Issue 6, Volume 91 by The Cougar

SAFETY

Students raise concerns over scooter riders, cyclists

CELENE BOURESLAN STAFF WRITER

@CELENE_BOURESLAN

Students have expressed concerns about pedestrian safety on campus, saying scooter and bike riders are often inconsiderate of their surroundings.

“I’m most concerned about speeding,” said mathematics junior Bibi Adegbola. “Sometimes people who are cycling or on scooters speed through and don’t yield to pedestrians.”

UH launched a campaign during National

CAMPUS

SJP

hunger

ANJALI MARTINEZ

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

strikers

pressures

identity.

Oct. 15, Students for Justice in Palestine launched a hunger strike. The strike, involving eight members and still ongoing, was accompanied by a protest on Oct. 22 and a sit-in on Oct. 29. The actions call on UH administrators to divest from companies that the group says are funding the genocide in Palestine.

The Oct. 22 protest began in front of the Student Center South. Demonstrators gathered with speeches and flags, outlining the significance of the hunger strike and their demands.

“It’s been 7 days since some of our students have eaten. We demand that the university divest the 13 million dollars that it has invested in arms manufacturers and other companies that are complicit with genocide in Palestine. We’ve had all different kinds of forms of protest, and we’re at a point where we feel that this is a level of protest that is possible, and is required,” noted a student and one of the SJP leaders, Subhash. His last name is withheld to protect his

Pedestrian Safety Month to encourage safer riding practices.

Parking and Transportation Services shared infographics on its social media accounts and placed double-sided posters around campus featuring illustrations of a “Cellphone Zombie” and a “Zoom Goblin,” along with the slogans “Don’t be a scooter goblin” and “Don’t be a cellphone zombie.”

The posters remind cyclists, scooter riders and pedestrians to stay aware of their surroundings.

“It’s important for students to see these posters. It sends us a message to stay safe,” Adegbola said.

The University has policies such as 09.04.02 that include policies cyclists and scooter riders must follow, including riding at safe speeds and yielding to pedestrians.

However, some feel UH’s campaign isn’t enough to address irresponsible scooter and bike riders.

“In my old school, they gave us helmets and had bike shops, but UH doesn’t even inform cyclists how to navigate campus,” said inte-

grated studies junior Michael Onilogbo.

Students have turned to platforms like Reddit to suggest solutions, including issuing tickets to scooter and bike riders who speed.

“If scooter riders were fined for excessive speeding, they’d be more considerate,” Onilogbo said.

Students also say establishing bike lanes on campus would create a safer environment.

“There should be more bike lanes on campus, especially in busy areas,” said psychology sophomore Emeria Burns. “How does UH expect people on scooters, bikes, and on foot to share the same pathways 24/7?”

UH says it’s always open to student feedback.

“Our overarching goal is to foster responsible behavior among pedestrians, scooter riders, cyclists and drivers while reminding our community that campus safety is a shared responsibility,” said Senior Associate Vice Chancellor & Senior Associate Vice President Administration Emily Messa. news@thedailycougar.com

University divest from arms manufacturers

Mina, another student who joined the hunger strikers on Oct. 22 and whose last name is withheld to protect her identity, explained why she took part.

“I am a person, and just like me, there are so many people who are suffering in Palestine. My hunger is nothing compared to their suffering, and I want UH to comply with all of our demands,” Mina said.

During the protest, SJP members encouraged attendees to sign a petition outlining their demands and calling on UH to divest.

“I hope we got more signatures on our petition, and I hope we got the attention of a good amount of students today and they’re aware of UH being complicit in the genocide,” Mina said.

Other local community members attended the protest, including Trey, a member of the grassroots group Palestine Solidarity. His last name is withheld to protect his identity.

“It is important for us, even outside of the University, to recognize how important the fight is on campus. The university plays a large role in perpetuating the genocide, even if some of us aren’t students, and just community members, it is important to show support for the students who are fighting for divestment,” Trey said.

The Oct. 29 sit-in, inside SCS, was centered around a different angle: student outreach and connection.

