A.S. resolution for trans rights fails
Trans rights have been under attack nationally by the Trump administration, A.S. responded with a resolution which did not gain majority vote
By Alina Ta SENIOR STAFF WRITER
The San José State Associated Students (A.S.) Board of Directors failed to pass a resolution to support trans rights in women’s sports in the Student Union on Wednesday afternoon.
Five directors voted in support of the resolution but two voted in opposition and three directors chose to abstain from participating in the vote.
Ariana Lacson, SJSU A.S. president and CEO, has been working on the resolution since the Fall 2024 semester.
Lacson said she started working on researching and writing the resolution after SJSU received national attention following a controversy surrounding its women’s volleyball team.
In Fall 2024, a student athlete on the women’s volleyball team was outed for allegedly being transgender, according to previous reporting from the Spartan Daily. The student in question has not publicly addressed the controversy.
“From that controversy, I think it signaled to me that our trans community and our trans folk are under attack,” Lacson said. “As Associated Students, (and) as president, one of my main goals and initiatives will always be advocating for every student
group, especially those who are in marginalized (communities).”
Lacson said she reached out to multiple student groups to see how many students would support the resolution.
Over 50 presidents from different student groups on campus support the goals in the resolution, according to the resolution document.
the result of the vote.
Among the five affirmative votes were Teairra Brown, the A.S. director of student resource affairs, Lacson and the Director of Legislative Affairs Katelyn Gambarin.
“It’s really important that at this time we show that we are standing in solidarity with different marginalized communities on campus,” Gambarin said. “And to not
that allow trans-athletes to compete in sports.
Following this order, in a statement sent to the Spartan Daily from Michelle SmithMcDonald, SJSU’s director of media relations, sent the university’s response.
“San José State maintains an unwavering commitment to the wellness, safety and privacy of our students, faculty and staff and to
against this resolution and trans athletes participating in sports, but I wish I have had pieces of information from both sides to make a sound decision,” Joshi said. “Just as trans athletes are part of the student body, non-trans athletes are part of it as well and they want to be heard as well.”
She said no students have approached her or
I am personally not against this resolution and trans athletes participating in sports, but I wish I had pieces of information from both sides to make a sound decision.
Rishika Joshi A.S. Director of Sustainability Affairs
“But we have a privilege and honor and responsibility of advocating and amplifying the voices of all of our students, especially those who may be especially scrutinized under everything that’s happening in the world,” Lacson said. “I’ve never felt so embarrassed . . . I've never felt as much disappointment as I did today with being on Associated Students.”
Like Lacson, current board members are feeling disappointed after
see that today was really disappointing . . . It’s also important to remember that as a student body, we act in the interest of our students.”
On Feb. 5, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning the participation of transgender athletes, according to a webpage from the White House.
The order says that the policy of the United States will take away funds from educational programs
fostering a supportive and caring environment for all,” the email said.
Rishika Joshi, the A.S. director of sustainability affairs, was among the two who voted nay during the decision process.
Joshi said she voted in opposition because she wants to make sure the board hears concerns from the small minority of students who may not support the resolution.
“I am personally not
anyone on the board sharing their concerns against the resolution, but she still felt the discussion at Wednesday’s meeting was one-sided.
While there is limited data, it doesn’t suggest that trans men or trans women have any athletic advantage post transition, according to an Oct. 27, 2023 Frontiers in Sports and Active Living research article.
In most cases, trans athletes performed more similarly to their gender
identity, according to the same research article.
Brown feels as though the failure to pass the resolution was terrible on the board's part.
“I feel like (discriminating) someone from a sport that they love and that they’re passionate about is just wrong and it’s not equal towards everyone,” Brown said.
Joshi said she is not opposed to seeing the board bring back the resolution and vote again in the future as long as the board remembers to address concerns from those who may oppose the resolution.
Lacson said she is unsure of what the next steps are but she encourages students to engage more with the A.S. Board of Directors to share their concerns or support for the resolution.
She said she expects students to respond to A.S.’s inability to pass the resolution and encourages students to use their anger and disappointment to vocalize and to check if their student government representatives are serving them as best as they can.
