Protest Halts at Papazian's House

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Tuesday, Volume 156 April 13, 2021 No. 29

SERVING SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1934 WWW.SJSUNEWS.COM/SPARTAN_DAILY Protest halts at Papazian’s house

MADILYNNE MEDINA | SPARTAN DAILY San Jose police oﬃ cers block the house of San Jose State President Mary Papazian on University Way during a Sunday march that began at San Jose’s Municipal Rose Garden.

By Madilynne Medina the case a suicide, according to Students Board of Directors perimeter of the area and police STAFF WRITER the coroner’s office autopsy report. meeting. said anyone who attempted to cross However 13 years later, the Johnson The event began at 4 p.m. at the boundary was subject to arrest. Nearly 30 protesters marched family and many community She doesn’t want to San Jose’s Municipal Rose Garden Lou Dimes, president of through San Jose State President supporters believe Johnson’s death where supporters, advocates and B.L.A.C.K. Outreach, voiced his Mary Papazian’s neighborhood on was a hate crime and have called on have the conversation the Johnson family held a barbecue frustration as he told officers there Sunday to object to SJSU’s treatment reopening the investigation. even though the family before marching toward Papazian’s was no indication that B.L.A.C.K. and response to the death of San Jose activist groups residence at 7 p.m. Outreach or the organization Gregory Johnson Jr. Human Empowerment Radical has been pleading her Protesters were met by more Justice for Gregory Johnson were Johnson was a 20-year-old Optimism (H.E.R.O.) Tent and to admit that it was a than 20 San Jose police officers who targeting a specific home on SJSU student who was found dead Black Liberation and Collective stood with batons and shields social media. in the basement of the Sigma Chi Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) Outreach murder [and a] outside Papazian’s home on An officer told Dimes that fraternity house in 2008. partnered with the Johnson hate crime. University Way and didn’t allow protesting is an American right, The University Police Department family for the rally in an effort to protesters within 300 feet of the but there is a law in the City of and Santa Clara County Medical reprimand Papazian for her Ilseh Busarelo residence. Examiner-Coroner’s Office ruled absence at a Feb. 24 Associated Chicana and Chicano studies senior Lines were drawn around the PROTEST | Page 2 Conservative tour comes to San Jose

By Laura Fields the maskless crowd, Smith said OPINION EDITOR “because it’s a private property, I don’t have say over it.” San Jose State’s chapter of Local businesses with Turning Point USA hosted the conservative values tabled outside second to last stop of a nationwide the entrance of the chapel and speaking tour featuring the participants were clad in purple organization’s founder. shirts emblazoned with the The event took place “Gen Free Tour” motto. on Thursday at the packed Christian Calvary Chapel in the Blossom Hill neighborhood. Charlie Kirk, an Illinois conservative activist, founded and directs Turning Point USA. The In a time where YAMI SUN | SPARTAN DAILY group is a national conservative there’s a lot of Nutritional science junior Nina Chuang (left) and rally speaker Sera Fernando (right) lead a rally at the San student organization that Jose State campus Friday to march in solidarity with the Asian Paciﬁ c Islander Desi/American community. organizes and empowers students turmoil and not to promote the principles of free much discussion, I market and limited government, think having Charlie Local leaders protest according to its website. In the “Gen Free Tour,” Kirk Kirk and this event highlighted First Amendment freedoms within the is a great way to anti-Asian violence U.S. government. have conservative Noel Smith, a communicative disorders senior and president voices heard. By Yami Sun discuss SJSU’s lack of education of SJSU’s Turning Point USA STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Noel Smith on hate and violence toward the chapter, said she appreciated communicative disorders APID/A community. Kirk’s conservative perspective. senior and SJSU Turning Point In an effort to raise awareness “I see that on [SJSU] campus “In a time where there’s a lot of USA chapter president about systemic racism against we don’t really have many People who I’ve never turmoil and not much discussion, members of the Asian Pacific instances where our community met before have my I think having Charlie Kirk At the start of the event, brief Islander Desi/American really comes together and speaks and this event is a great way to introductions were made by (APID/A) community, more with one voice,” Chuang said. back and are willing have conservative voices heard,” Neil Mammen from “Every Black than 30 people gathered outside The rally’s title was inspired to stand up for me and Smith said. Life Matters,” a local activist San Jose State on Fourth by SJSU’s 34% Asian American San Jose was the only Northern group that protects Black lives Street Friday. student enrollment, according to protect me. California stop on the tour. “from womb to natural death,” Nutritional science junior Chuang’s website about the rally. Alex Spielmann Calvary Chapel held nearly according to its website. Nina Chuang said she organized De Anza College student 1,500 attendees in which many “Not your Thirty Four” rally to RALLY | Page 2 were maskless. In response to POLITICS | Page 2 sjsunews.com/spartan_daily 2 TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021 NEWS

