Vol. 71, Issue 13

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, January 31, 2023

VOL. 71, ISSUE 13

est. 1954

OPINIONS The Monterey Park shooting should be the final straw for American gun control HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL STAFF

Americans are once again facing the reality of another mass shooting, with one of the deadliest incidents in recent months taking place during the beginning of 2023. This latest shooting occurred Jan. 21 in Monterey Park, California, at a dance studio during a Lunar New Year celebration and has now led to 11 deaths. Monterey Park is home to a large Chinese and Asian diaspora, and while the motives of the gunman, who took his own life the next day, are unknown, this attack appears to have transpired in an effort to hurt the community during a day of celebration. This mass shooting adds to a growing list of others that have taken place in the country, leading many to feel hopeless and upset with lawmakers who have done little in regard to gun control to stop these tragedies.

California currently has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, yet there have now been two mass shootings here this year — the one in Monterey Park and another in Half Moon Bay that occurred Monday killing seven. Despite there being these laws in place, those wishing to inflict harm on others are still finding a way to do so. The gun used in the Monterey Park shooting was one that is illegal in California and was most likely brought over from another state.

“California is known for having strict gun laws, but it is not surprising that guns are prevalent in the state,” Matthew Lang, a professor of economics at the University of California Riverside who has studied firearms sales, told ABC News.

AYLIN MORENO / THE HIGHLANDER

► SEE MONTEREY PARK PAGE 4

Didn’t go to Winter SOULstice?

Don’t worry, you didn’t miss much.

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@thehighlanderucr @HighlanderUCR UCRHighlander NEWS 3

OPINIONS 4

FEATURES 6

RADAR 9

SPORTS 12

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

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Cookies and Cocoa 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

SSC Group Meeting Room 1

Design Workshop 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

SSC Group Meeting Room 1

Women’s Tennis at Long Beach State 2 p.m.

Long Beach

Anza Borrego Camping Adventure 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

SRC Outdoor Excursions and Anza Borrego

Tuesday

1

Wednesday

2

Golden ARCHES Lemonade Mingle 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

SSC MPR 2

3

Queer Cinema Night 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

245 Costo Hall

4

National Girls & Women in Sports Day 6 p.m.

SRC Arena

5

Men’s Club Basketball Practice 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

SRC North Gym

Thursday

Friday

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Intramural Sports Play 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

SRC Competitive Sports Office

Sunday HIGHLANDER STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CONTACT US

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ASST. OPINIONS EDITOR Ysabel Nakasone ynaka036@ucr.edu

Amaray Alvarez opinions@highlandernews.org FEATURES EDITOR

ASST. FEATURES EDITOR

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Women’s Tennis vs Portland State 1 p.m.

SRC Tennis Courts

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NEWS

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NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023

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UCR Professor of Public Policy discusses impact of recent California floods

ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

Southern California has been experiencing unrelenting rain for several weeks, causing widespread flooding, high winds, and high surf. The recent downpour has once again highlighted the state’s lack of adequate infrastructure to deal with such intense rainfall.

This continuous rain has put a strain on California’s drainage and sewage systems, leading to an increase in flooding and other weather-related incidents.

Kurt Schwabe, Associate Dean of the School of Public Policy and Professor of Environmental Economics and Policy, discussed how the state’s infrastructure has been struggling to keep up with the growing population and the increasing intensity of rainfall, “it’s clear that our stormwater and flooding infrastructure is falling short of what we should expect given California is the seventh largest economy in the world. But, the “losses” are significantly more than this when one considers how much of this water we are not storing or capturing to help refill aquifers and reservoirs.”

The state’s aging infrastructure is not the only problem. The rapid development of urban areas has resulted in the loss of natural spaces that could absorb excess water. The disappearance of wetlands, marshes, and other natural areas has reduced the state’s ability to store water during heavy rainfall.

Californians may become wary of buying homes in some parts of the state because of the risk of flooding and mudslides. Schwabe discussed this potential risk explaining how areas will become unlivable depending on the level of flood risk each area poses. “First, there is the “hazard”, which accounts for the probability and magnitude of the actual event.” He explained “Second, it will depend on the exposure of the residents to the risk,

which accounts for the economic value of the assets that would be subjected to the risk.

Finally, it will be dependent on the vulnerability of the assets, which accounts for the potential for economic loss.”

However, Schwabe clarified that this level of winter rainfall falls in line with expectations, “What we are observing right now seems to be consistent with the predictions by scientists who specialize in modeling atmospheric dynamics and climate science.”

In August 2022, Gov. Newsom released a plan, “California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future.” The three-year plan, already underway, will invest $8.7 billion to, in part, address “California’s water future by reimagining the way we source, store and deliver water statewide for future generations.” The plan is motivated by optimizing the water supply, not stormwater infrastructure. Schwave commented on the plan and explained, “it does help address the increased risks of flooding, but not completely since it focuses on water supply and not flood risk. But, the two have a lot in common.”

California’s current predicament is a wake-up call for the state to take action. The state needs to find a balance between development and environmental preservation. Investing in the state’s infrastructure and restoring natural spaces will help California better prepare H for future rain and other weather-related incidents. ■

Controversy in ASUCR Senate ABHIJIT REGE AND HARU CHANG News Editor and Assistant News Editor

The Associated Students of UCR’s third meeting of the Winter was called to order by Executive Vice President Myra Usmani on Wednesday, Jan. 25th, 2023 in the ASUCR Senate Chamber at 7:05 P.M. All senators were present, excluding CHASS senator Andrew Bui who arrived late, CHASS senator Alex Lu, CHASS senator Kyle Cheng, and BCOE senator Chloe Au. In addition to the senators, the Executive Cabinet was present as well.

During the Public Forum, First Time Student Director Victoria Nguyen made a statement addressing the Monterey Park mass shooting that occurred on Lunar New Year Eve. The statement was motioned to be adopted as the official ASUCR statement by President Pro Tempore Aalani Richardson and seconded by Sen. Abby Choy, passing with a vote of 13-0-0. At risk of losing a vital community program, graduate student Christian Valdez presented the two-year long effort in drafting a referendum for R’Garden. It asks students to pay $10 per quarter for the resources that the R’Garden supplies in partnership with the R’Pantry. Lastly, Genevieve Ortiz, the External Communications Director at the ASUCR office, brought up concerns about the ASUCR HEAT event, as the approved budget does not include accommodations for students with sensory disabilities and the budget for the EMT is split between other event items.

Ex-officio reports then took place and saw various members of the Executive Cabinet discussing the state of the Association and their individual projects. Executive Cabinet meeting minutes were also reviewed as well.

The committee reports of the LRC included discussions and motions on several bills.

The first bill, SB-F22-018 Chapter 32 Bylaw Amendment, was opened for discussion and later approved 10-0-2. The second bill, SB-W23-006 Chapter 16 Administrative Amendments, was opened and approved 10-0-2 and provides an update to the Transfer Student Director Bylaw. The third bill, SB-W23-007 Executive Vice President Stipend Amendment was presented by PPT Richardson and stipulated that the stipend for the EVP position be the same as all other VP positions. The bill was later approved 12-0-2.

