Vol. 71, Issue 04

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, October 18, 2022

VOL. 71, ISSUE 04

NEWS

ASUCR’s 2nd meeting of the quarter sees a review of Judicial Nominees HARU CHANG Assistant News Editor

On Wednesday, Oct. 12, the Associated Students of UCR called to order their 2nd meeting of the quarter remotely to ensure the health and safety of the attendees. All senators were present with the exception of President Pro Tempore Aalani Richardson and BCOE Senator Chloe Au who were excused from the meeting.

Motions to add the Senator Reports to the agenda were approved by CHASS Senator Ruhi Barman and seconded by CNAS Senator Abby Choy. The motion to open approval of agenda with the following amendments were approved by CHASS Senator Jules Yang and seconded

by CHASS Senator Brandon Huang. The previous meeting minutes were opened

est. 1954

ASUCR APPOINTS ARMANDO RUIZ-ROSAS AS A JUSTICE and approved with a count of 14-0-0.

The Finance Hearing Minutes were opened and reviewed. Senator Huang discussed the budget for the Asian American Christian Fellowship, allocating $500 in funding. This included a general allocation of funding to the Association of Latino Professionals for America. A motion was made to approve the Finance Hearing Minutes, approved

by Senator Nguyen and seconded by CHASS Senator Alaa Mido. The motion passed 13-0-0.

The meeting proceeded with Judicial Nominations. ASUCR considered the candidates Armando Ruiz-Rosas and Michelle Wang. The nominees were given 3 minutes to plead their case

COURTESY OF PEXELS

► SEE ASUCR PAGE 3

SPORTS

UC Riverside men’s soccer team defeats UC Irvine 4-0 HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

The UC Riverside men’s soccer team defeated UC Irvine 4-0 Wednesday night in the UCR Soccer Stadium. After a tie with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo a week before and winning two consecutive games before that, the Highlanders were looking to put together a winning streak to propel themselves in the Big West Conference standings. The 4-0 win marked the first time UCR had multiple four-goal performances since 2014 and the third time in school history.

The game started out a bit slow for both teams as neither team was able to find an opportunity to kick the ball toward the goal. After a foul on

forward Robert Mejia from UCI, sophomore forward Noah Lopez attempted the first shot of the game but was unable to connect. The Highlanders went on the offensive around the 19:42 mark in the first period as Lopez and freshman defender Andrew Alexander attempted their shots into the goal but again, they were unable to connect. At the 23:34 mark, Alexander tried his shot again but the ball was deflected. However, Lopez was able to track down the ball and kicked it over to senior midfielder Issa Badawiya, who was able to kick it toward the goal and score, giving UC Riverside the opening goal 1-0. Minutes later, the Anteaters went on the offensive as forward ► SEE SOCCER PAGE 14

In an unsurprising turn of events, on Oct. 5, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit voted to uphold a 2021 ruling that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is illegal. While the program is still ongoing despite this ruling, it creates new fear for the Dreamers who arrived in this country as children and have never truly been accepted or protected by the government. It is unjust for our government to string them along and deny them this right of

COURTESY OF UCR SPORTS

The recent ruling that DACA is illegal upholds a rhetoric of hate against immigrants in the United States

OPINIONS HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL STAFF

► SEE DACA PAGE 5

@thehighlanderucr @HighlanderUCR UCRHighlander NEWS 3

OPINIONS 5

FEATURES 8

RADAR 12

SPORTS 14

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

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Creepin’ It Real at ScotSurplus 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ScotSurplus

19

Indeed Coffee Chat 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.

The Coffee Bean

Tuesday

Wednesday

20

Thursday

CARE Conversation: Boos & Boundaries 12 p. m. to 1 p.m.

HUB 377

The College Tour Premier Party 6 p.m.

Alumni & Visitors’ Center

21

Coming Out Dance - Masquerade 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Alumni & Visitors’ Center

Saturday

22

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

UCR Community R’ Garden, Lot 30

23

Women’s Soccer at UC Davis 1 p.m.

UC Davis

Friday

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

Sunday

HIGHLANDER STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Madison Rheins

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Abhijit Rege

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

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Women’s Volleyball vs. Cal State Fullerton 4 p.m.

SRC Arena

Salsa Dance, Beginning 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

SRC MPR E

Monday

MULTIMEDIA

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NEWS

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NEWS

TUESDAY, October 18, 2022

3

ASUCR’s 2nd meeting of the quarter sees a review of Judicial Nominees HARU CHANG Assistant News Editor

On Wednesday, Oct. 12, the Associated Students of UCR called to order their 2nd meeting of the quarter remotely to ensure the health and safety of the attendees.

All senators were present with the exception of President Pro Tempore Aalani Richardson and BCOE Senator Chloe Au who were excused from the meeting.

Motions to add the Senator Reports to the agenda were approved by CHASS Senator Ruhi Barman and seconded

by CNAS Senator Abby Choy. The motion to open approval of agenda with the following amendments were approved by CHASS Senator Jules Yang and seconded by CHASS Senator Brandon Huang. The previous meeting minutes were opened and approved with a count of 14-0-0.

The Finance Hearing Minutes were opened and reviewed. Senator Huang discussed the budget for the Asian American Christian Fellowship, allocating $500 in funding. This included a general allocation of funding to the Association of Latino Professionals for America.

A motion was made to approve the Finance Hearing Minutes, approved by Senator Nguyen and seconded by CHASS Senator Alaa Mido. The motion passed 13-0-0.

The meeting proceeded with Judicial Nominations.

ASUCR considered the candidates Armando Ruiz-Rosas and Michelle Wang. The nominees were given 3 minutes to plead their case and express their commitment to be a part of the Judicial Committee. Both candidates were prompted questions about duties pertaining to conducting Judicial Reviews, and how they planned to navigate any personal or internal biases as Justices. CNAS Senator Shukan Shah posed a question concerning Wang’s capacity to commit

to duties of a Justice and the method of allocating time considering Wang’s commitments to other activities. Wang promised a baseline of 5 to 10 hours, ensuring to prioritize Judicial duties and academic commitments. Senator Au joined the meeting at 7:18 P.M.. After a closed discussion, Ruiz-Rosas was selected to be a Justice.

The public forum was then opened to the members of the community. Assistant News Editor Haru Chang requested for the meeting minutes to be made available to the public to enable more accurate reporting of the Senate Meetings by the UCR Highlander Newspaper. The request was approved.

Senator Barman reported that the Legislative Review Committee was able to pass three pieces of legislation, two of which were presented this past Wednesday. The Women’s Rights and Equity Committee is currently in the process of establishing the rest of the committee with new members. The Senator reported attending the Student Health Advisor kick off meeting and meeting with staff to gain a comprehensive understanding of campus student health and what their future duties will entail.

Senator Barman requested that fellow Senators that were interested in assisting with either the Upcoming event in collaboration with the Personnel Director and Women’s Rights and Equity Committee, Women’s Resource Fair, or the finalizing of a resolution to end fracking and oil drilling in California.

CNAS Senator Kyle Cheng reported a successful Marketing Committee tabling on Sept. 30, for ASUCR Open House at the Bear Den. Currently the Marketing Committee is brainstorming ideas for R’Year Design that is planned to be completed within the quarter. The Senator also announced that the Highlander Spirit Committee is

ASUCR APPOINTS ARMANDO RUIZ-ROSAS AS A JUSTICE.

organizing an event with Amika to promote Division 1 athlete programs and showcasing the UCR athletics program. They are currently looking for new members for the committee, if anyone is interested please contact Senator Cheng or Senator Huang.

During Roundtable and Announcements, Senator Choy stated that the “Lunch and Labor” event in collaboration with the United Student Labor Action Coalition was scheduled Oct. 19, 12-1 P.M. at the SSC in Room 1.

The event was geared toward encouraging all students, especially student workers, to stop by and talk about their experiences working. Students can partake in an educational workshop on unionizing and labor rights.