Members of the organization gathered on the steps of the student center with keffiyehs, teach-ins and small groups huddled in conversation.

“Our goal is to touch base with the UH student body, faculty and so on. We are

14 days into the hunger strike. We realize that the university administration and the local news media don’t do a good job at raising awareness about actions like these, so we decided to meet students where they frequent the most by creating a little spectacle to pay attention to the UH Sumud hunger strikers,” said student Hamsa Malik, a hunger striker and member of SJP.

As the hunger strikers and members of SJP continue to navigate their efforts and raise awareness, Malik draws attention to the importance of the student body and how they can influence their initiatives.

“We recognize that the average student at UH needs to know what we’re doing and try to have a conversation with us, and understand why we’re doing this. If we’re able to meet the masses where they are, we are sure to succeed,” Malik said.

The University’s response cites that SJP’s demands are a violation of the law, and it would not compromise its broader responsibilities.

“The University has been in contact with SJP Houston to express our concern for the health and safety of these students, and we have encouraged them to seek medical attention and use available campus health resources. We respect our students’ First Amendment right to protest peacefully,” said a University of Houston spokesperson.

“We have communicated to SJP that their demands are a violation of law and not under consideration. The University will not engage in actions that violate the law or compromise its broader responsibilities. UH remains committed to supporting the well-being of all members of our campus community.”

The Cougar has chosen not to release identifying information on sources due to safety concerns and a student media alert from the Student Press Law Center.

news@thedailycougar.com

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

Students for Justice in Palestine hold a protest outside of Student Center South, Wednesday, Oct.22, Houston, TX. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

Domestic Violence Awareness Month highlight support

KAREN WEI

STAFF WRITER

@KAREN_FEIWEI

Domestic Violence Awareness Month, recognized each October, underscores the importance of speaking up for those experiencing abuse and connecting them to support.

“When we notice someone visibly upset, do we check on them? When we hear a concerning incident in progress, do we call someone for help?” said Assistant Vice President for Equal Opportunity Services Rebecca Lake. “Every member of our community plays a role in maintaining a culture of care, respect and accountability. Any person and even the simplest conversation can make a lasting impact.”

Understanding abuse

Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Dating violence is closely related and can occur even when individuals have not lived in the same household.

Both are recognized as forms of family violence under Texas law and may constitute criminal offenses.

Domestic violence is not always physical.

HOUSING

Physical assault, such as hitting, choking and shoving, may occur, but abuse can also include interfering with emergency calls, stalking and sexual abuse.

“We really need to be on the lookout for whether you are okay with this behavior,” said Counseling and Psychological Services Assistant Director for Outreach Marti Trummer-Cabrera. “Let’s check. Does that fit with your values? How would your best friend react if you were to tell them? Is there a reason you’re not telling other people what’s going on?”

Impact on students

Domestic and dating violence can affect academic performance, mental health and a student’s sense of safety, Lake said.

“Domestic and dating violence can have profound and far-reaching impacts for students,” Lake said. “Academically, abuse can disrupt focus, attendance and performance, especially when students are managing trauma or unsafe home conditions during an academic term. Emotional abuse damages self-esteem, leading to feelings of shame, self-blame and isolation.”

In 2024, UH recorded 32 incidents related to dating violence, 14 incidents of domestic violence and 38 reports of stalking on campus

or at residential facilities.

Seeking help

“If someone is experiencing or witnessing domestic or dating violence, the most important step is to reach out for help,” Lake said. “No one has to face abuse alone.”

Students can contact the UH Police Department at 713-743-3333 and access confidential support through CAPS and EOS. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 800799-7233, by texting “START” to 88788 or via online chat.

“Many people assume that leaving an abusive situation is simple, but the truth is that it often involves significant emotional, financial, and safety challenges,” Lake said. “Even if a person plans carefully and makes a safe exit, survivors may spend years fielding off unwanted contacts, shielding their data online and looking over their shoulders.”

Community role

College campuses can offer key resources and social support, particularly during a stage in life when students are developing independence and identity.

