Portland State Vanguard Volume 78 Issue 22

Portland State Vanguard

VOLUME 78 • ISSUE 22 • FEBRUARY 8, 2024

LOVE & SEX GUIDE 2024 News: CPSO clashes with protesters at trustees meeting P. 4-5

News: PSU’s new committee tackles enrollment decline and funding challenges P. 6

S&T: Cameras capture humans glowing in the dark P. 17

OPEN OPINION

R ALL AT O F N M U L O C M PLATFOR

PSU

FILIATION W/PSU ITOR • STATE NAME AND AF AND CHOSEN BY THE ED ED TE AN AR GU T NO , M PAID OR@PSUVANGUARD.CO • SUBMISSIONS ARE UN IT ED TO NS IO IN OP D ORIES AN • SEND THOUGHTS, ST

CONTENTS

ALL COVER DESIGNS (INTERIOR, EXTERIOR, FRONT AND BACK) BY ARIANNA THOMAS

NEWS Students continue to protest PSU’s relationship with Boeing P. 4-5 PSU events column P. 5 Portland State forms committee to address enrollment decline P. 6 LOVE & SEX GUIDE Evolution of Valentine’s Day Commodification of love Is lesbian dating a lost cause?

Love is practically meaningless L&S Comics Capturing campus radiance L&S events column

P. 8-9 P. 10 P. 11 P. 12 P. 13 P. 14-15 P. 16

SCIENCE & TECH You glow in the dark

P. 17

ARTS & CULTURE Celebrate Lunar New Year at VSA’s annual Culture Show A&C events column

P. 18 P. 18

OPINION Criminalizing substance use does not help

P. 19

STAFF EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Kat Leon MANAGING EDITOR Tasha Sayre NEWS EDITOR Zoë Buhrmaster CO-NEWS EDITOR Alyssa Anderson ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Macie Harreld SCIENCE & TECH EDITOR Anish Kumar Arumugam OPINION EDITOR Cameron Rodriguez MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Alberto Alonso Pujazon Bogani

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Josi Struck ONLINE AND PROMOTIONS EDITOR Alley Henrici DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Aishwarya Suresh COPY CHIEF Isabel Zerr CONTRIBUTORS Amber Finnegan Lilli Rudine Diana DeGroot Milo Loza Jenny Lunte Ian Mcmeekan Joseph Lohmolder Lucas Ethridge PRODUCTION & DESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR Briana Cieri

DESIGNERS Arianna Thomas Haley Hsu Abby Raymundo Tomas Marcos Cisneros Anand Kailasam Parker Patnode TECHNOLOGY & WEBSITE TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANTS George Olson Hongzu Pan Sara Ray ADVISING & ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR OF STUDENT MEDIA Reaz Mahmood SALP ACCOUNTANT Maria Dominguez STUDENT MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR Rae Fickle

To contact Portland State Vanguard, email editor@psuvanguard.com MISSION STATEMENT 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.

ABOUT 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 online 24/7 at psuvanguard.com.

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PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 8, 2024 • psuvanguard.com

3

ALLEY HENRICI/PSU VANGUARD A confrontation between CPSO and protesters unfolded as protestors demand PSU to cut ties with Boeing outside Richard & Maurine Neuberger Center

STUDENTS CONTINUE TO PROTEST PSU’S RELATIONSHIP WITH BOEING

CPSO AND PROTESTERS CLASH AT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

ALYSSA ANDERSON

Members of Portland State’s Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights (PSU-SUPER) and their supporters held a demonstration during the Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 26 to protest PSU’s continued partnership with the multi-billion dollar weapons manufacturer Boeing.

Protesters entered the meeting on the fifth floor of the Academic and Student Recreation Center. They began chanting for PSU to cut ties with Boeing, prompting the Board members to exit the room while escorted by Campus Public Safety Office (CPSO) officers.

The meeting was adjourned promptly due to protesters occupying the space and continuing to chant. The Board moved the meeting to Zoom, with some members re-convening on the fourth floor of the Richard & Maurine Neuberger Center.

When protesters became aware of the new meeting location, they gathered outside the space to continue protesting, chanting and demanding PSU cut its ties with Boeing.

A Nov. 2023 Portland State Vanguard article cited PSU’s Global Supply Chain Management undergraduate program. “PSU is one of only 13 Boeing supply chain focused universities, meaning that Boeing recruits PSU supply chain students every fall term,” the article stated.

PSU alums who now work for Boeing have also donated money for a classroom in the business school.

A member of the Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) said they attended the protest to show support for student organizations like PSU-SUPER, who have been campaigning for PSU’s divestment from Boeing for the past seven years.

“Palestinian civil society has put out the call for BDS—boycott, divestment and sanctions—and so we’re heeding that call to try to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza and supporting students in those efforts and in the struggle,” the DSA member said.

“The on-campus struggle and the struggle in the entire city, in the country and in the world—these are all interconnected and so we need to be building bridges… By bringing these different arenas of struggle together and unifying our efforts, we can affect the most change.”

4

NEWS

This is far from the first time PSU students have urged the administration to cut its ties with Boeing, with some supporters saying this fight has been ongoing for the past seven years to no avail.

In both 2016 and 2021, the Associated Students of Portland State University (ASPSU) passed a resolution calling for PSU to sever connections with organizations that profit from human rights violations against Palestinians.

In 2021, ASPSU called on the PSU administration to cut ties with Boeing specifically. These actions have yet to prompt PSU to revise its relationship with Boeing.

Korvin—a PSU alum and attendee of the protest—said they do not appreciate seeing PSU students put in a situation where they are encouraged to take internships with a company which is “manufacturing weapons to kill children in Gaza and around the world.”

Korvin explained they think PSU can do better, and the money the university gets from Boeing does not come without strings attached. They had hoped the Board would have been open to engaging in a dialogue around this issue, but said they have shown a lack of interest in the topic over the years.

“They have shown that they’re not interested in hearing other perspectives other than the one that they’ve already come to the table with,” Korvin said. “They’ve shut us out. At this point, I think that the one thing that I would hope that we could get from them would be a change of heart and an openness to listen to students in the community in the future.”

As Board members exited the Richard & Maurine Neuberger Center after the meeting concluded, protesters approached Board members while they were in their vehicles and urged them to cut ties with Boeing.

CPSO officers came in between Board members and protesters. Video evidence taken by and submitted to Vanguard shows clear instances of aggression by CPSO officers towards protesters, with the primary aggressor being Campus Police Lieutenant Marcos Jimenez.

