Vol. 71 Issue 03

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, October 11, 2022

VOL. 71, ISSUE 03

OPINIONS

The University of California should be doing more to combat housing insecurity within its student population HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL STAFF

Being a college student is stressful enough with the many sacrifices people must undertake in order to succeed and finish their degree. Housing insecurity during a student’s higher education should not be a large concern, but for most students attending college in California, it is. The economy, combined with California’s housing shortage, has led to students being unable to secure affordable housing near their campus. In the worst cases, some have to sleep in their cars. The University of California system is such a large and wealthy institution that there is no reason for their students to be denied on-campus or affordable housing at the rate they are.

While the UC system has tried GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

RADAR

est. 1954

LIMITED ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING HARMS STUDENTS’ ABILITY TO ACCESS HIGHER EDUCATION AND FINISH THEIR DEGREES.

to increase the amount of dorms and apartments on their campuses in recent years, there is still not enough housing for all of the students wishing to attend these schools. Rooms in these buildings fill up quickly with the majority of students never making it off of the waiting lists.

And although the simple solution is to build more housing, this is easier said than done.

The communities surrounding these colleges often oppose and block the construction of more student housing wanting to keep out undesirable neighbors and new construction. This prejudice against college students only perpetuates the issue. The surrounding communities and the universities, however, should work together to improve relations ► SEE HOUSING PAGE 5

THE DECADE-LONG SERIAL KILLER RECEIVES ANOTHER PROJECT TIED TO HIS NAME THAT REVIVES THE PAIN OF VICTIMS’ FAMILIES AND A LACK OF REPRESENTATION.

Netflix’s obsession with serial killers creates ‘Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ BRENDA JOVEL Radar Editor

“Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” is another product of Netflix detailing the story of a real-life serial killer and cannibal, Jeffrey Dahmer.

Dahmer was convicted in 1991 for the murders of 17 men and young teenagers. Since then, Dahmer has been labeled as one of America’s most notorious serial killers who has garnered attention even after his death. His crimes have created lengthy amounts of multimedia projects from entertainment companies, continuously failing to tell the stories of the victims, including Netflix’s new show.

many victims and their families underwent. Its daunting soundtrack vibrates in low, ominous hums, elevating the tension between every scene Dahmer is in. Glenda Cleveland (Niecy Nash) who was Dahmer’s neighbor for the duration of his murders, is depicted hearing every faint sound and tortured cries of victims losing their lives a few feet away from her door. Flashing back to these sounds and Cleveland revealing her story to Reverend Jesse Jackson (Nigel Gibbs) creates a gut-wrenching feeling of sorrow for Cleveland who was an implicit witness to Dahmer’s crimes.

The series first explores Dahmer’s adolescent ► SEE DAHMER PAGE 14

Evan Peters, known for portraying disturbing characters such as Tate from “American Horror Story,” brings Dahmer back to life in an unsettling manner. Peters does an excellent job of playing the passive and detached serial killer who preyed on young men in the POC community. His portrayal does deserve praise for his acting abilities and dedication to the role, yet it’s disappointing to applaud him over a show that misleads its viewers.

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

FIND YOUR WEEKLY HOROSCOPE ON PAGE 10!

The show is well-directed, including smooth transitions that evoke the pain and suffering

@thehighlanderucr @HighlanderUCR UCRHighlander NEWS 3

OPINIONS 6

FEATURES 10

RADAR 13

SPORTS 15

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

11

Women’s Resource Center Open House 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Costo Hall Patio

MESCafe 11 a. m. to 12 p.m.

Costo Hall 111

12

Peanut Butter & Jogging 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The WELL Office, HUB 248

Hip Hop Dance Class 5:30 p. m. - 6:30 p.m.

SRC, MPR B

Tuesday

Wednesday

13

Thursday

Business & Diversity Expo 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

HUB 302

14

International Scholar Coffee Hour 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Coffee Bean

Saturday

15

Camping 101: Basics to Outdoor Exploration 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

UCR Community R’ Garden, Lot 30

16

Women’s Soccer vs. UC Santa Barbara 12 p.m.

UC Riverside Soccer Stadium

Graduate-Level Argumentation 12:00 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Virtual Event

Friday

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

Sunday

HIGHLANDER STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Madison Rheins

CONTACT US

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Evelyn Homan

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Abhijit Rege

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features@highlandernews.org RADAR EDITOR Brenda Jovel bjove002@ucr.edu SPORTS EDITOR Hansel Chu sports@highlandernews.org PRODUCTION MANAGER

Haru Chang

achan338@ucr.edu ASST. OPINIONS EDITOR Ysabel Nakasone ynaka036@ucr.edu ASST. FEATURES EDITOR

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Topics should be UCR-centric and/or pertain to our generation of students. Contact Opinions Editor Amaray Alvarez at opinions@highlandernews.org by Wednesday if interested in writing a letter and submit the completed letter by Saturday at noon. Letters can and will be rejected if it does not meet requirements.

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Monday

UC Climate Action Funding Opportunity Webinar 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Virtual Event

MULTIMEDIA

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS ADVERTISING INFORMATION Please submit Classifed ads by calling 951-827-3457 or by emailing Highlanderads@ucr.edu PAYMENT Visa and Mastercard Make checks payable to The Highlander Newspaper No refunds RATES Classified: $2 per line; 17 characters (spaces, dashes, etc.)

Tai Chi Yang Style Class 11 a. m. to 12 p.m.

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NEWS

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NEWS

TUESDAY, October 11, 2022

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Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders’ health during COVID-19 HARU CHANG Assistant News Editor

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NH/ PI) represent the third fastest growing minority population, according to the U.S. census.

However, they remain both understudied and underserved. The lack of health and healthcare related data to evaluate the status of the population limits the development of meaningful interventions and policies. A few available representative studies detail that NH/ PI’s face disproportionately elevated risk for chronic disease, high rates of poverty, mortality, and are also underinsured. Two studies now report that NH/PIs have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andrew Subica, an Associate Professor in UCR the School of Medicine’s department of Social Medicine Population and Public Health, led research groups that surveyed more than 300 NH/PIs from April to November 2021 in states with large NH/PI populations. They published their findings in two journals.

The researchers found 30% of the NH/ PI participants reported being diagnosed with COVID-19, 16% had close family members who died of the disease, and approximately 50% of the participants reported having a close family member with COVID-19.

According to Subica, factors that increase NH/PI’s risk for exposure to COVID-19 include employment in essential frontline positions, living in dense households and neighborhoods, and traditional socio-cultural practices that involve large in-person group contact.

Subic concludes that their empirical findings reveal the nature of the impact of COVID-19 on NH/PI communities in the United States and suggests developing meaningful interventions to improve NH/PI community health, vaccination, and recovery from COVID-19.

The second paper found NH/PI communities experience high levels of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, depression, anxiety and unmet treatment during COVID-19. 47% and 22% of NH/PI adults reported current alcohol and cigarette use, while 35% reported lifetime illicit substance use. These risk factors combined with NH/PIs’ preexisting obesity, diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular disease and cancer have led to severe COVID-19 outcomes. Despite these glaring extremities of COVID-19 illness and death, there are no known studies to partner with NH/PI communities to identify their behavioral health needs during COVID-19.

Nonbinary NH/PIs had the highest rates of lifetime and current use of cigarettes, ecigarettes, cannabis, prescription opioids and methamphetamines. Nonbinary NH/PIs also had the highest mean severities of depression, anxiety and COVID-19 distress, and greatest prevalence of major depressive disorder (37%) and general anxiety disorder (24%).

While nonbinary sample was relatively small, the findings combined with the higher rates of severe harm experienced by many gender minorities suggest the need for further research exploring the behavioural health needs of these indiciduals at-risk.

The paper suggests that the limitations of the study should elicit further studies that

explore systemic barriers to NH/PI treatment engagement: high costs, lack of health insurance, lack of culturally appropriate services, especially for gender minorities who reported high treatment needs but low treatment use.