Senator Cano’s announcement was about the current progress of a resolution with other members of ECAB, Senators, and the Iranian Student Association in regards to the protests in Iran. If anyone is interested, contact Senator Cano for more information.

The meeting was adjourned, approved by Senator Choy and seconded by Senator Shah, at 7:28 P.M. ■ H

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NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18 2022

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Persist Women’s Empowerment Conference 2022 DIVYA BHARADWAJ Contributing Writer

This sixth annual Persist Women’s Empowerment Conference took place on Oct. 13 from 3P.M. to 9P.M. at the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture. The conference aims to prepare women for political engagement, whether that be working in an elected position, for a non-profit, or even as a consultant. Since 2017, the Persist Women’s Empowerment Conference has been held every October.

“I came up with the idea for Persist on the day after the 2016 Presidential election. I thought about what resources we could provide to engage more women and marginalized students and community members in the political process, and that’s how Persist was born,” said Denise Davis, founder of the Persist Women’s Empowerment Conference.

The director was excited to host the event in person at the Cheech Center. The conference featured panelists who spoke on topics ranging from reproductive rights to climate justice, to everyday people who are interested in getting involved in their local communities, making change.

Keynote speakers included the Honorable Sabrina Cervantes, the Honorable Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, and the Honorable Eloise Gómez Reyes.

Speakers from the Reproductive Rights in 2022:

Post-Roe included Karen Borja, the Director of Legislation and Community Affairs at Planned Parenthood, and Dr. Jennifer Nelson, the Professor of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Redlands.Their panel discussed resources available to students after the overturning of Roe v.

Wade, as well as what this means for the state of California.

EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE OF THE CONFERENCE

women’s engagement in political H discourse.” ■

“How is it possible for women to be full citizens if they’re being forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term,” said Dr. Nelson.

For the Everyday People Making Change panel, ASUCR President Mufida Assaf spoke about her involvement at UCR, and what she’s doing to make change in her community. “I am working to put together anti-discrimination trainings, equity trainings, increasing accessibility to mental health resources, educating students by raising awareness about issues, hosting events that connect administration and alumni to students, and amplifying the voices of our student organizations,” Assaf said.

President Assaf looks forward to the impact this conference makes on audience members. “The Persist Women’s Conference is a great opportunity for us to come together and discuss the accomplishments and challenges Women face, and it’s also important to increase

COURTESY OF PEXELS

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

Opinions THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022

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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

COURTESY OF PAX AHIMSA GETHEN VIA WIKIMEDIACOMMONS UNDER CC BY-SA 4.0

The recent ruling that DACA is illegal upholds a rhetoric of hate against immigrants in the United States In an unsurprising turn of events, on Oct. 5, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit voted to uphold a 2021 ruling that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is illegal. While the program is still ongoing despite this ruling, it creates new fear for the Dreamers who arrived in this country as children and have never truly been accepted or protected by the government. It is unjust for our government to string them along and deny them this right of citizenship while those who want them gone continue to push back on their presence here.

DACA recipients and Dreamers are in all ways, except legally, considered citizens. Most arrived in the U.S. as children and have only known of their lives here. Although these people are now contributing members of society who work, pay taxes and have obtained an education here, they are still not granted full citizenship status or allowed the same privileges as someone who is. Except for in a few provinces, like San Francisco, DACA recipients are unable to vote in elections giving them no representation in our government. This group is not even permitted to leave the country for travel and yet they are still seen as outsiders that do not belong.

Many legal Americans see DACA and Dreamers as people who are taking away jobs and resources from themselves.

Many believe that they are simply living off of the government and consider them undesirable citizens; this statement is far from the truth. This idea is the product of white nationalism and xenophobia being used to wage a war on people of color, women and any underserved community. The Republican Party has fueled their recent legislation on this notion of hate while the Democratic Party is failing another group that needs their support to survive. Democrats and Biden are only putting up a facade that they care and will help, but DACA recipients have been waiting for them their whole lives to provide them some sense of tranquility.

Ultimately, the pathway to citizenship in the U.S. is purposely

made to confuse and appear unattainable with some people going through the process for more than ten years. It is inaccessible and takes time and knowledge that is complicated even for someone whose primary language is English. Better aid is needed to protect and assist this group of people from being deported and sent to a country where they may have no connections.

Following this ruling from the court, California colleges, including the University of California, released a statement that they would protect students and staff that are part of the undocumented community. This declaration of support is a step in the right direction but more guidance from these colleges is necessary to help this community feel protected and heard.

Furthermore, other states and colleges may not be as accepting and will continue to turn a blind eye to this group signifying that real change needs to occur.

The U.S. is a country that was created by immigrants through the unjust displacement and killing of Native Americans who previously resided here. White Americans and nationalists do not have a claim to the land and should not be so against those who arrived here to also obtain the now far fetched American Dream like their families did generations ago. Reform in the House of Representatives is needed to create more diversity in our government so that programs like this one are protected and not overturned. The DACA recipients and Dreamers deserve to H be respected and finally become full citizens of our country. ■

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.

DACA RECIPIENTS AND DREAMERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED CITIZENSHIP SO THAT THEIR PRESENCE IS NO LONGER CHALLENGED.

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022

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“Effortless perfection” is a mirage causing negative effects on the mental health of young women ISABELLA DAY Contributing Writer

While struggling is part of life, there shouldn’t be pressure to accomplish tasks without struggle or give off the impression that one had most things come easy to them. The expectation to be flawless and excel in every aspect of life is perpetuated by social media and is awful for the confidence and mental health of young women. This idea of achieving “effortless perfection” is completely unrealistic and is doing more harm than good to women in society. One solution to this problem begins with changing the way social media is utilized.

The idea that one can achieve “perfection” without having to work hard and face difficulties along the way is unrealistic and harmful to young women who appear to be putting up this front.

Young women, especially those that use social media, are most affected by this mirage of perfection. Social media provides a feed of curated beauty standards and trends that force young women to compare themselves to others. In a study from 2010, it was shown that viewing these types of images on Instagram resulted in an elevated need for women to compare themselves to other women. The women perceived themselves as falling short on certain standards displayed.

The reality is that most of the content on social media is curated and it fails to go beneath the surface. By perpetuating this idea of effortless perfection online, it only further exacerbates the problem and can have detrimental effects on mental health.

Researchers found that 29% of girls who spent three or more hours per day on social media engaged in self-harm and 31% of girls who spent five or more hours on social media were depressed. While this idea of effortless perfection is negatively applicable to beauty standards, it can have similar impact on other areas of a woman’s life such as in academia or one’s career.

In academia, this idea of effortless perfection is even more pertinent and has led to the unfortunate suicides of many students all over the country. In 2014, a freshman at the University of

Pennsylvania, Madison Holleran, took her own life and her tragic story fueled a new perspective on the effortless perfection myth. Madison’s Instagram profile was filled with beautiful images that displayed a picture-perfect life and one would never have suspected that she was struggling. This is a widespread problem that is especially prevalent at rigorous and competitive universities where students already compare themselves to their classmates. Suicide rates among 15 to 24 year olds increased in 2007 and anxiety and depression are the most common mental health diagnoses among college students.

EFFORTLESS PERFECTION DOESN’T EXIST — LET’S STOP PRETENDING IT DOES.

In order to compete and excel in male dominated fields, women also feel the need to perform higher in comparison to male peers.

In the workplace, there is pressure for a woman to take on more responsibilities and maintain a guise of effortless perfection in order to be a substantial competitor. In one of the largest studies done on this topic, researchers found that men are 30% more likely than women to be promoted to management roles. The percentage of men and women is almost equal in entry level jobs, however, the percentage of women that climb up the ladder and make it to the C-Suite becomes even smaller as women only make up 1% of the workforce within that level. The rate at which women get promoted to higher positions is disproportionately less than men, already setting the finish line farther for women.

