Volume 72, Issue 27

T he h ighlander

DETAILS REVEALED ABOUT STUDENT SUSPENDED FOR POSSESSING RIFLE ON CAMPUS; STUDENT WORKED AT UCPD.

Court documents paint clearer picture of campus gun arrest

MATA ELANGOVAN AND EMYR ORTIZ News Editor and Assistant news Editor

Last week, the campus community was left with questions and concerns as campus authorities announced a student had been placed on interim suspension, and was later arrested, for possessing an assault rifle on campus. While statements released by the university reveal minimal information, court documents paint a clearer picture, revealing the arrested student, Christopher Jung-Yoon Kim, worked as a non-sworn employee of the University of California Police Department (UCPD).

In a sworn statement written by the detective assigned to the case to support an arrest warrant, it was disclosed that Kim was a member of the Highlander Safety Team, a non-sworn, paid, and unarmed

group that assists UCPD in patrols and other activities. This information was not disclosed by the university when they announced that the student was arrested.

The district attorney’s office charged Kim with unlawfully possessing an assault weapon and bringing a firearm into a school zone. In the charging document signed by the district attorney, prosecutors cited Kims “possession of an assault rifle on a college campus” as an aggravating factor, stating the behavior “indicates a serious danger to society.”

According to an article by The Press Enterprise, University of California, Riverside’ (UCR) Senior Director of News & Content John Warren confirmed that the

investigation began after “a single, unused rifle cartridge” was found in a North District apartment common area.

Kim was later interviewed by the detective on the case and “admitted to having a rifle in his apartment” and “knew it was illegal to have a gun on university campus.” Following this interview, a search warrant was issued for Kim’s residence.

On May 3, the search warrant was executed at the North District apartments revealing the rifle, five high-capacity magazines and a journal with hand-drawn images depicting a “violent act,” according to campus authorities. According to court documents, the “violent act” depicted

OPINIONS

The proposed STEM high school on UCR’s campus is not a boon for the campus or the local community

HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL BOARD

The recent public review and hearing of the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) high school has raised several issues. The school is intended to serve 1200 students and 60 faculty members. The goal is to expand STEM education and college preparedness, but this plan falls short. Furthermore, while the proposed educational center is a great idea in theory, the current plan puts the needs of and may put undue strain on the existing campus community.

The center is supposed to be built next to the campus Baseball Complex at W. Blaine Street and Canyon Crest Drive, including a 153-space parking lot and bus drop-off zone. This is insufficient to meet the transportation needs of potential students while not burdening University of California, Riverside (UCR) students. At the public hearing, it was pointed out that the Draft EIR did not base traffic forecasting on realistic data. Specifically, numbers were not taken during peak traffic hours and were also done when UCR’s campus was closed due to COVID-19. Not measuring traffic when students are even on campus is incredibly misleading and is generating very reasonable concern. UCR comprises 70% commuter students, and freshmen are not required to live on campus. These students need the roads not to be clogged with new and barely competent drivers. The fact that

was a “subject shooting a rifle or shotgun at a person and a crowd watching.” Kim told investigators the drawings were “just doodles.”

Documents written by the detective appear to show that Kim complied with aspects of the investigation; during the search he informed law enforcement where in his apartment the rifle was located.

On Sunday, May 5, 2024, an email was sent out to the student body notifying them of the search and what was uncovered. The university did not name Kim, and stated that the student was “placed on interim suspension for alleged violation of several university policies” and was ordered to leave campus. This email was

EMYR ORTIZ / THE HIGHLANDER

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Court documents paint clearer picture of campus gun arrest

MATA ELANGOVAN AND EMYR ORTIZ News Editor and Assistant News Editor

Last week, the campus community was left with questions and concerns as campus authorities announced a student had been placed on interim suspension, and was later arrested, for possessing an assault rifle on campus. While statements released by the university reveal minimal information, court documents paint a clearer picture, revealing the arrested student, Christopher Jung-Yoon Kim, worked as a non-sworn employee of the University of California Police Department (UCPD).

In a sworn statement written by the detective assigned to the case to support an arrest warrant, it was disclosed that Kim was a member of the Highlander Safety Team, a non-sworn, paid, and unarmed group that assists UCPD in patrols and other activities. This information was not disclosed by the university when they announced that the student was arrested.

The district attorney’s office charged Kim with unlawfully possessing an assault weapon and bringing a firearm into a school zone. In the charging document signed by the district attorney, prosecutors cited Kims “possession of an assault rifle on a college campus” as an aggravating factor, stating the behavior “indicates a serious danger to society.”

According to an article by The Press Enterprise, University of California, Riverside’ (UCR) Senior Director of News & Content John Warren confirmed that the investigation began after “a single, unused rifle cartridge” was found in a North District apartment common area.

Kim was later interviewed by the detective on the case and “admitted to having a rifle in his apartment” and “knew it was illegal to have a gun on university campus.” Following this interview, a search warrant was issued for Kim’s residence.

On May 3, the search warrant was executed at the North District apartments revealing the rifle, five high-capacity magazines and a journal with hand-drawn images depicting a “violent act,” according to campus authorities. According to court documents, the “violent act” depicted was a “subject shooting a rifle or shotgun at a person and a crowd watching.” Kim told investigators the drawings were “just doodles.”

Documents written by the detective appear to show that Kim complied with aspects of the investigation; during the search he informed law enforcement where in his apartment the rifle was located.

On Sunday, May 5, 2024, an email was

sent out to the student body notifying them of the search and what was uncovered. The university did not name Kim, and stated that the student was “placed on interim suspension for alleged violation of several university policies” and was ordered to leave campus. This email was sent out two days after the student’s room was searched.

An update from the school on May 7, 2024 revealed that an arrest warrant was secured for the student and that he had been arrested a day prior. Documents from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office showed that shortly after his arrest, Kim was released on bail for $10,000.

Documents show that Kim bought his gun from Warrior One, a local gun store and that he built the rifle in his room. Kim’s Aero Precision Rifle included two illegal modifications, “a flash suppressor and a telescoping stock.”

Concerns about the campus response and student safety have been raised throughout the student body in the wake of the search and arrest. In an Instagram post liked by more than 2,000 users, the Executive Vice President of the Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) called for classes to be held online to “ensure student safety remains at the forefront.” An official statement

from ASUCR was passed by the Senate last Wednesday, reiterating the calls for Zoom classes. For more information on the reaction of ASUCR, read “ASUCR calls for online classes in wake of student weapon arrest,” on page 5 by Emyr Ortiz.

In response to student concerns regarding safety, Johnny Cruz, chief communications and marketing officer, addressed future steps administration is planning to take pertaining to this situation.

In an email to The Highlander, Cruz stated, “In this situation, consistent with our policies, there was a full, rigorous assessment of the student and the situation. All available information was considered, and that includes information guarded by privacy statutes. After reviewing all the information, we concluded it’s safe to carry on normal campus operations. The police are closely monitoring the situation, including with comprehensive campus video surveillance and other methods. Any change in that assessment will result in the university taking appropriate steps.”

Kim’s next court hearing will be on June 20, 2024 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

Understanding how third party insurance works at the SHC

THE NEWLY OPENED STUDENT HEALTH CENTER SEEKS TO MAKE GOOD ON ITS MISSION TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE TO UCR’S STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR INSURANCE.

SANJANA THATTE

Contributing Writer

The new Student Health Center (SHC) located just off of West Linden Street has brought with it many new facilities and services for students to use. From ultrasound appointments, to blood tests, to regular immunization; the Health Center seems to be, as Michael King, senior administrative director of the SHC described it as, “a one-stop shop” for student’s health needs. The building itself, with its vast space, is able to “grow with the campus” and reflect the student body’s needs as time passes. Averaging about 420 appointments a week, the student health center has started its time at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) with a bang.

However, a student’s ability to access the services offered at the health center is largely determined by their healthcare plan. Indeed, anyone who has considered indulging in the services offered at the SHC must come to terms with the fact that the SHC does not accept third-party insurance. As of right now, the SHC will offer care without out-of-pocket fees to those on the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP) or Highlander Care, another student healthcare plan that allows students to access a limited amount of services for a reduced price. While the SHC is open to

all students regardless of their healthcare plan, those who have chosen to opt out of UCSHIP and Highlander Care may have to take a different route.

As Erica Castillo, supervisor of insurance, billing and front desk services, explains, those with third-party insurance will have to communicate directly with their provider to receive a reimbursement. Students must reach out to the health center to access the invoice for the date of service before submitting it to their insurance provider. They would then have to follow the needed process for their healthcare plan in order to fill out a claim reimbursement and “provide the invoice to their insurance carrier.” Prior to the reimbursement, these fees would be forwarded to a given patient’s student account where they would then be paid out of pocket. However, not all companies accept reimbursements at the SHC, deterring students from finding healthcare providers outside of UCR, causing students to have to pay out of pocket fees or accepting a slightly reduced price health insurance such as Highlander Care.

King elaborated further, saying that this process was not entirely uncommon from what many experience beyond college when someone is out of their

provider network. UCSHIP functions through different vendors that contribute towards the health insurance plan. Unlike many outside insurance plans that students might experience after their time in college, the SHC has what is known as a charge master, ensuring “the prices would not be different for somebody with UCSHIP or Highlander Care, or they come in and pay and get reimbursed.” This ensures that the Health Center maintains set fees, charging each student the same amount regardless of their healthcare plan.

