aily rojan DWednesday, February 17, 2021 | STUDENT NEWSPAPER OFT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SINCE 1912 | VOL. 202, NO. 8 Freshman’s design fights food insecurity The T-shirt brings awareness knew [how essential] a need it was, especially with COVID. We to the anti-Asian racism wanted to do something geared during the pandemic. towards incoming college stu- dents,” Gutierrez said. Gutierrez, a recent design grad- By JENNA PETERSON uate from Syracuse University, Staff Writer founded Fundamentals with her Haley Ho was in middle school friend, Brian De La Cruz, over the when she took her first graph- summer due to the political cli- ic design multimedia course. mate at the time. While attend- Falling in love with the field, she ing Black Lives Matter protests, did not always think it could be she found herself wanting to do an employment path for her. more to help the movement and This changed, however, when decided to start making shirts to Ho, now a freshman majoring in sell at protests in her community. arts, technology and the busi- “[De La Cruz and I] used [the ness of innovation, learned about proceeds] to buy snacks, wa- user experience, or UX, design. ter and PPE for the protesters,” UX design focuses on functional- Guiterrez said. “We realized we ity and user interaction, such as were getting a lot more support how it feels in someone’s hand or than we anticipated, and we had any emotional reaction its design a lot of money, so we were like, could evoke. ‘Okay, what do we do next?’” “I found out … that UX design, Following the success of their in particular, was a field, and it shirts Gutierrez and De La Cruz was a growing one that people decided to create grants for small were actually getting jobs in,” she Black- and brown-owned busi- said. “I felt like it really aligned nesses in their community, before with my interests in human be- deciding to give back to incom- havior, visual art and design.” ing college students through their Over the summer, Ho put her competition. interest in UX design to prac- When Ho saw this opportuni- tice by designing a T-shirt, in- ty, her mind went to an oil paint- spired by a desire to bridge glob- ing sketch she had worked on for al experiences of the pandemic, a high school assignment earlier for a design contest. Ho found in the year. out about the contest from the “I didn’t get to finish the oil Instagram stories of other stu- painting because my school shut dents she met during the Iovine down just as [we got the assign- and Young Academy’s interview ment] and I felt kind of unsatis- weekend. The contest, hosted fied.,” Ho said. “I felt like I could by Fundamentals, a communi- use [the design] somewhere just ty brand based in New York, was because it’s so relevant to what’s a T-shirt design contest open to going on right now.” incoming college students. The The front of the shirt says winner would get a $5,000 schol- “twenty twenty,” the identical arship to put towards their edu- words mirroring each other, ref- cation. erencing the start of the pandem- Loren Gutierrez, co-founder of ic. The design on the back of the Fundamentals, said she was moti- T-shirt features a ramen bowl, a vated to host the competition by her deliberate choice by Ho. own experiences as a low-income “I initially gravitated towards college freshman. the concept of using a ramen “My co-founder and I both had bowl to represent the coronavirus Photo courtesy of Loren Gutierrez received financial aid when we Ho’s T-shirt was sold on Fundamentals’ website, a community brand based in New York, and earned $600, went to our universities so we | see HO, page 3 | which Ho donated to the nonprofit SF New Deal that aims to support small businesses during the pandemic. Two juniors partner up to develop ‘thermo-sanitizer’ The combination device was founded in July 2020, we first started brainstorming Alfieri said. “We have a good emails a day.” NextPace Ventures has sold over how we’d even be able to go back friend relationship [where] To organize the large amounts was created to improve 2,000 units across Southern to class and, would we have to we can talk about anything of emails they were writing each workplace and school safety. California to school districts, have everybody have their tem- and go through any obstacles. day, Bonde and Alfieri creat- businesses and nonprofits. perature taken before going into Sometimes people just don’t get ed a spreadsheet listing every By FRANCESCA DE NES Bonde, a junior majoring in the classroom,” Bonde said. “We along, [but] Troy and I get along single email they were sending business administration, first figured, what if everyone’s sani- really well so … our business out and documenting respons- Assistant News Editor became interested in business tizing their hands and everyone’s ideas are almost … intangible, so es. The spreadsheet was catego- When the pandemic started during high school. His cousin, having their temperature taken, they go hand in hand.” rized by industry, mainly tar- last spring, Troy Bonde had the a USC graduate medical why not have something that cuts Bonde and Alfieri knew that geting schools, urgent cares, idea to create a “thermo-sani- student, recommended that that process in half, and is the the odds of getting responses hospitals and hotels, including tizer,” a device that allows users Bonde sell medical gloves and two in one device?” from potential clients were low, Best Western International. to take their temperature while masks because of its consistent After reaching out to his con- but discovered the key to making “We do supply sanitizer and sanitizing their hands, to im- high demand, even before the tacts in manufacturing and cre- sales was being persistent and our thermo-sanitizer in Best prove workplace safety amid the pandemic. Although Bonde ating the device, Bonde made reaching out to many different Westerns from the USA to coronavirus pandemic. As his was not able to sell any of the his first sale with the Glendale clients. The pair said that most of Canada. That was one of our big- idea grew, he knew that Winston medical supplies, he gained school district by looking for the the clients they have today were gest things,” Alfieri said. “The Alfieri, his good friend since kin- contacts in Asia in the medical school directory online and send- initiated from a cold email. more emails we put in, the more dergarten, was the ideal person manufacturing base because of ing emails to as many faculty “We joke that our company es- work we put in, the more traction to team up with. his high school business idea. members as possible until he got sentially has $0 spent in ads,” we saw on our end.” The pair created NextPace Following the University’s clo- a response. He then reached out Bonde said. “There were a lot of Many NextPace Ventures cli- Ventures, a sanitation solutions sure last March due to the coro- to Alfieri, a junior majoring in long nights, just sending emails, ents have enjoyed the non-inva- company that offers thermo- navirus pandemic, Bonde began real estate development, to form drafting emails and then sending siveness of the device and the effi- sanitizers to make workplaces brainstorming ideas for the even- a partnership. them out in the morning. There ciency of combining temperature and institutions safer for tual reopening of campus. “If we have good ideas, we’ll was a point where we were prob- individuals. Since the company “[During spring break] is when just come up with them together,” ably averaging a couple hundred | see SANITIZER, page 3 |

INDEX 2 · News 5 · Opinion 6 · A & E 8 · Classifieds 7 · Sudoku 10 · Sports DAILYTROJAN.COM DAILYTROJAN PAGE 2 February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM

NOW LEASING FOR FALL 2021 APPLY TODAY ! NEWS February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM PAGE 3 HO | Shirt raises critical funds | continued from page 1 | other designs we received.” situation because I remember, at Fundamentals selected Ho as school, the overarching narrative one out of five finalists. Then, about the coronavirus was that each design was posted on is was in China, it was in Asia, it Instagram, and the winner was was just contained in Asia — it chosen based on the number of wasn’t going to come to the U.S. likes each post received. necessarily,” Ho said. While Ho did not win the There are many smaller de- scholarship, Fundamentals still signs within the ramen bowl, sold her design on their t-shirts. each representing something Through word of mouth and so- about the coronavirus, including cial media promotion, Ho re- a small cruise ship sailing in the ceived $600 in sales. noodles and Princess Cruises’s Inspired by the continuing logo on the outside of the bowl. coronavirus pandemic, the Black “[The cruise ship]was sup- Lives Matter movement and her posed to represent the initial cas- hometown of the Bay Area, Ho es that came to the Bay Area and donated these funds to SF New the U.S.,” Ho said. “That was the Deal, a non-profit organization time I started to panic about the that provides supportive services coronavirus, but I didn’t know if my concerns were valid because and financial opportunities no one else was super concerned to small businesses in San at the time.” Francisco affected by the Stephen Child, an associ- pandemic. For Ho, her decision ate professor and chair of de- to donate to SF New Deal “made sign at the Iovine and Young a lot of sense” because of the Academy, taught Ho in her first shirt’s ties to the coronavirus semester, in the course “Rapid and the organization’s work in Photo courtesy of Troy Bonde Visualization.” The course is re- her hometown. Bonde and Alfieri’s company, NextPace Ventures, supplies hand sanitizer and their thermo-sanitizer quired for first-year Academy “There were also so many things device to Best Western hotels and other workplaces across the United States and Canada to improve safety. students and teaches the funda- going on related to things like the mentals of product drawing, with Black Lives Matter movement and an emphasis on quick sketching. other social justice movements SANITIZER In the course, students focus on that I felt like keeping all the | Combo device made for safety “the creative problem-solving proceeds to myself just didn’t feel | continued from page 1 | he is pleased with the device and focus from finding new clients process.” right,” Ho said. “I wanted to take checks and sanitizing with the likes that it gives a feeling of se- through mass emails towards “She was very good in the action in some way.” curity for those working in the customer service. thermo-sanitizer, especially in class, one of my best students in According to SF New Deal facility and the customers com- “It was just interesting to see if the hospitality industry. this area,” Child said. “Her cre- chief operating officer Jenais ing in. we spent 24 hours a day sending “When you’re using the ative ability was present in the Zarlin, Ho’s donation provided “We keep it by the front door emails, we’d have had 10 times class. She solved problems in an handheld thermometer, … it’s 60 meals prepared by local res- and customers that come in want the sales we have now,” Alfieri interesting and creative way.” almost like a symbol of a gun at taurants to people experiencing someone’s forehead,” Bonde said. to know what it is, if they haven’t said. “Honestly, the harder we When Gutierrez saw Ho’s de- food insecurity. “What Best Western loved about seen it before,” Zbreneck said. work, the more sales we get, so sign, she was intrigued by its rel- In addition to helping her com- it was that it didn’t show that “It also gives a peace of mind to it’s honestly on our part.” evance. symbol. It wasn’t invasive in your us sitting here in the office that Bonde and Alfieri hope that “We thought the [ramen bowl] munity, Ho is thankful for the space, and it worked more for someone’s coming in and [tak- one day they will see USC as a cli- was very interesting and very dif- opportunity for her art to make the hospitality business … They ing] their temperature, and then ent and see their product around ferent. [Haley] wanted to shed an appearance in public. felt more comfortable using our they can also use hand sanitizer campus. light [on] the Asian community, “Anytime I see someone wear products.” below it.” “We’re hoping that USC might but also you can look more close- [my design], it makes me happy Chris Zbreneck, who works at As NextPace Ventures grows, consider [it], which would be ly to see the details and the se- that my work is physically out in Monstore Garages, a storage fa- Bonde and Alfieri, who continue awesome. It’d be great to be walking riousness of [the pandemic],” the world,” Ho said. “Seeing it be- cility in Palm Springs and is a to run the business completely on campus and see our products Gutierrez said. “It was very in- ing worn was a really nice feel- NextPace Ventures client, said on their own, have shifted their being put to work,” Bonde said. tricate and different from all the ing.” PAGE 4 February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM OPINION

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REMINDER: To be considered for financial aid, you must reapply each year. To monitor the status of your application, log in to your Financial Aid Summary & Tasks (FAST) page at financialaid.usc.edu/contactfao. PAGE 5 O| Wednesday,pini February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM/OPINIONon USC’s past should inform students in this USG voting cycle

There will be no change at USC on violation of USG ethics bylaws, flooding, the inflammatory mes- voted — look how that turned out. a reactionary Republican running until student voter turnout for and Tijani’s complaint was submit- sages scrawled on students doors in Such a low number, nowhere near for student president in response to ted following multiple attempts at Nemirovsky and Bohnett Residential majority representation, is almost Trump’s fall from power. USG election increases. communication with both Fritz and College and the administrative resis- laughable. Except that students are Last year, the Fritz and Ritch cam- Ritch. Both resignations were an- tance against the student-led push suffering from it. paign lied to the USC student body. By KAYA VON BERG nounced via emails to the USC body, for VKC’s name change. USG is structured to mimic the They campaigned on honeyed prom- Staff Writer where both candidates shied away This is not about Fritz, Ritch or U.S. national government: complete ises of inclusion and racial aware- from any semblance of accountabil- even President Carol Folt. The past is with an executive, legislative and ju- ness; yet in their personal lives, they In light of Donald Trump’s im- ity, hiding behind shields of white dead, the future yet to be conceived. dicial branch. However — unlike the actively perpetuated the discrimina- peachment trial, let’s reminisce guilt. This is about the now. Voting is open real world — candidates don’t share tion they claimed to denounce. They over USC’s ghost of impeachment Speaker of the Senate Gabe today through Feb. 19. To my fellow their political standing — instead might have escaped impeachment, past — or more specifically, the im- Savage and Sen. Trinity Moore filled students: Have you read the candi- masking their ideologies behind key- but they must not escape our mem- peachment that never was. For those the voided seats of USG president dates’ statements? What are their phrases to get elected. Ultimately, ory. As members of one of the most who’ve already forgotten: that of the and vice president, respectively. And platforms? Do you know who’s run- they’re playing house; dressing up prestigious universities in this coun- former USG President Truman Fritz. just like that, Fritz was able to avoid ning? as politicians without engaging in try, it is within the realm of students’ Accusations had arisen on the the publicity of the impeachment tri- The last few years have seen a actual politics. Let’s take this cam- ability to actively and thoughtfully @black_at_usc Instagram page, trig- al — allowed to slink away and his downward trend in voter participa- paign season as a case study. engage in the sphere of power which gering a formal complaint launched misdeeds to be sweetened by the for- tion. To combat voter apathy in the During the USG Presidential dictates the shape of our college ex- by student activist Abeer Tijani and giving honeyed flavor of time and 2020 election, USG tried to incentiv- Debate — held over Zoom on Feb. 4 perience. backed by thousands of student sig- memory. ize students to vote with promises of — presidential candidate Alexandra USC is a a primarily white institu- natures via petition. On the day of Lucky for both him and his former In-N-Out. While this was an admira- Gill introduced herself as an outsid- tion. Its structures and history ben- his impeachment hearing, Fritz re- VP, at USC there is no punishment ble attempt to engage voters, it is ul- er to USG, calling for an end to “ca- efit the white and privileged stu- signed amid numerous allegations for racism. If you think that’s a bold timately the responsibility of the stu- reer politicians.” This should sound dents who make its majority. If no of racist conduct. His vice president, statement, recall the events of the dents to perform their civic duty. familiar; it was one of Trump’s fa- one votes for change, it will not mag- Rose Ritch, found by a portion of the past school year: Black and brown Unlike the greater country, where vorite phrases during his presiden- ically occur. Yes, college is a stepping student body to be complicit in her Greek organizations segregated dur- voter suppression is a real threat, low tial campaign. Now, maybe it’s be- stone, and we’re first and foremost colleague’s misconduct, followed ing the 2019 Homecoming Tailgate, voting numbers cannot be linked ing unfair likening this candidate to here to get an education, but it’s a him into disgrace just a month later. the racist meme targeting Latinx to systemic voter suppression. Last the disgraced former U.S. president. stepping stone you’re paying an arm His impeachment was based residents after the Fluor Tower year, only 23% of the student body However, I call it like I see it, and I see and a leg for. So take advantage of it. No, I will not be celebrating Black History Month with Amazon