Enduring struggle is part of growing as a person and unlocking potential. But, in the world of influencers, content creators and social media celebrities, this effortless perfection myth only contributes to this unattainable and unrealistic expectation that one should be flawless. While there are many factors that contribute to the effortless perfection myth, social media and idealized content is at the forefront. In order to combat this, there needs to be a shift in the way that social media is used along with more honest and open conversations that stop the H cycle of harm this myth creates.■

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Asylum seekers and migrants are not pawns for political stunts ANN TAI Contributing Writer

THE TRANSPORTATION OF MIGRANTS TO LIBERAL STATES TO “EXPOSE” HYPOCRISY IS AN ATTENTION-SEEKING POLITICAL TACTIC THAT DISREGARDS HUMAN DIGNITY. This September, eight Venezuelan migrants were flown from Texas to California. They did not have prior knowledge of their destination and had intended to go to other parts of the country with Venezuelean communities. Instead, the migrants were confused on why they were sent to Sacramento, where they had no connections. Without money or food, they were directed to NorCal Resist, a group that provides services to migrants. Unusually, the organization was not notified about the groups prior to their arrival.

Later, a second group of migrants landed in Sacramento and had to spend a night in the park, since the office was closed. A spokesperson from Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office stated that the governor is busing migrants to New York, Washington and Chicago and is not involved with the transportation of the migrants that arrived at Sacramento. Although the Governor’s claim that “the Biden Administration will be able to more immediately meet the needs of the [migrants]”,

the lack of clear communication reveals that these relocations are meant to exploit the vulnerable to make a political statement instead of providing them with actual resources they need.

These were not isolated incidents. Many migrants have been bussed from Texas to New York, Washington and Chicago. A bus of migrants also arrived at Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence in Washington, D.C. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis had 48 migrants flown out to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. In response to the incident, Gov. DeSantis has stated that Florida is “not a sanctuary state” and “will help facilitate [the] transport for [migrants] to be able to go to greener pastures.” He has since stated that Florida will continue transporting migrants as they have allocated money for their transportation to other states. In spite of the governor’s promises, the highly sensationalized events seem more performative than actually putting the human interests first. President Joe Biden has condemned the governors’ actions as “playing politics with human beings” and “using them as props” in “political stunts.” There’s another reason to suspect these antics are for political gains, as both governors are up for reelection in the general elections in November.

In Venezuela, there is a humanitarian crisis due to its socioeconomic deterioration under a socialist regime.

COVID-19 exacerbated the economic crisis, which in turn, intensified the country’s food insecurity and

health care problems. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) more than 6 million Venezueleans were forced to leave their homes – about 20% of their population. Venezueleans traveled to neighboring countries, such as Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil and Peru. Some have tried to seek asylum in the U.S. or Mexico. Many Venezuelans were among the migrants transported to liberal states.

Even if they are not persecuted in Venezuela, it is important to keep in mind that they might be in danger if they do return; it is shameful to further destabilize those who are already coping with the loss of their homes, family, and security.

Although it is legal for states to transport migrants to other states with their consent, many of these migrants have stated that they were promised work and opportunities that do not exist. They were misled with promises that suspiciously echo human trafficking tactics. It is inhumane to drop people in “sanctuary destinations” with little to no notice and where little to no infrastructure exists to help them.

This does not “expose” liberal hypocrisy as some people claim. These “stunts” hinder the processes for federal immigration agencies to provide for these migrants. These are humans – vulnerable people – seeking asylum in the U.S., only to be used as tools H for a cruel “political stunt.” ■

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022

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Internships should be worthwhile opportunities — not exploitative RAMITA SETTY Contributing Writer

AN INTERNSHIP IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO GET A GOOD JOB, BUT THEY AREN’T ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL.

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

As a college student, in order to gain certain skills and experience, it is typically necessary to obtain an internship within one’s chosen field. Internships can be a good way of dipping your toes into the mercurial ocean of today’s job market, provide experience to put on your resume and help you form connections within the industry. They can be beneficial in many ways, but they also demand a lot of time, commitment and effort from students – while often being unpaid.

Close to half of all internships in the U.S. are unpaid, placing low-income students in a difficult position. There are two options: Land a fancy unpaid internship in hopes of getting something good to put on a resume or get a job that may not be in your field. Some students, however, try to juggle both, and spend their summer exhausted and on the verge of burnout.

There are no real good solutions. A majority of college students can’t afford to work for free in this economy, putting them at a disadvantage to their wealthier peers who can afford to commit the time and effort most internships demand. As a result, higher-income students have more opportunities to network and secure a job after graduating. As for lowerincome students, even if they are on the same level, they are left a hole in their resume that their peers don’t have.

Not only do unpaid internships exacerbate inequality, but they are also inherently exploitative. Instead of paying an employee for their labor, it is cheaper for companies to dump trivial tasks onto college students trying to establish themselves. It is deplorable to expect a college student to work for free, and in many instances, the unpaid internships tend to be rather menial and simple such as filing paperwork and getting coffee. These are not exactly skills that provide a student with valuable experience. Meanwhile, there are also companies that overwork their unpaid interns, hiding behind the excuse that they are providing these interns “experience,” but experience won’t pay the bills.

Paid internships fix many of these problems. Low-income

students are not left in a hard spot trying to choose between gaining valuable experience or a livelihood. Plus, if companies pay interns, they will be forced to treat them like actual employees, making it harder for interns to be exploited. If interns get paid, then organizations will have to assign them actual meaningful work that helps gain valuable skills, instead of throwing meaningless busywork at them. There’s a benefit for the organizations and companies that pay interns too – they’re more likely to get interns who work hard, instead of interns frustrated with the notion that they should work for nothing.

The problem lies in the fact that a majority of unpaid internships come from underfunded nonprofits and public institutions that typically cannot afford to pay interns. This is where universities can step up. UC Riverside, for instance, provides major-specific academic advisors that can help students find and match with an internship. There are also additional resources through the Academic Resource Center where career advisors can help with the internship hunt. Riverside does offer many major-specific stipends and fellowships that students can apply for to support themselves while working an unpaid internship.

These aids are beneficial, but imperfect. Academic and career advisors are often spread thin among numerous students, with their appointment calendars fully booked. The stipends also have certain requirements and can be competitive, requiring students to write essays or complete extra work in order to prove the sincerity of their worth. While UC Riverside has a system in place to help students navigate the complex jungle of internship hunting, there are still steps that can be taken to make them more accessible to all students. Internships can be tricky to endeavor on, but the right kind of internships – paid ones, that allow students to pursue work meaningful to their chosen field and make connections within their professional H field – can be an invaluable experience.■

Don’t buy into the anti-debt forgiveness hype HARRY STOLTZ Staff Writer

President Biden recently signed an executive order to forgive large swaths of federal student loan debt.

Borrowers with yearly incomes of under $125,000, or $250,000 for married couples, are eligible for $10,000 of debt forgiveness, while Pell Grant recipients are eligible for $20,000. Pitched by the Biden Administration as a way to ameliorate the harm done by the COVID-19 pandemic to working families, over 8 million people will have their debt automatically cleared, while millions more will be able to apply in October. Although debt forgiveness polls favorably – especially among younger voters – there is still vocal opposition to the plan, with many worried about potential economic impacts, along with issues related to the fairness of the plan.

PRESIDENT BIDEN’S EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CLEAR SOME STUDENT LOAN DEBT FACES CRITICISM FROM VARIOUS GROUPS. HERE’S WHY THESE CONCERNS ARE UNWARRANTED.

Student Debt Forgiveness is a Regressive Policy One of the more interesting gripes with debt forgiveness is that it disproportionately impacts wealthier Americans. After all, college graduates see a whole swath of benefits compared to those with no college experience. Graduate incomes are well above the national average, and their quality of life ranks higher as well. Critics argue that government policy should instead target poor Americans who live without the earning potential that college graduates enjoy. While it’s inarguable that debt forgiveness is regressive, that doesn’t make it bad policy. Not every economic policy needs to target elements of the population that are most in need – other policies can address these issues. For example, President Biden’ recent legislation – The Inflation Reduction Act – aims to lower prescription drug prices and crack down on wealthy tax dodgers. Though well-intentioned, the struggles that debt borrowers face should not get overlooked. The stress that student debt borrowers face is immense, and harder to quantify than something like yearly income. A 2015 University of South Carolina study showed that student loan debt has a devastating impact on young adults in the United States.

