Vol. 108, Issue 3 www.thedailyaztec.com
Wednesday, Set. 1 - Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 Weekly Print Edition
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
“HOMOPHOBIC SCUM”
CLIMATE ACTION NEEDED
FOOTBALL IS BACK!
Students rally together against hate speech on campus.
Student involvement necessary to combat climate change.
San Diego State kicks off La cultura peruana resalta versus New Mexico State en la comunidad de San at Dignity Health Park. Diego.
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SDSU CULTURA PERUANA
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The Daily Aztec
News
Sept. 1 - 7, 2021 EDITOR: Katelynn Robinson • news@thedailyaztec.com
Students take action against hate speech by Trinity Bland MANAGING EDITOR
On Aug. 25, students gathered in an intense confrontation with an individual promoting hate speech on San Diego State’s campus. In the courtyard near Hepner Hall, the individual held up a sign with a list of various labels and titles of people considered ‘sinners’ and those who would be condemned. While the individual spent hours debating with many students on campus and spreading false information on various topics such as COVID-19, women’s rights, religion and LGBTQ+ rights, both the delivery and contents of his message came as an extreme and antagonizing attack directed at SDSU students. Undeclared freshman Rami shared the individual made fun of his Muslim faith. “He denounced my religion, I’m Muslim so he made fun of me and said I wasn’t true, I was going to hell, something like that,” Rami said. Rami proceeded to share that he wanted to take action after this experience and asked his friends for help. “I wanted to drown him out, I had to make sure they [his friends] came down so we could just tune him out so they brought all their trombones, two trombones and a saxophone player and they just drowned him completely out,” Rami said. Allegedly, a number of students called campus police in hopes of getting this individual removed from campus for their own safety. Witnesses say they saw officers ride by the individual and said they couldn’t remove him since he had a right to be on campus and wasn’t perpetuating physical violence.
Other students thought a valid reason for his removal could be the way he wasn’t wearing a mask and kept claiming to be unvaccinated, going against the university’s vaccination policy. Despite the lack of intervention from campus police, other students wanted to make sure their voices were heard through popular protest mediums such as chanting remarks opposing what the individual was preaching and creating signs. Brittany, who asked to remain anonymous due to privacy reasons, RWS 100 instructor and second-year graduate student studying English, created a sign that explicitly addressed the homophobic comments the individual expressed. “Out of anger, I made that sign which is why the verbiage on it was the way it was, so then I went up to the front and just held it in front of him and I just blocked his sign that had so many hateful things on it,” Brittany said. “I just blocked it with mine, very nonconfrontational, just to diffuse the situation.” Like Rami and Brittany, third-year math major Alec Irwin and first-year computer engineering student Chase Varga worked together to create a sign denouncing the individual’s overall message of hate. “The perspective I’ve tried to have, trying to put myself in the shoes of a student who may belong to a group on his list, if I was a Muslim student, if I was a woman, and I walked by, would I rather see this dude standing out there and nobody doing it or this dude standing out there and it is abundantly clear that the student population doesn’t want him anywhere near us?” Irwin said. “I hope that is the response that this campus has for further hate speech, a very clear message of it not being tolerated here.”
Students holds handmade sign that reads “Get this homophobic scum off my campus.”
“We wanted to show more aspects of, he isn’t just horrible because he’s homophobic, he’s also racist and sexist. We wanted to generalize it to include all the names he listed.” Varga said. When asked if the individual was intentionally spreading a message of hate, Irwin had no doubts that this bit was true. “He chose to place himself and interrupt the lives of our campus,” Irwin said. “He chose to be standing in a place that people would see him and I think his goal was to make people, and especially the people on that list, uncomfortable, and that is, in my opinion, hateful. I think he was trying to disrupt and stir that kind of hateful emotion and I think that is specifically the thing that doesn’t have a place on our campus. It’s not about having a different opinion or belief, it’s about using that in a way that makes people
Photo by Trinity Bland
feel unsafe.” More than anything, students defended one another and were able to stand up against the hate speech affecting multiple communities represented in the crowd. Varga said it helped him to understand the values SDSU students hold. “More than him being there, the reaction of the students gave me the most perspective of the campus situation,” Varga said. “It was celebratory almost, the way way people played trumpets and people were chanting ‘gay sex.’ I just found that so beautiful where all the students said ‘I can make a sign, I can play music, I can celebrate gay sex, I can not have this person have any influence on me’.” Third-year kinesiology major K.P. said it best here: “Hate and intolerance isn’t a place for SDSU.”
Activists host Afghanistan citizen human rights protest
Photo by Catlan Nguyen
San Diegans who are a part of the Afghan community gather in solidarity for Aghanistan citizens before marching.
by Adam Correa CONTRIBUTOR
On Saturday, Aug. 28, a global movement took place in 41 cities and 17 countries around the world. One of those cities was San Diego. About 250 people took to the streets chanting “Free Afghanistan” and “Save Afghanistan” to fight for support for the many innocent Afghan citizens. On Aug. 15, the Taliban took over the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul. On Aug. 26, a suicide bombing occurred at the Kabul Airport killing about 170 Afghan citizens and 13 U.S. service members.
Nine marines and one sailor out of the 13 U.S. service members were from Camp Pendleton. Sana Hashemi, a member of the Global Organizing Team, said she was proud of the amount of people that showed up to the protest. “Considering this [announcement about the protest] was very short notice, this is incredible, we are a part of a global team and we might have had one of the biggest groups come out today,” Hashemi said. The protest started at Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego with people giving speeches. Then, came a march
around the city. All the protesters were led by security guards and policemen through the streets. Mursel Sabir, an international studies graduate student from University of California San Diego, said the purpose of the protest was to promote human rights. “We’re out here today to amplify the voices of Afghan nationals and for so many who kind of see what’s going on.” Sabir said. “This is something that is really close to home for us, our families, our friends and we just want to promote human rights.” As the march continued, the protesters stopped in front of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services building chanting “we want refugees.” “We want the refugee center to accept all of those immigrants who are endangered in Afghanistan,” said Mumtaz Momand, a member of the Global Organizing Team, as he stood in front of the Immigration building speaking to the protesters. The march stopped in Little Italy where a lot of people were on the sidewalk or sitting down at a restaurant. They were recording the protesters going through the streets, chanting with them or both. “We demand the promise to keep and expand the airlift program for as long as there are people seeking to leave,” said Hashemi. “This includes the expansion to outside of the gates of the airport to ensure that people are afforded safe passage free from persecution and or
threats.” The march paused in every major area of downtown San Diego. They wanted to make sure people knew why they were protesting through the streets. The protest was filled with emotion, as some of the participants had lost loved ones in Afghanistan. “My 15-year-old brother, this past June he passed away in Afghanistan while we were there and I was with my family and due to the lack of resources, he passed away,” Hashemi said. Due to her brother’s lack of access to oxygen and other medical attention, he died of an asthma attack. Hashemi said the reason she fights so hard for the people of Afghanistan is so they are able to have resources to be happy, live healthy lives and stay safe.
Photo by Adam Correa
Young boy holds handmade poster at protest.
Sept. 1 - 7, 2021 EDITOR: Katelynn Robinson • news@thedailyaztec.com
News
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Students, faculty discuss instructors’ decision to wear or not wear masks by Sara Rott SENIOR STAFF WRITER
After a fully virtual year of classes, San Diego State returned back to in-person classes on Aug 23. COVID-19 guidelines have been updated and enforced to ensure public safety on campus this fall semester. According to an email sent out by the university, instructional faculty, teaching assistants and interpreters who are fully vaccinated can remove their facial coverings when teaching as long as students are masked in the classroom. “I think there were a lot of mixed feelings from a lot of instructors and faculty, just about the mask situation being in person but everyone is making the choice that’s right for them,” Journalism and Media Studies assistant professor Alanna Peebles said. Some students share their observations of who wears a mask and who doesn’t in their classes. “I have one professor who doesn’t so far,” journalism senior Maria Watson said. Watson said this is only because the desks are spaced six feet from each other and the professor keeps their mask off for clarity when lecturing. “When you’re in his bubble, he does put it on,” Watson said. SDSU has been strictly enforcing policies and protocols. For example, at the library students must show proof of vaccination through the Healtheconnect portal before entering the building. “I wish it was more secure than showing a green dot on your screen,”
political science second year Jayden Burney said. “Anyone can screenshot if they don’t have COVID clearance in the future but, in general, I don’t have to show an ID.” JMS professor David Coddon said not only does he wear a mask for his own safety but also because he respects his students who have to wear one. “I want to show them that I take this as seriously as they do,” he added. Other students said how some professors in their in-person classes continue to wear masks, though they are allowed to if all the students in the classroom are wearing their masks. “It’s optional for them, which I understand because it’s complicated to talk with a face mask,” journalism junior Chanel Yoguez said. “I know it’s uncomfortable to wear a mask when you’re talking so much.” Public relations junior Katarina Josifov said it might be uncomfortable sometimes but wearing one protects others as well as yourself. “You just gotta find the right mask like finding the right pair of shoes. It becomes part of daily life until everything becomes situated,” Josifov said. According to an email put out by the university, 94% of students on campus are fully vaccinated. Watson and Josifov expressed how confident, comfortable and safe they are, knowing that a good number of campus is covered. “I would feel more safe if 100% of students were vaccinated,” Yoguez said. “I don’t feel nervous, because we as students are not here at school the whole time.”