Mashinchi said Papazian was see Papazian “do the right thing” Jr.’s mother,” Mashinchi stated. “[The email is] not even the bare PROTEST there to give a state of the university and take a larger initiative in “SJSU will cooperate fully, minimum, it’s not even crumbs at address, which she does with reopening the case so her family can if requested, with both this point, it’s nothing,” Calinisan Continued from page 1 students every year and because receive answers. offices in their review.” said. “[Papazian’s] words are just so San Jose about targeting a specific of an error, was not provided the “I’d like to see my son’s case Denise Johnson said she’s still empty and I feel like this problem residential area. correct link or agenda. He said reopened and have it go back to disappointed and outraged at is just a small glimpse of what this “We know that you’ve been Papazian wasn’t informed Johnson’s court like it should be, because it SJSU’s response, especially world fuels.” watching [social media] but we case was an agenda item up was a kangaroo court, there was because she was not notified Calinisan also said Papazian’s never targeted her house,” Dimes for discussion. no justice about it,” Denise Johnson until hours after her email responses regarding the said toward the police with a Mashinchi said Papazian has said, referencing a mock court. son died. BIPOC and the Black communities megaphone. “We’re protesting her, requested the opportunity to attend Mashinchi said the Santa Clara “The school should always call are “degrading.” the university and Sigma Chi. How another meeting, which has yet to County District Attorney’s Office the parents when a child dies on During a March 24 A.S. can you prove any intent to target be scheduled. and the county coroner’s office a campus,” Denise Johnson said. meeting, board of directors her house?” Ilseh Busarelo, a Chicana will undertake a new review of the “Nobody called me, they sent the passed the “Gregory and Chicano studies senior and autopsy report. police to my house and one of them Johnson Junior: Addressing Papazian absence upsets protester, said it was painful to be stood there with his hand on his gun Anti-Blackness and Systemic Johnson supporters an SJSU senior and only recently while I fell out on the floor.” Racism at SJSU” resolution, Papazian was scheduled to attend find out about Johnson’s death. which asked the university to University addresses a Feb. 24 A.S. meeting on Zoom as Busarelo said students and acknowledge systemic racism as a systemic racism the first agenda item. Community community members marched factor in Johnson’s death. members expected her to address to Papazian’s home because [Papazian’s] words are Sydney Calinisan, a graphic The resolution also demands the case, which was scheduled later she continuously “avoided the just so empty and I design senior and protester, said more resources and the creation in the agenda. conversation” surrounding his case. Papazian’s recent campuswide of a scholarship fund in Johnson’s Many attended the meeting in “We need to apply pressure to feel like this problem email addressing systemic racism name for Black students. hopes to hear Papazian speak on Papazian, she keeps avoiding it,” is just a small glimpse was not enough initiative. However, Denise Johnson said the matter, but she was absent, Busarelo said. “She doesn’t want to Papazian stated in an she didn’t want the directors to upsetting many students and others have the conversation even though of what this world April 5 email that the university make a scholarship in his name. in the community. the family has been pleading fuels. is looking to implement changes “What are they going to make a Kenneth Mashinchi, SJSU her to admit that it was a murder to mitigate systemic racism. scholarship for?” Denise Johnson senior director of strategic [and a] hate crime.” Sydney Calinisan This includes efforts to increase said. “For a student that was communications and media The crowd of protesters called for graphic design senior diversity and inclusion training for murdered and lied about? What relations, said in a Monday email Papazian to come out of her home staff and students, the expansion of kind of scholarship is that?” that organizers and attendees of the and speak with them, but Papazian the Black Scholars and Black and The crowd left the neighborhood march misstated facts regarding didn’t make an appearance. In a Feb. 18 campuswide email, Indigenous and People of Color around 8:15 p.m. and returned to Papazian’s attendance at the Many protesters made efforts Papazian stated the review will (BIPOC) residential hall themes the San Jose Rose Garden chanting, Feb. 24 A.S. meeting. to stop and explain the intent take place after the coronavirus and the renaming of the “say his name: Gregory Johnson.” According to Mashinchi, of the demonstration to pandemic eases. African-American/Black Student the misstated facts include that Papazian’s neighbors. “SJSU has been informed that Success Center, which is now Papazian purposely avoided Denise Johnson, Johnson’s the final analysis will be discussed the Black Leadership Follow Madilynne on Twitter attending the meeting. mother, said she would like to directly with Gregory Johnson, Opportunity Center. @madilynneee

