Volume 72, Issue 02

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, October 10, 2023

VOL. 72, ISSUE 02

SPORTS

THE REIGNING BIG WEST CHAMPIONS GET A MUCH-NEEDED WIN AFTER A SLOW START TO THE SEASON.

UC Riverside men’s soccer team wins their first game of the season

HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

The UC Riverside men’s soccer team got their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Sacramento State Wednesday night. After winning the Big West Championship the season prior, the Highlanders got off to a slow start with a record 0-7-3 to begin this season. UCR looked to get back on track against a three-win Sacramento State team.

The match started out choppy between both teams. Within the first 36 seconds of the game, a foul was called on Sacramento State’s midfielder Francisco Magana. UC Riverside also committed fouls early on as junior defender AJ Meade-Tatum got called for a foul at the 6:26 mark. Things started to get heated as fouls started to pile up at the 14:53 mark. It started off with a foul on Sacramento State’s forward Jhared Willcot. With the Highlanders on the offense, they got a bit too aggressive as multiple fouls were called on UCR as they attempted to get the ball inside the

goal. At the 21:48 mark, junior defender Andrew Alexander was given the first yellow card of the game as he slid into one of the opposing players.

Minutes later, the Hornets started their push for the goal. However, momentum started to shift towards UC Riverside as senior goalkeeper Carlos Gonzalez made an incredible save to prevent a goal. At the 30:17 mark, Sacramento State’s midfielder Stacy Holmes was given a yellow card that gave the ball back to the Highlanders.

With the first half coming to a close, things started to get heated again as junior forward Luka Lukic and Sacramento state’s midfielder Ali Sasankhah were both given yellow flags. At the end of the half, the game remained tied 0-0. ► SEE SOCCER PAGE 14

NEWS

est. 1954

POLITICAL HISTORY MADE AS KEVIN MCCARTHY BECOMES THE FIRST SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE EVER OUSTED.

Political Recap: Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy ousted EMYR ORTIZ Assistant News Editor

On Tuesday, October 2, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was stripped of his position in a 216-210 vote on a “motion to vacate.” The vote on Tuesday was the culmination of a conflict that has brewed in the U.S. House of Representatives between hard-right Republicans and Representative McCarthy for months.

From its beginning, the Speakership of Kevin McCarthy has been a delicate one. Rep. McCarthy was first elected to the post in January after an arduous 15 rounds of voting, making various concessions in order to consolidate the support of several hard-right hold outs. One of those concessions included a one-vote requirement to introduce a motion to vacate, meaning any member could call a vote for McCarthy’s removal at any time.

In recent months, various actions by McCarthy have weakened his support among more conservative Republicans.

In May, McCarthy worked with Democrats to pass a bipartisan deal to

raise the debt ceiling. McCarthy and his supporters touted the deal, which set up spending caps for the next two years, rescinded approximately $28 billion in unspent Covid relief money, and cut $1.4 billion in IRS funding, as “historic.” However, hard-line Republicans such as Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, characterized the deal as Biden stealing McCarthy’s “lunch money.” Rep. Gaetz, who filed the motion to vacate against McCarthy, called this deal the “original sin.”

When McCarthy defied the wishes of hard-right Republicans and worked with Democrats on another proposal to avert a government shutdown, it only took three days for the motion to vacate to be proposed and voted on. With House Republicans holding a narrow majority, the 8 Republicans who voted against McCarthy, along with every voting Democrat, cemented the removal of McCarthy.

No Speaker of the House has ever been ousted by such a motion in the ► SEE MCCARTHY PAGE 3

KELLEY MANZO / THE HIGHLANDER

@thehighlanderucr @HighlanderUCR UCRHighlander NEWS 3

OPINIONS 5

FEATURES 8

RADAR 11

SPORTS 14

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

10

Archives Fair 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Rivera Library

LGBTRC Open House 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Costo 245

11

Resume Writing Workshop 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Career Center Meeting Rooms A & B

Youth Zen Studio 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

SRC MPR D

Tech Tools Workshop: Note-Taking 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

SDRC Conference Room

Women’s Soccer vs. UC Davis 7 p.m.

13

Blackbox with Dramaturg’s Talkback 8 p.m.

University Theater

Volleyball at UC San Diego 7 p.m.

14

Annual Solar Eclipse Viewing Party 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

UCR Bell Tower

Fall Plant Sale 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

UCR Botanic Gardens

15

Women’s Soccer at UC Irvine 12 a.m.

R’Family Swim Program 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SRC Pool

16

Yoga as Healing 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Meal Prep 101 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

SRC Kitchen

Tuesday

Wednesday

12

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

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NEWS

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NEWS

TUESDAY, OCT 10, 2023

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Political Recap: Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy ousted POLITICAL HISTORY MADE AS KEVIN MCCARTHY BECOMES THE FIRST SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE EVER OUSTED. EMYR ORTIZ Assistant News Editor

On Tuesday, October 2, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was stripped of his position in a 216-210 vote on a “motion to vacate.”

The vote on Tuesday was the culmination of a conflict that has brewed in the U.S. House of Representatives between hard-right Republicans and Representative McCarthy for months.

From its beginning, the Speakership of Kevin McCarthy has been a delicate one. Rep. McCarthy was first elected to the post in January after an arduous 15 rounds of voting, making various concessions in order to consolidate the support of several hardright hold outs. One of those concessions included a one-vote requirement to introduce a motion to vacate, meaning any member could call a vote for McCarthy’s removal at any time.

In recent months, various actions by McCarthy have weakened his support among more conservative Republicans. In May, McCarthy worked with Democrats to pass a bipartisan deal to raise the debt ceiling. McCarthy and his supporters touted the deal, which set up spending caps for the next two years, rescinded approximately $28 billion in unspent Covid relief money, and cut $1.4 billion in IRS funding, as “historic.” However, hard-line Republicans such as Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, characterized the deal as Biden stealing McCarthy’s “lunch money.” Rep. Gaetz, who filed the motion to vacate against McCarthy, called this deal the “original sin.”

When McCarthy defied the wishes of hard-right Republicans and worked with Democrats on another proposal to avert a government shutdown, it only took three days for the motion to vacate to be proposed and voted on. With House Republicans holding a narrow majority, the 8 Republicans who voted against McCarthy, along with every voting Democrat, cemented the removal of McCarthy.

No Speaker of the House has ever been ousted by such a motion in the history of the United States. In 1910, a motion to vacate was raised on Joseph Cannon. The motion to vacate failed 155 to 192,

and while Cannon had his powers stripped in a previous vote which passed 191 to 156, he remained the Speaker of the House. In 1997, Newt Gingrich was considered for a motion to vacate. While the motion was never filed, an ethics investigation in 1998 led him to resign as speaker on November 6, 1998. John Boehner, had a motion to vacate filed against him, but stepped down as speaker before the motion was called in September of 2015.

In the coming days, the House will work on deciding who should hold the Speaker’s gavel. McCarthy has stated that he does not plan on running again, a pledge which has set up a contest between two declared candidates. Representatives Jim Jordan of Ohio and Steve Scalise of Louisiana have both declared their intent to fill McCarthy’s old job.

Representative Scalise is the No. 2 Republican in the House of Representatives, and has taken a traditional route to his position in House Republican leadership. Elected to his first House leadership position in 2014, Scalise has spent years as Minority and Majority Whip building relationships throughout the party as he corralled lawmakers’ votes. He was also a top fundraiser for Republicans’ last year.