In a written statement received by Portland State Vanguard, CPSO Chief Willie Halliburton explained how CPSO was met with destruction of property and physical altercations at the hands of protesters. “CPSO acknowledges and respects freedom of speech as a vital pillar of our society,” Halliburton stated. “But we cannot tolerate destructive behavior that harms our community. Campus police encountered protestors at the Jan. 26 Board of Trustees meeting whose actions resulted in property destruction, as well as physical altercations with both officers and board members. Unfortunately, these protestors chose to disrupt university business and damage multiple spaces on campus rather than engaging with the Board of Trustees and our university leaders through dialogue.”

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 8, 2024 • psuvanguard.com

Several Vanguard editorial team members were present for the entire protest. They captured videos of interactions between Board members, CPSO officers and protesters.

Though some protesters did deface university property by writing on walls and putting up “Free Palestine” stickers, no one from Vanguard’s staff witnessed any instances of destruction or irreversible damage done by the protestors.

While protesters did confront Board members and attempt to block their vehicles from leaving, there were no witnessed direct physical altercations instigated by protesters.

Multiple videos taken during the protest clearly show CPSO officers—mainly Jimenez— using force to push, shove and even punch protesters who tried to confront Board members.

The protest on Jan. 26 was led and organized

by Mira, who is not a PSU student but a member of the PSU community.

Mira said that since PSU plays such a significant role in Portland, its relationship with Boeing affects everyone in the community. In multiple videos taken and obtained by Vanguard staff, Mira is pushed around roughly by CPSO officers, whom she did not appear to provoke in a physical manner.

“I was thrown around multiple times just because I wanted to tell [the Board of Trustees] and so they could hear,” Mira said. “In all recordings, I did not touch a single officer initially. I was pushed around and defending myself. It is pathetic. It is shameful. [CPSO] was completely not transparent—they were manipulative. They tried to trick us where the location was and quite frankly engaged to uphold the betrayal of our first amendment rights. So if anything, that is treason. That is treachery, and it is a shame that [CPSO] allege[s] to protect students when [they] target them and harm them.”

Mira—who has a relationship with PSUSUPER—said she knows they have tried to engage in dialogue with the Board for the past seven years about divesting from Boeing. These

past attempts have not resulted in any changes, prompting those supporting PSU’s divestment from Boeing to take more drastic measures.

When asked what she would say to the Board, Mira explained they had tried to engage in a dialogue about this topic but were routinely ignored.

“We engaged in everything that you asked,” Mira said, referring to the Board. “We played by your rules. You don’t dare question or become concerned when we raise our voices, because we did everything you asked us. And, keep in mind, our voices are only getting louder. We are going to insist and insist for the sake of the people—the people that you represent, that you are supposed to support. You are supposed to be a neutral institution. I know for a fact that you are in cahoots with Israeli influence and propaganda and are targeting students. That is egregious. It is mindless. It is something that cannot be comprehensible.”

In a recent press conference with Vanguard, PSU President Ann Cudd said she thinks it is important to maintain a politically neutral stance when accepting donations to protect community members’ free speech and academic freedom.

“I will never be in a situation where I will sell

out the university for some donation,” Cudd said. “There is no donation that is worth our integrity, our reputation and our values, but things are complicated.”

Yet, students and community members have expressed discomfort with PSU’s relationship with Boeing as well as Cudd’s handling of the topic.

Mira explained that many PSU students come from countries devastated by the United States empire and its weapons manufacturers, such as Boeing. She said that these students—whether immigrants, first-generation students or international students—are often reminded that their university is complicit in the destruction of their people.

“That’s why I care, because I’m standing up for my people, our people, my ancestors and the people in the future,” Mira said.

“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” Mira said. “From Portland, from Mexico, from Sudan, from the Congo, from Armenia, from all the countries that are facing U.S. occupation. We will fight together and be liberated together, because they may have money, abuse and power, but we have solidarity that cannot be fought, that cannot be blackmailed, and thus the people united will never be divided.”

PSU Upcoming Events MILO LOZA

Walk Winter Fest

Cramer Hall, room 345 Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m.

Free for students Walk with Uplift for the Winter Light Fest.

Hot cocoa and hand warmers provided

Personal Problems

5th Avenue Cinema Feb. 10, 6 p.m.

Free for students Bill Gunn’s experimental film captures real lives with chaotic charm, shot on a videocassette recorder.

Radical Dreamscape Vision Board Night

Women’s Resource Center Feb. 12, 3 p.m.

Free for students A radical reimagination of success. The Feminist of Color Community Project fosters community through storytelling and dialogue

Table Tennis Singles Tournament

Rec Center, court two Feb. 13, 4 p.m.

Free A one-day tournament with a single elimination tournament to crown a champion

Live @ Lunch: Open Mic

SMSU, room 101 Feb. 13, 12 p.m.

Free for students An open mic on campus featuring music, poetry or dance

Lunar New Years

SMSU, room 327 Feb. 13, 5 p.m.

Free for students Join the Korean Student Association and the Hong Kong Student Association for Asian snacks, games and prizes

Run With Us!

Outside of Rec Center Feb. 14, 3 p.m.

Free for students Run a two-mile loop together around the waterfront. All skill levels are welcome

Ballroom Dancing Movie Night

SMSU, room 238 Feb. 14, 6 p.m.

Free for students Come watch a classic ballroom movie with the team

Live @ Lunch

SMSU, room 101 Feb. 15, 12 p.m.

Free for students Eat lunch, study, dance and meet local musicians ALLEY HENRICI/PSU VANGUARD

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 8, 2024 • psuvanguard.com

NEWS

5

PORTLAND STATE FORMS COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS ENROLLMENT DECLINE ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI/PSU VANGUARD

SEEKS PSU COMMUNITY INPUT ON RESOURCE ALLOCATION FACING POTENTIAL CUTS

JOSEPH LOMOLDER Portland State recently launched a new planning committee with a list of ways the college would like to create change on and off the campus. One of the committee’s primary purposes is to correct a decades-long decline in enrollment, deficit increases and rapidly depleting funding reserves, as voiced during one of the first meetings.

The university formed the Strategic Planning Steering Committee on Oct. 5, 2023. Its publicized intention is to engage with students and the broader PSU community to understand better how to close the spending deficit while maintaining the college’s core values.

Portland State University’s strategic plan development is considered an industry standard, at least locally. The University of Oregon and Oregon State University have strategic plans with similar general goals of improving student outcomes.