Campus police presence increases in lieu of parties by Katelynn NEWS EDITOR
Robinson
San Diego State has increased law enforcement on campus due to an increase in reckless behavior. Students who participate in illegal behavior will face penalties according to the university-wide email sent on Aug. 26. Specific behavior students are warned to avoid includes misdemeanor criminal offenses such as minors in possession of alcohol, unlawful use of fireworks, being drunk in public and party complaints. “SDSU, through coordination with other agencies, has increased the presence of uniform officers who will patrol areas in and around the College Area, throughout the weekend,” the email said. The email said students’ future opportunities may be affected by their participation in acts of misdemeanor. It stated these situations are avoidable and come down to individual and group decisions. “We will be strict in our enforcement,” the email continued. “Violators of the law are subject to citation, fine, or arrest and students found responsible for violating the student code of conduct are subject to sanctions, including suspension.” On April 16, SDSU implemented an Amnesty Policy which encouraged students to report incidents of sexual violence, alcohol or drug-related
emergencies and hazing incidents, according to the email. The Amnesty Policy specifically targets organizations but may also be applied to individual instances of hazing. Students can report hazing to the Office of Student Life and Leadership or the San Diego State Police Department by emailing them at reporthazing@sdsu.edu. In an SDSU News Center article, the university lists the organizations no longer recognized by SDSU due to hazing. “Organizations that have recently been found responsible for violations of the hazing policy and are no longer recognized by SDSU, or that have been unrecognized for years and have been recently reported for hazingrelated behaviors, include Beta Omega Phi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Gamma Delta, and Theta Chi fraternities,” the article said. “Students and their families are encouraged to research organizations before joining and are strongly encouraged to only affiliate with organizations that are recognized by SDSU out of concerns for safety.” The university reminds the SDSU community that health, safety and the well-being of students on campus is a top priority. More information on hazing policies and more can be found on the Organizational Policy and Misconduct website.
She added how when we go to places like the store or work, we don’t know the percentage of vaccinated individuals. Coddon also works at Point Loma Nazarene and University of San Diego. He gave insight on how other universities in the San Diego region are handling the situation.
USD’s mask requirements are similar to SDSU’s and the two universities mandated COVID-19 vaccinations among their students and faculty. Point Loma students and faculty are not required to be vaccinated but do require masks.
Graphic by Shalika Oza
Teacher on the left wearing a mask, teacher on the right not wearing a mask.
Wellness Kiosks installed, school reaches 15 COVID-19 cases
Photo by Noelani Sapla
Wellness Kiosks located on SDSU main campus.
by Katelynn NEWS EDITOR
Robinson
San Diego State has installed 20 vending machines in various locations throughout campus called Wellness Kiosks that dispense self administered COVID-19 tests. These tests are available to all SDSU students, faculty and staff. According to the university-wide email detailing the Wellness Kiosks operation, the tests are available at a charge of $1 or free of charge. To get a test free of charge, individuals can go to the SDSU Rapid COVID-19
Testing website and enter their email and mobile number. Free credit will be available through the Monyx Wallet App. “New credits (that can be used on the kiosks) can be requested Mon. through Sun. from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. including holidays, and may take up to 24 hours to receive,” the Aug. 26 email said. Full step-by-step instructions are listed on each vending machine. As of Aug. 20, the university has confirmed 15 COVID-19 cases on SDSU’s main campus. Students are expected to take the initiative to be tested for the coronavirus if they experience any symptoms within six hours of their onset. Students are also expected to notify the university within two hours of receiving a positive COVID-19 test result, according to the university-wide email. The university has confirmed zero COVID-19 cases at the Imperial Valley campus. SDSU also noted the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine has been FDA approved for people 16 years of age and older, as of Aug. 23. Additionally, all three COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson) are still available at Student Health Services. SDSU also reminds students the Aztec Recreation Center (ARC) is open, however facial coverings are required in all in-door settings, regardless of vaccination status.
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Opinion
The Daily Aztec
Sept. 1 - 7, 2021 EDITOR: Aaliyah Alexander • opinion@thedailyaztec.com
Government action necessary to combat climate change by Jessica Octavio SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Growing up in the dry, brushridden terrain of Southern California has given me and many other Californians a grim familiarity with the devastation of seasonal fires. The Dixie fire in Northern California has quickly become one of the largest in our state’s history, drawing attention to the increasing urgency surrounding the present catastrophe of the climate crisis. This year alone, wildfires have burned nearly a million acres across California thus far. In recent years, sustainability has become trendy. Electric vehicle stocks have skyrocketed in value, cow’s milk has become a thing of the past and large food companies, like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, are racing to perfect the plant-based chicken alternative. Despite widespread consumer consciousness and our shared dedication to abstain from plastic straws, it seems that for the average person, the war against global warming is futile. However, this perception is largely because corporations have successfully shifted the narrative so that individual consumers truly believe their choices are consequential for the wellness of the Earth — for better or for worse. Even though it is an effective marketing tactic to empower the customer to believe their ecofriendly choices can save the world, it burdens the everyday person to think the deterioration of our environment due to carbon emissions is their own fault. The imminent negative
consequences of the climate crisis are also highlighting income disparities. If or when climate change brings humans to the challenges of largescale displacement and food shortages, it will be low-income communities that will face the brunt of the damage caused predominantly by the wealthy. According to an AP News report from 2020, wealthy Americans “produce nearly 25% more heat-trapping gases than poorer people at home, according to a comprehensive study of U.S. residential carbon footprints.” The same article revealed that in Los Angeles County, Beverly Hills releases four times more greenhouse gases than South Central. Under the system of capitalism as it exists today, the health implications and scarcity of food and housing caused by the changing climate will be exacerbated by the greed of the wealthy. While homes go unoccupied and tons of food go to waste annually, members of the upper class in the U.S. continue to prove they are incapable of caring for the rest of society unless they are legally obligated to do so. In a 2019 op-ed in The New Yorker, author Jonathan Franzen argued that, “a topdown intervention needs to happen not only in every country but throughout every country. Making New York City a green utopia will not avail if Texans keep pumping oil and driving pickup trucks.” In the United States, effective environmental legislation may include subsidizing solar power, electric vehicles and plant-based food industries, increasing funding for public transportation
Photo by Aaliyah Alexander
Kayaking on “rest and recovery” day
by aaliyah alexander OPINION EDITOR
Is it safe to make the assumption that most of us have been taught, what I like to call, “society’s template for success?” From observing others and their satisfaction with life after achieving “success,” the assumption seems to hold some weight. The template goes something like this: graduate high school,
MANAGING EDITOR Trinity Bland NEWS EDITOR Katelynn Robinson OPINION EDITOR Aaliyah Alexander MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Noé Sandoval ASST. MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Karina Bazarte ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Ryan Hardison SPORTS EDITOR Jason Freund ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Finley SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Amanda Orozco PHOTO EDITOR Noelani Sapla MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Mackenzie Stafford ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Jayne Yutig GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hemen Hesfin
Graphics by Shalika Oza
Corporations blame consumers for damage caused by them.
infrastructure while including both tax incentives and penalties for corporations to encourage reducing carbon emissions. This critical legislative shift must happen at every level: from the city council members in charge of urban planning to the politicians on Capitol Hill capable of sweeping environmental reform. Globally, it is especially important for politicians, corporations and all others to listen to scientists and experts on how the climate will affect the ecosystem and society as a whole. Another group we should pay attention to as we navigate the climate crisis is Indigneous populations. Civilizations who have a deep connection to the land and centuries of experience
living sustainably and tending to the areas they live in are at the forefront of advocating for the preservation of protected areas and the prevention of development in ecologically and spiritually significant places. As responsible residents of Earth, we can’t let the doom and gloom of dramatic headlines about the climate crisis discourage us from making better choices for the planet in our daily lives and during important elections. Taking care of our home and securing a livable environment for the next generation must be a priority, but it doesn’t have to be scary. Jessica Octavio is a senior studying microbiology. Twitter @ jessicaoctavio_.