Rep. Jordan has made a name for himself as a leader on the Republican right-wing. As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, he is one of the leaders behind the House impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, and has been a top defender of Former President Donald Trump. Rep. Jordan’s bid for the speakership was given a boost on Thursday the fifth when Trump endorsed Jordan.

House Republicans are scheduled to meet on Tuesday in a closed door meeting to vet candidates, and plan to hold an internal election for speaker Wednesday morning. Until a new Speaker is elected, McCarthy ally, Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina will serve as interim Speaker. ■ H

EMYR ORTIZ / THE HIGHLANDER

4 TUESDAY, OCT 10, 2023

NEWS

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UCR falls behind CSU Long Beach in social mobility THE U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RETURNS WITH ITS ANNUAL RANKINGS, AND UCR SEES A FALL IN SOCIAL MOBILITY. BRENDA JOVEL Editor-in-Chief

Just last year, the University of California, Riverside was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 university in social mobility. This year, the newly released report saw UCR go down one spot in social mobility which measures how well educational institutions help move their students into higher income groups. Cal State Long Beach now dons the number one spot in social mobility. Factors that assessed UCR’s social mobility ranking were “...Pell Grant six-year graduation rates and Pell Grant graduation rate performance, which considers grant recipients’ graduation rates relative to non-Pell Grant recipients rates,” as stated in an article under UCR’s School of Business.

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students annually if they meet the eligibility requirements.

With this in mind, the report shows that 62% of UCRenrolled students graduate, with 82% receiving financial aid assistance from the school. Different types of aid aside from the Pell Grant include scholarships, work-study and loans that are offered every academic year.

A 2021 article written by UCR Professor of Sociology and Public Policy, Steven Brint, titled “Raising Graduation Rates While Maintaining Racial-Ethnic Equity In Graduation: The UC Riverside Recipe” highlights the university’s efforts in maintaining high graduation rates while also focusing on near-equity graduation rates among a diverse body of students. The paper describes how UCR

has offered academic opportunities to under-represented students with the aid from campus faculty to ensure social mobility is reached across different demographics.

Brint wrote, “In 2013, then-governor Jerry Brown called out the campus for its low graduation rates. He was right to do so; four-year graduation rates for full-time freshman admits stood at an abysmal 41 percent and six-year rates were hovering below two-thirds.” Dallas L. Rabenstein, previous Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost of UCR, initiated the Graduation Rate Task Force after this. Factors to improve graduation rates included “...institutionalizing enrollment modeling, providing increased access to highdemand courses in the summer, and revamping of the introductory mathematics curriculum and instruction.”

Brint later writes that in 2021, the “...four-year graduation rates [were] 62.4% and six-year graduation rates [were] 77.3%.”

UCR dedicates itself to maintaining graduation rates to aid its students during their educational years and helping them land into larger income sectors, UCR provides oncampus resources such as the Highlander One-Stop-Shop, H Costo Hall organizations and college advisory departments.■

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Opinions

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, OCT 10, 2023

5

THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

Parents’ rights in education are rightfully under fire

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Education has become an important site for contentious issues, from parents’ rights to LGBTQIA+ rights to book bans. As Republican presidential candidates squared off for the primaries, education became a frontal issue despite not earning these individuals many political points. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill in early September that takes aim at book bans in response to a school’s refusal to teach about historical figure Harvey Milk and the growing conflicts about course curricula related to race and sexual identities.

Later that same month, a California judge blocked Chino Valley Unified School District’s new policy requiring schools to inform students who changed their pronouns. These issues have highlighted the importance of limiting parents’ rights in education and prioritizing student safety, whether or not it fits in with parental sensibilities.

Unless it constitutes negligence or harm, how parents want to raise their children outside of an educational environment should be up to them. However, if parents are to have any hand in the educational curriculum, it needs to be explicitly limited.

There should be forums and methods for parents to contribute their thoughts and expertise, but the possibility of censorship and the restriction of information is too high to hand children’s education over to parents or government entities alone. Parents have no right to control the education of an entire school or school district based on personal, religious or political beliefs.

Parent-sponsored censorship is still censorship. Educators need to be given more credibility and respect when it comes to deciding what these students can handle and at what point in their education since they are dealing with these issues in the most hands-on way.

When it comes to curricula on sexual education, this is something that needs to be moderated and taught with respect to age. However, it’s not something that students, especially teens, should be denied. In reality, the majority of teens have sex prior to legal adulthood, and they need to be equipped with information that prevents the contraction of STIs, teenage pregnancy and cervical cancer. Typically, sexual education models operate differently as children age, starting with simpler or less controversial topics like menstruation, which starts during earlier ages, though that is still contentious, before progressing to topics like intercourse. Children should not be having sex at these young ages, but more importantly, they shouldn’t be having unsafe sex. These students are having sex despite parental objections, and it has to be the responsibility of

schools to at least communicate the health concerns involved in that choice. The gendered difference in what is taught to students is another problem that also cannot be facilitated by parents. Students, regardless of gender, should be learning and have immediate access to the same information in their schools.

Parental and political censorship cannot extend to libraries in schools either. There is a difference between sectioning libraries off by age or giving children access to books based on reading level versus deliberately depriving them of specific information.

Libraries are a battleground for freedom of information right now, and school libraries have to be a part of that fight. Historically, book bans are too often about information suppression rather than keeping content “appropriate.” Book bans should not be a medium to ban diverse content, as was the case with 52% of books banned from 2006 to 2016.

There have also been conversations about parents’ rights regarding their child’s gender identity, and the answer is that it violates their civil rights. Just because they are minors does not remove the right to own their identity and to own themselves.

No one, not school administrators or parents or educators or the government, has a right to that information. Having a child and raising a child does not entitle anyone to control their child’s identity, and a school certainly should not aid in that endeavor.

Furthermore, students should feel safe in their schools, and schools that utilize “forced outing” policies and restrict children to using dead names deliberately violate that need for safety.

When it comes to holding schools and school districts accountable for violations of state curriculum, state law and civil rights, California doesn’t have a lot of ways to enforce this. Typically, the consequences are financial. Recently, Governor Newsom imposed fines against a school district for censoring school curricula, though this has been seen as a move that only serves to disadvantage students further rather than penalize those responsible. Data from 2020 indicates that a thousand-dollar decrease in spending per student increases the standardized test score gap between black and white students by 6%, in addition to general decreases for all math and reading students and a lower college attendance rate.

Parents, government officials, lawmakers and educators alike cannot sanitize education and create policies that make a school unsafe in any capacity. The bottom line is that all children have the right to an education, which cannot be taken away or H detracted from because of parents’ personal beliefs. ■

RECENT CONFLICTS RELATED TO LGBTQIA+ RIGHTS AND EDUCATIONAL CONTENT INDICATE THAT PARENTS’ IMPACT ON EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE LIMITED. The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander Editorial Board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.

6 TUESDAY, OCT 10, 2023

OPINIONS

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McCarthy’s removal is a sure sign of weak Republican leadership and inter-party cooperation CECILE DIROLL Assistant Opinions Editor

KEVIN MCCARTHY’S REMOVAL AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE WAS ILL-FATED, BUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY’S DISREGARD FOR DEMOCRACY AND BIPARTISANSHIP SHOWS THEY CANNOT GOVERN THEMSELVES.