For instance, OSU outlines three objectives and proposes five actions to achieve them. The goals relay the university’s desired focuses, such as “big discoveries that drive solutions,” “every student graduates” and “fuels a thriving world.”

The actions then detail ways the universities will try to hit said goals, for example “explore instating a block (flat) tuition rate model.”

Portland State’s strategic plan raises the concern that balancing the college’s budget would likely require cutting certain programs. Lindsey Wilkinson—associate professor and co-chair of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee—alluded that part of the committee’s purpose is to help with this process.

“Soon, we’re going to start having to make more difficult decisions about an allocation of resources,” Wilkinson said.

The Office of the President sent out email surveys to the PSU community on Jan. 10 to determine the college’s values. The survey also asked respondents, “What do you love about PSU” and “Why did you choose to come to PSU?” Samantha Warren—a PSU student studying social work— voiced frustration with the survey’s questions. “‘What do I love about PSU?’” Warren said. “That’s not going to tell you what’s important to me.”

Warren explained that the survey could be clearer about asking what programs and resources are most valuable to respondents. Its vague nature led her to think that it was not important.

“I just went, ‘It’s another survey—delete,’” Warren said.

In addition to surveys, the strategic planning committee has organized three public forums where the Portland State community is encouraged to participate in the strategic planning process. These forums are set to take place in the Smith Memorial Student Union on Feb. 12 from 3:30–5:30 p.m., Feb. 15 from 9:30–11:30 a.m. and Feb. 21 from 9:30–11:30 a.m.

“I think it’s good they are trying to reach out to the students,” said Brian Andrews, a PSU student studying communication.

“If this is something like a road map they want to go over with us, then that’s great.”

Getting feedback from the community has proven to be challenging, however.

Nearly 90% of PSU students are commuters, which presents a unique challenge for fueling engagement. In addition to having to travel to and from classes every day, many students have work and other obligations which demand their time outside of classes.

“One of the things we’re struggling with is we want engage-

ment, but sometimes we don’t organize engagement in ways that actually gets the feedback we need,” Wilkinson said.

Andrews explained that participating in the strategic planning process would be difficult for him as his schedule is already at capacity with being a full-time student who also works fulltime. Warren shared the sentiment, saying she is mainly focused on getting through her classes and returning home as quickly as possible. She said she would be more likely to participate in the strategic planning process if there was a way for her to participate over Zoom.

Wilkinson stated that the first year of the strategic plan will be used to determine a course of action, and the committee aims to have a finalized plan by June 2024.

PSU's new planning committee was formed amidst concerns over enrollment decline and financial deficits. With a focus on engaging the PSU community, their strategic plan aims to establish core values while tackling pressing financial issues

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NEWS

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 8, 2024 • psuvanguard.com

LOVE & SEX GUIDE

Narrative: Single, queer woman laments struggles in online dating P.11

Analysis: U.S. culture obsessed with love; English language lacks clarity P.12

Photo: PSU Vanguard team uplifts spirits spreading compliments on campus P. 14–15

Evolution of Valentine’s Day

From religious takeover to global commercialization

LUCAS ETHRIDGE Valentine’s Day dates back to 496 CE and has since evolved into a globally celebrated occasion.

Throughout history, this holiday has a rich tapestry of cultural, literary and commercial influences which have collectively shaped its development.

Unveiling a fascinating amalgamation of traditions, the story of Valentine’s Day showcases how it has transformed into the widely-celebrated and commercial occasion we recognize today.

WHEN DID VALENTINE’S DAY BECOME A CELEBRATED HOLIDAY?

In 496 CE, Pope Gelasius designated Feb. 14 as Valentine’s Day. This decision symbolized the papacy’s desire to shift away from pagan traditions— specifically the Roman festival of fertility called Lupercalia, which previously celebrated fertility on Feb. 15. The intent was to reframe the occasion as the Feast of Saint Valentine, transforming it into a religious observance.

It was common for Christians to observe holidays which coincided with other festivities, trading out pagan festivals—such as Sol Invictus for Christmas and Lupercalia—for the Feast of Saint Valentine.

Some believe Rome did this intentionally to help convert pagans to Christianity, while others argue it was the Romans’ way of covering up pagan rituals to make room for Christianity.

The new Christian holiday commemorated Saint Valentine, the patron of love. A triad of stories swirls around the tale of Saint Valentine.

The leading story goes that Emperor Claudius II imprisoned Saint Valentine—a devout Christian when the empire was predominantly pagan before Constantine.

Claudius II executed Saint Valentine in this story on Feb. 14, 270 CE. One part of the myth includes the jailer’s daughter.

Saint Valentine cures her blindness, and she and her family convert to Christianity.

Another account speaks of a bishop, Valentine of Terni. The emperor put him to death in that legend also, making him a martyr.

In a third, Saint Valentine married soldiers. Roman law prohibited warriors from being wed because love distracted them from war. He also wore a Cupid ring on his hand. Soldiers knew him by this signet.

This version of Saint Valentine’s story suggests he may have distributed paper hearts like greeting cards, speaking to the tradition that continues today.

VALENTINE’S TURNS THROUGH TIME

Valentine’s festival associations largely remained religiously based until the fourteenth century, specifically 1374–1381, when Geoffrey Chaucer penned the poem A Parliament of Fowls. In it, Chaucer satirizes courtly love in medieval England at the time.

His poem relays three tercel eagles wooing a mate.

Each bird confers with the formel, the female, trying

to win her wing. The lesser birds are in a frenzy, debating who’s the ideal suitor.

“For this was sent on Valentine’s Day,” Chaucer wrote.

“Where every bird cometh there to choose his mate.”

Chaucer also eulogized King Richard II’s marriage to Anne of Bohemia, his 15-year-old bride.

Moreover, numerous Valentine’s customs and practices from the past have been forgotten or lost with time.

Some extant sources mention the Day of Love in passing. Coupling birds were recurring images throughout the medieval period. Playwrights like William Shakespeare hint at such folklore in his play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In act four scene one, Prince Theseus comes upon four slumbering woodbirds. “Saint Valentine is past,” says Theseus, “And will these four love birds be coupling now?” Many Europeans believed birds mated on Feb. 14.

Although we know very little about medieval celebrations, some letters have survived from the Norfolk gentry—the Paston family. One note alludes to an event akin to Secret Santa.

A group of upper-class peers sat around and drew valentines.