Focus on creating a lifestyle, not career decide what you want to do with the rest of your life at the age of 18 (maybe younger), go to college, get a degree, get a 9-to-5 gig, get married and start a family — all while climbing the corporate ladder until you’re “satisfied” with your position. I never questioned this template because it’s what I saw growing up, it’s what was portrayed on television shows and it’s how I was programmed to operate. I accepted this societal expectation and was on the path to fulfilling this expectation until an Uber driver said something that changed my perspective. “Focus on creating a lifestyle, not a career… just pursue how you want to live life.” To clarify, the Uber driver wasn’t suggesting dropping out of college. Instead, he was suggesting putting more effort and attention on the life you want to create because, in his words, “that’s what you’ll have left over.” Obtaining a college education is important but it shouldn’t be
EDITOR IN CHIEF Catlan Nguyen
the core of your existence. Life itself should be the core. Contributing to society through capitalizing on talents and building a career you love should be one aspect of life, while making memories should be the focus. We shouldn’t neglect having a joyful existence in order to hustle for titles and accolades because those things come and go, but time passes without the promise of more. At the end of the day, you won’t be reminiscing on the Biology 101 class you took in college. Instead, you’ll be reminiscing on the late nights you stayed up laughing with friends or the times you had courage to try something new. It’s important to strike a balance between work and play, which is why I’m a huge advocate for the slow living movement. In short, the slow living movement promotes mindfulness in a world designed to be fast paced. If you desire to create another template for your life, researching alternative lifestyles
that emphasize more balance is key. To get started, three things you can do starting today are to set boundaries, evaluate your priorities and make time to experience things other than work or school. For me, my priority is being healthy — both mentally and physically — so I carve out time every single day to cater to those needs. How I satisfy those needs looks different throughout the year, but they never get looked over because of school or work. If I don’t feel mentally and physically well, then the core of my template crumbles, thus affecting my ability to contribute my talents to society or do well in building a career. It’s a bold statement to say, “create a lifestyle, not a career” because society isn’t built for that. However, it’s up to us to change that script and prioritize enjoying life. Aaliyah Alexander is a junior studying journalism and international studies. Follow her on Twitter @aaliyahdanyell.
STAFF WRITERS Marco Perez SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Jessica Octavio Sara Rott Jenna Myers Emily Forschen CONTRIBUTORS Adam Correa Kennedy Humphrey Niamh Moore ________________________________
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Brian Arnold ________________________________
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Sports
Sept. 1-7, 2021 EDITOR: Jason Freund • sports@thedailyaztec.com
A new way to get to football games
Photo by Derrick Tuskan
Fans gather in the stands and parking lot for a scrimmage at SDSU.
By Jenna Meyer SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
SDSU Athletics offers new ways for students to access Football games in Carson. Heading to Carson As the fall semester commences, the return of Aztec Football is just around the corner. With construction of the new Aztec Stadium still underway in Mission Valley — set to be complete by the Fall 2022 season — the Aztecs will be hitting the road for the second year to compete at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Last season’s COVID-19 protocols diminished the opportunity for fans to be in attendance, but Aztec Football is now ready to welcome fans back to their new home away from home. Former Aztec Cornerback Garrett Binkley explained the impact fans make on game days. “It’s a huge difference. It gets your energy going, it’s the whole reason we play,” Binkley said.”When you’re out there at the game it feels like the real deal, you get the nerves and you get the jitters and it makes it all worth it.” In comparison to the capacity of 70,561 seats at SDCCU stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park holds just a fraction of that with a capacity of 27,000. The Athletic department is encouraging fan attendance with new giveaways such as replica jerseys on Sept. 4, hats on Sept. 25 and the SDSU Family Weekend Kickoff on Oct. 9, a week prior to on-campus family weekend events. A giveaway for miniature replicas of the new Aztec Stadium will take place on Nov. 26. The Scarlet and Black will take on New Mexico State in their home opener on Sep. 4 with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
In addition to the home opener, two games to get excited about include Homecoming against Nevada on Nov. 13 with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, and the nationally-televised season finale against Boise State the day after Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 with a 9 a.m. kickoff. Aztec Village In addition to enticing giveaways for students and fans, Aztec Village will return to enhance the fan experience once again. The village is a free experience open to the public with a DJ, food and beverage options, a Kid Zone, games and screens to watch various college football games from throughout the country. The Aztec Village will open at 5 p.m. — two hours prior to kickoff— on the North end of Dignity Health Sports Park. Acquiring Tickets For all enrolled students, tickets are complimentary. Mobile student tickets can be accessed through GoAztecs.com/ StudentMobileTix a week in advance prior to home game weeks. Season tickets — starting at just $149 — are now available for the 2021 Aztec Football season and fans can select their seats when ordering online at GoAztecs. com. Fan Buses To encourage students to make the two hour trek to Carson — just outside of Los Angeles — to cheer on their Aztecs, roundtrip bus passes are made available to/from Dignity Health Sports Park for $5. Bus passes will be available starting on Mondays at 9 a.m. the week prior to game week. The game day charter buses will depart from Lot Two on SDSU’s campus near Storm Hall. Bus check-in will begin four hours prior to each game kickoff and masks will be required while on the bus.
SDSU players celebrate after a win against Colorado State at Dignity Health Park.
Photo by Derrick Tuskan
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The Daily Aztec
Sports
Sept. 1 - 7, 2021 EDITOR: Jason Freund • sports@thedailyaztec.com
SDSU football 2021 season preview
Photo by Derrick Tuskan
Junior wide receiver Jesse Matthews makes a slick sideline catch against San Jose State. Matthews says his main goal this season is to win a Mountain West Champinship with his team.
By Andrew Finley ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Football season is here and San Diego State football is coming in with high expectations heading into their full slate of games during this primarily in-person semester. The Aztecs were disappointed with the results of their 2020 season and hope to improve upon that in 2021, and new challenges lie ahead. Senior linebacker Caden Mcdonald said he believes his team has what it takes to face those challenges and overcome whatever stands in their way. “I believe we have all the capability to run tables versus everybody this year,” McDonald said. “Just gotta take it week by week and one opponent at a time.” The Scarlet and Black have 12 games lined up for 2021 with seven home games in Carson, California and five games on the road. Here’s what SDSU football is up against in 2021: Week 1 (Sept. 4): New Mexico State at SDSU The Aztecs get their season started with a home game versus New Mexico State. The Aggies — whose 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19 — haven’t won an away game since Sept. 22, 2018 and have lost 11 straight games on the road since. Despite not having a 2020 season, NMSU was able to play two neutral site games in the winter, in which they won and lost a game. The last time SDSU faced NMSU was in 2019 in New Mexico, with the Aztecs crushing the Aggies 31-10. The Aztecs have only one loss in 12 total contests against the Aggies. Week 2 (Sept. 11): SDSU at Arizona SDSU’s first road trip will be to Tucson to face the University of Arizona. The Wildcats lost all five of their games in 2020 and are on a twelve-game skid since Oct. 5, 2019. Arizona hasn’t had a winning season since going 7-6 in 2016. This matchup will be the first time these two teams have met since the 2001 season opener at Qualcomm Stadium, with the Wildcats defeating the Aztecs 23-10. SDSU has won just five of their 15 contests against U of A, losing their last four. Week 3 (Sept. 18): Utah at SDSU The Scarlet and Black fly home from Tucson to host the University of Utah,
who are ranked 24th according to the AP Poll. The Utes’ 2020 had several games canceled due to COVID-19 and finished their season with a 3-2 record. Utah won their final three games while scoring over 30 points per game. In 2019, the Utes ranked as high as number five in the AP and Coaches Top 25 poll before losing in the Pac-12 championship versus Oregon. The Aztecs last played Utah in 2010 when the Utes played in the Mountain West Conference. Under head coach Brady Hoke in his first stint, the Scarlet and Black gave up 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to the 25th ranked Utes to lose 38-34 at Qualcomm Stadium. SDSU has won 12 of its 27 matchups against Utah. Week 4 (Sept. 24): Towson at SDSU Before entering MWC play, SDSU welcomes the Towson Tigers of the FCS to Carson. The small Maryland university football team had its season canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19. The Tigers typically play one FBS team per season and typically lose that game by a large margin. Their last win against an FBS school came in 2013 when they defeated the University of Connecticut 28-20 and would go on to lose in the FCS National Championship. This will be the first ever matchup between the Aztecs and Towson. Week 5 (Oct. 9): New Mexico at SDSU SDSU kicks off MWC play in Carson against the University of New Mexico. The Lobos were unable to play in their stadium in Albuquerque — instead playing their home games in Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. UNM started last season losing their first five games before finishing their season with two wins. The
Lobos were winless on the road in 2020 and haven’t won an away game since Oct. 6, 2018. The Aztecs haven’t faced the Lobos since week nine of 2018. The Scarlet and Black — being down by nine — scored 17 unanswered points at University Stadium to defeat UNM 31-23. SDSU owns the all-time series versus the Lobos 27-15. Week 6 (Oct. 15): SDSU at San Jose State Similar to the 2020 season, SDSU will travel north to take on rival San Jose State. The Spartans are coming off of a nearly flawless 2020, in which they went 6-0 in the regular season, won the MWC Championship — their first in the MW, won their first conference title since 1991 and was ranked the 24th best team in the NCAA, according to the AP and Coaches poll. The only blemish on SJSU’s 2020 season was a loss to Ball State in the Arizona Bowl. The flawless regular season came at the expense of the Aztecs, who lost to SJSU in 2020. The back and forth game ended on 14 unanswered points by the Spartans to pull out a 28-17 victory, spoiling SDSU’s seven-game winning streak over the Spartans dating back to 2013. Week 7 (Oct. 23): SDSU at Air Force The Scarlet and Black will fly over to Colorado Springs to take on Air Force. The Falcons were able to play in six games last season, and pulled out a record of 3-3 in 2020. Their 2019 season ended with them having a fruitless 11-2 season in which they missed the MWC Championship game by just one game to Boise State — whom they lost to earlier in that season. The last time the Aztecs faced Air Force
Photo By Derrick Tuskan
Caden McDonald (right) defends a pass against Colorado State.
