01-17-18

Wednesday, Jan. 17 - Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018 Weekly Print Edition

Vol. 104, Issue 19 www.thedailyaztec.com

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

Recreational pot law takes effect

by Lauren J. STAFF WRITER

Mapp

Marijuana may now be legal for recreational use in California as of Jan. 1, but it’s still illegal on San Diego State’s campus.

Following the passage of Proposition 64 during the 2016 election, adults 21 and older can

buy marijuana from state-licensed recreational dispensaries, with a daily purchase limit of up to one ounce or edible products containing no more than eight grams of cannabis concentrate.

But federal laws require that SDSU — which receives federal research funding and student financial aid — prohibit the

use, possession and distribution of marijuana on campus and in the workplace, university spokesperson Jill Esterbrooks said in an email.

“SDSU students and employees who violate the university policy may face discipline, including a maximum penalty of dismissal,” Esterbrooks said.

And since both medical and recreational marijuana are illegal under federal law, FAFSA eligibility can be revoked if a student is convicted of marijuana possession while receiving federal aid, although federal agents have SEE LEGAL CANNABIS, PAGE 9

Graphic by Noah Callahan

SDSU stories to watch in 2018

by Zach Engberg and Will Fritz

Presidential search The California State University Board of Trustees has started to narrow down candidates to permanently take over the role of San Diego State’s president.

Sally Roush has been serving as interim president since former president Elliot Hirshman’s departure at the end of June 2017.

Chancellor Timothy White said the search committee hopes to interview candidates by the end of January. The permanent president should be in office by this summer.

SoccerCity vs. SDSU West One is a plan from a private developer to turn the SDCCU Stadium site into a mixed-use residential and retail district anchored by a Major League Soccer stadium.

The other is a proposal to turn the very same site into an extension of SDSU’s campus, with a brand-new stadium for the university’s football team.

Both will go head to head on the 2018 ballot, with the potential to have a dramatic impact on the future of both the university and the city of San Diego.

ARC referendum SDSU’s Associated Students will be launching a student referendum to fund a

multimillion-dollar expansion of the Aztec Recreation Center with a new fee.

Though current students will vote on the fee, construction will likely not begin until next year.

The vote will be held in March.

Men’s basketball searching for redemption After missing the postseason last year for the first time since the 2004-05 season, the San Diego State men’s basketball team is looking to make amends.

At 11-5 and heading into the meat of the Mountain West Conference schedule, the Aztecs have marquee wins over Gonzaga University and the University of Georgia, and a roster chock full of standout performers — most

notably senior forward Malik Pope, senior guard Devin Watson and redshirt freshman forward Jalen McDaniels.

SDSU has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2015 and has not won the conference tournament since 2014.

What is a Penny worth in the NFL? After breaking SDSU’s singleseason rushing record and singlehandedly dominating, senior running back Rashaad Penny will take his talents to the NFL. Penny will make his first case to scouts at the Senior Bowl on Jan. 27 before taking part in the NFL Scouting Combine on March 3, all culminating in the NFL Draft from April 26-28.

Lecturer discriminated against white student, investigation finds

by Will Fritz and Andrew Dyer

A San Diego State lecturer has been found to have discriminated against and harassed a student because of her race, then retaliated against her when she complained about his conduct, according to an investigation by the California Department of Justice.

The results of the investigation, included in a confidential 51-page report on Dec. 20 and obtained by The Daily Aztec, details a series of conversations and meetings between American Indian Studies Lecturer Oscar “Ozzie” Monge and one of his students, recent graduate Crystal Sudano.

Sudano filed four specific complaints against Monge. The first of which — that Monge discriminated against Sudano on the basis of a disability — was found to not be supported by the evidence. However, the final three — discrimination based on race, racial harassment and retaliation — were.

The six-month investigation was conducted by Supervising Deputy Attorney General Christine Mersten and involved interviews with 14 witnesses, including Monge and Sudano.

Monge has been a prominent voice in favor of retiring the Aztec mascot and moniker. His master’s thesis, “Fail, Montezuma!

The last vestiges of an obscured yet stubbornly persistent culture of racism at San Diego State University,” completed in 2015, resulted in renewed efforts to retire the mascot.

An Associated Students resolution to do so failed in April 2017. However, a similar one passed in the University Senate in November.

Sudano, who is white, told investigators that Monge, who is Chicano and Native American, had indicated an animosity toward white people in several Facebook SEE OZZIE MONGE, PAGE 2

FOLLOW US /dailyaztec @TheDailyAztec

UNFAIR INVESTIGATION

PUERTA DE ESPERANZA

BATTLE IT OUT

FRESHMAN STAR

OPINION: Recent findings on lecturer’s racism puts academic freedom in jeopardy.

La Patrulla Fronteriza anunció que la Puerta de la Esperanza no se abrirá este año.

Associated Students combines all the favorites with “Best of Aztec Nights.”

Redshirt freshman forward Jalen McDaniels is surprising in his first year on the hardwood.

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2 / The Daily Aztec

Jan. 17 - 23, 2018

News

Jan. 17, 2018-Jan. 23, 2018 EDITOR: Will Fritz, news@thedailyaztec.com

Ozzie Monge:

continued from page 1 messages.

The investigation found that Monge sent at least 15 offensive Facebook messages to Sudano — most while she was enrolled in his class — about white people in general, and about other students who were not in his class.

These messages led to Sudano withdrawing from his class when he threatened her grade after she challenged his position on the Aztec mascot.

The two were acquainted before they became professor and student.

In 2011, Sudano organized protest rallies and participated in the “Occupy” movement, the report said. Monge introduced himself to Sudano in a Facebook post, and the two sporadically communicated over a period of a few years.

They ran into each other again outside of a professor’s office in spring 2016. During this encounter, Sudano said Monge referred to her T-shirt — which bore a stylized SDSU logo with a spear through it — as “racist.”

She signed up for his class the following semester as a late add, with her first day of class on Feb. 7, 2017.

Immediately before Sudano

tails” to the event — and thereby committing cultural appropriation.

He told her in a message after the event that he was “glad you chose to remove your bandana and braids.”

Sudano didn’t understand why he was pointing this out, the report said, and when she explained why she was dressed like this, Monge told her that motorcycle culture appropriated from Native Americans.

“You have to stop and think for a moment the context into which you were about to enter and you had a bandana and your hair in rez tails,” he told her. “It may have been an innocent coincidence, but it can be subjected to an entirely different interpretation, within a specific context.”

In a later interaction, he criticized SDSU’s Associated Students for its perceived “whiteness.”

“The AS is something else that confuses me … the way it’s structured, the way it runs And (sic) how damned white it is,” he said.

Sudano defended the role of AS, telling Monge, “The idea is that EVERYONE no matter how low on the totem pole you are, shared governance is what gives the lowest man the right to share his opinion and for that opinion to be heard.”

Monge caught her “totem pole” comment and told her she shouldn’t use the phrase.

“The AS is something else that confuses me ... the way it’s structured, the way it runs And (sic) how damned white it is.”