Two Green Grants were discussed and approved. Vice President of Sustainability Alondra Martinez spoke in favor of Green Grant #21 which funds the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Solar Boat project. The second grant, Green Grant #22 serves the Gardening Club and would provide funding for pizza materials from the R’Garden. Both were approved 14-0-0.

Finance Hearing Minutes #1 was reviewed by individual line items. VP of Finance Martinez discussed funding allocations, including $10,500 requested by Marketing and Promotions Director Phanxico Hoang for the HEAT concert. PPT Richardson raised concerns regarding why this request was submitted as normal funding and not outreach grant considering the low contingency fund. According to VP of Finance Martinez the grant comes from the state of California and is usually not accessible for UCR students, the contingency is to support ASUCR. President Mufida Assaf voiced her clear disapproval of HEAT allocations and urged the Senate to disapprove, believing that concerts are within ASPB’s expertise. She expressed that $10,000 should not be for a concert and could instead be allocated elsewhere such as for the Women’s Campus safety program, which needs around $15,000.

In regards to line item g, Chief Justice of the Judicial Council, Alexandria Arias, addressed reasons for the Associate Justice position compensations increasing from $990 to $1485 for 9 months of work. According to Associate Justice Fadi Zaki, the judicial branch was getting paid the temporary stipend that was approved last year but was not seen this year. PPT. Richardson brings concerns about how the compensation is equal to Senators, but on paper Senators have more tangible duties. This raised questions about

increased Senate pay. Chief Justice Arias acknowledged PPT Richardson’s concerns and does believe Senators should be paid more, but also stated that the Justices do not deserve to be paid less than the requested amount. Finance Hearing Minutes #1 was approved with a vote count for 13-0-0.

In conjunction, Finance Hearing Minutes #2 and Finance Hearing Minutes #3 were also approved with a vote count of 12-0-0 and 13-0-0 respectively. Most notably, Finance Minutes #3 adds $30,000 to ASUCR total contingency allocations, pulled from their Reserves.

New Business first saw Chief Justice Arias addressing numerous issues including changes to bylaws and complaints. She also clarified the procedures behind close sessions, where senators can request those they believe are conflicts of interests to not participate, and could request members of ECAB to join.

A closed ballot ratification of an Associate Justice candidate then took place. President Assaf introduced the candidate, Reem Chamas, a 4th-year, Neuroscience major. She gave her opening statement where she described her love for advocacy, leadership experience, and desire to uphold the ASUCR constitution. The senate questioned Chamas on a number of issues. Chamas stated, “I’m going into every meeting with an open mind, not based on my personal beliefs, but what will uphold the Constitution and bylaws.”

CHASS Sen. Jules Yang referred to Chamas’s application where she highlighted that some members came from the same fraternity and implied that such conditions were suspect, concerning impartial procedures. Chamas had compared the student government to a “boys club as opposed to a non-partisan party.” Chamas responded to Yang explaining that she believes it is important to have people from different backgrounds, different majors, different years, to be working together in the judicial offices. BCOE Sen. Alexander Hunt questioned if she would remain impartial if the administration were to get involved in a matter. Chamas restated her commitment to impartiality. After the senate conferred in a closed session, the closed ballot vote resulted in a vote count of 9-5-0, which meant that Chamas would not be ratified as an Associate Justice.

In an event that shook the senate floor, President Assaf and Vice President of External Affairs Amina Hearns dissented from the Senate decision to not ratify Reem Chamas for associate Justice. Hearns expressed her dissatisfaction with the state of the ASUCR and questioned the impartiality accorded to women of color during elections. President Assaf pointed out the peculiarities of how the Senate votes when in closed discussion.

She expressed her belief that Chamas was one of the best candidates they vetted, as she was the only one to speak up and stand her ground regarding the nepotism rampant within ASUCR, particularly members that are associated with fraternities. President Assaf and VPEA Hearns discussed various ways misogyny has been expressed in ASUCR processes.

Confusion had arisen regarding whether 2/3 vote of the present or total senate is needed for ratification. A motion was called for by SPP senator Sean Nguyen to have the Judicial Council reinterpret voting requirements. The issue was tabled for next week’s meeting.

President Assaf requested during Public Comment that in the next meeting with the elections director and associate justice elections, the senate should try to vote publicly.

VPEA Hearns primarily announced an anti-misogyny workshop for the office. Highlander News briefly made an appearance. Open himself to any questions and any concerns about The Highlander. Chief Justice Arias made clarifications for the Elections Director search.

The meeting concluded with announcements from PPT Richardson and CNAS Sen. H Shukan Shah. A motion for adjournment was called at 11:51 p.m. ■

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

NEWS

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Plans for the future of North District MATA ELANGOVAN Contributing Writer

CONCERNS WERE BROUGHT UP IN THE RECENT PHASE 2 MEETING

A community meeting was held in person at the UCR Alumni Visitor Center from 6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. This particular housing was constructed, owned, and operated by American Campus Communities.

Currently, North District Phase 2 consists of adding approximately 1600 accommodations served in various styles in the new construction zones and 4 new interim parking lots. Which, depending on demand, may end up as parking structures instead. As well as a recreational area north of the original North District. It is anticipated that occupancy for the new apartments will begin in the Fall of 2025.

Campus housing is meant to be an affordable way for students to live close to or on school grounds. Many of these units are intended to be 30% below market rate.

North District rates can range from $1.3k to $1.5k a month depending on which unit an individual rents. Qualifying students have the opportunity to get a grant which enables them to live in North District for around $700 a month. In terms of market value, people living off campus pay around $500-$700 for a double occupancy room and around $800-$1100 for single occupancy. Which suggests that North District is one of the more expensive options available to students, but still remains cheaper than living on the campus residence halls.

To accommodate for the increase of students, there are also plans to relocate foot traffic to redirect it from Canyon Crest. One schematic has plans to have a pathway that leads from the Phase 2 buildings across Linden that goes directly toward Skye Hall. There are also plans to create more bike routes around the new construction sites to promote sustainable transportation.

There are no concrete plans for the layout of Phase 2 residence buildings yet. Some ideas propose that it starts as a commercial building on the bottom floor and becomes residential on the upper floors. Others have it remain entirely residential with study rooms and a cafe scattered throughout as well as washrooms, workout spaces, and lounges. As of far, there are no plans to create a retail space in the area. Mainly so that the school can continue to insource jobs as much as possible.

Some concerns were brought up in the recent Phase 2 meeting, such as how the expansion will affect Crest housing kids walking to and from school. Another worry is how it will affect the current route to the childcare building which was already quite difficult to take due to an undeveloped patch of land near the Blaine and Watkins intersection. As well as a request to plant trees earlier so that by the time construction is complete these new routes will have shade for children to walk under during the hotter part of the year.

There are a few lots listed in the proposed plan that currently will remain undeveloped for Phase 2 of the project. These lots include numbers 7, 9, and 10. There is no sure plan of what these lots will be used for in future phases of the project, but it is hypothesized that they will be eventually used for either additional housing or green space in the area.

Plans for Phase 2 of the project will be finalized in Spring 2023.