painting a facade that they, too, sup- when they are responsible for their Matthew port Black lives. In this ironic game continued oppression? of reductionism, Amazon epitomiz- The answer to this can be linked Eck es the paradox of neoliberalism in the to reductionism at its finest. In a cri- United States’ free-market economy. tique of race reductionism published Ultimately, we must not tolerate it in Dialectical Anthropology, author THE ECK’S FACTOR so we do not subvert Black History Adolph Reed Jr. discusses race reduc- Month, at least more than we already tionism in light of antiracism dis- do. course — how it totalizes white su- he audacity, I mutter to myself. Coined back in 1938, neoliberal- premacy and racial discrimination Bewildered, I gape at the ism defines competition as integral without recognizing the systems re- headline on Amazon.com T to humanity, glorifies efficiency and sponsible for its perpetuity. It reduces — for the record, I wasn’t ordering delineates inequality as a hierarchy — Black politics to a “unitary struggle anything from there but just browsing those with the most merit at the top, against white supremacy” in the myo- for book ISBNs and underwear to those who are lazy at the bottom. It pic lens of neoliberalism. Race reduc- order elsewhere. At the beginning of completely undermines the sociologi- tionism posits “that the problem of February, in honor of Black History cal factors that disseminate the most inequality is not its magnitude or in- Photo courtesy of Matthew Eck Month, Amazon took it upon wealth to those with the most educa- tensity … but whether or not it is dis- Amazon’s celebration of Black-owned businesses contrasts themselves to update their webpage: tion and inheritance. It values trickle- tributed in a racially equitable way.” with their business model, which marginalizes Black people. “Celebrate Black History Month with down economics or Reagan-era poli- In other words, neoliberalism does Amazon” and “Buy BLACK Support took a knee and lost his contract for it. comes to Black History. People in Utah cies that cut taxes for the most wealthy not have a problem with wealth in- Black-owned businesses,” emblazoned They plastered “End Racism” across opted their children out of Black his- so that the resultant extra wealth can equality, but it has a problem that ra- in white text against a stark black the field of the Kansas City Chiefs (I tory curricula. Republican state law- flow down to lower income groups. cial groups are unevenly distributed background. don’t think I need to explain that one). makers are threatening to cut funding Reaganomics continue to influ- through the wealth pyramid. Simply, The irony of it all immediately These facades try to hide the same sys- to schools that teach the 1619 Project, ence contemporary policies — hello, race reductionism subverts how struck me across the face and I took temic harm Amazon wreaks, mas- published by The New York Times to Donald Trump’s tax cuts to massive capitalist policies magnify the racial a moment before closing my jaw. I querading as a commitment to racial educate about the centrality of slavery corporations and the most wealthy? wealth gap. It’s why being “fiscally con- thought we had already gone over equality in a neoliberal system. in American history. Schools, and so- Yet Reaganomics have repeatedly been servative” and “socially liberal” makes this — no anti-racism books from In another prime example, we lob- ciety holistically, ignore Martin Luther proven as ineffective by economic re- zero sense — race reductionism closes Amazon! Now, Amazon continues to bied so rigorously to replace a fascist King Jr.’s scrutiny of capitalism and in- search. According to a study by the off leftist conversations about policy grip the bandwagon of neoliberalism, with President Joe Biden, disputedly a stead capitalize on “peaceful protest- Center for American Progress, trickle- and insists that Bezos and the top 1% and whether you see the problem with neoliberal. Although Biden wants to ing,” and it shows in the people these down tax cuts actually widen the in- deserve to monopolize capital while this or not, continue reading. funnel more funding into police de- systems produce. equality gap and do not, in fact, cata- the working-class struggles to support The free-market economy will ex- partments, he at least supports raising So no, I will not be celebrating Black lyze job or economic growth. themselves when working 40 hours ploit workers while their CEO becomes the minimum wage, right? Well, the History Month with Amazon. In the Yet, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk re- per week. billions of dollars richer in a pandemic federal minimum wage will be $15 by meantime, I will continue filling in the main the richest men in the world — How else does race reductionism that wrecks the economy and dispro- 2025 in his proposal, which does not gaps the American education system not because of merit or the other lies plague society? It was quite amusing portionately impacts people of color account for inflation, and our capital- created and society perpetuated. popularized by neoliberalism but be- to witness the NFL project Black Lives yet still has the nerve to urge custom- ist-corrupted society still remains torn cause of luck and the exploitation of Matter ads. This is the same organiza- ers to support Black-owned businesses. about actually supplying people with a Matthew Eck is a junior writing lower economic groups for their ben- tion that idolizes Tom Brady, a known Amazon thrives off the capitalist ide- living wage. about hot-button social issues. His efit. So what business does Amazon Trump supporter who owns a Make ology that marginalizes Black people Amidst it all, the American educa- column, “The Eck’s Factor,” runs ev- have telling us to support Black-owned America Great Again hat, and demon- and monopolizes wealth while also tion system fails immensely when it ery other Wednesday. businesses and celebrate Black people izes Colin Kaepernick, who years ago

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that bring us a step closer to the lives Pearl Malik hopes to have of incredible people. From Indian more open conversations Drag icon Rani KoHEnur’s journey as on stigmatized issues. a proud member of the LGBTQ+ com- munity to fashion designer Masaba Gupta and her journey as a mixed-race By SRIKA RAMANI fierce woman in a tough industry, ev- Staff Writer ery tape that Malik films establish a A young Pearl Malik found her hap- vital narrative that is essential to talk py place in the confines of her room, about. falling in love with Bollywood films, As a child, Malik was socially anx- one after the other. She was, as Indians ious. She was quiet and camera shy would call it, filmi — infatuated with and experienced bullying in school. It the world of film and everything it was during those times that Malik’s represents. What started as shooting mother and mentor, Ritu Malik, said short home videos on her camcorder her daughter truly began to express and editing them on iMovie translat- herselfthrough her art. ed into a series of incredibly beautiful “She started expressing her opinion short films that have garnered her sev- about bullying … which nobody usual- eral hundred thousand views and an ly speaks about,” Ritu said. “She never impeccable social media presence. told me about it, but she handled it by Malik, a junior majoring in film expressing it in her media.” production, was first exposed to so- Malik’s mother stressed how im- cially provocative filmmaking when portant the environment of her she worked on a three-month-long household was in raising the strong project with a nongovernmental or- woman that Malik is today. ganization to record the lives of chil- “Our household is dominated by dren experiencing homelessness on women, Pearl has always seen very in- Indian railways. Collating stories of dependent women around her,” Ritu drug abuse, runaways and forced la- said. “We are also very expressive peo- bor, Malik realized the importance of ple.” amplifying these voices. Her venture Today, Malik is a relentless force of into real and authentic storytelling energy. She has built networks with is what lamented her love for socially Photo courtesy of Pearl Malik. some of the most talented people critical films. Pearl Malik’s socially aware short films have garnered her hundreds within the Hindi film industry and is “The kind of films that I’m going to of thousands of views and an impressive social media following. creating content that she is passionate make are genuinely going to be a very about and unafraid to put out. strong reflection of the society we live brought the inner worlds of celebrities It wasn’t until lockdown that Sharing vulnerable content that’s in,” Malik said. “We’ve lived in a fanta- and their honest quarantine thoughts Malik realized the power that so- honest and personal to her is an es- sy world for extremely long ... We don’t to life. The love for her content helped cial media has to reach people every- sential part of Malik’s filmmaking. have enough content that makes us create a community of over 18,000 ar- where. Her short film, “Film School Rejects,” realize the small little hidden gems in dent followers. “It doesn’t judge you based on is a reflection of her own inner battles the society that we live in.” “Why I did this was also to hu- what kind of art you create, what with depression. After releasing her short form manize famous people,” Malik said. kind of audience you have. You basi- “I didn’t make [posting vulnera- documentary-style videos called “We don’t realize that they’re people cally can start from scratch and grow ble content] a big deal in my head, be- “Quarantine Tapes,” Malik blew up on too at the end of the day; they were into millions, just as someone else cause then I would be scared to put it Instagram. Watched by thousands of going through the same things that can,” Malik said. out there. I was like, ‘What if people people across the world, the mini tapes we were.” The tapes are conversational pieces | see MALIK, page 7 | ‘Framing Britney’ speaks to toxic celebrity culture, race biases