Canceling Debt will cause an Economic Crisis The most common criticism of student loan forgiveness is that regardless of whether students “deserve” to live without debt, it’s bad policy that will add billions to the national debt, simply shifting a $379 billion burden from wealthy college graduates to taxpayers. Intuitively, this makes sense, but it’s thankfully not accurate. Because these are loans, not expenditure, the government has already spent this money when they issued the loans to the student borrowers.

Long after they graduate college, student debt is a constant source of stress for millions of people. Instead of imposing this unfair deal on aspiring young people, legislators and colleges should work to make H university more affordable. Until then, giving slack to existing borrowers is the least we could do. ■

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Who’s thinking about you this month?

YSABEL NAKASONE Assistant Opinions Editor

Aries

THIS PERSON HAS YOU ON THEIR MIND…

The person thinking of you the most this week is someone you have been focusing on equally. You have similar energy and feel a strong connection. Their interest is obvious and you didn’t need this horoscope to tell you that. You’re lucky to have found feelings that go both ways.

Taurus

Someone who has an energetic influence on you is focused on you deeply. Think of the person who brings out your fun and carefree side.

They have an aura of lightness and always leave you feeling more positive.

Gemini

There’s someone just out of your reach who spends a lot of time wondering about you. This won’t be someone you know well or spend a lot of time with, but someone on the peripheral. Think about your coworkers or peers who pop up at seemingly far between and random moments.

Cancer

Someone is worried about you, Cancer. Their mind is filled with questions about you and all that you’re going through. They will make their thoughts known directly to you, eliminating the mystery. Look at close friends who seem to be hovering and sticking close by.

Leo

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Libra

This person is feeling discouraged at your inattention to them and is considering taking a step back instead of being patient. They spend a lot of time debating your feelings for them while you are still wary of trusting them. Remember the person in your life whose relationship history is a little shady and who struggled with commitment? It’s them.

A friend close to you is feeling strong admiration for you this week and they wonder if their feelings of friendship might mean something more.

Your nature and the effect you have on them is strong and they may begin to seek a stronger connection. Take a good look at the friends who seem to be looking for more reasons to spend time with you.

Virgo

Think of the person in your life who seems to hold their tongue around you and tries to tamp down their natural personality. They spend a lot of time wondering if they’re annoying you and try to remain unseen because of it. This person is hoping you’ll notice them anyway because they definitely notice you.

Scorpio

Someone in your life is incredibly vocal about their feelings for you to everyone but you. They’re feeling the pressure to act on their feelings from mutual friends but you are in the dark. Look at how your friends act and who they push you towards to discover who has you on the brain.

Sagittarius

A figure from your past has you on their mind this week. An ex of yours is considering contacting you this week because they feel conflicted about the disconnect between you and are feeling rejected in other parts of their life. They want to look to you for emotional support that you don’t owe them.

Capricorn

The one thinking of you lingers and plays it cool and it’s making you feel like you’re stuck in limbo. They mask their interest well and it’s driving you crazy. Think of the person that seems a little too chill and even a little detached.

Aquarius

Someone is thinking of you this week, but it’s not someone you have positive feelings towards. You think of this person as a player type and as someone who flits from person to person. This isn’t someone you feel you can be honest with your friends about. Their attention feels good, but it comes with the added question of how genuine it is.

Pisces

This person has absolutely no chill and has been incredibly clear about their feelings toward you. Every interaction with them feels tense and they keep on pushing. This doesn’t mean that you have to give in, but H you should be equally as clear, whatever your feelings are.■

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

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Top 10 Best Non-Basic Halloween Costumes NATALIE DAHL Contributing Writer

TEN UNIQUE HALLOWEEN COSTUME IDEAS.

Coming up with a unique halloween costume can seem daunting. But with this list, you’ll be the best dressed at the function.

Lizzie McGuire

Whip out your butterfly clips and low-rise jeans, because the 2000s is back. This is a super easy character to replicate from your own closet; pick out any brightly colored tee and mismatched pants, and voila. The trick for this one is in the stylized hair and makeup.

Lizzo

If you’re willing to carry around a flute all night, consider dressing up as one of this generation’s best pop artists. From her tiny purse outfit for the American Music Awards to her sparkly blue leotard in her About Damn Time music video, Lizzo has so many recognizable outfits to recreate.

From “Despicable Me” All this costume takes is an orange jumpsuit and some oversized glasses. Bonus points if you commit to a brunette bowl cut as well.

Alice

from Don’t Worry Darling Although this one might be a bit more basic, I think it deserves its place on the list because of how iconic it would be. All you need is a classic 50s outfit finished with a tiny black velvet bow. Don’t forget to top off your outfit with a handful of empty eggshells.

Ouija Board

Sharpay

Evelyn Hugo

If you’ve been on BookTok in the past year, you know that The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has been all the rage. If you can somehow find a floor length emerald green silk dress that looks like the one on the cover of the book, this costume is for you.

Keeley and Roy

from Ted Lasso Instead of dressing up as the loveable coach armed with biscuits, consider making your couples costume this year inspired by the best slow-burn tv romance to ever exist. All you need is a blonde high ponytail and a very grumpy expression.

from High School Musical Here’s another 2000s inspired look that works for any one who loves pink.

Accessorize with some serious bling and oversized sunglasses and you’re set!

Pleakley’s Human Disguise

from Lilo and Stitch If you wish to truly stand out, I assure you that no one else will show up to the party in olive green body paint, exaggerated makeup, and a flower dress. Even better if you make your significant other be Jumba.

No matter how you dress up, have a Happy Halloween Highlanders! Good luck H costume planning!■

Halloween and Fall Date Ideas

As the air gradually starts to turn cool and autumn begins, there is no better time to participate in fall and halloween activities than now, especially with your significant other. Given the recent start of the school term, it may be difficult to plan an outing or activity so here are some options for dates that are true to the spirit of halloween and fall.

Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin Carving Taking a stroll down a pumpkin patch marks the epitome of autumn. Pick out some pumpkins with your significant other! Moreover, local pumpkin patches provide other activities for you two to join in such as hay bale rides, carnival games and costume contests, which is always a plus. Afterwards, you can bring home your pumpkins and carve, paint, or use them to cook which serves as additional time with your date. A nearby pumpkin patch to check out is the Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch at Rancho Cucamonga. If you want to visit a pumpkin patch close to UCR, the university’s ASPB is having a Scarefest this October 26 at the HUB Lawn which will include a movie screening of Scream, photo ops, and complementary food and drinks.

Coffee and a Bookstore For cheaper date options, spending a day at a local bookstore after grabbing a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino from Starbucks creates a perfect balance for a cool autumn day. You can share and discuss your favorite genres and current reads with your date while also sipping on a warm or cold beverage that smells like a fall harvest. Reviewing and talking about what you and your date enjoy reading can provide insight about each other. Also, bringing home the latest books to talk about later suggests similar dates to come. Places to look into include Barnes and Noble located beside Galleria at Tyler and Downtowne Bookstore at Downtown Riverside.

Cook or Bake Fall Food Catch your breath from classes with a day of cooking and baking with your significant other! Crank up some spooky tunes and allow your dorm or apartment to fill with the scent of homemade fresh pumpkin pie, pumpkin pasties or cheesecake. Some other choices include a butternut squash soup, pumpkin ravioli,

This is a great low-effort group costume for you and your four friends. To make it even more fun, assign your guys’ personalities to the criminal, the princess, the brain, the athlete and the empty basket case. If you have another friend who wants to join, have them be the principal!

If you procrastinated planning a costume, but still want to stand out, this one’s for you. Wear any black clothing you have from your closet and do a ouija board inspired makeup look on your face or collarbone.