■H

Cellar Door Bookstore evicted

HARU CHANG Assistant News Editor

CANYON CREST MANAGEMENT “STRATEGIC INITIATIVE” UPROOTS A CHERISHED INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE. Cellar Door Bookstore owner, Linda Sherman-Nurick, had to deal with a sudden eviction notice sent January 17 via email. As a result, Nurick’s schedule is flooded with the consequences of interrupted business operations and the chaotic search for a new home for Cellar Door. The notice gives her 40 days to leave her current location, not nearly enough time for the thriving business to find a new space to operate.

The treatment of Cellar Door leaves a lot in question about Canyon Crest Towne Center management’s motivations for the lease termination.

Previous arrangements have left Cellar Door vulnerable.

Long-term tenants were expected to pay additional fees for common area maintenance. Considering Cellar Door’s financial capacities, Nurick negotiated a monthly payment that excluded the additional fees.

Jeffery Lerch, the new manager of CCTC, has not been clear about the reason for Cellar Doors’s termination of lease.

According to CCTC management, Cellar Door had met their rental obligations and there were no outstanding complaints against them. Lerch claims that talk of CCTC management’s decision to terminate the lease was politically or radically motivated is unfounded and “could not be further from the truth.” Lerch states that he has plans for a “larger strategic initiative” that will affect several tenants including Cellar Door.

UCR Creative writing Department head, the new owner of Arcade cafe has been seen protesting against Cellar Door’s Drag Queen Story Hour as well as Nurick’s ongoing masking policy and display of novels by marginalized authors. The email furthers that management has been sent many letters in opposition of Cellar Door, however, the recent outrage is evidence of a larger Riverside community that is in support of the bookstore.

In response to the community members that were interested in helping, Cellar Door posted an update on instagram.

“If all of our supporters could call, email or write to management and request a Jul 16, 2023 end date, that is six months from the notification, that might persuade them” The independent bookstore has welcomed UCR writers, professors, and students alike. Book clubs led by the Cellar Door staff, met regularly while local children perused Cellar Door’s diverse collection. Nurrick’s community programming has involved UCR, RCC, and other local K-12 schools in the area. Cellar Door announced that they are determined to find a new home and re-open even stronger than before. ■ H

There has not been clarification about what “larger strategic initiative” would entail for CCTC nor why businesses like Cellar Door did not fit their “strategic initiative.”

Rather, Nurrick is left to consider the many implications of management’s unwavering position to remove Cellar Door from CCTC’s premises, “I think the eviction indicates a lack of understanding on their part. Particularly those who would like to see us gone. I think the uproar that our community has created because of this shows that independent bookstores are loved and that they are worth fighting for.”

Cellar Door’s more progressive community programs have been met with hostility and anti-queer rhetoric prior to the termination notice. According to an email released by a

COURTESY OF CELLAR DOOR BOOKSTORE

Opinions

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

The Monterey Park shooting should be the final straw for American gun control Americans are once again facing the grim aftermath of another mass shooting, with one of the deadliest incidents in recent months taking place during the beginning of 2023. This shooting occurred Jan. 21 in Monterey Park, California, at a dance studio during a Lunar New Year celebration and left 11 dead. Monterey Park is home to a large Chinese and Asian diaspora, and while the motives of the gunman, who took his own life the next day, are unknown, this attack appears to have transpired in an effort to hurt the community during a day of celebration. This mass shooting adds to a growing list of others that have taken place in the country, leading many to feel hopeless and upset with lawmakers who have done little in regard to gun control to stop these tragedies.

California currently has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, yet there have now been two mass shootings here this year — the one in Monterey Park and another in Half Moon Bay that occurred Monday killing seven. Despite there being these laws in place, those wishing to inflict harm on others are still finding a way to do so.

The gun used in the Monterey Park shooting was one that is illegal in California and was most likely brought over from another state. “California is known for having strict gun laws, but it is not surprising that guns are prevalent in the state,” Matthew Lang, a professor of economics at the University of California, Riverside who has studied firearms sales, told ABC News.

While the gunman was later fought off at a separate dance studio in the area by 26-year-old Brandon Tsay, stopping gun violence should not be the job of civilians.

The general public shouldn’t have to worry about where they would hide and escape when attending events, or just being out in the world, and it is certainly not normal for Americans to consider that they may need to step in and fight while at a community celebration. This fear that lives inside most Americans has become normalized and lawmakers are failing to protect their citizens. Instead of training teachers and other public servants how to fight off gunmen, better police emergency response and federal gun legislation are needed.

three years there have been more than 600 mass shootings - almost two a day on average. The widespread use of guns and ownership here have only created more violence and death despite gun owners often citing owning a firearm for safety reasons. As one of the leading countries in almost all other aspects, the US is also showing the world how its system is allowing for this violence to occur. Mental health and other preventive measures, like government aid, would help people from feeling so hopeless and believing that taking the lives of others, and in some cases themselves, is their only option.

While the true motive of the gunman in Monterey Park is still unknown, this tragedy should not be used to shame communities from celebrating themselves or retreat in fear of retaliation. The recent rise of Asian hate crimes after the start of the pandemic are cause for concern, but this incident does not appear to have been a hate crime.

Aliship and coalition building is important for all marginalized and people of color communities in this time of hardship. This shooting, and the unfortunate others to come, should bring the country together to create positive change.

Listed below are the name and ages of those killed during the shooting.

Valentino Marcos Alvero, 68 Hongying Jian, 62 Yu Lun Kao, 72 Lilan Li, 63 Ming Wei Ma, 72 My My Nhan, 65 Diana Man Ling Tom, 70 Muoi Dai Ung, 67 Chia Ling Yau, 76 Wen Tau Yu, 64 Xiujuan Yu, 57

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.

Mass shootings and tragedies have become a horrific status quo in the country.

According to a study on gun violence conducted by the BBC this month, in the last

Blaming video games detracts from the actual causes of gun violence EVELYN HOMAN Managing Editor

Since 1976, video games have been a point of controversy in society, especially in America. All of it centers around the moral panic that video games promote people, especially young men, to act out violently. Indeed, “video games cause violence” has become a maxim spoken by many, ranging from concerned suburban mothers to massive journalism publications. And while some studies have found that there is a small correlation towards playing violent video games and increasing aggression in pre-teens and teens, there is ultimately no truly hard evidence that video games cause people to become more violent over time. And while lots of think pieces have started to crop up on big publications, such as the Washington Post, about how video games shouldn’t be scapegoated, this notion still has not gone away at the expense of actually solving the problems that do cause violence.

One of the many reasons video games are the scapegoat for violence is because of the claims that people who play games, especially teenage boys, are unable to discern the games from reality. This is, however, quite ridiculous because even though some teenage boys do display reckless behaviors and aggression, it’s hard to point the finger at video games as the cause for this. The wider issue at play here, indeed, is not video games but patriarchy. Patriarchy warps men’s concepts of how they must behave and deal with their emotions. Because in American society we so often tell boys to “man up” and essentially bottle up how they feel, it’s no wonder that this can lead to frightening outbursts of violence. Men are being focused on here, primarily because they make up the slight majority of people who play video games.