Sir William Petre, the Secretary of State—who advised King Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary Tudor—sent his allotted valentines cloth and gold knicknacks.

Sir Petre included his servants on the list. According to the Paston letters, one year, he drew a maid from his household and, as a result, paid her a quarter’s extra wages on Valentine’s Day. English and French nobility also composed letters to their lovers.

In 1417, Charles d’Orleans delivered the first recorded valentine. At the time, the French and English were fighting the Hundred Years’ War. King Henry V—his adversary—defeated him at the Battle of Agincourt after losing so many battles. The King seized Charles—France’s champion—and locked him up in the Tower of London.

Duke Charles stayed there for 25 years. He often sent his wife letters and poetry. In one post, he calls her his valentine.

“God forgives him who has estranged me / from you for the whole year,” the French translation stated. “I am already sick of love, my gentle Valentine.”

Charles was an esteemed poet in his time and has remained so to this day. He wrote 500 poems throughout his lifetime.

During this era, literacy raised questions about how individuals—particularly peasants—engaged with Valentine’s Day. While some could read, writing skills were less widespread.

In contrast, the upper and middle classes actively participated in letter writing. However, the cost of quality ink and parchment was exorbitant, making these materials a luxury.

Additionally, the writing tools of the time posed challenges.

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Love & Sex Guide

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 8, 2024 • psuvanguard.com

HALEY HSU

Pens were limited to moving either up or down due to an awkwardly shaped nib.

Writing was cumbersome and time-consuming. Consequently, it remains uncertain how peasants and others celebrated Valentine’s Day—if they celebrated it at all.

Affectionate displays of love weren’t welcome everywhere, however. The Puritans punished affectionate displays outside the home. Colonies in New England forbade hugging and kissing.

Puritan theology believed in married love only.

Husband and wife must have shared a dutiful ardor towards each other. A simple peck on the cheek was almost like a proposal, forcing couples to suppress their urges.

Captain John Kemble learned that the hard way.

He lived for three years abroad. When he was home at long last, joy overcame him when his wife greeted him. He returned her feelings with a long, passionate smooch—in public! The town threw him into the stocks for three hours.

Greeting cards gained a place in society by the 1720s. Couples also expected an exchange of trinkets by this time.

Some gave each other notes written longhand, poems or homemade cards. Many included sym-

bols like Cupid, hearts, lovers’ knots and turtle doves.

Valentine’s day grew in popularity in the seventeenth century. Western countries like Britain and the United States first celebrated Saint Valentine’s love.

Gift-giving was a vital custom, much like it is now.

Friends and family gave away spoons and gloves. A small token also expressed affection between a couple.

The act showed commitment. Sometimes, their courting lasted a whole year. A fruitful relationship typically led to betrothal.

Love was a public affair in Victorian England.

Valentine’s Day became so popular that children went street by street, spending the evening valentining.

They knocked on doors, bagging candy from neighbors and loved ones. Later, the middle class came up with paper cards because, eventually, Valentine’s Day turned into unruly riots. Printed cards as a gesture replaced trick-or-treating.

THE BUSINESS OF LOVE

Valentine’s Day entered true commercialization in the 1840s with the mass production of cards in the U.S. In 1849, Esther Howland published the first popup, Valentine, popularizing greeting cards on Valentine’s Day. Her father owned a stationary store in Worcester, Massachusetts. One day, Esther asked him if he would import paper. She sold him on how trendy and successful the cards had been.

The venture was a family affair. Her father ordered some lace, pictures and other decorations.

Esther hired friends and family for the assembly line. Her brothers sold samples

on the road as traveling salesmen. Her friends described the workload as light and easygoing. Some cards had gooey, flattering poems copied from books, decorated in cards with silk, satin and lace. Others had a brief, four-verse poem inside.

Esther had an ambitious business plan. She wanted at least $200 in sales. When her father returned, he came back with exciting news. He had secured more than $5,000 in pre-orders. Thus, Esther’s associates set about fulfilling that need. She checked every card put together at the workshop.

Business boomed in the 1860s, and Esther’s ideas influenced the market. Soon, greeting card companies picked up the idea.

In 1911, Hallmark printed the first color card.

Companies then started promoting cards, chocolates and flowers on Valentine’s Day. The chief campaign focused on kids.

Children traded valentines during the school day.

Hallmark’s persistent marketing contributed to associating cards and chocolates with Valentine’s Day. Esther’s handiwork left a mark on Valentine’s Day. Cards have evolved since she debuted the first popup.

Vinegar valentines trended in the nineteenth century.

Some have verses written in circles or upside down.

Contemporary cards focus less on romantic love and instead on those who have a special place in someone’s heart.

Today, Valentine’s Day is observed in over 30 countries, showcasing its global popularity. Hallmark reported that the celebration has become widespread, with more than 145 million cards exchanged annually. This staggering number doesn’t even account for the additional cards and candies shared in classrooms, highlighting the enduring and widespread tradition of expressing affection on this special day.

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 8, 2024 • psuvanguard.com

Love & Sex Guide

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Commodification of love They’re trying to sell you something

ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI/PSU VANGUARD

CAMERON RODRIGUEZ When almost any holiday approaches, there will be a considerable increase in ads and promotions which are hoping to make money from the celebration.

During Valentine’s Day, the theme of love often leans towards traditional romantic relationships, emphasizing partners expressing affection for one another. The marketing strategy revolves around the desire to impress or dazzle one’s significant other, serving as a means to prove one’s love.

This is not meant to shame individuals who purchase holiday-themed promotions from companies. However, it’s essential to recognize how marketing endeavors often aim to persuade—and even coerce—consumers into believing that their offerings are superior or the only worthwhile option.

Advertising is inherently persuasive and manipulative, whether through explicit statements, such as “Show her how much you care” accompanied by overpriced jewelry sets, or indirectly through subtle cues, such as color coordination in stores and repetitive ads which create a sense of urgency.

This is hard to map with singular instances, but we all see and feel it around us. The ads change, and you learn about the upcoming holiday a month before from the change in display or targeted ads on Instagram feeds.

People react differently to this consumerism.

Some feel annoyed at the bombardment of unnecessary material goods, while others grapple with the profound uncertainty of determining the appropriate response to the holiday.

Whichever way you respond to the plethora of consumerism doesn’t matter as much as the fact that it will impact you.

One of the most considerable criticisms about how businesses promote deals and encourage consumption for any holiday is the manipulative suggestion for the need to prove your love— as if love isn’t a continually changing aspect of the relationship which often needs continual, unscheduled maintenance.