was in Oct. 2018 at SDCCU Stadium, where the Aztecs defeated the Falcons 2117. SDSU currently holds an eight-game win streak against the Falcons dating back to 2010. Week 8 (Oct. 30): Fresno State at SDSU After having to cancel the game last season, the battle of the Old Oil Can will continue as the Fresno State Bulldogs come to Carson to try to win it back. The Bulldogs went 3-3 last season after having two games get canceled due to COVID-19. The Aztecs last faced Fresno State in 2019, defeating the Bulldogs 17-7 at SDCCU Stadium, securing the Old Oil Can back after losing it in 2018. Week 9 (Nov. 6): SDSU at Hawaii SDSU football takes its furthest trip of the season to Honolulu to take on the Rainbow Warriors. Hawaii was one of the few teams in the MWC to not cancel a game in 2020 and ended up next to the Aztecs in the MWC standings at 4-4, even winning the New Mexico Bowl over the University of Houston. The Aztecs faced the Rainbow Warriors in Carson in 2020 and beat them 34-10. When the Aztecs were in Hawaii in 2019, however, the Rainbow Warriors upset SDSU, taking the Aztecs spot in the MWC championship game where they’d lose to Boise State. Week 10 (Nov. 13): Nevada at SDSU The Scarlet and Black come back to Carson after two road trips to take on Nevada. The Wolfpack had a 6-2 regular season — just missing out on being in the MWC Championship — and defeated Tulane in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2020. The Aztecs traveled to Nevada in 2020 with each team sporting a 3-0 record. SDSU flew home with their first loss of 2020 after giving up 10 unanswered points in the second half and took the 26-21 loss. The Wolfpack currently has a three-game win streak over the Aztecs dating back to 2018. Week 11 (Nov. 20): SDSU at UNLV SDSU’s final road trip will take place at UNLV. The Rebels were winless in six games in 2020, and haven’t won a game since defeating Nevada in overtime in their final game of 2019. The Rebels were the Aztecs week one opponent in 2020. The Scarlet and Black convincingly defeated UNLV 34-6 in Carson. SDSU has won nine of their last 11 contests against UNLV. Week 12 (Nov. 26): Boise State at SDSU The Aztecs will look to end their regular season on a high note with a matchup against Boise State on Senior Night in Carson. A historically successful team, Boise State finished their regular season 5-1 — their only loss being against No. 8 BYU — with an appearance in their fourth consecutive MWC Championship where they lost to SJSU. The last time SDSU met with Boise State was in 2018 at Boise State, when the Aztecs upset the Broncos 19-13 on the Smurf-turf at Albertsons Stadium. Both teams have defeated each other three times in their history dating back to 2011. What to expect At first glance, SDSU’s schedule looks top-loaded with Pac-12 opponents in weeks two and three, with the rest of the schedule filled with casual MWC matchups. However, from week six to week 12, the Aztecs face the only two MWC teams that defeated them last season — SJSU in week six and Nevada in week 10 — their rivalry game against Fresno State in week nine, and the powerhouse Boise State to end their season. The Aztecs stumbled to the finish line last season, losing three of their final four games and opting to not play a bowl game. If the Aztecs expect to be a top dog in the MWC in 2021, they’ll have to finish strong in their own division.
Sept. 1 - 7, 2021 EDITOR: Jason Freund • sports@thedailyaztec.com
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Football to open season versus New Mexico State at Dignity Health Park By Andrew Finley ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
For the first time since Nov. 30, 2019, San Diego State football will have fans in the stands for a home game — even though it’s 113 miles away from the last place they had an actual home crowd. Dignity Health Park in Carson, California will be the site of the Aztecs opening game against the New Mexico State Aggies (0-1) on Saturday, Sept. 4, and can be seen on CBS Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. It’ll be the first time these teams have faced each other since Sept. 14, 2019. That game in Albuquerque featured a fierce rushing attack from the Aztecs with then sophomore running backs Jordan Byrd and Chance Bell combining for 39 carries for 234 yards — six yards per carry — and three touchdowns as the Scarlet and Black walked away with a 3110 victory. That was two years ago, however, and the Aggies have an entirely new team under head coach Doug Martin who is in his eighth season at NMSU. The Aggies have already played their first game in 2021, getting walloped by the University of Texas El Paso Miners 30-3 on Sat., Aug. 28. Offense The Aggies offense is pretty conventional. They often play with no less than three wide receivers on the field, while often getting into four receiver sets. Their recent loss to UTEP utilized a balanced run-to-pass ratio, running 34 run plays while also making 33 pass attempts. This is due to the versatility of their dual-threat quarterback — junior Jonah Johnson — who can be found throwing and running the ball in any situation. Head coach Brady Hoke says stopping the run game is the Aztec defence’s first priority. “Defensively, we’ve got to do a great job versus the run,” Hoke said. “Even though coach (Doug) Martin likes to throw it
Photo by Derrick Tuskan
SDSU players prepare for the season suring a scrimmage at SDSU.
around a little bit.” Passing game The offense of UNMS is led by Johnson, who completed just nine of his 24 pass attempts against UTEP, while giving up two interceptions and gaining just 82 yards through the air. Redshirt freshman quarterback Weston Eget also got playing time versus the Miners, completing one of his nine pass attempts for seven yards. The longest completion from the two quarterbacks was just 16 yards. Four Aggies received two passes against UTEP with none of them eclipsing more than 31 yards receiving. A controversial non-call in the start of the second quarter cost NMSU a passing touchdown, when junior wide receiver Dominic Gicinto snagged a 15-yard pass from Johnson in the back of the endzone getting his toe down inbounds. The ruling on the field was an incomplete pass and the officials didn’t see enough evidence to overrule the call on the field. The Aggies settled for a field goal three plays later. Run game: Five players had a rushing attempt last
week for the Aggies and combined for 101 yards on 34 attempts — three yards per carry. Redshirt freshman Juwaun Price and junior O’Maury Samuels led the charge with nine carries each for a combined 65 yards. Behind them was the quarterback Johnson, who ran the ball twelve times, gaining 31 yards — losing 15 yards on two sacks — while coughing up a fumble in the first quarter. Weston also ran the ball three times for 13 yards. The quarterbacks got many of their rush attempts off of read-option plays and scrambles out of the shotgun. Defense The New Mexico State defense runs a 4-4-3 defense and likes to send five defenders at the line of scrimmage. They were also seen running a Nickel defense against a four wide receiver set, as well as a 3-4-4 cover two with the corners in press coverage. NMSU gave up 452 total offensive yards — 249 passing yards and 203 rushing — and 30 points against UTEP. The Aggies weren’t able to get the Miner’s quarterback but did snatch two interceptions in the defeat.