is located in Milpitas of people who showed up RALLY and advocates for to support the APID/A Continued from page 1 civil rights within community. minority communities. “These people, these Protesters gathered Rally attendees strangers, I don’t know next to Yoshihiro Uchida marched around the very many of them,” Hall (YUH) to hear local perimeter of campus Spielmann said. “People leaders acknowledge after listening to the who I’ve never met SJSU’s role in past speakers, calling on before have my back and discriminatory events. the local community are willing to stand up YUH was used as a to stop anti-Asian hate for me and protect me,” registration center to and holding signs with Spielmann said. “And it send Japanese Americans phrases including “not was just, like, chills.” to internment camps your model minority.” SJSU public health during World War II, Alex Spielmann, a senior Maileen according to a 2014 SJSU De Anza college student Mamaradlo said she Newsroom blog post and attendee who plans attended to support the about the building. on transferring to SJSU APID/A community and “What was the worst next spring played hold SJSU accountable anti-Asian action that his drums as rally for its treatment toward has taken place was participants marched minority groups. that of SJSU?” asked downtown. “Even deep down to Rev. Jethroe Moore, “There was this our roots, our institution YAMI SUN | SPARTAN DAILY president of the moment when we were has a lot of issues with Speaker AJ Diokono (right) embraces organizer Nina Chuang (left) during Friday’s rally. San Jose/Silicon Valley marching and I was [APID/A] populations National Association playing my drum and and now it’s our job to public health graduate or Asian person living in the tone of our for the Advancement of I heard people’s voices remind the campus of student, said in addition the U.S. right now.” organizers . . . mentioned Colored People (NAACP), from in front of me and the damage it has done to listening to local She also hopes SJSU earlier, is that it’s going to during the rally. “We used behind me and it was not only to the Black leaders, she appreciated students can continue take a lot of work and we to begin unconditional just this indescribable communities with hearing people open standing in solidarity with need to stay committed to imprisonment of all the feeling like this is where Gregory Johnson but up about their personal the APID/A community. the cause,” Nguyen said. 6,000 Japanese people, I belong,” Spielmann said. also ours as well,” experiences regarding “[SJSU] students are [that] started right here.” Spielmann said he was Mamaradlo said. “what it means to be an extremely resilient . . . Follow Yami on Twitter The NAACP chapter touched by the amount Jenny Nguyen, a Asian American person I think that’s something @Yami_Frontline

POLITICS Continued from page 1

Kirk emerged soon after and was greeted by a standing ovation and applause from the crowd. He spoke to the crowd about current topics like “woke” culture in America and coronavirus-related lockdowns. “Did they make a difference?” Kirk asked the congregation about government lockdowns. “No!” was the collective reply. As Kirk spoke about social issues including systemic racism, he used expressive hand motions and chanted “it doesn’t exist, it doesn’t.” “Black Lives Matter flags, more like ‘I’m a better person than you’ flags,’ ” Kirk said during the event, referring to virtue signaling. Virtue signaling is the sharing of one’s point of view on a social or political issue, often on social media, in order to garner JAMIE BENNETT | SPARTAN DAILY praise or acknowledgment from others About 1,500 attendees listen to Charlie Kirk, founder and director of Turning Point USA, at Calvary Chapel in San Jose Thursday. who share that point of view, according to Dictionary.com. transformed by the renewing of your mind.” expressing their views for fear of retaliation. “I don’t talk about my views publicly,” He denounced corporations that adopted After stating former president Donald The study also found 77% of people who Smith said. “The few times I have, I have diversity platforms such as Delta Air Lines, Trump “loved the people,” the room erupted identify as Republican are afraid to share been bashed for them, I’ve been labeled a saying the companies are “no longer our in cheers and applause. their political opinions. racist, all those nasty things, which is very friends” and are “acting like Democratic “He had respect for the common man,” Armoni Howard, a business sad when people don’t know who you are Super PACs,” or Political Action Committees. Kirk said. administration and information technology and don’t even bother to hear your side of Delta Air Lines’ CEO announced the He also spoke about self-censorship major at Western Governors University in the story.” company would implement goals to and tied it back to Republicans avoiding Utah, said he experienced censorship when promote equality in August 2020, including certain conversations and trying to suppress he attended the University of California, doubling its percentage of Black officers and their viewpoints. Santa Cruz. directors by 2025. “[Liberals] want that,” Kirk said. “They “You had to sign a form that says you Paying homage to the venue and his want people to be afraid.” will censor yourself and your beliefs,” Follow Laura on Twitter personal convictions, Kirk referenced Out of 2,000 Americans surveyed in an Howard said. “I thought that was a @swimgirllaura his Christian faith by quoting the Bible August 2020 Cato Institute study, a public bit odd.” verse Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to policy research organization, 62% said the Smith said she can also relate to the idea of the pattern of this world, but be current political climate prevents them from self-censorship. Jamie Bennett contributed to this article. sjsunews.com/spartan_daily OPINION TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021 3 Conservative event misses mark for CA Republicans