Advertisements often convey that the most meaningful expressions of affection come with hefty price tags or lavish gift baskets.

Companies vie for a share of consumer spending by presenting their offerings as enticing good deals.

Alternatively, specific industries rely on the enduring prestige of traditional gifts such as roses, jewelry or a romantic night out.

Valentine’s Day is an interesting part of this trend, because it focuses on the insulated romantic relationship dynamic popularized in heteronormative expressions of love.

“Gift-giving is my love language,” you might

say, but even that is buying into an idea made up 30 years ago by Baptist Pastor Gary Chapman.

While the concept of the five love languages serves as a metaphor for expressing and perceiving love, it lacks empirical verification. Despite its seemingly harmless nature, this framework categorizes expressions of love as distinct languages, potentially enabling individuals to dismiss their partner’s need for affirmation by rejecting that particular love language.

Researchers studying this analogy propose a more fitting comparison with a well-balanced diet, emphasizing the necessity of a broad range of essential nutrients to foster lasting love.

The book The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts—written by Chapman—has achieved widespread success with over 20 million copies sold. This makes it pretty lucrative for a metaphor lacking any evidence-backed research on how relationships are actually sustained.

Creating love is its own market and has been for quite some time. Now, we can see the muck that results from it, such as dating apps.

Given that the purpose of dating apps, inherently, is not to foster successful relationships.

Otherwise, their necessity and profitability would diminish.

Take Tinder, for instance, which offers three

subscription tiers. Yet some users stay on the platform for extended periods with little to show for their efforts.

The holiday season—particularly Valentine’s Day—tends to evoke feelings of shame and guilt, especially for those who are single. Pessimistic individuals often find solace in expressing their disdain for the holiday, rightfully so.

The pervasive marketing surrounding Valentine’s Day impacts people beyond direct purchases, influencing people regardless of whether they buy couple-centric items.

A potential remedy might be indulging in a personal treat, but this immediate satisfaction— often found in online shopping—can inadvertently perpetuate a loop of loneliness.

So it doesn’t really matter if you are in a relationship. The marketing narrative emphasizes the expectation of being in a relationship and prompts individuals to make purchases which either showcase their deep love or address their perceived loneliness.

While fostering meaningful connections is essential, it’s crucial to recognize that this holiday shouldn’t equate to a one-day assessment of a relationship’s value or one’s worthiness of love.

Divesting from consumerism isn’t easy, but a meaningful expression of love should not have to be bought.

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Is lesbian dating a lost cause?

Online dating for queer women is disappointing at best ALYSSA ANDERSON Another year, another Valentine’s Day spent single and alone. Woof. What does a queer gal have to do to get a date around here? Isn’t Portland supposed to be, like, the gayest city on earth or something? Where are all the lesbians?

Where is my future wife?

Well, as it turns out, she’s probably busy ignoring me on Her, Hinge, or even the most godforsaken app known to humanity—Tinder.

In a twisted act of self-sabotage fueled by a combination of laziness and anxiety, I’m probably ignoring her right back.

At this point, I’ve given up all hope of finding love online. You may be asking yourself, why is a young and sprightly 27-yearold so jaded and bitter? So here’s an example of what my online dating life has been like for the past few years.

Several months ago, I was chatting with a lovely woman on Her, the popular dating app for queer women. Things were going well and there were plans to meet in person.

As far as I can recall, I hadn’t said anything particularly alarming to this woman. I had yet to disclose my passion for analyzing episodes of The Real Housewives as if they were classic works of literature, nor had I mentioned that I regularly lay in bed and sing the entire Wicked soundtrack from start to finish—off book, I might add—and that I am often moved to tears by this particular activity.

I guess you could say I had kept all my red flags at bay up until this point, which is why what happened next shook me to my core.

It all began with a simple question. Amid what was otherwise a lovely, flirty conversation, this woman casually asked me what music I was listening to. A classic, often harmless question. I replied that I had been listening to John Grant and Weyes Blood—an honest answer I felt was both safe yet quirky enough to be endearing.

I turned the question towards her, curious to see if our tastes would match up when our entire chat history was deleted from my inbox.

I refreshed and refreshed, searching for her face among my other matches. But she was gone.

She had blocked me.

Seconds later, I was furiously googling “John Grant problematic” and “Weyes Blood problematic,” horrified that maybe these musicians had gotten up to some terrible things when I wasn’t paying attention.

But alas, my searches turned up dry. Maybe she didn’t like my taste in music, or perhaps she just didn’t like me? I guess I’ll never know.

The saddest thing about this story is that it is not at all uncommon—not for me and not for most of the queer women or non-binary people I know who have tried their hands at online dating.

Countless times, I have struck up a perfectly lovely conversation with someone on a dating app designed for queers of my ilk, only for it to fizzle out and result in nothing.

Now, I’m not saying I am a victim in any sense of the word. I claim full responsibility for many, many of these online relationships fizzling out.

My frustration is with the fact that dating, as a queer woman, seems to be a never-ending cycle of disappointment. Surely, there must be a better way.

Even in Portland—a city that praises itself for its acceptance of LGBTQ+ people—it feels next to impossible to date as a queer woman, much less as a queer woman working two jobs and going to grad school full time.

As an introvert with very little free time, online dating often feels like my only option. It’s not like Portland has a good selection of lesbian bars or other spaces to hang out at—believe me, I’ve checked!

Whether it be conversations fizzling out, cisgender straight men somehow finagling their way onto apps meant for queers or couples sneakily looking for a third, the online dating scene for lesbians, queer women and non-binary people is a bleak one.

I know I’m not the only one who thinks this.

MARCOS CISNEROS After scouring Reddit and talking to some of my queer friends, it seems queer women and non-binary folks of all ages can agree on one thing—lesbian dating apps are a bust.

Or perhaps dating apps, in general, are a bust. Nothing appeals to me about getting to know strangers via a shallow, looks-andvibes-based platform.

In fact, in the time it took me to write this article, I’ve realized that I rather enjoy being single.

If forced to choose between chatting with strangers online with the slight possibility of finding love or enjoying peace and quiet by my lonesome, I’d most definitely choose the latter option.

I don’t need online dating to feel fulfilled. Maybe—just maybe— I don’t need a girlfriend quite as badly as I initially thought.

You know what? I may as well delete my dating apps at this point. I’m doing just fine on my own. Maybe I’ll have better luck finding love the old-fashioned way—in the wild.