“There is such an opportunity with students this developmental age because all of a sudden you have this level of independence,” Trummer-Cabrera said. “Reflect on, ‘Do I want to do things this way? Can I do something different?”

Domestic violence often thrives in silence and isolation, not only within the relationship, but also socially, Lake said. She called stigma “the tool of an abuser.”

“Common false narratives may include that the survivor deserves the behavior, the survivor caused the abusive behavior or the survivor could have supported the abuser better in the situation,” Lake said. “Social stigma that judges a survivor for not leaving a relationship fast enough only reinforces these narratives. Abuse is never acceptable, never a survivor’s fault and no one deserves abusive treatment.”

news@thedailycougar.com

CRIME TDECU robbery update: FBI, UHPD now investigating together

GAURAANGI GUPTA MANAGING EDITOR

@GAURAANGIGUPTA

On Oct. 28, there was an armed robbery at the Texas Dupont Employees Credit Union in the Student Center South.

According to an email sent on Oct. 31 from the Vice Chancellor and Vice President of Division of Student Affairs Paul Kittle, UHPD is now working closely with the FBI to locate and apprehend the suspect.

“The UHPD is leading the investigation on behalf of UH,” Kittle said.

The suspect was described as a Black male with a black handgun. He was wearing a black Astros baseball hat, a black longsleeve hoodie, black pants and white shoes. He was last seen traveling to MLK Southbound from Calhoun Road in a Silver SUV.

While no injuries were reported, students felt unsettled and unsafe on campus. However, the University assures that safety measures are being taken proactively.

“Please know that the University of Houston remains steadfast in our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment,” Kittle said. “While that investigation is ongoing, we want to assure you that our safety network remains active 24/7, with more than 235 dedicated police and security personnel, continuous patrols and over 3,300 security cameras monitoring the campus in real time.”

This is a developing story, and The Cougar will continue to report on it.

news@thedailycougar.com

A look into maintenance issues at UH residential halls

SYDNEY JACKSON SENIOR STAFF WRITER

@JSYDNEY_EY

Humid rooms, cold showers and frequently out-of-service elevators are among the issues students living in UH residential halls face.

Students who live on-campus apartments have expressed concerns with recurring maintenance problems and inconsistent building functionality.

One of the prominent complaints stems from elevator breakdowns. “Out of order” signs are often plastered on elevator doors, forcing students to take the stairs or risk elevators stalling between floors.

Air conditioning has also been an ongoing issue, with students in multiple halls saying temperature controls barely adjust.

Low water pressure and a lack of hot water have added to frustrations, leaving residents unable to shower or use sinks and toilets.

“Sometimes there’s no hot water and I prefer to shower with hot water, I don’t like cold water,” said electrical engineering sophomore Eghe Omorogbe, who lives in The

Quad.

Some students expressed both compassion and frustration toward the University’s response timeline and efforts to fix the issues.

“Honestly, it’s been a bit scary because every time you go down to the first floor, the elevator will get stuck and not open,” said business junior Lydia Wells, who also lives in The Quad. “I have seen workers come to work on it, though. But I feel like every time I come back into our dorm room, it’s warm and I just came outside from the heat.”

UH attributed the issues to increased usage across residential facilities, saying high demand can strain building systems. The University said its facilities team is closely monitoring conditions and responding to service requests to keep systems operational and safe.

“We understand how frustrating any disruption can be and appreciate our residents’ patience as we continue to make necessary repairs and upgrades to support a reliable and comfortable residential living experience,” a UH spokesperson said.

Student Housing & Residential Life is reviewing maintenance data to identify recurring issues and prioritize preventive work, according to UH.

“Our shared goal is to reduce downtime, address problems before they disrupt residents and ensure a consistently reliable

and comfortable residential experience for all students,” the spokesperson said.

UH encourages students to submit maintenance requests through the UH FixIt service on AccessUH or by email and phone. news@thedailycougar.com

Nina To/The Cougar

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

sports Unbreakable: The legacy of Kurt Hester lives on

ASHTON GRISSOM

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

@ASHTONAGRISSOM8

Houston football took the field wearing black in Saturday’s game against West Virginia, not just for their annual blackout game, but to honor the man who embodied the word written on the front of their T-shirts: Unbreakable.