COURTESY OF CIARAN MCCRICKARD VIA FLICKR UNDER CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Last Tuesday, Rep. Kevin McCarthy became the first House Speaker to be ousted by a “motion to vacate.” In a 216-210 vote, McCarthy’s historic removal was led by a small group of rightwing House Republicans unhappy about his collaboration with Democrats. Leaving the chamber without a leader and an unknown future, Republicans’ chaos was not a shock. Rather, McCarthy’s removal as a result of far-right Republicans actions represents a dysfunctional party unable to govern or advance policy.

McCarthy’s speakership was doomed from the start. Agreeing to the “one-member” rule and making promises he couldn’t keep with conservatives, McCarthy’s word stretched too far. Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz called for the vote when McCarthy came to an agreement on the federal budget that prevented Gaetz and his conservative peers from pressuring Democrats to accept deep spending cuts. In addition, Democrats saw no reason to save McCarthy as they also couldn’t “trust” him either — especially after it took 15 rounds of votes for McCarthy to win the speakership.

Yet, it’s difficult to argue that a House with McCarthy as speaker is worse than one without him. His removal means the House has no ability to govern on major policy issues, such as aid for Ukraine or prevent another government shutdown before funding runs out on November 18. If a government shutdown were to occur, “essential” workers would continue to work unpaid until the government reopens. However, extreme party polarization isn’t the problem this time. The House is in a state of paralysis because House Republicans are suffering from their own internal divisions.

To select a new speaker Republicans will need to get past their own “civil war” and find common legislative goals again. In the past, Republicans have shared a conservative ideology centered on core principles, such as a free market, constitutional rights and national security. But, since 2010, three Republican speakers — John Boehner, Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy — have come and gone quickly due to Republican divisions over a consistent

set of policy initiatives. Instead, rioting and delegitimizing the American political system has become the goal.

In comparison, former-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was able to successfully keep her party in line by negotiating and compromising tradeoffs in legislation with other members. But the difference is that Democrats are still largely organized around the same policy goals — social programs, environmental policy and civil rights. Republicans, by comparison, seem to be only passing legislation in response to Democrats, and without a strong leader or a desire to compromise, can’t find a way to govern anyone effectively or at all.

Neutralizing Gaetz and the far-right wing should be one of the Republican Party’s first steps. Rep. Gaetz’s photographed smirks and whispers to his conservative followers are poisonous in an already tense political atmosphere. His agenda does not appear to be about serving his constituents or political party, rather he wants a moment of fame and to raise money for his brand. No matter what political party they belong to, politicians need to remember they are public servants first and foremost.

Additionally, the “one-movement” rule needs to be changed as it bestows too much power on one single member and its usage here sets a dangerous precedent. Until this happens, the “onemovement” rule will continue to serve as a threat to the next speaker — even if they are supported by a majority — and allow any member for whatever reason the opportunity to control the House.

The fact that a few far-right Republicans have such power over the House’s speakership and legislative operations is deeply concerning and dangerous. So too is the notion that voters are electing politicians whose main aim is to cause havoc in government as a way to fight back. Governing is a bipartisan effort that requires compromise and a belief in a democratic system, something Republicans seem to have forgotten. ■ H

New UCLA housing project with tiny rooms is better than the alternative ALEX KUPISIEWICZ Contributing Writer

STUDENTS AT UC CAMPUSES HAVE TAKEN TO SLEEPING IN THEIR CARS, AND YET THE NEW ‘BUDGET’ ALTERNATIVE HOUSING PROPOSAL AT UCLA HAS BEEN DELAYED DUE TO MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS. The California housing crisis has been an increasing issue for college students over recent years, COVID-19 being only one of the many problems. The California housing crisis continues with students struggling to find safe and affordable housing, especially in larger cities like Los Angeles. The University has been putting in the effort to keep all their students housed and was the first UC campus to guarantee housing to their students for four years. As part of their commitment to ensure UCLA can house all their students, they proposed a plan for a budget friendly dorm specifically for lowincome students.

The aforementioned plan would include demolishing a 100 student capacity apartment building, which was built in 1981, to construct a new dorm building that could house 545 students, setting aside at least 350 of these spaces for low income students and charging only $600 per student per month, something that is desperately needed and worth the drawbacks.

The dorms in this building were set to be built with three beds, desks, closets along with storage space and a refrigerator all within 265 square feet. While this is not the most ideal amount of space, along with the three person room, students will also have access to communal bathrooms, study lounges and kitchen space within the building. It should also be taken into account that the students this building is being allocated for will likely have to choose between this housing option or homelessness for the school year.

Students at universities across California, both community colleges and four-year universities, have had to resort to living in their cars, hotel rooms or on friends’ couches. A three person bedroom with shared bathrooms and kitchens is far better for these students than having to sleep in a car, shower at the public gym and rely on fast food for nutrition. For students who can afford more expensive housing and would like more space, there are still other

options for on campus housing. While low income students shouldn’t be penalized this way, there is yet to be another alternative.

The pushback to this plan comes from the UC Board of Regents, whose job it is to approve or block projects like this on UC campuses.

In statements after the vote rejecting the plan, some regents expressed concerns about the mental health of the students who will be living in these spaces on campus. However, when comparing the only alternative for the students who would be living in these rooms, their mental health would probably suffer far worse in nonexistent living spaces. As opposed to living on the streets, going from place to place, motels or in their cars, these rooms would at least provide safety, an actual bed and necessities for personal hygiene. Despite their concerns for the students’ mental health, they don’t seem to have proposed any alternative solutions for the housing issue as they turned down this proposal. At the very least, the Board of Regents should consider modifying this plan to house, at least, more than 100 students.

The regents making this decision also happen to earn, on average, over 500k a year, which calls into question whether or not they are the best people to be making a decision on this project without gathering the opinions of the students who need them. The regents are likely looking for the living spaces to be a pleasant and comfortable living situation for students, when what they really need to be asking is “will this be a safe and functional living space, with access to the amenities that students need.” The answer to the latter would be a clear “yes.” The dorm spaces proposed are not only secure places to sleep, but provide space for students to receive adequate nutrition, keep up their hygiene and provide comfortable study spaces, all of which are far better than having nothing. ■ H

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Government shutdowns will have negative impacts on America’s international goals TOMAS ALVES Distribution Manager

WHILE MOST AMERICANS CONCERNED WITH A POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ARE CONSCIOUS OF ITS DOMESTIC EFFECTS, THE THREAT OF A SHUTDOWN ALSO HURTS AMERICA’S STANDING ABROAD.

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On Saturday September 30, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy struck a surprising flashpoint spending deal with Democrats to avert a painstaking government shutdown, at least for 45 days. The deal was passed as part of a continuing resolution to keep the government funded until at least midNovember where Congress will steal the national spotlight once more to discuss another elusive spending bill. But, while Congress certainly demands the attention of the American public anytime a government shutdown enters the fray, America’s global competitors look on with great cynicism.

In a retooled international sphere, rising nations such as China are looking to challenge the United States’ dominance in the status quo. To an extent, they already have, with projects like the Belt and Road Initiative or the rise of BRICS, an economic alliance between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, challenging the U.S.-dominated economic order.

But the effect and frequency of government shutdowns in the United States spells trouble for America’s legitimacy abroad, not only because it possibly threatens funding to aid programs that compete with these other actors, but because it builds a case for autocratic governments as better functioning than democracies.