A lack of comprehensive mental health treatment to everyone who needs it in the States is another reason to blame for mass acts of violence. Combined with the fact that even in 2023, men are still discouraged to express their emotions in healthy ways, the lack of substantial access to mental health treatment leads people down terrifying rabbit holes. While it definitely can be said that online spaces where video game players interact can lead people down alt-right pipelines, to be technical, it is the people in these communities more so than the video games themselves that are to blame here. When people suffer from mental illness, feelings of exclusion from society caused by a fear of not living up to patriarchal standards, and the potential

egging on of people in online spaces, frightening consequences can result. But this is not the fault of video games themselves, but the fact that people can create these online spaces to spout hateful rhetoric, and lonely people flock there instead of being able to access care that can get them on a better path.

To add another layer to the video-game-scapegoat, a study at Villanova found that video games are “disproportionately blamed” as the cause of white men committing school shootings. This opens a whole host of issues with blaming video games for causing violence: the blaming of video games based on the racist ideology that people of color are inherently violent being the main one. The study also found that people who don’t play video games are much more likely to pin games as a reason for violence: a Satanic Panic mentality of fearing what one does not understand. With this study in mind, it becomes increasingly difficult to say that video games are the root of all violence because of these racist concepts embedded.

This isn’t to say that there isn’t toxicity and plenty of things to worry about within gaming spheres; indeed, parents would be wise to prevent their young children from playing violent games until they’re older as a matter of principle, and keep an eye on what their children get up to on the Internet, as even seemingly child-safe games like Roblox can be a haven for pedophiles. And of course, there is a huge issue with racism, homophobia, and scams within gaming spaces online. And yet, it is still the people who are using these games to create unsafe platforms, rather than the video games themselves.

However, despite all of these things which should be criticized and worked on, it should be outside the space of questioning if video games themselves are the cause of mass violence. To take attention off of the real underlying causes of violence and put it elsewhere is a major mistake that will never lead us towards any real change. The situations surrounding games and gaming culture should certainly be analyzed, but fingers should not be pointed towards games themselves as being the reason society H is falling apart. ■

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FEATURES TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

FEATURES

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features

Which person in my life could use my support right now?

IT’S A NEW YEAR FULL OF NEW CHALLENGES; START PLANNING FOR HOW TO FACE THEM. YSABEL NAKASONE Assistant Opinions Editor

Aries Wheel of Fortune There’s someone in your life whose choices you don’t approve of. Their situation is one you think is mostly their fault. They are very resistant to change and to your help. Unfortunately, this is one situation where pushing the boundaries won‘t help them. Save your energy - they need to dig themselves out of this on their own. istock/kindpng

Taurus High Priestess Sometimes, there are people who can’t see the problems they’re facing. Someone in your life is really struggling, even though they don’t seem to notice.

Getting them to see reality won’t be something you can do by being straightforward or blunt. Instead, try to be there and support them in finding their own inner clarity.

istock/pngimg

Gemini Three of Cups This friend is incredibly social and they’re definitely the person that gets you to go out. Because of their nature, it can be hard for people to see when they’re challenged.

Take this reading as a reminder to check and and pay attention to the little things when it comes to your friends. istock/istock

Cancer Justice You may think that this person deserves the consequences they’re currently facing. They may truly be at fault, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need empathy and support. The love and friendship you offer will be a deciding factor in how they decide to move forward and either make up for what they’ve done or continue to make bad decisions. istock/creazilla

Sagittarius Five of Pentacles Leo Judgement Leo, there’s someone in your immediate circle that needs to open up to you. They need to find relief in sharing their struggles with others and finding common ground. When they come to you, open yourself up as well and share how you are struggling too. Put trust in them so they can put trust in you.

Someone you know is feeling challenged because they only focus on the things they don’t have. They need to be reminded that they have the important things in abundance. Be present in their life and make an effort to be around them. Text them just because or set up something fun to do together.

istock/dreamstime

istock/vecteezy

Capricorn Six of Swords

Virgo The Star This person is feeling hopeless and they feel like their actions aren’t having the desired effect, if any at all. They need you to stand strong with them and show yourself as an immovable force in the face of adversity. They need to be given hope, so give them some - it’s the push that will move them forward.

You have unfinished business with this person and their conflict is very likely with you. Whether or not this situation is fixable is up to you. Even if it’s not, you need to make your peace with that. The end of this era of friendship or a relationship might just be necessary or for the best.

istock/depositphotos

istock/depositphotos

Libra Page of Swords A friend of yours is exploring new paths, ones full of uncertainty. This may worry you, but this is one of those times where you just need to be supportive. They are likely on just the right path for themselves even if it is a high risk journey.

istock/clipart library

Scorpio Nine of Swords Someone is letting fear rule their lives and it’s been weighing them down. They need a reminder that the anxiety they’re experiencing is not an accurate reflection of who they are. Remind them that their worst does not define them.

istock/istock

Aquarius Four of Pentacles Someone you know is having money troubles.

It’s hard to make all the moving parts of their situation work and they won’t accept your help.

Don’t try to be slick about it, just let them figure it out on their own without creating situations that put a strain on them. Let them know that you believe they’re capable and competent. istock/123RF

Pisces King of Cups This person usually has a lot of emotional stability, but life really threw them a curveball and they’re at a loss. This is actually something you have experienced and have some perspective on. Wait for them to ask for advice or open up instead of trying to pry them open yourself. istock/dreamstime

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FEATURES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

The Halal Guys restaurant is finally in town!

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ASHLEY CHEN Features Editor

Need a quick snack after studying? Take a quick trip to The Halal Guys!

Looking for a new place to eat around campus? The long awaited Halal Guys is finally open.

Located on 1201 University Ave STE 102, Riverside, CA 92507 right next to 7 Leaves, The Halal Guys is a New York franchise that sells American Halal food.

From chicken and gyro over rice to falafel sandwiches, The Halal Guys provides a unique experience for customers to enjoy! They are most famously known for their delicious and crave-able white sauce.

The Halal Guys first originated as a fast food cart on the streets of New York City where three like-minded men from Egypt came together in search for a better life. Their first food cart quickly grew into a leading destination for American Halal fare.

In 2014, The Halal Guys finally transitioned from selling their halal cuisine in food carts to restaurants.

There are now more than 100 locations across the United States, Canada, Indonesia, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

The Halal Guys finally had their grand opening on December 16, 2022 where hundreds of Halal Guys fans attended. I had the opportunity to try their chicken platter at one of their franchise locations and it was very fulfilling if you’re looking for a quick meal! The chicken platter was served with sliced naan, rice, chicken, tomatoes and lettuce, along with their famous white and hot sauce. The chicken platter had just the right amount of ingredients as you get a bite of everything. I asked for extra white sauce since it tasted so well with my platter as it brought everything together in one bite.

The Halal Guys is open everyday from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. and 10 A.M. to 11 P.M. on Saturdays. For more information, check out their Instagram @thehalalguysriverside or visit their website https://thehalalguys.com. ■H

Campus spotlight: Introduction to Costo Hall part 1

COURTESY OF THE HALAL GUYS

BRANDYN GUERRA Staff Writer

Getting involved on campus is a great way to make new friends and it looks great on applications - and is way easier than you might think.

