HUMANS OF UCR “ Anahi Rubio (she/her), Graduate student in Education
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Correction for Volume 73, Issue 26, Published on May 6, 2025.
The Highlander recognizes its ethical responsibility to maintain transparency in its coverage and promptly correct any issues published, large or small.
Located on page 6, the News article “Harvard pushes back against federal budget cuts” by Staff Writer Sarah Tabel, was incorrectly attributed to News Editor Sanjana Thatte. On the same page, News article “Legislative review committee fails to meet quorum” written by News Editor Sanjana Thatte was incorrectly attributed to Contributing Writer Alex Kupisiewicz. Our online version of the Issue has all updated corrections and can be viewed at https://issuu.com/ucrhighlander.
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NEWS
Kirk’s “The American Comeback Tour” comes to UCR
STUDENTS EXPRESS DISCOMFORT WITH CHARLIE KIRK’S PRESENCE ON CAMPUS.
SENNA OMAR Editor-in-Chief
As part of his “The American Comeback Tour,” on Friday, conservative media commentator Charlie Kirk visited the University of California, Riverside (UCR).
Hundreds of curious students, community members, supporters and protesters gathered outside the Bell Tower for the chance to debate Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Kirk.
TPUSA is a conservative “student movement” with chapters across over 3,500 university campuses. According to their website, TPUSA
whose mission is to identify, educate, promote freedom.”
This “conservative youth groups” growing role on college campuses has sparked extreme criticisms. From their involvement in the January 6 Capitol insurrection to spreading “misinformation,” TPUSA is no stranger to controversy.
Kirk’s visit to UCR was no different, amassing a massive crowd of supporters — clad in Make America Great Again (MAGA) merchandise — protesters, toting signs opposing his presence and interested onlookers just wondering why the crowd gathered.
During his 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. event, Kirk invited select students to the microphone to debate some of his classic talking points, including the effectiveness of college, abortion accessibility, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration and the economy.
Protesting Kirk’s presence at UCR, music production group Tears of the Angelic attempted to host a punk show at the Bell Tower. However, they were stopped when one of the performers was detained by the UC Police Department (UCPD) for two hours.
Members of the group explained that the police department said they could not perform at the belltower, so they hatched a new plan to put on their punk show at the Aberdeen Inverness (AI) Knoll.
Once the group arrived, UCPD was already waiting on the Knoll to shut the show down. The cops told were not allowed to put on the punk show, and they needed to pack up and leave.
“We’re trying our best to have
this show, but obviously, they keep pushing us out. Right now, we’re
we really don’t want to stop,” shared show] was a peaceful protest. We weren’t gonna do anything loud or obnoxious. We were just gonna play music.”
Tears of the Angelic moved the show a second time to Hunter Park — about two miles off campus — viewers to the park.
Inspired by a punk show thrown at Kirk’s tour event at San Francisco disappointing that we couldn’t get it on campus at all, because that was the original point. We saw it happening hey, it’d be cool if we do it here too.”
Although many students were unhappy with Kirk’s presence on campus, protester Jacks described, “Anything to do with Charlie Kirk is something we don’t like … but it’s all fair. He’s got a permit; it’s freedom of speech.” However, with the punk show getting shut down by UCPD Jacks expressed his discontent “We should be able to do whatever talking, yapping, spreading hate misinformation. I reckon we should be able to spread the truth.”
Prominent “White Lives Matter” advocate Kelly Johnson, also known as Kelly J. Patriot, was easily spotted in the crowd outside the Bell Tower. Hoisting a large cross above the crowd, this Huntington Beach local has followed Kirk around his Southern California run of the tour.
Johnson spread four banners displaying prominent Christian conservative philosophies across the Bell Tower lawn, reading statements such as “Choose Life” and “Jesus Christ Saves.”
“They think we’re radical. They think we’re terrorists. We love our country. We love the Lord. We’re not the ones doing violence. Just look around who’s doing the violence. It’s folks on the other side of the street,” proclaimed Johnson. “So we’re here to see Charlie. It’s good to see the kids wake up … I’m glad kids are here to listen to what Charlie has to say, just so they can get another opinion, or maybe get the truth.”
Recently, Johnson was the focal
— a documentary portraying “his descent into the conspiracy rabbithole.” His prominent role in the “White Lives Matter” movement has sparked criticism from his daughter Kaylee Johnson, who opened up
the documentary.
When speaking about his daughter, Johnson claimed that the left has indoctrinated her. “My daughter’s indoctrinate our kids. They’re trying to tear our families apart. They’re trying to get the girls to hate their fathers, and that’s worked really well with my family, with my lefty daughter, Kaylee, who’s up at UCLA. God bless her,” said Johnson.
In an interview with the Daily Bruin, Kaylee Johnson said, “This is not the man that I grew up with … That’s why I do say I am mourning the father that I had, even though he’s still alive.”
Hand in hand with one another, on the lawn of Watkins hall wearing white t-shirts that read statements such as “Bold hearts at play, brilliant minds in action,” “No one is illegal on stolen land,” “Abolish ICE” and “Community over everything” a group of students hosted a “community event” in protest to Kirk’s presence on campus.
“We decided that despite the current climate on campus, it’s important that we maintain a community amongst our peers that
explained an anonymous member of the community event. “We are a vibrant, strong community, and we deserve to just have a space where we can just coexist, have a good
that there is power within our community.”
Amari, a participant in the community event, expressed that “it’s a terrible look for UCR” as a Hispanic-serving institution to have Kirk on campus.
She described that while protesting, participants in the community event experienced harassment from multiple Kirk supporters. “Anytime we just ignore them. We don’t say anything to them, and they are so upset,” shared Amari. “It’s sad to see them calling people names here, just making fun of us for sitting in a
just minding our business at the event to understand the other side. But they are not trying to understand our side.”
believe it was important to “cultivate a beautiful community environment. And this is what it’s all about. At the end of the day, we are a community. At the end of the day, we all belong at this institution. We deserve to be here. We are home. UCR is our home. And no matter what may be said, we deserve to be here.”
above the sea of MAGA hats at the Bell Tower, Second-year biology student Omar described his disappointment Kirk to come to UCR.
“I came out here because I think fundamentally, there are some issues that he talks about that are incorrect, and I feel like they deprive students of their rights. One big thing that I disagree with Charlie Kirk on is the Omar. “43,000 people have died. Two million people have been displaced.
equal. He’s saying Palestinians should not have the right to exist. I’m completely against that.”
Despues Green, a third-year philosophy transfer student, was also among Kirk’s supporters. Green explained that although he could “care less about Charlie Kirk,” he was happy to see the crowds of Trump supporters toting MAGA merch.’
“I’m happy that we have people out here. I love to see our ladies in MAGA hats. I love to see our guys in Maga hats,” said Green. “There’s actually many times walking on this campus where I’ve had my MAGA hat on, and people are walking by and complimenting me. But I know that there are many people who are afraid to speak up, who are afraid to represent themselves, to show what they truly support, especially in such a blue state, such as California.”
Green especially thanked TPUSA for “coming over and just creating opportunities for more voices to be heard. Because there absolutely is a hegemony, a domination, of socalled liberal ideology, which aims to shut down people’s opinions.”
All TPUSA representatives at Kirk’s event declined to comment and were instructed not to speak with the press.
“I personally decided to come because I wanted to retaliate against the hate that Charlie Kirk spreads with MAGA … He is pro-Israel. He is anti LGBTQ. I don’t want that to be at UCR. At UCR, our people here are in support of Palestine, in support of LGBTQ, trans rights, of people of color, and yeah, I think it’s just solidarity against the hatred that MAGA brings with them,” shared Josselyn, a UCR student protesting Kirk’s presence on campus.
“As unfortunate as it is for people like him to have a platform to spread hate, we have Amendment, rather than censoring anybody … I wouldn’t even censor Charlie Kirk anonymous protester.
“They think we’re terrorists. We love our country. We love the Lord. We’re not the ones doing violence. Just look around who’s doing the violence. It’s folks on the other side of the
So we’re here to see Charlie. It’s good to see the kids wake up,” shared white lives matter advocate Kelly Johnson.
SENNA OMAR / THE HIGHLANDER
despite the current climate on campus, it’s important that we maintain a
Cops seen shutting down the Tears of the Angelic punk show at the AI Knoll.
street.
Abortion Rights and Access in 2025
Abortion Access has been severely limited in several states impacting vulnerable populations
Sanjana Thatte News Editor
The landmark lawsuit Roe v. Wade guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion, reduced infanttreatment, rights to procreate and rights to contraception.