The services and programs that are provided to those with UCSHIP are due to contracts with companies such as Anthem Blue Cross, Delta Dental and Optum, which offer “very competitive” prices for students. These companies present their services to the university where they are then evaluated before being either approved or disapproved at the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) executive board, which consists of two representatives from each UC. At UCR, representatives are chosen from the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC).

Student health concerns are often brought up and negotiated by SHAC, and brought up to individuals such as

King and Castillo who also received feedback from UCOP. This team of seven to eight individuals consisting of both undergraduate and graduate students represents UCR’s student body in regards to health decisions. Furthermore, two representatives are also sent to the executive committee at UCOP to meet and discuss the greater needs of students. Their input is extremely important in regards to deciding how prices are set, and what major health related issues are concerning UCR’s student body.

In short, while the SHC may not directly accept third party insurance, those without school insurance may not be completely cut off from receiving oncampus healthcare. Before students make a decision regarding UC insurance options, communication with healthcare providers to understand individual reimbursement situations is imperative to understanding what services are deemed accessible on a person to person basis. The SHC is meant to provide healthcare solely for students, and is built to accommodate their needs, so understanding one’s standing with the organization will make for an easier and more affordable college experience at UCR.

ASUCR calls for online classes in wake of student weapon arrest

STATE OF THE ASSOCIATION REPORTS OVERSHADOWED BY SAFETY CONCERNS AND INTERNAL RESTRUCTURING.

EMYR ORTIZ Assistant News Editor

In a meeting held over Zoom last Wednesday, the Associated Students of University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) called for campus administrators to take stronger action to “keep student safety at the forefront,” and hold classes online as student concerns over safety followed the announcement by campus authorities that a student had been found in possession of an assault rifle in campus housing.

In a statement passed unanimously at the 22nd Senate meeting of the year, ASUCR demanded that “all classes be held online until the student who possessed an assault rifle is detained or by other means deemed to no longer be able to pose a threat to the UC Riverside student body.” Additionally, ASUCR criticized the communication from the University, noting that despite the search warrant being executed on May 3, the University notified the campus community on the fifth. The statement alleged that “This is grounds to show the negligence of UC Police Department (UCPD) when it comes to student safety, as we should have been immediately notified of any threat to our safety and well-being.”

The email released by the University on May 5 stated that a student had been placed on interim suspension after a search warrant executed in the North District apartments found an assault rifle registered to the student, as well as high-capacity

magazines and “hand-drawn images in a journal depicting a violent act.” Later communication from the University disclosed that the student was arrested on May 6. Riverside Sheriff’s office records have shown that the student was released on bail for $10,000. For more information on the arrest and investigation, read “Court documents paint clearer picture of campus gun arrest” on page 3 by Mata Elangovan and Emyr Ortiz.

The statement from ASUCR raised concerns about student safety given current security measures on campus, stating, “The campus is open to the public so there is no way to guarantee the student will not come back which causes severe concerns for all students.”

The statement and the concerns within were addressed to Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox, Campus Administrators, UCPD, Deans, Vice Chancellor of Health, Wellbeing & Safety Denise Woods, and the Health, Well-being & Safety Department.

The statement passed 15-0-0. In addition to being passed by the Senate, the statement was signed by ASUCR President Ankita Ahluwalia, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Ahman Greene and the entire Judicial council.

With this action, ASUCR marked a continuation of the stance they have taken since the administration first informed the campus community of the incident. The

ASUCR Executive Vice President (EVP) Instagram posted that, as early as May 6, ASUCR Senators had been emailing “deans, administrators, the academic senate, and other departments and personnels to demand that classes be held over zoom,” and urged students to do the same. As of Sunday, May 12, the post had been liked by over 2,400 users. Additionally, ASUCR released an email template for students to urge their professors to hold classes online.

ASUCR also faced internal concerns during last week’s meeting, as a judicial report was presented to the senate laying out impeachment charges against College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) Senator Alex Lu. The charges, initiated by EVP Victoria Nguyen in a judicial complaint, levied multiple accusations of senatorial offenses.

The report laid out claims of lack of participation in senate meetings, town halls and committees from Senator Lu, as well as failing to fulfill requirements set by the EVP and a continuous lack of communication. All of these charges corresponded to violations of responsibilities laid out in the ASUCR Constitution and bylaws.

Since Senator Lu resigned the day before his impeachment hearing, these charges did not lead to any proceedings. EVP Nguyen presented the judicial report, and no further comment was given by other ASUCR officials.

Tour de UCR: Rolling through Bike Count

A LOOK INTO THE UCR BIKE COUNT.

EMYR ORTIZ Assistant News Editor

Throughout the month of April, University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) Office of Sustainability worked to celebrate sustainability in their “Earth Month” event calendar. This often took the form of events that offered students opportunities in the present, such as R’Garden tours and a Climate Careers panel. The Bike Count, organized in conjunction with UCR College Corps, evaluated campus infrastructure and the future of bike and scooter infrastructure.

The Bike Count aimed to take stock of the state of bike and scooter infrastructure on campus. Promoted as a “great opportunity to participate and learn more about sustainable transportation on campus,” the count sought to document the location of bike racks, bikes and scooters on campus and track how much these were being utilized.

Fortino Morales III, the sustainability officer at the UCR Office of Sustainability and helped organize the event. He stated that the bike count was “[about] getting data to be able to make a case for bicycle infrastructure on campus.”

The Bike Count occurred over the span of two days, April 16 and 17, with a morning and an afternoon shift on both days. Volunteers were assigned specific areas and documented locations of bike racks using a mapping application on their phones. Information tracked included how many bikes, e-bikes and scooters there were, but also the type of bike rack.

This year’s Bike Count has documented

important shifts in campus mobility trends since 2019, when data was last collected. The count found 682 vehicles: bikes, e-bikes, scooters and e-scooters on the first day of surveying, and 526 on the second. One of the largest shifts was the rise in scooters on campus, with scooters making up the majority of vehicles on both days of data collection.

That marked a “pretty drastic shift from 2019,” according to Morales.

Morales hopes that the data gathered through this campus-wide endeavor will help inform and influence campus policy moving forward. “The cool thing is that I think campus leadership is interested in seeing the data … so we’ll be able to send it to the

campus architect [and] campus leadership offices,” said Morales. Safety concerns and promoting sustainable methods of transportation are other important micro mobility issues that have influenced the Office of Sustainability’s thinking, according to Morales.

Additional counts around campus spaces run by different departments will also help inform campus decisions, says Morales.

Key in the Bike Count was UCR’s College Corps, who helped provide volunteers for the count. College Corps is a fellowship program which connects students with volunteer opportunities in areas such as K-6 education, food insecurity and climate action.

In a vote of 15-0-0, the senate approved adding a new position for a School of Business (SOB) senator. This proposal was not included on the publicly released meeting agenda, but was on the agenda approved during the meeting. EVP Nguyen explained that such a position was required in the ASUCR Constitution which states, “If a new college is established on campus, ASUCR shall add one senator position to represent that college the following year. The number of senators shall not exceed 20.” With the new SOB position, the total number of senators stands at 19.

Despite the UCR School of Business having been established in 1970 as the Graduate School of Administration, undergraduates within the school were represented by CHASS Senators due to there being “no four year undergraduate degree,” in the SOB, according to EVP Nguyen.

EVP Nguyen noted that Senator Sreeram “spearheaded” the new senator initiative, claiming that the SOB “did add a four year business major.”

Afterwards, State of the Association Reports were delivered, in which ASUCR Executive Cabinet members gave updates on what their offices had accomplished and were planning in the future.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Reyna Rodarte, assistant director of climate action for UCR College Corps, believes that the Bike Count provided a unique opportunity for the range of volunteers who participated. UCR’s College Corps is within the IE Consortium, which includes the College Corps programs at UCR, California State University San Bernardino, and surrounding community colleges. “We had a mixture of UCR students and also community college students that came to assist,” says Rodarte. “[It] was really nice to see the collaboration amongst different campuses and students being able to network with each other.” Rodarte emphasized that the event provided an opportunity for community college students planning to transfer to gain exposure to UCR and the resources available on campus.

The bike count comes at a time when bike and scooter thefts are on the rise, according to a recent Inside UCR article. UCPD has seen an increase in stolen electric vehicles, with Lieutenant Jason Day stating “our numbers are up significantly…most other jurisdictions are experiencing the same increase.” Campus police have several tips to reduce risk of theft such as using hardened steel U-locks, securing vehicles to immovable objects like bike racks and doing so in well-lit and highly trafficked areas, and utilizing multiple locks.

OpiniOns

THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

The proposed STEM high school on UCR’s campus is not a boon for the campus or the local community

CONCERNS OVER TRAFFIC, CAMPUS RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY ACCESS WILL MAKE THE PRESENCE OF A HIGH SCHOOL AT UCR A DRAIN ON CAMPUS LIFE.

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.

The recent public review and hearing of the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) high school has raised several issues. The school is intended to serve 1200 students and 60 faculty members. The goal is to expand STEM education and college preparedness, but this plan falls short. Furthermore, while the proposed educational center is a great idea in theory, the current plan puts the needs of and may put undue strain on the existing campus community.

The center is supposed to be built next to the campus Baseball Complex at W. Blaine Street and Canyon Crest Drive, including a 153-space parking lot and bus drop-off zone. This is insufficient to meet the transportation needs of potential students while not burdening University of California, Riverside (UCR) students. At the public hearing, it was pointed out that the Draft EIR did not base traffic forecasting on realistic data. Specifically, numbers were not taken during peak traffic hours and were also done when UCR’s campus was closed due to COVID-19. Not measuring traffic when students are even on campus is incredibly misleading and is generating very reasonable concern.