Both studies necessitate culturally responsive prevention, intervention, and recovery programs that must be implemented to reduce NH/PI substance use and mental health disparities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evidence-based data and translational research in NHPI communities is affirmed to be essential to reduce health disparity and contribute to H health equity. ■

NEW STUDIES REVEAL HOW THE NH/PI COMMUNITY WAS AFFECTED

BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

COURTESY OF HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD VIA FLICKR UNDER CC BY 2.0

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NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 2022

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Provost Watkins Fall Campus Update ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

On Sept. 29, Highlanders received an email from Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Elizabeth Watkins that provided an update on the administration and the issues they hope to tackle in the year. As explained by the Provost, the campus leadership engaged in a day-long on-site retreat where the provost and chancellor’s cabinet as well as the academic senate and staff assembly.

One of the primary goals of the administration for not only the fall quarter but also the year would be to tackle the issue of quarter credit enrollment. A concerning trend was highlighted where students over time were taking fewer units each quarter with the current average being around 14.02 units. The regular load is around 15 credits per term.

The Provost and administration emphasized the importance of this issue and explained, “It matters because low credit loads mean longer time to degree for our students, which will cost them more money. also delays their entry into the workforce or graduate school. Empirical research shows that students who take a full course load thrive on academic momentum and do not experience a drop in their GPA, even if they are also working and/or taking care of family members.”

Strategies

were

discussed

during the retreat to address this issue and tackle the barriers that may prevent students from taking a full course load and ultimately improve undergraduate student success.

This would also contribute to building financial stability as the provost noted how state funding, which accounts for 45% of the core budget, would be allocated based on student full-time equivalents (FTE).

“UCOP multiplies our total number of students (headcount) by our average credit load and then divides by 45 to arrive at our total student FTE. With the drop in credit load, we stand to lose almost $6M, which would wipe out half of the increase we received this year.”

New student recruitment was another focal point discussed during the retreat, with an emphasis on out-ofstate enrollment. “We have the opportunity to expand the geographic diversity of our ethnically and racially diverse student body,” explained Watkins in the email. The administration plans on better managing and marketing the school and its majors, especially to high school and community college students from local Inland Empire districts.

Enrollment growth is a major point of controversy based on President Drake’s announcement to enroll 23,000 more students over the next 8 years, to total

THE ADMINISTRATION HOPES TO INCREASE THE ENROLLMENT AND THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS TAKEN PER QUARTER.

33,000 more by 2030. Much scrutiny has risen over the consequences of increased enrollment including the traffic and housing issues.

The retreat concluded with their final discussion of the progress made on numerous priorities that were identified the previous year. This includes nonresident undergraduate enrollment which increased 36% from 2021 to 2022.

Summer session enrollment did not increase but was still 23% higher than it was pre-pandemic in 2019. Extramural research funding increased 20% from 2021 to 2022. Total Facilities and Administrative Costs (F&A), or indirect cost recovery from grants, received by the university increased almost 10% from 2021 to 2022. Staff headcount increased 4.5% from 2021 to 2022, and units have current recruitment plans to add another 3.5% this year.

The Provost office hours have restarted after the summer hiatus and you can meet with her to learn more and have your thoughts heard about ■H UCR.

COURTESY OF PEXELS

ASUCR’s first meeting kicks off with a visit from the Executive Cabinet ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

The Associated Students of UCR’s first meeting was called to order on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 in the ASUCR Senate Chamber. All senators were present and the executive cabinet were at this meeting as well.

The Public Forum began with a presentation from Mohamad Almouazzen who called for ASUCR disinvestment from all products manufactured by Israel. This was done to, “Ensure we are not supporting apartheid,” referring to the current conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Orlando Cabalo then followed by reintroducing the student workers union and their efforts.

The Vice President of Internal Affairs Jeanine Nassar, then delivered her report detailing her progress and feats, first ratifying staff. Her office currently has applications open for staff positions. In addition, she is working with numerous individuals to support sexual assault awareness as well as improving on providing basic necessities to students. She has also reached out to the office of the ASUCR marketing director office to revamp media

engagement.

Executive President Mufida Assaf also delivered her presentation where she discussed her cabinet including the chief of staff and executive secretary. She discussed the HUB governing board with applications that are open to ASUCR and the UCR student body. Goals of this board include increasing accessibility for students and providing more resources for commuters.

Following this was the presentation by Amina Hearns, the VP of External Affairs and VP of Finance, Christian who also ratified their staff. Hearns was emphasizing the chief of staff and others in her cabinet’s commitment to the office as a whole. VP of sustainability Alondra Martinez highlighted her staff, notably the vice chair and policy director, and their passion for improving sustainability on campus.

Committee reports then took place with CHASS senator Aalani Richardson proposed a bill that addressed budgeting

NEW JUSTICES APPOINTED IN JUDICIAL COUNCIL. issues. This would call for more flexibility for funding and spending with increases in the amounts allocated for equipment and banquets. CNAS senator Abby Choi called for changing titles of numerous positions. The marketing committee was also called for changes to take place. The marketing motion committee would be restricted with overall staff increasing from 8 to 20, while the marketing specialist would be consolidated under one office with more directions and resources.

Judicial Nominations took place with 3 candidates present to give their cases. Ultimately of the three candidates, the two who were appointed as justices emphasized impartiality and ethical decision making.

To conclude the meeting, multiple senators had announcements to make including those from Senator Brandon Huang, senator Sean Nguyen, and Senator AalaniH ■ Richardson. The meeting was then adjourned at 8:34 p.m.

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NEWS

TUESDAY, October 11, 2022

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UCR and the Inland Empire economy UCR SCHOOL OF BUSINESS HARU CHANG Assistant News Editor

ECONOMIC FORECAST

The Center for Economic Forecasting doesn’t foresee any major change for the Inland Empire economy over the next 12 months and expects business activity to rise between 2% and 3%. The increase in the regional business activity in the second quarter of the latest available data represents a significant decline in growth from recent quarters.

UCR School of Business locates the next downturn coinciding with the Federal government grappling with the nation’s growing structural deficit, the fundamentals in the private sector appear to be strong. Potential strain between the U.S. government and the bond market is identified in the eventual tough political choices that foreign lenders will have to make.

The impact of rising rates is apparent in sales activity. Home sales in the region were down significantly across major segments of the market. Sales of existing single-family homes were down 9.3% through the first half of this year, but prices increased 17.9% over the same period. Steep declines in sales also occurred in the existing-condos segment of the market, where year-to-date sales dipped 19%.

The School of Business also reports that the cost of owning a home in the Inland Empire is distinctly lower when compared to other areas of the state and California overall. It is noted that a general rule is that home prices are not based on local household incomes, but rather the income of people who want to live in a particular area. The Inland Empire roughly matches the statewide figure after adjusting for differences in earnings. In other words, the inflation-adjusted average hourly earnings for private-sector workers in California are 33% higher compared to the Inland Empire, but the cost of owning a home in California is 35.7% higher compared to the Inland Empire.

H The UCR economic forecast can be found at ucreconomicforecast.org.■

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Opinions 6

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022

OPINIONS

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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

The University of California should be doing more to combat housing insecurity within its student population Being a college student is stressful enough with the many sacrifices people must undertake in order to succeed and finish their degree. Housing insecurity during a student’s higher education should not be a large concern, but for most students attending college in California, it is. The economy, combined with California’s housing shortage, has led to students being unable to secure affordable housing near their campus. In the worst cases, some have to sleep in their cars. The University of California system is such a large and wealthy institution that there is no reason for their students to be denied on-campus or affordable housing at the rate they are.

While the UC system has tried to increase the amount of dorms and apartments on their campuses in recent years, there is still not enough housing for all of the students wishing to attend these schools. Rooms in these buildings fill up quickly with the majority of students never making it off of the waiting lists. And although the simple solution is to build more housing, this is easier said than done.

The communities surrounding these colleges often oppose and block the construction of more student housing wanting to keep out undesirable neighbors and new construction.