That very word, #Unbreakable, was the motto of Houston’s beloved strength coach, Kurt Hester, who passed away on the morning of Oct. 25, just hours before the Cougars’ 24-16 upset victory over Arizona State.

“Death is undefeated, but I’ll take it to three overtimes,” Hester said. “That’s strength. There is nothing that you can throw at me that is going to stop me. I’m unbreakable.”

A blackout game to remember

A 45-35 loss to West Virginia, the lastplace team in the Big 12 Conference, would typically make the game a complete failure, but this matchup was defined by much more than just the results on the field.

Black was Hester’s favorite color, and on Saturday, it blanketed TDECU Stadium.

Fans filled the stadium wearing black shirts with #Unbreakable printed across the front, while every player’s helmet carried the same word in Hester’s own handwriting.

In the middle of the field, a black cancer

ribbon was displayed with his initials on each side, painted boldly for the entire nation to see.

At halftime, the Spirit of Houston marching band spelled “UNBREAKABLE” across the field, symbolizing Hester’s strength and impact on the University.

The Cougars also released a tribute video on the big screen celebrating the legacy Hester left behind, not just on the program, but across the entire city of Houston.

“Kurt showed his unbreakable spirit every day,” coach Willie Fritz said. “He had a tremendously positive influence on every single person in our program and on this program as a whole. Kurt was fortunate enough to love what he did for a living and had an incredibly positive impact on many people across various programs. Kurt had his family, faith and football, and that’s what he cared about.”

The man behind the muscle

Coach Hester was born and raised in Louisiana, and he was always proud to represent his home state.

He grew up in the swamp and was raised outside, working with his family on the boats, attending church and speaking Cajun French.

“You were not a man if you didn’t work on a shrimp boat or in the oil field,” Hester told the Sam Acho podcast.

Although Hester loved his upbringing, he found his fulfillment in life in an

unexpected place.

Hester graduated from Tulane University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology.

He quickly discovered his love for coaching during his nine seasons at Louisiana Tech University.

Hester also assisted in numerous local events, including the Manning Passing Academy, which took place annually.

“Kurt was a valuable member of our Manning Passing Academy staff,” former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning said. “The energy and enthusiasm he possesses for teaching were always a welcome addition. His reputation working with elite athletes at the high school, collegiate and professional levels speaks for itself, and I know he will be a perfect fit for coach Fritz’s football program at Tulane University.”

Hester was a perfect fit, and he was a big reason for the program’s best finish in 2023, where the Green Wave won its first-ever AAC Championship and the team finished with 12 wins, including a 46-45 win against USC in the Cotton Bowl.

Due to his exceptional personality and dedication to his players, Fritz recruited Hester to serve as the Director of Strength and Performance at the University of Houston.

A legacy etched in strength

Just weeks before Houston football

started spring practice, Hester was working out and felt a sharp pain in his chest.

He then went to the hospital and had X-rays, which revealed a broken rib and something else far more concerning.

Hester had masses on his lungs and liver and was later diagnosed in February with Stage IV melanoma, skin cancer that had spread throughout his body.

But Hester didn’t let the diagnosis define him. He fought with the same grit he demanded from his players.

“I love football and I love training,” Hester said. “And I love showing them, look, you are going to have problems, you are going to face adversity, but you are going to have to suck it up. No matter how bad you think things are, you are going to have to break through it.”

In his final visit to the Houston football facility, Hester gathered with the team one last time. Knowing it would likely be his final message, he delivered a powerful message to encourage his team one final time.

Senior tight end Tanner Koziol joined the Cougars this season, and in such a short amount of time, he got to know coach Hester and developed an unbreakable bond with the veteran strength coach.

“He stared death in the face and didn’t blink,” Koziol said. “He was truly unbreakable. He defined that word by living it. He’s such a man of faith.”

Fritz further echoed that same sentiment after the Cougars’ emotional win over Arizona State.