While looking to expand influence and strengthen partnerships around the world, American statesmen will have a tougher case to make to foreign governments to adopt democratic principles. While some Congressional lawmakers at home use the threat of a government shutdown to score political points with their constituents, this political brinkmanship threatens the security of America’s interests abroad and may lead other nations around the world to view democracy in a negative light.

Take U.S.-China competition in the Indo-Pacific for example. While the U.S. looks to empower Indo-pacific democracies abroad to prove President Biden’s promise, “Democracies deliver,” China looks to persuade vulnerable nations that freedom and democracy can be skipped when achieving adequate development. In general, the United States places major economic sanctions on economies that are complicit in human rights abuses or averse democratic records.

Nations such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Iran and China have

all been on the end of U.S. sanctions for a host of reasons that include adversarial governments, human rights abuses or the upheaval of democratic institutions.

U.S. negotiators continue to be at a major disadvantage when trying to convince foreign representatives that democracies do, in fact, deliver progress for their people when the U.S. faces cyclical difficulties in funding its own. Developing nations, desperate for foreign investment, do not have an appetite to adopt democratic values if it means political gridlock and disrupted progress towards their policy goals. If the threat of government shutdowns persist under democratic systems, then developing nations may fear that following in the footsteps of the U.S. might be a mistake. In a world where global issues such as climate change already pose as setbacks to developing economies, the last thing they can afford to squander is progress on development. Reversely, if autocratic governments prove to provide more prosperous economic, social and political outcomes, then developing nations might be keen on trusting an autocratic-style form of government.

While in Vietnam, Biden scored a foreign policy victory by upgrading Vietnamese-U.S. relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” but largely failed to garner any promises from Vietnam towards improved democratic institutions. If the United States cannot demonstrate a smooth functioning democracy, foreign governments have the opportunity to call the United States on its bluff. For strategic American foreign policy interests, an inefficient and ineffective legislature that fails to govern, fails to persuade.

For China, Russia, Iran and other American rivals and adversaries, the depiction of the United States’ political system as flawed, chaotic and unruly in their state media only increases legitimacy to Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Ayatollah Khamenei. When countries that look to develop partnerships with the United States or China on the international stage examine their options, there seems to be no case that the United States can make to persuade them that democratic reform could be the answer to the issues that matter to them.■ H

Online abuse against women journalists can not be allowed to go unchecked EVELYN HOMAN Copy Editor

IN ONLINE SPACES, WOMEN AND NONBINARY PEOPLE ARE AT A HIGHER RISK OF DEALING WITH ONLINE ABUSE, ESPECIALLY JOURNALISTS. From Anita Sarkeesian to Raisa Patel, news outlets ranging from local to national have had one journalist or another speak on the abuse that they deal with every day from their online readership. Overall, 73% have experienced some form of online violence or abuse. Online abuse can encompass harassment, threats, slurs and other threatening behavior that can make a person feel unsafe. As online culture has shifted more and more, the reading public now has more access to harass journalists than ever before. Online culture must take stock of how female, nonbinary and minority journalists are mistreated on the internet.

“How To Stay Safe Online” by Seyi Akiwowo, a UK founder of Glitch, an organization that is working to end online abuse, is a manifesto against these online abuses. She notes that many people, especially women and non-binary individuals, experience higher levels of online abuse than men do. Even though these actions are technically confined to a digital space, personal safety in the physical world can feel threatened immensely when someone receives a threatening comment.

While it could be claimed that this kind of abuse is par the course when using the internet, this is not a matter of simply toughening up. Although a public figure may have made their work available to a large audience, that does not mean that they are fair targets for an invasion of privacy. Online threats can be especially terrifying because they can be accompanied by doxxing, or the leaking of private photos and information belonging to the target or their family members and loved ones.

Swatting, or cyber harassment of making false emergency calls, is also another concern for some people in online spaces.

With all of these potential threats, it is no wonder why women journalists have begun to speak out.

This is not to be confused with proper critique, such as questioning the validity of sources, the way certain information

is presented or stating that an article is harmful. Sometimes journalists do put out work that is not always up to snuff regardless of gender, and their article — not their person — should indeed be critiqued. However, when people resort to threats instead of civilly discussing what is wrong, that crosses a dangerous line. Indeed, it risks women and marginalized people feeling less empowered to speak their opinions or share investigations for a publication.

If this goes unchecked on social media platforms as well as in the comments sections many news websites have enabled, it could potentially deter more women and nonbinary journalists from speaking their minds in public forums, while also doing emotional and mental damage to journalists who are actively writing. If this were to happen, this negatively impacts journalism as a whole by limiting its perspectives. This would also be a blow to the freedom of the press as a whole, which relies on all journalists of all backgrounds to do investigative and opinionated work that might be overlooked by journalists who are more privileged.

The internet is an incredible tool, but only if used well and not to attack large swaths of the population who deserve to use it without fear of harassment. More people are victims of, or have witnessed, online gender-based violence than they might initially think. If platform runners refuse to enforce any sort of user guidelines and standards, the online spaces many use become even more unsafe not only for journalists but for everyone. For the freedom of the press, these random and vague user expectations must be clarified and enforced. It is up to every internet user to work towards an online world where people are respectful to one another, and where online abuse is ultimately eliminated from our casual internet browsing and H interactions. ■

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Features 8

TUESDAY, OCT 10, 2023

FEATURES

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What do you need in a romantic relationship?

What you want is different from what you need…

Ysabel Nakasone, Opinions Editor

Aries (March 21 - April 19) Nine of Cups Reversed The Nine of Cups reversed speaks to the materialistic.

This isn’t necessarily bad, but you do like tangible expressions of care. You need someone to show that they love you. You could say that you’re looking for someone whose love language is gift giving.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Star You need someone idealistic, who makes you believe in good things. You need someone who makes you hope, against all odds, and gives you the tools to do it. They will help you recover pieces of you that fade as you age and let go of dreams.

Libra (Sep 23 - Oct 22) Magician Reversed The person you’re looking for is humble and unassuming. Their talents are hidden just as they are a hidden gem.

They’re just waiting for someone to notice all the things about them that they think nobody sees.

Caoricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Two of Swords Reversed You need someone who gives as much as they get. You need someone to argue with, not someone who will agree with you. You need them to challenge you. You need someone who can keep up with you, not just make cheap shots to win arguments.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Seven of Wands You’re looking for someone who isn’t afraid of a challenge. You need to be someone worth fighting for, someone worth chasing. You often feel like the person who is easily forgotten or left behind, and your partner is someone who couldn’t forget about you even in the face of total discouragement.

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22) Three of Wands Reversed You need someone who plays it safe, Leo. You need grounding and someone who can offer you a sense of stability. The Three of Wands also indicates that there will be roadblocks in this journey, as playing it safe might mean they miss you even if you’re right in front of them.

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Ten of Swords You need someone who can weather the storm, Scorpio.

You need someone who is intimately familiar with the ups and downs of life. Despite all your passion and bravery, you operate on a very black and white view of the world. You need someone who can understand the gray areas.

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18) Devil You’re looking for someone who accepts you exactly as you are. They will love you with your flaws, not in spite of them. Everyone has a dark side, and they’ll love that part of you too. Know that these things you think are wrong or weird won’t be that way with the right person.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Knight of Swords Gemini, the Knight of Swords charges with dedication. You need that dedication and loyalty. You need to feel chosen and prioritized. You need to know that nothing could have stopped them from wanting you and being with you.