Leading the Aggie defense on Saturday was junior linebacker Trevor Brohard who had 11 tackles with one tackle for loss. Behind him was freshman linebacker Joshua Ferguson who had eight tackles with two TFL’s. Sophomore linebacker Dalton Bowels — seven tackles versus UTEP — and junior defensive back D.J. McCullough each had one interception against the Miners. Overall NMSU is searching for their first fall victory since Nov. 23, 2019 — they won a game this past winter against Dixie State — and are searching for their first road victory since Sept. 22, 2018. The Aggies have combined to go 6-20 since their 2018 season, haven’t played a full season since 2019 and just got blown out at home in which their on field play showed a lack of discipline in fundamental football. On paper, this game should be an easy victory for the Aztecs, but amongst all of the negativity surrounding the Aggies, Hoke says there’s still plenty to game plan for against NMSU. “You look skillswise offensively at the wide receiver position...and their running backs are both very talented,” Hoke said. “(NMSU) never got in a rhythm offensively, either penalties or fumbling the ball. They never had a chance to get themselves going.” The Aztecs will also have to prepare for the Aggies physical offensive line, who only allowed three sacks against UTEP, and created lanes for runners on a regular basis. The threat of a strong o-line makes Johnson that much more lethal, giving the dual-threat quarterback time in the pocket to pass or scramble, as well as creating lanes for him on read-option plays. The game plan for the Aztecs heading into week one is a simple one, but Hoke says his biggest emphasis of play this week will be with special teams. “Special teams are going to be critical,” Hoke said. “I can’t tell you how many first games are lost because of poor special teams. So that has been a big emphasis for us.”
Column: Three changes football can make for 2021 By Andrew Finley ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
The unorthodox 2020 football season is now in the rearview mirror and many teams are excited for things to get back to normal. The San Diego State football program is no exception. After what many consider to be a disappointing 4-4 season, the Aztecs get a fresh start in 2021 with an 12-game schedule that includes two Pac-12 opponents and seven Mountain West Conference games. Although it’s best to leave the past in the past, the Aztecs would be remiss if they didn’t take anything away from what ultimately was an underwhelming 2020 season. With a full slate of games in 2021, here are some things the Scarlet and Black can look to fix from their 2020 season. Scoring in the second half The Aztecs were one of the worst teams in college football at scoring in the second half, averaging a measly 6.8 points per game in the second half in 2020 — good for 123rd in FBS. Two of the four games in which the Aztecs lost came after they had leads heading into the second
half. In their other two losses — against Pac-12 opponent Colorado and ranked BYU — the Scarlet and Black trailed by no more than four points heading into the second half. The Aztecs had opportunities to win in every loss in 2020, but the lack of second half scoring proved costly. The Aztecs averaged an abysmal 1.5 points per game in their final four games combined, failing to score second-half points in three of the four games to end their season. With the Scarlet and Black’s always intimidating and aggressive defense, if the offense were able to produce points in all four quarters in each football game, they could become one of the front-runners in the MWC 2021. Consistency at quarterback SDSU football has always been known for its explosive rushing attack with running backs like Donell Pumphery, Rashaad Penny and current powerhouse running backs like senior Greg Bell. In years past, the passing attack has taken a back-seat to the fierce rushing attack, but the Scarlet and Black’s pass offense could use a real revamp if the offense wants to stay competitive in the MWC. The Aztecs used three quarterbacks
in 2020, none of which were able to solidify themselves as the starter. The trio tallied six total touchdowns and threw five interceptions in eight games in 2020, with an average completion percentage of 56.65%. Four game starter Carson Baker transferred to Western Kentucky in May, leaving returning seniors Jordon Brookshire and Lucas Johnson, along with Mississippi State transfer Jalen Mayden, as the frontrunners for the starting role for all of 2021. Junior Baylor Horning, alongside promising freshmen Will Haskell and Marshall Eucker, are in the quarterback mix as well. Play up to competition SDSU ended up with a point differential of +55 points despite winning only half of their games. This was thanks to three blowout victories in the Aztecs first four games, outscoring UNLV, Utah State and Hawaii by a whopping 73 points combined — averaging a 24.3 point lead per game. The Scarlet and Black won every game against teams with a worse record and point differential than them by more than a touchdown. Teams that the Aztecs defeated combined for a record of
7-18 in 2020. The Aztecs made it clear they didn’t belong with the bottom-feeders of the MWC, but always failed to rise to the occasion against conference leaders, falling to San Jose State (7-1, 6-0 MWC) and Nevada (7-2, 6-2 MWC). The Scarlet and Black fell also to higher ranked nonconference opponents that would have given the Aztecs some clout in the NCAA rankings, falling to Pac-12 opponent Colorado, and the AP Poll number 11 ranked BYU at the end of the season. Teams that defeated the Aztecs in 2020 finished with a combined 28-6 record. The good news for SDSU football is that their losses to these tougher opponents weren’t blowouts — similar to what they’d dish up to lesser teams — but if the Aztecs want to be a top dog in the conference and in the country, they are going to have to win some big games along with the favorable ones. The Aztecs are scheduled to face the stiff competition of the MWC in reigning conference championships Boise State, remaches against SJSU and Nevada, and rival Fresno State. The Scarlet and Black also take on Pac-12 opponents Arizona and Utah.
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Mundo
Sept. 1 - 7, 2021 EDITOR: Noe Sandoval • mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com
Protesta en el centro de San Diego está en solidaridad con Afganistan
by Adam ESCRITOR
Correa
Esta historia fue traduzida por Noé Sandoval, el editor de Mundo Azteca
El sábado 28 de agosto se llevó a cabo un movimiento global en 41 ciudades y 17 países de todo el mundo. Una de esas ciudades fue San Diego. Unas 250 personas salieron a las calles coreando “Libera Afganistán” y “Salva Afganistán” para luchar por el apoyo de los numerosos ciudadanos afganos inocentes. El 15 de agosto, los talibanes se apoderaron de la capital de Afganistán, Kabul. El 26 de agosto, se produjo un atentado suicida en el aeropuerto de Kabul que mató a unos 170 ciudadanos afganos y 13 militares estadounidenses. Nueve infantes de marina y un marinero de los 13 militares estadounidenses eran de Camp Pendleton. Sana Hashemi, miembro del Equipo Organizador Global, dijo que estaba orgullosa de la cantidad de personas que asistieron a la protesta. “Teniendo en cuenta que este [anuncio sobre la protesta] se avisó con muy poca antelación, es increíble, somos parte de un equipo global y es posible que hoy haya salido uno de los grupos más
grandes”, dijo Hashemi. La manifestación comenzó en Waterfront Park en el centro de San Diego con personas dando discursos. Luego, vino una marcha por la ciudad. Todos los manifestantes fueron conducidos por guardias de seguridad y policías por las calles. Hombres, mujeres y niños cantaron continuamente durante la marcha, incluso cuando los organizadores guardaron silencio. Mursel Sabir, un estudiante graduado de estudios internacionales de la Universidad de California en San Diego, dijo que el propósito de la protesta era promover los derechos humanos. “Estamos aquí hoy para amplificar las voces de los ciudadanos afganos y para muchos que ven lo que está pasando”, dijo Sabir. “Esto es algo muy cercano a nosotros, nuestras familias, nuestros amigos y solo queremos promover los derechos humanos”. Mientras continuaba la marcha, los manifestantes se detuvieron frente al edificio del Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Los Estados Unidos., gritando “queremos refugiados”. “Queremos que el centro de refugiados acepte a todos esos inmigrantes que están en peligro en Afganistán”, dijo Mumtaz Momand, miembro del Equipo Organizador Global, mientras se paraba frente al
Foto por Catlan Nguyen
Muchos participantes marcharon las calles del centro de San Diego para mostrar su solidaridad con Afganistan.