Laura Fields OPINION EDITOR

If the “Gen Free Tour” students would give a damn featuring Turning Point USA about who his favorite Bible founder Charlie Kirk is the character is. It was future of the Republican a complete throw-away Party, I want out of this dusty question that wasted Bush-era time capsule. everyone’s time. I attended the event Many young people grow Th ursday hosted by San Jose up losing faith in Christianity State’s chapter of Turning or come from backgrounds Point USA, a conservative without having any faith club. I had high hopes to hear at all. Kirk playing up the fresh takes of Republican Evangelical side was honestly ideals from hot-shot young pretty sad. He fell straight conservative fi rebrands such into that bored stereotype of as Kirk. what a Republican “should” Turning Point USA is a be. national conservative student Christianity is rapidly LAURA FIELDS | SPARTAN DAILY movement that organizes dying across America, Students sell Turning Point USA posters and buttons in the hallway of Calvary Chapel before the event. and empowers students to according to an Oct. 17, promote the principles of 2019 study by Pew Research number of California addicting us to our phones free markets and limited Center. Republicans. because it’s technology government, according to Kirk should focus less on If Republicans want Organizations including created by those who could’ve its website. marketing his ideas toward Turning Point USA hold a been in his audience. However, Kirk’s hour-long the church-going faithful California to become a key market in shaping young To end the night, Kirk left yawn fest scraped the top and more on the increasing conservative viewpoints. the crowd with three things of the barrel of Republican number of Americans who purple state, people like Th e focus on conservative California freedom lovers values and ideologies. describe their religions as Kirk are spoiling the new social issues is robbing the must do: play off ense (as in Jesus? Check. Voting “nothing in particular.” Republican party of its recalling Gov. Newsom), rights? Check. China is bad? Hailing from Illinois, Kirk conservative movement that pragmatic economic side. represent working people Check. sees California as the epitome To have a glorifi ed and “never lose hope.” Th ese By preaching old-timey of failed liberal politics, the is already taking shape. Christian club such as points are not productive at conservative points that tie butt of the joke. Turning Point USA represent all and are disappointingly into religion rather than Folks outside of California college Republicans is an expected. Th anks a lot, Kirk. pragmatism and logic, aren’t intent on fi xing the embarrassment. Most Californians already Kirk completely missed the state either. If Republicans want to a Nov. 14, 2020 article by On top of that, hypocritical have an allergic reaction to mark of speaking to young Kirk’s outdated scope on California to become a Th e Guardian. Kirk bashed social media and any other alternative political Californians in San Jose. the conservative political purple state, people like With a notable shift in the internet for destroying opinion diff ering from their Given that the venue was landscape might’ve drawn Kirk are spoiling the new political demographic toward our youth when it was exactly own liberal views. We need to at a Christian church, it was some applause from the conservative movement conservatism with Santa the internet that made him start entering conversations only natural Kirk would pay older crowd, but it was that is already taking shape. Clara County residents voting the man he is today through with an open mind and learn homage to the good folks that mostly out of touch from the Ethnic minorities for Trump at a rate of 20% in his viral videos. from one another through gave him a platform to speak. actual issues Californians such as Black and Latinx 2016 to 25% in 2020 and an Kirk was right to mention completely open dialogue. However, that didn’t give care about such as the state’s communities, as well as overall increase to voting red the potential Newsom recall him the right to assume housing crisis, prison reform, women, shift ed their across the entire state, it’s time vote, but lost me when he his target audience of high the bail system and labor in votes for Donald Trump in we start paying attention to blamed Big Tech including Follow Laura on Twitter school and college-age the high-tech market. the 2020 election, according what matters to the growing Apple and Facebook for @swimgirllaura