Vector

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The Breakfast Club

EMILY LAM Contributing Writer

HERE’S A LIST OF DATE IDEAS FOR THIS AUTUMN AND UPCOMING HALLOWEEN SEASON. brussel sprouts or a pot roast. Afterwards, brewing a pumpkin latte or making apple cider would compliment the food. If you’re of age, you can also think about brewing some Halloween style cocktails.

Drive-in Horror Movie Halloween is coming soon which serves as the perfect time to start watching horror movies and cuddle with your significant other. If watching in the movie theaters or at home doesn’t do it for you, consider watching a horror movie at a drive-in theater instead. It offers an even blend of having both the large screens and speakers of a movie theater with the privacy of watching at home. And you get all of this with the uniqueness of viewing in a car. If you’re unsure of what to watch, some recently released horror or thriller films which generated positive reviews and reactions include Smile, Nope, Hellraiser, Barbarian and Orphan: First Kill.

Amusement Parks and Carnivals If feasible, going on a date at halloween theme parks such as Knotts Scary Farm, Universal Studios Horror Nights or Fright Fest at Six Flags are good choices for a night packed with screams and terror. This year promises new attractions, mazes, shows, and events in these theme parks that will be unmatched in previous years.

Be sure to grab discounted tickets, courtesy of ASUCR, at https://asucr.ucr.edu/ services/tickets. Alternatively, you can take your date to a local halloween carnival H or event with activities ranging from haunted houses to pumpkin carving contests.■

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Seeing the signs — is love in the air for you this autumn?

NATALIE DAHL Contributing Writer

Last spring, I was clueless to the fact that one of my friends developed a crush on me (and that I was crushing back). Here’s a quick quiz to help you figure it out quicker than I did.

If you answered mostly A: You guys are basically already dating at this point. Please ask this person out because you are definitely already in love with each other.

1. When they call you while you’re doing nothing, do you: A) Immediately pick up the phone and chat for hours.

B) Pick up the phone, talk for a minute, and then hang up.

C) Text them asking why they called.

D) Pretend like it never happened.

If you answered mostly B: They like you, but do you like them? They’ve probably fallen for you, but do you get butterflies around them?

2. If you were to crash on their couch overnight, would they: A) Wake you up with the smell of fresh-baked pastries.

B) Give you a blanket and pillow.

C) Tell you where the bathroom is.

D) Watch you while you sleep.

If you answered mostly C: You’re probably just friends, but that’s okay! The more friends the merrier.

HOW TO TELL IF SOMEONE IS FALLING FOR YOU, AND IF YOU’RE FALLING RIGHT BACK.

If you answered mostly D: This person is definitely showing H signs that are red flags. ■

3. You watch a movie on your couch with this person. Do you: A) Cuddle and have a popcorn fight.

B) Keep scooting away from them on the couch.

C) Critically analyze the movie afterwards.

D) Fall asleep.

4. It’s this person’s birthday. Do you: A) Make them cookies from scratch.

B) Buy them a card.

C) Text them happy birthday.

D) Forget about it entirely.

5. If this person bought you matching build-a-bears, would you: A) Think it’s adorable and put it on your bed.

B) Graciously accept the gift and shove it into the back of your closet.

C) Ask if they kept the receipt.

D) Rip the bear to shreds.

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

Celebrate the turn of the season with apple turnovers!

JAZZY NGUYEN Contributing Writer

We’re halfway through October, midterms are coming up and Riverside weather is starting to cool down. If you’re in need of a good stress bake or just want a way to get into the fall spirit, apple cinnamon turnovers are the way to go– college student style, of course. This recipe only uses 6 ingredients, and can be modified to shorten the preparation time if you want a quick snack.

Cinnamon Apple Turnover Preparation time: 20 minutes Serving Size: 2 Ingredients 1 large apple (Granny Smith if you prefer it tart) 1 package of Puff Pastry ½ tablespoon of butter ½ tsp of cinnamon 1 egg yolk 1 ½ tablespoons of sugar

Directions Peel, core and cut your apple into thin slices and toss on medium heat with butter for 45 seconds. Add cinnamon and sugar and stir for another 45 seconds.

Stir on low heat in a small pot or saucepan until the sugar dissolves and apples are lightly cooked (The smaller your pieces, the softer your filling will be).

As it cools, set out four 4 by 6 inch pieces of Puff Pastry on parchment paper or a baking sheet.

Drain the excess liquid from the filling, leaving some and scoop onto the center of two of the puff pastry pieces.

Leave a 1 cm border on the edge.

Take the last two pieces and drape them over the filling and bottom pastry. Use a fork to crimp down the edges.

Whisk the egg yolk and use it to brush the top pastry.

Cut an X into the top Puff Pastry to allow moisture to escape during baking. Sprinkle additional sugar over the top for a caramelized outer layer. Bake as the Puff Pastry package indicates, as it will vary depending on the brand.

H Remove when the outside is golden brown and enjoy! ■ COURTESY OF PEXELS

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‘Amsterdam’: This screwball mystery is a tonal and thematic misfire LUKE LIAO Contributing Writer

From an ensemble cast overflowing with A-listers, to one of the most celebrated cinematographers, to a director with a solid track record, “Amsterdam” has all the right pieces. Yet the film doesn’t know what to do with these talents and becomes a bland, inconsistent mess past the movie poster.

The onset of “Amsterdam” feels kinetic and is by far the best part of the film. The main characters Burt (Christian Bale), Harold (John David Washington) and Valerie (Margot Robbie) are set up nicely. Each person feels distinct and their relationship, introduced by a great flashback, feels full of heart. There is also a strong emphasis on the strength of friendship, romance, art and ultimately freedom; subjects that are prevalent in director David O. Russell’s filmography. With all this established, the fi rst act continues to move seamlessly with all signs leading to a fast–paced, screwball mystery. And then, everything goes wrong.

O. Russell seems to forget everything promising that he set up. What lies ahead is a complete tonal and thematic misfi re.

The pacing is coarse and the bloated runtime can be felt.

Clocking in at two hours and fourteen minutes, all the tension that “Amsterdam” builds up is immediately broken down by indulgent exchanges and sequences that lack engagement. The climax which could have happened half an hour before has no stakes. The comedy in “Amsterdam” is executed well, but more of it would have established a stronger tone. As expected, the film’s screenplay issues trickle down to the actors. The supporting cast is barely present, and when they are, it feels like they are being rushed to leave the screen. Zoe Saldaña, Rami Malek and Anya Taylor–Joy’s characters seem like significant roleplayers but are so thinly written. This is an issue that drags down every actor and actress in the film. The main trio’s chemistry is strong with fully realized motivations, but as the film continues, Burt is the only remaining character that feels loved by O. Russell. While Harold and Valerie become afterthoughts, Burt’s narration and occasional story helps his character hold form.

Amsterdam tries to juggle too many concepts at once. It attempts to genre blend as a drama, comedy and murder mystery with shots of romance and noir, but succeeds at almost nothing.

Thematically, the film starts as a mystery revolving around friendships and the strength of these bonds. During the fi nal minutes of the film, it becomes a critique of corporate corruption and later about political conspiracy and fascism. When the audience is fi nally reminded of the themes of friendship at the very end, it is hastily presented as a lengthy, overt monologue.

The film also takes place in 1933. The artistic choices one could make are exciting but “Amsterdam’s” locations and set designs look uninspired and plain. Cinematographer Emanuel Lubeski’s talent behind the camera is undeniable, yet his style doesn’t completely mesh with “Amsterdam.” The camerawork is by no means bad, but the usage of the signature Malick style cinematography Lubeski is largely responsible for does not work well with “Amsterdam’s” premise and tone. The score was underused and would’ve cushioned some of the tonal issues.

THE FILM’S ALLSTAR CAST AND PREVALENT THEMES FAILED TO CAPTURE THE ATTENTION OF AUDIENCES WHICH LED TO A DULL CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE.