edificio de Inmigración hablando con los manifestantes. La marcha se detuvo en Little Italy, donde había mucha gente en la banqueta o sentada en un restaurante. Grababan a los manifestantes que iban por las calles, cantaban con ellos o con ambos. “Exigimos la promesa de mantener y expandir el programa de transporte aéreo mientras haya personas que quieran irse”, dijo Hashemi. “Esto incluye la expansión al exterior de las puertas del aeropuerto
para garantizar que las personas tengan un pasaje seguro libre de persecución o amenazas”. La marcha se detuvo en todas las áreas importantes del centro de San Diego. Querían asegurarse de que la gente supiera por qué protestaban en las calles. La protesta estuvo llena de emoción, ya que algunos de los participantes habían perdido a sus seres queridos en Afganistán. VER EN
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La cultura peruana se extiende y es prevalecente por todos lados en nuestra comunidad de San Diego by Lucelis ESCRITORA
Martinez
La Universidad Estatal de San Diego (SDSU) tiene relaciones con el país de Perú, y con la cultura peruana. Derick Abrigu sirvió como vicepresidente de la Organización Estudiantil de Latino Americanos (LASSO) de SDSU (fundado en 1942). Además de servir como vicepresidente, Abrigu es un estudiante de posgrado de los estudios latinoamericanos y la administración pública. Abrigu es peruano y en un artículo publicado por el en Wordpress, él explica un poco sobre su país de origen. Perú se divide en tres secciones: la costa, sierra y selva, según Abrigu. “Las tres divisiones geográficas que, unidas, crean el espíritu perteneciente a Perú,” según Abrigu, “Creciendo con raíces peruanas fuertes, esta fue una frase que mis papas inculcaron en mí desde el principio.” La escena artística del país revela algunos de los rasgos culturales. Entre las realidades, está un entendimiento de que cada región peruana tiene su propio sabor. Gerardo Salazar Malbaza es un artista de artes plásticos en Perú y fue coordinador de un grupo de baile folclórico en la ciudad de Trujillo. Las experiencias de Salazar lo han llevado a entender que la escena artística de Perú es compleja, porque no solamente se define por las influencias españolas o nativas del país. Salazar explicó que hay un movimiento en Perú, enfocado en la reconexión al arte preHispánico.
por la arqueología y se han descubierto cosas fantásticas, por ejemplo el Señor de Sipàn.” Salazar enfatizó la manera en que las tradiciones se mezclan con lo contemporáneo. Los pueblos pequeños, por ejemplo, tienen una identidad heredada, que ahora se está diversificando y además los artistas son individualistas. “Ya no existe ni cultura indigena ni cultura hispana,” dijo Salazar, “Existe una cultura mestiza.” Aunque existe esta mezcla, las diferentes regiones de Perú todavía tienen símbolos tradicionales que han sobrevivido hasta el día de hoy. Salazar definió, por ejemplo, como el territorio de los Incas realmente se enfocó en Cuzco nadamas, y no constituye a la mayoría de Peru, como muchas personas asumen. VER EN
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Incluso en linea: Las entrevistas en áudio de esta historia.
Obra por Gerardo Salazar Malbasa
Esta obra por el peruano Gerardo Salazar Malbaza representa la comunidad peruana y su cultura.
“Cuando llegaron los españoles, enterraron la cultura que encontraron,” dijo Salazar, “Cuando encontraban un centro ceremonial de los Indígenas, hacían una iglesia católica encima.” Salazar dijo que cuando él era mucha-
cho, no le importaban las ruinas, que tanta fama le dan a Perú. “Las ruinas están muy cerca de nosotros y nadie les hacía caso,” comentó Salazar, “Pero, a partir de los años ochenta, ha comenzado un interés muy fuerte
Sept. 1 - 7, 2021 EDITOR: Noe Sandoval • mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com
Mundo
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Los feminicidios en Mexico continúan siendo un gran conflicto para el país by Lucelis ESCRITORA
Martinez
El número de feminicidios en México ha subido a un récord alto y los estudiantes de origen mexicana en la Universidad Estatal de San Diego (SDSU) tienen mucho que decir sobre el caso. Un feminicidio se distingue como el asesinato de una mujer solo porque es mujer. O sea que los crímenes hechos en contra de esa mujer, se dieron a cabo porque el hombre quien la asesinó la ve como alguien debajo de su poder. Moncerrat Velarde es una estudiante en SDSU estudiando negocios internacionales, especializándose en China. Velarde también tiene raíces mexicanas. “El problema parece ser que las mujeres están siendo matadas a un nivel alarmante porque son vistas como más débiles y no iguales,” comentó Velarde. “Se que muchas mujeres estan siendo matadas o puestas en esclavitud moderna. No solo eso pero es un problema gigante que México no ha podido parar,” dijo Velarde. Velarde comentó que esta realidad le afecta personalmente. “Yo creo que de alguna manera soy afectada porque cuando voy a México, tengo que tener más cuidado porque soy mujer. Tampoco puedo vagar sola porque algo malo me puede pasar,” explicó Velarde.
Hace 10 meses, el noticiero VICE News soltó un reportaje dirigido por Isobel Yeung, una reportera quien ha recibido dos Emmys y varios reconocimientos por sus historias. Al lado del reportaje posteado en Youtube, también soltaron un artículo. Mientras Yeung recolectaba información, ella descubrió que en junio del año pasado La Comisión Nacional Para Prevenir y Erradicar la Violencia Contra Las Mujeres (COVANIM) fue notificada sobre un recorte gobernamental de 37.5 millones afectando la violencia de genero en Jalisco, el Estado de Mexico, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Veracruz, Zacatecas Y Puebla, según el reportaje. Yeung intentó preguntarle a diferentes cabezas gubernamentales sobre el recorte, pero cuando no recibió respuestas, ella y su equipo atendieron una conferencia de prensa presidencial con Manuel Lopez Obrador. “La tasa de violencia doméstica ha subido desde la pandemia y un promedio de diez mujeres al día son asesinadas a través de México”, Yeung le dijo. “Menos del cinco por ciento de estos feminicidios llevan a una condena. Porque es que su gobierno le falla a las mujeres y permitiendo una impunidad total.” Al seguir el comentario de Yeung, Obrador negó las realidades presentadas. El insistió que México protege a las mujeres y que no existen crímenes en contra de la
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Gráfico por Sylvia Paredes
El feminicidio en Mexico ha sido un gran problema que muchos politcios no han podido encontrar una solución.
humanidad en México. También dijo que no había una disminución de presupuesto. Después de esta interacción con Yeung,las palabras de Obrador tomaron precedente en noticieros hasta que el Ministerio del Interior soltó una declaracion. La declaración explicó que el recorte no pasaría y que los servicios que ayudan a mujeres en situaciones de abuso doméstico tomaron prioridad. Fabiola Moreno es una estudiante en SDSU, quien también participa en posiciones de liderazgo. En este momento ella
es la vicepresidenta de relaciones externas en la Universidad. “Me considero una feminista.” dijo Moreno. “Viniendo de una familia de todas mujeres, las injusticias experiencias a las que las mujeres se enfrentan por su género son reales.”
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Los aztecas tienen su primera victoria en el primer partido de la temporada de futbol de otoño 202l
Foto por Derrick Tukan
Juan Daniel Avila y Marco Perez
by
ESCRITORES
El equipo de fútbol masculino de La Universidad Estatal de San Diego (1-0-0) obtuvo su primera victoria de la temporada en el partido del jueves 26 de agosto por la noche, derrotando a los Matadores de La Universidad Estatal de Northridge (0-1-0) en el Aztec Sports Deck. Los aztecas anotaron dos goles en los últimos ocho minutos del partido para darles una victoria por 2-0.
El equpo de futbol masculino de SDSU gana su primer partido contra llos matoadores de La Universidad Estatal de Northridge.
El delantero de primer año Alex Hjælmof convirtió un penal al minuto 82 y ayudó al gol del capitán del equipo, el mediocampista de segundo año Andre Ochoa, seis minutos después. El entrenador Ryan Hopkins dijo que estaba satisfecho con la forma en que jugó su equipo. “Realmente una buena victoria del equipo”, dijo Hopkins después del partido. “Hubo tramos en los que no estuvimos en
nuestro mejor momento y eso era de esperar en nuestro primer juego, pero encontramos la manera de ganar. Creo que será una marca registrada de este equipo. Nos apegamos a nuestros principios. Tuvimos una portería a cero, que es una gran parte de lo que hacemos”. El defensor junior Kyle Colonna jugó en el centro de la defensa azteca y ayudó a mantener a raya el ataque de CSUN para ganar una blanqueada.