Everything else is just white noise to them.

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sep 22) Four of Swords The Four of Swords points you towards the calm. You will be the ripples in the calm water in their life. You are typically logical and pragmatic, Virgo, but you need someone who makes you feel safe enough to take risks and act with emotion.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21) Six of Swords Reversed The Six of Swords reversed indicates that you’re someone resisting change. You need someone who is easygoing and is accepting of the ebb and flow of life. You need someone who can get you to let go along with them.

Pisces (Feb 19 - March 20) Ten of Cups Reversed Ten of Cups reversed can mean a lot of things, but it stresses the importance of family. You’re looking for a partner who values family, even when it’s complicated.

You need someone who shows up for their family and isn’t too cool to be close with their parents. Steer clear of those codependent mama’s boys though. ■H

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Ultimate Halloween Costume Guide Costume ideas for if you’re single, in a pair, or with a group of friends!

Natalie Dahl, Features Editor

Solo: Marie Antoinette: With lots of blush and a big white wig, you can fulfill your dreams of becoming royalty for the night. Whether you choose to fi nd your inspiration from more historical fashion or the Sofia Coppola movie version, make sure to bring some cake to whatever festivities you are attending.

Spot from “Spider-Verse:” If you have at least a few pieces of white clothing and black construction paper you can pull this easy costume off.

If you want to really commit, make it a craft by painting the spots on a white morph suit.

“Girl with A Pearl Earring:” For a more refi ned look, use fabrics and clothing you have in your own house to replicate this famous Dutch oil painting. Your high school art history teacher would be proud.

Fancy Nancy: If you are now a maximalist hoarder who can’t get rid of any shiny, shimmery, feathery item in your closet, then you probably grew up reading the “Fancy Nancy” books too. You’ll fi nally be able to wear all of the things in the back of your closet that are a little too avant garde for everyday wear.

Harley Quinn in her Caution Tape Jacket: If you want to spend the next month on a project, fully dive in with Harley Quinn’s most iconic look in “Birds of Prey” (in my personal opinion). Good luck fi nding a bunch of caution tape to cut up.

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Duo: Snoopy and Woodstock: For a costume that any generation will love, choose these two beloved “Peanuts” characters who don’t get enough time to shine in the Halloween costume world. If a beagle and a yellow bird aren’t really your speed, you can also choose from the countless other duos of Charlie Brown’s friends.

Vanessa and Candice: If you want to rock the leather jacket and preppy looks, I insist that you learn the iconic “Busted” song and choreo.

This duo would not be complete without the stylized hip pops and sassy lyrics that these two ladies demand.

Princess and the Pea: If you can convince your significant other to dress up as the most menial of vegetables for the night, this costume is for you two. It’s the perfect pairing; a sleepy, pajama-ed princess and a legume.

Frog and Toad: Another costume to please the crowd no matter the age, these two amphibians are the epitome of friendship. Pull out your earth tones and corduroy for this timeless dynamic duo.

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Scott and Ramona: For people who have roller skating or electric guitar skills, this manic pixie dream girl and awkward boy pairing might be perfect for you. You and your partner can pretend to fight video game bosses the whole night long, which I think is a wonderful plus.

Group: “H20, Just Add Water:” For this costume, you can either choose to go full mermaid tail at the magical Moon Pool, or sport a casual Australian beachy style. This costume is great to adapt for any size group as there are plenty of core and side characters who come in and out each season.

Different bears: If you want to be truly original, consider making your friends dress up as the Sleepytime Tea Bear, Smokey the Bear, or the Cocaine Bear. If someone wants to show their school spirit, encourage them to buy a kilt and honor the respectable Scotty Bear.

Cocktails: If you love to be the life of the party, consider making your friend group dress up as the most delectable selection of alcoholic drinks. Whether fruity or bitter, you can really focus on the flavors of the different beverages with a range of colors, or even quirky earrings.

“Hunger Games:” Whether you’re a 2010s dystopian die-hard fan, or are excited for the new “Songbirds and Snakes” movie, there are dozens of vibrant characters to choose your group arrangement from. This look can be as earthy as a district citizen or as gaudy as a capital bourgeoisie member.

“Animal Crossing:” Another option with hundreds of characters to pick from, these little villagers make the cutest pick-your-favorite arrangement. Whether you’re Tom Nook or Isabelle, people are going to love the ingenuity.

Whatever costume arrangement you choose to pick, have a happy Halloween, Highlanders! ■ H

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10 TUESDAY, OCT 10, 2023

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Discover the magic of Lavender Matcha Matcha, aka your new favorite drink LEARN TO BE YOUR OWN BARISTA AND CREATE A NEW OBSESSION!

MARIBEL GAMEZ-REYES Assistant Features Editor

Elevating Your Lavender Matcha Recipe:

Whether you’re a devoted matcha enthusiast or a curious newcomer, welcome.

Regardless of your current stance on matcha, I guarantee that if you follow each step of this recipe, that first sip will be heavenly. This beverage offers a refreshing, visually captivating experience with its smooth, earthy flavor and a gently sweet aroma imbued with the serenity of lavender syrup. What’s more, as your own barista, you have the power to tailor this drink to your exact preferences. As a fellow matcha lover, my goal is to make it accessible to everyone. Therefore, I’ll provide variations suitable for dorm students or apartments, whether on or offcampus.

If you have access to a kitchen and more leisure time, you can take your Lavender Matcha to the next level by embracing traditional Japanese methods and enhancing the flavor and quality of your drink. Here’s how: 1. Japanese Matcha Set: - Invest in a Japanese matcha set, which includes a bamboo whisk (chasen), a ceramic bowl (chawan), and a bamboo scoop (chashaku). This set allows for precise measurement, better whisking, and a more authentic preparation experience.

Ingredients: - One Teaspoon of Matcha (adjust quantity to your taste) - One Tablespoon of lukewarm water - Dollop of sugar or honey (to your liking) - One pump of Lavender Syrup - Oat milk (can be changed to preference) - Ice (optional)

2. Ceremonial Matcha: - Upgrade your matcha by using ceremonial-grade matcha powder. This higherquality matcha offers a more refined taste and aroma, elevating the overall experience of your Lavender Matcha.

3. Homemade Lavender Syrup: - Instead of store-bought syrup, make your own homemade lavender syrup for a truly unique flavor. Here’s how:

Materials Needed: - Beginner Friendly Matcha (recommended) Rishi Tea Everyday Matcha - Frother or bottle shaker - Glass cup

Ingredients for Lavender Syrup: - 1 to 2 cups of water - 2 tablespoons of dried lavender flowers - 1 teaspoon of butterfly pea flower powder (for color) - Desired amount of honey or sugar (for sweetness)

Instructions: 1. Begin by sifting the matcha into a bowl to ensure there are no clumps.

2. Pour one tablespoon of lukewarm water into the bowl with the sifted matcha.

3. Use a frother or a bottle shaker to froth the matcha until it creates visible bubbles. This step is crucial for achieving that creamy texture.

4. In a glass cup, add one pump of lavender syrup. Adjust the quantity to your preference if you’d like a stronger or lighter lavender flavor.

5. Pour in your choice of oat milk to the glass cup, leaving some space at the top for the matcha mixture.

6. Gently pour the frothed matcha over the oat milk into the glass. You can adjust the ratio of matcha to oat milk to suit your taste.

7. Add a dollop of sugar or honey to your liking, depending on your desired level of sweetness. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.