This prejudice against college students only perpetuates the issue. The surrounding communities and the universities, however, should work together to improve relations by regarding each other’s needs and concerns. There are landlords willing to work with college students to give them an affordable rent price.

Not all students are loud, unruly tenants.

In California, many of the campuses are in already developed locations and new buildings are not feasible. This September, Governor Gavin Newsom signed senate Bill 886, exempting student housing projects built on land owned by UC, CSU or community colleges from the California Environmental Quality Act. While this will prevent new projects from being blocked, it is using previously environmentally protected land.

This is not a solution, as the environment takes the burden of this problem.

Another solution would be if The UC considers admitting less students or providing more hybrid options. During the pandemic, online courses were beneficial to students as they could attend class from home without having to spend more money on gas commuting or rent through living on campus.

At this time, more students were also admitted thus expanding the reach of higher education to those who may not have had the opportunity otherwise. Now that we are past the peak of the pandemic, less hybrid and online courses are being offered and it is too costly for some to attend. Public transportation is not always viable and the housing shortage only makes it more difficult for students to come to campus and pursue their education.

Ultimately, the current housing shortage and overcrowding of most universities is detrimental to the success and well-being of current and future students. Not having a reliable place to live, and constantly worrying about housing insecurity, will deter people from going to school and create more challenges for those currently attending. There is no quick fix to the problem. Campuses need to reevaluate their populations and ensure their students have somewhere safe to sleep. Government programs and more funding are a start, but community relations also play a huge role in finding and building affordable housing.

Higher education is already seen as prestigious or exclusive and this new barrier upholds institutional racism and classism.

Instead of supporting their students, the UC is allowing them to H fail by not doing more. ■

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.

LIMITED ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING HARMS STUDENTS’ ABILITY TO ACCESS HIGHER EDUCATION AND FINISH THEIR DEGREES.

OPINIONS

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 2022

California’s proposed anti-gun violence office is a shot of false hope YSABEL NAKASONE Assistant Opinions Editor

California has some of the most stringent gun-control laws in the country, and yet it can’t seem to get out from under the pandemic of gun violence. In the last week of September, six people were injured at a school shooting in Oakland and a fifteen year old girl was shot in San Bernardino during a confrontation with law enforcement. Meanwhile, last April the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions released a report which states there was a 41% increase in gun homicides from 2019 to 2020. In response to clearly founded concerns regarding gun violence, California is implementing an anti-gun violence office. This office would work on finding ways to prevent gun theft and ownership by dangerous individuals.

Focusing on these facets of the problem is the tried approach and the results are somewhat lackluster. None of the aims of this office actually address the causes of gun violence, but rather take a more traditional approach to gun control.

Keeping guns away from individuals who pose a danger to themselves and others is a worthy cause Americans should care about. However, it is in no way the whole picture or the whole solution. The whole picture includes a clear correlation between socioeconomic status and crime.

It includes a failure to prioritize mental health and to meaningfully address poverty.

It does not go unnoticed that similar offices in Colorado, New Orleans and D.C. have also failed to make meaningful headway in preventing gun violence.

host of root causes for violence in addition to their current goals. Legally purchased guns are still used to commit crimes and engage in violent acts. In fact, a legally purchased .45-caliber pistol was used in the Thousand Oaks shooting in 2018 that took 12 lives. The marine veteran who was responsible for the shooting was described as “acting irrationally” before later committing suicide.

Methods such as managing training for gun owners can prevent some forms of gun violence, but that too does not include monitoring the source of this issue. Taking a hard look at funding for welfare, solving the homelessness crisis and expanding access to mental health and rehabilitation programs needs to be the main priority of this office. Somehow, California has managed to create an anti-gun violence office that does nothing to address actually ending gun violence.

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THE UNIMPLEMENTED OFFICE DOES NOT PROPOSE ANY TECHNIQUES OR EVEN HINT AT ADDRESSING THE SCIENTIFICALLY ACCEPTED CAUSES OF GUNVIOLENCE.

Lawmakers don’t grasp what the problem is, and so they don’t have a grasp on the solution either. Trying to prevent guns from falling into the hands of bad actors is a national necessity, but it is a band aid that fails to keep this wound from gushing blood. The actual solution is far more complicated and nuanced than the intent of this office encompasses. If lawmakers want this office to be effective, it needs to be given more latitude to focus H on not just the weapons, but people too.■

The aims of this office must shift to include concerns about mental health, addiction, homelessness, poverty and a

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The Supreme Court should represent the people they serve

ALEX KUPISIEWICZ Contributing Writer

The Supreme Court has been in the spotlight recently, and not for any good reasons. The recent actions of the Court have raised debate about its institutional integrity — whether or not the institution acts within an ethical code and holds positive values.

This means the court should act on the basis of constitutionality.

Considering that the basis of their job is to review specific laws that Americans must all abide by, they play a very important role in the government, as well as everyone’s day-to-day lives.

No branch of government, however, should hold this much power without representing the people. This is a branch of government who controls what we legally can and cannot do, and can make decisions without public vote or input from those who have been voted in. This is why they should be structured to represent the demographics and political views of the people rather than its original structure.

The recent decision of the Court to overturn Roe v Wade and what that means for the U.S. was widely publicized. According to a CNN poll conducted shortly after the leaked news of the potential decision, 66% of Americans said they did not want this to happen and only 17% said they would be happy to see it happen. The court has the power to make changes that do not reflect the values of the American people. They do not even reflect the views of the current sitting President and Vice President, both of whom have publicly stated that they are doing all that they can to return abortion rights to as many states as possible.

If the court has the power to do something that the people and elected representatives do not want, they should make decisions based on the will of the people themselves. These are the people who have to abide by the legal decisions made by the Supreme

Court after all. According to the 2020 United States census, 50.5% of the American population are women. Of the nine members currently within the Supreme Court, four are women.

This means that only 44% of this court represents the 50.5% of the population. There are also only three current members of the Court who are people of color, about 33% to represent the 40.7% who did not identify in the recent census as ‘white alone, not Hispanic of Latino’. These statistics show that the Supreme Court does not match the demographics of the general public.

This lack of representation can be detrimental for the country as a whole, because justices should be able to relate to these people and understand what these decisions mean for them. A white person can hear about a black person’s experiences related to their race, but they can never fully understand them, as long as they have not experienced it themselves. Likewise, a man cannot fully understand the experience of a woman, so a court made up of majority men should not be allowed to make decisions on women’s rights. It’s essential that the Supreme Court represent the people who are going to have to live with their decisions.

Outside of these demographics, the court does not reflect the political values of the people either. Of the current sitting members of the court 66% is known to lean right politically, however only 43% of the American population identifies or leans in that direction, according to a 2021 Gallup poll. This misalignment with the population is exactly why and how the Court is able to pass laws that are unsupported and unwanted by H the population, and it cannot be allowed to continue.■

WITH ALL THE POWER THEY HOLD, THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD BE REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE IN THEIR MAKEUP AND THEIR DECISIONS.

COURTESY OF PEXELS

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022

OPINIONS

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Governor Newsom bans the ‘pink tax’ but there is still more that needs to be done CECILE DIROLL Contributing Writer

On September 27, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning the “pink tax” — the practice of imposing different prices for similar consumer products, often toiletries and other necessities, based on gender. Drafted by assembly member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, AB 1287 is the latest in a long list of legislative efforts going back to 1957 seeking to address ongoing gender-based economic discrimination in California. Although AB 1287 holds private companies accountable for gender pricing, more legislation is needed to close out economic gender inequality in the U.S. According to recent studies, every year, the typical California woman pays approximately $2,381 more for the same goods and services than a man, nearly $188,000 over the course of her lifetime, and an aggregate of $47 billion for womxn across the state. With more than 55 million full-time working womxn affected by the pay gap according to the American Progress, the “pink tax” goes beyond just price differences on toiletries; it creates a list of systemic and harmful impediments against menstruating people securing equal economic opportunities. These barriers are even higher for womxn of color who, on average, earn the lowest wages in the U.S. Thus, the “pink tax” is

GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S NEW BILL BANNING THE “PINK TAX’’ IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR ECONOMIC EQUALITY FOR WOMXN, NOT THE FINISH LINE.

a historical-systemic economic gap depreciating the financial wellness of menstruating individuals.