“This fight is not over. Just because we’re experiencing one setback doesn’t mean that this fight has to end and it won’t end,” Lacson said.
District 3 campaign events continue
By Israel Archie SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Candidates for the District 3 seat of the San José City Council are continuing to have events throughout the district in hopes of steering voters in their direction.
On Saturday, both Matthew Quevedo and Gabby Chavez-Lopez held community canvassing events. Quevedo hosted his at Backesto Park while Chavez-Lopez hosted her “Women’s Walk with Gabby” at Raymond Bernal Jr. Memorial Park.
Quevedo returned to his weekly campaign spot at Backesto Park urging members of the district to go out knocking on doors to support his run for District 3 of San José City Council.
“I want to work to end street homelessness; I want to ensure we’re rebuilding our police department, end plight throughout downtown (and) build up our economic base,” Quevedo said.
Quevedo also wants to hire more police officers
and equip the police department with better technology, according to the safety page of his campaign website.
Following the “Women’s Walk with Gabby” event on Saturday where she and her supporters knocked on doors and canvassed for her campaign. ChavezLopez participated in the District 3 forum that occurred Monday held at the Wesley United Methodist Fellowship Hall in San José’s Japantown.
Compared to the previous district forum which happened on Feb. 12, Monday night had a full panel with all seven of the candidates participating and addressing the issues that the residents of District 3 felt needed attention.
When the topic of houselessness arose during the forum, candidate Tyrone Wade, former marriage and family crisis counselor, proposed his idea for increased housing sustainability and public safety.
“I have a plan and a way to solve the homelessness
Send a letter to
issue (and) it isn’t building small homes and throwing people in there,” Wade said.
“We need Wraparound services (and) we need to provide people healthcare, education and training; these are things that will help them get on the path to sustainability.”
Wraparound is a strengths-based planning program that engages with children and families as a means to help them live in a stable environment, according to a webpage from the California
It’s a huge issue and there are needs that are needed in terms of mental health support services (and) drug support service.
Gabby Chavez-Lopez San José District 3 candidate
Letters to the Editor may be placed in the letters to the editor box in the Spartan Daily office in Dwight Bentel Hall, Room 209 or emailed to spartandaily@gmail.com to the attention of the Spartan Daily Opinion Editor. Letters to the Editor must contain the author’s name, year and major. Letters become property of the Spartan Daily and may be edited for clarity, grammar, libel and length. Only letters of 300 words or less will be considered for publication. Published opinions and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views of the Spartan Daily, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or SJSU. The Spartan Daily is a public forum.
Department of Social Services.
“These are things that I will look at as a counselor, and this is the way that we would solve the homeless plight,” Wade said.
Plans made by the program are personalized for each family based on the culture and preferences of the family and children, according to the same source.
Former Sheriff Lieutenant Adam Duran had a different approach as a response to the homelessness crisis in San José.
“Putting a house over someone does not solve the problem,” Duran said. “I believe we need to lobby city, county, state and federal government to open up more mental health facilities and also drug rehab centers to help those struggling with addiction.”
About one-third of unhoused people have issues with alcohol and/or drugs while two-thirds of them have lifelong histories of drug or alcohol usage, according to a webpage from the American Addiction Centers.
During the forum, Duran also brought up an incident that occurred on Saturday while he was out doing campaign work that played some role in his conclusion, regarding the lack of mental health facilities.
“I, personally, while canvassing on Saturday was assaulted by a mentally ill person,” Duran said. “She swung at me (so) I moved (and) she hit my arm along with my paperwork and (I)
was actually sore for about a day.”
In data collected by Rebecca Barry, a postdoctoral researcher, 67% of unhoused individuals suffer from some sort of mental illness, according to an April 17, 2024 article from U.S. News & World Report.
Regarding the public safety aspect of the city, Quevedo addressed his support for Proposition 36.
Proposition 36, which was passed in 2024, allows felony charges for certain thefts if the perpetrator has two prior convictions of the same crime, according to a webpage from the California General Election Voter Guide.
“That (Proposition 36) is something that is going to get us back on the road to accountability, ensuring (that) people who commit crimes are held accountable,” Quevedo said.