Whether you’re a first year, a transfer student who just arrived or a senior looking for some extracurriculars before graduation, there are plenty of ways to get more involved here on the UCR Campus! Joining and participating in clubs and student organizations are not only a fantastic way to make new friends, but they can also look great on job and grad-school applications.

A great way to get involved is to check out Costo Hall! This is the on-campus home for many of UCR’s student resource centers and programs. The centers in Costo Hall are great places to meet like minded students, make friends and find even more ways to become an active member of your community.

I visited Nine different Student Programs. Every program is unique in its own way, but the one thing they all have in common is that they’re each doing their best for their communities- both on and off campus. Costo Hall doesn’t get nearly as much recognition and support as they deserve. Each center was incredibly friendly and welcoming and I was thrilled to learn about each of them.

The African Student Program is held in room 133 of Costo Hall. They’re open Mondays through Fridays from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. They just celebrated their 50th Year on campus last year. They have an awesome space with an incredibly beautiful and powerful mural in the main room.

They work very closely with the Black Student Union as well as Black sororities and fraternities. They have comfortable spaces to just hang out, eat, play games and talk. They even have an in-house therapist that’s their weekly to offer support and counseling. ASP also offers plenty of events from Black Grad in the spring to fun, informative weekly talks like their series ‘Sister to Sister’, ‘Unity’ and ‘Barber Shop Talk’, and they also do educational workshops.

They’ve got a lot of big events coming up in February in celebration of Black History month! If you want to follow The African Student Program for updates on their events, you can follow them on Instagram @ aspucr.

The Asian Pacific Student Program can be found in room 244 of Costo Hall. They’re open Mondays through Fridays from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. They have also beautifully decorated their space with a mural and lots of art. They offer an excellent, quiet, safe space to study or relax. APSP has peer mentor programs and Cultural Educational Programs and lectures that they offer to students. They’re preparing lots of events for May, which is Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, so be sure to keep a look out for them in spring. To follow APSP for events, check out their Instagram @apspucr.

You are also greeted by yet another incredible mural when entering the Chicano Student Center in room 145 of Costo Hall. They’re open from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Mondays to Fridays. They offer a very comforting, welcoming, home-away-from-home style center and are very much event driven. The Chicano Student Program has a wide variety of events to offer for both undergraduate and graduate students. They also just celebrated their 50th year anniversary here on campus last year. They have the Cesar Chavez 5k Walk in spring, a Chicano and Latino Youth Conference, Semana De La Mujer (which focuses on Chicana and Latina empowerment and contributions) and are currently doing the Adelante Success Series, which right now is

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Hillel is the Jewish Student Program Center which can be found in room 241 inside Costo Hall. They’re closed on Tuesdays, but are open 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday toThursday and until 2 P.M. on Fridays. Hillel is an amazing center that offers a friendly sense of community for everyone. They offer ways to learn about and experience Jewish culture. They do Dinner events every Friday, and Bagel Wednesdays every week. If you’re curious to learn more about them, or want to keep up to date on any of their events, you can find them on Instagram @ucr_hillel or on Facebook at Hillel@ucr.

There really is a space for everyone in Costo Hall. The Student Programs that call the building their home are genuinely some of the friendliest, most welcoming, and most passionate people on Campus. If you’re looking to get more involved with the school or with your community, looking to make new friends, or even just looking for a good place to study, go check out Costo Hall and its many different Student Organizations. I guarantee you won’t regret it. ■H

FEATURES

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

Economics Major Survival Guide

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EMILY LAM Staff Writer

Learn Excel Math-Related Courses Come First Many courses like the math series and the statistics class are generally prerequisites for upper division courses as well as lower division courses so it’s advisable to start knocking those classes off your list early, saving you the trouble of dealing with them when most inconvenient.

Much of excel is used in assignments or projects while taking your upper division and even your lower division economics courses.

Getting accustomed to how excel is structured and used effectively before taking those classes removes the stress you would have and the time you would spend to learn excel within a deadline.

Network and Make Friends Working in a field as socially interactive as economics stipulates solid networking skills.

With that said, being friends with or even simply being acquainted with your classmates in econ classes is a great way to start. While most of you will branch off in a variety of ways after choosing your concentrations, it’s reassuring to know that you have connections across all corners of economics.

TIPS TO HELP YOU SUCCEED IN THE ECONOMICS MAJOR AT UCR

Find Your Concentration ASAP It’s important to note that many economics concentrations require a considerable amount of courses to take along with their considerable amount of prerequisites. Coming from personal experience, I strongly advise to research what classes are prerequisites for your concentration courses as well as WHEN these classes will be available throughout the academic year as some of them aren’t accessible in all three quarters.

Talking to your academic advisor helps immensely if you ever have confusion.

Get Involved The campus has an abundance of organizations and clubs that involve the field of economics. To name a few, UCR has business fraternities, accounting clubs, marketing clubs and finance clubs. Joining any of these allows you to gain a better understanding on how that area of economics works and decide what works best for you. As a bonus, these organizations provide networking opportunities and workshops that teach you critical pointers for job interviews, resumes and internships.

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

RADAR

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

Winter SOULstice 2023: Performers save the show by a thread JAELYN GONZALEZ ASSISTANT RADAR EDITOR

Ten minutes later, ASPB announced RealestK, yet in an uncoordinated fashion with two different pronunciations. The 18-year-old singer walked on stage with a bulletproof vest, which is uncannily similar to R&B singer The Weeknd’s fashion staple. RealestK is clearly not comfortable with performing. His slow jams don’t have danceability, leaving his stage presence minimal. At times, the performer would lip-sync. RealestK is not a terrible singer, he simply lacks the dedication to put on a stunning performance.

His set was designed for those with broken hearts, which was a dramatic change from Jenevieve’s “don’t need nobody else” attitude. The concert would have had a better flow in pace to switch his set time with Jenevieve.

After a brief pause for medical attention to a student in the crowd, who was treated within moments, RealestK had to cut a song short and left shortly after.

HOLLY D / THE HIGHLANDER

DIDN’T GO TO WINTER SOULSTICE? DON’T WORRY YOU DIDN’T MISS MUCH.

Within 15 minutes, the crowd grew immensely for Odie’s set at 9:14 pm.

With a haunting introduction, Odie walked onto the stage with immense energy. He brought the soul to “Winter SOULstice.” Songs from his 2018 album, “Analogue” composed most of his setlist. Odie appeared to enjoy himself with the crowd, asking the students to dance, wave their hands and even throw their middle fingers in the air. Odie even revealed he was a previous UC student, once attending UC San Diego, which was followed by a wave of boos. With a connection to the audience, Odie ended the night with a pleasant ending.

On Monday, January 16th the Associated Student Programming Board (ASPB) released a promotional video for their annual “Winter SOULstice” quarterly concert.

Mixed reactions resulted: there were critical comments on the lineup, mixed with excitement for the concert. All of these flooded the ASPB Instagram.

Leading up to the concert, students had no complaints with the wristband distribution since ASPB introduced a multi-day wristband pickup early last year.

Friday, January 27th arrived with students arriving in hopes of receiving “Winter SOULstice” merchandise. In typical ASPB concert tradition, Highlanders ran straight for the sponsored drinks and the hoodies instead of the main stage.