After it was overturned in 2022, there has been a slew of abortion rights removals across the nation restricting access to abortions for women across the nation. This has had serious implications for women’s health particularly affecting poor women, women of color and midlife women in their caregiving roles.
Roe v. Wade began with Texan Norma McCorvey deciding that after two pregnancies and her continued drug and alcohol abuse that she no longer wanted to continue with the pregnancy. At six months pregnant, Texas lawyers Linda Coffeesuit on her behalf under the pseudonym of Roe. The opposing lawyer Henry Wade was infamous for his high conviction rate and prosecuted Jack Ruby, the man who killed Lee Harvey Oswald.
The case concluded its opinion on the basis of the fourteenth amendment which states that “no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law”, which implies a right to privacy. Weddington has argued that liberty must extend to the right to end an unwanted pregnancy and that legal personhood began at birth. The court concurred with place limits on abortion in regards to the development of the fetus.
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade twelve states: Idaho, Utah, Arizona, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia have fully banned abortion making it completely illegal to have access to an abortion through medical or private facilities. Six have severely restricted abortion access, and several more have imposed limitations on abortion access. This ban also extends to cases of rape or incest.
This has implications for poor women, women of color, caregiving women at midlife. Dr. Judith A Berg and Dr. Nancy Fugate Woods explain that a pregnancy can occur until the onset of menopause. Because of this unintended pregnancy or pregnancies in which a woman does not wish to become pregnant, can occur very late in a woman’s life. 51 percent among women 40 and older are unintended. In another review on unintended pregnancies in the U.S. statistics also found that identifying as Black or Hispanic having a below poverty level income, experiencing a non-voluntary a young age, participating in the sex trade, experiencing stressful life events and having had a previous abortion.
Furthermore the article explains that legal access to abortion improves women’s healthcare and does not increase the usage of abortions, “930,000 abortions obtained across the US in 2020 represents a sustained increase in abortion and more than one in three of those abortions were obtained in states that are now certain or likely to ban abortion... decades of research consistently show that abortion bans and restrictions don’t reduce unintended pregnancy or the demand for abortion, and do not improve women’s health. Instead, they impose sig-
causing stress for people in need of abortion and leading some to
experience forced pregnancy with all its consequences.”
Furthermore, poor women, women of color, and those in the themselves at further risk for a need for abortion these communities. Forty nine percent of abortion patients are below the poverty line and almost 4 in were black women. Reasons for this include limited access to health care which impacts access to contraception and other services included in pregnancy planning.
Women of color have historically been victims of medical discrimination more often, such as experimentation, forced sterilization, and inattention. This compounded with the fact that women of color often have limited access to transportation options to access abortions in other states also adds to costs adds to the overall cost of an abortion. This is particularly important in the American South where abortion bans have taken place and more than half of the U.S’s population of Black women live.
In the past couple of years several cases involving child rape and abortion in the case of medical emergency have been brought to the public’s attention however, no further legal action to amend abortion law at a federal level has been taken. Berg and Woods explain steps that can be taken to mitigate harms posed
by lack of federal protection.They explain that strengthening sexual health education provided in schools to increase awareness of options for preventing unwanted or unplanned pregnancy are of utmost importance.
This involves improving access to information about fertility and fertility management, which includes monitoring menstrual cycles and menopausal status, and reliable and effective birth control approaches for all reproductive life stages, paying special attention to the spe-
ditionally advocating for inclusion of explicit coverage of effective and reliable contraception and other pregnancy prevention methods in health insurance plans as well as provide readily accessible and affordable early pregnancy detection
Furthermore, providing “morning after,” Plan B contraception to women to have on hand can give women contingencies after sex. Additionally, advocating for policies that would insure women’s right to agency over their bodies. They end their statement stating continued advocacy and push for legislative change necessary for protection and change saying that inaction is no longer an option. H
California’s mass exodus and potential bounceback
Thousands of Californians are leaving the state due to an affordability crisis.
Wade Mu, Contributing Writer
In recent years, California has experistates. Due to expensive housing costs, high taxes and higher prices in the state, many Californians have moved to places such as Texas, Florida and Arizona, citing more affordable living conditions. Media outlets around the country have been calling this trend the California “mass exodus.”
Such language became apparent during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, where the state experienced its largest population decline of around 190,000 people, causing the state to lose a congressional seat in the House of Representatives. Along with many deaths due to the virus, the rise of remote work and lockdowns prompted many Californians to move out of cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles to less expensive areas.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, net domestic migration out of the state was 355,643 people meaning that 355,643 more people left the state than migrated in. This trend in net migration out of the state has been happening since 1989, but has peaked during the pandemic, bringing more attention to this
California “mass exodus.”
Currently, the California population has rebounded to 39.5 million people, which is around the same population as pre pandemic levels. During the pandemic, California lost a total of 358,543 people, decreasing the population to around 39.1 million. But in 2023, after the reopening of the economy and the resurgence of inperson work and activities, the- population grew by 192,000 people.
Then, in 2024, it increased by approximately 108,000 people. This population growth was driven largely through legal international immigration, which has driven California’s population rebound. Now the fourth largest economy in the
forworld, immigrants are attracted to California’s strong economy and cosmopolitan cities, starting businesses and working in the state’s agricultural, healthcare, and technology industries. Natural births are also aiding growth, outpacing the number of deaths in the state.
However, despite the population growth, net migration out of the state is still happening. In 2023, for example, 91,189 more Californians left the state than other Americans came in. A reason for the migration out of the state is housing availability and affordability in California cities. As of April 2025, the average home in California is about $904,210, while the median in the United States is $403,600. In the states where most Californians are moving to, such as Texas and Arizona, the price for a home is around $303,321 and $429,120 respectively.
Now, in Santa Clara county, a person in a one-person household can qualify for low income if they make $111,700 per year; in San Francisco county and San Mateo, $109,700 is the threshold. In Los Angeles, a person who makes $84,850 per year can be considered low income. Living in California’s cities has gotten expensive, and many people are looking to relocate for more affordable lifestyles.
As California’s economy continues to evolve, this “exodus” of people moving out of the state will likely continue unthis affordability crisis.
“...many Californians to move out of cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles
Sixth ASUCR Senate meeting
Grants and bills passed in Senate.
Dinara Godage Assistant News Editor
The Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) called their sixth Senate meeting of spring quarter to order at 7:22 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
The meeting began with Vice President of Finance (VPF) Cooper Kumar detailing three grants for clubs. The Senate passed each line item.
The Legislative Review Committee (LRC) items were discussed following the Financement to the Vice President of bylaws. President Pro Tempore (PPT) Leila Haidar invited External Affairs Executive Assistant Rishika Salvi, President of the UCR College Democrats,
Joseph Anastacio, and External Affairs Government Relations Director Briana Trujillo to explain the updates.
clude the School of Public Policy (SPP) Senator in the bylaws. Previously, there was an update to the SPP Senator bylaws to chair a committee in the Exter-
the VPEA bylaws now include the SPP Senator’s involvement.
Another update was to create two 12-month paid positions to replace the singular Government Relations Director. The bill writers are working with the
split. The new po-
the Legislative Director, who serves as the UCR representative to the UC Student Association and their government relations committee. The second position will be Lobby Core Director. This director will oversee general operations and handle lobby visits and trips.
There were additional updates that included interns, committee titles and improve-
ments on attendance. This update was passed by the Senate 10-0-0.
cial bylaws on how many senators there are for each college within UCR. The bill’s wording established the total number of senators from all the colleges to be 19. The Senate passed the bill 10-0-0
Another bill removed the Executive Assistant position to mirror current practices. The original position was split between
dar explained that these two positions are vastly different and no longer utilize the same assistant. The bill was passed by the Senate 9-0-1.
The next bill removed a position in the executive chapter that no longer exists. The bill was passed 10-0-0.
President Abby Choy to change nine-month positions into tenmonth positions. This was so ASUCR student staff could be
of training before the nine-month position. The bill passed 10-0-0.
College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) Senators Ryan Choi, Justin Ibay, Nathan Baw and Karen Vo were absent. School of Business Senator Dhruv Patel, College of Natural and Agricultural Science Senator Vanisha Lalli and Bourns College of Engineering Senator Uma Akundi were excused.
H
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
OP ED
An open letter to the UCR community regarding the closing of the Getaway Cafe
THE BELOVED UCR INSTITUTION HAS EXISTED SINCE 1988 AND DESERVES TO STAY OPEN.
anymore, which is a big reason why the cafe is
Matthew Hagan is a fourth-year political science major who is passionate about the Getaway Cafe. He will be graduating this academic year. You can reach him at mhaga004@ucr.edu.