While the passage of AB 1287 is a step in the right direction, more must be done to end genderbased economic inequality in our country. Pay inequity, for example, continues to be one of the more intractable problems. A Pew Research Center survey shows that 25% of working womxn indicate they are paid less than their male counterparts and are roughly four times as likely to be underestimated and treated as incompetent due to their gender. By constraining working womxn’s incomes, the gender income gap prevents womxn’s economic growth and impedes their spending power. Yet the government has failed to pass updated and impactful equal pay reform. In over a decade, American Progress reported that “the gender gap has only closed by 4 cents” and is not expected to reach pay equity until 2059.

A lack of policies providing a better life-work balance is the second problem impacting womxn’s economic opportunities. At the top of the income ladder, few womxn head large corporations, hold high-level management positions or serve on corporate boards because doing so would require

“longer workweeks and penalize taking time off”.

Even in 2022, when womxn make up nearly half the U.S. workforce, womxn continue to shoulder a larger share of household responsibilities, exacerbating the need for more policies that support expanded family, medical and maternity leave and more flexible work schedules. For working-class womxn who disproportionately bear the burden of outdated policies that diminish their opportunities in the workforce, increased minimum wage policies, job training, educational opportunities and affordable childcare are essential and needed policy changes.

The elimination of the “pink tax” will make a difference to millions of womxn in California, which is great. However, to achieve economic equality, the younger generation of womxn must prioritize this issue by pushing elected representatives and others to support policies that eliminate these discriminatory practices and equalize economic disparities between the sexes.

It’s time we work to eliminate these insidious barriers holding back womxn from attaining full participation in our nation’s economy because, H “When women succeed, America succeeds.” ■

The concerning lack of empathy towards the American workforce will bring major consequences if left unchecked MICHAEL APELACIO Contributing Writer

The United States, among many other regions of the world, is currently witnessing the effects of late-stage capitalism, one of which is in the form of increasingly unstable labor relations. The Great Resignation and quiet quitting are some of the familiar integral progressions of this conflict as workers stand up against the exploitative nature of work culture. The system is designed to keep Americans unjustifiably in shackles by ensuring that they live paycheck to paycheck, and the percentages leave little room for disproof.

A recent report by CNBC showed that 61% of Americans, of which 22% earn more than $100,000, are in danger of being completely impoverished. This sheer number alone is indicative that this phenomenon is a systemic issue—or rather, a feature—especially given that two-thirds of Americans are getting by with only 14.3% of all wealth in the U.S. This is only made worse by the massive devaluation of labor, the lack of dignity in treating workers, absurd expenses and suppression of opposition that keep Americans from realizing that something is not right.

The concept of working hard has lost tangible meaning; employees spend more than half of their waking days endlessly toiling for companies that treat them as replaceable assets rather than human beings. It doesn’t help that employers manufacture work cultures to keep employees under the delusion that their co-workers and bosses are “family” in an attempt to garner some form of loyalty to the company. This is done only to be betrayed as soon as their usefulness ends or when profits start plummeting and they are immediately laid off.

Employees are frequently expected to wear themselves out physically and mentally for the sake of the corporation, but don’t receive adequate appreciation, compensation or both. Amazon is one of the many companies infamous for expecting this type of worker dedication while doing nothing to provide safer environments, better working

HARD WORK SHOULDN’T CONSTITUTE FIGHTING FOR BASIC NECESSITIES IN AN AGE OF OVERABUNDANCE.

conditions or anything that increases and maintains their employees’ capacity to work.

In addition to unfavorable working conditions and inadequate compensations, workers are burdened with multiple monthly payments that consume most of their paychecks, some of which include rent, car payments and medical insurance. California’s average rent pricing alone can take 54% off monthly gross income of $20 per hour for 40 hours a week.

The most effective way of combating toxic labor relations is through unions. There have been successful attempts to unionize since the Industrial Revolution, which is why the ten-hour workday became eight-hours.

Unsurprisingly, unions are the bane of companies, as they threaten not only the companies’ control over their own production, but more so their profit. This led to aggressive anti-union actions, such as the Ludlow Massacre, along with racist or sexist tactics.

Though worker exploitation still runs rampant, there has been some progress in the fight to organize. Christian Smalls was able to help Amazon warehouse JFK8 vote in favor of unions despite the company’s attempts to stop it and Starbucks stores voted to unionize en masse, with two hundred stores organized by July 2022, which was also met with anti-union actions beforehand. Even UCR recently had to answer calls for unionization. They expressed that student labor is undervalued and that compensation shouldn’t completely account for basic necessities.

This is not the innovation capitalism should breed. A prerequisite for innovation is that it has a societal benefit and there is nothing remotely innovative in a system that profits off of worker exploitation. Employers should be worried about the consequences of losing entire workforces, especially due to constant devaluation of their labor. There is no need to make citizens toil—or beg — for H food, shelter and utility in the U.S. ■ COURTESY OF PEXELS

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 2022

Blast from the past: why traditional dating may not be as boring as it may seem TRADITIONAL DATING MODELS HAVE A LOT OF SOLUTIONS TO MODERN DATING PROBLEMS, BUT FINDING LOVE IS MORE COMPLICATED.

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MAMATA ELANGOVAN Contributing Writer

Dating practices have gone through a series of changes over the last century. More traditional practices, such as recommendations from close friends or family, are losing traction, meanwhile the more modern practices of finding someone through dating apps like Hinge or Bumble are rampant as ever. Though the resurgence of matchmaking is prominent as the media comes out with idealized views of traditional dating through shows such as “Bridgerton” and “Indian Matchmaking,” traditional dating is not an indisputable answer to love.

The traditional dating model has the potential to help solve deal breakers early on that would normally arise in the later stages of dating. Questions such as level of commitment, children, effort and others would be addressed before either party makes a decision to get involved in a relationship in the first place. This could work out for many due to avoidance of commitment questions in the earlier stages of relationships.

When compared to modern dating, the biggest benefit traditional dating offers is finding someone who has similar values and interests. The other benefit is the ease of getting in touch with them by having the meeting arranged through a shared third party. Which is definitely better than being ghosted by yet another Hinge match who may or may not even exist. While a friendly matchmaker may be considered a third party, there is a certain level of reassurance that can be found when having

a physical recommendation from a person you know exists and has met the person firsthand compared to an AI that only has information that the other person provided themselves.

In the end, no relationship is going to prosper without communication. The beauty of traditional dating is that each person can voice their wants and needs at the start, without fear of rejection later on. Chemistry is also a big thing to consider. It’s the original attraction felt towards another person, the moment when something clicks, or sometimes doesn’t click. Which is okay, because sometimes things just don’t work out, and no amount of communication can change it. Which is an important thing to note in the first interaction, and potentially discuss with someone you may consider a partner in the future.

The traditional dating model has its own fair share of problems that it can potentially create as well. The intensity of the questions being asked at the beginning of a relationship can be a bit off putting, or just uncomfortable in general.

It also involves being transparent for a person who was a stranger just a little while ago. There is no telling how the relationship will play out, and the idea of someone else knowing about your own aspirations without guarantee that they’ll stick around can be frightening. Despite all this, both traditional dating and modern dating have their own pros and cons, whether it be third party matching, openness or the lack thereof, it all depends on what expectations a H person has in mind. ■

COURTEYS OF PEXELS

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

Features

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022

FEATURES

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Recognize the good emerging in the people around you or you might miss it

BE GENEROUS TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS TO KEEP LOVE IN YOUR LIFE.

YSABEL NAKASONE Assistant Opinions Editor

Aries Libra Nine of Pentacles The Emperor

The nine of pentacles speaks to self worth. Now is the time to invest in yourself and put stock in your work. You are honest and direct, Aries. Use those qualities to your advantage and be headstrong in advocating for yourself as you are about speaking the truth.