A great film based on true events leaves the audience wanting to learn more about the events and characters. At the start, Amsterdam tells us that “A lot of this actually happened,” H but after fi nishing it, the watcher doesn’t care to fi nd out more.■

VERDICT: “AMSTERDAM” HAS A LOT TO SAY — BUT ONCE THE SCREEN GOES BLACK, THE AUDIENCE IS LEFT WITH ALMOST NOTHING. THE FILM LACKS COHERENCE AND MISUSES THE STAGGERING AMOUNT OF TALENT ON BOTH ENDS OF THE CAMERA.

COURTESY OF 20TH CENTURY STUDIOS

‘Smile’ makes the most of its sinister smirks PARKER FINN’S FILM MANAGES TO BRING ON THE JUMP-SCARES AND INFLICT PSYCHOLOGICAL TERROR WHILE GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR.

When deciding on what the scariest aspect of a horror film is, what comes to mind first? Is it the idea of an unknown killer out to slaughter whoever they come into contact with? An unsettled spirit enacting supernatural punishments on the living? Or could it be something more mundane than that, perhaps even commonly thought of as a sign of happiness?

In “Smile,” the very presence of an “upside down frown” is enough to successfully evoke the same kind of dread and terror as its horror rivals. After a meeting with a new patient takes a horrific turn, psychiatrist Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) realizes that she may have gotten herself involved with something much worse than anticipated. Along the way, she is continuously bothered by terrifying and unexplainable visions — particularly of blank faces sporting ominously wide grins. Such is the underlying horror of “Smile” made all the more real and disturbing by taking the route of subtle scares rather than crude terrors.

As the film progresses, the style of the jump-scares goes from quiet nerve-racking frights to psychologically disturbing at a rather accelerated pace. From start to finish, audiences were glued to the screen as the tense events of the plot quickly gave way to an even more unsettling finale. Yet as the horrific imagery intensely increases throughout the movie, the image of an off-

MADISON ZEPEDA Contributing Writer

putting smile tightly stretched across one’s face remains the film’s greatest terror tactic at large.

In addition to slowly amplifying its horror elements, “Smile” also incorporates the overpowering and isolating nature of its evil grins into the camera work. For landscape shots, the use of a bird’s eye view angle gives the audience a sense of the impending and menacing terror awaiting the characters. In other scenes, the characters are often placed directly within the center of the shot itself, thus placing the audience deeper within their extremely agitated psyches.

The emotional range of the cast’s performances greatly enhances certain scenes that, if performed differently, might have turned out rather awkward to watch.

As the lead, Sosie Bacon fully embodies the horrifying and shocking moments of Cotter’s ordeal with a large amount of relatability. Whether she’s in the midst of a spine-chilling encounter or attempting to make others understand what she is experiencing, Bacon’s harrowing portrayal instantly generates empathy for the troubled Cotter. Another performance of note is Caitlin Stasey’s thought-provoking first scene as the aforementioned patient Laura Weaver. By striking a balanced amount of panic and fear-induced indignation into Weaver, Stasey’s character leaves the audience firmly hooked on the plot very early on in the film.

While the film maintains solid performances and makes great use of certain camera angles, the same can’t be said for its writing. Although thankfully nowhere near the perimeter of “cringe-territory,” the dialogue’s most

outrageous flaw is essentially its inability to elevate the story in any particularly meaningful way. Certain lines felt overdramatic and unnecessary in their set-ups and executions, which runs the risk of making viewers feel taken out of the film. This issue was especially present in scenes between Rose and her sister Holly (Gillian Zinser), whose main importance within the film is to dig up their traumatic childhoods in a not-as-well-executed B plot. Despite these shortcomings with Parker Finn’s screenwriting, the film’s director still delivers by serving a screenplay that keeps the audience relatively in tune with the plot.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of “Smile” comes from its theme surrounding the damaging and cyclical nature of traumatic experiences for people throughout their lives. In this way, “Smile” attempts to use its disturbing and outlandish horror elements to represent the internalized suffering that works hand-in-hand with said experiences. While this theme of the film has been a miss for some, I found it to be more apparent in hindsight rather than as an immediate takeaway of the viewing. Instead, I left the film reeling from some of its best subtly shocking jump scares, as well as an ending that will probably leave me psychologically scarred into next year.■ H

“SMILE” IS AN EXCITING AND SOMETIMES TRULY DISTURBING HORROR FILM THAT WORKS BEST WHEN CHANNELING SUBTLETY WITH A DAB OF THE PSYCHOLOGICALLY ALARMING. ASIDE FROM A FEW MINOR ISSUES, IT HAS ALL THE TOOLS IT NEEDS TO ASPIRE TOWARD CULT-CLASSIC STATUS.

VERDICT:

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Baby Tate amazes audiences with new record, ‘Mani/Pedi’ LAVERK HARPER Contributing Writer

Baby Tate is not a beginner in the music industry, with a discography that begins as early as 2016 with her song “B.B.L.U.” Her new album “Mani/Pedi,” named after two tracks on the album, is a testament to the hard work she has put into this album. Tate released “Mani/Pedi” on September 30, 2022. The album is an amalgamation of two genres that are prevalent in the black community, rap and R&B. Tate seamlessly mashes the sweet, meaningful rhythm of R&B with the powerful flow of rap. “Mani/Pedi” is not an album to sleep on.

While met with mixed reviews, the album has a mostly positive reaction. Most of the controversy of the album is with the R&B songs. Reviewers seem to feel like she came up short in this department, but was most successful in her creation of “Mani/ Pedi.”

The album gets off to a strong start with the song “Perfect.” The song perfectly emulates the tone of Bad B*tch Energy (BBE) that an album should start on. The upbeat tone of the song instantly gives the listener a sense of confidence that only an artist like Baby Tate can give.

Tate’s album comes with a sound for the girls in their feelings with songs like “Do Better” which asks why you would return to someone who has never treated you right. The message is as clear as “Do Better” which gives off more of an R&B feeling that Tate uses to convey her message.

Baby Tate goes wild with her lyrical genius in the song “Sl*t Him Out” ft. Kali, another female rapper to keep your eyes on. The song opens with a dystopian-sounding beat that leads to Tate’s nonstop verses. This song is probably the nastiest track on the album, and the addition of Kali’s rapping genius makes the song ten times better.

These are just some of the songs that stand out at the beginning of the album. Baby Tate has a unique

flow on this album, especially when it comes to the union of her singing with her rapping. “Karma” is the perfect example of this creative mash-up. The song feels like an ode to older R&B songs from the early 2000s. The mixture between the lyrics and the beat makes this song a definite download. She uses her singing as somewhat of an accent to the rest of her rapping. Another song that proves this point is “Ain’t No Love” ft. 2 Chainz, which captures the audience within the first few seconds when they notice that the song is a sample of Ciara’s “Oh” ft. Ludacris. This song is a strong homage to the original. Tate begins to show off the flexibility of her vocal range in this song. 2 Chainz part does feel like somewhat of an afterthought, but it still works.

MUSICIAN BABY TATE ADDS A NEW ALBUM UNDER HER BELT AND IT’S WORTH A LISTEN.

Tate’s ability to get a crowd moving is apparent in songs like “Sl*t Him Out”, “Dancing Queen” “Perfect” and “Pedi.” All of these have the exceptional ability to make the listener feel like they are the baddest in the room. These songs are all comparable to a shot of espresso. The more you listen, the more you want to shake to the beat that Tate lays out for you.