Dear UCR community,
One of the best things about my experience here in Riverside was the time I spent at the Getaway Cafe, a restaurant and bar across campus beloved by a large portion of the student body. Now, it is at risk of being closed.
my freshman year. I was walking down the street when I heard music coming from inside. Curious, I went in to see what was going on and I found a full-blown party with music, drinks and pool. I did not have many friends in my freshman year, andwhat isolated from the rest of the students I lived with in the hall at Aberdeen-Inverness.
But I found a community at Getaway Cafe that I could consistently count on. Just about every Wednesday, there would be a DJ, and just about every Wednesday, I would be there. Many of my closest friends today are people whom I met at Getaway Cafe through my regular attendance, and I do not believe I am the only one who can say that.
The University of California, Riverside (UCR)
Getaway Cafe was a place where everyone: regardless of their year, age, major, ethnic background or association or disassociation with greek life, could come together — on a Wednesday of all times — and enjoy a break from being concerned about upcoming tests or due dates. It is a place where someone like me, an autistic person who had long struggled socially, could make friends and connections with others.
Unfortunately, these DJ nights don’t take place
and why it can’t pay the rent increase the school is trying to enforce upon it. This was because of rumors involving a patron being hit in the head. The owner of the restaurant, Mr. Shawn Sabbagh, claims the patron walked into the bottle drunkenly, while the patron claimed someone threw it at him.
MAIN ST
Even ignoring the fact that, according to Mr. Sabbagh and the UCR Police Department (UCPD), there is no evidence to prove this person was hit in the head with a bottle, the entire community should not have been punished for a single action by one person. If we were to follow that logic consistently, where any institution can be ended by a single instance of violence, most bars would be forced to close down.
If the school fears for the safety of the students, UCPD, which is located across the street froming DJ nights to ensure people act orderly. They do that every Wednesday when the various school clubs hold their events and during the pro-Palestine encampment on campus, so why can’t they do the same here?
ORANGE ST
Some may object by saying that Getaway Cafe has become a hub for underage drinking. If this is such a problem, then just ID people at the door. DJ
would give out wristbands. One solution would be to give a certain colored wristband to signal which people are allowed to drink.
Others may say that we need to get rid of Getaway to make room for new housing for students. Putting aside the fact that the building near the Getaway Cafe already houses students, UCR has plenty of places in which it could build new dorms. For that matter, they could modernize certain dormitories, like Aberdeen-Inverness, and make them so that they are halfway liveable for arriving freshmen.
Whatever the solution is, it certainly isn’t tearing down a beloved UCR institution that has been at this school since the days of George H.W. Bush, and whose continued existence is supported by the vast number of UCR students, myself included. UCR prides itself on being a place where lowincome students, many of whom come from Latino or Asian immigrant backgrounds, can climb up the social ladder. The owner of the Getaway Cafe, Mr. Sabbagh, is a living example of this. Born in Iran,
of the Iranian Revolution. In spite of these odds, he managed to open a successful restaurant here in Riverside, one that has brought joy to thousands of people in the community. He is, by all intents and purposes, an example of the American Dream in action — a dream that Riverside purports to help people achieve.
If UCR has any regard for the will of its students or the community at large, it will not allow for the closing of the Getaway Cafe. It will allow them to resume DJ Nights as they did before early 2024, so they might be able to maintain a steady income.
I might not be here for long enough to see that happen, but I care about my friends and the people who have done good by me — Mr. Sabbagh and his business have done both. So, for the sake of his business and the future generations of UCR students who might not otherwise get the opportunity
urge the UCR community to support keeping this restaurant open!
Op-Eds are not edited by The Highlander, excluding those related to grammatical errors andion of the Editorial Board and are not written by Highlander contracted writers.
MATTHEW HAGAN
H
COURTESY OF GETAWAY CAFE
Beautiful game, beautiful money: How the FIFA World Cup will boost the economy
LA IS POISED TO HOST THE WORLD CUP, TRANSFORMING THE CITY’S LOCAL ECONOMY AND LEADING TO ECONOMIC GROWTH.
Drama, passion and joy are set to fuel another summer as the World Cup takes over iconic North American stadiums in Los Angeles (LA) for the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 2026 tournament.
The most recent edition of this soccer or fútbol tournament drew an impressive attendance of 3.4 million individuals, a number nearly equivalent to the entire population of Uruguay. While many dedicated soccer fans around the world look forward to this event every four years, there is criticism from the public about the expenses associated with building large stadiums to support crowds that are frequently abandoned, despite massive investment.
However, with California’s stable economy, facilities to support urban populations and stadiums capable of hosting large crowds, the 2026 FIFAnomic gains without the hefty price tag that has damaged past host countries. The event will be an economic boost for LA as it will generate revenue through increased tourism, provide new job opportunities and bring recognition to the soccer industry, not just as a sport, but as a global event worth celebrating.
The FIFA World Cup will bringstantial boost in tourism revenue, di-
It is expected to generate $343 million in direct spending just from an estimated 179,200 out-of-town visitors drawn in by the grandeur of the tournament. With increasing global recognition for in by the World Cup celebrations, LA is expected to gain an extra $230.4 million in future tourism revenue.
The average tourist will spend $2,35 on travel, food, housing and shopping, generating much-needed tax income for the state to support companies and -
spending sources lead to greater economic activity. Eventually, the original amount spent by tourists cascades through local businesses to hotel employees, drivers, waiters and food vendors, creating economic incentives surrounding this event.
The additional money from new sales and occupancy tax revenues — taxes collected from hotel stays and short-term lodging — can be directly used to improve diminishing urban infrastructure, support upgrades to local public transportation and provide funding to alleviate the homelessness crisis in LA. Better transportation infrastructure would boost productivity
stimulate economic growth and future tourism. Some of these new revenues
H SHIVAM PATEL
can also be used to fund long-term solutions to aid the reintegration of the state’s homeless population into the workforce, such as transitional housing programs and mental health care.
By investing money in long-term interventions, LA can better address issues of homelessness while simultaneously increasing employment opportunities and improving overall quality of life. Tourist-generated revenue can yield more economic opportunities than drawbacks, which will improve
purchasing goods, investing in companies and overall business growth. As a result, California’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will increase, demonstrating how the FIFA World Cup 2026 will help build a better LA.
Furthermore, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be a great investment for California’s economy by increasing the availability of employment and wages. In hosting just eight World Cup games in LA, wages will increase by $243.2 million from new jobs and added working hours for existing employees. Additionally, this sporting event will create new job opportunities to support the stadiums and merchandise booths and extended work hours in various industries to support the demand of crowds during the games.
While much of the increased workload will be temporary in hospitality, food service and transportation, these jobs can still provide valuable experience and transferable skills for future employment. As the tournament is scheduled for summer, the boost in employment opportunities will be par-
scheduling restrictions.
Many of these new jobs will not require a college degree, making them more accessible to individuals from low-income backgrounds, as a large proportion of young United States (U.S.) workers without a college degree are concentrated in customer service representative and construction
laborer occupations. With extra work hours, employees will gain more disposable income, which will be pumped back into the local economy, driving further consumption and stimulating economic growth.
Increased Major League Soccer (MLS) audience and merchandise sales
local population. The MLS revenue would provide the cash to pay for the wages of those who work for clubs such as LA Football Club (LAFC) and LA Galaxy (LA Galaxy), supporting hundreds of households.
monetary value from the revenue created by LA MLS teams because many of their goods and merchandise are handled by third-party sellers like soccer shops and sports stores. Media and sponsorship growth from the tournament will generate employment and advance the economic well-being of California and the U.S. by inspiring dreams and paying bills.
The World Cup can also provide
fostering growth within the soccer industry. Soccer’s popularity has been rapidly increasing in the U.S. In fact, the revenue generated in the soccer industry is projected to reach $5.43 billion in 2026, compared to the $4.33 billion generated in 2024. The passion and excitement fans have about the tournament can positively impact youth participation and registration for academy and club soccer teams, thereby stimulating the job market as more coach and instructor positions become available. Expenses associated with playing soccer, such as facility fees
also contribute to local sporting goods stores and boost local market economies.
Soccer’s unique position as a global sport can bring communities together and promote collective celebrations in the form of watch parties. Other posi-
from the growing popularity of the
soccer industry also include improved public health and greater community engagement. Research shows that participation in soccer improves cardiovascular health, coordination and mental health. Playing soccer can also work as a protective factor in preventing non-communicable diseases, such as obesity and hypertension. Some argue that despite economic
World Cup should be allocated elsewhere. In previous host countries, the money needed to successfully run this competition became an unbearable
construction and wage costs, which tend to rest in the hands of unwilling owners of private stadiums or a struggling government. Qatar spent $220 billion to build brand new stadiums, housing, parking and sporting facilities for the entire competition. However, these factors don’t hold true for the 2026 edition of the tournament.