Libra, you’re trying to control all variables and people around you. You don’t enjoy conflict, but you’re building to it as the people who care about you are reaching a breaking point. Let the people around you flourish on their own without your input.

If you want to hold onto the meaningful people in your life, allow them to be seen for their own true selves.

Taurus Scorpio Three of Cups The Hermit

Taurus, this week will be a celebration of friendship and sisterhood. It will be marked by the uplift of your friends allowing you to reach new heights. Don’t be weighed down by trouble on the horizon as the support and love of the people you trust the most will prepare you.

The Hermit indicates that you need to reprioritize beyond your materialistic needs.

This doesn’t mean to neglect responsibilities or basic necessities, but to lift up the significance of family, partners, and friends. You are a hard person to get to know, Scorpio, and the people around you wait impatiently for you to reveal even a small truth about yourself.

Gemini Sagittarius The Empress Knight of Pentacles

You may be feeling insecure about yourself, physically and internally. You are your harshest critic and are very proficient at tearing yourself down. This is the week to repair that self image even though it will be a challenge. Events that encourage you to engage in self-deprecation are approaching and you must block them out.

Recapture yourself with compassion.

Your life feels boring and repetitive lately. You’re drained by the mundane nature of your schedule and the predictability of your days. Unfortunately, this is your lot this week and you must accept the responsibility without complaint. However, the near future has no guarantees so take advantage of the predictability while you can before major shifts rock your world.

Cancer Capricorn Seven of Pentacles Two of Swords

Take a minute and look at the bigger picture. Your view has become narrow-minded lately, allowing you to miss important people. Focusing on the obvious is your downfall because the relationship you’re seeking won’t be with the person you notice immediately, it will be the person you overlooked.

You are in gridlock. Conflict has arisen with someone vital and influential in your life, but you cannot decide how to proceed. Eventually, one of you has to make a move. This conflict may not be bad, but both of you are afraid to open up or go forward. Capricorn, don’t make the mistake of repressing emotions or you’ll lose their love and support.

Leo Aquarius Five of Wands Temperance

Leo, you’re experiencing some tension and your first instinct is to react without a second thought. There is some information missing from the puzzle which is making the reason for this tension inscrutable. You desire to stand out, but finding the answer to this strain depends on you listening instead of talking.

Be patient, Aquarius. Your friend or significant other may be driving you up the wall lately, but having a completely unfiltered reaction will truly hurt them. Even though you are right in this instance, it is more important to be loving than to be right this time around. This doesn’t mean give in to only their needs, consider yourself as well. Try a peacekeeping approach and listen to where their behavior is coming from. You will learn about them and strengthen your relationship in the process.

Virgo Pisces Judgment Ace of Swords

Your judgment is compromised this week as you unintentionally live in denial.

Events occurring right in front of you are altering your life beyond control. However, from this chaos emerges a positive variable. Ignoring the bad things that are happening also means you have ignored a valuable player in your life.

Pisces, something has become clear in your eyes. Someone in your life is becoming more important and you depend on them more. Recognize and appreciate them.

Don’t ignore the growing significance of their presence in your life in order to protect yourself. Allow their new perspective to enhance your own mental expansion and H creative drive. ■

FEATURES

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022

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CAMPUS COPE 5 essentials every college student must have under $20 DIVYA BHARADWAJ Contributing Writer

As a first year at UC Riverside this year, I’ve had to find my way around the long, daunting list of recommended items for my dorm. As we get deeper into the quarter, some of the items on the list are becoming more and more important to my daily routine.

A hydroflask Any water bottle works, especially in this Riverside heat. I moved from Orange County and am still getting used to the high temperatures this October. I walk to class, and doing so in the hot weather makes it very easy to get dehydrated. Make sure to pack a water bottle with you to avoid that!

Command strips There’s so much wall space but sometimes there isn’t enough space in your closet for the little things. So far, I use them to hang my towel and tote bag but they’re extremely versatile and I’ll most likely be adding more around my room.

A freshman’s guide to college student essentials.

Snacks Classes are long, especially when you’re hungry. I like to pack snacks to make sure that I can focus on the class’s material instead of how slow the clock is ticking. As of now, my snack drawer includes Cheez-Its, Cliff bars, H Nature Valley granola bars and cheese. ■

Shower shoes With the dorm bathrooms being over 20 years old, shower shoes are a must. By wearing shower shoes, you prevent yourself from coming in contact with the bacteria and germs that have built up over time.

A calendar Whether it be a planner, bullet journal, white board or your phone, a calendar is an important way to keep up to date with assignments. I like to keep my classes organized by color so I can clearly see what’s due when. I also like inputting my assignments at the beginning of the week so I can see what I need to get done.

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Self care matters — focus on you!

5 self care tips you that’ll help you this quarter.

ALEXANDRIA LACHMAN Staff Writer

With fall quarter barely starting, it’s sometimes easy to forget how overwhelming classes can be. Coming back from summer, it’s hard to find a balance for not just class schedules, but for all the everyday crazy demands college throws. That’s why it’s always good to remember about self care and to just take a moment for yourself away from all the stress. These 5 relaxing tips will hopefully have you focusing more on you.

Sleep is important Having a good sleep schedule is vital for the start of a new quarter.

Sleep can have a huge effect on you emotionally and physically. Try staying away from caffeine and sugar if possible before bed, because these can have lasting negative effects on a good night’s rest.

Exercise daily Exercise is good for helping you mentally and physically. Known for being a mood booster, it can also reduce stress. Going to the gym might be hard to do everyday, so try other forms of exercise like walking or yoga. Overall, just find a routine that works for you.

Say no to friends, and focus on you It’s always hard to say no when it comes to making plans with friends but never feel obligated to hang out everyday or weekend.

Saying yes to plans with friends can lead to stress, anxiety and burn outs. Make sure to know when you need time for yourself to reset.

Staying in every once in a while can make all the difference.

Change of scenery If you feel like you’ve focused on one assignment or midterm too long, take a break and go for a quick boba run! Anything really to change up your scenery that has you going somewhere new for the day. Staying at the same location for long periods of time can be overwhelming and cause irritability and stress.

Get organized With so many classes, it’s easy to have everything get unorganized and chaotic. By having an organized system, it’ll allow you to focus on one less thing. Have all your assignment due dates written down and study sessions written out in advance. That way you know what times are dedicated for class and which times you have free. It’s one less H thing to worry about and will make all the difference. ■

COURTESY OF PEXELS

COURTESY OF PEXELS

12 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022

FEATURES

CAMPUS COPE

8 must-haves for the incoming freshmen.

What’s in my bag?

BRANDYN GUERRA Contributing Writer

There are some things that every college student ought to have with them in their bag, ready to go, and there are some things you might not have realized should make it onto your ‘must bring’ list. Over the years, I’ve perfected what I personally need to have in my bag every day for classes. So here’s what is in my backpack: Laptop An obvious starter. Most students will have some kind of laptop or tablet on them for easier access to websites like Blackboard, Canvas and R’web. They’re also great for taking lecture notes and working on homework and projects in between classes. If you’re bringing an electronic with you to campus, always remember to bring the charger too!

Paper notebook You never know when you’re going to need to physically write something down. Make sure you’ve got something to write with of course, whether you prefer pencil or pen, try to carry a few extra too. Highlighters are always helpful to keep on hand too.

Binder or a folder For any handouts you receive in your classes, a binder or folder is a great way to keep all of your papers in order.

You should always have somewhere safe to put away any papers without the worry of them getting crushed in your

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bag.

A book to read I always like to keep a small, lightweight book with me just in case. You never know when your phone or laptop might die and you need to do something to pass the time between classes, or if you just feel like reading. So, whether it’s a well-loved favorite that still delights me, or that book that I’ve been saying I’ll read ‘eventually’ for the last month, I always try to keep something on hand.

A paper or cloth hand-fan Riverside can get pretty hot. Walking to class everyday in 90 to 100 degree weather can get a bit uncomfortable sometimes. Hand-fans are a great, affordable and quick way to cool down on those high-heat days!