With multiple canceled food vendors, Suja Juice and Pressed Juice were one of the few options for students to indulge in.

A few moments after, Noah Guy arrived on the stage.

With a slow and somber start, Noah Guy quickly turned the vibe around by interacting with the crowd. At some point, the performance turned into an interview.

Noah Guy asked the students, “Y’all like Frank Ocean?” and “Y’all got a meal swipe for me?”

As a performer, Noah Guy brings great energy with a lively band and engagement with the audience. However, his good looks do not save him from his strained and scratchy voice with attempts to reach a higher register. With songs such as “2 DOGS 1 LEASH” and “STOP BANGIN’ MY LINE,” Noah Guy did an alright job as an opener to warm the crowd up.

Promptly at 8 o’clock, Miami native, Jenevieve walked up on stage with charm and sophistication. With a few initial sound issues, her sweet voice stole the stage.

Jenevieve has an infectious vibrance in her dancing and sleek style. She performed to a unique discography ranging from both soul and dance beats. Toward the beginning of her performance, she was a bit mumbly and hard to understand. She revived herself through her funkier tracks like “2NLuv.” The 27-minute set made everyone in the crowd want more.

HOLLY D / THE HIGHLANDER

In overview, this year’s “Winter SOULstice” was disappointingly mediocre. Activities were left to a minimum and students who were expecting food were left with the options of water and wellness shots.

The bright lights from Lot 19 are a distraction and made the setting look dingy. Even Odie attempted to create a vibe by requesting to turn off the house lights but was left with the intense white parking lot lights gleaming off of him.

Performances were solid, but lacking in their own areas. Performers, like RealestK, were clearly there to pick up their check and leave, creating an unfavorable feeling.

VERDICT: Considering how much ASPB spends on events like these, the programming board may want to take an evaluation from the subpar delivery of this year’s Winter SOULstice.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

RADAR

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/radar

‘Vinland Saga’ Season 2 continues a transcendent epic BRENDAN VO Contributing Writer

With its premiere on January 10th, 2023, the highly anticipated second season of “Vinland Saga” follows its stellar prologue with a new setting, storyline and cast of characters on Netflix. Once again, the critically acclaimed anime series dons its serene soundtrack, beautiful scenery and mature themes of brutality, warfare and trauma.

Season one ended with a grand climax that was set up by the complex character developments of three core leads: Thorfinn, Askeladd and Prince Canute.

At the beginning of the show, Young Thorfinn witnesses his father murdered by Askeladd in a duel, vowing to one day slay Askeladd honorably. With ideals of revenge and honor, Thorfinn ends up joining Askeladd’s mercenary band and becomes a tool to kill, spy and invade innocent villages. Thorfinn anger fuels his drive throughout the entire show and Askeladd manipulates Thorfinn’s desire to avenge his father by granting him duels whenever he accomplishes a task.

Askeladd leads a mercenary Viking group to profit. While he is capable of absolutely vile deeds, he strangely served as a father figure to Thorfinn at moments. Askeladd’s character was complex insofar that he not only led the Danish Vikings but had also come from a Welsh upbringing and planned to one day rule Wales. With his large aspirations along with his cunning strategies and incredible charisma, Askeladd became a fan favorite, stealing the show as one of the best-written villains.

The joining of Prince Canute was a result of one of Askeladd’s schemes as Canute was the King of England and Askeladd sought to profit off of his value. After personally witnessing battles and bloodshed while traveling with Askeladd, Canute would go into his own development from a shy, cowardly prince to a strong man of character who wants peace for his nation.

The first season would end with Canute killing Askeladd as part of Askeladd’s plan to replace the king.

Askeladd executes this plan mainly to protect Wales as the then King of England planned to invade the nation.

Out of rage, Thorfinn makes an attempt on Canute’s life and is contained by his guards. Consequently, Thorfinn is then sold off to slavery, paving the way for the second season of Vinland Saga.

In its three episodes out on Netflix, the story follows Thorfinn as a slave and a new supporting character in the form of Einar, an enslaved man from North England who tragically witnessed the death of his family. Both characters are then bought out by Ketil, an oddly caring farm owner who promises to grant both their freedom if they can clear a vast forest to prepare space for a wheat farm.

Thorfinn and Einar set forth their own narratives based upon warfare, slavery and redemption, building towards another dramatic narrative taking place during the age of Vikings and English conquest in 1013 AD England. While they end up in the same positions, they

VERDICT:

respond in opposite ways toward their environment.

The narrative is set up to introduce Einar as Thorfinn’s foil, foretelling how their fates will intertwine in a spectacular climax.

Thorfinn is set on a path to find a new purpose.

However, he is unable to move forward, emotionally freezing over and losing the will to even live. He finds himself lost as his whole journey into adulthood has been eclipsed by his path of vengeance. Goals, aspirations and dreams are all lost on Thorfinn, which may be where his meeting with Einar will change Thorfinn.

A former farmer living in peace, Einar carries his newfound trauma of witnessing his entire family slain at the hands of Vikings and, subsequently, becoming enslaved. Unlike Thorfinn, Einar finds strength in his emotions, raging at those who have taken away his freedom and finding any way to fight. Anger and optimism fuel his motivation to earn back his freedom and stay alive.

Watchers of Vinland Saga not only enjoy its actionpacked battles and thoughtful fight choreography, but also its ephemeral still backgrounds accompanied by serene and quiet moments. The rugged, dirty garments these characters wear work to accentuate a natural beauty of their environment in the form of horizon H backgrounds and the sunlight beaming on farms.■

WITH THE MASTERFUL TWISTS AND TURNS OF SEASON ONE, “VINLAND SAGA” AGAIN CONTINUES ITS EPIC SETTING UP ANOTHER POWERFUL CLIMAX.

Radar Replay: The “Femininity Spectrum” in Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ MAX BRIGGS & TARA KHATIBLOU Contributing Writers

Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” displays, through a modern lens, the various forms of fluid feminine expression, which we have coined “the femininity spectrum.”

The femininity spectrum is a term used to identify and characterize the different forms of female gender expression. Femininity, like most forms of gender expression, can be executed in various formats and degrees, ranging from more stereotypical or traditional to more radical, masculine approaches to womanhood or gender expression. In “Little Women,” the distinct character of the three main protagonists, Jo, Amy and Meg, helps represent the three main forms of feminine expression, with Jo and Meg falling on the tail ends of the spectrum while Amy lies in between.

Jo, the most important character in the novel, is also the least traditional in her form of expression. Jo represents a form of anomalous femininity that tends to show itself in a classically masculine light. Director Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of the novel gives us the most potent version of this character. Jo’s fiery ambition is emphasized by her genuine passion for writing and storytelling.

Her stubbornness is folly yet still a factor in her success.

Jo has no desire for romance and oftentimes judges her sister Meg for having those wishes. She shows no interest in high society or women’s fashion and is frequently seen wearing men’s clothing, which she normally borrows from Laurie. Jo and Laurie serve as foils for each other’s respective characters. Both emphasize the other’s taboo forms of gender expression. Jo behaves in a masculine manner while Laurie holds more feminine characteristics.