The U.S. already has established stadiums that host the National Football League (NFL) and MLS, such as SoFi Stadium and Levi’s Stadium, and event like the World Cup would include infrastructure development, cultural exchange, sports growth and job creation.
Therefore, the costs for the U.S. will be very minimal compared to prior nations. FIFA and the World Trade Organization (WTO) expect a $47 billion economic output from the World Cup. With these existing supports, the 2026 World Cup is an opportunity for the U.S. to not just host an international spectacle, but to be burden.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than a global sporting event — it is a transformative economic opportunity for the city of LA and the U.S. It will provide a lasting boost through increased tourism, expanded employment opportunities and growth in the soccer market by introducing the sport to new players.
COURTESY OF MEHDI MARIZAD VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Tariffs, transparency and tyranny: Trump’s war on consumer truth
AMAZON’S SURRENDER TO AUTHORITARIAN PRESSURE BETRAYS THE PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO TRUTH IN THE FACE OF ECONOMIC MANIPULATION.
When President Donald Trump issued a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imports, he didn’t just restart a trade war, he reignited the age-old tension between corporate responsibility and authoritarian power.
A tariff is a tax placed on imported goods. While it’s often intended to protect domestic industries or pressure foreign governments, the practical effect is that it usually raises prices for American consumers, since companies pass those extra costs down the line. To put it simply, other countries are charged to sell their products in the United States (U.S.), and as a result, to mitigate the charge that they are facing, they increase the price of their products so that they don’t lose revenue.
This latest clash, centered on Amazon’s discussions about displaying tariff-related costs on its platform, demonstrates more than just policy disagreements. It is a symbol of something far deeper for American consumers: the right to transparency and the danger of silencing companies that attempt to provide it.
Amazon faced extreme criticism from the Trump administration when the team behind Amazon Haul, a discountfocused part of the e-commerce giant, talked about disclosing tariff costs next to certain product prices. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt lashed out, calling the move a “hostile and political act.”
There is nothing political about honesty.
make informed decisions if the causes of price increases are hidden. This especially applies to the impact of government policies like tariffs.
A global company like Amazon revealing that these costs are not a “hostile and political act,” they are an education. This is the 21st-century version of the Boston Tea Party. Back then, colonists dumped crates into the Boston Harbor to protest taxation without representation. Today, consumers deserve to know if their $19 phone charger now costs $27 because of a trade war they didn’t ask for.
GRAPHIC BY ADELIA URENA / THE HIGHLANDER
idea than on the actual impact, which was nothing. Trump’s team treated the possibility of Amazon displaying why prices were higher to consumers as a betrayal, a political move meant to embarrass him. But transparency is not a personal attack. The fact that the White House reacted with such hostility reveals just how authoritarian Trump’s instincts are.
Trump’s former Chief of Staff,
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Tariffs are not intangible; they translate into real money for everyday people. When companies hide these costs, whether it is out of political fear or corporate calculation, it erodes public trust and leaves consumers uninformed. However, in this case, it looks like political fear won rather than transparency.
Amazon stated that the proposal “was never approved and is not going to happen,” likely because of the
was not only a setback for consumers but also a serious blow to the American rule of law, which is increasingly under threat from Trump. When a sitting president pressures private companies to suppress truthful, lawful information simply because it undermines his political narrative, it reveals how deeply the system is being bullied and bent by Trump’s personal agenda.
former president once said that “Hitler did some good things” and wished his generals were more like Nazis — loyal without question. This
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mindset views dissent or independent action as betrayal and goes far beyond the military and corporate America, reaching into educational institutions through the removal of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The suppression of critical discourse from DEI, and the lowering of the voices of the marginalized, the historically underrepresented, demonstrates his authoritarian mindset on views different than his own.
Let’s not forget that when Trump
billionaires like Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder), Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg were all at his inauguration. Fast-forward to today, and these same executives have become targets whenever their companies push back against his policies, including the tariffs on Jeff Bezos’ Amazon.
LILIANNA ANGEL H
Meta Socials. All showing that Trump doesn’t have any real loyalties and will impact even his ‘buddies.’ Under Trump, big corporations are expected to toe the line or face consequences. It’s not capitalism; it’s loyalty politics. Capitalism itself is its own problem, but when it continues to violate the rights of citizens, something is terribly wrong.
At the heart of this issue is the simple truth that transparency is not treason and must not be treated as such. Amazon’s internal conversations — however small — were a glimmer of accountability in an increasingly politicized economy. The fact that Trump’s team framed it as a “hostile” act shows how fragile his administration is when confronted with facts.
Companies like Amazon that operate in the U.S. have a legal obligation to tell their consumers why they are paying more. People cannot
One of the most concerning parts about this situation is that while Amazon backed away from transparency with its consumers, the government’s response focused more on a speculative behind-the-scenes
However, this same target has been put on Elon Musk through immigration H-1B visas so he can exploit workers for cheaper labor, and Mark Zuckerberg’s reinstating Trump’s
This isn’t just about Amazon. It’s about who gets to shape public understanding. In a consolidated democracy, that power should never rest solely with the government. Corporations, especially giants like Amazon, have a role to play in educating the public, even when it makes those in power uncomfortable. In the end, the tariff labels may never appear on consumers’ purchases, and the transparency needed in a functioning marketplace won’t happen. The message has already been sent that Trump’s proposed tariffs, paired with his administration’s heavyhanded tactics, are a warning not just to companies, but to consumers. If the Trump administration does not like the honesty or ‘progressive’ policies that are basic human rights, they will continue to bully people. All of the U.S. is paying the price — literally and politically.
SPOTLIGHT
UCR lactation rooms
When natur-baby calls! Caring for a kiddo is enough hard work. Looking for parent accommodations across a college campus can be that much harder, when it really never should be. Luckily, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) offers lactation rooms all across the campus! These faculty looking for a private and safe environment to take care of themselves and their child: Boyce Hall (2410), Pierce Hall (2316), Skye Hall (338), Sproul Hall (2113) and Student Success Center (115).
NORM’S NOOK
do is mmoomuch h ckily, ) f
For those who are employed with the school, Bourns College of Engineering-Winston Chung Hall (214), Child Development Center, Center for Environmental Research and Technology, Univer-
IntelliCenter, and Multidisciplinary Research Building. These rooms provide a multitude of amenities that include a fridge, table, chairs, microwave, outlets and medical grade breast pump! If you, or anyone is looking for a sanitary and safe environment to pump, or feed, please consider these UCR locations!
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QUESTION:
STUDENT POLL
Skye Hall
Natalie Dahl / The Highlander
What is something your mom did for you as a kid that you hope never stops?
Answer our weekly question on the Highlander Instagram for the opportunity to get featured in the next issue!
My mom would always help me see the light in frustrating situations.
Arroz con leche.
Cut fruit for me.
Fried shrimp.
Put oil in my hair and massage my scalp.
Jasmine L.
Alonzo M.
Afra A.
Simon N.
Henna P.
GABRIELA GALVAN
GRAPHICS BY LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER
BIRTHSTONES
35. Life lines?
Machine parts 39. Up the ante 40. Poison ivy woe
Haughty 43. Made, as cotton candy 44. Speck in the ocean 46. Joint with a cap
47. Chinese dollar
48. Sitcom that won 28 Emmys
50. Colored eye part
52. Toilet paper thickness
53. A celebrity may have one
55. Groundskeeper’s
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supply
57. November birthstone
61. May birthstone
65. German sub 66. Evil
68. Empty spaces
69. Rips to shreds
70. Antiquity, once 71. Squeezing (out)
72. Former spouses 73. Grassy area 74. Counsels, old style Down 1. Got 100 on
BY NATALIE FEATURES E
IE D EDITOR
4. Fragrant resin 5. Gather on the surface, chemically 6. Bawdy
7. Foreign dignitary ___ Khan
8. Aquatic web-footed rodent
9. Delhi dress
10. Wife who rejects modern feminism
11. “A Man Called ____”
12. Put an edge on 15. Bridge support
ANSWERS (DON’T PEEK!)
24. Strong-smelling cleanser
25. Architectural column style
26. Embarrass
27. Hosiery material
29. Songbird
31. “Piece of cake!”