And that’s everything I keep in my bag that I highly recommend considering getting yourself if you don’t keep H them on you already! ■

Handsanitizer/Sanitizing wipes I personally usually like to wipe down my desk when I first get into class. Even before the pandemic started, it’s just a generally good and healthy practice to keep your hands and your spaces clean!

A spare mask It never hurts to have a few backup disposable or reusable masks!

A mini-first aid kit I can easily and freely admit that I am a bit clumsy. I’ve tripped on my way to my classes dozens of times and have probably gotten hundreds of paper cuts. I like keeping a mini first aid kit in my bag for this very reason. Miniature kits are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. Even just a couple spare bandaids slipped in your bag will do the trick.

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

RADAR

RADAR

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022

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The best, and worst, live music venues in Southern California JAELYN GONZALEZ Assistant Radar Editor

Southern California is full of glamorous and charming concert venues. From Riverside County to Los Angeles County, there is a setting for every music lover. Determining a venue’s ranking comes upon a multitude of factors: acoustics, parking, a perspective from a short person, seating and the atmosphere.

Before buying tickets to your next concert, take a look at the list below.

Best Large Venue: The Kia Forum Located in Inglewood, the Forum is one of the gems of California. It outshines its sister venue across the street, SoFi Stadium, in advanced parking for nearly half its price. What is special about the Forum is its seats and sound. No seat in the Forum is a bad seat, unlike most large venues. Its phenomenal sound is what makes this venue stand out from the rest. A unique surround sound fills the spot with bass. If you are an EDM lover, this spot is worth a visit.

Best Mid-Sized Venue: The Observatory, Santa Ana The Observatory is versatile with its dual spaces. For small and intimate shows, the Observatory’s Constellation Room is an enchanting experience. For short audiences, the main room has a tier system that does not interrupt the pit. Overall, the ambiance of this venue is incredible and bound to serve a good experience.

Best Tiny Venue: The Smell In the heart of Downtown Los Angeles is The Smell. The Smell is home to small and local talent. The space is rich in culture and most concerts are $5. While having no dedicated parking, it is forgivable due to the low cost of tickets. Whether you know the performer or not, a trip to The Smell is always one worth remembering.

Local Charm: Riverside Municipal Auditorium The Riverside Municipal Auditorium is gorgeous and only a ten-minute drive from UC Riverside. The lighting within this venue is stunning, paired alongside a unique interior design.

With a large floor design and balcony seats extending close to

the stage, an excellent view is guaranteed at every corner of the Riverside Municipal Auditorium.

Dishonorable Mention: The Wiltern It may be controversial to claim the art-deco styled venue is poorly designed, but it is the truth. The Wiltern is the defi nition of a “catfish.” The setting is alluring in its grand interior, but its layout is an abomination. The Wiltern’s floor is divided into tiers with large walls and small entrances. This design choice makes it impossible to enter and exit the floor, leaving attendees struggling to dance, mosh or let alone move. Even from the back of the floor, the balcony blocks the view of the stage set.

ATTENDING YOUR FAVORITE ARTIST’S CONCERT IS A SPECIAL MOMENT, BUT A TERRIBLE CONCERT SPOT EXPERIENCE CAN RUIN IT.

Honorable Mention: The Hollywood Palladium The Hollywood Palladium sits along Sunset Boulevard, adding to the vintage sites along the street. The Palladium’s internal and external beauty is beyond charming. From the great chandeliers to the mood-setting lighting, the atmosphere is always perfect at the Palladium. Its half-circle design makes up general admission seats enjoyable for short audiences, due to its wide view of the performance. Balcony seats are also worth every penny. The sound at this spot fills the venue and is truly music to your ears. The only downside to the Hollywood Palladium is its lack of parking. Surrounding parking garages are the only way to attend a concert at the Palladium.

Best Overall: The Hollywood Bowl Upon the trees of the Hollywood Hills is a venue with great history. This outdoor venue holds a lot of musical importance to Southern California and is a must-see for any music lover.

The sound from the shell does not echo, even with its outdoor presence. The Bowl has also built a culture of picnicking.

It is encouraged to bring dinner or buy a picnic set from its store. There are also designated patches where you can eat and watch the show. Parking can be a nightmare at the Bowl, but using the parking shuttles is a simple and easy way to avoid the stack-parking mess. The Hollywood Bowl is a true Southern H Californian experience. ■

ILLUSTRATION BY MOISES BAUTISTA

BookTok: not reliable but good for beginners BOOKTOK IS A GREAT PLACE TO GET BACK INTO READING, BUT DON’T DEPEND ON IT FOR ALL OF YOUR LITERATURE.

Have you heard of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”? If you haven’t, consider yourself one of the few people on earth who hasn’t. This book currently is one of the most popular books on Goodreads, bolstered by the support of what has become known as “BookTok” — TikTok users whose content centralizes on books and sharing them. Internet content creators discussing literature is as old as the internet itself, from book blogs and Buzzfeed listicles to (my personal favorite) “booktubers”: talking about books is one of the most natural things for the book community to do. However, BookTok has come with a specific downside: very few of the books that are shared a million times in “books that I’d sell my dog to Satan to read again for the first time” lists are simply not the best literature out there.

As gatekeep-y as this sentiment may come across (and colored by my personal experience with reading these books, I’ll admit), the fact of the matter is that Colleen Hoover books, while they may provide some swoon-worthy, if problematic moments, the books that BookTok pushes to the forefront are not likely to be literary tomes. BookTok has risen to popularity for its ability to bond people together and share, for the most part, light summery literature that everyone will want to read. Books that evoke strong emotions seem to be at the forefront of BookTok trends, from books that will “literally destroy your heart” like Hanya Yanagihara’s “A Little Life,” ones that promise “enemies to lovers’’

EVELYN HOMAN Managing Editor

relationship developments like Ali Hazelwood’s “Love On The Brain” and numerous other tropes that readers eat up because they are both recognizable and easy to read for those who spent their teenage years on Wattpad as I did.

BookTok has also been able to boost the careers of debut and established authors alike. Self-published works like Olivie Blake’s “The Atlas Six” blew up on BookTok so greatly that she was able to sign with an agent to have the book and its subsequent sequels published traditionally. The controversial “Lightlark” by Alex Aster blew up because of her marketing on TikTok. And of course, the infamous Colleen Hoover has been dominating all bestseller lists of the last few years, even her works published before BookTok blew up her creations.

All in all, BookTok has had a lot of positives for both readers and writers alike — so why is it that many avid readers just don’t get the hype when they finally pick up some of these books? Speaking for myself, I’ve given Madeline Miller’s books, two Taylor Jenkins Reid books and “You’ve Reached Sam’’ by Dustin Thao a shot this year and rated none above 3 stars. I won’t touch CoHo’s books with a ten-foot pole and I find myself tired of seeing the same ten books cycled through every other “my favorite books of all time” Instagram Reels. The world seems saturated with all of these trendy books that I subjectively have not enjoyed. So why all the fuss?

Well, the pandemic certainly has a big part to play.

BookTok boomed when people finally had time to stay home and read for pleasure. Many people on TikTok

have said that school-mandated reading ruined the literary experience for them, and the pandemic allowed them to pick up books that helped them understand that literature isn’t all doom and gloom. And that’s the core of BookTok as I understand it — to help you pick up reading where you may have left off and ease back into the world of literature. Young Adult and magical romances and fantasy are all popular on BookTok because they help transport people to lighter worlds that they can fly through and leave feeling satisfied. Additionally, it’s become a place where people can share niche books that may not find an audience otherwise; many LGBTQIA+ people are able to find books that feature queer characters, for instance.