“Kurt Hester was an unbelievably important person in our football program, and I’ve been with him for a while,” Houston head coach Willie Fritz said. “He’s the best strength and conditioning coach I’ve ever been around, but more importantly, just a really, really fantastic role model for our student-athletes.”

For Hester, it was never about lifting weights; it was about lifting his people to a better place and encouraging them to be the best version of themselves.

“I’ve never been scared to fight for anything in my life, so that kind of helped me out in the long run.”

Hester always fought for his family, his team, his friends and himself.

Sometimes you can’t measure a person’s strength by just the weight of the bar. His strength was measured in how he handled himself, no matter what hardships came his way, and fought for others until he couldn’t. That’s true strength.

“Unbreakable.” His motto will forever be a part of the University of Houston, and his impact is far greater than words could say.

Kurt Hester wasn’t only trying to raise the bar every day to get the most out of everyone he knew. He was the bar, and forever will be.

Hester is a hero at the University of Houston and will forever be known as “Unbreakable.”

sports@thedailycougar.com

Coach Kurt Hester observes spring practice, Saturday, Mar. 22, 2025, in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

New faces, same standard: Houston reloads under Kelvin Sampson

ALEJANDRO COMPEAN

SPORTS ASSISTANT

@ALECOMPEANNN

Houston men’s basketball’s once firm lead in the 2025 national championship game against Florida slipping away was difficult for it to digest on all fronts.

A 42-30 lead with less than 20 minutes remaining wasn’t enough to prevent a second-half surge from the Gators, and from witnessing orange and blue confetti rain down inside the Alamodome.

Florida stormed the floor in jubilation, the same one Houston still stood on, grappling with history slipping away from its clutches.

The pill was even more challenging to swallow for those who knew there was no running it back, that it was their final time donning a Cougars jersey.

Four veterans in forwards J’Wan Roberts, Ja’Vier Francis and guards L.J. Cryer and Mylik Wilson played their final collegiate games, signaling the end of an era for a group with 454 combined games at Houston.

For coach Kelvin Sampson, who boasts 40+ years of coaching experience and enters his 12th season in Houston, facing the team changing year-to-year is nothing new.

But it’s been a while since the faces who were brought in were this young.

Aside from graduate forward Kalifa Sakho, who transferred from Sam Houston State University, the four other newcomers happen to make up Houston’s highestranked freshman class in program history, and No. 2 nationally.

The class is highlighted by forward Chris Cenac Jr., the No. 6 player nationally in 2025 and one who provides a unique skillset that hasn’t been exhibited in any big man of the Sampson era in Houston.

In the backcourt, San Antonio native

guard Kingston Flemings joins the program alongside guards Isiah Harwell, ranked No. 13 nationally, and Bryce Jackson, a standout from Houston’s Shadow Creek High School.

It will be the youngest Houston team Sampson has coached since joining the program, but one that still has leaders throughout–some who were already there and others stepping into those shoes for the first time.

Three of them started in Houston’s national title defeat to Florida, with each one earning 2025-26 Big 12 preseason honors, among other nominations.

Redshirt senior guard Emanuel Sharp is the longest-tenured of the three, entering his fifth season with the program, having witnessed plenty of teammates come and go, yet remaining a pillar of the Cougar culture.

Last year, he averaged 12.6 points per game and led the team with 50 steals, showing aggression on both ends of the floor.

He set a career mark with his 40.7% 3-point percentage and was one of the top marksmen in the Big 12 Conference. His 87 3-pointers were second on the team, only exceeded by senior guard L.J. Cryer’s 123.

Senior point guard Milos Uzan opted out of the NBA Draft to return for his fourth and final season. In his first year at Houston, Uzan ranked 11th nationally with a 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio.

He spent his first offseason and first half of the campaign gradually learning what it took to excel under Sampson’s hard-nosed program, becoming a more confident player as the season went on.

His confidence will now be looked up to, with a new point guard to take under his wing in Flemings.

Junior forward Joseph Tugler, the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year

and the Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year, finished 11th nationally with 77 blocks and returns for his third season.