– American Indian Studies Lecturer Ozzie Monge in a message to student Crystal Sudano enrolled in the class, she and Monge had a Facebook interaction in which Monge said his effort to remove the Aztec mascot from SDSU was being hampered by a lack of support from Native American students.

In one message, Monge wrote: “…all you need is 1 Native (American) student to say they love Aztecs and out it goes. I can provide 1000 white students who agree, but they’ll focus on the 1 ignorant native who doesn’t.”

In another, he said he did not have the Native American Student Alliance on his side in the mascot debate, attributing this to “a couple of white students who are members, who apparently have great grandmothers tgat (sic) are Cherokee Princesses (sic).”

A “Cherokee princess” refers to person who appears white but claims to have heritage from Cherokee royalty, despite the fact that the Cherokee tribe does not have royalty.

Sudano messaged Monge suggestions for advancing his cause against the mascot.

They continued corresponding via Facebook messenger over the course of the class.

On Feb. 15, after she was enrolled in Monge’s class, Sudano attended a Native American Student Alliance presentation entitled “Why do you have to make it about race? Because our mascot is an Aztec” as extra credit for the course.

She told investigators that she rode her motorcycle to the event, and wore her hair in braids to keep it from getting tangled in the wind, as well as a neck sleeve up to her ears to keep her warm.

To Monge, it appeared Sudano was wearing a bandana and “rez

“White people get the whole thing wrong, btw,” he wrote. “The lowest part of the totem pole is a place of honor.”

The conversation continued, and the report said Monge made “inappropriate comments” about several members of Associated Students who he felt were not supporting his cause, including then-Vice President of University Affairs and current AS President Chimezie Ebiriekwe, then-AS President Jamie Miller and thenVice President of External Relations Dylan Colliflower.

Neither Ebiriekwe, Miller nor Colliflower would vote in favor of the AS resolution to retire the mascot two months later.

“Jamie has lied to me, btw. And Dylan, he turns red when he sees me,” Monge said in his Facebook message to Sudano. “Chimezie Ebiriekwe, I don’t know, but I’ve been told by other (b)lack students that he’s more of an Uncle Tom (not my words, and like I said, I don’t know him.)”

Ebiriekwe is black. Monge also continued to criticize AS, saying it was composed of “Frat Bros and Sorority Sisters…who do not easily empathize with non-whiteness.”

Sudano defended Ebiriekwe and AS to Monge, the report said, before he criticized her for what he saw as her failure to listen. “(T)his is precisely the sort of behavior I don’t want you to bring if you meet with the Native Students (sic), to get all “white savior” on them and tell them that they don’t know what they’re doing,” he said.

Monge’s choice of words was “the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back,” the report said.

“I’m so mad right now,” Sudano

wrote back. “I believe in your cause and believe I can help…I KNOW too how to “work” the system and get stuff done.”

After learning of Monge’s comments about him, Ebiriekwe told The Daily Aztec it was “disheartening to hear a professor speak about a student like that.”

Ebiriekwe said there was nothing unfair about the mascot retirement resolution, which ultimately did not pass. He pointed out that the vote was close — 14-16.

“There was no outnumbering,” he said. “A lot of individuals in there did change their mind to vote in favor of passing a resolution.”

And he said Monge’s comments about the “whiteness” of AS are completely untrue.

“We emphasize that everybody, no matter what race, religion, gender, sexual orientation — we empathize with everybody, so there’s no discrimination going on within Associated Students,” Ebiriekwe said.

In a March 1 email, Monge defended his messages to Sudano.

In her reply a day later, she told him she needed to “cool off” and that she “did not wish to become involved in something that generates a feeling of uneasy subordination within me.”

He told her to “let me know when you’d like to chat, or not.”

The report says that Sudano, upset over Monge’s Facebook messages, did not attend his March 2 class and instead began researching claims made in his thesis.

It was when Sudano began challenging Monge’s thesis, the investigation found, he began talking about her grades.

After a Facebook conversation in which Monge told Sudano he heard she was making claims to other people that she was fact-checking him, he pointed out that she had failed to turn in an assignment and missed four classes.

“I think it may be time to sit down with a third party and discuss your class-related issues (attendance, and now this incomplete assignment), and these non-class related that you’re, well, creating,” he said. “I am deeply concerned that you will conflate the two and try to lay blame at my feet.”

When Sudano said “today would be perfect,” ostensibly to meet with

The Daily Aztec

Photo by Andrew Dyer

American Indian Studies Lecturer Oscar “Ozzie” Monge at an Associated Students vote on a resolution to retire the Aztec mascot and moniker in April 2017. Monge has been outspoken in favor of ending the mascot.

The investigation found other students with issues in the class similar to Sudano’s — missed classes and assignments — were not treated the same way.

“Sudano was the only student that Monge threatened with a lower grade, even though there were other students similarly situated to Sudano,” the report said.

Monge’s statements, the report said, “indicate he was angry about her research on the mascot, and upset about her accusation that he called her a racist. With these uppermost on his mind, he took action against her as a student.”

However, Monge did not lower her grade. Sudano met with American Indian Studies Department Chair David Kamper, College of Arts and Letters Assistant Dean Karey Sabol and Monge on March 13, and Monge agreed to accept her missing assignment for full credit and disregard her missed classes.

But Sudano decided to drop the class after she felt Monge was talking about her to other students At a presentation to the Student Diversity Commission, one student asked Sudano, “Aren’t you just here for the publicity?”

Sudano also said the Native

“All in all, Monge uses ‘white’ whenever he wishes to explain someone who has done something wrong, or bad.”

– Investigation report on American Indian Studies Lecturer Ozzie Monge a third party, Monge told her “I can’t just snap fingers and make someone appear.”

Monge told her that she made a conscious choice to research his thesis rather than complete her assignment — which she later said she turned in on Blackboard but did not “take” due to an apparent technical error. Monge then blocked her from Facebook.

“Monge retaliated against Sudano…after she complained to (him) about his discriminatory and harassing conduct, and appeared to undermine Monge’s thesis in the mascot resolution debate,” the report says. “Monge told Sudano that her grade would be lowered, ultimately causing her to seek a constructive withdrawal from (his) class.”

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American Student Alliance blocked her from Facebook after she messaged their page repeatedly.

Both of these, she felt, were Monge’s doing, and she put in a request for a withdrawal.

The request was apparently never acted upon by the Office of the Registrar, and Monge gave Sudano a grade of “incomplete.”

The investigation found Monge at fault for Sudano’s decision to withdraw.

“The messages Monge sent to Sudano demonstrate that Monge has an animus against white people,” the report said. “The situation was further exacerbated

by Monge’s position of authority over Sudano as her professor.

Monge’s inappropriate treatment of Sudano culminated in adverse

action. Sudano’s ability to participate in AMIND 435 was substantially impacted because of her relationship with Monge.”

“All in all,” the report said, “Monge uses ‘white’ whenever he wishes to explain someone who has done something wrong, or bad.”