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Love is practically meaningless The semantics of love across language MACIE HARRELD The mainstream cultural output of the United States is obsessed with the idea of love. It is the substance of our reality shows, millions of collective dating app downloads, the kitschy decor which paints every department store red for February and the subplot within all our most popular songs, films and literature.

And yet, for a culture so enamored with love, the dominant language of our society is relatively ill-equipped to provide a meaningful definition of the word.

Colexification is a linguistic phenomenon in which a single word contains multiple distinctive meanings. When a word represents multiple words in another language, linguists consider it colexified.

For example, in Czech, “ahoj” translates to hello and goodbye in English. In many Austronesian languages, there is just one word that means both five and hand, and the English words month and moon are represented by only one word across 327 different languages.

This brings us to a highly colexified word within the English language—love.

Is love an emotion, an action, a temperament, a situation? Is it spiritual, extrinsic, innate, selfinterested, altruistic?

As far as English is concerned, it could be any of these. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the noun love has 24 different meanings. These meanings include: a feeling or disposition of deep affection or fondness for someone, a strong liking for something, an intense feeling of romantic attachment based on an attraction and sexual desire or lust.

As a verb, the OED defines love with 16 definitions, which are generally “to have the feeling” of one such variety of love. Love could apply to places or things, acquaintances, family or a friend you would die for.

You could love pizza, love your co-workers or love your situationship, but not necessarily be attached to them. You could love your mom, but not like her. You could have a house full of love or a healthy marriage void of it.

These interpretations of love—and many

more—are too vague, contradictory and distinct from one another to warrant a consistent, clear and shared understanding of the word.

This is not the case for many other languages.

For example, Sanskrit is said to have hundreds of different words that fall on the spectrum of English love.

There is an emotional, causeless love which appears spontaneously but is not everlasting.

There is a love born out of familiarity. A proclivity for something or someone simply because it has been experienced before.

There is a love of tenderness which flows from senior to junior—for example, the tenderness from father to son or teacher to student.

There is also the inverse of this love which is defined by devotion and respect.

In Japanese, the word “amae” exists. It refers to a kind of love based on sacrificial or servicelike behaviors in which one party experiences love through feeling needed, while the other experiences love through feeling indulged.

The word “ai” in Japanese—often associated with maternal love—is characterized by selflessness.

The word “koi,” on the other hand, is love that can be motivated by self-interest and carries romantic or sexual connotations.

A third word which combines “ai” and “koi” implies both romance and benevolence.

Of course, speakers of English can modify and expand an uncertain notion of love through explication to meet the more specific loves available in other languages. Yet the fact remains that

English has collapsed a complex, multifaceted human experience into a single word and that in itself is culturally indicative.

Colexification is not random. Words which are highly relevant to a society or difficult to distinguish from one another in context are rarely colexified.

For example, the words snow and ice are colexified in languages such as Hausa, Nahuatl and Hawaiian—languages native to Nigeria, Central Mexico and Hawaii, respectively. This specific colexification does not occur in languages native to colder landscapes, where snow and ice are much more prevalent and much more helpful to distinguish from one another.

So does the colexification of love say something about how speakers of English understand, distinguish or value the concept of love? Or rather, concepts? Socially speaking, the ambiguity is, at the very least, meaningfully problematic for reasons of interpersonal misunderstandings.

An ILY—aka I love you—could be sent or received as a fortified like, as friendly affection or something indeterminably more.

Misinterpreting love can be dangerous. If love as a verb is to have some undefined feel-

ing called love, then there should be no reason why someone couldn’t love their child, partner, brother, etc. and simultaneously mistreat them.

Whether the abuser in a relationship is capable of loving the abused, or vice versa, is certainly not universally agreed upon, particularly for those inside the relationship. Unfortunately, it is often some interpretation of love employed as justification for abuse and mistreatment in a relationship.

Thomas Fiffer wrote an article about the role of love in abusive relationships. “Understanding that something can feel like love but not be love is a crucial distinction,” Fiffer stated. “For the abusive partner, what feels like love is complete, unconditional acceptance. For the abused partner, what feels like love is special treatment— being the sole and intense focus of another’s attention, warmth, and desire.”

By these standards, a loving feeling which lacks loving action is not love at all. This makes the definition of verbal love proposed by the OED and English-speaking society practically meaningless—a fallacy of circular logic.

HALEY HSU

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BRIANA CIERI

ARIANNA THOMAS

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Capturing campus radiance Power of positive words cutting through the darkness ANISH ARUMUGAM & JOSI STRUCK Armed with a camera and the intent to spread joy, Portland State Vanguard’s team roamed the PSU campus, seeking consent to photograph and interview students, faculty and staff. Little did they know that this mission went beyond showcasing the visual splendor around us.

“We are going around campus and taking photos of things we find beautiful, and you are beautiful,” Vanguard reporters said.

The reactions that followed were a kaleidoscope of emotions.

For some, it was a moment of sheer delight, a spark of unexpected positivity which illuminated their day.

“You made my day,” echoed through the air as people re-

vealed the warmth of being acknowledged for the beauty they possessed.

What struck us the most was the realization that a single word or a heartfelt compliment had the power to shift moods and brighten spirits.

In a world often filled with challenges and stress, a simple acknowledgment of beauty acted as a beacon of light, cutting through the mundane and casting a glow on the recipient’s entire day.

As we documented these encounters, we witnessed the magic unfold. Faces lit up, shoulders straightened and a new-

found confidence emanated from those whom a positive word had touched.

This photo story isn’t just about pretty pictures; it’s a celebration of the inherent beauty within us all. It’s a testament that kindness in the form of a compliment can create a ripple effect of positivity, reaching far beyond the initial exchange.

Let us remember the impact of a single word in a world that often rushes past the small moments.

By genuinely recognizing and appreciating the beauty around us, we can make a lasting difference in someone’s day—one compliment at a time.

ANISH ARUMUGAM/PSU VANGUARD

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Love & Sex Events By: Milo Loza

PSU Orchestra Valentine Celebration

The Mission Theater Feb. 10, 8 p.m. $10-20 PSU Orchestra—led by Ken Selden—showcases diverse performances from Tōru Takemitsu to The Mamas & The Papas

My Muddy Valentine

The Plumper Pumpkin Patch Feb. 10, 8 a.m. $39+ Join one of the best obstacle events in the area, featuring a DJ, a pancake breakfast, s’mores and more

Family Pasta Workshop

Cookshop Feb. 11, 10 a.m. $39+ Join chef Leta Merrill for a hands-on pasta-making class, including crafting egg dough with a Valentine’s Day twist

Valentine’s Crafternoon

Crafts PDX Feb. 11, 2 p.m. $10 Create unique, upcycled Valentine’s Day decorations with provided materials to spread love creatively

CSA Valentine’s Day Workshop

SMSU, room 327 Feb. 12, 4 p.m.