Phil Dolan, a knife sharpener salesman also running for District 3, gave a different take regarding the issue with people perpetrating public safety.
“People need to start being held accountable; they need to start going to jail,” Dolan said. “If you’re a grown man by yourself, you need to get off the drugs (and) you need to get a job; we can’t just keep talking about this.”
Chavez-Lopez expressed her agreement with increasing access to mental health services but also brought up the fact that the money to fund these services has to come from somewhere.
The city of San Jose is facing a $60 million deficit, though this figure is smaller than other major Bay Area cities, according to a Feb. 12 article from KQED.
I have a plan and a way to solve the homelessness issue (and) it isn’t building small homes and throwing people in there.
Tyrone Wade San José District 3 candidate
“It’s a huge issue and there are needs that are needed in terms of mental health support services (and) drug support service,” Chavez-Lopez said. “We need to look at not only the micro of who is the one deploying these services but also look at the bigger macro picture of how are we going to finance these plans and how are we going to align as different agencies to be able to have a shared goal.”
This Saturday Quevedo is scheduled to host a “Saturday Walk” at Backesto Park at 10:30 a.m., according to a post on his campaign Instagram page.
Follow Israel on X (formerly Twitter) @archie45760
City council candidates attend a council forum and address issues from residents of District 3 on Monday night at Wesley United Methodist Fellowship hall in San José.
ISRAEL ARCHIE SPARTAN DAILY
King library honors Black art
By Nicole DeVries STAFF WRITER
An ongoing exhibit at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is celebrating its third year as part of the “Art of the African Diaspora” exhibition, honoring Black art and expression.
This year along with the Richmond Art Center, the San José Public Library continues its tribute during Black History Month, highlighting the contributions of Black artists.
“Art of the African Diaspora” brings together works that explore heritage, identity, and resistance, continuing the tradition since 1989, according to the SJSU event page.
The main exhibit is held at the Richmond Art Center, accompanied by satellite exhibits across the Bay Area including the San José Public Library, showcasing the diversity of artistic expression within the African diaspora.
The exhibition originated as “Colors of Black,” organized by artist Marie Johnson-Calloway, and was a salon for artists to share their experiences and exposure to the African American art community, according to the same source.
This year, SJSU and the San José Public Library are hosting a satellite exhibit as part of their Black History Month reflections and as a tribute to the legacy of Black labor across professions and generations, according to the San José State University event page.
Eboni Harris, a San José librarian, highlighted the importance of this event and the impact it has had on the artists involved.
“It is the longest-running event of its kind in the Bay Area, originating in 1989
“The Art of the African Diaspora,” in partnership with the Richmond Art Center, supports artists of African descent and the Bay Area through representation, professional development and building a creative community,” said Harris. The artwork on display employs mixed media through paintings and sculptures that encourage visitors to engage with the themes of resilience, justice, and remembrance.
“This is San José Public Library’s third year of being a satellite for this marvelous exhibit and celebration,” said Harris. On Feb. 15, San José Public Library hosted a “Meet the Artists” event to allow people to connect with the artists and ask questions about their work.
The artists behind the “Art of the African Diaspora” shared their stories, inspiration, and creative processes throughout creating their works and their connection to their African American heritage.
Justice Renaissance, a sculptor featured in the exhibit as well as one of its curators, expressed the lasting effect of their work with the exhibit as a part of his history.
“If the world is destroyed and one of my pieces is around 10,000 years from now, I want it to be identified as part of my culture,” said Renaissance.
Renaissance’s sculptural work embodies the fusion between history and identity through bold forms and textured surfaces.
These sculptures pay tribute to the past and his statements to engage with the complexity of Black cultural narratives.
“Each piece plays a part of the exhibit represents every artist's distinct experience
as some artists pull from African traditions or cultural expressions while others focus on the contemporary issues of race and identity,” Harris said.
She also said the exhibit explores the broader theme of one identity aligning with the cultural expectations that challenge these artists' creativity.
Through his work, Renaissance provided a platform to explore and convey their unique perspectives on identity, using art as a powerful tool to illustrate their journey.
“And that goes beyond Black to me. That’s whether you’re gay, straight, trans, whoever–be bold and beautiful about it,” Renaissance said. “Be proud about it.”