32. Tilt toward the sky
33. Like some suspects
34. Small change
36. “My Country, ‘Tis of ____”
38. Litigant
49. Juliet, to Romeo 51. To any known extent 54. Riot
56. Kendrick’s enemy
57. Medical breakthrough
58. Surefooted goat
59. Color quality
60. X-ray or physics units
61. Old Icelandic literary work
63. Crescent
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Bangkok native 3. Part of the Hindu trinity
20. Civil rights org.
22. “A Nightmare on ___ Street”
42. Voltaire’s faith
45. Pride and prejudice, for example
64. Informal Australian for an entertainingly eccentric person
67. A pint, maybe
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COURTESY OF FLICKR
Scotty-Scopes:
Your current vibe soundtrack
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22): “Anti-Hero” – Taylor Swift
Don’t allow loneliness to hold you back when sadness causes you to withdraw. Make contact and begin the healing process.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19): “The Hills” – The Weeknd
The hills may have eyes, silently watching. People will judge, but only you know the full truth of your journey, and that’s all that matters.
Aries (March 21 – April 19): “Vicious” – Sabrina Carpenter
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21): “Creepin’” – Metro Boomin
Not knowing can provide momentary serenity, but true growth comes from confronting reality, no matter how
The world might be coming for you, but they can’t alpha you. Keep doing what you’re doing while they continue to dream.
Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20): “Honda Civic ‘98” — Chase Shakur
We all have our stresses, even the people around us. But instead of getting caught up in it, just keep moving forward. Don’t worry about changing the topic, just keep going, even if you’re not sure of the next step.
Sometimes nostalgia comes back to haunt you, but stay in harmony within yourself and connect with the present.
If you have a terrible habit, don’t bite your tongue. Even if you don’t know
Not knowing just means you’re still becoming.
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22): “Bad Habit” – Steve Lacy H
LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER
MUNA IQBAL
Why you should learn to code
When you hear about coding or programming, you might picture brain-twisting lines of nonsense on a computer, and understandably so.
computer programming to be particularly useful or enjoyable, I’m here to convince you to give it a try, because it’ll teach you unexpectedly useful things you can apply in college or life in general. Not only can it teach you how to take full advantage of your phone and computer, it’ll also teach you how to better solve problems and face failure.
Programming can teach you how to take full advantage of your computer’s capabilities. capabilities.
Computers help us be
day lives. If you have a class that’s graded in a strange
it exactly, save yourself the trouble of typing in your calculator over and over again, and make the tool yourself! If you need to manage a community without it taking up all your free time, program a Discord bot to do it for you! With programming, you can instruct your computer to follow exactly what you told it to do, and you can make
allow you to rely less on the
existence of a tool that just happens to do what you need it to, when you can just make it yourself instead.
Programming can teach you how to solve problems.
Once you’ve decided on what tool you make and open an online tutorial, you’re now faced with a problem to solve. By “how to think”, Degus means computational thinking, which is a way of thinking about problems systematically and logically. Now, picture this: you want your program to reverse the number 12345. This is very intuitive for you: just write down 54321.
How would you explain this to a computer more precisely? According to computational thinking, you will need to break down the problem into simpler steps. This is where you start thinking about the steps you actually take to write down 54321: looking at each digit from the back and writing it down in the front. This is where you begin to form an algorithm with computational thinking.
of programming as well. If you’re solving a complicated math problem, breaking down the process into familiar steps can help you better understand the solution. If you need to plan a big event or outing, make sure you’re -
pening at any given time, like who needs to buy which items, or how you’re going to get from one place to another.
Programming can teach you how to fail.
You’ve tried running your code, but it doesn’t work. Disappointingly, your computer gave you a number like 15 instead of 54321. Here’s the thing, though: programs altry. In order to get it to work, over again. The debuggingevitably tough and gruelling. Instead of giving up immediately, you’ll need to examine went wrong, until your code
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Once you come up with a precise solution, you can now translate it into code. Learning computational thinking can help you in areas outside
This will train you to view each failure as an opportu-lem, instead of a negative remental resilience and adjustbut you’ll come out a stron-
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ger person. If you’re threading a needle or even applying for jobs, which you might need to try over and over
because you’ve learned from your mistakes.
Where to Start
If I successfully convinced you to pick up programming, here are a few places to start. You may have heard that programming can be done
C++, Python and JavaScript being particularly popular. These languages are all great places to start with programming. While the basic concepts are essentially the same in most languages, they begin to diverge in more advanced projects where each language
There are lots of great resources available on campus online. If you can make space in your schedule for a Computer Science course on campus, go for it! The CS009 series covers Python, while the CS010 series teaches C++. Otherwise, online learning sites such as CodeCademy, DataCamp and Geeksfor-
you to try your hand at programming. Happy coding!
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JOY MARCOTTE
Club Spotlight: The humanitarian organization, Tzu Ching
A CLUB DEVOTED TO HELPING OTHERS
If you’re looking for a tight-knit community and want to help those in need, then you’re in luck, because the Tzu Ching club here at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) is perfect for that. Tzu Ching, established in 2014, is the collegiate chapter of a larger parent organization, known as the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, and is a humanitarian organization dedicated to making the world a better place through acts of service and love.
I’ve had the privilege of interviewing the Tzu Ching president Melinda Wu, who explained that the name Tzu Ching directly translates to “compassionate youth” in Mandarin and that the organization is wholly committed to its four great missions: charity, medical, education and humanistic culture.
On UCR’s campus, the Tzu Ching chapter strives to provide support for not only the Inland Empire community but also to anyone else in need. Although Tzu Ching is based on Buddhist beliefs, the club is made up of students from diverse backgrounds, and anyone is free and encouraged to join. “We welcome people from all backgrounds and religions — we be-
serve their community can come from anyone,” shares Melinda.
By now, you might be interested in joining the club but wondering on how to get involved. Look no further, because Tzu Ching regularly hosts volunteering opportunities that you can participate in! The club takes part in various service events such as food distributions in San Bernardino, where they do-
nate canned goods and fresh produce to families in need.
viding medical care, Tzu Ching also volunteers once per quarter in medical outreaches where they offer medical, dental, optometry and pharmacy services to patients, free of charge with no need for insurance. If you’re a student who wants to pursue a career in the medical
you: you get to work with both patients and healthcare professionals, and also do something meaningful for the community!
One of their more recent events was with the Inland Tzu Chi Youth Association Chapter, an organization for middle and high school students in the Inland Empire. Together, they did a trail cleanup at Mount Rubidoux, and Melinda
with the Tzu Shao students and learning about the unique volunteer activities they participate in within their own chapter.” She hopes that the students will continue their Tzu Chi journey beyond grade school.
UCR Tzu Ching is special in many ways. Their humble dedication to serving others with compassion is beyond compare, and besides its four great missions, the club also focuses on fostering a healthy and friendly community. Here, you get to meet like-minded individuals who all have a desire to help people in need. If you’re curious about Tzu Ching, you can follow their Instagram page @ ucrtzuching to stay updated about volunteering opportunities and meetings!
Burgers and Flannels: feeding Riverside in cowboy fashion
FARMER BOYS’ FARMSTAND POP-UP PARTY CELEBRATING
AFFORDABLE FOOD
Overalls on deck and green thumbs in hand, the countryside is in town! And who better to take the horses reins than Farmer Boys themselves! Looking to celebrate their new Farmstand
Farmer Boys, in collaboration with Feeding America Riverside, alleviates the anticipation of its fans by hosting a “Farmstand” style pop-up party at its Moreno Valley location.
Honoring its Inland Empire origins, the event on April 5 marked a day in Farmer Boys history in which families from around the county experienced a taste of great food and community.
Greeted by a makeshift
of fresh produce and hay bales, guests were transformed from suburbanites into country folk! Working with a team of around 15 to 20 people, Noah Chillingworth, Farmer Boys Chief
to reinforce the connection
between the company and its communities by engaging with guests through high spirit events and delicious food.
Recalling the event, Chillingworth shares, “They were able to experience just a lot of fun events in terms of prizes, photo booths, face painting and balloons for the kids. Just a lot of great opportunities for giveaways.” Amongst the giveaway prizes were a half-dozen eggs on their Wheel of Freshness, while other activities included games for a chance to win merchandise and gift cards!
With over 700 people in attendance, Farmer Boys and Feeding America Riverside made a lasting impression on the meaning of food insecurity within the community. On behalf of the attendees, 282 pounds of canned food were donated, equal to that of 235 meals. Farmer Boys introduction of their new menu and Feeding America’s food -
able, good and quality food always be available to those struggling with food insecurity; their collaborative
community wide hardship often overlooked by big food corporations.