UCR comprises 70% commuter students, and freshmen are not required to live on campus. These students need the roads not to be clogged with new and barely competent drivers. The fact that this report uses severely compromised data indicates that the university and the campus community must anticipate that the education center will interfere with their commutes.

UCR students are also concerned that their access to resources will be negatively impacted despite being charged upwards of $13,000 yearly to attend college. Families and students spend

years saving enough money to pay tuition and other college expenses, and that sacrifice cannot be rewarded with campus additions that detract from their education. Additionally, the project will repurpose campus recreational space, and the plan to compensate for that loss is still being worked on. The RUSD STEM educational center will be funded with RUSD resources and is said to be “entirely self-contained.” Hopefully, this is accurate, but there is no feasible way to keep the educational center’s high-school-aged students from bleeding onto campus.

“UCR has to prioritize the needs of the students it is already serving.”

Currently, the plan prohibits STEM students from leaving school grounds for lunch and prohibits them from utilizing campus dining facilities. It is unclear how they will enforce this and how questionable those methods would be. Unless the school plans to keep the students gated in, there is no way to stop them from walking onto campus. There would also be very little way to tell the difference between them and any number of high school students touring the campus. UCR is a public campus, and the people who go in and out are not closely monitored. UCR’s campus is for UCR students who pay the astronomical tuition and fees to maintain and use it, not for high school students to wander around and disrupt it.

It’s also concerning that the property tax, Measure O, which was paid for by Riverside residents, will be funding an education center that will not require students to live in the district. Asking the Riverside community to invest in STEM education without guaranteeing that

members of the paying community will be able to access those publicly funded resources is a point of contention for the Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) and the University Neighborhood Association.

UCR’s motives for this are also a source of apprehension as it tries to improve its reputation and social mobility ranking. It might also have something to do with tax cuts for the university after they sold the land to RUSD for a pittance of a onedollar-a-year lease. Most importantly, UCR is a STEM school, so creating a direct pipeline of STEM students to attend their institution increases research, credibility and the overall educational program. While none of these things are inherently bad, introducing a high school educational center on campus is not the most effective way to address a lack of college preparedness and a scarcity of STEM opportunities for high school students.

An inequitable lack of access to college preparedness resources for high school students is incredibly prevalent, and that burden needs to fall on high schools. This project could have a positive impact without having to be on UCR’s campus. Colleges like UCR can offer outreach programs, opportunities to visit campus and summer programs for STEM students. Still, chances for high school students should not come at the cost of the higher education experience.

UCR has to prioritize the needs of the students it is already serving. This education center is a grand and bold idea that, sadly, lacks the foresight and structure needed to make it successful and not a hindrance to campus life. There is no opposition to ensuring children have access to world-class education and research facilities, but there has to be a better way to do it.

California remains a leader on climate with new agreement with Norway

TOMAS ALVES Distribution Manager

California’s reputation as a global leader on Climate Change Continues with a new memorandum of understanding with an equally ambitious norway.

On April 16, 2024, California Gov. Gavin Newsom hosted Norwegian Minister of Trade Jan Christian Vestre in signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance climate collaboration between the two governments. The MoU comes as California seeks to boost cooperation between like-minded partners in the international arena to stay on track with its 2022 commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. As Norway seeks to achieve the same goal by 2050 based on a 2019 commitment by the Norwegian parliament, the two governments have signed this MoU to more closely synchronize efforts and partner to achieve their aligned goals in seven different areas.

Even as the Biden Administration has implemented its self-proclaimed “most ambitious climate agenda in history,” California remains a clear leader in addressing climate change amongst international partners. While individual states or provinces acting on their own climate ambitions may seem out of place, California must continue to set the agenda for the rest of the United States (U.S.) as the nation’s hub for innovation and climate action.

While the new MoU signed a few weeks ago is the first of its kind between California and Norway, it comes amidst a recent uptick in Gov. Newsom’s outreach efforts toward international partners to increase climate cooperation. In 2023, Newsom signed seven MoUs with China’s National Development and Reform Commission, the Guangdong, Jiangsu and Hainan provinces, the cities of Beijing and Shanghai and Australia. To highlight the Governor’s trip to China, California and China signed a Joint-Declaration to enhance local-level climate cooperation, which signaled a major foreign policy achievement for Newsom. While the declaration and Newsom’s visit to China in 2023 came amidst a background of souring US-China relations, the

subnational efforts by Newsom demonstrated President Xi Jinping’s ability to cooperate on overlapping issues.

Conversely, the U.S. and Norway are already close partners because both are North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members and have partnered together on many bilateral climate initiatives, such as the Green Shipping Challenge. However, it is fair to question how California might play a role in the U.S. relationship with Norway and why this MoU between California and Norway was necessary. Of the seven key areas of cooperation outlined in the MoU, four objectives include language on decarbonization and the promotion of clean energy. This is no surprise, considering that the Governor’s 2022 Climate Action plan calls for a 48% drop in carbon emissions by 2030 compared to 1990.

While Gov. Newsom’s website touts that in 2014, California reached its climate goals six years ahead of schedule, the current plan to achieve net zero by 2045 has largely stalled. Due to difficulties in transitioning existing facilities to meet climate standards and the inability to increase the reduction of yearly carbon emissions, California’s action is faltering. But this is where Norway comes in.

Even though California dwarfs Norway’s economy by a margin of almost three trillion dollars, Norway has achieved some of California’s ambitions, such as accelerating the sale of Electric Vehicles (EVs). Of cars sold last year in Norway, 80% were EVs, whereas in California, that figure remained at 25% despite being the leading figure among U.S. states. In signing this MoU to facilitate the “multi-faceted exchange of knowledge, experience, data and best practices,” California hopes to utilize Norwegian expertise in climate technology like data center decarbonization technology and infrastructure adaptation solutions to offset challenges. Norway boasts one of the world’s most robust climate technology sectors, with 50% of its foreign direct investment in 2023 flowing to that sector.

As some have dubbed Newsom’s ambitious plan, such as the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which described it as the “most ambitious set of climate goals of any jurisdiction in the world,” the state has faced some obstacles.

As each year brings with it a new set of obstacles, such as record-breaking heatwaves, wildfires and flooding, California is looking to the international stage to help build climate resilience within the economy. By signing this MoU with Norway, California continues to demonstrate its commitment to enhance its climate tech sector and boost its ability to fulfill its commitments. By showing the world that a robust economy can be green, other international partners and even states within the U.S. might use California as an example for their own climate ambitions.■ H

The quality of life in the Inland Empire is dwindling for many residents

SONALI

WHITTLE Staff Writer

the warehouse industry and Changes in government assistanCe Contribute to a rise in unemployment in the Inland empire.

There is a concerning economic phenomenon in the Inland Empire (IE) concerning affordability and access to basic goods. According to the Census Bureau survey, almost half of the households within the IE cannot afford their usual expenses, and a third have difficulties paying bills. The socioeconomic status of the IE continues to dwindle as unemployment and inflation rise, creating an unsustainable problem that warrants federal intervention.

Much of the financial difficulty within IE households can be attributed to the logistics industry. Over the last decade, there has been an overpopulation of commercial warehouses, with approximately 90% of warehouse growth in inland counties. The warehouse industry is not thriving as much as it did during the pandemic, contributing to the metropolitan area’s unemployment rate. This shift can be attributed to the post-pandemic phenomenon of customers spending more on services like travel and entertainment than on cars and groceries. This phenomenon and high inflation have made the warehouse industry less popular.

IE unemployment has increased by 5.5% above the national average within the past two years. Many warehouse workers have

had to take up additional work to supplement their income and make it survivable. Victor Ramirez, a longtime warehouse employee, explains his struggle of having to pick up additional work as an Uber driver due to the slowdown of the warehouse he is employed with. This is not uncommon as Sheheryar Kaoosji, executive director of a nonprofit advocacy group for Warehouse Worker Resources, says that the average worker is always in a position of financial uncertainty. Coupled with the increased inflation, the unemployment rate and high costs create an incredibly hard situation for the IE community.

IE residents to a simply unacceptable standard of living. Residents deserve access to healthy food options and sustainable living costs.

To add insult to injury, food insecurity is rampant among many households in the IE. When food insecurity is coupled with the inability to meet a quota to pay bills, there is a lack of stability in both food and living conditions. The quality of life is dwindling for

The IE represents the many communities across the country who are struggling due to inflation and need support from their government. Nationwide, last month, 22.3% of adults living in households struggled to pay an energy bill, and more than one-third said it was difficult to pay for usual household expenses. The IE is just one of the many areas experiencing food insecurity and widespread financial hardship, which indicates a much larger issue at hand with inflation and the need for support by their government to stay afloat.

There are programs and opportunities that can help alleviate some of the burdens that IE residents face. For example, Opportunity Starts at Home (OSAH), a multisector coali-

tion, works to generate widespread support for federal policies that help correct economic injustices by seeking quality housing for people with low incomes. Other programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal nutrition programs, can help reduce financial hardship.

Food banks say that changes to the food stamp program and rising food prices have led to a wave of people seeking government assistance. Unfortunately, the funding that was allocated to people in need during the pandemic has become unsustainable. The government’s inability to keep up with rising food prices makes battling food insecurity more difficult, especially as the aid recipients were being offered shrunk dramatically in March 2023.