In an essay to the investigator, Monge wrote: “It is quite easy to argue that ‘whiteness’ is synonymous with evil.”

Monge had 14 days after the release of the investigation report — or until Jan. 3, 2018 — to appeal the decision to the CSU Office of the Chancellor. Monge is working with the California Faculty Association and an appeal is likely, but he declined to go on the record with The Daily Aztec.

Under the conditions of CSU Executive Order 1097, which outlines the complaint process, individuals involved in a complaint are not permitted to speak to outside parties.

If the decision were appealed, the Office of the Chancellor would have 60 days to respond to Monge with a final decision. If evidence is presented that was not introduced during the initial investigation, the complaint may be re-investigated.

If not, the Office of the Chancellor decision is final, and at that point, Monge’s options within the complaint system would be exhausted. He would, however, still have the option of taking action within the faculty union.

SDSU spokesperson Jill Esterbrooks released the following statement regarding the complaint against Monge: “San Diego State University is committed to creating a learning environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. The university prohibits discriminatory behavior and harassment of any kind on campus, and takes allegations of misconduct by any member of the campus community very seriously. The university responds to all reports of alleged violations by members of the campus community, and takes appropriate action to prevent, investigate, correct or discipline such conduct. San Diego State University does not discuss pending matters due to privacy rights of all parties involved and to protect the integrity of the review process.”

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Opinion

The Daily Aztec

Jan. 17- 23, 2018 EDITOR: Dana Tsuri-Etzioni, opinion@thedailyaztec.com

Investigation findings put academic freedom in jeopardy

by Kemi Giwa STAFF COLUMNIST

An investigation that concluded a university lecturer made racist statements and discriminated against a white student is nothing less than an assault on academic freedom that calls into question the future of academia surrounding racism, cultural appropriation, whiteness, white supremacy and other oppressive systems. While Oscar “Ozzie” Monge was not free of wrongdoing, his mistakes do not meet the definitions of racism or discrimination.

Crystal Sudano’s interpretation of Monge’s critiques as discrimination against her race, and the investigator’s failure to understand Monge’s criticism within an academic context, have dangerous implications. Every single term, descriptor and phrase Monge used are, in fact, terms that sociologists, educators and intellectuals across the nation have studied and researched for years.

“Whiteness” refers to a system of white supremacy and oppression — not a person. Additionally, “cultural appropriation” and “white savior complex” are both academic terms that educators in universities across the board teach as part of their course material.

These concepts have been proven

to not only exist, but exist and operate at the benefit of white people at the expense of people of color.

Sudano’s complaints were textbook examples of white fragility and of a “well-meaning” white person who simply could not take constructive criticism.

Rather than recognizing the fact that criticism and advice are in fact, crucial components of allyship, she took it personally. Sudano, through her communication with Monge, did not seem to understand the position her whiteness placed her in society.

Instead of making an attempt to improve her approach, she got mad.

When students enter certain spaces with the intention of assisting those impacted by whiteness, they should enter with an open mind, and complete willingness to learn, which Sudano did not do. Had she done her research prior to insisting on joining Monge’s fight, perhaps she would’ve understood that he was not attacking her because she was white, but rather educating her on a variety of basic concepts discussed extensively in the world of academia, racial justice and activism.

More ominous than the repercussions Monge might face are the potential ramifications

on the academic freedom of professors at SDSU and beyond.

This freedom is a fundamental value of higher education, and one we cannot afford to lose as a result of one misinformed, fragile student.

Will professors now be expected to bite their tongues when the topic of racism is introduced in the classroom?

How are professors expected to discuss the impact of whiteness and white supremacy? What does this mean for academics who have dedicated their lives to studying and educating students on the effects of racism, stereotypes and oppression?

The findings of this investigation suggest that sociology professors should soften their material in order to cater to the egos of white people, just in case they might take it personally. It both robs professors of their duty as educators and students of their ability to confront the effects of racial inequity endemic in our society. It might also prevent white people interested in joining a social justice movement from learning the do’s and don’ts because someone might get offended.

The university must ask itself: Is the academic definition of racism itself racist if a student disagrees or takes offense?

Ultimately, this investigation represents an attack on academic freedom by a California Attorney General’s office more interested in protecting the feelings of white people than acknowledging the racist underpinnings of power on which Monge was trying to educate his student.

If the university decides to let go of Monge, this will not only derail the very foundation of academic success across our campus, but it will send a regressive message to professors and students. It’ll place us in a stagnant position, one which tells students who are impacted by the evil of white supremacy that what oppresses them just doesn’t matter as much as the feelings — real or imagined — of white students.

Universities must make it a priority to promote and highlight the importance of academic freedom amongst its students and faculty. They should be environments welcoming of the exchange and discussion of all topics, especially sensitive ones relevant today, even when it sparks uncomfortable, controversial discourse. It is the very essence of higher education, and it’s absolutely worth fighting for.

Kemi Giwa is a junior studying public relations. Connect with her on Twitter @_KemiG.

Violent video games unfairly scrutinized

by Angelica Wallingford STAFF COLUMNIST

Quantic Dream, a gaming developer responsible for hits such as “Heavy Rain” and “Beyond: Two Souls,” released a trailer for its game “Detroit: Become Human” in early December on Playstation’s YouTube channel during Paris Games Week.

It was met with immediate backlash from child advocacy groups stating that abusers will “get off on this stuff” and that it encourages violence within children.

However, this is a poor judgment based on theories that don’t make sense.

The gameplay trailer revolves around Kara, an android helper for a man named Todd and his daughter Alice, whom Todd blames for his failed marriage.

After an intense scene Alice runs up the stairs.

Then the player has two options: intervene or don’t. If the player intervenes then Kara kills the abusive father and saves Alice. If Kara does not, Todd beats Alice to death off-screen and lays her limp body on the bed.

It sounds intense, because it’s supposed to be. The entire point of the trailer, aside from selling the game’s concept, is to show that actions or inactions have consequences. Sitting aside and doing nothing will have a consequence just as much as

taking action does.

It also shows that doing the right thing does, sometimes involves extreme actions.

According to the Daily Mail, Andy Burrows of the UK’s National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children said, “Any video game that trivialises or normalises child abuse, neglect or domestic violence for entertainment is unacceptable.”

However, when gaming or other forms of entertainment show violence or other controversial material, they are not trying to normalize it or advocate for it. It’s used as a means of storytelling and plot development.

Of course child abuse is never okay, but just because something is wrong does not mean creators can’t include it in works of art such as video games.

If art is supposed to imitate life, then art should imitate all facets of life, not just the bright side of it.

This backlash begs the question — why attack a game when abuse has been seen in various forms of entertainment for years?

Vivid depictions of child abuse has been prevalent in TV, movies, books or music videos, yet there is no outcry for change or censorship. In the movies “Jaws” and “It” children are murdered — in “Radio Flyer” kids are severely beaten by their father on multiple occasions.

What makes “Detroit: Become Human” so different? Because it’s interactive?