Chillingworth recalls the
and Feeding America share to battle hunger in the county, “What Feeding America does in terms of providing food, providing resources, and helping people be fed is such important work. As a restaurant, there couldn’t be since that’s what we do, is feed people… And what we want to do is support them and their cause.”
The overwhelming success of the event called for a tour around the western states. Moving around its home state of California, the Farmstand Pop-Up -
for everyone will continue through Nevada and Arizona!
RACHEL
GABRIELA GALVAN
COURTESY OF FARMER BOYS
COURTESY OF FARMER BOYS
How to write a professional email to a professor
THE NOT-SO-SECRET, SECRET ART OF A GOOD EMAIL.
communicate it through the subject line.
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Emails, we all get them. Whether you read them or let them accumulate in your inbox, it’s undeniable that emails play a large role in digital communication, especially to contact professors. If you aren’t
sending a quick email to your professor is the best way to get hold of them. How you write emails to your professor makes a big impression, good or bad. You want to make that good impression, so keep reading if you’re struggling to start that draft!
want to email your professor in
to email a professor are to ask for excuses from class, help in a class, research opportunities and/or general questions about a course. You’ve decided on the topic, now you have to
Your subject line acts as a preview to the contents of your email. Strong subject lines look like “Absence from class on 5/1” or “Extension Request for Assignment 2”. A weak subject line looks like: “Going to be absent from class this week” or “Can I get an extension?” You see how the strong subject lines can directly state what your email is about, while the weak subject lines are vague and wordy.
Next is the process of writing out the rest of the email. Make sure to consistently use a formal tone as you begin typing out your message. Start with a greeting, such as “Dear,” “Good morning” or “Hello,” followed by “Dr.” or “Professor.” Do not address your professor using “Mister,” “Ms.” or “Mrs.” If you’re unsure of their title, default to “Professor.”
you hope they had a great weekend, but not including one isn’t the end of the world. After your greeting is the body of the email. Identify yourself at this point so your professor knows who they’re talking to. As for the rest of the email, you want to keep it short and simple because if you wouldn’t read all don’t want to either.
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The length of your body can vary based on the message, but it shouldn’t be longer than a paragraph. To prevent yourself from writing an essay in an email, always include the information that your professor needs to know and omit what they don’t need to know.
much more relaxed, as you can you like. Some people simply
uncommon. Once you’re done, proofread what you’ve written and run a spell check through it. If everything looks acceptable, send your email and wait patiently for the response.
The rule of thumb is to wait up to three business days for a response, not including holidays. After three business days pass and there’s no response, reply to the original received it. If this still doesn’t get you a response, you can go
You may optionally open with a pleasantry, such as saying
while others use “Regards,” “Sincerely,” “Thanks,” etc. You can be fancy and include a signature, though this is
professor directly after class. Though this advice is geared toward emailing professors, it can also be applied to work or any situation where you need to write a professional email. The guidelines are roughly the same; formal tone and succinct messaging are key characteristics that will help you succeed beyond your time at college.
LENNY THAI
COURTESY OF FREEPIK
Features Fiction: Bereaved and grief
It was the musty, dark garage with two tiny windows. Sort of squareish in shape.
No one needed a guru to tell what Aaliyah’s favorite place had been. To her, it had been the world. It had seemed that the whole earth with all its seven billion people overlooked room. And now that she was gone, it felt so odd.
No one had ever understood why she liked the room. Daniel vividly remembered all the times he had met his daughter huddled up in the corner, staring out the oblong-ish windows. He had wanted to pull her out, wanted her to have friends other than his old tools. It
had bothered him what the gloomy room was doing to his daughter’s psyche. And so now, it felt quite weird now that he was sitting here looking at those same old tools, wishing that she had been huddled in that corner like the past nine years.
But like it seemed, Aaliyah was never coming back to her favorite place.
To the far left was a box covered with tarp.
Daniel frowned, not liking how he couldn’t recall ever putting it in there. It was greenishblue in color, something Aaliyah would call Aqua. He walked overing something that struck
him somewhere between marvelous and sad.
It was full of her paintings. Those of the sky, the earth, and the rain. Colors that were familiar enough to send tears falling. Tears that hadn’t fallen even when his little girl had stopped breathing.
His chest felt hot, something wedging in there, as he remembered all the times he had thought this room unnecessary and his daughter as strange. But there was no going back, was there? It was sad. Regret, the dark green kind.
Daniel was sure he could have done better. Pitiful, perhaps. And even sadder was that that was all it could ever be.
A STORY ABOUT A FATHER WHO COMES BACK TO THE GRIEF OF LOSING HIS DAUGHTER.
Wafa Wonders: The Cookie
A COLUMN FOR THE QUIETLY CONFUSED AND CASUALLY CURIOUS
As the youngest in my family, moving to SoCal for college was nerve-wracking for everyone, especially my mom. She constantly reminded me to “mind my manners” around my roommate, since it was my
a stranger. Half-joking, she’d warn that my roommate would “beat me up in my sleep” if I left clothes lying around or 5:45 a.m. alarm.
But even her most imaginative warnings didn’t prepare me for my roommate’s most unhinged trait: her obsession
worse, her desire to hide one somewhere on my side of the room.
Thus began the cookie. Arine, no taller than an inch and a half, with bulging rosy cheeks and a menacing grin far too detailed for a dessert. When I told her it unsettled me, she promised to move it somewhere I wouldn’t see.
I didn’t realize that meant it would begin…migrating.
The thing is, I’ve never actually seen it again. Yet my roommate swears it’s there. She’ll casually drop hints: “Oh, I moved the cookie again,” or “He’s gonna getcha,” as I climb into bed.
Sometimes she stares a little too long, smiling in that slow, deliberate way that makes you wonder if it’s all a game. I wonder if she is actually hiding it or just playing some long, cruel psychological prank.
I’ve spent full weekends alone, desperate, rummaging through drawers and peering under furniture, searching for the abomination. But it’s always one step ahead, lurking, waiting.
And yet I know it’s still here.
Today, I live in fear, not justdent, but as Man, haunted by what might be lurking beneath my bed: a cookie.
PAULA ONOHI OMOKHOMION
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WAFA SUHIR
COURTESY OF PICRYL
COURTESY OF PICRYL H
RADAR
The ‘Mamma Mia!’ franchise is the ideal post-Mother’s Day re-watch
MOTHER’S DAY MAY COME ONLY ONCE A YEAR, BUT THERE IS NEVER A BETTER TIME TO WATCH THIS LIGHTHEARTED, JOYFUL DRAMA OF A MOTHER’S PAST LOVE LIFE.
Madison Zepeda Contributing Writer
other’s Day mi i h ght be over, but movies and shows that honor the holiday spirit ensurethatappreciatingMom viewer by carefully incorporatingitsABBAsoundtrack songs popuullate every y cor o n ner r of music (sung n or unsungg) adds more emmoottionnal re r sonancetothetroubblees ofthe
sure that appreciating Mom never goes out of style! However, after the celebration ends, there is only one franchise that can encapsulate the mood better than dessert: “Mamma Mia!”