Free for students Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Cambodian Student Union, including a workshop, activities, raffles and sweets

Before You Get Down on One Knee

SMSU, Room 294 Feb. 14, 11 a.m.

Free for students Join PSU Student Legal Services for legal insights on marriage vs. domestic partnership, legal perks and more

PSU Vanguard: Jeopardy!

Vanguard office, SMSU S-26 Feb. 14, 11 a.m.

Free for students Join the editors of Portland State’s studentrun newspaper in a game of Jeopardy!

Valentine’s Day Raffle

Hog Wild BBQ Feb. 14, 11 a.m. $10+ Grab a meal to enter a Valentine’s Day raffle with prizes

Love your Community

SMSU, room M-108 Feb. 14, 12 p.m.

Free for students Grab a slice of pizza and make a card for your friends, neighbors and loved ones

YOU GLOW IN THE DARK CAMERAS REVEAL OUR BODIES EMIT LIGHT

ANISH ARUMUGAM The human body glows. This might sound like science fiction, but it results from ultraweak biophoton emission imperceptible to the naked eye.

The study stated that the faint light our bodies emit—called biophoton emission—comes from the activity of tiny particles called free radicals during the energy-making processes in our cells. These free radicals interact with fats and proteins, creating excited molecules that produce the observed glow when they react with certain substances like fluorophores.

A group of researchers captured this glow using cutting-edge technology and found photons move in a way which matches the body’s natural circadian rhythm.

In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers employed a specialized imaging system featuring a cryogenic charge-coupled device (CCD) designed with a cold-sensitive sensor for capturing pictures. Operating at low temperatures, this camera minimizes electronic noise, enhancing sensitivity to capture faint light signals.

Usually, researchers use this camera to capture high-quality images of objects in space. However, a group of scientists used this cutting-edge technology to capture the subtle glow emitted by the human body. Their findings revealed that the movement of photons in this emitted light aligns with the body’s natural circadian rhythm.

“We successfully imaged the diurnal change of ultraweak photon emission, revealing that the human body directly and rhythmically emits light,” the researchers stated. “This emission is intricately linked to changes in energy metabolism, offering a new perspective on our body’s inner workings.”

While bioluminescence is commonly associated with organisms like fireflies and jellyfish, this study demonstrates how virtually all living organisms—including humans—emit extremely weak light spontaneously.

In the past, obtaining images of biophoton emission required over an hour of acquisition time, making it impractical for studying physiological phenomena. However, advancements in the CCD camera and lens system now allow for clear images with a short exposure time, paving the way for in-depth analysis of biophoton emission patterns.

The study involved five healthy male volunteers, monitored in normal light-dark conditions with sleep scheduled from midnight to 7 a.m.

The researchers observed a clear circadian rhythm in the intensity of photon emission, which varied daily. Images revealed that photon emission from the face was higher than from the body, and the intensity varied throughout the day, peaking in the late afternoon.

The researchers explored the correlation between the light emitted by our bodies and the functioning of other body systems.

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 8, 2024 • psuvanguard.com

COURTESY OF PLOS ONE

The daily rhythm of photon emission from the faces and bodies of five volunteers They found that cortisol—a hormone responsible for various functions, particularly in managing stress, regulating metabolism and influencing our daily sleep-wake cycle—followed a negatively correlated pattern to the photon emission, meaning that when the captured glow was brighter, our cortisol levels were lower.

This suggests a connection between our body’s internal clock, stress management and the light our bodies give off.

The study proposed that ultraweak biophoton emission originates from generating free radicals in energy metabolic processes.

The emitted photons result from the interaction of these radicals with lipids or proteins, creating excited molecules. These molecules, in turn, react with fluorophores, leading to the observed biophoton emission.

The research sheds light on the intricate dance of free radicals and excited molecules within our bodies, revealing a captivating connection between our metabolic processes and the mesmerizing glow emitted by our skin.

In a world where we often focus on the visible aspects of health, this research unveils a hidden aspect of our biology, making the intersection of circadian rhythms, stress and metabolic processes more increasingly apparent.

This discovery expands our understanding of human physiology and sparks intriguing questions about the interconnectedness of our internal processes and the radiant light we unknowingly emit.

Studying biophoton emission opens up a new frontier in visually understanding the dynamic interplay between how our external world impacts our body’s internal mechanisms. It is a fascinating journey that challenges us to explore the depths of human biology and the mysteries within our own glow.

This newfound knowledge adds a touch of magic to how we see ourselves. As we explore the mysteries of our own glow, let’s uncover the surprises our bodies hold, revealing more to our story.

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CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR AT VSA’S ANNUAL CULTURE SHOW VIETNAMESE STUDENT ASSOCIATION PROMOTES INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

Local A&C Events MILO LOZA

Midnight Mic

Funhouse Lounge Feb. 9, 12 a.m.

Free A free comedy open mic, starting at midnight on Friday nights, hosted by Matt Franco

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Cinemagic Feb. 10, 9:40 p.m. $7+ In a final cinematic duel, Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader.

The Double-Threat Trio

Broadway Rose Theatre Feb. 11, 2 p.m. $30+ Watch a trio overcoming hilarious hurdles in this zany musical comedy

El Oh Hell

Dante’s Feb. 12, 4 p.m.

Free Bryan Withawhy hosts a comedy open mic with five-minute sets in a hell-themed bar

Montavilla Station Open Mic

Montavilla Station Feb. 13, 7 p.m.

Free A comedy open mic with three-minute sets and lots of energy, hosted by Lucas Copp COURTESY OF VSA The most recent workshop hosted by VSA was an interactive exercise that involved learning about the famous landmarks in Vietnam JENNY LUNTE The Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) at Portland State will host its twentythird annual Culture Show on Feb. 17 in Smith Memorial Student Union. Traditional food will be provided, in addition to live performances celebrating the Vietnamese community and culture.

VSA strives to be a place for community where everyone is welcome to join and engage in Vietnamese culture—whether they identify as Vietnamese or not. VSA hosts a series of workshops throughout each term. These provide opportunities for the community to come and learn about the culture and language and partake in various activities.