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By Alan Baez COPY EDITOR

Musical collective and self-identifi ed boyband BROCKHAMPTON released their seventh studio album on Friday titled “ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE.” Kevin Abstract, BROCKHAMPTON founder, tweeted on March 21 that the band will release two more albums this year and end their run as a group. Th e album speaks to the feeling of a fi nal destination. Th eir material may be getting tiresome and slightly corny to some, but this new album demonstrates the group’s talent and how each member is ready for a new path. Th e group is no stranger to establishing a theme or “era” with every album. Th e 2017 “Saturation” trilogy established the group’s core identity and ideals while showcasing their infl uences. Th eir fi ft h album in 2018 titled “Iridescence” took a much more distinctive and industrial concept in tone and production. Th e 2019 album “Ginger” was a comeback where the group revealed their new identity focused more on spirituality and vulnerability. Th eir newest album is 49 minutes long and contains ILLUSTRATION BY BIANCA RADER 14 songs, but serves as the group’s weakest body of work as far in terms of concept and rollout. on “BANKROLL” or Shawn Mendes’ contribution to the by the image / of a bloody backdrop, skull fragments “ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE” chorus in “COUNT ON ME.” in the ceilin’ / felt your presence in the room, heard fails to establish a core aesthetic, with most songs tackling a Someone could’ve told me prior to listening to this my mother squealin’” paints a gruesome but very diff erent sense of style with no sense of unifi cation. album that Shawn Mendes is featured and I could never tell real image. Th is is the group’s most them which song. Track 12, “DEAR LORD,” sung by Bearface, acts as a feature-packed album with nine features, though Mendes is accompanied by Ryan Beatty and group prayer to send off their bandmate’s beloved father. some seem unnecessary. BROCKHAMPTON vocalist Bearface, but the three “THE LIGHT PT. II” concludes the album with Joba writing Rapper JPEGMAFIA delivers smooth bars on the singers’ vocals just don’t harmonize well or elevate the song. encouraging words. laid-back track “CHAIN ON” while in contrast, rapper Th is album demonstrates the highs and very little “Th e past does not defi ne you / the light is worth the wait” Danny Brown’s aggressive energy matches the chaotic lows the group has built for their foundation. Th ough Joba sings, indicating a positive take away and moving past beat on the album’s intro song “BUZZCUT.” While a lot of the beats are accompanied by guest producers, this traumatic experience. these two fi t perfectly within both song’s ambiance, BROCKHAMPTON’s core members including Moments like these, along with strong lyrics by other features feel out of place or don’t leave much of a their producer Jabari Manwa, still stand out in his group members Dom McLennon on “WHEN I BALL” positive impression. contributions to tracks with captivating beats such as “I’LL demonstrate a sense of joy and optimism as the group nears Some examples include rapper A$AP Rocky’s short verse TAKE YOU ON” and “WINDOWS.” their end. Each member seems ready to ride the journey to a Despite the production lacking the group’s typical fl air, positive conclusion. album review each member stands out respectively with group member Despite some impressive individual songs, Joba absolutely shining the brightest on this album. “ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE” fails to Aft er his father’s recent passing, he spends a majority establish a core aesthetic that ties the album together. Th e “ROADRUNNER: Artist: of his appearances on the album depicting the event and album exemplifi es that the members of the group perform NEW LIGHT, NEW BROCKHAMPTON conveying his trauma. their best individually, since the group’s synergy just Release Date: Joba stands out with visceral poetry highlighting his isn’t present. MACHINE” April 9, 2021 Genre: father’s suicide through lines about the hammer of a gun Rating: Hip-Hop/Rap and how his father will live forever in stories he’ll pass down to his grandchildren and their grandchildren. “THE LIGHT’’ tells a gruesome scene of the singer walking into the room where his father took his life. Follow Alan on Twitter Lyrics including “Th ink I always will be haunted @Thebrownsinatra Open mic empowers Asian students