By dipping their toes back into the world of books, people can branch out even more into stories they may even like better. I look back on the YA books I enjoyed in my early teens with disgust, but the fact is that I wouldn’t be the reader I am now if I hadn’t had those books as a jumping-off point. But if you find that your whole bookshelf has become books influenced by BookTokers, might I recommend exploring some wonderful “booktubers” such as allisonpaiges, SavidgeReads, Jen Campbell and rinceyreads. I also recommend scrolling through the backlists of publishers that you enjoy, as well as keeping an eye on new releases. BookTok isn’t all bad, but branching out once you find the books you H like can make all the difference. ■

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RADAR

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 2022

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‘Mr. Harrigan’s Phone’ is a comingof-age story that lacks horror with a sentimental storyline BRENDA JOVEL Radar Editor

Stephen King adaptations have come and gone; some good and some bad. On October 5th, Netflix released “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone,” a horror movie following Craig (Jaeden Martell), a teenage boy who is hired to read to Harlow, Maine’s billionaire resident, Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland). Craig is introduced as a young boy grieving the death of his mother, while also becoming curious about Mr. Harrigan and the hidden secrets in his giant mansion.

Craig narrates his thoughts to the audience as he explores his literary and thought-provoking relationship with Mr. Harrigan. It enables viewers to understand not only Craig’s curiosity over his new friend but also a close look into the placid life that he lives. Harlow, Maine isn’t an extraordinary town to live in until Craig’s adolescent world is thrown into Gates Falls High; the epitome of hell.

The build-up of relationships in the movie does a good job of displaying the rigidness between each character. Craig and his father’s (Joe Tippet) relationship wavers in every awkward transition from scene to scene, causing Craig to turn to Mr. Harrigan for basic life advice. Though Craig holds some kind of tenderness for Mr. Harrigan as a mentor, Mr. Harrigan often gives the young boy the cold shoulder until death parts them.

Phones play a symbolic role throughout the movie, not only as a way of connecting with others beyond unimaginable places, as Craig can speak to Mr. Harrigan’s “ghost” through his phone, but seemingly represent the gates to hell. Phones hold our attention for so long that sometimes the world around us continues to revolve without us ever looking up to notice at all.

In “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone,” Mr. Harrigan quickly becomes encapsulated in the world of technology at the reach of his fingertips. His lack of attention towards Craig, who reads books to him, highlights

how many of our interests can become downplayed the second a phone is brought to our hands. It also explores how one can become so connected in unimaginable ways to others that it can get in over our heads, as in Craig’s case.

For the first 40 minutes of the film, viewers get a look into Craig’s varying relationships and the obliviousness of Mr. Harrigan’s character.

Having this information acted out on the screen is important to gather the little backstory we get, but the narrative feels bleak until Mr. Harrigan passes away. Its elements of horror lack from beginning to end as the movie progresses. Rather than a horror movie, the film feels like a gloomy coming-of-age story that takes an eternity to develop.

THE NEWEST STEPHEN KING ADAPTATION TAKES A SLOW APPROACH TO BE SCARY BUT HITS HOME AS GRIEF AND PAIN INTERMINGLE.

Many reviews about the film have been mixed, with some split between the idea that the film was dull or that it was a slow burn that introduced the hidden message about connectivity and grief. Its lack of horror may disappoint some viewers and may enlighten others who wish to see how a young teenage boy overcomes the loss of important figures in his life. With the latter idea in mind, the film does a good job of exploring Craig’s inner demons and how he must deal with the unwelcoming surprises that Mr. Harrigan’s ghost has left behind. This includes scenes where Craig continuously leaves recorded messages on Mr. Harrigan’s phone that H become his personal diary entries. ■

VERDICT: “MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE” SHOULD HAVE BEEN MARKETED AS A COMING-OF-STORY THAT EXPLORES GRIEF AND HAUNTING MEMORIES RATHER THAN INSERTED INTO THE HORROR GENRE BECAUSE OF ITS CREATOR, STEPHEN KING. COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Netflix’s obsession with serial killers creates ‘Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ THE DECADE-LONG SERIAL KILLER RECEIVES ANOTHER PROJECT TIED TO HIS NAME THAT BRENDA JOVEL Radar Editor

“Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” is another product of Netflix detailing the story of a real-life serial killer and cannibal, Jeffrey Dahmer. Dahmer was convicted in 1991 for the murders of 17 men and young teenagers. Since then, Dahmer has been labeled as one of America’s most notorious serial killers who has garnered attention even after his death. His crimes have created lengthy amounts of multimedia projects from entertainment companies, continuously failing to tell the stories of the victims, including Netflix’s new show.

Evan Peters, known for portraying disturbing characters such as Tate from “American Horror Story,” brings Dahmer back to life in an unsettling manner. Peters does an excellent job of playing the passive and detached serial killer who preyed on young men in the POC community.

His portrayal does deserve praise for his acting abilities and dedication to the role, yet it’s disappointing to applaud him over a show that misleads its viewers.

The show is well-directed, including smooth transitions that evoke the pain and suffering many victims and their families underwent. Its daunting soundtrack vibrates in low, ominous hums, elevating the tension between every scene Dahmer is in. Glenda Cleveland (Niecy Nash) who was Dahmer’s neighbor for the duration of his murders, is depicted hearing every faint sound and tortured cries of victims losing their lives a few feet away from her door.

REVIVES THE PAIN OF VICTIMS’ FAMILIES AND A LACK OF REPRESENTATION.

Flashing back to these sounds and Cleveland revealing her story to Reverend Jesse Jackson (Nigel Gibbs) creates a gut-wrenching feeling of sorrow for Cleveland who was an implicit witness to Dahmer’s crimes.

The series first explores Dahmer’s adolescent life while living in a tumultuous household of endless parental fights. Seeing his on-screen character being rejected by high school classmates and eventual abandonment by his mother feels like a cheap attempt to humanize Dahmer.

It is interesting to see the backstory of a killer’s “origin story” and how the actor taking on the role represents it on-screen, but the show lacks depth in representing POC communities who suffered an onslaught of injustice because of one man and his privileges.

One of the few victims to receive an episode dedicated to their life was 31-year-old Anthony “Tony” Hughes (Rodney Burford). Hughes, who was mute and non-vocal, aspired to be a model after moving to Madison, Wisconsin to begin his future. Visiting his loving family while also beginning his modeling career, Hughes went out into the world despite having a disability that many during the time discriminated against. His episode, “Silenced,” shows how Hughes excelled in life with his positive view of the world and charismatic nature— that is, for the first 18 minutes.

Dahmer is quickly placed into Hughes’ episode as if his screen time were insufficient for the past five episodes.

Rita Isbell, sister of Errol Lindsey who was killed by Dahmer in 1991, said “The episode with me was the only part I saw. I didn’t watch the whole show. I don’t need to watch it. I lived it. I know exactly what happened” from an interview with Insider. At a certain point, the show seems that it is trying to enlighten audiences’ view of the impacted families, but every episode revolves around Dahmer. We get to see him grow up, and how he explores his youthful freedom while the victims are hidden away until it is time to insert them into a gruesome or sad scene.

Even when the victims are put on screen, their stories remain unknown. We don’t know who these victims were or what their families were like. The scenes where victims are shown either depict their deaths or minutes before they are killed. The subtitles on the show also lack the name of the victims, resulting in many of them being labeled as just “Man” with a number on the side. All that is shown about the victims is that they were young men from minority communities whose lives were unjustly ripped away, and H unfortunately, misrepresented in popular media.■ “MONSTER: THE JEFFREY DAHMER STORY” IS BINGE-WORTHY, WELL-DIRECTED AND CONTAINS PRAISEWORTHY ACTING WITH EXEMPLARY SHOTS OF EVAN PETERS IN HIS MOST GRISLY ROLE. DESPITE THAT, THE SERIES LACKS ATTENTION TO THE VICTIMS WHOSE STORIES ARE THE ONLY ONES WORTH BEING TOLD AND RESULTED IN THE REVIVAL OF PAIN THAT WAS UNNECESSARY.

VERDICT:

SPORTS

SPORTS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

TUESDAY, October 11, 2022

15

UC Riverside men’s soccer team victorious against UC GOAL FROM San Diego NOAH LOPEZ HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

The UC Riverside men’s soccer team defeated UC San Diego 1-0 Wednesday night in La Jolla. Going into this game, the Highlanders were 1-1 in Big West Conference play, with the most recent win against UC Davis. UCR looks to build a win streak with a win against the Tritons.