Initiatives already implemented to alleviate some financial hardship need to be expanded and utilized even more in light of the IE’s current socioeconomic state. The state and federal government must authorize additional funding to ensure people can afford basic necessities and keep the programs that fight food insecurity alive.■ H

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Stop AAPI Hate confronts anti-Asian scapegoating in American politics

The STop AApI hATe CAmpAign’S fighT AgAinST diSCriminATory lAnguAge in The 2024 preSidenTiAl eleCTion CollideS wiTh A STruggling uS-ChinA relATionShip.

SPANDANA JANAPATI Staff Writer

The rise of anti-Asian rhetoric in recent years has sparked great concern within Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. The surge in hatred towards Asian Americans, specifically Chinese Americans, can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to an alarming increase in violent crimes and discrimination against Asians across the United States (U.S.). After the Atlanta shooting in March 2021, where an Asian-owned restaurant was targeted by a shooter, resulting in the loss of eight lives, this issue was highly publicized. Other instances of inflammatory speech and prejudice gained traction, with 10% of AAPI individuals having experienced hate incidents or crimes in 2021. In light of these shifts, policymakers and political figures should take decisive action to address the injustices faced by AAPI communities to curtail the spread of misinformation and hate.

The alarming rise in hate towards the Asian American community has gained media attention and led to the creation of several non-profit organizations and coalitions. One coalition that significantly contributed to spreading awareness of the ramifications of anti-Asian rhetoric and bringing social media attention to this issue is the Stop AAPI Hate Campaign. Launched in March 2020, this national coalition was created by Cynthia Choi, Russell Jeung and Manjusha Kulkarni after the three noticed a pattern of discrimination through analyzing news stories. Their mission is focused on dismantling existing discriminatory structures and combating injustices inflicted upon the AAPI community.

campaign outlined four essential elements: holding leaders accountable, fighting against land ownership bans for Chinese immigrants, reforming the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to include Asian communities and educating the public.

Fighting against discriminatory land ownership policies that impact innocent Chinese immigrants can be integral in reducing the barriers to integration and assisting

the more critical with the rising adversarial relationship between China and the U.S. The competition between these major power nations could significantly impact conversations surrounding American foreign policy and national security during the presidential debates. Animosity toward the nations and presidential styles can impact the accidental or purposeful spread of anti-Asian rhetoric and hate, specifically toward Chinese Americans.

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the Stop AAPI Hate Campaign and Chinese for Affirmative Action are promoting their Stop the Blame Campaign, which focuses specifically on confronting anti-Asian scapegoating and political accountability for leaders using racist and discriminatory language. In their quest to stop anti-Asian rhetoric in the political sphere, the

the AAPI community. Similarly, reforming FISA, specifically section 702, can be a significant gain for the community as the legislation has been criticized for being used as a tool to racially profile and some lawmakers claimed that the discriminatory targeting can harm national security.

The Stop AAPI Hate Campaign's role has become all

While Stop the Blame campaign’s steps to hold officials accountable are useful in spreading information about the increased prejudice experienced by the AAPI community in recent years, it is likely difficult for the organization to create an active, meaningful impact during the elections period as the majority of their work deals with the aftermath of anti-Asian speech. Despite likely difficulties in emphasizing and educating the public on this issue, the Stop AAPI Hate Campaign has made positive contributions in benign attention to the importance of mindful language and accountability. Alongside considerable social media support, legislative reforms have also been put into action with Congress’ approval of the COVID-19 Hate Crime Act to support training to address hate crimes against communities of color.

At its inception, this campaign was effective in educating and combating antiAsian rhetoric prompted by COVID-19. With the approaching election and increasing animosity between D.C. and Beijing, the coalition has the opportunity once again to step up and speak out on the discriminatory legislation and harmful speech made during the election when discussing Asian individuals and nations. Addressing the repercussions of these geopolitical tensions on Asian Americans is more than important, it’s a moral obligation.

■ H

The Biden administration’s ignorance of public opinion will be a determining factor this autumn

ALEX

KUPISIEWICZ Contributing Writer

diSSATiSfACTion growS over SeverAl key iSSueS ThAT Could SwAy voTerS And CoST Biden The whiTe houSe.

The current administration can see some of what the people have to tell them with surprising ease, yet the information they are given is largely ignored. The president has an Instagram page that posts on things like Easter egg hunts but doesn't seem to pay any attention to the responses received. The President has faced increasingly clear public rebuke since the events of Oct. 7, and it appears his campaign is unprepared for the votes his position will cost him.

The Biden Administration is embarrassingly out of touch with what the people of this country want. Many Democratic voters, including the ones who voted him into office in the first place, are hesitating to vote for him in the coming election, even when the alternative winner is likely former President Donald Trump. Despite evidence to the contrary, the current administration seems to think this is enough of a deterrent to guarantee their votes in November, as it helped them in 2020. Currently, Biden’s polling numbers are trailing behind Trump’s in six out of seven key states.

Polls for the upcoming election versus

polls from the same date of 2020 show a major shift in voter opinion. Where Biden was leading by a 6.1% margin at the start of May 2020, the same date in 2024 shows Trump in a 0.8% lead. A March 2024 poll done by National Public Radio (NPR), Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and Marist determined that 61% of young adults aged 18 to 29 disapprove of how well of a job Biden is currently doing as president. A whopping 36% of them say they strongly disapprove. Despite all this, Biden hasn’t made any clear effort to change his current stances or respectfully acknowledge youth voters on some of his presidency's most decisive and contested issues.

It should also be noted that most people using social media to attempt communication with the administration are the age groups Biden counted on to be elected into the White House in 2020. Especially as a largely democratic group of the younger generation has turned old enough to vote this election, there should be no taking for granted the impact of younger generations’ vote, which he is counting on again this year.

Animosity grew after the White House Correspondents Dinner, where the President stood before a screen that read “Celebrating the First Amendment.” The caption reads, “Last night we toasted to a free press, to an informed citizenry, and to an America where freedom and democracy endure.” Users chimed in with comments pointing out the hypocrisy in the President’s actions after the

recent TikTok ban, which many interpret as a deliberate action to stifle free speech. This critique largely comes from young adults, who are the largest contributors to TikTok usage.

It is becoming harder and harder for many of the people who would have fought for Biden to win to advocate for him in this election. Many of them have been vocal about multiple issues that Biden directly had a hand in and were disappointed in the outcome. The Willow Project in March of 2023 is an excellent example. The proposed oil drilling project was largely objected to, and the Change.org petition gathered over three million signatures. However, permission for the project was still given, and the public's views were largely ignored by the Biden administration.

It’s time for the Biden administration to stop ignoring and limiting the people’s voices. Otherwise, there’ll be far more conflicts closer to home as soon as the beginning of next year, in a way no one in this country won’t regret.■ H

LAYNA LAPIKAS// THE HIGHLANDER

EMILY MATA / THE HIGHLANDER

PrePare yourself for the end of the quarter…

Just a few weeks seParating you from summer.

aries: six of wands march 21 - aPril 19

Things may seem a little rough at the moment — you’re feeling trapped, unsure of how to move forward. Keep your eye on the horizon — things are going to change, and soon, but first you’ll have to make some changes of your own.

cancer: seven of Pentacles

June 21 - July 22

There’s a long way to go before you complete your goals, and you know it. Luckily, the way ahead of you isn’t too difficult — you can see your path, all the way to the finish line. It’s just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other.

libra: lovers sePtember 23 - october 22

You’re in the midst of a blossoming relationship! While it’s okay for connections to fade over time, this is one that has the potential to last. Don’t force anything, and don’t get nervous, but embrace your instincts and go with the flow.

caPricorn: Page of cuPs december 22 - January 19

You’re just bursting with ideas and energy, Capricorn. Whether you pass these ideas on to those around you, or take them up yourself as new projects, you have the seeds of new possibilities for you and your community. Don’t let that inspiration go to waste!

taurus: hieroPhant aPril 20 - may 20

You’re seeking knowledge and answers, but the world isn’t always so eager to give up its secrets. If there is something you just have to know, then don’t settle for anything less. Commit yourself to curiosity.

leo: queen of wands

July 23 - august 22

You’ve been taking a bit of a backseat lately, but it’s time to step up and take some leadership. You’ve spent plenty of time observing the people around you — you know what they want, and you know how they’re approaching it. For all your observations, surely you’ve found a way to lend a hand to those in need.

scorPio: hermit october 23 - november 21

You’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the people around you — it can get to be a lot, sometimes. Take some time to yourself, and consider everything you’ve done to get to this point. When this period of solitude ends, you’ll be so much more aware of yourself and your needs.

aquarius: ten of Pentacles January 19 - february 18

You’ve made it! There have been some stumbling blocks along the road, but you’re reaching a place of security, comfort and abundance. Don’t worry right now about guarding or maintaining your position — take some time to celebrate your victories. You’ve earned it.

Aedan Ferrara, Production Manager

gemini: four of cuPs may 21 - June 20

Gemini, you’ve been feeling listless, unmotivated to keep moving forward. That’s okay — it happens to the best of us. Don’t treat it as a fault in yourself, but rather as an obstacle to overcome like any other.

virgo: eight of swords august 23 - sePtember 22

Virgo, you’re in a bit of a sticky situation. You’re facing down a problem, and as far as you can see, the only path forward is a bad one. You’re feeling stuck by the only options available to you — take a moment to consider whether you’re trapped only by your own indecision, instead. There’s no such thing as a perfect choice.

sagittarius: Justice november 22 - december 21

You have an important decision to make, and it feels impossible to figure out the correct choice. It feels like this is make-or-break, and you’re paralyzed with indecision. Sometimes the right choice doesn’t come from analyzing the facts, but from going with your gut, and moving on instinct. Trust yourself.