Tugler had been held out of practices throughout the summer as he recovered from a foot injury, but was recently cleared ahead of Houston’s exhibition game against Mississippi State.

One of the bigs sharing the position group with Tugler, Cenac and Sakho is redshirt junior Cedric Lath, who is the third-longest tenured Cougar and enters his fourth season. Lath logged 20 appearances last season and averaged a career-best 1.3 rebounds per game.

Sophomore guard Mercy Miller and redshirt sophomore Kordel Jefferson broke into the backcourt rotation, appearing in 22 and 14 games, respectively. Both scored in Houston’s first-round matchup of the NCAA tournament against SIU Edwardsville.

Graduate guard Ramon Walker Jr. is set to return after undergoing right-hand surgery last December after falling during pregame warmups, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

Redshirt freshman forward Chase McCarty is poised to make his Cougar debut this season after learning on the sidelines for a year. At the same time, redshirt sophomore Jacob McFarland seeks to return from a leg injury that kept him out all last season, and a second surgery that he had late in this offseason.

A season that ended one half short of a national title now gives way to one built on redemption.

While some of the names have changed, the expectations are still the same, as Houston enters the season still carrying the standard that has come to define the program.

sports@thedailycougar.com

Houston basketball team receiving directions during a time out, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, October 26, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar

Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) plays at The Preview. | Emma Christensen/The Cougar

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

You’re being watched: How AI learns who you are, uses it against you

FATIMA TRAORE STAFF WRITER

@ THE_FATIMA_TRAORE

Thursday, Oct. 16, Dr. Safiya U. Noble delivered a presentation titled “AI and Our Future: How AI and Search Engine Algorithms Reinforce Oppression.”

After leaving, it became clear that artificial intelligence carries a critical undertone that shapes every institution in the country, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue

Surveillance capital

Artificial intelligence operates as a system of surveillance. It gathers personal information, behaviors and identities as data points that fuel larger structures of control. Companies such as Waymo, Friend and Palantir Technologies are marketed as meaningful contributions to society when they are indubitably not.

Take Waymo, for instance. It offers a driverless robotaxi with the brand slogan “The World’s Most Trusted Driver.” The irony in this phrase is that Waymo is an algorithm, and the paradox behind the word ‘trust’ is that it is a human emotion; therefore, it shouldn’t be extended to an algorithm.

What is most cynical about this play on words is that Waymo is a surveillance algorithm. The danger of companies like Waymo is that their surveillance often goes unheard of because it is sold amongst corporations. Noble makes a point of how surveillance companies set up in urban areas; Black communities are often invisibly

surveilled.

This monitoring is highly consequential; It facilitates the gentrification of urban spaces. Gentrification is the leading factor in the loss of neighborhood identity and heritage, as local history is overwritten or commodified vastly in Black and minority communities.

When a society is reduced to data points, human lives become just numbers on a ledger, easily counted and easily discarded. This reinforces inequities embedded within both data analytical and societal institutions.

Weapons of recognition

Weapon recognition tools are deployed in schools, supermarkets, airports and to racially profile communities. Notice anything off about that? Facial recognition algorithms are used inhumanely, helping propel racism through their outputs.

Systematic injustice is fueled by systems that reinforce a stereotypical racism that most institutions are founded on. Through facial recognition mishaps, those who are already systematically oppressed are welcomed with another layer to their oppression by being sold digitally and marketed globally.

“Search engines are not neutral because nothing is neutral. Algorithms are also political,” said Noble.

Algorithms trained primarily on lighter-skinned faces or male-centric datasets systematically exclude large population segments. This renders the

excluded population virtually invisible and unaccounted for.

If these algorithms are intentionally not trained to identify women and people of color, then the racism and sexism that govern their data analytics are actualizing harmful outcomes. Bias is built into their design, and the companies that create and deploy them complicate the outcomes.

Final remarks

Unsurprisingly, AI companies have found ways to embed systemic oppression into their algorithms. The weaponization of facial recognition and the constant surveillance of urban communities for capitalistic gain raise urgent questions

about how society values human life and the ethical implications of reducing people to data points.