The notion that video games encourage violence is a fallacy that has been disproven time and time again.

scum that prey on people. It’s not going to make them change in either direction.

On the other hand, a switch is not going to automatically turn on in a normal person’s head to make them become a sociopathic

EDITOR IN CHIEF Andrew Dyer MANAGING EDITOR Lilly Glenister NEWS EDITOR Will Fritz ASST. NEWS EDITOR Jasmine Bermudez OPINION EDITOR Dana Tsuri-Etzioni MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Jocelyn Moran ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Cami Buckman SPORTS EDITOR Zach Engberg ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Abraham Jewett DIGITAL SPORTS EDITOR Mary York ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Alex Piscatelli PHOTO EDITOR Kelly Smiley MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Mirella Lopez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR David Santillan VOLUNTEER EDITORS COPY EDITOR Brian del Carmen ART DIRECTOR Aiden Prehatny GRAPHICS ASSISTANT Noah Callahan SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Julianna Ress Cassidy McCombs Sydney Sweeney Emely Navarro Nicole Badgley STAFF WRITERS Kemi Giwa Angelica Wallingford Kelly Kerrigan Lauren J. Mapp Brenda Gregorio-Nieto STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Samantha Bonpensiero ________________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Connor Brooke SALES MANAGER Peter Saridakis ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES George Saridakis John Weil Josh Diaz Rauda Valerie Barrientos Miguel Souza Kaden Cowles Garrett Munt ACCOUNTING & CONTRACTS Tyler Burnett Meah Mapp ________________________________ GENERAL MANAGER/ADVISER Jay Harn

Screenshot by Angelica Wallingford One character in the game lays down the dead body of a character he just killed.

A person simply picking up a controller and playing a violent game does not make them violent.

Just because a character in the game can go and beat up random pedestrians in “Grand Theft Auto” doesn’t mean the player is going to do the same in the future. Or just like watching “Beauty and the Beast” will not make anyone want to have an intimate relationship with a humanoid beast.

Some claim abusers will be “getting off” on material like this, but abusers are abusers.

No number of pixelated frames or game scenarios are going to change the fact that they are

violent monster.

While no one wants to see children get harmed or abused, child abuse appearing in a work of fiction is not going to make the problem worse nor is it going to turn a legion of gamers into awful human beings.

On a grander scale, “Detroit: Become Human” illustrates what anyone with any common sense knows, actions have consequences and we need to be able to live with the decision we make — no matter how horrible it might be.

Angelica Wallingford is a junior studying journalism. Connect with her on Twitter @AJWallingford.

GRAPHICS SPECIALIST Christopher Blakemore ________________________________ EDITORIAL 619.594.4190 editor@thedailyaztec.com ADVERTISING 619.594.6977 advertising@thedailyaztec.com PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition every Wednesday throughout the semester WEB Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com QUESTIONS/COMMENTS letters@thedailyaztec.com ________________________________ The views and opinions expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec.

Jan. 17 - 23, 2018

The Daily Aztec / 5

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The Daily Aztec

Mundo Azteca

Jan. 17-23 2018 EDITOR: Jocelyn Moran, mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com

La Patrulla Fronteriza anuncia que no abrirá la Puerta de la Esperanza este año por Jocelyn Moran EDITORA DE MUNDO AZTECA

La Patrulla Fronteriza no abrirá la Puerta de la Esperanza en el Parque de la Amistad en el 2018, evitando que familias separadas por razones de inmigración puedan abrazarse por unos minutos este año.

“Abriendo la Puerta de la Esperanza” es un evento organizado por Ángeles de la Frontera que se ha llevado a cabo desde el 2013. El 18 de noviembre del 2017 fue la sexta vez que la puerta se abrió.

Rodney Scott, el jefe de la Patrulla Fronteriza del sector de San Diego quien fue apuntado en diciembre del 2017, fue quien tomó la decisión.

Scott mandó una declaración en donde comentó sobre la decisión.

“La Patrulla Fronteriza de los EE.UU. continuará a sostener la responsabilidad de proteger a nuestras fronteras entre los puertos de entrada oficiales”, dijo Scott. “De ahora en adelante, la reja de mantenimiento será usada solo por propósitos de mantenimiento”.

Esta noticia viene semanas después de que se descubrió que Brian Houston, quien se casó con Evelia Reyes en tres minutos en el evento “Abriendo la Puerta de la Esperanza” el 18 de noviembre, había sido detenido contrabandeando más de 130 libras de drogas al principios del año.

Houston no reveló las razones por las cuales no podía cruzar a Tijuana el 18 de noviembre.

De acuerdo al periódico de el San Diego Union Tribune, después de la noticia, Scott dijo que la boda que no fue autorizada, habría puesto en peligro la continuación del evento “Abriendo la Puerta de la Esperanza”.

La boda que se llevó acabo fue una sorpresa para la Patrulla Fronteriza y Enrique Morones, el director ejecutivo de Ángeles de la Frontera, el 18 de noviembre.

Morones dijo que él no sabía que la boda iba a suceder en

Foto por Kelly Smiley

Brian Houston se casa con Evelia Reyes mientras la Patrulla Fronteriza y el Director Ejecutivo de Ángeles de la Frontera Enrique Morones miran.

ese momento. Dijo que él había conocido a Houston una vez antes en el Parque de la Amistad donde Houston le había comentado que se quería casar con Reyes.

Morones dijo que querían hacer un tipo de intercambio de anillos el 18 de noviembre, pero tener una boda era solamente una idea que él necesitaría hablar sobre de con la Patrulla Fronteriza para el futuro.

Morones dijo que los agentes quienes estaban presentes estuvieron hablando por teléfono para averiguar si la boda se podría permitir.

“Ellos dieron el OK”, dijo Morones. “Ellos fácilmente pudieron haber dicho ‘no, no se pueden casar’, y yo hubiera dicho ‘bueno, solo haremos el intercambio de anillos’”.

Morones dijo que Ángeles de la Frontera no hace las averiguaciones de antecedentes, sino la Patrulla Fronteriza se encarga de eso.

Las personas quienes estuvieron interesados de participar en el evento tuvieron que llenar una forma que preguntaba por los nombres, días de nacimientos, lugares de nacimientos y una copia de identificación que mostrara que tenían estatus legal en los EE.UU. Morones dijo que Ángeles de la Frontera mandó esas formas a la Patrulla Fronteriza para que ellos pudieran hacer las averiguaciones de antecedentes. Él dijo que las primeras 12 familias aprobadas fueron quienes podrían participar en el evento el 18 de noviembre.

“Nosotros no estamos interesados en el estatus migratorio de alguien”, dijo Morones. “Nosotros nunca hemos hecho una averiguación de antecedentes. Eso no es lo que nosotros somos. Yo te podré preguntar de dónde eres, pero no sé tu estatus, y no me importa”.

Morones dijo que no se sorprendió con la decisión de Scott porque él ya le había preguntado si Ángeles de la Frontera podría hacer un evento similar a “Abriendo la Puerto de la Esperanza” en Imperial Valley cuando Scott era el jefe de ese sector, pero Scott rechazó la idea.