Pisces: five of wands february 19 - march 20

Pisces, you’ve been feeling scattered and directionless. You’re not sure how to reach your goals, and you might not even be certain of what your goals are. It’s alright to take some time to go with the flow — don’t push yourself to always be certain of where you’re going.

Love someone who loves as hard as you do

Dating aDvice from the highlanDer’s infamously anD terminally single opinions eDitor, because coaches Don’t play…

YSABEL NAKASONE

Opinions

Editor

How do you ask for reassurance from your partner? You do so many things for them but they can’t reciprocate. You feel like you’re about to give up but if you do it’ll all fall apart. You’re tired of the one chasing and they never chase back so you’re stuck in this eternal loop. Idk I feel so lost sometimes.

Anonymous

It’s rough because you want them to want to do things for you or with you without having to beg them to care.

Then, when you say something, it all feels tainted because they’re only doing it because you made them. I honestly haven’t figured out the answer to this question in the context of any relationship.

It might help to ask them why you feel that they’re so disconnected rather than invested in your relationship — but even that is gutting. Your only option is to tell them you feel neglected in your relationship and what you are looking for specifically. Either they do it, or they don’t; beyond that, you are completely out of luck. This is a situation

where you don’t have control, and I know how maddening that is.

Eventually, you’re going to have to walk away. You will run out of love, time or care to give. There has to be a point where your psyche can’t take any more of a beating. You have to prepare yourself for the possibility that they just don’t care as much as you do and are never going to give you the pieces of themself that you need. ■ H

This cacio e pepe will put a pep-e in your step-e a simple recipe for beginners wanting pasta with a cheesy touch.

NATALIE DAHL Features Editor

If you still haven’t figured out how to properly cook pasta, this recipe is for you. Cacio e pepe translates to “cheese and pepper” — and that is about all you will need for this recipe. Though I might be biased, I would say that this recipe is even better than the sauce they sell at Trader Joe’s.

Cook time: 15 minutes

Serving size: 2-3 servings

Ingredients:

Spaghetti

Solid pecorino romano

High quality olive oil

Fresh ground black peppercorns

Steps:

1. Cook your spaghetti to al dente. (In beginner’s terms, you want it to be cooked, but just have a little bit of a bite to it, so

don’t leave it in the water for too long.)

2. While it’s cooking, thinly grate up a cup or so of your cheese.

a. Fun tip: if you get a solid cheese piece, you can cut off a piece of the rind, put it in your pasta water while it’s cooking to infuse the cheese taste into the pasta. It’s a fun way to incorporate something that would have otherwise been a scrap!

3. Grab a bowl, add your cheese and a bunch of pepper — if you think it’s enough keep adding more.

4. Drain the pasta but keep a couple of cups of the pasta water to the side.

5. Add a little bit of olive oil to the pot that the spaghetti is in to keep it from sticking to each other and put it to the side.

6. Start heating up a saucepan at a low heat with a thin layer of olive oil as the base and add in a healthy serving of pepper. We’re trying to infuse the olive oil with the pepper flavor here.

7. Add in equal parts water to the bowl of

the pecorino/pepper mixture (err on the side of too little) and whisk it very thoroughly.

a. You don’t want any graininess in the cheese; it should now be a creamy texture. If it’s still grainy after you mix it, add in a little more water. You have to do this while the pasta water is still hot (not boiling, but still warm).

8. Add the pasta to the pan and add some more pasta water. Mix until the pasta water evaporates.

9. Take off the stove and add in the cheese mix, and mix thoroughly.

10. Enjoy!

If you’re in a pinch, you can use parm instead of the pecorino romano. They’re both similar, but the pecorino is a little creamier and saltier, so it makes for a better pasta. Overall, the key is high quality ingredients — you taste what you pay for especially in the cheese and a little bit in the olive oil!

Good luck cooking, Highlanders. Ciao! ■ H

THROW YOUR CAP IN THE AIR LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE

With graduation fast approaching, many of you procrastinators have yet to book a grad-photo session or think of where you want to stage your photos. I can’t help you out with the first task, but for the second, I got you covered. If you are at a loss for the perfect gradphoto location, try one of the following places for the most aesthetic, Riverside-esque pictures. If you are not graduating yet, be sure to save this article until that special day comes.

One of the Libraries (Rivera is better … but as you wish)

Although a little on the creative side, I say end basic grad photos today and try something different. Whichever library you prefer works for this, however Rivera has a better photo aesthetic (but that could be just one woman's opinion). Grab some books and pretend to be studious, take a photo in between the stacks or lie on the floor with a pile of books to get the perfect grad-photos. Make sure to get permission from the library before taking these photos.

UCR sign

In the spirit of being basic, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) sign, located at the Highlander Union Building (HUB) is a must when it comes to grad photos. Take a seat in one of the letters, stand in-front of the sign and throw your grad cap in the air, or grab some of your friends and pose in front of the sign and commemorate your time at UCR.

Smile with Scotty

If you do not sit on Scotty’s silver lap for your grad photos, you failed grad photos and Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox will be withholding your degree when you walk across the stage at graduation. Posing with Scotty is a necessity, so grab your cap and gown and sit next to him, maybe read a copy of The Highlander newspaper with Scotty, place your cap on his head (thus making him a graduate) or even give him a little kiss on the cheek (try not to chip your tooth on Scotty; trust me, it’s possible).

“Best places on campus to take graduation photos.”

By: Senna Omar, Managing Editor

Old School of Business building

Trying to pretend you go to a different university, the grand staircase at the old school of business building makes for a perfect entrance to your grad photos. Stand on the stairs while holding your cap in the air or take a seat on the steps and show the world your cap decoration to get the most iconic ‘UCR’ grad photo.

The Student Recreation Center (SRC) — for da gym bros

If you spent more time at the gym than you did in class, then the SRC is the perfect place for your photos! Grab your cap and gown and hit the rock climbing wall; make sure to grip the wall with one hand and let your cap hang down in the other. Or maybe you're a cardio queen; get on the treadmill and start strutting your stuff. If the pool is where you spent all those warm California days (instead of your bio lecture), hop in while wearing your gown and go for a splash in the whirlpool.

Honorable mentions:

Danny Devito Shrine (if you know you know), the bronze orange by the kumquat grove in the Humanities and Social Science Building, ASPB Barack Obama cut-out, the Bell Tower and Olmstead.

Hopefully one of these places provides you the perfect spot to end your UCR experience and take some slay grad pictures. Everyone will be jealous of your treadmill struts and book naps this grad season.

10 Mother’s Day gift ideas to make her day perfect!

Celebrate your mom with these tokens of appreciation to show your love.

FLOWERS

By: Nola Perifel, CW

If you forgot to celebrate your mom this past Sunday, you’ve got to put in the effort to make it up to her. The traditional way to celebrate the holiday is to give your mother a present to show your love but it can get very difficult to find the perfect gift. Here is a list of present ideas to make your mom’s day perfect.

SPA DAY OR MASSAGE

My first recommendation is an oldie, but a goodie; flowers are always appreciated. If you were unable to see your mother on May 12, sending her flowers is a great way to make a sweet gesture and to make her day count. If you pick a bouquet of flowers that fit her personality and color preferences, it could make her feel very special on the day that she is celebrated as a mom.

PERSONALIZED JEWELRY

There are many websites that allow you to personalize bracelets and necklaces. You can choose to put a picture in the bracelet so that your mother carries a picture of her family around with her. Another personalized jewelry idea could be to get an engraved necklace or bracelet with a meaningful message.

HOMEMADE JAM

Making homemade preserves with any of your mother’s favorite fruits can be a very heartwarming gift as well. As you prepare this homemade delectable jam, you can share it with your mother and the rest of your family over a delicious breakfast.

BREAKFAST IN BED

Speaking of breakfast, an amazing way to surprise your mother is a delicious breakfast in bed prepared with love. Adding her favorite treats, with a plate of fruit, a glass of juice and a flower for decoration could make for a perfect Mother’s Day surprise.

PHOTO ALBUM

A sentimental gift that you can put loving effort into is a photo album. Fill it with your memories with your mother and the rest of your family. This is a great way for your mother to flip through old photos and understand how loved she is by her children and family members.

Mother’s Day is all about celebrating your mom so what better way to celebrate than to get her a relaxing day at the spa. On Mother’s Day, your mom can relax and enjoy her day so getting her a massage or an extremely relaxing time at the spa could be just what she needs to relieve any built up tension.

DIY BRACELET OR NECKLACE

Mothers love when effort is put into their gifts, no matter how it turns out, so it can be a good idea to try your luck at making her a piece of jewelry! By putting in the effort of buying the materials and creating a unique bracelet that you made just for her, your mom will feel so loved and special on her day and not only because of the bracelet you give her but also because you made it.

HANDWRITTEN LETTER OR CARD

There is nothing more heartfelt than writing a letter for your mother to show her how much you love her or how grateful you are for her presence in your life. For your mom, reading the letter you write for her will make her feel appreciated and loved on the day of her celebration. Even if you do not buy her a gift, words go a long way and can really impact her in a positive way and they can turn out to be the best gift of all.

JUST SPENDING TIME TOGETHER

Another gift that doesn’t have to be a physical object is just simply spending time with one another. In a way one of the best gifts that you can give your mom is to spend some valuable time with her. In the end, the gift would be beautiful memories that you both share. Visiting new places around your city or even in another city could be such a great way to create new memories.