Such practices deepen the layers of oppression that have long shaped social and economic hierarchies in the U.S. Despite the severity of this issue, the methods to combat this type of power are overwhelmingly unresolved.

Nonetheless, I left Noble’s presentation with a grounded perception of AI and one additional claim: algorithms and their data projects demand immediate accountability as they wreak irreversible damage and deepen systemic injustice.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Paving over pride won’t silence Houston’s LGBTQ+ community

This past July, a new national initiative went into effect to remove political messaging and artwork from roadways. This erasure has spread to Texas and started going after rainbow-painted crosswalks across the nation. Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement on Oct. 8 calling for the removal of all road murals in Texas. He said this keeps the state moving safely and free from distraction. If cities refuse to comply with this order, he will deny or remove their transportation funding.

This initiative silences voices in the LGBTQ+ community and is a troubling repetition of history. Art and political messages celebrate equality, acceptance and social justice. It memorializes how far we have come to promote equal rights for all.

Recently, Houston complied with Abbott’s directive, home to the rainbow-painted pride crosswalk in Texas, located at the intersection of Westheimer and Taft in the Montrose area.

The mural was installed in 2017 by the Montrose Center and Pride Houston 365 to commemorate the life of Alex Hill, a

community member who was killed in a hitand-run nearby.

The vibrancy and boldness of the crosswalk evoked a prideful spirit. Alex’s life should never have been taken from him, and the memorial honored his bravery and his love. It became a symbol of safety and remembrance.

Regardless, like a robber stealing the city’s jewels, construction was done overnight to cover up the colorful crosswalk. When people woke on the morning of Oct. 20, the rainbow street was gone.

Despite this directive, the crosswalk did not go without a fight. As they prepared to pave it over, many protested for it to stay. They demonstrated how their voices wouldn’t be silenced and their pride wouldn’t be erased.

People quickly started to push back even more. Within a day of the crosswalks’ removal, the sidewalks surrounding the intersection were filled with rainbows and other art celebrating pride. On the Montrose Bridge, people hung up pride flags and banners saying, “Queer to Stay.”

This was not only protesting the government’s orders but also reminding them that, despite all their attempts to erase LGBTQ+ visibility, they will never go away or be cut off.

Montrose celebrates Houston’s diversity.

The neighborhood has always shone a light on different cultures and has been accepting of all backgrounds. The crosswalks were loved by many, and the community showed how strong that appreciation was through its actions following their removal.

This part of town has always been a hub for the LGBTQ+ community. The Montrose Center has been there since 1978, serving as a place to empower and uplift people. It will continue to stand firm and celebrate its mission.

While they dimmed his memorial and the heart of Montrose, this intersection will always be a place of unity.

Government action and policy do not bring down the community. In fact, they make it even stronger. Uplifting and supporting each other shows how resilient communities are despite the attempts to strike them down. People will always find different ways to transcend.

As the current administration tries to cover up these art pieces and symbols of hope, the community will always persevere. Nothing can suppress their love, support and fight for one another.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

life and arts

PROFILE

Turning blue into brew: UH student builds Arlo Espresso Club on hope, heritage and hustle

JOSHUA VASQUEZ

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

@_JOSH_VASQUEZ_

When nutrition junior Jose Salinas moved from Dallas to start college in Houston, he didn’t picture himself running a coffee brand, partnering with major companies or serving long lines of students at campus pop-ups. He also didn’t picture grief coloring every day.

“I found myself in a very dark moment,” Salinas said. “My grandpa had passed away, I was navigating my own bills and adulthood, and I felt like I had no one around me. I hit rock bottom.”

That blue period became the seed for Arlo Espresso Club, the student-run coffee project Salinas describes as part brand, part movement and fully personal. The name isn’t his, by design; he didn’t want it to be.

“Jose felt very basic to me,” he said with a laugh. “Arlo had to be bigger than me. It had to be an extension of community and legacy.”

Even the color palette has meaning. Inspired by a Lana Del Rey lyric about turning sadness into art, Salinas embraced the color blue as a reminder that emotions, even heavy ones, can build something beautiful.