Este no es el primer año que no se abre la puerta de la esperanza desde el 2013.

Morones dijo que la primera vez que la puerta se abrió, una

niña del lado de Tijuana pudo abrazar a su padre del lado de los EE.UU., lo cual no se esperaba. Eso, como la boda en noviembre, fue una sorpresa. Él dijo que por esa razón, no se abrió la puerta en el 2014.

Morones dijo que cuando se juntó con Scott hace unas semanas, Morones le habló acerca de las actividades y eventos que Ángeles de la Frontera llevaría a cabo este año a pesar de su decisión de no abrir la puerta. Esas actividades incluyen eventos en el Parque de la Amistad para el Día de la Madre, el Día del Padre y el Día de San Valentín.

“Vamos a volver a abrir la puerta en el Parque de la Amistad”, dijo Morones. “No hay duda. Tal vez no sea bajo Rodney Scott, pero seguiremos empujando”.

Jan. 17-23 2018 EDITOR: Jocelyn Moran, mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com

Mundo Azteca

The Daily Aztec

7

Recipientes del DACA continúan a enfrentar incertidumbre sobre sus futuros por Brenda ESCRITORA

Gregorio-Nieto

El cinco de septiembre del 2017, el Presidente Donald Trump anunció el fin del programa Consideración de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia. Esta medida ejecutiva se estableció por el ex-presidente Barack Obama en el 2012, y desde entonces, hasta 800,000 jóvenes han beneficiado por esta acción ejecutiva. DACA provee a estos jóvenes el poder de estudiar, trabajar y les da protección de ser deportados. Este permiso se puede renovar cada dos años después de pasar una investigación de antecedentes y cumplir con otros requisitos.

El Presidente Trump dijo que el Congreso tendrá hasta el cinco de marzo del 2018 para llegar a un acuerdo para el futuro de estos jóvenes. El 9 de enero, Trump tuvo una reunión con líderes bi-partidistas en la Casa Blanca para discutir el futuro de DACA y la posibilidad de una reforma migratoria.

De acuerdo con el periódico el New York Times, Trump les dijo a los líderes bi-partidistas que no piensa que será tan complicado.

El New York Times publicó

que legisladores dijeron que Demócratas y Republicanos se pusieron de acuerdo con cuatro cosas que serán negociados como parte del trato de DACA. Los cuatro son: el destino de los recipientes de DACA, la seguridad de la frontera, inmigración basado en familia y la lotería de visas.

Igual, ese día, el juez federal, William Alsup, ordenó que la administración de Trump mantenga DACA vigente. Esto significa que jóvenes con DACA pueden renovar su permiso de trabajo aunque se les hayan vencido después de la de clausura del cinco de octubre del 2017.

Pero hay excepciones.

La primera es que nuevas aplicaciones para DACA no serán procesadas. Solo se aceptará renovaciones. Y la segunda es que no se van a aceptar aplicaciones de libertad condicional anticipadas.

Daniel Ramírez, graduado de SDSU, está optimisto por esta decisión.

“Muchos de mis amigos perdieron su DACA”, dijo Daniel.

“Pero, ahorita, estoy feliz que ellos puedan renovar”.

Ramírez quiere ser un abogado de inmigración, pero, para él, DACA no es suficiente.

“Para mí y mi situacion, estoy poquito decepcionado porque a mí, me gustaría la residencia o ciudadanía para poder trabajar en lo que yo estudié”, dijo Ramírez. “Pero, tengo que seguir adelante, y ojala que Donald Trump se ponga de acuerdo con los legisladores para venir a un acuerdo de amnistía”.

El congreso sigue en pláticas con Trump para tratar de crear una nueva legislación para reemplazar a DACA. Después de otra junta con líderes bi-partidistas sobre DACA y otros programas migratorios el 11 de enero, Trump se expresó de una manera vulgar sobre países africanos y países del caribe diciendo que por qué querían este tipo de personas en los EE.UU., creando un gran espectáculo. Esta reunión fue la última que han tenido.

Trump usó su cuenta de Twitter para agarrar la atención de los Demócratas unos días después.

“Los Demócratas hablan mucho y no actúan”, dijo Trump en el tweet. “No están haciendo nada para reemplazar a DACA, una gran oportunidad perdida, qué mal”.

Por lo tanto, fundador y director ejecutivo de Amazon y

Foto por Jocelyn Moran

Estudiantes parte de Educación sin Fronteras levantan carteles en una protesta de DACA.

su esposa donaron $33 millones para la organización TheDream.

US que provee a “soñadores” o beneficiarios de DACA financiar sus estudios. Esta donación va ayudar por lo menos a 1,000 jóvenes, según la organización.

El programa DACA ha tenido el apoyo de muchos fundadores y directores ejecutivos como Mark Zuckerburg de Facebook y Bob Iger de Disney.

A partir del 16 de enero, el departamento de justicia anunció su decisión en apelar ante la corte suprema la decisión del juez

Alsup.

“Desafía la ley y el sentido común que el DACA, un programa político enteramente discrecional que fue implementado unilateralmente, que de alguna manera sea hecho obligatorio en todo el país por una sola corte distrital de San Francisco”, dijo el procurador de justicia Jeff Sessions en una declaración.

El futuro de estos jóvenes no está muy claro. El gobierno todavía tiene que aprobar un plan de gastos y no saben si DACA va estar incluido en ese plan.

8

Arts & Culture

The Daily Aztec

Jan. 17-23, 2018 EDITOR: Cami Buckman, arts@thedailyaztec.com

Nick Jonas welcomes us to the jungle in the newest installment of ‘Jumanji’

By Kelly Kerigan STAFF WRITER

In 1995 one of the most well known movies was released and detailed the story of an intricate board game that absorbs its players into the world of Jumanji, a dangerous jungle filled with wild animals and frightening obstacles.

Now in 2017, Columbia pictures and Sony envisioned a new take on the game and continued the story of the cinema classic.

In the film “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” four high school students are forced to clean out their school’s old basement during detention when one of them discovers an old video game console. The students each select an avatar to be in the game, but before they know it, they are sucked into the game and now physically look like the characters they picked.

Comedic stars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart take on the roles of these high school students by acting as they would if they were stuck in the jungle.

The four must survive the game

in order to make it out alive but with the help of Alex, a character who has been stuck in the game for a long time, finding an escape seems possible.

Popular singer, actor and Golden Globe nominee Nick Jonas takes on the role of Alex in the film.

“Finding a way to tell a new Jumanji adventure, a new story, is something that felt fresh and something that was able to take this beloved classic and introduce it to a brand new audience,” Jonas said. “That’s challenging, but if you get it right it can be incredibly rewarding.”

Jonas’ character Alex brings a stable ground to the adventure comedy.

“I think the thing I was drawn to about this role is in this really funny film that also has amazing action, I had the opportunity to bring emotional ground to it with this character,” he said. “Then the chance to get to work with these actors — this is really an incredible group of people all on top of their game.”