8. If you prefer your Lavender Matcha cold, you can add ice to the glass.

9. Stir again, ensuring all the flavors are well incorporated.

10. Take a moment to appreciate the visually captivating drink you’ve created, and then enjoy your refreshing, homemade Lavender Matcha!

Instructions: 1. Bring 1 to 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan.

2. Add 2 tablespoons of dried lavender flowers and 1 teaspoon of butterfly pea flower powder for a lovely blue hue.

3. Allow the mixture to boil for a few minutes to infuse the flavors.

4. Remove the saucepan from heat and strain the tea infusion into another bowl to remove any flower pieces.

5. Pour the strained tea infusion back into the pan and add your desired amount of honey or sugar for sweetness.

6. Stir until the sweetener is fully dissolved.

7. Allow the lavender syrup to cool before transferring it to H a glass jar. It can be stored for up to a month.■

Survival guide to your freshman year

A FEW TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR FIRST YEAR! SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

Only week two, and somehow you are already behind? Did you have a little too much fun this weekend, making going to class a little tricky? It must be your first year! Moving away from home and starting a new chapter in your life is challenging. It is very easy to get lost in the fun of college and allow yourself to fall behind. Here are a few tips to help you survive your first year.

Go to class Common sense is not a very common thing, so we have to put this one on the list. If you go to class, you will do well in school; it is quite the simple formula.

However, you cannot just go to class and dissociate while the professor rambles on about something you probably need to know for the midterm. That is a waste of your precious time and money you pay to UCR. Go to class and actually pay attention to the knowledge spewed at you, take notes and ask questions so you can understand the material. This way, once you are studying, it won’t be your first time encountering the information. Instead of pulling three all-nighters trying to learn the whole quarter, you might only have to pull one.

Don’t spend all your money Being a “broke college student” is all fun and games until you are actually broke in college, deciding whether to buy groceries for the week or the $70 required reading. It is essential to learn how to budget your money so you can afford not only the essentials of living but also things that spark joy. Track your spending. Instead of going out to eat for the eighth time this week, use the dining plan you are paying for with your tuition. However, some expenses are unavoidable, so try finding those soul-crushingly expensive textbooks for free

online or renting them via Amazon or the bookstore. Never forget, your student ID is like a pocket coupon book! Always ask if places offer a student discount; you would be surprised how many establishments will give you a little money off for your pursuit of education.

Get a planner You and your planner should become best friends. Whether this be an actual day planner, a PDF file with every assignment, or a digital planner, any device used to plan will simplify your life. Get a planner and put every due date, every assignment, every discussion post and every exam in it so you never forget the next due date. It is hard to keep track of the millions of different assignment due dates; a planner keeps your life organized and all in one place.

Balance your life One of the most complicated challenges you will ever face in college is finding a way to have sleep, a social life and success in school. It is a balancing act; there are weeks where you might get all three, and others where you might sacrifice sleep to have a social life and get your schoolwork done. At the end of the day, finding a healthy balance between all three is vital. It is impossible to succeed without sleeping, a support system, or staying on top of school. For more tips on balancing all three, check out one of our previous articles entitled, “Campus H Cope: balancing sleep, social life, and grades… can you really have it all.” ■

Radar

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11

Poetry books to fall into this quarter

These collections will make the transition into the new school year feel a little more graceful!

BOBBI MANDOUR Contributing Writer

“Notes on Shapeshifting” by Gabi Abrão Perhaps my favorite contemporary writer, Gabi Abrão, built her archive of long-form text posts and Instagram captions in preparation for this poetry collection that physicalizes the inward experiences of coming-of-age. The collection somewhat functions as a travel guide, moving between musings on physical embodiment, heartbreak and spiritual metamorphosis, giving form to the invisible energies surrounding us. In her own words, the collection “yearns to soothe and arouse.” This is the perfect poetry book to carry around in your tote bag, as it waits for you to sit down with a coffee in between classes, flipping to a random page that chooses you like a tarot deck of poems.

While I may be biased as an English major to believe that fall is the best time to read poetry, the idea isn’t baseless. Fall quarter at UCR ushers in a sea of new students, new classes and new feelings for many — and quite frankly, it can feel chaotic. Professor Steven Axelrod, one of UCR’s esteemed English professors, often quotes the American poet, W.S. Merwin, inviting his students to consider how “poetry is a way of looking at the world for the first time.” Here are some poetry collection recommendations that can make you feel comforted in the profound newness of it all.

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“Violet Bent Backwards over the Grass” by Lana Del Rey Fall is a time of in-betweenness, with the weather betwixt the past warmth and future cold, it is a perfect breeding ground for nostalgic feelings. Most people know Lana Del Rey as a singer-songwriter with a reputation for dramatic lyrical storytelling and melancholic pop music. It’s no surprise that she is also a published writer, with this poetry collection accompanied by her first spoken word album of the same title. This collection feels autumnal, as the title evokes the image of flowers weathering the cycle of life.

The poems feel Whitman-esque, with “LA Who Am I to Love You” being a piece that stands out the most. If you enjoy poetry that makes you feel nostalgic for memories and experiences that aren’t even yours, this collection is for you.

“Grocery List Poems” by Rhiannon McGavin McGavin’s collection of “scraps of the everyday” poetry takes a look at the mundanity of daily life and reorganizes it into thoughtful composition. This collection functions as a focus on language and feeling, making it perfect for readers who are eager to dip their toes into lighter poetry than the previous mentions and doesn’t skimp out on the vastness of expression. The poetry pays homage to all those who, sometimes, feel like they feel everything too deeply – and it reinforces the importance of taking a moment to look around and notice the beauty of the everyday.■ H COURTESY OF PEXELS

Radar Replay: ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ is a metamorphic romance spanning space and time LUKE LIAO Contributing Writer

Revisiting Miyzaki’s story of selfhood, warfare and compassion.

It begins and ends with the titular castle. Throughout “Howl’s Moving Castle,” the lumbering steampunk behemoth undergoes many physical changes, whether it be the shedding of its bulky exterior or the polishing of its teeming interiorities. And though it can’t talk or cast spells the same way its occupants do, the castle remains vital to the story, acting as a figuration of the literal and symbolic changes to come.

An array of characters enter and exit the mammoth of a home, and with each transposition, we learn more about them. The protagonist Sophie is a hatter who wraps herself in work as a way to lay aside her insecurities and concerns. Where Sophie is mature, Howl is vain and adolescent-like. The shape-shifting wizard takes pride in his looks and abilities but possesses fears outgrowing his cowardly, immature nature. The two’s foil and commonality are expected, but the patient exhuming of these fated souls is a true accomplishment.

“Howl’s Moving Castle” also sees Miyazaki working with an endearing sundry of characters. The witches, demons and humankind that occupy this world all feel distinct, not just in design, but in wellspring and incentive as well. Even secondary characters carry a considerable amount of heft and memorability. This

doting attention is why characters like Totoro from “My Neighbor Totoro”, No-Face from “Spirited Away’’ and Calcifer from “Howl’s Moving Castle” have become unmistakable iconography.

As the release of Hayao Miyazaki’s next film, “The Boy and the Heron” draws closer and Studio Ghibli Fest continues, there couldn’t be a more apt time to revisit 2004’s “Howl Moving Castle.” What immediately separates “Howl’s Moving Castle” from the director’s other accomplished works is its elusivity. The narrative’s real strengths come from the culmination of subtleties and ambiguities. Whenever these opacities and occasional jumble seem out of hand, the film makes sure to remind us of its grasp on lucidity, much like how the logic behind dreams work.