While not every song on “Mani/Pedi” is a complete hit with the critics, it seems to resonate with audiences more than not. The strong songs completely capture the audience in whatever mood Tate is trying to convey. The songs that aren’t as popular have some redeeming qualities. No matter what, none of the songs on this album are distinctly bad; they could have just used some more time to perfect them. The overall themes of “Mani/Pedi” are ones of feminine power, taking back what is yours and using it how you like. Additionally, the theme of finding someone who is going to be able to treat you the way you deserve to be treated or to treat yourself better. In the song “Do Better” Tate H says “Girl, you better get yourself a rose.” ■

COURTESY OF STREAMCUT

VERDICT: BABY TATE MANAGED TO OUTDO HERSELF WITH THE CREATION OF THIS ALBUM. “MANI/PEDI” PUTS TATE’S TALENT ON DISPLAY, WHETHER IT BE THROUGH HER NON-STOP FLOW OR HER SINGING VOICE. THIS ALBUM IS A MASTERCLASS IN GENRE MIXING. OVERALL EVEN IF SOMEONE DOESN’T LIKE A SONG THEY WILL FIND THAT THE REMAINING 14 TRACKS MAKE UP FOR IT.

Artist Spotlight: Francisco “Franky” Castle becomes energy in motion!

KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE WITH FRANKY CASTLE’S ECCENTRIC LIFE. MAXEN OLVERA Contributing Writer

Southern California local, Francisco “Franky” Castle, is passionate about the arts. I met Castle at Riverside’s monthly art walk. He was willing to sit down with me and tell his story. Castle was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and left for the states at the age of three. His parents were determined to achieve the American dream in Anaheim, California. Castle’s father became a carpenter, and his mother began working at a local factory. Castle grew up in a neighborhood that served as a home for various gangs. With the gangs residing in his backyard, Castle was exposed to drugs and violence. However, the neighborhood also showed him the beauty of graffiti.

Castle has always been interested in the art of graffiti as he was fascinated by the graffiti on the New York subway.

Castle and a couple of friends from his neighborhood began to tag areas in Anaheim with graffiti. He slowly realized that he possessed a natural gift for painting, leading him to spray paint throughout high school. Alongside his visual artwork, Castle also found a new passion for music and performed in a band. At one of his shows, he and his band were pushed into a fight. The police were called to the situation. Castle was arrested for aggravated assault and was sentenced to six months in prison. This gave him a wake-up call in prison when an officer asked him, “Why are you even here?” Castle felt that his life was going in the wrong direction. Castle was soon released from confinement and aimed to find a high-paying job.

Unfortunately, Castle was turned away from every

employer because of his criminal record. After mounds of rejection, Castle decided to venture into entrepreneurship.

He ran three mobile phone stores within Cardenas Markets in Southern California for 17 years. In 2016, Castle started to become sick of his routine at the mobile store. He would be working day and night with zero time for a life outside of work. He sold all of his stores in late 2016 and used his money to buy a studio space. However, at this time, Castle hadn’t touched a paintbrush in 25 years.

Castle isolated himself in the studio for 10 hours a day trying to paint a masterpiece. Castle felt that he needed something to enhance his art, inevitably leading him to drugs and alcohol that became his fuel for inspiration. He believed that tapping into that altered state of mind allowed him to create pieces that would astonish his audience.

Castle fell into a drug-induced spiral that lasted for four years. During this time, he made art like he never had before while his body paid the price. Castle started to look disheveled and worn out. Castle says many paintings were ruined during this time because he was too intoxicated to complete the job.

The pandemic hit and Castle decided to get sober, as the drugs were corroding his mind and art. Castle has been sober ever since. He credits his sobriety to meditation and personal growth that came from forgiveness.

Art has always come naturally to Castle. However, his past trauma formed a “resistance” that had the power to

hold him back. In the past, Castle believed drugs could suppress the “resistance.” In reality, art was the only thing strong enough to combat Castle’s “resistance.”

Castle’s Latino roots exposed him to the work of legendary activist Cesar Chavez. He directly evokes Chavez in a piece called “pick up the shovel.” The illustration depicts Cesar Chavez with a shovel over his shoulders. To Castle, the painting represents the time and effort that goes into hard work. Picking up a shovel represents the start of work. You have to get your hands dirty while practicing your craft. Castle believes in taking action for yourself. Most recently, Castle took a residency in Costa Rica, where he took this time to explore the natural aspects around him. Castle only painted one piece while in the country. The picture presented a row of trees covering a small patch of water with a sign that read: “Pura Vida.” The Spanish phrase means pure life. Castle got the inspiration from a compost site near his abode. The artist wanted to challenge himself to produce beauty out of an eyesore.

Castle is enjoying being a successful artist. He has licensed his artwork to Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods. Castle hopes to rent a spot in downtown Riverside to present his work. But for now, you could enjoy Castle’s art at the monthly art walks that happen every first Thursday of the month in the heart of downtown Riverside. Castle is exposing Riverside natives to a new H form of art rooted in Chicano Culture. ■

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/radar

RADAR

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022

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How Coperni’s spray-on dress broke the internet JAY TELLES Contributing Writer

COPERNI’S SPRING/SUMMER ‘23 FASHION SHOW DEMONSTRATED THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN GARMENT MAKING: SPRAY ON FABRIC. Great inventions always start with a bit of luck and a silly idea — in this case, it started with a bit of silly string. Silly string might have just been a childhood toy to a lot of us, but Spanish designer Dr. Manel Torres reimagined its intended use. The fashion designer who disliked the lengthy process of garment construction used it at a friend’s wedding. Invoked with curiosity, he wondered if the same technology in the can could be used to spray on fabric. What this would lead him to is the performance of a lifetime. This year he would stand before all of Paris Fashion week to spray a Coperni dress using his silly string invention onto supermodel Bella Hadid.

Coperni is a French ready-to-wear and accessories brand that is no stranger to science. Its founders Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant established the brand fairly recently in 2013. They named the brand after Nicolaus Copernicus. Thus, a theme of discovery inspires the brand’s visuals and creative direction. They have printed things like “a world in motion” onto graphic t-shirts, but they’ve also stretched the concept for their designs. During the pandemic, they created antibacterial fabrics that would promote health along with various bags inspired by technology (i.e. the swipe bag, the Wi-Fi bag, etc.). At this year’s Spring Summer ‘23 Paris Fashion Week, Coperni did not shy away from their DNA. With the help of Dr. Torres, they showed the world where the next step in fashion is headed. A fashion show typically has an order: the audience sits, they watch the stream of models with gorgeous designs walk in and out of a room, then the show ends. Here it was almost typical. The show opened up with a very strong tailored jacket and a fluid moving black dress, a small leather belt sat just above the model’s elbows and when the audience waited for the end an almost nude Bella Hadid took center stage. Murmurs echoed through the audience as spray guns and two men dressed in black proceeded to take the stage with her. One of these men would be Dr. Torres. Once they began spraying her, the substance looked like a white liquid, then spider webs and finally fabric; everyone’s mouth dropped. The whole process only took about 10 minutes to complete. A woman also dressed in black came out with a pair of scissors and made an elegant slit along the side of the dress while also adjusting the shoulder straps. Many viewers could not tell if they were watching real life or a futuristic sci-fi movie. Once complete, Bella Hadid walked gracefully with the dress showing it off as a form of

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luxury and innovation.

What’s fascinating about the brand is how they incorporate modernist designs into one-of-a-kind pieces that constantly push toward the future. In an interview with, Fédération de la Haute Couture et da la Mode, Coperni noted “We’re fascinated by the relationship between humans and technology. And how technology can help humans.”

Interestingly enough, Dr. Torres obliges to the same principles. I’d dare say it was fate or dumb luck that they happen to meet.

Dr. Torres established his own company, Fabrican, in 2003 where he experimented with different ways to use the fabric for good. In a TedTalk, he talks about the process of creating this fabric; how he wanted it to be strong in its weaving like a spider web but easily applicable like silly string. His goal in 2013 was to set up different booths where designs and styles are coded into a program. Here, you just walk in, choose your design and the machine prints the clothes on you. This Paris show was only a glimpse into his vision of making that a reality.

The Fabrican invention is great for many reasons. A highlight of the technology is that the material they can create is a fabric made of natural fibers that can be re-worn and recycled. That includes fabrics like cotton and linen. He’s also theorizing ways to implement it into rectifying damaged garments combating fast fashion practices. It’s a big win for the movement towards a sustainable fashion market. However, the designer didn’t just stop there. Dr. Torres has held various exposes demonstrating how his spray on fabric can also be used for medical purposes. He created a way to easily apply casts on patients with broken limbs, a process usually requiring extreme precision and time.