Something else Nick and Alex both having in common is heir fear of flying, which is ironic

Courtesy of Sony and Columbia Pictures

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” featuring stars like Nick Jonas, Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, is in theaters now.

because the character Alex is a pilot.

Once the characters are submerged into the video game they learn that each has different strengths and weaknesses, with Johnson’s character having no weaknesses at all.

However Jonas does not come without weaknesses.

“In my own life I’ve been thinking a lot about what my strengths and weaknesses would be if I had to categorize it like a video game and I think I would say my strength would be I am very driven, very focused and my

weakness would be (that) I get in my head sometimes and kind of over think things and I think I could learn to just chill out a little bit.”

The group of actors spent their time in Hawaii while filming in the beautiful terrain, but also dealing with the wildlife that comes with it. Jonas said next time he plans to pack more bug spray.

While talking about time on set, Jonas said he and Johnson were entertained by hiding bugs in Hart’s room and video taping his reactions.

Jonas recently was honored

with a Golden Globe nomination for his song “Home” in the new film “Ferdinand” while on the same day he attended his first big Hollywood premiere for “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.”

“That day was one of the craziest days of my life,” he said. “I’m still having new experiences and days like that where I wake up to a dream of mine coming true and close the day with another dream coming true.”

The film is in theaters across San Diego and welcomes audiences to enter the dangerous adventure that is “Jumanji.”

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Jan. 17-23, 2018 EDITOR: Cami Buckman, arts@thedailyaztec.com

Arts & Culture

Associated Students shows all of the best Aztec Nights in one

by Nicole Badgley SENIOR STAFF WRITER

San Diego State’s Aztec Nights are a time for students to gather together with new friends, and old ones too, for a night of various activities, fun and games.

Associated Students is kicking off the spring semester with plenty of Aztec Nights.

On Friday, Jan. 30, A.S. will be hosting the Best of Aztec Nights on the Campanile Walkway and Hepner Hall from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

This free event, which is also co-sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and Student Life and Leadership, will feature past Aztec Nights favorites like a ride from the campus carnival, a DJ from the red and black dance, a mechanical bull from the barnyard bash and massage therapists from Treat Yourself.

Junior Nevin Agsalon works for the Division of Student Affairs and Student Life and Leadership and is also an Aztec Nights marketing assistant.

“I think the purpose of the Aztec Nights is to sort

of provide a welcome back celebration for students who come back from summer break or winter break and give them a place to spend time with new students and all their old friends.”

He said that this event is special because it combines key elements of previous Aztec Nights into this one special

this one event,” Agsalon said.

“Like, for example, there’ll be rides from the carnival, there’ll be a DJ and there will be the mechanical bull from the Barnyard Bash.”

Senior public administration major Mikayla Hatala said she’s excited for this event Friday because she only went to a couple of the previous Aztec

“I met one of my lifelong best friends at my first Aztec Night, it’s really cool because you get to meet other people and students who you would have never met before.’”

– Angela Martinez, Political science senior

night.

“This event is called the Best of Aztec Nights because in this event alone there will be key parts of previous Aztec Nights events such as the carnival, the red and black dance — small important parts of other events will all be put together for

Nights.

“I’m definitely excited that there’s going to be carnival rides and also a mechanical because I’ve never been on one,” Hatala said. “There’s going to be a photo booth which is cool because you get to keep your college memories

forever. Plus I can’t say no to free food and massages.”

In addition to activities and rides, there will also be student performances from various groups on campus including Iota Eta Pi comedy improv, Aztec Dance Marathon and the student Dragstravaganza divas.

Angela Martinez is a political science senior who has been attending Aztec Nights since she first started school at SDSU. “I remember first going my freshman year to the Aztec Nights and they were always super fun and there’s always lots of things to do,” Martinez said. “I met one of my lifelong best friends at my first Aztec Night. It’s really cool because you get to meet other people and students who you would have never met before.”

She said she hasn’t been to all of the previous Aztec Nights so she is excited that this one will have all the activities that she previously missed out on.

“Since I’m a senior, I’m excited that this event is happening and that I get to attend and maybe before I graduate meet new people and make new friends.”

The Daily Aztec

9

UPCOMING:

AZTEC NIGHTS

JAN FRIDAY

19

BEST OF AZTEC NIGHTS Check out each attraction that will represent a different Aztec Nights experience

SATURDAY

20

FRIDAY

26

WELCOME BACK BASH Experience a Great Gatsby themed event with dancing, games and free food.

AZTEC NIGHT ALLSTARS Join a night of sports-filled fun with friendly competition amongst students.

Legal cannabis:

continued from page 1 been historically unlikely to to target individual marijuana users.

Even under state law, marijuana cannot be used in public spaces, similar to restrictions on alcohol.

It also cannot be used in vehicles by drivers or passengers.

And it remains illegal to take marijuana on a plane or transport it between states, even if both states have legalized it for recreational use.

Film sophomore Cameron Hill said he believes that students over 21 should be able to use cannabis in their dorm rooms to ensure that they have a safe place to consume marijuana.

“It’s everywhere, so why even try to push harsh and strict limitations on something that is so frequently seen? I’d rather see people smoking marijuana in their dorms, in a place that’s safe,” Hill said.

It’s worth noting that students who live on campus are typically underclassmen, and thus tend to be underage.

Though he said that he feels other political issues are more important, SDSU College Republicans President Brandon Jones believes that the legalization of recreational marijuana highlights the conflict of federal rights vs states’ rights.

“This is going to be an issue that will probably end up in the Supreme Court very soon,” Jones said in a message. “It’s a classic example of a struggle for power between federal and state governments.”

Photo by Kelly Smiley

The campus carnival Aztec Nights event in September of 2016 featured a ferris wheel and other classic carnival rides free for students to enjoy.

10

Sports

The Daily Aztec

Jan. 17-23, 2018 EDITOR: Zach Engberg, sports@thedailyaztec.com

Aztecs lose thriller to rival Boise State

by Abraham Jewett ASST SPORTS EDITOR

Boise State’s Chandler Hutchison stood at the free throw line with 12.1 seconds left on the clock as him team held an 83-80 lead over San Diego State men’s basketball.

The Broncos senior guard bounced the ball two times, paused for a moment, and clanked his shot off the back of the rim.

The miss was a rare mistake for Hutchison, who finished the game with a career-high 44 points on 15 of 21 shooting, setting a Boise State record.

Aztecs freshman forward Matt Mitchell snagged the rebound and passed the ball to junior guard Devin Watson, who ran down the court and launched a deep three-point shot which clanked off the side of the rim.

Mitchell grabbed the rebound and ran to the far right corner, putting up a last second threepoint heave over two Broncos defenders.

The ball hit the rim and bounced directly up in the air, hanging precariously before falling to the court as the buzzer sounded and Boise State (15-3, 5-1 MW) rejoiced.

Another road game, another tough loss for the Aztecs.

