dream of wall-to-wall monster fights and a brief depiction of New York that manages to be the most offensive thing ever put in a Godzilla film.

DANIELLE EMEKA

PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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SPORTS

PLAYER PROFILE

KAILA GIBSON LEADS PORTLAND STATE WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM DAVID GILLESPIE Kaila Gibson seems determined to leave a lasting impression during her time running long distance at Portland State.

Gibson currently holds PSU all-time records for the cross country program—running a 14:08.8 in the 4k race at the Viking Rust-Buster on Sept. 1—as well as in track and field, posting a 16:53.6 5k during the University of Washington Invitational on Jan. 8. Beyond those records, Gibson ranks in PSU’s top 5 alltime in the 5k and 6k cross country races, along with the indoor 3k, outdoor 3k steeplechase, outdoor 5k and outdoor 10k for the track and field program. In layman’s terms, Gibson has been hauling ass.

Gibson is serious about her plans to continue to excel athletically during her senior year. “I hope I continue on the same track that I have been,” stating her intention to take every one of her PRs and “make [them] better, continuing to improve upon everything.”

One race Gibson has truly set her eyes on is the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals in Madison, Wis., a race against around 40 different teams from across the country. Gibson is eager to have the opportunity to “compete with some really good teams, mix it up and have some new girls to chase.”

As if Gibson’s running career at PSU hasn’t been enough to set her apart as a student athlete of exceptional talent, she has

also managed to balance her athletics with an outstanding academic record, receiving Academic All-Big Sky honors—a recognition given out to athletes who display academic excellence along with athletic accomplishments—three years running.

Gibson is majoring in health studies and currently completing the pre-nursing track heading into her senior year.

For her plans post-graduation, Gibson said she intends to remain in the Portland metro area and attend nursing school.

“I would love to go to OHSU. I’ll have to come up with some backup schools, but I think going there would be pretty realistic and really awesome,” Gibson said. Initially opting to participate in pre-occupational therapy, she changed her mind after shadowing her mother at work.

This wasn’t the only time Gibson benefited from parental guidance. “My mom is a big athlete. She wanted me and my twin brother to play as many sports as possible.” Gibson has participated in volleyball and tennis and was an avid soccer player when she was younger. “I played since the time I was 5,” Gibson said, but she started focusing solely on cross country and track during her sophomore year. When it was time to decide what college she would call home—Gibson hails from Santa Cruz, Calif.—she was again fortunate enough to find some guidance, at least partially, from her parents.

“I actually found PSU after my moms visited here,” Gibson said. “They came up to Multnomah Falls—one of their friends was proposing to their partner—and they visited PSU and said that I needed to come visit here.” Some time later, Gibson came to campus and “fell in love with this city.”

Gibson still finds ways to enjoy and explore Portland, and there’s one particular local activity consistently garnering her affection. “One of my favorite things to do with the team is going and finding new places to explore and to eat good food at,” she said. Part of the fun is made possible by a specific travel constraint shared by her and her teammates. “None of us have cars, so taking the streetcar or the MAX over there is always a little bit of an adventure.”

Regardless of what the upcoming year holds for Gibson, her passion for running is something that she will carry with her for life, saying she looks forward to the opportunity to run competitively after graduation.

Beyond competition, though, one aspect of running will keep her participating for the foreseeable future: “I love it. I love the community that running builds, and I think that I will stay connected with the sport for my whole life.”

KAILA GIBSON AIMS TO CONTINUE MAKING WAVES IN PSU’S CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAM DURING HER SENIOR YEAR. COURTESY OF LARRY LAWSON

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PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

SPORTS

VIKINGS AXED BY NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS, SWEPT AT HOME DAVID GILLESPIE The Vikings were seeking to right the ship going into the Sept. 27 match against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.

At the tail end of a 13-game losing streak—the longest streak in Portland State’s volleyball program since 2001—the Vikings were hoping to turn things around in their first Big Sky Conference home match in the 2018–19 season.

Unfortunately, the Vikings went into the match riddled with injuries—most notably, sophomore outside hitter (OH), Parker Webb and senior OH Sarah Brennan—and facing a team with a formidably strong out-of-conference record during the current season, even taking home a win over a nationally ranked team when they beat Florida State on Sept. 7.

The Vikings found themselves facing an opponent that proved to be bigger, stronger and far more tuned in as a team.

Led by junior MB Abby Akin, senior OH Kaylie Jorgensen and freshman OH Ryann Davis, the Lumberjacks bombarded the Vikings with an onslaught of 45 kills on a 36 hitting percentage, sweeping the Vikings and walking away with their second consecutive Big Sky Conference win, moving into the third position in the conference behind Montana State (2nd) and Idaho State (1st).