Along with being recruited by the Mexican government to use his fabric to help with oil spillage recovery.

This goes to show the importance of integrating fashion and science into one.

When the head meets the heart a lot of good things can come of it. These designers showed the fashion world that anything, even saving the world, is possible with a bit of H imagination and determination. ■

COURTESY OF GNEXSEDIT VIA WIKIMEDIACOMMONS UNDER CC BY-SA 4.0

14 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022

SPORTS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

sports UC Riverside men’s soccer team defeats UC Irvine 4-0 HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

The UC Riverside men’s soccer team defeated UC Irvine 4-0 Wednesday night in the UCR Soccer Stadium. After a tie with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo a week before and winning two consecutive games before that, the Highlanders were looking to put together a winning streak to propel themselves in the Big West Conference standings. The 4-0 win marked the first time UCR had multiple four-goal performances since 2014 and the third time in school history.

The game started out a bit slow for both teams as neither team was able to find an opportunity to kick the ball toward the goal. After a foul on forward Robert Mejia from UCI, sophomore forward Noah Lopez attempted the first shot of the game but was unable to connect. The Highlanders went on the offensive around the 19:42 mark in the first period as Lopez and freshman defender Andrew Alexander attempted their shots into the goal but again, they were unable to connect. At the 23:34 mark, Alexander tried his shot again but the ball was deflected.

However, Lopez was able to track down the ball and kicked it over to senior midfielder Issa Badawiya, who was able to kick it toward the goal and score, giving UC Riverside the opening goal 1-0. Minutes later, the Anteaters went on the offensive as forward Agaton Pourshahidi attempted the first shot for UC Irvine. However, junior goalkeeper Carlos Gonzalez made a great play on the ball and prevented the goal.

Things started to get chippy for UC Riverside as a foul was called on Lopez before a yellow card was assessed to sophomore defender Aleksander Vukovic a minute later at the 29:41 mark. Senior midfielder Leopoldo Hernandez and senior defender Brendan Clark were also called for fouls minutes later.

However, this did not faze the Highlanders as at the 35:40 mark, sophomore forward Luka Lukic was able to connect on a goal assisted by Hernandez and Clark to bring the score to 2-0. UCI had no answers for the UCR offense as less than four minutes later, Clark was able to get a goal of his own assisted by Lukic to

extend the Highlander lead 3-0. After another saved goal from the goalie, Gonzalez, Clark was able to get his second goal of the night, this time assisted by Hernandez, which brought the score to 4-0 and blew the game wide open.

In the second period, UC Riverside played scrappy and physical as multiple players started to accumulate foul calls.

After a save from Gonzalez, UCR was called for four consecutive fouls in a span of four minutes. At the 62:09 mark, Clark attempted his third goal of the game as he kicked the ball bottom center. However, a great play from sophomore goalkeeper Luke Pruter prevented the score. UCR went on the offensive near the 70:53 mark but was unable to capitalize on their opportunities.

A shot from Badawiya went far out left and after back-to-back corner kicks, Hernandez’s kick was far too high and missed the goal. UC Riverside continued to play great defense as the Anteaters were unable to move down the field and attempt kicks toward the goal. The Highlanders slowed the game down in the last 10 minutes of the game as neither team attempted a kick in the final minutes of the match. As the timer hit 90 minutes, UC Riverside emerged victorious 4-0 over UC Irvine.

THE WIN MOVES THE HIGHLANDERS UP TO FIFTH PLACE IN THE BIG WEST CONFERENCE STANDINGS.

Clark led the Highlanders with two goals in the game on three attempts and an assist. Badawiya and Lukic also contributed with a goal each. The goalkeeper, Gonzalez, had a great outing with four saves and zero goals allowed.

UC Riverside improves its record to 4-7-3 (3-2-1) and climbs up to the fifth seed in the Big West Conference standings. With three games remaining on their schedule, their next game will be against the number two-seeded Cal State Fullerton at home H on Wednesday, Oct. 19th, at 7:00 P.M. ■

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THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

SPORTS

TUESDAY, October 18, 2022

UC Riverside women’s volleyball swept in set play against UC Santa Barbara HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

The UC Riverside women’s volleyball team was defeated by UC Santa Barbara 0-3 in set play Friday night. After a disappointing loss last week against Cal State Bakersfield, where they were also swept 0-3 in set play, the Highlanders looked to bounce back against the number two-seeded UC Santa Barbara. However, the Gauchos proved to be too much for UCR as again they were swept 0-3.

In the first set, UCSB jumped out to an early 4-1 lead with three kills off the bat. UC Riverside was able to hold its ground and respond with three consecutive won rallies to tie the set 7-7 thanks to a couple of errors from the Gauchos.

After a service error from the Highlanders, UCR won another three straight rallies to take the lead in the set 10-8 as UC Santa Barbara continued to make mistakes. However, the Gauchos calmed themselves down and opposed their will on the game as they won the next seven out of eight rallies to take a commanding 16-13 lead led by right-side hitter Tallulah Froley, who accumulated three kills during the run. Both teams then started to exchange rallies until a kill from junior outside hitter Delaney Tate and an attack error from UCSB tied the set at 19-19. Back-to-back service errors from Froley gave the Highlanders the lead 21-20. However, UC Santa Barbara showed why they were the number two seed in the Big West Conference as they won the next five out of six rallies to take the win in the set, 25-22. UC Riverside had its fair chance to win the first set but the errors and mistakes cost them the early win.

The Gauchos carried the momentum they had at the end of the first set into the second set as they jumped out to an early 5-0 lead thanks to Froley and outside hitter Michelle Ohwobete having two kills each. Tate got a kill in the ensuing rally to get UCR on the board and an attack error from Froley brought the score to 5-2. UCSB then won the next six rallies to blow the set open 11-2 with multiple consecutive errors from the Highlanders.

The Highlanders tried their best to get back into the game but the lead was too immense. After a kill from sophomore middle blocker Anya Green and an error from the Gauchos, UC Santa Barbara won the next four rallies to bring the score to 18-8 led by Ohwobete who had racked up another two kills. Senior middle blocker Isabella Scarlett got a kill to bring the deficit to 18-10 before UCSB closed out the set by winning the next six of seven rallies to win the second set 25-11. Again, the errors from UC Riverside cost them in the second set.

THIS LOSS MARKS THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE SWEEP FOR THE HIGHLANDERS.

Both teams went back and forth to open up the third set. The kills started to pile up for UCSB, but their errors and mistakes also kept UCR in the set. A kill from Tate brought the score to 10-7 in favor of the Gauchos before kills from Froley and Ohwobete extended the UC Santa Barbara lead to 13-7. Another kill from Tate momentarily stopped the run from UCSB until senior outside hitter Mylei Vargas-Deason accumulated multiple attack errors to blow the set open for the Gauchos 17-8. UC Riverside rallied to win the next five rallies led by Vargas-Deason who redeemed herself by getting three kills in the process, bringing the score to 17-13. However, the talent and play for UC Santa Barbara proved to be too much for the Highlanders to handle as they won the next eight out of nine rallies to win the set and match, 25-14. Ohwobete did everything for the Gauchos as she served up some aces and kills to put away the Highlanders.

Scarlett and Tate led the Highlanders in kills with six each. Scarlett also led UCR with 10 digs and graduate student setter Tayler Hifo had 18 assists.

UC Riverside drops to 3-13 (1-6) on the season and will take on Long Beach State next Thursday, H Oct. 20, in the SRC Arena at 6:00 P.M.■ COURTESY OF PEXELS

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Be imaginative.

Have an idea, opinion, or visual you just can’t get out of your head? Whether you’re a photographer, writer, or designer, the Highlander is ready to get you published. Join us every Monday at 5:15 p.m. in HUB 101 to learn more.

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