The most recent workshop on campus was an interactive exercise which involved learning about the famous landmarks in Vietnam. VSA also likes to engage with the larger Vietnamese community in the PNW through collaborations and events with schools in Washington and Oregon.

VSA’s largest event of the year is its annual Culture Show—a celebration of the Lunar New Year. This holiday is called “Tết” in Vietnamese and is the most important festival in Vietnamese culture. They celebrate Tết every year between mid-January and early February with parades, dance, food and symbols of good luck.

Every year, the VSA Culture Show revolves

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around a specific theme that holds cultural significance. This year’s theme is the traditional Vietnamese culinary dish, “Mâm ngũ quả” or five-fruit tray. The five-fruit tray—a long-standing tradition of the New Year—symbolizes respect for one’s ancestors and the wishing of good things for the new year.

Traditionally, each fruit has a different meaning, which VSA will explore at the Culture Show through live performances. The show will open with a line dance and conclude with a skit that showcases the theme’s meaning.

Along with Mâm ngũ quả, the VSA Culture Show will incorporate Vietnamese dishes, such as egg rolls, spring rolls, meat dishes, fried rice and desserts. Many VSA students will wear traditional Vietnamese clothing and encourage others to do so as well.

“I believe it’s important for students to get knowledge of different cultures in general,” said Mary Nguyen—the VSA president—about the value of cultural celebrations at PSU. “[It’s important] to be open minded about how there’s differences in values and culture, how someone from one culture can value something different from another.”

Two years ago, one of the officers at the time asked Nguyen to help out with that year’s Culture Show, and she joined VSA. First, as the cultural chair for the association

and now serving as the organization’s president, Nguyen identifies VSA as a resource to educate the broader PSU student body about Vietnamese culture and as a space for students with Vietnamese heritage to foster community and build connections.

VSA has “helped [me] with finding a community of Vietnamese students,” Nguyen said.

“Growing up, I wasn’t really in a big Vietnamese community or anything; it was a really small community. And mostly there were older people rather than students and people my age.”

Cultural clubs and events such as these also advocate for equitable resource distribution and diversified representation across the university. For example, Nguyen explains how student groups on campus sometimes face difficulties when trying to get traditional cultural foods for events, such as boba. Students having a platform to organize, such as VSA, ultimately allows for greater visibility and inclusivity.

Students can find information about how to get involved with VSA through their social media pages and through PSU Connect, where the association details upcoming workshops and events.

VSA continues to provide a place for students to form a community, while also hosting cultural events and educational programming that contributes to the preservation and promotion of Vietnamese culture in Portland.

Silversun Pickups

Mcmenamins Crystal Ballroom Feb. 14, 8 p.m. $35 Experience the sonic allure of this alternative rock band

PNW Sportsmen Show

Portland Expo Center Feb. 14, 11 a.m. $20 The largest Sportsmen’s Show west of the Mississippi, with more than 800 exhibits and 120 seminars

NW Black Comedy Festival

Curious Comedy Theater Feb. 15, 8 p.m. $30+ Discover multiple comedy shows featuring black comedians from all around the Pacific Northwest

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 8, 2024 • psuvanguard.com

ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI/PSU VANGUARD While some argue that criminalization of drug use is necessary, others recognize complexity and the harm criminalization causes by creating additional barriers to treatment and resources

CRIMINALIZING SUBSTANCE USE DOES NOT HELP

MEASURE 110 NEEDS TIME IAN MCMEEKAN

It’s been over three years since Portland passed the now infamous Measure 110 on Nov. 3, 2020. Measure 110 gained popularity with what started as the potential to end the criminalization of drug possession in Oregon.

The positive effects of the measure have yet to be fully realized because “expanding services or starting new services takes time to scale up, and awareness of new programs takes time to build,” stated KGW News, citing an audit done by the state of Oregon.

Despite its slow start, the measure does more good than bad because criminalizing people doesn’t solve the problem of drug use. The harm criminalization causes creates an additional barrier to treatment and resources those struggling need most.

The attitude that substance users are criminals is part of the cycle of morally institutionalizing them. Criminalization furthers a stigma that drug use is always dangerous and those who use drugs are not to be trusted by the public.

This leads to a situation where individuals who require assistance cannot seek it due to ostracization.

Measure 110 had the potential to challenge this stigma by encouraging involvement in recovery programs. This was intended to lead to “expanding access to much needed (and chronically underfunded) addiction services in the state,” stated the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA).

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 8, 2024 • psuvanguard.com

The potential benefits of this would not only help substance users access needed resources but also reduce the stigma that surrounds the need for help. If more substance users don’t have the shame and guilt about being misrepresented as dangerous criminals, the stress of the stigma could improve conditions.

Moreover, it might even encourage accessing resources for their addiction. On the other hand, if we reinforce the stigma by locking them up, this doesn’t get them the help they need to function within society.

Treating substance users as criminals does more than make them turn away from treatment. Research conducted by Human Rights Watch—an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of people in over 100 countries—highlights that the enforcement of drug possession laws inflicts significant and unjustifiable harm on individuals and communities nationwide.

In addition, the consequences of criminalization include family separation, barriers to job opportunities, exclusion from welfare assistance, public housing and voting, along with enduring discrimination and stigma throughout a person’s lifetime.

This is unfair to substance users because they need to be treated as human beings and provided support to help them receive proper treatment and ensure they don’t have to turn to the use of harmful artificial chemicals to get through their day.

This is why Measure 110 needs more time to start working. It has recently begun to give substance users much-needed help.

“From the beginning of 2022 to late 2023... the number of active peers in Oregon have doubled from 1,400 to 2,800,” KGW News stated, citing the same audit conducted by the state of Oregon. “They helped connect clients with basic needs, such as food, clothing and transportation, providers reported; helping get clients to recovery meetings and doctor’s appointments; making connections with housing and other treatment services.”

If we lock people up, we are only adding to the problems which create a reliance on substances. If we want to give people another chance, we need to allow them to seek treatment without cruel punishment.

Access to treatment for those in need is often limited, and criminalization pushes individuals who use drugs into the shadows, reducing the likelihood of receiving care. This increases the risk of engaging in unsafe practices, making them vulnerable to diseases and overdoses.

Hopefully, Measure 110 can change the tides of how we approach the subject of addiction and drug use, which is safer for those going through it and can be beneficial to everyone long term.

OPINION

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