documentary was not the legal Today, there is a fat chance you few weeks on social media alone nowhere in sight. Rachel minutiae; it was what the story would get dragged for speaking are telling of how we fail to afford Lizzo, Black woman artist and revealed to us about where we’ve to a woman artist like that. Probe Black women the same respect Grammy award-winner, has been McKenzie made strides and where there is far her love life or sexuality in the and consideration as their white subject to public scrutiny and THE more work to be done. place of a career-oriented inquiry counterparts. judgment as well as fatphobic and AFTERWORD The mainstream media treated and someone is coming for your Rapper Megan Thee Stallion, body-shaming rhetoric to an extent Spears in a way that would never fly jugular — expect a Twitter army, who was allegedly shot by rapper that no white plus-sized artist can in 2021. Despite her young age and resurfaced incriminating clips and Tory Lanez last July, has been forced conceive of. This is not an accident. ollowing the release of the exceptional talent, she was covered prominent public figures ready to to repeatedly defend herself against Sure, our collective moral compass expository and scandalous almost explicitly in the context of denounce your career faster than baseless rumors. On Jan. 21, in an may have evolved, but who does Fmade-for-TV documentary, her sexuality, and gender biases you can say “misogyny.” attempt to dispel false reports that it serve? And at what cost? While “The New York Times Presents: rendered her an easy scapegoat for For instance, when gossip the assault charges against Lanez we watch “Framing Britney” Framing Britney Spears,” the women everywhere. In an infamous blogger Perez Hilton criticized a had been dropped, she tweeted: and gasp at the presumptive 39-year-old pop star is the celebrity 2003 interview with Diane Sawyer, then 15-year-old TikTok influencer “AT THIS POINT IM GETTING and misogynistic nature of her on everyone’s mind. the broadcast journalist blamed Charli D’Amelio for dancing to a ANNOYED ! STOP BELIEVING critics, subsequently turning to The documentary follows her Spears for the demise of her song in a bikini in March (“Anyone EVERYTHING YOU READ ON white public figures like D’Amelio rise to stardom and subsequent relationship with then-ex-boyfriend else think it’s inappropriate for a THE MF INTERNET. Imagine as reassurance that we have public downward spiral, narrowing Justin Timberlake; Sawyer also 15-year-old to dance to this?” he how I feel waking every day seeing progressed, it can be easy to forget in on Spears’ legal battle with her chastised Spears’ promiscuous posted), the backlash was swift. people LIE and turn my trauma about those we have left behind. father, Jamie Spears, over control performance style, insinuating that Hundreds of thousands of fans of into a joke ? That whole team I want to reiterate that I of her finances, estate and person. she failed to be a role model for D’Amelio, the most-followed user figures out ways to create doubt think “Framing Britney” is an The film positions the mainstream young women. Spears explained on TikTok, successfully petitioned with my story every week and the exceptional production, one media and Spears’ money-hungry that she felt “comfortable in her to have Hilton removed from the media eats it up.” that I believe will go a long father as the architects of her own skin” and that “it’s an okay platform. Of course, D’Amelio is Conspicuously, no Twitter army way in righting long-standing downfall, a narrative that is both thing to express yourself,” but hey, literally a child, but so was Spears backed her up. plausible and compelling. We who cares about all that, right? when the media shamelessly picked Just last week, a rumor that wrongs and drawing attention see the detrimental effects that Spears was 22 at the time. her apart. Lauren London, actress and to the implications of celebrity paparazzi presence, gender roles In another particularly Through this discrepancy, girlfriend of deceased rapper Nipsey internet culture. However, this and the music industry have on her jarring moment captured in the evolution of our relationship Hussle, was pregnant ran amok on documentary, along with the life and the resulting call to action the documentary, a European to celebrity internet culture is the internet. I can’t even count how treatment of media coverage in is easy to get behind: We can all interviewer interrogated a then evident. We now understand the many tweets I saw that criticized the 21st century as a remnant of agree, wholeheartedly, that the 17-year-old Spears about her breasts consequences that misogynistic her decision to have another baby the past, comes the erasure of the treatment of celebrities like Spears and whether she had implants. publicity can have on young women before the story was even vetted for lived experiences of Black women is ethically unsound and a complete Gross, I know. My jaw dropped in the spotlight and actively work legitimacy. Aside from the obvious today. It is worth thinking about violation of privacy. so fast — I thought I must have to circumvent these effects. We fact that how London chooses to why we have failed to keep the In a hearing last Thursday, heard wrong; there was no way question biases and incentives; we move on from her partner’s death same energy across the board Mr. Spears lost his bid to retain an interviewer would dig his own villainize those who exploit the is her prerogative, the rumor was and what it will take for us to complete control of his daughter’s grave so readily. My reaction to lives of others for personal gain. also fabricated. London took to recognize what is a glaring and finances, a positive first step the clip, though, points to an That being said, we still far too Twitter to say, “Woke up to some discriminatory media bias. in a murky legal battle and an important cultural development: frequently see this archaic breed of straight bullshit. Rumors ! Lies ! On Rachel McKenzie is a senior writ- indication that the #FreeBritney Our collective moral social media one-dimensional criticism directed a woman trying her best to heal?! ing about pop culture. Her col- movement is turning heads. compass has evolved, at least to at women celebrities of color, Please stop. I’m NOT pregnant.” umn, “The Afterword” typically But what struck me about the some extent. particularly Black women. The past Again, the Twitter army was runs every other Wednesday. A & E February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM PAGE 7

Chung Ha conquers with her debut album, ‘Querencia’ THE SKULL AND DAGGER MUSIC FOUNDATION QUERENCIA

Genre: K-pop Release Date: Feb. 15, 2021 DR. KENNETH OWLER SMITH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP DR. HARRISON M. KURTZ MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP BELLA AND DON BARDEN CENTENNIAL SCHOLARSHIP By EMANUEL RODRIGUEZ WILLIAM I. GRIFFITH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Staff Writer Carrying the listener through the banger-filled pop universe of one of Four $5,000 scholarships will be South Korea’s most talented songstress- es, Chung Ha’s first full-length debut awarded to the USC continuing album “Querencia” delivers a tracklist unlike any of her previous EPs. The students who have demonstrated generous 21-track album combines Latin-infused K-pop, dance house mu- sic and vulnerable ballads, offering significant leadership in campus versatile sounds that ensure everyone can find comfort in Chung Ha’s world. and community activities “Querencia,” meaning “a place from which one’s strength is drawn, where one feels at home” in Spanish, brings the power of K-pop to a global audi- Applications are available at: ence with genre-bending tracks unlike Photo courtesy of MNH Entertainment anyone has heard before. Chung Ha’s genre fluid debut album has something for everyone. https://skullanddagger.org/scholarships/ Chung Ha previewed the album with the single, “PLAY” featuring more games, come through / And I’ll also one of the best songs on the al- South Korean rapper, CHANGMO. make your dreams come true,” with bum, explores time by combining a APPLICATION DEADLINE: The track intertwines a catchy Latin an assertive presence that’s sure to signature ’90s instrumental with her pop beat with Chung Ha’s charis- captivate pop-lovers. melodious vocal riff. MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021 ma, accompanied by a colorful mu- The other English track on the al- “Unknown” uses squeaky and sic video paying homage to Latin bum takes a more vulnerable tone, clanky sounds combined with a pia- culture. The vibrant single along documenting a failing relationship no riff to introduce songs like “PLAY” with the Spanish album title hinted where her partner stays weighed and “Demente.” Also on this side is down by their emotions for an ex, and that Chung Ha can’t be confined to her ironically sweet tune, “Lemon,” she remains hopeful while “Flying on just K-pop; she’s dominating Latin where she sings to her lover and gives Faith.” America too. listeners a feeling of bliss, “Baby I Continuing the Latin rhythm, Continuing to touch on multiple genres and themes, “Querencia” is con- need your love, lemon, lemon.” Chung Ha brings the Latin flare to her Transitioning into the ballad-filled alluring track “Masquerade,” where veniently split into four sides – “Noble,” side of “Querencia,” “Pleasures” sets she entices a lover to search for her. “Savage,” “Unknown” and “Pleasures” – each marked by one-minute interludes. up for a vulnerable Chung Ha. “X” The salsa-inspired song makes her out VS. to be elusive and mysterious. Indeed, “Noble” opens the album with an describes her feelings of both self- she is, because the album comes with approaching bass and metal-clanging assurance and reminiscence as she many surprises. The Latin-infusion sound that introduces her new hip-hop narrates a breakup that’s surely go- doesn’t stop at the rhythms. single, “Bicycle.” She confidently sings ing to leave her ex regretful as she “Demente,’’ featuring Puerto Rican and raps asserting her dominance on sings, “You should’ve loved me at my BASKETBALL rapper Guaynaa, solidifies Chung Ha’s the sensual track, “Come on, I’ll slay worst / Now you just watch me on versatility as she flawlessly sings in you from the tip of my tongue / You your TV screen.” Followed by R&B SPORTS EXTRA Spanish and Korean over a Reggaeton wanna know? And know what she and slow jams, Chung Ha takes lis- beat, “Cada vez que me acerco tu likes? / Sit back and watch me ride.” teners on an emotional journey to amor se escapa / Y me deja’ toda sola, Reaching the likes of Ariana Grande finish off the album. FRIDAY empapada / Con las lágrimas como and Nicki Minaj’s “Side to Side” with Beginning her music career on llamas.” The Latin-Korean collabora- the bicycle-riding metaphor, Chung Ha “Produce 101,” the Korean mu- MARCH 5 tion plays on the album’s promise to presents her own twist as the self-pro- sic competition show that placed claimed “baddest queen.” deliver a place of ease for everyone her with former group I.O.I, to “Savage” introduces a new subset The Trojans face the UCLA Bruins on and exceedingly fulfills this, bringing now releasing her debut album, her talent to not only her fans but pro- of songs with a catchy house beat “Querencia,” Chung Ha’s a pop star Saturday, March 6, and then March Madness spective listeners worldwide. that fades into her acclaimed single, to ride with. “Querencia” brings ex- really begins! The Daily Trojan will look back The Dallas-raised singer expands “Stay Tonight.” The star brings the her reach, debuting two fully-English listeners back to the ’90s with the actly what the title promises, a place at the team’s 2020-21 hoops season, tracks on the album. Seducing the sparkly, vogue-filled music video and of strength. The star empowers and preview the prospects for the listener with her soothing voice and club instrumental. Named one of the both fans and the global audience AdvertisePac-12 and NCAA Tournaments. Here! charming lyrics, Chung Ha takes on “35 Songs That Helped Define K-Pop through Latin-Korean fusion, house a more retro pop sound with “Dream in 2020,” the song is sure to remain a music, R&B and everything in be- Discount off normal display ad rates of You.” stamp in Chung Ha’s catalog. tween, making her 21-track album a SmallAd Order space. Deadline Big Tues. Visibility. March 2 Chung Ha sings, “I want you and Transcending beyond genre and safe haven for everyone. I know you want me too / So now no theme experimentation, “Bother Me,” DAILY TROJAN ADVERTISING For rates:[email protected] [email protected]