“Es solo un guerrero”, dijo Hopkins sobre Colonna. “El tipo quiere defender, es un mamut en el aire. Su comunicación se está volviendo realmente buena y es muy fácil de entrenar. Es una gran influencia para los muchachos. Estamos muy emocionados con su progreso y muy emocionados por el resto del año “. Ninguno de los dos equipos tuvo oportunidades claras del gol en la primera mitad, combinándose solo para cinco tiros en total. Ambos equipos buscaban jugar balones directos por encima de los delanteros, pero ambas defensas estuvieron a la altura y mantuvieron el juego por delante. Los aztecas tuvieron la primera buena oportunidad de la segunda mitad en el minuto 57, cuando el mediocampista novato Donovan Roux recogió el balón en el mediocampo y corrió hacia la defensa de CSUN. Desde el lado izquierdo, cortó el balón con el pie derecho en la parte superior del área y disparó a portería. El portero junior de CSUN, David Preys, hizo una parada en salto para mantener a los Aztecas fuera de la red. SDSU tendría otra oportunidad de un gol en el minuto 76. Nishikawa se encontró en el espacio en el ataque por el lado izquierdo. Cortó al medio y disparó un tiro desde 25 yardas que parecía ir al ángulo derecho de la porteria, pero Preys hizo otra atajada sobre el aire para mantener a SDSU fuera del marcador. Los aztecas tuvieron su siguiente oportunidad al minuto 82 cuando un pase de Santos encontró la carrera de Hjælmof dentro del área. VER EN
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Arts
Sept. 1 - 7, 2021 EDITOR: Ryan Hardison • arts@thedailyaztec.com
Review: Lorde’s “Solar Power” is a comeback soaked in fun and the sun By Kennedy Humphrey CONTRIBUTOR
It has been a mystery among fans of Lorde when the New Zealand-born pop star would make her comeback. Recently, on Aug. 20, the artist released her third studio album “Solar Power,” marking her first release since her second album “Melodrama” in 2017. Lorde, who became an instant hit at just 16 years old after her song “Royals” blew up in 2013, is an artist who effortlessly encapsulates the dreary, rebellious and hopeful attitude that Generation Z and Millennials both share. After nearly four years since her last release, Lorde dropped the single “Solar Power” in June, which would become the album’s title track. The premiere of this single ran deep because instead of simply dropping the song, it appeared along with a music video. The video showcased vivid visuals of Lorde, who wore a bright yellow co-ord and danced across the beach. This was paired amazingly well with the guitar chords and her light raspy voice. Surprisingly, it was quite different from songs she had released in the past such as “Green Light,” a.k.a the anthem of 20-year-old angst and optimism. According to “Diary of a Song,” Lorde said the record was supposed to be indicative of her younger years. “I knew that I wanted to kind of incorporate the music of my youth, this kind of early 2000s,
sun soaked thing,” Lorde said. Some were extremely critical of the single, especially users on TikTok, with many comparing it to commercial jingles and George Michael’s “Freedom.” Aside from this, many fans were welcoming of the star’s new genre which was now a combination of light psychedelic indie and pop, and praised her for venturing outside of what she is known for. After the singer released more singles such as “Stoned at the Nail Salon” and “Mood Ring,” it became clear she was focusing on an entirely different style. This sound was incredibly distinct from the moody and dark satirical songs about cliques and growing up that she made before. The album is a mirror image of what it feels like to spend an entire day at the beach and long for it on the cold days that are the exact opposite. “Solar Power” was made to be a reflection of New Zealand summers which it succeeds in doing. However, the album loses its attempt at nostalgia and becomes a whirlwind of modern reflective melodies. In “Lorde Presents Solar Power, the Enhanced Album” on Spotify, she said that the album is supposed to “take you on the journey of all the incredible experiences I’ve had in nature in the last couple of years.” Upon first listen, it’s obvious the songs all go together and share the same theme, but they also come off a little flat. “Solar Power” is an album that can be described as one that listeners have to grow to love, if at all. After two or three listens, the structure becomes
Graphic by Shalika Oza
Lorde soaking in the sun and being a sustainable queen with her “Solar Power.”
less disoriented and comes together in a euphoric, easygoing experience. Despite the more satirical songs like “Mood Ring” and “Dominoes,” this album is not for those looking for deeper meaning and dissection. With its smooth melodies
and Lorde’s angelic harmonization, it easily makes for a soundtrack that can combat life’s more stressful matters. “Solar Power” is available to stream on all major music platforms. You can also buy the record in most major retail stores.
Review: “Free Guy” is an avid gamer’s dream quest By Niamh Moore CONTRIBUTOR
After a year-long delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “Free Guy’’ finally hit movie theaters on Aug. 13, 2021. The film grossed $179.2 million worldwide so far and currently holds an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Packed with humor, suspense and cliff-hangers, “Free Guy” is definitely worth a trip to the movie theater. This science fiction action comedy directed by Sean Levy stars Ryan Reynolds as the main character. Levy has also directed many movies and T.V. shows such as “Night at the Museum” and the “Stranger Things” Netflix series. Reynolds is known for relatable persona and comedic timing, which he brings directly to this movie. Not only does it pull themes from some of the most popular video games, “Free Guy” has also been compared to “The Truman Show,” “The Matrix” and “Groundhog Day.” Reynolds plays a man named Guy, who unbeknownst to him is living as a non-playable character (NPC) in an open world video game called “Free City.” Guy is quite literally an average guy. He wakes up every morning, says hello to his goldfish, picks out one of his numerous freshly ironed blue shirts and heads out the door to his bank telling job. The bank gets robbed daily and nobody ever questions it — they get down on the floor, give the robber their money and then repeat. All of the playable characters in the game wear sunglasses, giving them a first-person player point of view. This makes Guy extra superstitious - until one day he takes the robber’s sunglasses. The glasses allow him to see people’s user tags, walk through portals and
Courtesy of Ryan Reynolds
Screenshot from Ryan Reynolds’ instagram celebrating the early critical success for “Free Guy.”
complete tasks to secure a higher ranking. Over in the real world, “Free City’s” creators Millie (Jodie Comer) and Keys (Joe Keery), notice Guy and it blows their minds. He begins to get national attention, with news outlets and players wondering how a non-playable character (NPC) could possibly be taking part in the game. Many wonder if Guy is a possible hacker or someone who acquired a special “skin suit.” Millie and Keys soon come to
realize their programming is more powerful than they imagined and these non-playable characters have become forms of artificial intelligence. From a cheery, happy-go-lucky bank teller to one of the most famous players in the game, Guy changes “Free City” overnight. Millie and Keys decide that it is Guy’s fate to save “Free City” from complete deletion. This comes after their evil boss Antwon (Taika Waititi) pushes to delete the game to hide the fact he stole
the original coding from Millie and Keys. “Free City” is considered to be a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) much like “World of Warcraft” and “Runescape.” Within this setting, Levy does an excellent job of giving the characters in the game a very extensive range of personality. The film also highlights the modernday phenomenon of artificial intelligence and how computer-generated characters and machines may someday form a consciousness of their own. On top of all the action, some of the most famous modern-day video game streamers, such as Ninja and Pokimane are featured throughout the film. These cameos help add another element to the huge amount of press Guy begins to get out in the real world. One moment in particual that stood out was when Guy figured out that he was a video game character and not an actual living, breathing person. He was originally convinced he was human but Millie helped him realize the truth. This news comes as a huge to shock to him and this revelation drives the movie forward. Since its release, “Free Guy” has been nominated for the Variety Piazza Grande Awards and Prix de Public UBS award. Plus, the film has received numerous high ratings and great reviews from critics. Its action-packed scenes and excellent use of special effects make it phenomenal to watch on the big screen. If you’re looking for a movie worht going to theater for, look no further. This is a film that even non-video game fans can easily connect with and support. Ryan Reynolds gives a charming performance, Taika Waititi is hilarious and it’s an overall great film. A sequel has been confirmed by Disney, so Guy will have another adventure sometime soon. 10/10
Sept. 1 - 7, 2021 EDITOR: Ryan Hardison • arts@thedailyaztec.com
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Islands’ frontman Nick Thorburn is back on track with no ending in sight By Ryan Hardison ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
The last thing you would expect from an artist with such a versatile, everburning passion for music is for their flame to die out … temporarily, at least. As frontman for bands like The Unicorns, Human Highway, Reefer and most notably for Islands (as well as a solo venture as Nick Diamonds), Nick Thorburn’s musical prowess has had an almost unimaginable reach. Over the last two decades he’s put together a resume that could match up with any of the greats and his artistic passions have expanded far beyond traditional music releases. His ongoing story can’t be told without the numerous film and podcast scores he’s created, nor the short film he directed starring Michael Cera and Tim Heidecker. There’s also his amusing 2018 graphic novel “Penguins” which tells of the comically interesting lives of its namesake animal. Thorburn’s overwhelming amount of interests distinguish him as a one-of-a-kind artist. But after releasing two albums on the same day in 2016 and a few swift farewell shows, Islands was all but done. Thorburn’s output with the group had seemingly reached its limit. There were no more ideas and no other interests to feed off of. However, the pot wasn’t completely empty yet. Thorburn credits an inspirational session with a young musician as the boost necessary for Islands’ comeback. He said being around a hopeful artist with a mindset defined by joy and exuberance and rather than fear of success or monetary goals reminded him of his truly honest and sincere relationship with music. Putting things back into perspective meant returning to the studio to rekindle the fire, and that’s how “Islomania” was born. Released May 7, Islands’ eighth album “Islomania” is groovy, fun and tranquil but oftentimes much darker than what meets the ear. Partially inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the common themes of despondent relationships and echoing loneliness. Thorburn channels Daft Punk, disco and synth-pop to create one of the year’s most memorable projects. Better yet, Thorburn sounds rejuvenated, almost reborn in his musical ambitions. As Thorburn prepares for Islands’ “Islomania” tour to begin Sept. 7 at The Casbah in downtown San Diego, a lot has changed since the band’s last run of shows in 2016. San Diego itself doesn’t serve much locational significance for the show outside of being in close proximity to Thorburn’s home base of Los Angeles. But the city does signify not only the first Islands show in five years but a return to live, in-person performances for a number of musicians. This leaves only one question: how does he feel about all of it? Just to start off, obviously, the big question is after 5 years what is it that brought Islands back? You know it’s like that opening of the Sopranos “Just when I thought I was out … they pull me back in.” I was turning down these different hallways and different creative pursuits and music kept popping up again. I think they’re all sort of interrelated too. I think my drawing stuff and the other writing stuff I like to do, they all sort of feed into each other. In the five years off I was trying to explore those sides a little more earnestly and you know really wanted to put music to bed until I had something interesting or relevant to say or something that inspired me or motivated me. I think it just took five years and it just happened to be a sabbatical. I wasn’t sure, I just knew that I was outta gas, I didn’t have much left to say and
Photo by Jason Tippett
(L to R) Evan Gordon, Geordie Gordon, Nick Thorburn, Adam Halferty.