With the film largely exploring the vanity of war, how the director handles conflict and antagonism becomes an impressive feat of character work. Miyazaki, a life-long pacifist, developed the film in response to the US invasion of Iraq. So despite the clear frustration channeled into the story, there is a profound decision to never condemn one side or one individual.

Even Howl, whose suavity and moodiness charm audiences, has to reckon with his role in the war.

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Characters like the Witch of the Waste clearly align on one side of the moral continuum, but never are relegated to representing one ideology or denied dimension.

Miyazaki leaves room for the gray, and by doing so, elicits reflection in the viewer. It’s a welcome contrast to the many Western animations where good means good and bad means bad.

In light of this war, and the greed and naivety that bred it, “Howl’s Moving Castle” resonates with a positive sentiment where compassion triumphs and life is celebrated. To sweeten the deal, the message is embroidered with ornate animation (perhaps Miyazaki’s most lush) and Joe Hisashi’s spirited score. It’s these embraced tendencies of Miyazaki’s work that ultimately allows his message to resonate so strongly among all ages, and from the most casual to keen movie-goers.

So like his work before and after, “Howl’s Moving Castle” can only be summarized and touted as wholly “Miyazaki.” No one else is able to navigate such universal ideas with aged maturity and youthful H imagination. ■

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TUESDAY, OCT 10, 2023

RADAR

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‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ is a wet dream for action junkies, but a sad awakening to a rushed plot

The newest addition to the ‘Castlevania’ series comes onto Netflix, showing off many of its predecessors’ old strengths and more.

BRENDAN VO Radar Editor

On July 27, 2023, a first glimpse into the longanticipated return to the “Castlevania” series came on Netflix’s YouTube account as an official teaser trailer.

Fans have awoken from their slumbers to the fervent excitement that the sneak-peak of “Castlevania: Nocturne” had garnered with the trailer’s dynamic action sequences and the new generation cast of colorful characters. The buzz eventually grabbed the likes of famous internet personalities like Asmongold and MoistCr1tical to react with awe. In all, the ferocious fever for “Castlevania: Nocturne’s” Netflix-only premiere on Sept. 28, 2023 came over the prospective audiences for the show, especially coming off of the very successful four seasons of the first “Castlevania” series.

The Netflix series is based on the Japanese 1986 “Castlevania: Nocturne” video game franchise released on the NES and Famicom, and published

by Konami. The brave quest to slay the monstrous Dracula in the notoriously difficult game featuring a hauntingly gothic aesthetic would find itself to be an extremely compelling original American adult animated series.

Set 300 years after the main events of the previous seasons, “Castlevania: Nocturne” follows Richter Belmont fighting vampire oppressors in the setting of France during the French Revolution. The monster hunter’s team would face these vampires alongside their monstrous night creatures to uncover conspiracies of the church, rise against a vampire messiah and lead the revolution.

Aesthetically, the show maintains a strong horror and gothic thematic, appropriately implemented to increase the weight of the dark, mature tone of storytelling. The vampire’s white skin has become likened to the aristocracy of that time, alluding to the predatory nature of the rich. On the other hand, the revolutionaries are incredibly colored and distinctly stylized, representing each individual as a unique part of a collective.

It would not be an exaggeration to state that this show’s substance comes mostly from the animated fights. The action sequences of the series stole the entire show’s spotlight due to its continuing highcaliber animation and accompanied masterful fight choreography. With an already-established magic system that resided in the first four seasons of “Castlevania,” “Castlevania: Nocturne” raises the bar by fleshing out the system further, evolving what every character can do. Beast-taming, mineral manipulation and elemental augmenting are fantastical feats that develop even further throughout the series.

And how the choreographers handle enemies that go against our heroes enriches the experience further insofar as every vampire, night creature and human

foe is paid due respect by being given their own unique, distinct abilities. The creativity and dynamic entanglements between protagonists and enemies will have you feeling like you are watching a thrilling Dungeon and Dragons group tackle every obstacle in their way in a journey to ultimately slay the big bad boss.

For the slower and quieter moments, however, audiences will be met with powerful and charismatic voice acting that has you questioning if all of these talents should be in the ASMR industry instead.

Fans of the series will be glad that this remained an incredibly beautiful feature of the series, imbuing the emotional moments of the show with thoughtfulness and moral ambiguity. Strong highlights from the cast are found in the multifaceted villainous Aztec vampire Olrox (Zahn McClarnon) with his deep voice enhancing the mystique of the somewhat antivillain and Edouard (Sydney James Harcourt) with an enchanting angelic singing voice that belts out opera pieces that captures the melancholy and lament of grief at times.

While most of the voice-acting cast nail their roles, the show’s protagonist, Richter, feels more out of place with Edward Bluemel’s performance. His boyish voice performs inconsistently in tandem with the dark and mature narrative of “Castlevania.” At times, it feels both out of place with the horror narrative and incredibly appropriate as his cockiness and swagger serve as a coping mechanism for his haunting past.

“Castlevania: Nocturne” would be an absolutely worthy successor to its previous seasons, if not for how two issues seem to overshadow and cripple all excellent elements of the new Netflix series: its narrative and pacing. It is incredibly frustrating to see that this is where the series fumbles the hardest, considering the powerful character developments of the past seasons, such as Isaac’s and Hector’s incredibly satisfying and compelling journeys.

Where “Castlevania” seemed to peak at its most philosophical and slower dialogue-filled scenes, Nocturne almost feels too scared to explore itself, as it jumps dramatically from plot point to plot point.

With romantic relationships sporadically appearing, the biggest antagonist sitting around until the very end and no time to sit and breathe with each character’s mental state, trying to follow the show feels like a hack recipe that is quickly pan-frying a cut of steak instead should be slowly smoked.

Unfortunately, the narrative thorns every aspect of its spectacularity. It won’t ruin your entire viewing experience as every other aspect still adds up to an incredible American animated series, but it still sits in the minds of those who see a season two on the horizon. ■ H

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Verdict: ‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ is an incredible watch considering its strengths akin to a thrilling action-filled Dungeon and Dragons adventure. Yet, the vampire-slaying series feels flat with its underbaked narrative.

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RADAR

TUESDAY, OCT 3, 2023

13

‘Fair Play’ is an exciting romp through an office romance gone wrong RAMITA SETTY Staff Writer

This sexy Netflix thriller about a battle of the sexes is rife with bloody surprises from beginning to end.

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Netflix’s steamy thriller on gender politics in the office was released without fanfare to the streaming platform on October 6. Chloe Domont’s directorial debut follows a young couple who both work at a cutthroat hedge firm and whose relationship rapidly unravels after an unexpected promotion.

Phoebe Dynover and Alden Ehrenreich star as Emily and Luke respectively, two analysts at hedge fund “Once Crest Capital.” Despite getting engaged, the two keep their relationship a secret in the office as it is a violation of company policy. Emily in particular is worried about how she’ll be perceived by her mostly male coworkers, all of whom would mow each other down to get ahead. Despite Emily’s and Luke’s attempt to compartmentalize love and work, a promotion that goes to Emily instead of Luke causes their relationship to deteriorate in a series of dramatic events that would be an HR department’s worst nightmare.