In the first period, midfielder Alessandro Allen from UC San Diego tried to take a shot at the goal but a great save from junior goalie Carlos Gonzalez prevented the score. At the 7:39 mark, senior midfielder Oscar Penate had a chance to score but wasn’t able to finish through as the kick was saved from UCSD’s goalie Dominic Peters. As the first period progressed, both teams became sloppy on the field as a couple of fouls were handed out. After a foul from senior midfielder Issa Badawiya, the Highlanders found themselves having another chance to score as senior midfielder Leopoldo Hernandez raced down the field at the 18:45 mark. However, Hernandez’s kick was out far right and was unable to score. At the 24:02 mark, UC Riverside found themselves again in scoring position. This time though, Hernandez and senior defender Brendan Clark found sophomore forward Noah Lopez for the score and gave the Highlanders the first goal of the game, 1-0. Two minutes later, Clark found himself with a chance to score another goal but the goalie, Peters, was able to save the

score this time around. Action stalled for a bit as both teams were not able to get any scoring opportunities. The Tritons tried to take a shot toward the goal but the ball flew out over the top. UC Riverside tried to respond back with a shot of their own but another great save from Peters prevented another goal for the Highlanders. Near the end of the first period, UC San Diego had a chance for their first goal off of a corner kick but junior defender Adam Walker’s attempt was too far over the top.

In the second period, both teams were not able to find an offensive rhythm and struggled to find the goal. The period started with a foul on UC Riverside and an offside penalty for UCSD. More fouls were exchanged as both teams became sloppy both on offense and defense.

A couple scoring opportunities arose for the Tritons but they were unable to capitalize. First, a corner kick at the 60:55 mark wasn’t able to lead to a goal for UC San Diego. Eight minutes later, sophomore midfielder Andrew Valverde had an opportunity for a goal but the goalie, Gonzalez, was there to save the score. Things started to get chippy as frustration started to mount on the field. Around the 70:00 minute mark, freshman forward Westley Hastings was called for a foul. Three minutes later, Hastings was given a yellow card after a collision with one of the Triton’s players. More fouls were given as time passed on in the ball game with UCSD struggling to get quality looks for a score. At the 78:09 mark, frustration ensued as

the Triton’s were unable to score off of a corner kick which led to a foul and a yellow card on sophomore midfielder Carter Jacobus. With 10 minutes left in the period, UC San Diego again found themselves on the offensive with a chance to tie the game up. Junior midfielder Jack Hagan shot was deflected at the 82:21 mark, and a corner kick led to a kick from junior midfielder Adam Kim that was far too up from the goalpost. With time winding down, Lopez tried to get his second goal of the night but that attempt was saved by senior goalkeeper Nick Shor. With one minute left in the ball game, UCSD had one last chance to tie the game but the kick from senior midfielder Cooper Lachenbruch was far top left and gave the UC Riverside the win 1-0.

GIVES THE HIGHLANDERS THEIR SECOND WIN IN CONFERENCE PLAY.

Lopez led the Highlanders with the only goal in the entire game. Clark and Hernandez picked up the assist for Lopez’s goal. The goalie, Gonzalez, racked up three saves and held the Tritons to zero goals scored.

The Highlanders improve their record to 3-63 and will take on UC Irvine next Wednesday, H Oct. 12th, at home at 7:00 P.M.■

UC Riverside women’s volleyball team swept in set play THE HIGHLANDERS CONTINUE TO against Cal State Bakersfield STRUGGLE AS THEY SUFFER THEIR

HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

The UC Riverside women’s volleyball team suffered a loss to Cal State Bakersfield 3-0 in set play. After a win against UC San Diego two weeks ago, the Highlanders have dropped their next two games, ending with a sweep.

Although UCR made the game close and intense, they could not pull through to win.

In the first set, UCR got the first points on the board thanks to an attack error from the Roadrunners. However, the Highlanders gave the points right back to CSUB with an attack error from senior right-sider Ayanna Kimbrough.

Both teams went back and forth, exchanging rallies to begin the first set. UC Riverside was able to extend their lead 7-4 with back-to-back aces from freshman libero Chloe Ruhl. After exchanging a couple of rallies, Cal State Bakersfield started to chip away at the Highlander lead. Senior outsider Hayley McCluskey was able to get a kill and an ace from redshirt freshman outside hitter Lizzie Binder narrowed the set to 11-10. Soon later, McCluskey rallied up three kills in four rallies to give the Roadrunners the lead of 13-14. The Highlanders responded with a run of their own with a couple of kills from Kimbrough to retake the set 18-16. As the first set started to narrow down, UC Riverside was unable to keep up with CSUB. After a kill from McCluskey, Cal State Bakersfield was able to serve up another kill from sophomore right-sider Samia Bhakta to put the score to 22-24 with one more rally to go for the Roadrunners.

An attack error from McCluskey closed the score to 2324, but an attack error from senior outside hitter Mylei Vargas-Deason gave CSUB the win in the first set 23-25.

UCR jumped out to an early 4-1 lead thanks to back-toback aces from graduate student setter Tayler Hifo. After

SEVENTH LOSS IN EIGHT GAMES.

a couple of rallies later, an attack error from McCluskey extended the Highlander 6-3. However, the Roadrunners were able to string in a couple of won rallies to tie the set at 6-6 thanks to two kills from redshirt junior middle blocker Hana Makonova. The tide started to turn as Cal State Bakersfield was able to win four straight rallies to take control of the second set 9-12. UC Riverside once again was unable to keep up with Cal State Bakersfield as for every won set for the Highlanders, the Roadrunners would win another two or three more rallies. A service error from Hifo enlarged the deficit even further, 11-16.

A couple of kills from junior outside hitter Delaney Tate kept UCR in the game and a kill from Kimbrough brought the score to 15-18. However, the Highlanders once again were not able to keep up with the Roadrunners as CSUB won the next five rallies to put the set out of reach with three straight kills to make the set score 15-23. A kill from Binder gave Cal State Bakersfield the win in the set 17-25 with one more set win to go.

All looked lost in the third set as the Roadrunners jumped out to an early 6-1 lead. Head coach Nicky Cannon had to make a few substitution changes to spur some fire onto the Highlanders. Indeed it did as UCR started to climb back into the set one rally at a time. After a few rallies, UC Riverside won four straight rallies to bring the score to 7-9 thanks to three kills from senior middle blocker Isabella Scarlett. Both teams continued to exchange rallies as the score started to near 25. An attack error from Vargas-Deason brought the score to 13-20 as the match seemed like it was nearing its end. However, the Highlanders would not go down without a fight as they won the next five of six rallies to climb right back into the set, 18-21, thanks to a couple of kills and aces from

Vargas-Deason and Scarlett. With the set score at 19-23, UCR goes on another run and won the next three rallies to bring the score to 22-23 due to two straight attack errors from the Roadrunners. A kill from McCluskey brought the score to 22-24 with one more rally win to go, but the Highlanders responded with two straight won rallies to tie the set at 24-24 to force advantage play. Both teams went back and forth and neither team gave up a single inch. A kill from Hifo brought the score to 32-31 in favor of the UCR but McCluskey responded with a kill to tie the set at 32-32. A kill from sophomore outside hitter Ava Palm gave CSUB the advantage 32-33 and an attack error from Vargas-Deason ended the match and gave Cal State Bakersfield the win in the set and the match, 32-35.

Scarlett led the Highlanders with nine kills and Kimbrough chipped in with seven kills. Hifo also contributed with a game-high 26 assists and 14 digs.

However, the chemistry between the Roadrunners was the reason why they were able to get the win as they outassisted and out-killed the Highlanders 46-32 and 50-35.

The Highlanders drop to 3-12 (1-5) on the season and look to break their losing streak at UC Santa Barbara next H Friday, Oct. 14, at 7:00 P.M. ■

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