The loss ended a three-game

Photo by Samantha Bonpensiero

Senior guard Devin Watson pushes the ball in transition during SDSU’s win over Gonzaga on Dec. 21.

winning streak for SDSU, which falls to 11-5 on the season, including 4-4 away from home and 3-2 in Mountain West Conference play.

The Aztecs had four of their five starters finish in double figures, with Watson leading the way with 19 points to go with eight assists and four rebounds.

Senior forward Malik Pope finished with 18 points and nine rebounds, while freshman

forwards Mitchell and Jalen McDaniels finished with 16 and 13 points, respectively.

The Aztecs stuck around during a first half where Hutchison scored the first 16 points for the Broncos, and the team trailed at halftime 40-34 after falling behind by as many as 11 points before the break.

In the second half the Aztecs led by as many as four points, after a three-pointer by Watson

gave the team a 70-66 lead with 6:24 to play.

Hutchison made three straight shots – a layup and two threepointers – to give the Broncos a 74-72 lead with 3:26 left.

SDSU retook the lead on the next possession, however, after freshman guard Jordan Schakel (six points) drilled a threepointer to give the Aztecs a 75-74 lead with 2:59 remaining.

After a three-point shot from

Boise sophomore guard Justinian Jessup (10 points), Mitchell snagged an offensive rebound on a missed three-pointer by Watson and put it back up for a layup to tie the game at 77 with 2:11 to play.

Jessup was fouled while driving in for a layup on the Broncos’ next possession, and the sophomore sunk both free throws to give the team a 79-77 lead with 1:39 left.

Senior guard Trey Kell – who shot only two of 14 from the field while finishing with five points – missed a three-pointer which would have given the Aztecs the lead, and instead the ball went back to Boise.

Two free throws from senior guard Lexus Williams (16 points) gave the Broncos an 81-79 lead with 1:09 left on the clock.

The Aztecs cut the lead to one after a layup from Pope, a Boise turnover, and a free throw from McDaniels.

But on the ensuing Broncos possession, Mitchell was called for an intentional foul as Hutchison went up for a layup, granting two free throws to Boise along with possession of the ball.

Hutchison made both free throws to give the Broncos the 83-80 lead.

The Aztecs’ next game will be at Viejas Arena on Jan. 16 against Fresno State University.

Sports

Jan. 17-23, 2018 EDITOR: Zach Engberg, sports@thedailyaztec.com

The Daily Aztec

11

The skinny on SDSU’s freshman star Jalen McDaniels is showing signs of his potential to be the next fixture in Aztecs lore - and quicker than anyone thought.

by Abraham Jewett ASST SPORTS EDITOR

Jalen McDaniels was not supposed to be this good.

Not yet, anyway.

The redshirt freshman from Federal Way, Washington was expected to be a role player for San Diego State men’s basketball, someone who could contribute to the team while learning behind senior forward and team captain Malik Pope.

McDaniels has officially flipped the script, having cemented himself into the starting lineup – five straight starts going into the Aztecs matchup against Fresno State University – while averaging 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a game this season.

McDaniels is only one of 24 freshmen across the country with those kinds of averages, shooting over 50 percent from the field, and is averaging 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds in his last nine games.

“Sometimes the decisions are easy, when the players make it easy,” head coach Brian Dutcher said about placing his freshman in the starting rotation. “He just plays with such a high motor, he plays so hard, and he attacks the glass.

What he lacks in physical strength he makes up with quickness and speed.”

McDaniels, who supports 195 pounds on a six-foot-10-inch frame, may not be the bulkiest guy on the court, but what

During the 2016-17 season he was a member of the scout team, as well as being apart of the team’s travel squad.

The only games he played were exhibition matches against UC San Diego and Cal State San Marcos.

This despite the fact that he was named as the preseason Mountain West Co-Freshman of the year alongside Utah State’s Kolby McEwen.

Dutcher said that the year off was good for McDaniels, who had the opportunity to grow as a player learning under more experienced Aztecs players.

“He had a year of hard practice under his belt going against Malik (Pope), Nolan (Narain), Valentine (Izundu), Zylan (Cheatham) and Max (Montana),” Dutcher said. “He got some good experience last year sitting out. Now he’s getting game experience, so now he’s slowly starting to grow his game.”

Aspects of McDaniels’ game that Dutcher doesn’t worry about are the energy and instincts he brings to the court.

“You don’t have to call Jalen’s number for him to be productive. He just plays off everybody else,” Dutcher said. “You have to have instincts to do that and Jalen has great instincts when he is out on the floor. He knows where to move, how to move and how fast to move.”

Junior guard Devin Watson, a University of San Francisco transfer who redshirted for the Aztecs during the 2016-17 season, said that McDaniels is

“He doesn’t play scared. He doesn’t play nervous for a redshirt freshman... He plays with great confidence and swagger and that’s what I want from him.”

– Brian Dutcher, head coach

he lacks in muscle he makes up for in length, effort, and a championship pedigree.

McDaniels averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots a game during his senior year at Federal Way High School, and led his team to a 29-0 record and a second straight Class 4A State title, according to his official profile on GoAztecs.

“I feel like when I play, even when I wasn’t starting, I am always comfortable out there,” McDaniels said. “It is something I have been doing for a long time.”

ESPN rated McDaniels as the No. 4 high school player in the state of Washington during the 2015-16 season, and he received scholarship offers from the Pac-12 conferences University of Washington and Arizona State University, as well as other schools including Aztecs Mountain West Conference rivals Boise State University.

McDaniels posted his best game of the season in the Aztecs 77-68 road win over Colorado State University on Jan. 2, finishing the game with 19 points and 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.

“I think you can just see that when he is on the floor. He doesn’t play scared.

He doesn’t play nervous for a redshirt freshman,” Dutcher said after the game.

“He plays with great confidence and swagger and that’s what I want from him.”

Patient is another word you might use to describe McDaniels.

playing above his experience level. “(McDaniels) is doing well, he is not playing like a freshman,” Watson said.

“He really used last year to get better and I feel like it paid off.”

Pope, the player who McDaniels spent a year learning under, said that he expects greatness from his potential successor as a leader on the court.

“I’ve got nothing but high hopes and high expectations for (McDaniels),” Pope said after McDaniels scored 14 points with 12 rebounds in the Aztecs victory over Bradley on Dec. 3. “He showed tonight his capabilities... He has a lot of potential and, you know, as I far as I’m concerned he can do just about everything out there. I’m excited for him and for this team.”

One area that McDaniels said he needs to improve is his outside shooting.

“Three-point shooting, making those open shots - that’s where I feel like I can grow the most and I feel like that will elevate my game more and help our team win,” McDaniels said.

With time, perhaps, the outside shot will begin to fall. For now, the Aztecs are happy to have McDaniels playing his brand of basketball.

“Jalen McDaniels, the skinniest guy in basketball, continues to... play hard,” Dutcher said after McDaniels had 15 points and 10 rebounds in the Aztecs win over Gonzaga on Dec. 21. “He’s an energetic, fantastic young player that’s going to have a really nice future here at San Diego State.”