The first set introduced a tone that would come to define the entire match: The Lumberjacks were swinging right out of the gate, serving up a slew of kills the Vikings couldn’t return. The Lumberjacks stole the first set with a barrage of 15 kills, hitting .371 against PSU’s paltry .026, resulting in a 25-13 loss.

The second set appeared promising, as PSU managed to stay toe-to-toe with NAU, led by confident performances from

freshman OH Peyton McBride, junior middle blocker (MB) Whitney Turner and junior OH Toni McDougald. Bringing their hitting percentage up to .267, they showed a stronger energy and a more focused flow, resulting in some impressive finishes. Although they managed to stay neck and neck for the first half of the second set, NAU finished with a 25-20 win.

The third set played an unfortunate reprise of the first, and the Lumberjacks again managed to bully the Vikings, finishing both the set and the match with a 25-20 win.

After the game, Head Coach Michael Seeman said the Vikings simply “didn’t do a very good job of executing offensively.” He focused on his team’s failure to “do a good job connecting with [the] setters and hitters, both in terms of timing and spacing.”

Despite the opening home loss, however, Coach Seeman detailed what needed to be done heading into the next home match against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Saturday, Sept. 29: “I think we need to make sure that we’re taking advantage of the situations where we can score.” According to Seeman, the inability to do that was one of the primary causes of Thursday’s loss to the Lumberjacks. “We put ourselves into position to score, but because of ill-timed or bad setting, we didn’t do that, so we never were able to get ahead or even things up,” he said.

After hosting the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at the Viking Pavilion on Sept. 29, the Vikings will hit the road to face the Eastern Washington University Eagles in Cheney, Wash. on Oct. 4, followed by the University of Idaho Vandals in Moscow, Idaho.

Their next home match is set to take place on Oct. 11 against the Weber State Bobcats.

MADDY REEB. BRIAN MCGLOIN/PSU VANGUARD

THE PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM PLAYED A HOME GAME AGAINST NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY. BRIAN MCGLOIN/PSU VANGUARD

PSU Vanguard • OCTOBER 2, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

15

KEEPING SCORE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

3 - 1

VS. SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY SEPT. 29 @ VIKING PAVILION, PORTLAND, OR

SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY (2-14, 1-3)

PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

1

2

3

4

18

26

25

25

25

24

22

23

SEPT. 29 @ BUSH’S PASTURE PARK, SALEM, OR

MEN’S FINISHING PLACES & TIMES (8K CARDINAL RACE; TEAM PLACED 4TH OVERALL)

(1-15, 0-4)

20 - 7

MEN’S FOOTBALL

VS. UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO SEPT. 29 @ ASUI KIBBIE DOME, MOSCOW, ID

TOTAL

2

3

4

(2-2, 1-1)

3

17

0

0

20

PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

0

0

7

0

7

(1-4, 0-2)

3 - 2

VS. EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SEPT. 23 @ EWU SOCCER FIELD, CHENEY, WA

EASTERN WASHINGTON (5-4-2, 1-1-0)

PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

TOTAL

1

2

1

2

3

1

1

2

(2-7-0, 0-2-0)

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

3 - 0

VS. NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY SEPT. 27 @ VIKING PAVILLION, PORTLAND, OR

(10-6, 2-1)

PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY (1-14, 0-3)

31. JASON RAE, 25:39.2 37. ANDY SOLANO, 25:53.9 40. ANDREW STAFFORD, 25:55.6 53. IAN VICKSTROM, 26:08.9 54. JAYSON MAULE, 26:09.9 66. JACK RUBALCAVE, 26:23.6 78. ERIK SOLANO, 26:38.5 94. LIAM JEMISON, 26:59.6

WOMEN’S SOCCER

NORTHERN ARIZONA

15. DREW SEIDEL, 24:58.5 36. LUKE RAMIREZ, 25:50.5

1

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

CROSS COUNTRY CHARLES BOWLES WILLAMETTE INVITATIONAL

1

2

3

25

25

25

13

20

14

108. CODY JONES, 27:21.8 111. MATT PALMER, 27:24.8 137. CHASE LOVERCHECK, 28:12.8 149. JORDAN LAWRENCE, 28:59.3 174. WILL PAYTON, 33:28.0

WOMEN’S FINISHING PLACES & TIMES (5K CARDINAL RACE; TEAM PLACED 3RD OVERALL) 8. KAILA GIBSON, 17:25.6 12. SARAH MEDVED, 17:35.0 13. HUNTER STORM, 17:38.0 28. SAMMY BURKE, 18:06.7 36. DELANEY WHITE, 18:19.5 38. LINNAEA KAVULICH, 18:20.6 42. PHOEBE JACQUES, 18:23.0 48. PHOEBE BROWN, 18:35.0 87. MCKENNA MARTIN, 19:30.9 110. MONICA SALAZAR, 19:56.6