By Isalia Gallo description of how language can be COPY EDITOR lost through time. “I think that in our country, Cheerful music and a bright, especially through the [U.S.] colorful poster celebrated Asian education system, we’re taught Pacifi c Islander Desi American to really be silent, [to] not speak Heritage month during a Th ursday our truth and become workers for online open mic. capitalism,” Giles said. “But I think Th e open mic, which occurs poetry and storytelling is one of the monthly, was hosted by San Jose most powerful things people can do State’s MOSAIC Cross Cultural on an individual level.” Center on Zoom. Singh said SJSU MOSAIC chose Program coordinator Sharon Giles as its featured artist because it Singh said SJSU MOSAIC have wanted to bring distinct voices onto hosted open mics to give a the platform. platform to students who are visual “Pacifi c Islanders oft en don’t artists and poets. get heard,” Singh said. “[Th ey are] “With everything going on in tokenized or they’re not really the world, we really wanted to considered and there’s a long history have student artists’ voices and our of that in the U.S.” feature artists voices to represent With recent violence targeting and speak on what’s going on,” PHOTO COURTESY OF SJSU MOSAIC CROSS CULTURAL CENTER the Asian Pacifi c Islander Desi Singh said in a Zoom interview. American community in the U.S., SJSU MOSAIC’s open mics have Visual artist and nutritional “I realized that Asian American Voices,” Th e National Parks Service, the art and poetry in the open mic been a tradition for about 10 to 15 science junior, Nina Chuang women have grown up in a the YouTube channel Button Poetry was just some of the ways Asian years and this month’s open mic was said she creates her artwork society where they are told to be and NBC News. American students and SJSU faculty in honor of Asian Pacifi c Islander through her perspective as an ashamed of their culture, to be Giles’ heartfelt performance have come together to show support Desi American Heritage month, Asian American woman. ashamed to be a woman,” Chuang began with “Synonyms for Mistake,” and embrace each other. Singh said. As a Taiwanese-Malaysian said in a phone interview. “Th at’s a poem about their birth. Th ey Kenny Jackson, SJSU MOSAIC’s American, Chuang said she began what kind of inspired me with performed another poem called cultural programmer, and Parul researching Asian American some of my pieces, that Asian “Oral Traditions” about the Pacifi c Puri, task force student coordinator, activism in history books during women embody fi erceness that is Islander storytelling tradition and began by introducing themselves high school and was inspired to not really acknowledged within how their culture was colonized and encouraging “free speech, not incorporate what she learned into our communities.” in Hawaii. hate speech.” her work to inform others. She also said she’s never Giles made a strong connection Follow Isalia on Twitter showcased her work in an open to their culture and a painful @i5alia mic before and felt unfamiliar with the atmosphere. However, she was inspired by the event’s featured artist, I realized that Asian American women have William Nu’utupu Giles. Giles is a Samoan poet and grown up in a society where they are told to be arts educator from Honolulu, I think that in our country, especially through the ashamed of their culture, to be ashamed to be Hawaii, who has performed in [U.S.] education system, we’re taught to really places including the San Francisco a woman, that’s what kind of inspired me with Opera House, the John F. Kennedy be silent, [to] not speak our truth and become some of my pieces, that Asian women embody Center for Performing Arts in workers for capitalism but I think poetry and Washington D.C. and Broadway’s ﬁ erceness that is not really acknowledged New Amsterdam Th eatre, according storytelling is one of the most powerful things within our communities. to SJSU MOSAIC’s Instagram. people can do on an individual level. Th eir work has also been featured Nina Chuang on HBO’s documentary “Russell William Nu’utupu Giles Visual artist and nutritional science junior Simmons Presents: Brave New Poet and arts educator sjsunews.com/spartan_daily SPORTS TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021 5 SJSU Esports Club takes on global competition