HOMEMADE TREATS

Another great gift could be to bake delicious homemade treats either for her as a surprise or with her. You can bake cookies or brownies for her in the morning to give her a great morning breakfast surprise or have a fun activity together, but either way, you get to snack on delicious treats.

image courtesy of freepik

UCR students’ entertainment and arts picks for Mental Health Awareness Month

This Mental Health Awareness month, The Highlander features what kind of games, shows, movies and more help comfort University of California, Riverside (UCR) students.

Dominic Gomez (Economy, 4th year, he/ him:)

“How I Met Your Mother” It is incredibly funny and has heartbreaking moments and unforgettable characters.

GG Galvan (Anthropology, 4th year, she/ her ):

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid”

It’s such a realistic depiction of that awkward middle school phase many of us had when trying to pose as the cool kid. On top of that, the movie provides great humor — you can’t help but laugh whatever mood you might be in.

Senna Omar (Political Science and Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies, 3rd year, she/her)

“Grey's Anatomy”

I have actually watched this show so many times it's embarrassing ... I stop when I get to the new seasons (cause they suck) and restart. I think it's the first show I ever watched that I enjoyed, and the storylines slay (up until the new seasons), so it provides me comfort.

Lizbeth Martos (Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, 3rd year, she/her): “Nanalan’”

Living in a world where I’m constantly stressed out, this show makes me feel like I’m five years old again with no worries. It’s a masterpiece that heals my inner child.

The Radar section is asking students what media gives them a hug at the end of the day.

By Brendan Vo, Radar Editor

Natalie Dahl (Education, Society, and Human Development , 3rd year, she/her):

“All Creatures Great and Small”

The show is a charming period piece about a young vet's journey and I think it's so calming to feel like you're living a quiet England life with him.

Emily Manus (Public Policy, 3rd year, she/ her)

I have so many!

For movies, anything Disney or Pixar from when I was growing up, like the “Little Mermaid,” “Toy Story,” etc. For TV probably, “Gilmore Girls” or “Grey’s Anatomy.” I can’t escape them. I love Disney movies because they remind me of my childhood, and are very nostalgic. I always go back to “Gilmore Girls” for the fall vibes right before school starts and “Grey’s Anatomy” has a hold on me I can’t explain … it's Patrick Dempsey ;)

Gamez Reyes

I got into K-pop my freshman year of college, and since then it has never failed to comfort me on any occasion.

Ashley Zulueta (Business Administration Marketing 4th year she/her):

“Avatar the Last Airbender”

The show is a work of art with great character development. I enjoy rewatching the familiar scenes and epic battle scenes!

Kayla Miranda (Media and cultural studies, 3rd year, she/her)

“Avatar the Last Airbender”

Not only is it nostalgic for me, but I also learned so many life lessons from this show when I was younger.

Anonymous (Psychology, 4th year, he/ him): Games

I am able to escape from my daily stressors and enjoy the different styles of video games.

Alex Ha (Computer Science, 3rd year he/ him) Listening to R&B Music provides comfort for me because it generally calms me down especially after a long day.

Brenda Jovel (Creative Writing and English, 4th year, she/Her)

SZA’s “CTRL” album

The girls who know, know. This album is simply a piece of art that heals heartache and livens the soul; she’s comfort and bliss.

Maribel

(English, 3rd year, she/her): “K-pop”

DIGGING INTO THE KENDRICK LAMAR VERSUS DRAKE RAP BEEF.

By: Kimberly Bejec, Assistant Radar Editor

In diss track after diss track, the two rappers battle it out over clever and ruthless bars.

In the past few weeks, rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake have been beefing it out over a series of diss tracks aimed toward each other, with the occasional mention of other rappers in the songs. The two have thrown insult over insult, bringing in wild and serious accusations toward each other and their families. Although the two’s rap beef has been simmering for a while, it has finally exploded, much to fans’ and the public’s enjoyment.

Lamar and Drake first started on friendly terms. The two collaborated on some projects such as A$AP Rocky’s “F**kin’ Problems” and Lamar’s “Poetic Justice.” However, their friendly collaboration ended in 2013 when Lamar made aims toward Drake and other big names in the rap game on Big Sean’s song, “Control.” As time went on, the two would take subtle digs at each other, but nothing escalated too far. While Drake dominated the charts and sales, Lamar stood tall critically in the rap game, receiving a Pulitzer Prize for his “DAMN.” album.

Things remained calm until October 2023 when Drake and J. Cole collaborated on “First Person Shooter.” The track took on a lively tone as the two rappers claim to be on the top of the rap game along with Lamar. Specifically, Cole raps, “Love when they argue the hardest MC / Is it K-Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me? / We the big three like we started a league.” Despite the two ranking Lamar at the top with them, they would soon find out he did not appreciate the sentiment.

A couple of months later, in March 2024, Lamar collaborated with Future and Metro Boomin on “Like That.” He fired back in full force at Drake and Cole in response to their track, rejecting their idea of the “big three.” In his verse, he fiercely rapped “Motherf**k the big three, / n****, it’s just big me.” As a result, he rejected their civility, claiming his position at the top of the rap game. Additionally, he made various other clapbacks in his verse most especially toward Drake and Cole. Besides his disses, he hypes himself up by comparing his legacy and influence to Michael Jackson and Prince. Lamar let it be known to the other two rappers that their legacy does not match his nor will it ever compare.

In less than 24 hours following the release of “Like That,” Drake vaguely brushed off Lamar’s diss at a show for his “It’s All A Blur - Big As The What?” tour. However, in April 2024, J. Cole directly responded to Lamar with a diss track titled “7 Minute Drill.” The rapper went all in on Lamar, calling out his slow releases of music and falling off the game. However, Cole later regretted the track as he publicly apologized to Lamar and took the song down on streaming platforms, calling it the “lamest sh*t” he has ever done.

In the same month, Drake finally dropped his first response to Lamar titled “Push Ups.” In the track, Drake mocks Lamar’s short height and his deal with Top Dawg Entertainment, implying that the company has a hold over Lamar’s artistic choices. Quickly following this, Drake drops his second response, “Taylor Made Freestyle.” In the track, the rapper uses AI-generated voices from Tupac and Snoop Dogg to rap his verses. He calls out Lamar for his slow response, claiming that he was waiting for the release of Taylor Swift’s new album “The Tortured Poets Department” to come out first. However, this led to Tupac’s Estate to threaten to sue Drake if he did not remove the song from platforms, to which he complied.

At the end of April 2024, Kendrick fired back hard at the Canadian rapper with a six-minute-long diss, “Euphoria.” The track was ruthless as it took jabs in every direction toward Drake. He raps, “it’s always been about love and hate, / now let me say I’m the biggest hater / I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk, I hate the way that you dress.” Lamar also called out Drake for his lack of parenting toward his 6-year-old son, Adonis, mocked his crew, October’s Very Own (OVO) and criticized Drake for using the N-word as he is half-white. The intensity of the track only added fuel to the flame.

Lamar quickly dropped another diss track, “6:16 in LA,” which seems to be a direct response to “Taylor Made Freestyle.” In the song, Lamar collaborates with producer Jack Antonoff, who is a frequent collaborator with Swift, producing many of the pop singer’s hits. Lamar uses the song to target the people who work at OVO, saying there is a mole revealing dirt on Drake and criticizing Drake for the moves he has made since the beef began.

In May 2024, Drake fired back at Lamar with “Family Matters.” The reply came out about 14 hours after Lamar dropped the “6:16 in LA” track. Drake takes aim at Lamar’s family, specifically his relationship with his fiancee, Whitney Alford. Drake alleged that the relationship between the couple is fractured and is filled with infidelity. Drake raps, “You did her dirty all your life, you tryna make peace.” Besides his shots at Lamar, Drake also targeted other rappers such as Metro Boomin and Rick Ross.

In just a few minutes after Drake dropped “Family Matters,” Lamar did not back down and released the eerie “Meet the Grahams.” The rapper fired back at Drake's family, calling him out for being a deadbeat father to Adonis and alleges another child Drake has kept hidden. Lamar is ruthless in rapping “you lied about your son, you lied about your daughter, huh / You lied about them other kids that’s out there hopin’ that you come.” Besides his kids, Lamar also called out Drake for endless lies such as cosmetic surgeries and ghostwriting.

Before Drake could have a chance to respond, Lamar dropped “Not Like Us.” Since dropping this, fans have been listening to the track nonstop due to its lyrical skill and fun beat. Specifically, fans have highlighted the bar in which Lamar raps, “tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A-minor.” This calls out Drake as he accuses the rapper of having an attraction to minors. The song was an instant hit and arguably the most popular song to come out of the rap battle, hitting clubs just hours after.

Following “Not Like Us,” Drake responded to Lamar with “The Heart Part 6.” In the song, he goes back to reference Lamar’s fiancee to having an affair while also shutting down the grooming claims Lamar made.

Although since the release of “The Heart Part 6” on May 5, nothing else has been dropped from the two rappers. Many fans are enjoying the beef, but others are calling out the rappers for bringing their families into the mix. Nevertheless, many fans are saying that Lamar has won the battle with his intense clapbacks. It is still yet to be seen whether the battle is over, or if the rappers plan to ignite the flames further.

‘Doctor Who’ is back with a zanier tone than ever

Across time And spAce, A new doctor And his compAnion hAve eclectic Adventures And fAce new chAllenges.