“You can be sad and blue, but you can turn it into something beautiful,” he said. “It won’t make sense at first, but as long as you don’t give up, it will.”

Crafting community, one cup at a time

Arlo’s identity bloomed on campus, fueled by late-night recipe tests with friends, UH pop-ups and a student body eager to support student entrepreneurs.

“UH really became a catalyst to my growth,” Salinas said. “We had pop-ups, people showed up, we had lines. I wanted to inspire UH students and show them we’re number one in so many things. What better place to start?”

Salinas’ academic life shows up in each drink, too. As a nutritional sciences student passionate about food education and hunger relief, he approaches menu building with intention.

“We make everything as clean as possible,” he said. “We have protein and collagen drinks, and we partner with Proper Syrups, which uses natural ingredients. I’m very careful with who we partner with.”

His long-term mission goes

beyond caffeine: “We’re on a mission to empower everyone to pursue their superior self, love one another and end world hunger.”

Heritage in every cup

Salinas didn’t learn coffee culture from a barista course. He learned it in kitchens with his family.

“Growing up, my grandparents and parents made café de olla,” he said. “Coffee always brought people together, whether it was a funeral or a celebration. I remember feeling cozy, loved and part of something.”

Today, Arlo’s menu honors that origin; horchata lattes, strawberries and crema drinks, café de olla, the way his family

“It’s luxury through intention and craftmanship, but also through culture. These flavors are home.”

Jose Salinas, Nutrition junior

makes it.

Part of his motivation is representation. Salinas wants younger Latino students to see possibilities reflected back.

“Growing up, I never thought I

could do something like this,” he said. “I want someone on the other side to see me and know they can too.”

Building through loss, leading through resilience

Success hasn’t come without strain. Juggling class, personal life and a fast-growing brand demanded sacrifice.

“It meant missing parties and family moments,” Salinas said. “At first it was hard, but now I see the purpose. My planner is like my Bible.”

The hardest moment came during another loss, when his grandfather passed away.

“I remember getting the call, dropping into my bed and crying,” he said. “But I had a meeting and a class. I picked myself up because people needed me. As a leader, even with a broken heart, you have to get up. Your why has to be strong.”

From UH pop-up to the Galleria

Salinas’ approach caught the attention of major companies. His first sponsorship came from Malk Organics, followed by partnerships with Proper Syrups, Minor Figures and finally Lululemon, which reached out after seeing his work on TikTok.

“I thought it was spam at first,” he said. “But their team at the Galleria store contacted me, and

EDITORIAL BOARD

the operator turned out to be a UH alum too. We did one event, loved it and kept going.”

For students hoping to land similar partnerships, he offers simple advice.

“Make sure your purpose aligns with theirs,” he said. “And genuinely care about their product. Collaboration is powerful.”

Five years from now

Salinas can already see Arlo’s future: a brick-and-mortar space, a growing team and a brand that blends art, luxury and cultural storytelling.

“I want Arlo to be one of the largest coffee companies founded by a college student,” he said. “We can dominate in craft, culture and design. And I want to start a nonprofit to fight hunger. That’s the dream.”

His playlist right now bounces from French indie to Lana Del Rey. His comfort dish is chilaquiles the way his mom makes them. His favorite coffee will always be café de olla in clay mugs.

Arlo may still be young, much like the founder whose hands craft every cup, but its heart is decades deep, rooted in memory and hope.

“This isn’t about coffee,” Salinas said. “It’s about community, intention and turning pain into purpose.”

news@thedailycougar.com

ISSUE STAFF

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.

ABOUT THE COUGAR

The Cougar is published biweekly on Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters and online daily at thedailycougar.com. The Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees. Copies of The Cougar are free.

COPYRIGHT

No part of the newspaper in print or online may be reproduced without the consent of the director of Student Publications.

ABOUT CSM

The Center for Student Media provides comprehensive advisory and financial support to the university’s student-run media: The Cougar newspaper, CoogTV and COOG Radio.

CENTER FOR STUDENT MEDIA

(713) 743-5350 csm@uh.edu www.uh.edu/csm