Photo by Samantha Bonpensiero

Redshirt freshman forward Jalen McDaniels rises for a dunk during SDSU’s win over San Jose State on Jan. 9.

12

The Daily Aztec

The Back Page

The problem(s) with movie ‘Three Billboards’

By Julianna Ress SENIOR STAFF WRITER

On Sunday, January 7, the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony ended by awarding “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” the honor of Best Motion Picture – Drama.

It was a night in which activism was front and center — attendees dressed in all black to show solidarity with the #MeToo movement and the newly organized Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund seeking to end sexual harassment in the workplace.

The ceremony certainly had its fumbles, but not without some genuinely moving and effective moments, like Oprah’s Cecil B. DeMille Award acceptance speech and Natalie Portman’s off-script jab at the all-male line-up of Best Director nominees.

Giving the final award of the night to “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” which had already collected three other awards, seemed to fit the ceremony’s tone in that it’s a film led by a woman which addresses racism and sexual assault.

Here’s the problem: “Three Billboards” is bad.

The Martin McDonagh written and directed film follows Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) in her decision to rent three billboards off an otherwise abandoned highway in order to force the local police chief (Woody Harrelson) to address the rape and murder of her teenage daughter, Angela, that occurred seven months prior.

“RAPED WHILE DYING / AND STILL NO ARRESTS? / HOW COME, CHIEF WILLOUGHBY?” the signs read.

“It seems to me the police department is too busy torturing black folks to solve actual crime,” Mildred tells the local news when her provocative billboards predictably garner attention.

For a film concerned with

racially-charged police brutality enough to even include that quote in the trailer, it’s not interested in actually telling the stories of those affected by it, instead using people of color as props to prove Mildred’s wokeness and addressing race relations on vague, one-sided terms that reek of performative allyship.

Meanwhile, “Three Billboards” spends an alarming amount of its runtime humanizing local racist officer Jason Dixon (Sam Rockwell) with “Blue Lives Matter”-driven mental gymnastics that lead the character embodying everything the film’s heroine is against to becoming her closest ally without ever distancing himself from his history of racism or receiving his well-deserved comeuppance.

Not only is this character problematic, he’s excruciatingly poorly written.

His motivations are unclear and confusing, and the redemption narrative the film establishes for him plays out without the character showing any sign of tangible evolution. Did I mention Rockwell was also honored at the Golden Globes?

Similar could be said for the rest of “Three Billboards” as a whole — retroactive justification for the film’s accolades has occurred in the wake of its backlash, grasping for other aspects of the film to praise, but the execution all-around is messy and offputting, including the forgettable performances from the otherwise talented cast.

It also practically won bingo for using every tired, cliché trope that films baiting for awards exploit: the “dead girl,” abuse as a plot device and forced ambiguity that begs viewers to theorize what happens after the credits roll, if only the film was compelling enough for us to do so.

The most unforgivable scene in the film also exemplifies all “Three Billboards’” flaws the most clearly and uncomfortably. It’s

when Mildred flashes back to the last conversation she had with Angela before she was raped and murdered — they were fighting, and as Angela storms out of the house Mildred yells after her, “I hope you get raped!”

Yikes.

Tackiness, tastlessness and the ability to perversely put blame for Angela’s rape on her mother somehow aside, the scene is so brazenly on the nose that how a script with that dialogue in it was awarded Best Screenplay is beyond me.

But look, awards don’t matter.

The trophies handed to actors and filmmakers are hardly indicative of the respective films’ cultural impact and how they will be looked back on in the future.

Yet in a time when Hollywood is being forced to address its racism and misogyny, it’s telling that it’s doing so by awarding the film that addresses those issues in a way that absolves the perpetuators of them the most.

Awards season is just getting started, and the heartbreaking stories of assault and abuse we’ve been following in the news the past few months are now being addressed directly, unavoidably broadcasted to our homes.

The awkward humor, tearful speeches and accusations of complicity against those who wear Time’s Up pins and still work with Woody Allen are just getting started.

But at the end of the day, Hollywood can’t pat itself on the back for providing these platforms only to award the films that condone the very problems the industry is facing — not just with “Three Billboards,” but also in celebrating alleged sexual predators like James Franco, Gary Oldman and Kirk Douglas.

Let those who have been long ignored and oppressed by Hollywood tell their own stories, instead of having white men do it for them under a thin veil of calculated progressivism.

SNAPSHOTS

SNIP SNIP

Photo by Andrew Dyer

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, San Diego State President Sally Roush and Vice Chair of the CSU Board of Trustees Adam Day celebrate the opening of the new Engineering and Interdisciplinary Sciences Complex.

Jan. 17-23, 2018 Editor: Cami Buckman • arts@thedailyaztec.com

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

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ACROSS 1 Like most cookies 6 Director of the final episode of “M*A*S*H” 10 Food inspector’s concern 15 Jazz singer O’Day 16 Osso buco meat 17 Swerved at sea 18 Math teacher’s favorite sport?

21 Diplomatic bldg.

22 Flying off the shelves 23 Praise to the heavens 24 Rock’s Grateful __ 26 Fiat fuel 28 Perspire nervously, say 31 Math teacher’s favorite brew?

36 Arrowhead Stadium NFL team 38 Mark for deletion 39 Sellout sign letters 40 Very confident 41 Chanel competitor 42 Museum worker 44 1869-’77 pres. monogram 45 Place for private dining?

46 New York hockey team 47 Math teacher’s favorite hat?

51 Bathtub outlet 52 Product prefix

suggesting winter 53 Activist Parks 56 Minds someone else’s business 59 Slice of history 61 Old conductance unit 62 Math teacher’s favorite cut of beef?

67 As scripted 68 World Golf Hall of Famer Isao 69 Cosmic comeuppance 70 Gives a hand, in a way 71 Editorial override 72 Hog caller’s call DOWN 1 With __ breath 2 Japanese art genre 3 “L.A. Confidential” Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner 4 Bastille Day time 5 Short run 6 Gamer’s game face 7 Syr. neighbor 8 Half a chipmunk team 9 “Roots” author Haley 10 Shoelace hole 11 Cambridge student, informally 12 Have title to 13 Luau loop 14 TSA requests 19 Roman robes

20 Major Arcana deck 25 Kicked out of the game, informally 27 Gender-specific, to some 29 The Joker portrayer on TV 30 __ Haute 32 Many a tabloid pic 33 Fowl poles?

34 Possessive word 35 Fishing gear 36 Lingerie size 37 Member of a strict Jewish sect 41 Article written by Marx and Engels?

42 Break 43 App offering fare estimates 45 Wildly excited 46 Future fern 48 Downy amount 49 New faces around the water cooler 50 In the slightest 54 Disgrace 55 Fine 57 Flight sked data 58 Many a bagpiper 60 Wants to know 62 Sci-fi escape vehicle 63 St. Louis-toIndianapolis dir.

64 Label for Elvis 65 Hula strings 66 Lao Tzu ideal