Despite their differences, the two form an intense bond that leads many around them, including audiences, to assume they are romantically involved. However, Jo’s lack of interest squanders the sparks, culminating in an intense emotional catharsis. Their exchange of words in the field scene unveils their true desires for life and highlights Jo’s focus on her career ambition rather than romantic relationships.

Amy’s androgynous persona places her in the center of the spectrum, serving as a balance between the qualities that define Jo and Meg. Similar to Jo, she also has intense ambitions for her career and future life as an adult. Never as idealistic as her sisters, she understood the importance of financial security for a family of young women. With this knowledge, she assumed the responsibility of this burden by aiming to marry for economic gain. Laurie is also present within her storyline, being the object of Amy’s affection from a young age, but never reciprocating those sentiments until adulthood. Until Gerwig’s adaptation, many viewers found Laurie and Amy’s relationship unsatisfying, given the one-sided nature of their connection in their childhood and the popularity of Jo and Laurie’s dynamic amongst audiences. However, this version provided some much-needed nuance to this plot point, painting Amy in a complex light, showcasing her more masculine characteristics which helped positively influence Laurie and create a healthy relationship between the pair.

Through Gerwig’s exploration of Amy’s character, we begin to understand her similarities to Jo. Despite their constant rivalry, Amy tends to bend her approach to conform to societal norms while Jo’s values tend to crack under their pressure. Because Amy’s approach allows her to acquire her desires with more fluidity, this difference creates tension in their connection.

Amy’s interest in high society serves as an outlet for her more feminine qualities. Having been deprived of her main interests from a young age, she finds herself romanticizing the ideas of proprietary, beauty and parties from afar. This distance from her desires leads Amy to harbor jealousy toward her older sisters as they could experience these luxuries. This negativity manifests itself when Jo and Meg go to the opera without Amy, despite having invited her beforehand. While the pair are attending the show, she burns Jo’s manuscript as an act of calculated

vengeance, targeting the only thing Jo cared for. Through this action, we learn that even while experiencing classically masculine feelings like anger, her expression remains feminine. Instead of physically retaliating, Amy’s approach is rather psychological and calm.

On the other end of the spectrum lies Meg, the most classically feminine sibling. Like Amy, Meg has an interest in high society and the finer things in life, oftentimes behaving in an overindulgent, illogical manner. Growing up poor, Meg attended social gatherings but never partook in the luxuries her peers so regularly flaunted. Because of this, she grows to romanticize the idea of a fortunate life.

However, this fantasy clashes with her reality after she falls in love with John Brooke. John, a poor tutor employed by the Lawrence family, was someone who Meg saw to be caring, kind and well-mannered. Despite his financial instability, she puts aside her dream of living a lavish lifestyle to become a maternal figure like Marmee, choosing to marry for love rather than fortune. Meg’s feminine qualities are not degraded by Gerwig in comparison to Jo and Amy’s radical approaches.

Gerwig uses an empathic standpoint regarding the wide spectrum of femininity, a feat her predecessors could not accomplish. Her ability to view these characters as inherently valuable, embracing their multi-dimensional essences, allowed adaptation to unlock the full potential of this carefully woven story. Through a combination of technical and thematic expertise, Gerwig justly portrays this story in a realistic yet nostalgic light — and some H might say that’s just what it needed. ■

COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT MOTION PICTURE GROUP

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/radar

RADAR

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

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‘The Last of Us’ delivers a video game adaptation and zombie apocalypse world unlike any other has done before KIMBERLY BEJEC Staff Writer

The action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog, “The Last of Us” garnered plenty of success and attention for its gameplay and story. Released in 2013, many players were quick to play the game and review it. As attention for the game grew, the company released its prequel “The Last of Us: Left Behind,” sequel “The Last of Us Part II” and a remake of the first one, “The Last of Us Part I.” Each game received positive reviews and plenty of awards. With the amount of success the games have received, a show adaptation was eventually greenlit to be released by HBO Max. The show debuted its first episode on Jan. 15, 2023, — watched by millions of viewers and gained plenty of positive reviews.

The show is set twenty years in a post-apocalyptic dystopian world in which a fungal infection turns humans into violent, cannibalistic zombies. The story follows Joel (Pedro Pascal) who is tasked with smuggling a teenage girl, Ellie (Bella Ramsey), out of the quarantine zone and across the United States. Ellie, bitten by a zombie, is immune to the infection, showing promise as the key to creating a vaccine and ending the spread. As they embark on their journey together, the pair are forced to confront each of their own pasts and fight off the harsh conditions and terrifying creatures roaming their world.

The first two episodes focus on the beginning of the journey for Joel and Ellie. While the two do not get along at first, it is evident that as the story progresses, so will their relationship. Additionally, the first episode gives a bit of Joel’s background story twenty years

before the rest of the show. The audience is able to sympathize with and discover what happened with Joel when the outbreak first started spreading. The first two episodes bring in plenty of emotional moments that grab the audience’s attention and present the terror of a zombie apocalypse. In the opening scene of each episode so far, the audience learns more about the infection and where it all started.

With the show having excellent storytelling, acting and cinematography, it also intensified the suspense scene. With frightening zombie variations such as clickers, who rely on the slightest sounds to find their victims, the suspense is heightened. At any turn, there can be an infection that can bite or tear at the characters. This puts audiences on the edge of their seats, as they watch the characters be careful of their movements.

Most reviews of the show come from audiences’ praising the actors’ performances. Pedro Pascal, best known for his roles in “The Mandalorian” and “Narcos,” effortlessly plays his role that gives the character many layers for the audience to unfold as the show continues. Bella Ramsey, known for her breakout role in the HBO series, “Game of Thrones,” plays an excellent Ellie, highlighting the character’s youth and fiery spirit. When both actors are on screen, their chemistry flows so easily. Their dynamic gives a real and authentic performance that immerses audiences in the story. Other actors such as Anna Torv as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah and Gabriel Luna as Tommy add to the authenticity of the

VERDICT:

performances and heighten the show’s story.

Although the post-apocalyptic world has been abandoned and is in shambles, the cinematography of the show is breathtaking. With beautiful shots of fallen, run-down buildings and empty streets, the dystopian world almost feels real. This also demonstrates to the audience how much the infection has taken over the world and its effects on civilization. These shots of their sets mixed in with CGI deserve praise for the excellent scenes that allow the audience to visualize what life would be like in an apocalyptic world.

Many praise the video game’s adaptation into a show for the attention to detail, keeping true to the game, while also adding new story-telling elements.

Plenty of scenes in the show depict how mirrored the two are when put frame by frame with the video game.

Additionally, there are many shots in which game players feel transported back into their computers as the show often takes on the third-person perspective.

By remaining faithful to the original game, players are able to find excitement and satisfaction with the show.

Despite many players loving the identical aspects, new audiences are sure to enjoy the show without needing prior knowledge. ■ H

“THE LAST OF US” IS AN INTENSE, BUT FRIGHTENING SHOW PERFECT FOR PAST PLAYERS OF THE ESTEEMED VIDEO GAME AND NEW AUDIENCES AS WELL. THE ACTORS’ PERFORMANCE AND THE SHOW’S ATTENTION TO DETAIL FROM THE GAME ARE WHAT STEAL THE SHOW.