MALIK | A relentless force of energy SUDOKU | Look for puzzles in each edition of the Daily Trojan | continued from page 6 | ashamed about it anymore and I want reactions to the way you live life,” Malik judge?’” Malik said. “That’s a fear that to make a short film about the strug- said. “At the end of the day, they’re face- Puzzle 8 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.53) someone with a mental health issue gles, but it was reported multiple times less people sitting behind the screens, constantly has.” that very day,” Malik said. and their opinion cannot change the Malik said that much like her, With the film taken down, Malik way that I look at myself.” 2 8 4 many other people too are bottling felt as though her voice, her moment of Malik believes that an essential at- up their feelings in the fear of being brave vulnerability, was squandered. titude that should be adopted by ev- judged. However, the messages she re- “I was genuinely heartbroken eryone is to be shameless. 7 3 ceived from viewers who related to her about it,” Malik said. “Especially since “When you become shameless you struggles made it all worth it. this is the first time that I allowed don’t fear how other people will react,” “The response that I got in my DMs, myself to openly say that I go through Malik said. “Have zero shame in pro- 3 2 5 6 8 around 300 people on the day itself, something like this.” moting yourselves.” who messaged me and spoke about Malik’s experience with the gut- In this incredibly tough and com- their stories and spoke about how this wrenching side of social media in- petitive industry, Malik has truly 7 1 8 felt very close to their heart,” Malik spired her to create her most recent carved a space for herself. From mak- piece of work, “Behind closed doors” said. “I swear to God, I have never felt ing sure she controls her creative au- — a film about victimization by social 1 3 9 8 5 that happy.” tonomy to gracefully refusing work media bullying. She believes that showcasing con- that doesn’t align with her creative vi- tent like this is not just a cathartic Anveshika Sahi, the lead actor of sion, Malik has proven to be this unbe- experience for the many that have the film, discussed how Malik sat her 4 7 2 lievably strong powerhouse. bottled it up much like her; it is also es- down to talk about how she wanted sential to drive the conversation in our the story told to the world and the per- She recalls her father’s keen advice communities. sonal importance of bringing the nar- as something that’s stuck with her 6 1 7 2 4 “The pain is not physical; it’s not rative to a larger audience. since she was young — as well as a piece of wisdom she’d like to pass onto something tangible, you can point out “It became even more personal, and 9 5 where it is,” Malik said. “Seeing a phys- throughout the process, in every single others. ical representation of your emotions is thing that we did, I felt like we were do- “You need to realize your worth, actually very therapeutic. And that I ing this not just for ourselves but for a your work’s worth, and then no one 7 1 6 could make other people feel that, felt lot of people out there,” Sahi said. “And can take you for a ride,” Malik said. really amazing.” that’s something that was beautiful.” “If you don’t have confidence in what Malik first experienced social me- Malik has realized that a part of you’re making, no one is gonna take Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Fri Jan 15 07:54:01 2021 GMT. Enjoy! dia criticism when she opened up putting your work out there in today’s you seriously and even if I don’t have about her battle with bipolar disorder. times is being subjected to undue hate. confidence in myself, I put on a face “I decided that I don’t want to be “You can’t control other people’s that I do.” Daily Trojan PAGE 8 | Wednesday,Classifie February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM/CLASSIFIEDSds

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Deadline for submitting your classified ad is 3 p.m. two business days prior to the update [email protected] SPORTS February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM PAGE 9 USC looks to continue six-game winning streak against ASU A win against the Sun This time around the Trojans will need to amp up defensive Devils would complete efforts to keep the Sun Devils in the season sweep for USC. check. However, USC has earned national notoriety on that side of By ANTHONY GHARIB the ball, suffocating opponents to Deputy Sports Editor 37% shooting from the field — the fourth-best in the country. With the season concluding The key, according to junior soon, men’s basketball has caught guard Drew Peterson, is forcing fire at just the right time. The the guards toward the big men and Trojans have won 13 of their last 15 always having help ready. games, earning themselves the No. “They’re a quick team and 17 ranking in the country. they’re really tricky. And they got They’ll look to continue their a lot of kind of [isolation] one on outstanding play against Arizona one guys that we got to keep in State Wednesday night at Galen track,” Peterson said. “Being able Center. to load up early, always having help In their earlier matchup against because they like to play a lot of one the Sun Devils, USC handled ASU on one. We got to be there [with the] on the road in a comfortable 73-64 next guy in line when they drive to victory. The Trojans were without the hoop.” sophomore guard Ethan Anderson, Because they are the tallest team but freshman forward Evan Mobley in the nation, the Trojans have the made it up with 19 points, 13 ability to lean on their length to rebounds and six blocks. contain dangerous guards on the ASU was also without their perimeter. leading scorer, senior guard Remy Senior guard Isaiah White Martin. The 6-foot guard from mentioned it’ll be important to Chatsworth typically spearheads use their length to disrupt shots a Sun Devil guard trio that can and keep them from catching fire, pose a huge threat. Martin, which is something they are able to who’s averaging nearly 20 points do quickly. per game, freshman guard Josh “Remy Martin and all those Christopher and senior guard guys are very talented,” White said. Alonzo Verge Jr. make up a “Trying to limit open shots and use dangerous and lightning-quick our length on defense to bother group unit. They combine for everyone — I think that’ll be key nearly 47 points per game and, just because they can get hot fast.” with Martin set to play Wednesday, USC should be able to feast on could give USC’s defense fits. the other side of the ball. Head coach Andy Enfield Arizona State’s tallest player highlighted the importance of is 6-foot-10, sophomore forward containing the three players. John Olmsted who only played one “They’re so dangerous with their minute in the first game. As a result, guard play and they’re so dynamic. they rely heavily on freshman They shoot a lot of 3s and they have forward Marcus Bagley, sophomore Simon Park | Daily Trojan the quickest guards in the league,” forward Chris Osten and senior Junior guard Drew Peterson is averaging 9.2 points per game, along with just over three assists Enfield said in a virtual press forward Kimani Lawrence to bang and nearly five rebounds per game in his first season at USC. conference Saturday. “They’re a with the bigs down low. really hard team to guard and we’ll The three men not only struggled “On the offensive end, we’re each game is as important as the keeping the team focused. just try to come up with a game to contain Evan but also allowed definitely going to try and dominate one before. USC is currently first “We’re still shooting for this Pac plan to do our best.” his brother, sophomore forward them on the inside,” Peterson said. in the Pac-12 and projected to be 12 title [and we] got a one-game In the two teams’ first matchup Isaiah Mobley, to drop 13 points of “And obviously run through Evan a four seed when March Madness lead, and we can’t let anything up,” of the season, the trio of Verge his own. Peterson and senior guard [and] let him work and we’ll play off comes around, according to ESPN. he said. “So no slip-ups can happen.” Jr., Christopher and senior guard Tahj Eaddy were able to reach him and then hit open shots when The title race in the conference, USC looks to defend its Pac-12 Holland Woods combined for 46 of double figures themselves too. we need to.” however, is still alive and Peterson lead on Wednesday against the the team’s 64 total points. With only six games remaining,TheThe New New highlightedYorkYork TimesTimes SyndicationSyndicationthe importance SalesSales CorporationCorporationof Wildcats. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. 620620 EighthEighth Avenue,Avenue, NewNew York,York, N.Y.N.Y. 1001810018 ForFor InformationInformation Call:Call: 1-800-972-35501-800-972-3550 ForFor Release Release Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. Feb. 18, 17, 2021 2021