RAMITA SETTY Staff Writer

After a couple of years, the Doctor is back and more fabulous than he’s ever been. Having had two adventures so far with Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), which are now available on Disney+, we’ve seen a return to serialized storytelling that feels fresh in the age of streaming. From a futuristic baby farm to the Swinging Sixties, the new Doctor and his companion have faced a variety of challenges from a monster made out of snot to a delightfully campy musical villain played by Jinkx Monsoon. In two episodes, showrunner Russell T. Davies has established a return to form for “Doctor Who” after the show’s thirteenth season was not well received.

The series’ biggest strength is Ncuti Gatwa. Filled with wide-eyed enthusiasm and charm, he captures all of the eccentricities of the Doctor wonderfully while bringing his own version of the iconic character to the table. His Doctor is more bubbly compared to his previous counterparts, as he seeks to move on from the emotional trauma of his past. Unlike his predecessors, who all had a singular iconic costume that defined them, Gatwa changes clothes from episode to episode. It feels bold in a way like the series is announcing that Gatwa’s version of the Doctor will be freer in ways we haven’t seen before. It is intriguing to see where Gatwa’s iteration of the character will go. Similarly, Millie Gibson is delightful as she matches Gatwa’s energy, proving to be an excitable companion so far.

Although the Doctor and his companion zip between different locations across space, now available for viewing on an American streaming platform, "Doctor Who" is as distinctly British as ever. In the first episode, the whole episode revolves around a pun that only works in British English. In the second episode, we are taken back to Doctor Who’s roots in 1963 London, the year the first "Doc-

tor Who" episode came out. The newest iteration may have a lot of firsts, but it is still the same "Doctor Who" that has had such an iconic place in British popular culture for decades now.

Yet, it still feels like the best is to come.

But the first two episodes, while having the Doctor and Ruby engaged in zany adventures, hint at more malevolent god-villains showing up to wreak mayhem across time and space. We got a delicious taste of what these battles between the Doctor and his new foes might look like with a dance battle with Maestro, the campiest villain of the year by far. It's enough to hook you and see what the show still has under the sleeves of the Doctor’s fabulous new outfits.

Verdict: A return to form for “Doctor Who,” Ncuti Gatwa’s iteration of the iconic character has a promising start in the first two episodes of the new season.

■ H

Right now, the episode zips by at an almost alarming speed, which makes the Doctor and Ruby feel very oriented to the plot. Compared to previous Doctors, who would spend a lot of time just wandering around, this faster paced version of Doctor Who takes a bit of getting used to. It is perhaps the biggest drawback to this season only having eight episodes; there simply isn’t enough time to get immersed in the little things. However, this is a problem that exists across all streaming shows, not just “Doctor Who.”

RadaR Replay

Putting the first season of ‘Last Week Tonight’ on YouTube raises the bar

for late night shows

the choice to releAse this bAcklog of episodes from A decAde Ago is not only timely but potentiAlly revolutionAry.

EVELYN HOMAN Copy Editor

Fans of late night television likely have a friend in YouTube — it’s where most of these shows upload select clips of their episodes for audiences to enjoy. “Last Week Tonight” is historically no different, with the channel featuring some web exclusives and the “main story tonight” of every episode that airs. On Friday, April 26, a teaser was announced that the show’s full first season library was going to be made available for free on YouTube. The teaser promised that despite this season being a decade old, “some of this is still completely relevant. Some.” The description also promised that seasons 2-8 would also be made available over time, during weeks when the show is off the air. While videos are typically uploaded for free to YouTube, “Last Week Tonight” being uploaded for free is surprisingly helpful for people to keep up with current news — decade old though it may be.

Despite the 10 years that have elapsed since John Oliver began to grace the late night scene, nearly all the subjects still feel as though they had been filmed yesterday. Subjects like the high tensions between Ukraine and Russia feel incredibly relevant following the latter’s invasion of the former in 2022. The second episode the show ever ran discussed the death penalty, which Oliver harked back to on the April 11 episode following the first execution by nitrogen gas. Events as serious as the Hong Kong protests and the state of American prisons still feel current. Even the less severe pieces, like the one criticizing Miss America, still call attention to the lack of scholarship funding for women in the United States. Despite these episodes covering quite literally “old news,” these videos still offer context to people who might want to learn more about certain events. They are a testa-

ment to how long some of these issues have been going on, and how their ramifications don’t simply dissipate. It should offer a bit of shock, maybe, to watch politicians in “And Now, This” continue to flub up a decade ago and remember that “the good old days” weren’t ever really that good. Making this first season available also opens up the op-

satirical presentation and all.

portunity for viewers at home to engage with these events in the context of the full episodes. Perhaps normal news bores them, or they simply can’t afford a Max subscription but want to still enjoy these episodes. Regardless, these episodes provide important context for understanding a vast array of political and social issues that continue to plague our nation. Though Oliver insists that what the show does isn’t journalism, the reporting it does cannot be overstated,

Not only does it mean a remarkable amount of accessibility, but it’s also a genius marketing strategy. In a relatively post-cable world, the concept of the on-TV rerun has faded away. It’s hard to argue that there would be a major loss in revenue that occurs by making these full episodes free. Indeed, making a backlog of videos available might inspire people to watch the show regularly. Although it might not necessarily mean a viewer wanting to jump into a Max subscription, it still increases exposure of the show, and encourages people to watch the show regularly. Lastly, this release of the show’s backlog shows the importance and legacy of “Last Week Tonight” in the history of modern media. 10 years on, the show still serves as a no-bulls*** space for a wellrounded look at the news. Even despite HBO’s transition from AT&T to Warner Bros. as its “business daddy,” Oliver still has spoken up against Israel’s brutal attacks on Gaza and offered scathing criticism towards American institutions. He uses the show as a chance to widen the tight lens of the news to the biggest events of the world. “Last Week Tonight” dares to challenge how hard it is for important international — or certain domestic — news to get attention. Despite its status as a commentary show, it dares to revolutionize the way the viewers look at the news and late night TV. With this backlog available now, a decade later, it still opens up the conversation about how our entertainment can make us more aware. ■ H

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BBC STUDIOS

PHOTO COURTESY OF HBO

RadaR Replay: ‘Celeste’: Climbing the mountain that is life

BRENDAN VO Radar Editor

Life is a mountain surrounded by smaller mountains that we are constantly climbing. We are challenged with a plethora of problems in our day to day: trying to do good in school, being cool enough to make friends and figuring out what the meaning of our lives is.

Video games, while commonly seen as an escape from the hardships of life, have become a powerful tool to explore the difficulties of reality, especially when it comes to independent (indie) games. Marvels like “Undertale” feel like a warm hug that has you making friends with witty and charismatic monsters. “Omori” tackles the complex topic of suicide and depression with role-playing game mechanics and charming characters. Yet, one that stands out is none other than “Celeste,” a brilliant platformer that has players scaling the beautiful Celeste Mountain. It was the 2018 winner of “Best Independent Game” and “Games for Impact.”

Developed and published by indie studio Maddy Makes Games, “Celeste” centers around Madeline, a young woman riddled with depression and anxiety who resolves herself to climb Celeste Mountain. Throughout her climb, a manifestation of her fears and doubts amalgamate into an evil version of herself referred to as “A Part of You” or Badeline, and Badeline proves to be a powerful adversary to Madeline’s goals. In controlling Madeline, the player is tasked to clear the platforming obstacles ahead of them, making friends and meeting foes along the way.

The game is built on a simple founda-

tion in which Madeline has access to a jump and a multi-directional dash. This fundamental basis is then innovated upon each level — gems that Madeline can break to enact an additional dash, momentum from mechanical platforms thrusting and propelling Madeline and feathers that

zling gems, the mystical orbs that evoke beauty and the warm ombres of the sunsets are the perfect backdrop to the intimidating challenges the game sets forth. This is only amplified further by its majestic soundtrack, produced by Lena Raine, who was also responsible for many tracks from

transform her into a ball of light that flies freely. Every level increases in difficulty, but so too does the number of tools and ways that each puzzling dilemma can be solved. While the player will die (a lot), the deaths of Madeline are expected and the game is designed to quickly restart the player at the checkpoint, preparing them to try once more.

The setting of Celeste Mountain is serene and divine, enveloping players in a setting that, while dangerous, is ultimately dazzling. The ephemeral beauty of the daz-

games such as Minecraft and Guild Wars 2. Indeed, intimidating is also a perfect way to describe Madeline’s boss battles. While most of the game revolves around pure platforming with no enemies chasing you, the few designed boss fights are truly frightening in the forms of a corrupted, insecure hotel proprietor chasing you around as well as Badeline’s many encounters with you. Badeline, here, is a key character that keeps players on their toes, taking on multiple forms that chase you, throwing laser beams at you and trying to discourage

you as much as she can with her dialogue. Yet, this truly becomes the highlight of the “Celeste” experience insofar as despite the difficulty of these challenges, they were always fair.

With all of these components creating powerful gameplay, the one element of “Celeste” that resonated with players the most is Celeste’s battle with herself, representative of her struggle against Badeline. They constantly confront each other and through these meetings, we understand how Badeline not only reflects the worst of Celeste but the player’s own worst selves — their insecurities, doubts and hesitation that stop them from climbing their mountain. And as much as Madeline tries to escape, destroy or forget about Badeline, her worst self never leaves and plagues her. So when Madeline finally realizes that the only way to overcome the mountain is to reconcile with Badeline and take care of her, the conflict between the two becomes a holistic allegory for life. It shows that we need to take care of all of ourselves — even the ugly and pathetic parts.