In Retrospect: ‘The Night of the Hunter’ is a gothic nightmare born out of sacrilege LUKE LIAO Contributing Writer

In the 1950s Hollywood saw the gradual decline of Hay’s Code, a set of censorship and regulations imposed on filmmakers by the industry. Artists began to ignore the guidelines and pushed the envelope on what the industry and audience considered the norm; previously taboo topics such as voyeurism, violence and profanity began to creep into films. Charles Laughton is not known as a prominent counterfigure of the codes or even as a director, but rather as an actor. His sole directorial feature, “The Night of the Hunter” remains a fascinating look at the content Hollywood attempted to suppress.

The 1955 film, adapted from Davis Grubb’s homonymous novel, details a sociopathic, self-proclaimed preacher Reverend Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) who prowls into the Harper family lives, attempting to steal $10,000, hidden by the children John and Pearl. Exploiting his syntactic charm, the Reverend establishes himself as a vessel for the gospel and the seemingly ideal patriarch. He wins over the trust of widowed Willa Harper and almost everyone around him, except for John. John refuses to give up the location of the money, catalyzing an unnerving cross-country pursuit.

While many old Hollywood films, intended to elicit scares and chills, come off as dated today, what’s immediately apparent about “The Night of the Hunter” is its onslaught of dread that still resonates. Robert Mitchum exhibits this dread, portraying a bogeyman who knows how to keep a perfect, enticing facade and when to lower it, revealing a chilling rogue. The Svengali preacher’s presence, whether it be the first, second, or third, is always a foreboding event. From a rumbling train, a trotting horseback arrival to eerie ballads, sung expertly by Mitchum himself, the Reverend is masterfully intro-

duced. Regardless of which persona he seems to display, Mitchum remains unsettlingly calm, ultimately blurring the lines and keeping us in the dark as to when or if he will ever explode.

Although Harry Powell’s demeanor remains arresting, it’s the strict ideals he abides by that makes him a fascinating character, and “The Night of the Hunter” much more than a benchmark thriller. A self-titled preacher, Powell’s life revolves around upholding religion. We see the Reverend pocket his sexual desires and misogynistic anger at a burlesque show, but the latter eventually gives away in a verbal outburst against Willa during their wedding night. Powell roars that the marriage is sacred and that consummation is lustful unless Willa wants more children.

Through Powell, Laughton dramatically displays the ways religion can be weaponized and the subtle and unsubtle effects that it can cause. Within a day, the Reverend manipulated an entire town unfamiliar to him, and within a night, diminished Willa through his extreme patriarchal beliefs. Like the tattoos, “Love” and “Hate” on the Reverend’s knuckles, “The Night of the Hunter” acts as a dichotomy. The choice to set the story in the South, a region where orthodoxy and tradition are valued, creates hypocrisy, for these individuals fall victim to a man who shares nothing in common with them. Images of wildlife and suburbia are trailed by the menacing sight and sound of shadows and song. Childhood innocence faces off against the embodiment of sin and corruption.

cabre nightmare. Laughton and cinematographer Stanely Cortez’s lighting choices are unconventional; key lights and hard lighting are often employed unrealistically to produce dramatic, striking images. The set design shares an uncanny semblance to a staged, dollhouse aesthetic, but the shadows envelope these interiors with claustrophobia and a sense of depth.

Some countless shots and sequences can be praised, but the one that never fails to impress upon rewatch is when the Reverend paces around Willa’s bedroom, eventually looming over her. The moonlight cuts the frame while Powell arches toward the window, almost as if he is ascending to a higher plane. When he stands over Willa, cutting the moonlight once again, she resembles the paintings of the Virgin Mary, recalling the concept of true or faux purity.

Although it was a financial flop and panned by critics upon release, “The Night of the Hunter’s” uncompromising story and direction is why time has proven to be kind on the now-deemed essential of film canon. It’s a seemingly classic Hollywood story of good versus evil, but also a deeper trek into the dark side of humanity the H industry didn’t dare to venture into decades ago. ■

To visualize this story of opposites and establish mood, “The Night of the Hunter” draws from expressionist films and displays an art design reminiscent of a ma-

COURTESY OF UNITED ARTISTS

12

Sports TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

SPORTS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

Highlanders men’s basketball comfortably win against UC San Diego 65-72 to improve to 8-2 in conference play KIA NOOSHI Assistant Sports Editor

The UC Riverside men’s basketball team defeated UC San Diego this week in an assured performance, helped by Zyon Pullin, Flynn Cameron, and Lachlan Olbrich. The Highlander’s were once again efficient from the floor, converting over 50 percent of their shots as a team although they struggled from beyond the arc hitting just over a quarter of their three point shots.

The contest was close until just after halftime where the Highlanders started to build a lead over the Tritons and never looked back leading to a comfortable win in the SRC arena.

With the senior Pullin firmly back into the lineup after recovering from his injury in the past few games the Highlanders attempted to start the game off with a fast tempo. They struggled to get shots to fall early however and UC San Diego gained a 10 point lead early in the game. The Highlanders started to eat into the Tritons’ lead halfway through the half after they started to convert on baskets from all over the floor. Sophomore forward Luke Turner and Pullin connected from deep to keep the Highlanders within

THE HIGHLANDERS CEMENTED THEMSELVES FIRMLY AMONG THE BEST TEAMS IN THE BIG WEST HEADING INTO THE HOME STRETCH OF LEAGUE PLAY.

striking distance before the Highlanders went on a 16-7 down the stretch to tie the game. UC Riverside took a 39-37 halftime lead after Freshman forward Olbrich connected on a physical putback at the buzzer.

Pullin returned to his usual self after shaking off the rust from being out for an extended period, having 15 points at halftime and finishing the game with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting for his eighth 20-point game of the season. Momentum shifted at halftime with UCR finally fully breaking out of their shell and maintaining a two- and three-possession cushion after the break, thanks to Olbrich dropping 10 of his 14 points after halftime. UC Riverside dominated the Tritons on points in the paint with a 44-26 advantage, in addition to their ninth 10+ rebound margin of the season. This 10+ margin was made in large part with a seven rebound advantage on the offensive glass as the Highlanders played a physical brand of basketball all game.

through the half but inside game from Olbrich, Pullin and pushed the Highlander lead back to double digits.

Senior guard Cameron continued his fine form going above 10 points for the seventh time in Big West play and fourth straight game with at least 12 points and tacking on a game high seven rebounds helping the highlanders maintain their dominance down low.

Pullin’s leadership cannot be understated, as the primary ball carrier he helped UCR keep the game at their own pace and his ability to make a shot over a defender all over the court helped his teammates get open when UC San Diego was forced to send help on the inside.

UCR is headed back out on the road, going to Bakersfield on Thursday (2/2) and Fullerton on Saturday (2/4) for more conference play before heading back to the SRC arena for a game versus UC Davis on February 11th, hoping to build on their best Big West start in program history. ■ H

UC San Diego closed the gap up to four halfway

COURTESY OF UCR SPORTS