By Madison Fagundes STAFF WRITER

San Jose State Esports Club’s Valorant Blue Team claimed victory on Sunday after 10 SJSU Valorant teams competed against each other to decide which would advance to a regional tournament. The RedBull Global Valorant Tournament involves more than 300 universities in about 50 countries. It’s only the second global Valorant tournament in history since the game launched in June. Liam Mangual, business administration senior and the Valorant team manager for SJSU, said he’s confident in the players’ abilities to make it to the international competition. “They’ve been together for awhile, so they really have that synergy which is really important mentally, as well as being able to trust each other in terms of making sure that everybody is on the same page,” ILLUSTRATION BY BIANCA RADER Mangual said. will be held in person in they face and defeat are Esports’ Twitter account Valorant is a competitive Spain on June 18-20. apart of varsity programs if the team progresses first-person shooter game The regional and at their schools and receive that far. where teams of five are national competition They’ve been together for awhile, so benefits SJSU players don’t, Brandon Wright, a pitted against each other. levels will be held including scholarships. business administration Every team in each round online because of the they really have that synergy which is Mangual said he believes senior, said he’s excited to is assigned an offensive or coronavirus pandemic. really important mentally, as well as SJSU Valorant players take part in the competition defensive position. Mangual said the deserve to be given the regardless of recognition. The offensive team must tournament will become being able to trust each other in terms same opportunities as “I just appreciate the plant “spikes,” or bombs, more competitive as it of making sure that everybody is on the other schools and this fact that we can compete while the defense must progresses. There is no competition is their chance during COVID and work to defuse the spikes. loser bracket and each same page. to prove it. everything,” Wright said. There are 15 characters round is the best of “If we make it to the “You know other sports, Liam Mangual or “agents” players can one game. Valorant team manager international finals and they have no opportunities choose from, each with The SJSU team is SJSU doesn’t recognize us, at all to compete because of various strengths and among the most decorated then I don’t know what’s [the pandemic].” weaknesses. The first team collegiate Valorant teams collegiate tournaments good shot at getting into going to change that,” to win 13 rounds clinches in the U.S., according despite never meeting each the international event,” Mangual said. a victory. to Edward Jae Ham, other in person because of Ham said. Though many of the The regional competition vice president of SJSU the pandemic. Some of the players on early matches are not is on April 18, followed Esports Club. “We have won quite a SJSU’s team feel that despite streamed on Twitch, later by the national competition The team has won few events over the past their history of victories, stages of the competition Follow Madison on June 1. five titles in the last six couple of semesters, so they’re overlooked by the will be broadcasted and on Twitter The global competition months alone from various I’d say we have a pretty university. Many teams links will be posted on SJSU @maddxsonn

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Alum Rock Counseling Center and Santa Clara County are excited to invite you to Virtual You! Virtual You is a series of free virtual wellness groups for young people ages 12-25 aimed to build community and create space for connection. Our goal is to help you wind-down, re-center, and invest in yourself by incorporating self-care into your daily lives. Below are schedules and descriptions of our current groups:

MINDFUL MONDAYS: This is a group to practice and learn about mindfulness. This group is for you whether you’re brand new to the practice or have been in a long-term relationship with mindfulness. Weekly themes include Grounding, Gratitude, Self-Love, and more! Middle School: Weekly on Mondays | 3:15-3:45pm High School & College: Weekly on Mondays |4:00-4:30pm

COLOR & VIBE: In this group, you’ll learn to implement self-care by vibing to music and making art. Participants will learn to make color wheels, choose coloring sheets, create self-portraits, do photo and shapes art, and follow along with step by step “how to draw” tutorials. All Young People: Weekly on Tuesdays | 4:30-5:30pm

GAME NIGHT: Virtual you is hosting Game Nights! The middle school group will rotate playing Among Us, Jackbox, and board games. The Game Night After Dark group will rotate through Super Smash bros, Jackbox, Nintendo games, and more! Middle School: Weekly on Wednesdays | 4:30-5:30pm Game Night After Dark (High School & College): Weekly on Wednesdays | 5:45-6:45pm

TALK SPACE: This group is a space to “let it all out.” There will be different topics each week and we will hold space for you to vent about it all. Topics will range from how hard zoom school is, grieving social events, to just missing the normal life things. Whatever it is, we’re here for you. Middle School: Every 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month | 4:30-5:30pm High School and College: Every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month | 4:30-5:30pm

SHOW & TELL: Show & Tell is a fun way to show off your favorite things! Whether you want to show off your pets, plants, cool gadgets, instruments, or anything else, this is a fun space to share and learn from one another! Middle School: Weekly on Fridays | 4:00-5:00pm High School & College: Weekly on Fridays | 5:15-6:15pm

To sign up, go to www.tinyurl.com/virtualyougroups. Please note: you do not have to be enrolled into any other ARCC or Santa Clara County Program to be eligible to participate.

CHANCE TO WIN MONEY! Every session you attend will enter you into a raffle for a once/month $15 Visa gift card! Additionally, we’re introducing the “bring a buddy” incentive, where any time you bring a friend to group, you and your friend will be entered into a once/month $20 gift card raffle!