Released in 2008 and based on the popular stage mufranchise made roughly $611 million worldwide follow-up, the aptly titled “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” made over $395 recently, “Mamma Mia!” was also “the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in an achievement that can’t
At its center, a combination of situational hijinks, highspirited musical numbers and sincere character relationships gives the series everything it needs to be a devil is in the details, here are three major reasons as to why the “Mamma Mia!” franchise is the ultimate
If there has ever been a more than the original “Mamma
rating its ABBA soundtrack into different dramatic mo-
with Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) softly singing “I Have a Dream” while mailing invitations to her potential fathers, it underscores her hopeful intentions and enthis moment on, the viewer’s expectations align with Sophie’s, and one begins to feel just as excited and uncertain about her choices as
Later, the introduction of Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Bill (Stellan Skarsgård) and an instrumental version of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” accomplishes something music builds upon Sophie’s earlier intrigue, and the quick cuts between shots ramp up the tempo of the few minutes of “Mamma Mia” set the stage by making the most of its acoustic
fectively demonstrates how easy it is to become swept away by its premise time
nance to the troubles of the already seen how the men’s arrival impacts Sophie’s wedding and Donna’s (Mermusical structure makes returning to these plot points
The same could also be said for “Here We Go Again,” but especially in the contextliving the original in all its disco glory, the sequel becomes a cathartic reward for one’s emotional investment
The next best aspect of the “Mamma Mia” franchise comes straight out of the relationship between Sophie
While the scenery and musical numbers keep things upbeat for the viewer, Sophie and Donna’s relationship as mother and daughter bring in just the right amount of
Donna helps Sophie prepare for her wedding ceremony, Streep’s rendition of “Slipping Through My
viewer through a montage of relatable moments which musical number is relative-
ly understateded, b buut t its em emotional impact will leave one tearfully reminiscing about their own fond memories
ma Mia” franchise fails to pull at one’s heartstrings, then the sequel is sure to take on that challenge to the
We Go Again” examines Donna’s (Lily James) early life as she meets Sophie's potential fathers through similarly quirky events, the viewer relates to her in
Donna’s younger years adds more context (and interest) to the headstrong woman more reserved and emotion-
Arguably, this version of Donna paired with the reappearance of Streep’s Donna provides the strongest emo-
Donna sings “My Love, My Life” to Sophie, now a mother herself, the poignancy of their relationshipfully carries over to the secin more ways than one, thus brings another kind of relatability to their relationship
the particular focus on Donna’s character in the second
feelings to the surface for any viewer relating to Sophie and Donna’s mother-
Put frankly, “Mamma Mia” never set out to win Oscars or impress highly criticalten tomatoes score of 55%
But it’s these “rotten” aspects that make the fran-
The most outlandish moments in “Mamma Mia” and “Here We Go Again,” which includes Cher’s role as the older Donna’s mother, create a distinctive
Just as the Star Wars prequels became uniquely beloved for their goofy CGI and cringy dialogue, so too is the “Mamma Mia” franchise known for its “campy
So now that Mother’s Day is done, queue up the only Mom and her inner Dancing Queen at the same exact
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A local display of literary excellence
ABORTION ACCESS HAS BEEN SEVERELY LIMITED IN SEVERAL STATES IMPACTING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
Maribel Gamez Radar Editor
Monday, May 5 marked the commencement of the University of California, Riverside (UCR) 48th annu-
ing longest-running, free literary festival was held in Interdisciplinary South (INTS 1113), with no alter-
Through the strife of disruption caused by the pandemic in 2024, The Creative Writing Deprtment’s remarkable efforts took the event global by making it virtually ac-
er, attendees were reminded of the precedent set by the 1st Annual Writers Week in 1977, which was meant to
be enjoyed in-person, facilitating engagement between literature enthusiasts and a
In close quarters, brought together by a shared appreciation of literature, the 48th Annual Writers Week returned with a diversity of author panels, featuring promising and distinguished writers: XochitlJulisa Bermejo, Jos Charles, Geoffrey Dyer, Jennifer Es-
gar Gomez, Jean Guerrero, Bret Anthony Johnston, Erin Marie Lynch, Sarah Manguso, Maggie Nelson, Lilliam Rivera and Steven
DAY ONE: MONDAY, MAY 5TH:
Jean Guerrero’s “Crux: A Cross-Border Memoir” and "Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump and the White Nationalist Agenda”
recognized for her extensive experience as an investigative journalist, reporting on various topics for The New York Times, Los Angeles
As an award-winning reporter, her career has explored family separations at the border, Trump’s wall, deportations and migration— topics
inevitable self-exploration that transcends the physical crossing of the her father, and the embodiment of trauma that manifests through his White Nationalist Agenda” takes on a more journalistic approach in examining prevailing nationalism and racism in the 21st century
Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo’s “Incantation: Love Poems for Battle Sites” and “Posada: Offerings of Witness and Refuge” were featured works San Gabriel, California, Bermejo lets her Chicana experience guide her Review, Acentos Review, [PANK] Magazine, VIBE, Huizache, About
Llilima Rivera’s “Tiny threads” concluded the third panel of the day, many of her books featured in NPR, New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, book, “Tiny Threads,” will be released on June 24, 2025, except for copies provided at the book signing following the Q&A and reading job of her dreams, only to discover a dark supernatural twist to the
Her debut collection, “Posada: Offerings of Witness and Refuge,” takes readers through real and imaginative borders to reconstruct her family
collection, “Incantation: Love Poems for Battle Sites,” explores United States monument sites with traumatic histories, offering poems of love,
Courtesy of Mouthfeel Press
Courtesy of Penguin Random House
Courtesy of Penguin Random House
Bobbi Mandour & Maribel Gamez // THE HIGHLANDER
‘We Live In A Society’ is no joke of an EP
The new
collaborative release by
Stela Noelle Abasta Contributing Writer
On May 2, producer Flume and artist JPEGMAFIA released an EP titled, “We Live In A Society.” The title of the EP, assumingly named in reference to the popular Joker meme, is not the only unique part of the release. It is a four-track EP full of unexpectedly catchy sounds.
Flume is known for his iconic collaboration that birthed the 2016 banger, “Never Be Like You (feat. Kai).” JPEGMAFIA is recognized for his distinct sound and
2019 on a song titled, “How To Build A Relationship.”
The introduction to the EP, “Track 1,” shows listeners what it’s like to collaborate on a song. It’s accompaminutes of it consists of Flume and JPEGMAFIA messing around in the studio, exchanging playful banter during a jam session. Flume shows JPEGMAFIA different experimental beats he’s been working on, all of which the rapper doesn’t like very much, before they both agree on one beat, which takes up the rest of the song.
On the topic of this song, JPEGMAFIA informed his audience, “This track is one of many that Flume and I created back in early 2023. While our musical paths have sinceatively in 2025 and beyond, I’m always proud of the music Flume and I make together. Maybe one day soon, we’ll release the rest of it. Who knows — we live in a society.”
The purpose of this song being included on this EPgence (AI) can try, it can never recreate real human collaboration. AI can never replicate what it’s like to write a song together, choreograph a dance together, direct a movie together, or, in this case, create an EP together.
An AI video of two people shaking hands was used for the Spotify banners of three out of the four songs of this project. Some fans are disappointed by this, but it was intentional to show that AI could never replicate the joy of human collaboration (like in this EP) without it being strange. However, it missed the mark with a lot of listeners.
The duo joking back and forth about a “good” beat emphasizes how something that is “good” is completely subjective and based on the human perspective. AI does not know what is truly “good” art, so it spits out slop that it thinks humans enjoy — such as the Studio Ghibli “art” trend that’s running rampant on TikTok and X.
Within the “actual” song, after the banter, a person says over the beat, “How it’s supposed to feel.” Again, connecting this line to the story that this EP is trying to tell, Flume seems to be implying that this is how real music is supposed to sound — and this is how real art is supposed to impact its listeners, by inducing feelings that AI is unable to.
It’s the only “lyric” of the song, which some fans are disappointed about, hoping that JPEGMAFIA would rap over it. Others feel that highlighting Flume’s production skills was a valid choice. Still, many are disappointed as the video was released before the actual EP, so fans assumed the video was a promotional teaser, and the “full” version of the song would be released as part of the EP. However, that was not the case. Many await for Flume to release the full version without the talking, so listeners don’t have to skip four minutes of the song just to get to the “good” part.
The second track, “Is It Real (feat. Ravyn Lenae),” is the best one on the EP. Out of the four songs, this one is especially catchy. This is credited mainly to the smooth voice of the featured vocalist, Ravyn Lenae. Listeners may not recognize Lenae’s name right away. that she is the singer of the catchy and cutesy number “Love Me Not,” which is currently trending on TikTok.
The track begins with a record scratch before JPEGMAFIA says the song’s title, his voice heavily autotuned and echoing: “Tell me how it feels / Now tell me, is it real?” This is likely a reference to the previous track’s lyrics. The beat drops before the piano backs Ravyn Lenae, who sings the only verse. A lyric in this verse is “I play to win.” This is a play on words of the phrase “pay to win,” which is used to refer to paying for overpowered (OP) abilities or items in a video game in order to win in that game. This can be compared to people paying for things like premium ChatGPT to cheat on school
Flume and JPEGMAFIA is an unexpected but worthwhile commentary on what it means to be a human.
assignments, for example. Renae implies that trying one’s best is much more valuable than just paying to win. If listeners were not convinced to stay and listen listen to Lenae’s dulcet voice. Her soft tone contrasts nicely with the heavy electronic sound of the chorus. Her singing style is beautiful, and it sticks in the listener’s head without fail. Her voice is autotuned in the pre-chorus, but it doesn’t take away from its loveliness in the slightest. The lyrics are feel-good, encouragingselves and being proud of what makes them human.
Lenae’s bridge is more about living it up while you can, something that many college students relate to. She almost sounds like she’s whispering on the bridge, which is even more pronounced when the pre-chorus and bridge are layered together. As for the backing track during the bridge, the well-known “clap” sound keeps the beat, which further highlights Lenae’s sweet voice. This was an incredibly smart choice, because it would have less impact if there was the noisy beat to back it up, but it would also be quite strange if it were completely a cappella.