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ONUS RAG TVHOSTS 25 Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay. ATLAS NEST SEEM 13 ThinPlagues air Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay. PAGE 10S | Wednesday,port February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM/SPORTSs Trojans defeat Cougars in overtime in season opener Jennifer Westendorf’s Westendorf’s goal was a powerful strike from outside of the box that overtime goal gave USC never left the ground, weaving the win in a close contest. between two Cougar defenders. Hocking and McKeown were By PATRICK WARREN one of the conference’s highest Staff Writer scoring duos last season, averaging The No. 14 USC women’s soccer a combined 1.49 goals per game last team opened its season Monday season. Hocking finished second with a 4-3 win in overtime against in the Pac-12 in goals scored last No. 10 Brigham Young University. season, netting 18. McKeown While the Trojans have typically scored a total of 15, finishing in played their home games at Soni fourth in the conference. The duo McAlister field, their win against accounted for 33 of USC’s 47 goals the Cougars took place in an last season. empty Coliseum, their designated “I’m looking forward to them home field for the season. being even better,” said head The Trojans’ initial season-opener coach Keidane McAlpine. “Last against Pepperdine was canceled year was their first year to play up due to positive coronavirus tests top together ... I actually think the within the Waves’ team, forcing bond they have in their game is a USC to miss out on its first little better than it was.” scheduled game of the 2021 season. The pair are clearly continuing After waiting an extra few days to to ride that momentum, with 3 get started, the Trojans needed an goals scored between the two in extra 6:12 in overtime to secure a USC’s first game. Bethune also put 1-0 start to their season. on an impressive performance, A defensive first half led to a recording two assists in her surprising surge in attacking in the collegiate debut. second, as the teams battled back McKeown, as well as Collins, and forth until graduate transfer were draft picks in the 2020 forward Jennifer Westendorf’s National Women’s Soccer League overtime golden goal gave USC the Draft. McKeown was the eighth win. overall pick by the Washington Prior to transferring to USC, Spirit and Collins went in the Westendorf played three seasons fourth round to the Orlando Pride. at Notre Dame and received All- However, due to a unique rule in ACC honors as a freshman and the 2020 draft, both McKeown sophomore. and Collins were able to defer The first 10 minutes of the game for a year, and remain on the consisted of multiple defensive USC team. Fortunately for USC, stands by both squads, with zero their presence was clearly felt in shots on goal by BYU. However, an Monday’s game. offensive push in the 10th minute The Trojans will open up by the Trojans led to senior forward conference play at Arizona State Tara McKeown’s first goal of the next Friday, Feb. 26. McAlpine is season. McKeown received a pass looking for his team to improve from sophomore midfielder Croix defensively, especially against the Bethune and navigated around Sun Devils high-scoring offense. BYU senior goalkeeper Cassidy “I’m really hoping that we’ll just Smith for the easy punch-in. Beth Mosch | Daily Trojan execute a little bit better over the Bethune, who missed the 2020 Graduate transfer forward Jennifer Westendorf scored 20 goals and collected 13 assists in three 90 minutes, and hopefully, I can season due to an injury, made her seasons at Notre Dame prior to scoring in her debut for USC. play a little bit deeper into our first collegiate assist on the play. bench,” McAlpine said. McKeown finished fourth in goals last long. Two minutes later junior at 2 goals apiece. It only took two of the day, once again tying the The Sun Devils are 4-0 and have scored in the Pac-12 last season. forward Penelope Hocking beat minutes for the Trojans to answer, game with just 13 minutes to play. scored 3 or more goals in each of The Cougars answered in Smith in a one-on-one to put the when Hocking drew a foul in the Neither team was able to edge their games. Arizona State has the 57th minute with a goal Trojans back up a score. penalty box and McKeown scored the other out in regulation, and also been impressive defensively by sophomore forward Rachel The goals continued in the her second goal on a penalty kick. it took a goal in the sixth minute with two shutouts so far this McCarthy that leveled the game 68th minute with sophomore After 10 minutes of lockdown of overtime by Jen Westendorf, season. The game kicks off at 6 at 1-1. However, the tie did not midfielder Bella Folino scoring for defensive play by both teams, once again assisted by Bethune, p.m. in Tempe, AZ. the Cougars, again tying the game Folino scored her second goal to secure a victory for USC. Postseason college basketball must be handled carefully

1961 — when JFK was president Having these conference travel. But in this case, the NCAA is played in indoors and smaller Pratik and “West Side Story” was the tournament games can potentially should enforce bubbles for teams arenas, transmission among teams Thakur most popular movie in theaters. increase the spread of coronavirus that have around a 50/50 chance to can be higher. THE MEDIC Additionally, our very own Trojans right before the national make the tournament. “The best indoor sport is an are currently ranked at no. 17 and tournament. Therefore, it is crucial In terms of testing, teams, outdoor sport,” stated Dr. Cordelia are sitting on top of the Pac-12. that the same level of precautions more specifically their designated Carter of NYU Lagone Health when fter witnessing my Kansas However, before we get to the that will take place in Indianapolis 34-person traveling squad, need to asked about the transmission of City Chiefs get completely chaotic 68-team tournament, we occur at these matches as well have seven consecutive negative coronavirus between outdoor and Aoutplayed last week, I want- have to address the conference because many of these teams will tests starting on Mar. 6 in order indoor sports in an article by the ed to shift gears from football and tournaments that teams will begin end up traveling to the big stage. for everyone to be able to head Washington Post. delve back into basketball for this next month. Teams will be heading The NCAA does have a strong to the tournament. In the case Overall, as we head into week’s column. to different locations across the plan in place to limit travel and that someone tests positive, that March, it will be key to look out The biggest sporting event country to play for an automatic ensure safety as much as possible individual should be monitored for any cases that are popping up next this year is the NCAA bid in the NCAA tournament next month. They are making until they are done quarantining. up at conference tournaments. Basketball Tournament — more (conference champions receive sure that teams that are at-large, This move is also somewhat Conference tournaments are commonly known as March automatic bids). meaning they are likely to qualify risky because you can’t ensure that fun, and it’s great to see teams Madness. After its coronavirus-in- Even though these tournaments for the tournament irrespective of a person has not passed it on to have a shot at their conference duced cancellation last season, offer another welcome their performance at the national other members of the team since, championships after being audiences can finally watch some opportunity for fans to watch tournament, will stay at their after all, they are all practicing and deprived of the opportunity last of the best collegiate programs in and cheer on their teams, the conference tournament site until playing together. Another dynamic season, but that may not bode the country duke it out to win the travel involved should cause some Selection Sunday. Along with those is that unlike football, where well for the execution of March 2021 title. Although, I don’t know concerns. For example, USC will who automatically qualified, they some coaches and players will Madness this year. if Duke will actually make it this be heading to the T-Mobile Center will be in coordination with the rarely interact with one another, year. at the Las Vegas Strip to play in NCAA to see how they will travel basketball has much smaller Pratik Thakur is a sophomore writ- This season has actually brought the Pac-12 tournament. Likewise, from their conference tournament personnel and team sizes, so if ing about sports and its intersec- a lot of surprises. For starters, no many other teams will be heading site to Indiana for the national one person on the team contracts tion with health policy during the traditional Blue Blood programs to various cities such as Kansas tournament. coronavirus, it can spread coronavirus pandemic. His col- were ranked last week, marking City (Big 12), Greensboro (ACC) These strict protocols work well faster throughout the squad. umn, “The Medic,” runs every other the first time that’s happened since and Nashville (SEC). and can help limit any unnecessary Additionally, since basketball Wednesday. USGPAGE S1 E| Wednesday,l Februarye 17,ction 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM s