For some artists in the exhibit, their art is deeply connected to their link to the antagonistic moments of the
past.
Donna Gatson, a silversmith and painter who has lived in the Bay Area since 1976 and studied sociology at SJSU, shared how her family history shaped her work at the “Meet the Artists” talk.
“You’ll see some of my pieces are dealing with antique ledger paper from the 1800s, which are a nod to the slave ledgers. And I was just driven to do portraits of my slave ancestors… to give them a face and hoping then we’ll speak out as human beings,” Gatson said.
Gatson began her artistic journey at 50 years old, trained as a silversmith on the Hopi reservation and later expanded her work to include paintings and sculptural work.
Gatson’s work acts as a connection between her complicated history and the
journey to becoming an artist later in life. Gatson’s pieces focus on specific materials like ledger paper to honor her ancestors.
Through intricate metalwork and evocative portraiture, Gatson’s art allows her to reclaim a voice and share her passion now back in San José.
Her statement about deriving her inspiration from her ancestors is a testament to the personal and historical narratives that are present throughout the exhibit and the significance of acknowledging these experiences.
Some of the artists reflected on the challenges of being a Black creative and spoke on the way race has shaped their perceptions.
Chamia LaRae, artist and journalist, spoke on the complexities of identity
and how race shapes lived experiences.
“In this world, your Blackness precedes everything else,” LaRae said. “In this country, certainly, our Blackness has even preceded our humanity a lot of times.”
The Art of the African Diaspora exhibit not only uplifts Black voices but reinforces the power of art as a means of storytelling and preservation.
“Perhaps there’s something in me that I am being pushed or it’s my obligation to tell the stories that are being erased,” Gatson said.
Editor's Note: a longer version of this article is available at SJSUNews.com
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By Amara Copeland STAFF WRITER
From “Take Care” to “Certified Lover Boy”, and “For All The Dogs,” rapper and artist Drake has released his 17th album, “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” in collaboration with Canadian singer, PARTYNEXTDOOR.
The album blends R&B, hip-hop and rap and was released on Feb. 14.
I personally believe the album could have performed better and should've been reconsidered before releasing to fans, listeners and critics.
The project feels like a recycled or re-digested version of his past albums that could have stood out
with creativity and depth.
Drake’s heavy-hitter song “Nokia,” which has gained significant attraction for its partylike feel and smooth R&B tones. Drake’s song “Gimme a Hug” ranks No.6 on the Billboard Hot 100, as “Nokia” lingers at No.10, according to Billboard Hot 100 Hits.
Drake exemplifies his emotions and heartache through themes of relationships, partying and creates a distinct atmosphere for OVO Sound.
Drake dedicated this new release to Toronto, according to a “Some $exy $ongs 4 U” album note.
“This album is for the city of Toronto, for Canada and for the world
that has tuned into this sound of ours from time,” Drake said.
His top tracks out of the 21 are“Gimme a Hug,” “Nokia” and “CN Tower,” which have sparked various reactions and opinions by the fans, listeners and critics.
For example, the album garnered a score of 5.9 from review outlet Pitchfork.
“Gimme a Hug” embodies an R&B groove, opening with a sample of the gospel song, “Make a Joyful Noise” first sung by The Angelic Gospel Singers before transitioning into an upbeat rhythm that closes out the track.
The album’s fourteenth track, “Nokia,” illustrates a Y2K-inspired cadence, gradually slowing down to shift to Drake’s signature rap flow.
Y2K cadences shift with pop, hip-hop and electronic rhythms throughout the album, maintaining a dance and party-like feel to certain songs.
Meanwhile, the track “CN Tower” inserts R&B singer PARTYNEXTDOOR’s soft, melodic vocals.
“Celibacy” also exudes the vocals of PARTYNEXTDOOR, swiftly tuning into the signature OVO Sound atmosphere of smooth ambient R&B vocal mixes.
The heartbreak track, “Somebody Loves Me,” covers the questioning of
love over Drake’s melodies and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s vocals.
“Meet Your Padre” features Chinco Pacas but fails to fully express the authentic Latin tones and rhythms of Latin Pop/ Trap.