then it started to seep back into my life. Was it a feeling where you’re like “I’m fully back” or did you have to ease into it a little bit? I wasn’t sure what my next trick would be and I just didn’t have any song ideas. But when we came back, in the first couple of months I’d written 50 songs for what would become “Islomania” so I was hitting the ground running and it was pretty easy to slide back into it, it felt like riding a bike you know. It was not an uphill climb once the rush of creativity and inspiration came back and it was off to the races. A lot of musicians took the time especially when covid first hit last march to hone in on their craft and produce and create something new, did the pandemic have any impact at all on how you were creating your music or even the subject matter within your music? I was definitely still writing throughout the pandemic we had done the majority of the album except for one song “Set the Fairlight” that was written and recorded during that summer of 2020 and I kept writing, I’m writing always and seeing where songs sit for future projects or if they’re just sort of an exercise. I think obviously it affected me. It was a total perspective shift, I think everybody got the wind knocked out of them so it definitely seeps into it. You can interpret “Set The Fairlight” as a reaction to the isolation that I was going through and everyone was going through. It’s in there and it’s in the future songs too, some more explicitly, it’s impossible not to have some reaction to that I suppose. As groovy and fun as the whole album sounds production-wise, some of the lyrics are much more melancholy. I was thinking of “Closed Captioning” and how it sort of feels like a relationship that’s not functioning correctly you know someone is on a different page than another person so for that song did that (pandemic) mindset seep in? That one was made before the pandemic but that is something that I always like to do as a writer is to sort of contrast these two emotions, having the music feel really bouncy and fun and then having the lyrics be in sharp contrast really bleak and hopeless sounding and if anything it’s just kind of a funny gag to lure you in with the music and then when you listen to the music you’re like oh this is actually quite dark I think that’s a trick I like to play. You have a very welcoming sound and so it sounds fun, but once people hear the lyrics they’re like “this is
much different than I anticipated.” I’m trying to express something as darkly as I can but dressing it up like a trojan horse so it gets in the door. You’ve been involved in so many projects over the years, you directed a short film, you scored “Ingrid Goes West” and “Serial,” you created a graphic novel,
how have these experiences helped you become a more well-rounded artist? I think they all feed into each other, they’re all the same conduit, they all serve the same purpose I think and so they play into each other which is good I guess. I feel lucky that I’m able to pivot when I feel burnt out in one area and I can just rotate and try to express myself another way and when I circle back they all bleed into each other. I’m still making stuff, I can’t look back at it too much because I’m still alive. Maybe when I’m dead the book will be closed and it’ll all make some kinda sense but I’m still going at this point so I don’t really know. I mean “Serial” is one of the most known podcasts ever so that’s a cool thing to have on your resume, you know? I got a free ride and a fast car you know, that was gonna be a hit whether I was on it or not. I think the song might’ve helped move it along but that was already going in that direction so I just caught a ride and I’m thankful for that. Does it feel surreal at all, the idea of performing in front of a crowd again after the turmoil of the past year and a half, combined with not making music with Islands for five years? Taking five years from Islands and coming back to it in itself is already wild. Coming back to it, but coupled with the real trauma of the past year and a half it’s gonna be strange, hopefully, it’ll be beautiful. SEE ONLINE
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Sept. 1 - 7, 2021 Editor: Ryan Hardison • arts@thedailyaztec.com
“The Chair” is a satirical view of academia with ample room to grow By Emily Forschen SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Amanda Peet almost winced at the idea of timing the topics of her show. “I really just so badly wanted to make a romantic comedy, a workplace, office romantic comedy,” she said. “I didn’t set out to make something for ‘these times.’” The unintended consequences of creating her ideal workplace romantic comedy ended up being a poignant, subtle discussion of power dynamics in academia– one that sent Sandra Oh to the trending topic bar on Twitter upon its release. “The Chair,” Netflix’s new half-hour comedy, stars Sandra Oh as Ji-Yoon Kim, the newly minted chair of a failing English department facing dizzying personal and professional pressures. Jay Duplass stars as Bill Dobson, an experienced professor but new empty-nester and widower, who makes a controversial move in one of his classes. The situation only gets more complicated, leaving Ji-Yoon to navigate student protests, her role as a new leader and the budding relationship between herself and Bill. It’s not a perfect show, but it’s an overachiever. Categorizing “The Chair” as a workplace romantic comedy feels like trying to box it up into what it’s not. It has all of the ingredients– a masterclass in comedic acting (particularly from Holland Taylor), a delicate and effortless chemistry between Duplass and Oh and a realistic workplace. What it ends up creating stretches beyond genre conventions too much for it to hold onto the labels. The show is produced by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss in their first major project since “Game of Thrones”– and in a lot of ways, there is a distinct cross section between the tones of both shows. Both are coated in muted colors, feel hyperrealistic while otherworldly and are most likely to please fans who are willing to lean into their dark academia side. In many ways, it’s an excellent satire of the America’s higher education system; if only it would lean in more. It examines how power affects the relationships between family, lovers, coworkers and friends by putting it in a familiar setting: college. “It explores how behind the times higher education can be. But, it wants to be, and can be, at the forefront of thought,” Oh said about the show. “It could be a place where movements begin or young people
Courtesy of Eliza Morse/Netflix © 2021
(L to R) Ron Crawford as Professor Mchale, Richard R. Applegate as Professor Jim, Ken Bolden as Professor Plum, Randy Kovitz as Professor Brown, Mark Philip Stevenson as Professor Pollack, Donald H. Wadsworth as Professor Drake, Bob Balaban as Rentz, Sandra Oh as Ji-Yoon, Holland Taylor as Joan, and, Nana Mensah as Yaz in episode 106 of “The Chair.”
are really starting to explore concepts or opinions for the first time. It should be on the forefront.” More than anything, “The Chair “is reminiscent of HBO’s “Succession,” a story of a wealthy and powerful family’s struggle with naming a successor to their father’s media empire. Both are stories of deeply flawed people throwing power around like hot potatoes, and both shows struggled with finding their footing in the first season. The Roy family of “Succession” was, from the jump, deemed an irredeemable group of narcissists, which serves its satire. The English department of “The Chair” sits uncomfortably in their morally gray nature, which will work towards its respective satire if the show’s confidence increases. “The Chair” is definitely worth the
watch, even though it’s a short one (the first season is only six half-hour episodes). Oh and Duplass are marvels as Ji-Yoon and Bill, and it would be shocking if the show wasn’t shortlisted for any number of Emmys in the next year. The way that power is examined from the lens of age, race, sex and social institutions is rarely
done with such grace. It’s up to the viewer to decide if Peet created the most heavy-handed office rom-com ever written or a lighthearted real-world “Game of Thrones,” but maybe it’s all about perspective and maybe that’s the message she wanted to get across the entire time.
Courtesy of Eliza Morse/The Netflix © 2021
(L to R) Everly Carganilla as Juju, Jay Duplass as Bill, and, Sandra Oh as Ji-Yoon in episode 102 of “The Chair.”
Courtesy of Eliza Morse/Netflix © 2021
((L to R) Sandra Oh as Ji-Yoon and Jay Duplass as Bill in episode 106 of “The Chair.”