Shideh Ghandeharizadeh | Daily Trojan USG attempts to move forward in aftermath of racial reckoning

Student leaders within the voted by secret ballot. Trinity Moore, a junior of Public Safety and hiring more professors According to Warren, this is the first year USG majoring in business of cinematic arts, won of color. He said that the administration has conducted substantive DEI training, with organization reflect on with eight votes out of twelve. remains committed to DPS and reforming only a single day dedicated to implicit bias rebuilding itself. Moore has been a part of USG since her the institution through the DPS Community required in the past. freshman year, but she said she never saw Board sessions. Warren is also spearheading efforts By MARIA EBERHART AND SOPHIA herself on the executive board. “USC’s position is that defunding DPS is to incorporate the DEI council, which is UNGARO “Being a senator over the summer at the not the way to go,” Savage said. “We’ve talked currently under the executive branch of USG, Features Editors time of everything happening was very eye to Chief Thomas about that, we’ve talked to into the legislature. opening,” Moore said. “It was a calling to the VP of Student Affairs about that, we’ve “I’m working on a restructuring plan ollowing the death of George Floyd, be in this position, not because I felt like I talked to President Folt.” to ensure that we create stipends and Black students created the @black_at_ was the perfect person to do it, but because Nevertheless, Savage and Moore are proud roles for [cultural] organizations to have Fusc Instagram page to share instances I was willing to put in the work towards of what their team has accomplished. Moore representation directly in the legislative of racism and microaggressions at USC. progression.” noted the board meets weekly to discuss branch, so they can be working closer with Several posts on the account claimed that The first goal of the duo was to hire a new progress of ongoing efforts to better the USC our committees and Senate members,” former Undergraduate Student Government executive board that prioritized diversity and community. Warren said. President Truman Fritz engaged in racial representation in response to the complaints “Everyone is really moving in tandem and While Warren thinks USG has made misconduct. from the Black Student Assembly and student towards the progressive way we want to move headway to address racism in the organization, In response to these allegations, Abeer activists, according to Savage. the org,” Moore said. “It’s not always visible she said there’s still work to be done. Tijani, a senior majoring in global health, “It was super imperative to bring people what the executive members are doing but it’s “We had this big restructuring and then called for Fritz’s immediate resignation due on the team who were a byproduct of the great to see that a lot of them move in silence lost all of our cabinet, so last semester was to his racially insensitive behavior. Despite movement we had just seen,” Moore said. without a huge parade.” just staying afloat,” Warren said. “Because of having reached out to Fritz and Ritch on “Diversity within our cabinet was one of the that, I don’t think we were able to fully take multiple occasions, Tijani was left ignored by main things we tried to focus on.” NEW DEI EFFORTS advantage of the movement and this culture the two. She then helped lead efforts on her Moore and Savage appointed a board shift.” Instagram account to impeach Fritz and Vice representative of the racial and ethnic Inspired by student activism over the Shreya Chaudhary, a junior majoring in President Rose Ritch due to her complicity. backgrounds of the student body as well as summer, Lucy Warren, a junior majoring in business administration, currently serves as Fritz resigned July 7, three weeks after chief communications officer, and during her Tijani filed a formal impeachment complaint. tenure, she has valued transparency above all Tijani also briefly mentioned Ritch’s history else. of supporting pro-Israel groups on campus to “Overall this is a new era for USG,” the detriment of Palestinian students. Tijani’s “I wanted to be able to look every single person Chaudhary said. “I’ve almost felt a shift. It’s criticism of Ritch’s Zionist beliefs sparked in USG in the face and say: ‘This is what we’re about encouraging that shift to keep moving social media outrage amongst students. in that new direction. I think that’s the only Ritch resigned August 6 in a letter doing about it … and this is the direction we way we’re going to bring USG into a direction addressed to the student body. that students can be proud of.” “I have been told that my support for Israel want to take the organization.” In addition to her current duties, has made me complicit in racism, and that, · · · Chaudhary is also running to be USG by association, I am racist,” the letter read. president for the upcoming school year. “Students launched an aggressive social GABE SAVAGE USG President Warren is running on an opposing ticket for media campaign to ‘impeach [my] Zionist vice president. a**.’ This is antisemitism, and cannot be To ensure candidates run an inclusive tolerated at a University that proclaims to campaign, the USG Elections Commission ‘nurture an environment of mutual respect created the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and tolerance.’” many who had no previous experience in USG. economics, decided to apply for the existing initiative pact, a form which candidates must Tijani addressed the situation prior to While they were successful in hiring a new chief diversity officer position on the executive sign to indicate their commitment to an Ritch’s resignation, stating she primarily board, several students from other branches board. After earning the role, she has worked equitable campaign. asked for her impeachment, not because of her also decided to leave USG, making it difficult with cultural organizations to restore trust in “We really want to stress how important Zionist views but because she did not condemn to rebuild the organization. USG. it is to candidates that they’re running for Fritz’s actions and microaggressions. “We had folks from our communication “I sat down with every cultural organization the student body as representative of the The resignation of Ritch sent USG team and from our funding department just at the beginning of last semester and asked student body,” said Anna Rodriguez, chair into a whirlwind of chaos. USG now had drop out, and I understand why because USG them, what are the issues within USG? What of the elections commission. “They need to the attention of the student body and its had now been associated with some really is it that you want to see?” Warren said. “And be creating a more equitable, diverse and restructuring began soon afterwards. ugly modes of thought,” Savage said. I sat down and created a master list of projects inclusive platform, as well as just trying to To tackle the mistrust head on, Savage that I knew we needed to start working on.” include that into their everyday lives. TRANSITION OF POWER conducted meetings with dozens of new Warren also leads the USG Diversity, The Daily Trojan reported 4,700 total votes and existing USG personnel to discuss Equity, and Inclusion Council, which in the 2020 USG elections, which is less than According to the USG bylaws, the order of includes representatives from 12 cultural succession following the Vice President is the the resignations and problems within the 20% of the total student body. USG officials organization, including transparency and organizations who meet biweekly to discuss encourage students to vote so history doesn’t speaker of the Senate. Gabe Savage, a senior DEI issues on campus and related ongoing majoring in philosophy, politics and law, accountability. Savage said he felt it important repeat itself. to speak openly about the unusual transition projects. Although the council existed loosely “I want to encourage as many students to transitioned abruptly from the speaker to the before this summer, it was officially written presidential role following Ritch’s resignation. of leadership. vote in this election,” Moore said. “I think the “I wanted to be able to look every single into the USG bylaws this summer. events that happened over the summer are “For two weeks or so, I was every role in the “The goal is to foster intersectional executive cabinet, which wasn’t fun,” Savage person in USG in the face and say: ‘This is a result of what happens when not enough what we’re doing about it … and this is the collaboration and ensure that USG and all people vote and not enough people have a said. of our projects are including every voice,” In addition to juggling multiple positions, direction we want to take the organization,’” say in who is their leader. Vote for a candidate Savage said. Warren said. that aligns with what you want to see and Savage organized the selection of the new The council worked together to develop a vice president along with replacing the entire Since starting in August, Savage and Moore the changes that you want to see happen and have met with university administrators six-part DEI training series that all members what you want USC to look like next year and executive board which resigned. He decided of USG must participate in, covering to hold a meeting for senators to make their to discuss demands from Black students, beyond.” including defunding the USC Department microaggressions against different groups, case for the position, and then the senate intersectionality and performative activism. PAGE S2 February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM USG ELECTIONS USG ELECTIONS February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM PAGE S3

Photos: Vincent Leo, Design: Alyssa Shao and Lauren Schatzman | Daily Trojan PAGE S4 February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM USG ELECTIONS

Isabella Melendez | Daily Trojan Lack of transparency creates frustration in USG Undergraduate Student Government is defined as the governing body of the undergraduate student community; however, for many students, it is unclear what the organization is actually working on.