“Raining in Houston,” dives into the reminiscent timbre of PARTYNEXTDOOR, creating a scene of yearning and sympathy for romance.
Graham’s latest release after rap beef with Compton’s Kendrick Lamar—has mixed reviews as some critics and fans believe it was a comeback project and others consider it as a flop, according to a May
9, 2024 news article from BBC. Although the album executes a mix of R&B, hip-hop, and rap, it lacks coherence and is perceived as a rushed compilation of songs rather than a crafted body of work.
Singer PARTYNEXTDOOR appeared throughout the album, reminiscing his intimate vocals and smooth electronic melodies. He curated the album with Drake, providing the jaded tone of the album. Its sounds and tones are his signature trademark in the music industry, yet lacks lyrical depth and visual appeal. It lacks depth and
meaning, failing to reflect Drake’s full artistic potential and conveying the artist he is. It’s an imitation of other artists in the music industry, as seen in the track “Meet Your Padre.” I don’t believe this album will receive much acclaim as it feels like just another Drake release.
ALINA TA | SPARTAN DAILY
Three sculptures from Donna Gatson titled "Jessye Norman" hang on the second floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.
GRAPHIC BY AMARA COPELAND, PHOTO FROM FLICKR
Unheard and unseen: my story
The one comment I always receive when encountering with hearing individuals is always, “Sorry never mind,” I always wondered why.
Accessibility has come a long way in terms of language and communication.
There are gadgets, automatic translations and interpreters, however, it is not always 100% available on the spot unless someone has the knowledge and assertiveness to make a conversation happen when the moment presents itself.
According to the National Deaf Center web page, Nationally there are roughly 237,000 enrolled college students.
There is a total of 17 Deaf and hard-of-hearing students at San José State, according to staff ASL interpreter Dane Lentz. Deaf and hard-ofhearing students are part of San José State and there is one Deaf faculty member who teaches here. Chances are that you have come across these individuals.
I, myself am a Deaf and hard-of-hearing individual.
Throughout my time at SJSU, I have had my fair
share of experiences with feeling left out on many occasions due to the lack of inclusivity. There were times that I was approached by hearing persons and was brushed off because they thought that I was not interested in knowing what they had to say, or probably they just panicked at the thought of not knowing how to communicate. Whether it was at a
does not mean you need to know ASL to provide information. You can grab a pen, and paper, and write whatever information you are trying to put out there to show assertiveness and the eagerness back that you want to share a message, just like you do with any other person.
In a Dec. 13, 2023 publication from Sign Solutions, it was emphasized that
trick is to ensure that both put in the same amount of effort rather than just one person doing the heavy lifting.
The National Deaf Center determined that it takes a joint effort to achieve effective communication with flexibility and creativity to get the message across, according to a National Deaf Center webpage.
Everett Smith, an SJSU Special Education
There were times that I was approached by hearing persons and was brushed off because they thought that I was not interested in knowing what they had to say
tabling event, promoting an event, or canvassing, I felt I was being avoided when I tried to get information or wanted to participate in certain activities.
I came to notice that people would anxiously ignore or avoid me. You are often deprived a or interaction and important information about campus.
Deaf and hard-ofhearing individuals preferred method of communication is American Sign Language (ASL). However, that
communication plays a key role in interaction with one another.
Understanding the nuances is important when engaging with individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing, as it promotes inclusion and allows people to connect with each other to build rapport.
There are many apps to provide communication to Deaf and hard-ofhearing individuals, such as Cardzilla, Big Text and Notes. Efforts, however, do go both ways for Deaf and hearing people. The
professor, sets an outstanding example of what inclusivity should be by not closing a gap in communication but looking beyond that.
He teaches American Sign Language and Introduction to Deaf Culture and provides an opportunity to bridge the communication gap for students.
“Deaf people have a lot to offer, and more than you think,” Smith said. “They are and can be a huge asset to SJSU in many ways and in life.” Students can take his
courses, to not only learn ASL but learn more about the Deaf community. Deaf and hearing people have a lot more in common than many think, perhaps we have the same major, interests or the passion for change.