After the bridge, the track builds up before JPEGMAFIA comes back with the chorus before the song ends, some quirky sound effects added in, making the song sound even more electronic. This can be in reference to real art being lost to and taken over by AI. Overall, this is a solid number to add to that pregame playlist.
The second-to-last song, “AI Girlfriend,” is interesting, falling under the genre of industrial hip-hop. The title likely throws listeners off from the get-go, and the lyrics don’t
encourage critics to take this track too seriously either. However, it can be listened to as a commentary about the reliance and love for AI in our society as well as simply being a bop in general. Despite AI killing real art in some ways, the concept of AI inspires real art for others, such as this number.
The verses include an intriguing stylistic choice, having the last syllable of some lines repeat and fade into the background or be replaced entirely with exhales. This happens every few lines or so. It’s a highly unique element of the song, and it pays off quite well, cultivating an almost futuristic sound.
The chorus has a distinct drop that is well-loved by ravers. However, lyric-wise, it is simply JPEGMAFIA re-
peating the title of the number, feeling as if it lacks creativity. Though perhaps, some can argue this is the song’s point, referencing how all AI can do is copy over and over again, rather than create something new. This also connects to the last syllable of some of the lyrics being missing and replaced with soft breaths, showing that AI’s attempts at creating art would likely be half-baked and missing essential elements of what makes art really art.
botic female voice is seemingly talking to JPEGMAFIA, excited about meeting him. Albeit a bit strange, listeners are led to believe this is the song’s intention — society should feel unsettled by AI.
The autotune over JPEGMAFIA’s voice is a stylistic choice that is enjoyable as well as intentional. Listeners can infer that he wanted his voice to sound more robotic to emphasize what this number is about. Perhaps this is symbolic of society using and giving power to AI to the point that society is consumed by it, eventually becoming one with it.
The track’s outro described his “AI girlfriend” as “bad luck.” However, despite this, he still wants and admires her. Although AI has many cons in our current day and age, both a layperson and a machine learning enthusiast cannot help but be curious about the new technology that arises, preferring progress over principles.
The EP’s outro number, “The Ocean is Fake,” beand JPEGMAFIA raps a verse. It’s sampled from Headache and Vegyn’s single, “Miss Understood.”
Again, this unusual title makes for some hesitation amongst listeners. However, this can be seen as false spread in society like a plague. Many people fall victim to being lost in an “ocean” of similar viewpoints, which is hard to escape from online, as algorithms often show users what they want to see. However, this fosters misinformation and eventual disillusionment.
In the introduction, JPEGMAFIA sings, “I don’t even know what’s the season.” This can be a reference to climate change — while people opt for sen-
JPEGMAFIA truly shines in the one verse of this song. He raps, “She come around, but we don’t share the same space.” This connects to this digital day and age
evident of what kind of lyricist he is through his plays on words. His laughs as a bit of a candid ad-lib at the end are fun, making the song feel casual and effortlessly cool.
Verdict: Although not well-known by the wider mainstream audience, Flume and JPEGMAFIA’s “We Live In A Society,” is an EP that listeners will enjoy if they are looking for lyrics about the realness of the human experience backed by unique, electronic sounds.
H
SPORTS
ARGENAL SETS SIGHTS ON PROGRAM’S FIRST BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIP DURING LAST TUESDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE.
Staff Writer
Gus Argenal was recently announced as the new head coach of the University of California, Riverside (UCR) men’s
California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) head coach has 21 years of coaching experience na-
Argenal has coached in the Big West conference, once as the assistant coach for UC Davis and as the associate head coach for Cal State
The announcement was made by UCR athletics in a press conference on Tuesday, May 6, where Argenal had the opportunity to talk about his goals and vision
Director Wesley Mallette spoke about the search for the perfect new head coach, how the ideal candidate would have their own vision for the program while also building off former head coach Mike Magpayo’s suc-
son, Coach Argenal hopes the team will win the Big West championship and be a part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
the court, increasing community engagement is a pri-
“Truthfully, we need to be more out in the public with the community and also on campus, like the simplest little things that you do go people [at a game], that’s a
big difference,” said Argeroster right now, but once that gets done and my staff gets hired, we’ll get to the things we have to do in the community, but also on this
Regarding recruiting a roster, Argenal is no stranger part of numerous collegiatelevel retools and roster turnovers at every coaching job he has had, including his he has already started the recruitment process, and the spring transfer portal is still retention for the incumbent
“I’ve been a part of retaking [a program] to the
I take pieces from each experience on how to restart, how to rebuild, but also how to continue and create better trajectories,” shared Arright pieces of the puzzle have to get the right type of
You don’t rush into every-
Argenal is the only Latino men’s basketball head coach on the West Coast at the DI level, and hopes to inspire other Latino players and coaches in the area to H
ELENA VERSAGE// THE HIGHLANDER
ELENA VERSAGE//
Unrivaled Basketball: The new three-onthree basketball league paving the way for female athletes
AFTER SIGNING PAIGE BUECKERS TO A $3 MILLION CONTRACT, UNRIVALED CONTINUES TO RESHAPE THE LANDSCAPE OF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL IN ITS SECOND SEASON.
ELENA VERSAGE
Taking the world by storm on Unrivaled Basketball League has changed the game for women basketball players.
Based in Miami, Unrivaled Basketball League is a three-on-three women’s basketball league founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart in July of 2023.
As mothers, founders Collier and Stewert felt it was unfair that many WNBA players are forced to uproot their lives playing for abroad basmake ends meet. With Unrivaled, they wanted to create a space for women basketball players to doseason.
Lasting just nine weeks, Unrivaled allows players to play without overlapping with the WNBA season. Unrivaled players earned an average salary of over $220,000, which is more than the WNBA’s max salary of $214,466.
Aside from the higher salary, WNBA. As mentioned before, Unrivaled is three-on-three rather
Unrivaled games are played on a 49.2-by-72-foot court. With four fewer players on the court, there is more space and less court so the players are able to retain their stamina.
Each game is played with three seven-minute periods. The last period is called “winning score,” which is completed when a team reaches the target score. The target score is determined by the amount of points
the leading scorer has by the end of the third period plus 11.
ently in Unrivaled. When a player gets fouled they shoot only one free throw. Free throws are worth two points unless a player is fouled on a 3-point attempt (3 points) or it’s an ‘and-1’ free throw (1 point). Since the teams are so small, if a player fouls out, they can keep playing if their team does not have another available player to substitute. However, every additional foul by the fouled out player will result in a technical foul.
Unrivaled also featured a oneon-one tournament with the winner earning $200,000 and her three-onthree teammates receiving $10,000 each. The runner up of the one-onone tournament receives $50,000 apiece.
was very successful. The league featured top names such as Sabrina Ionescu, Brittney Griner, Angel Re-
overall draft pick Paige Bueckers to an unprecedented $3 million dollar contract. Unrivaled generated $589 million in earnings while drawing an average of 221,000 viewers on TNT and truTV simulcast coverage.
The league has 21 corporate partners including Sprite, State Farm, Under Armour and a plethora of investors including the likes of Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, JuJu Watkins, Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma. Unrivaled just proved that female sports leagues can prioritize their athletes and still succeed — something the WNBA hasn’t been able to do in the past 25 years.
From Red Sox to Riverside
AN INSIDE LOOK AT COACH BOBBY KIELTY AND HIS TRANSITION FROM A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER TO A TENNIS COACH AT UCR.
COURTESY OF ELENA VERSAGE
GRAPHIC BY ADELIA URENA / THE HIGHLANDER
UCR Team Leaders:
Nolan Milliman: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 K, 1 BB
Jacob Badawi: 2/3, 2 R
David Whittle: 1/2, 1 R, 2 RBI
5/4/2025
CSULB vs UCR 12-4, L
UCR Team Leaders:
Adrian Blanchet: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K, 0 BB
Robert Pitts: 2/4, 2 RBI, 1 BB
David Whittle: 1/4, 1 R, 1 RBI
5/9/2025
CSULB vs UCR 6-3, L
UCR Team Leaders:
Jaxon Byrd: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 4 K, 0 BB
Landon Nunes: 2/4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB
David Whittle: 2/4, 1 RBI 5/10/2025
CSULB vs UCR 2-1, L
UCR Team Leaders:
Joshua Martinez: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 K, 0 BB
Kurt Maton: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 0 BB
Robert Pitts: 1/2, 2 BB 5/11/2025
BREAK NORMS.
BE WEiRD.
The Highlander Newspaper is a great way to keep up with current events and