Domont succeeds in making the sleek corporate office feel like a tense prison, one that slowly feels increasingly constricting as the events of the film unfold. It’s a flat and gray steel jungle that represents its inhabitants well. As the viewer is slowly drawn into Emily and Luke’s relationship, we witness Luke’s slow spiral into becoming someone more cruel as Emily thrives in their high-stakes world, leading to a disastrous mess for the couple. By the time we reach the end, we can already predict how the story will conclude.

That is perhaps the greatest weakness of “Fair Play” — it feels like we know how the entire story will end before we reach it. Despite

some promising moments and a great performance from Ehrenreich, nothing about Luke’s arc feels particularly revelatory or unexpected.

It’s a story of a man who feels threatened by a woman’s success — a story that has been told countless times before. Emily’s arc, in contrast, is more compelling as she starts to immerse herself in the toxic culture her peers freely revel in. The most interesting part of the film is a scene where Emily accompanies her male coworkers to a strip club and pays a stripper to grind on her. It’s a scene Dynover plays with a viciously hungry appetite and invites an interesting question about the nature of being an outsider in an exclusive club, and how you change in an effort to assimilate into a narrowly shaped world.

However, “Fair Play” breezes past it disappointingly fast.

“Fair Play’s” commentary on gender dynamics, as a result, feels rather limited. The film isn’t interested in really getting into the nuances of gender dynamics in the workplace but is content to paint a portrait that leans toward conventionality. It is good for what it is, but the film ends up leaving you with a sense of wanting more. ■H

Verdict: “Fair Play” is a competently made thriller with two great performances that is enjoyable to watch, but fails to stand out much.

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Sports 14 TUESDAY, OCT 10, 2023

SPORTS

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UC Riverside men’s soccer team wins their first game of the season HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

THE REIGNING BIG WEST CHAMPIONS GET A MUCH-NEEDED WIN AFTER A SLOW START TO THE SEASON. The UC Riverside men’s soccer team got their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Sacramento State Wednesday night.

After winning the Big West Championship the season prior, the Highlanders got off to a slow start with a record 0-7-3 to begin this season. UCR looked to get back on track against a three-win Sacramento State team.

The match started out choppy between both teams. Within the first 36 seconds of the game, a foul was called on Sacramento State’s midfielder Francisco Magana. UC Riverside also committed fouls early on as junior defender AJ Meade-Tatum got called for a foul at the 6:26 mark. Things started to get heated as fouls started to pile up at the 14:53 mark. It started off with a foul on Sacramento State’s forward Jhared Willcot. With the Highlanders on the offense, they got a bit too aggressive as multiple fouls were called on UCR as they attempted to get the ball inside the goal. At the 21:48 mark, junior defender Andrew Alexander was given the first yellow card of the game as he slid into one of the opposing players.

Minutes later, the Hornets started their push for the goal. However, momentum started to shift towards UC Riverside as senior goalkeeper Carlos Gonzalez made an incredible save to prevent a goal. At the 30:17 mark, Sacramento State’s midfielder Stacy Holmes was given a yellow card that gave the ball back to the Highlanders. With the first half coming to a close, things started to get heated again as junior forward Luka Lukic and Sacramento state’s midfielder Ali Sasankhah were both given yellow flags. At the end of the half, the game

remained tied 0-0.

UC Riverside started to find their rhythm in the second half as their aggressive play found themselves a chance to get the first score of the game. With the clock at 53:05, sophomore midfielder Diogo Baptista advanced the ball to Lukic, who was able to get a kick off and scored the first goal of the game, which gave UCR a 1-0 lead.

A minute later, Willcot from Sacramento State was issued another yellow card, which resulted in an ejection for Willcot.

The game started to slow down as both sides continued to exchange possessions. The Hornets had their chances to score as they attempted multiple shots at the goal. However, the Highlander defense was able to stonewall the goal with Gonzalez holding it down as the goalkeeper. With 87:16 on the clock, UC Riverside was able ice the game away with another goal as junior forward Noah Lopez had a beautiful kick to extend the Highlander lead 2-0. With the late goal, UCR sealed the victory and got its first win of the season.

Lopez and Kukic both led the way for the Highlanders as they scored a goal each. Lopez attempted two shots, both were shots on goal while Kukic attempted three shots with only one shot toward the goal. Gonzalez held down the fort with three saves and no goals allowed.

The Highlanders improved their record to 1-7-3 (1-1-1) and will H take on UC San Diego at home on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m.■

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, OCT 10, 2023

15

The Philadelphia Phillies avenge their World Series defeat from last year winning their first since 2008 KIANOOSH NOOSHI Assistant Sports Editor

THE PHILLIES DEFEAT THE ASTROS IN A REMATCH OF LAST YEAR’S WORLD SERIES MATCHUP. The Wild Card round of the MLB playoffs has wrapped up and now it is on to the Divisional Round. This season in the MLB has been an exciting one with several teams and players putting on incredible performances. The Atlanta Braves once again put on a great showing behind the heroics of Ronald Acuña Jr. who became the fifth member of the 40–40 club (40 HR and Stolen Bases in one season), set a modern era franchise record in stolen bases, with 73, and became the first MLB player to accomplish a 40–70 season. The Astros and Dodgers once again put on amazing seasons led by insane talent. Looking at the matchups for the rest of the playoffs it is interesting to see the potential matchups for the World Series: Astros vs. Twins Before we dive into the Phillies’ remarkable journey, let’s take a quick look at the Houston Astros’ first-round opponent: the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins have shown impressive resilience throughout the regular season, but the Astros’ pitching staff and offensive firepower will prove too much for them to handle. Astros sweep in 3.

Orioles vs. Rangers The Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers might not be the most glamorous matchup on paper, but in the playoffs, surprises are bound to occur. Both teams have had their share of struggles during the regular season, making this series a true toss-up. Orioles win in 5.

Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks bring an enticing showdown to the 2023 MLB Playoffs. The defending champions, the Dodgers, boast an enviable roster filled with star players. However, the Diamondbacks have had moments of brilliance and could give the Dodgers a run for their money. This series promises high drama and could

go either way, but the Dodgers should win in 5.

Braves vs. Phillies Now focusing on the matchup of the round: the Atlanta Braves vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves have been a formidable force in recent years, but the Phillies have quietly assembled a competitive roster that could prove to be the dark horse of the playoffs.

The Phillies’ path to the postseason hasn’t been easy, but they’ve overcome adversity and are primed for success. With a formidable rotation anchored by aces Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola and a lineup featuring the likes of Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, the Phillies have the tools to go deep in the playoffs.

Moreover, the Phillies have been steadily improving throughout the season, showcasing their potential to take on the best teams in the league.

They’ve also had success against the Braves in head-to-head matchups, gaining confidence as they enter the postseason.

The key to the Phillies’ success will be their ability to execute under pressure. Manager Joe Girardi’s experience in the playoffs will be invaluable in guiding the team through tense moments. If the Phillies can maintain their composure and capitalize on their strengths, they have a legitimate shot at upending the Braves and advancing to the next round and they should do so in 5.

Following these matchups will be the NL and AL Conference Series which according to this prediction leaves the Orioles vs. Astros and the Phillies vs. Dodgers. From there the Astros and Phillies should move on off the back of their emphatic wins in the Divisional Series setting up a rematch of last year’s World Series. Two time MVP, Bryce Harper, will be the difference between these formidable teams and he will capture the first World Series win of his career as well as winning the MVP. ■ H

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