According to the Sign Solutions web page, the world prioritizes diversity and equality, however, there is a responsible from everyone to ensure the communication gap is closed.
SJSU provides services for the Deaf and hard of hearing through the Accessible Education Center (AEC) with interpreters, real-time captioning, notetaking and other services.
An interpreter can be requested for events through either party this is a way of having inclusivity, according to the SJSU’s Accessible Education Center Deaf Hard of Hearing webpage. Anyone can check this out to obtain more information.
Besides highlighting the focus on accessibility, let’s not forget that Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are just human beings too. They have so much to offer, and they are at SJSU for the same reasons you are in continuing their higher education, attaining new opportunities, and looking to thrive as
contributing members of society. Let’s change the dialogue and be more open to making an effort instead of dismissing a person. Regardless of language, the next time you are about to say, “Sorry, never mind,” just remember that you are shutting out someone who wants to be part of something that you are.
By Elizabeth Bravo Rebolloso STAFF WRITER
NBA countines to disappoint fans
As a lifelong fan of the NBA, I think it is safe to say that I witnessed the worst AllStar Weekend in the league’s history.
It was already at a low point after watching the Slam Dunk Contest be full of players that I’ve never heard of for the past few years and with the lack of defense being played at the actual All-Star Game, this year was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
When I am watching basketball, I like to watch a game where the players play great offense and defense. It seemed like last year’s game had all offense and no defense.
The final score of that game was 211-186 with an East All-Star victory, according to ESPN.
Although that game was really bad, I would rather watch that than whatever I saw a week and a half ago. For starters, why were there four teams in the game? Why couldn’t they keep the East vs West format? I was not a fan of the tournament
Correction
On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the Spartan Daily published a story titled, “SJSU falls to UNLV in home thriller,” which misstated the score after Josh Uduje's free throw with 22 seconds remaining. The score at that point was 71-69 UNLV.
The Spartan Daily regrets this error.
style that they implemented.
When I was a kid, I would look forward to seeing the best players in the Eastern Conference play the best players in the Western Conference in a competitive matchup.
This year the players played like they didn’t even want to be there. They were just throwing passes from full court and jacking up 3-pointers.
The game was the secondleast watched all-star game
ever behind the 2023 All-Star, according to a Feb.19 article from Front Office Sports.
The last three all-star games are the only ones that had a sub 6 million viewership, according to the same source.
When I saw the Spurs guard Chris Paul and his teammate, center Victor Wembanyama get disqualified from the Skills Challenge, I knew it was going to go downhill from that point.
The only thing that has stayed consistent in my opinion is the 3-point contest because it’d be pretty difficult to mess that up;
Paul and Webanyama
tried to take a shortcut to the challenge by throwing the balls toward the rim instead of taking an actual shot as a way to cut on the time it took them to finish the course, violating the rules of the challenge.
While I am happy for Orlando Magic guard Mac McClung and his dunk contest victory, I didn’t know any of the other players who participated. I was genuinely asking myself “who are these people?”
With his victory, McClung became the first player in NBA history to win the dunk contest three times in a row according to an article from ESPN.
I’ll admit although I have never seen him play in a single NBA game in my life, Spurs guard Stephon Castle put up a good fight against
McClung in the final round of the dunk contest.
The only thing that has stayed consistent in my opinion is the 3-point contest because it’d be pretty difficult to mess that up; it’s only NBA players with high 3-point percentage competing to see who can make the most shots behind-the-arc.
Congratulations to Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro for winning that by the way.
I can now see why NBA viewership has been decreasing this season.
TV ratings are down 5% from last season according to a Feb. 19 article from Front Office Sports.
It hurts to see the sport I loved watching as a kid get this kind of criticism from sports analysts, including ESPN First Take host Stephen A. Smith and co-host Shannon Sharpe. I can’t say I blame them. It seems like the players don’t play with passion anymore; it’s almost as if the allure of the NBA is diminishing before my eyes. I really hope next season has a better all-star weekend, but based on the trajectory of the league I wouldn’t hold my breath.
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GRAPHIC BY ISRAEL ARCHIE | SPARTAN DAILY
Israel Archie SENIOR STAFF WRITER