All of these pieces make “Celeste” the perfect game to spotlight for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month. It is an experience that encourages players to push through challenges and believe in themselves. And while it doesn’t provide a clear message on what the meaning of life is or how to overcome all of your problems, its internal message shines; no matter what, everyone is capable of anything and everyone is deserving of self-love.

UC Riverside softball team defeats CSU Bakersfield, 5-1

The UC Riverside softball team defeated California State University Bakersfield (CSUB), 5-1, on the road in Bakersfield on Friday, May 10. Going into this game, the Highlanders lost their past two series and looked to close out their season strong with a series win against a struggling CSU Bakersfield team, who sat at the bottom of the league. UCR won their last game on May 5 against UC Santa Barbara, 7-6, and looked to carry that momen tum into Friday afternoon’s game.

Sixth-year outfielder Nadia Witt teed the game off with a walk to put the first runner on base for UC Riverside. Witt then got into scoring position as she reached second base off of a sacrifice bunt from senior shortstop Kat Montuya. Sophomore third baseman Rebeca Cabezas was able to deliver the first run of the game as she drilled the ball into left field to send Witt home for an early 1-0 lead for the Highlanders.

Junior pitcher Maddie Heinlin made her 16th start as the starting pitcher and wasted no time getting to work. After a 1-2 count, Heinlin caught graduate student Maya Williams looking for her first strikeout of the game. Heinlin ran into some trouble after that as she hit junior Violet Salazar with a pitch and an error from UCR led to runners on first and second base for CSU Bakersfield. However, it was no problem for Heinlin as she struck out the next two batters to retire the inning with 3 Ks.

UC Riverside could not get anything going in the top of the second inning, and the Roadrunners were able to capitalize in the bottom of the second. Redshirt junior Kaia Johnson was able to line a single up the middle to get the first hit for CSUB. Johnson then showed off her speed as she stole second base. After a sacrifice bunt from junior Shaylene Fuimaono, Johnson reached third base and looked to reach home with one out on the board. Freshman Hailey Brooks delivered for the Roadrunners as a sacrifice groundout led to Johnson scoring the first run for CSUB and tied the game up at 1-1.

In the top of the third inning, the Highlanders respond- ed with runs of their own to retake control of the game. After a double play from CSUB, it seemed like another 1-2-3 inning for UCR. However, sophomore catcher Jackie Alday and senior catcher Gigi Araki each delivered singles to put two runners on base. Cabezas then stepped up to the plate and hit her second RBI of the game with a single toward right field, which gave UC Riverside a 2-1 lead. Heinlin continued to dominate on the mound as she retired the next six batters to send the game to the top of the fifth inning.

Mon-

tuya was the first to bat in the top of the fifth and on a full count, she fired the baseball toward center field for a leadoff double. Mon- tuya then tagged to third base after an Alday flyout in center field. With one out on the scoreboard and Montuya on third, Araki delivered a two-run homer to left field to give the Highlanders a 4-1 lead. Heinlin continued her stellar afternoon in the bottom of the fifth as she struck out two batters and allowed one hit in the inning.

The offense continued to click in the top of the sixth as they were patient at-bat, in which they drew two walks as a result.

Junior outfielder Kamryn Davis lined up an infield single for her first hit of the game. Davis then showed off her wheels as she stole second base. Moments later, Witt and Montuya were both walked and the bases were loaded with no outs. With an opportunity to put the game away, Alday recorded a groundout RBI to send Davis home and push the UCR lead to 5-1. However, UC Riverside left two runners stranded on bases as Araki lined out and Cabezas grounded out, which ended the inning. Heinlin was able to close the game away by retiring six consecutive batters. In the bottom of the sixth, Heinlin grounded out two batters and lined out the third. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Heinlin successfully connected with challenging pitches, which resulted in a pop-out, a line-out, and a ground-out to end the ball game and gave UC Riverside a 5-1 victory.

Heinlin picked up her sixth win of the season and finished the game with 7.0 IP, two hits, an earned run and seven strikeouts with zero walks. Araki hit her second home run of the year and finished the game 2-3 at the bat with two RBIs and a walk. Cabezas had a solid game hitting 3-4 at-bat with two RBIs.

The Highlanders won the next two games against the Roadrunners and finished the season 19-28 (13-14) as the sixth seed in the Big West Conference.

Highlanders allow only two hits in the victory over the Roadrunners!

I

t’s finally May, which means the NBA and NHL playoffs are well underway. It also means that Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is just beginning. Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) have not been shy to make waves in the world of sports. As someone who is 75% Asian and a diehard sports fan, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride whenever I watch an athlete with a similar ethnic background to mine. With that being said, let me introduce you to my Mt. Rushmore of API Athletes.

Baseball - Ichiro Suzuki

Shohei Ohtani is a baseball unicorn. One day, he might supplant the incumbent and rightfully take his place. Alas, today is not that day. Ichiro Suzuki still gets the nod.

Raised in Toyoyama, Japan, Ichiro embarked on a professional baseball career that lasted almost three decades. In 1992, Ichiro debuted with the Orix BlueWave of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) at just 18 years old. Ichiro would eventually break out in 1994. He finished the season by winning his first Golden Glove and Pacific League MVP awards. In 1996, Ichiro led the BlueWave to the Nippon Series before defeating the Yomiuri Giants in five games. Ichiro would finish his NPB career as a seven-time All-Star, seven-time Golden Glove Winner and three-time Pacific League MVP.

In 2001, Ichiro made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners. Undersized and from a different part of the world, Ichiro had plenty of doubters. However, after displaying his hitting and fielding prowess, Ichiro became a fan favorite. In his rookie season, Ichiro won AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP. He would continue to pile on the awards in the following seasons. Ichiro collected 10 All-Star appearances, 10 Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers. Although he never won a pennant, Ichiro is a member of the exclusive 3000-hit club and his 262 hits from the 2004 season is still an MLB record. Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2025, Ichiro is a lock to be elected as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Combat Sports - Manny Pacquiao

Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao’s upbringing is like that of the stereotypical boxer. He was raised in General Santos City, Philippines before moving to Manila as a teenager. While living in the nation’s capital, Pacquiao struggled to afford the most basic necessities. Boxing became his way out. Pac-Man’s lightning-quick hands and unbreakable spirit made him boxing’s perfect prospect. At just 19 years old, Pacquiao won the World Boxing Council flyweight title, his first major title.

Under the guidance of boxing trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s career took off. Roach was able to harness Pacquiao’s power and aggression as Pac-Man collected belt after belt. Before they knew it, Pacquiao became the sport’s first eight-division champion. Over his career, Pac-Man amassed a 62-8-2 professional record. Never afraid to take a big fight, Pacquiao’s bout with Floyd Mayweather in 2015 earned a record-breaking 4.6 million PPV buys.

Widely recognized as one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all time, Pacquiao’s entertaining style and charismatic smile helped grow combat sports in Asia. Mixed martial artists Zhang Weili and The Korean Zombie and boxer Naoya Inoue would have all been worthy of this selection, but Pac-Man will always be one of the GOATs of his sport.

Basketball - Yao Ming

Recognizing the greatest Asian and Pacific Islander athletes of all time

There will never be another player quite like Yao Ming. After a brief but decorated career in the Chinese Basketball Association, the entire NBA was extremely intrigued by Yao’s potential. In 2002, the towering 7 feet 6 inches Chinese center was selected by the Houston Rockets with the first overall pick. Yao was a solid NBA player in his first few seasons, but wasn’t a world-beater quite yet.

Frustrated by the team’s lack of success in Yao’s first few seasons, the Rockets swung a blockbuster trade with the Orlando Magic for superstar Tracy McGrady. Yao and Mcgrady quickly formed one of the league’s scariest duos as the former’s career took off. Unfortunately, Yao constantly dealt with nagging injuries and the Rockets never made it past the second round during his career.

Yao prematurely retired in 2011 as the whole world was left wondering what could have been. Nevertheless, Yao still finished his career as an eight-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA third team and two-time All-NBA second team accolades. In 2017, Yao’s #11 jersey was retired by the Houston Rockets after being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. In the world of basketball, Yao Ming stands the tallest, literally and figuratively.

Soccer - Son Heung-Min

Highlighting the decorated careers of the greatest AAPI athletes.

Last but surely not least is Tottenham Hotspur’s captain Son Heung-Min. Born in Chuncheon, South Korea, Son’s club career started in Germany with Hamburg. He would make 73 appearances with Hamburg before joining German rivals Bayer Leverkusen. In Son’s second season with Leverkusen, he helped lead his team into the Champions League knockouts with five goals in the group stage.

Elite clubs took notice of Son’s performances and the South Korean was on the top of every shortlist. In the summer of 2015, Tottenham Hotspur forked out £22 million to secure his signature. At the time, this made Son the most expensive Asian footballer of all-time. It’s proved to be a bargain. Son’s blistering pace, calm finishing, deft first touch and two-footedness have torn Premier League defenses to shreds.

He displayed each one of these skills during his incredible 2020 FIFA Puskás Award-winning goal against Burnley. In the 2021-2022 season, Son won his first Premier League Golden Boot, cementing himself as one of the competition’s greatest goal-scorers. Under new manager Ange Postecoglou, Son has assumed the captain’s armband this season while also leading the club in goals. Son is also the captain of his country and has stepped up on the international stage as well. He led his team to gold in the 2018 Asian Games and to the round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. A living icon, Son’s superstardom is unmeasurable. Fans of his will travel in droves from South Korea to London just to watch him play. Already the greatest API footballer of all time at just 31 years old, Son still has a long time at the top of his game.

HAPPY APPI MONTH !