By ANGIE ORELLANA HERNANDEZ that post, however, was a USC DEI Council informed on conversations that USG has if I don’t know, nobody else could possibly Arts & Entertainment Editor open meeting published Feb. 12, seven had with admin. Without this information, know, especially a freshman who’s never months after the initial listing. USG officers aren’t able to effectively do stepped foot on campus — they probably he Undergraduate Student Additionally, Sambrano also notes that their jobs, Sambrano said. have no idea what USG even means.” Government is intended to be the within the programming branch, there’s In terms of communication and According to Hinton, USG needs to be Tgoverning body of the undergraduate been a lack of transparency with issues transparency, Jaya Hinton, the co-executive proactive and consistent when it comes to student population — a focal point for regarding budgets. On behalf of USG’s director of Black Student Assembly, updating the student body. It is USG’s job to advocacy by connecting student voices request, SAGE submitted three tentative another cultural assembly within USG’s maintain that transparency, Hinton said. to the USC administration for the overall budget proposals depending on whether programming department, notes that A potential avenue for disbursement improvement of the student experience. the school year would be in-person, hybrid accessibility to USG is important. of information takes place on the USG However, even within that definition, or online. When the organization was in According to Hinton, USG needs to website. If students want to be informed confusion and doubt has arisen surrounding the process of planning events for the fall reach out to more groups, especially about current senate legislation, they can the role of USG, leading to a fraught semester, they found themselves without a underrepresented communities, on campus go to USG’s website under the legislative relationship between the organization budget until approximately halfway through to expand recruitment and diversify the branch — scroll all the way to the bottom and the student body. For USG Chief September, according to Sambrano. organization, as well as become points of — to access the senate legislation tracker Communications Officer Shreya Chaudhary, This presented itself as an issue when contact to understand student concerns. for the 2020-21 school year. There is a senate the lack of transparency is one of the key SAGE was in the process of planning Body “There are so many spaces designated database located there as well that leads issues that has ultimately led to distrust. Love Month, a program that typically for Black students, newsletters designated students to an incomplete Google drive “Unfortunately, I think because of, takes place in the fall and focuses on body for those students that [USG] can put that whose minutes for senate meetings have not oftentimes, the lack of transparency, been updated since Oct. 13. amongst so many things, that’s one of the Under the “resources” tab of the USG big things that has led to USG’s loss of trust website, almost all of the information with the student body,” said Chaudhary, a has not been updated since the 2019-20 junior majoring in business administration. Even in USG, I have no idea what’s happening … school year. The budget is from 2019-20, as For Alexia Sambrano, the co-executive well as the senate database linked there, director of the Student Assembly for Gender because I know if I don’t know, nobody else could and even the office hours that list former Empowerment, an ideal USG would be possibly know, especially a freshman who’s never USG executives Trenton Stone and Mahin transparent. SAGE falls under the cultural Tahsin as USG president and vice president, assemblies that are under the programming stepped foot on campus — they probably have no respectively, still have not been changed. department in USG’s executive branch. idea what USG even means.” According to Chaudhary, one of her “[USG] would communicate everything main goals was to revamp the USG website. to everyone in USG and to the student · · · Fixing the website was also a general USG body,” said Sambrano, a junior majoring in JAYA HINTON plan following conservations surrounding neuroscience and cognitive science. “Any Co-Executive Director of the Black Student Assembly restructuring, Chaudhary said. However, projects they have, any meetings they have due to a changing team and plans, the with admin, what those meetings discuss massive overhaul that was originally and any changes that will be affecting the planned did not come into fruition. student body.” “I think it was everything that happened Currently, Sambrano said they feel like positivity and appreciation. SAGE was information in to make sure they reach after restructuring that just led to everything USG could do a better job at communicating unable to properly plan the event given that them, and they don’t,” said Hinton, a junior kind of being thrown off,” Chaudhary said. updates and meetings with the student they did not know how much money they majoring in business administration. “They “And so it’s really about trying to complete body. Considering the reckoning USG had to work with, Sambrano said. just use the channels that already mostly as much as we can, within this term, to set a experienced last summer following the “All we were told was just negotiate with reach the same demographic that already solid foundation for the next.” resignations of former President Truman talent as if you already have a budget,” makes up the majority of USG.” Moving forward, Speaker of the Senate Fritz and Vice President Rose Ritch under Sambrano said. “But obviously, we can’t For Hinton, a greater understanding of Ruben Romeo said that it’s important to allegations of microaggressions and negotiate with talent if we don’t know what what USG’s powers and limitations entail is continue to make information digestible complicity, respectively, Sambrano expected numbers we have to work with. And we also necessary so students are able to make and accessible in order for students to take USG to have a “wake up call.” weren’t even given a ballpark estimate of the most out of the organization on realistic advantage of USG’s resources. “I think what’s been lacking has been just what exactly it was that we were receiving.” terms and avoid frustration afterward. “I think it’s highly an accessibility issue,” communication in terms of what exactly By the time they received their budget, it Hinton acknowledges that although the said Romeo, a senior majoring in health is going on to combat all of the things was too late to file paperwork. Ultimately, USG Senate can come up with “a million promotion and disease prevention. “The that they said they were going to combat SAGE had to move Body Love Month to good goals,” what matters most is what fact that nobody knows they can write a over the summer,” Sambrano said. “So the spring to avoid cancelling the program is done upon the resolution landing on resolution by being a student leader, the fact initiatives related to [diversity, equity and altogether because there was not a presiding President Carol Folt’s desk. that people don’t know when or how senate inclusion], whether it be the abolition of officer. “All a resolution really does is make a meetings are hosted or the fact that this can [Department of Public Safety] or structural In an email to the Daily Trojan, USG statement,” Hinton said. “[For example], actually get put into an admin’s inbox or desk changes within USC to make way for Black, Chief Financial Officer Zachariah Taymuree this Senate wants 50,000 more dollars to for when they get that resolution passed — Indigenous [people] and people of color said that the late allocation of the Fall distribute among our cultural assemblies these are things all students should know.” to be in positions of leadership. So I would budget happened across all line items and to make sure that their needs are met. For Romeo, connecting the student body appreciate a lot more communication and that it was not particular to SAGE. President Folt can throw [the resolution] to this sort of information comes in various transparency in terms of that.” “The reason for this was simply because away and then there’s nothing that happens forms such as infographics that make senate USG’s legislative committee posted a list the USG Budget cannot be set without a CFO after that.” meetings less daunting spaces, updated of actionable items on Instagram Aug. 17 or Budget Committee,” Taymuree wrote. Currently, both Hinton and Sambrano legislation and advocacy trackers or making meant to address the list of demands Black “Given that I was hired halfway through the do not have a clear understanding of what legislation more accessible. While USG has students curated on @black_at_usc, faculty month of September, it would not have been initiatives are being worked on within USG spent time this year focusing on internal concerns and greater student demands. possible to set the budget at any point before outside of programming, something that regroup and restructure, Romeo hopes that One of those actionable items was my hiring.” Hinton finds concerning on a wider scale. the next leadership will aim to address “publicizing upcoming meetings with Nonetheless, Sambrano would like to “I really have no idea what the majority accessibility issues. administration/higher up and opening see constant communication from USG. of the senators are working on at any given “I hope that these attitudes of DEI, being them up to the general student body For programming and planning purposes, time, or the cabinet is working at any given embedded in everything, being accessible to (especially BIPOC) for comments and Sambrano would have preferred to receive time,” Hinton said. “Even in USG, I have no the public, transpire to the next leadership concerns.” The only meeting that has been early and consistent updates or at least be idea what’s happening … because I know that gets elected,” Romeo said. publicized on the USG instagram following USG ELECTIONS February 17, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM PAGE S5 The Daily Trojan Editorial Board endorses Shreya & Antonio

Vincent Leo | Daily Trojan

he role of Undergraduate Student The Daily Trojan acknowledges the extension of Engemann’s hours of oper- editorial board. Government president and vice discrimination experienced by Black ation during testing seasons, mention- They understand their role as one to Tpresident is no small task, de- and Indigenous students and students ing that mental health is not only an is- serve the community they are in, which manding an authentic desire and willing- of color and community members that sue for students in the specific time block was made clear by Chaudhary’s intro- ness to serve the USC student body with necessitates an anti-racist approach to during which Engemann offers coun- duction of their ticket in the Feb. 4 vir- transparency, accountability and the ut- public safety. Because we believe that seling services. In an interview with tual debate. Chaudhary began by offering most respect for the community they rep- the Alexandra & Dell platform supports the Daily Trojan Editorial Board, Okeke a month by month breakdown of her and resent. policies that could potentially threaten also mentioned their hopes to work with Okeke’s action plan. By contrast, Gill in- Following the tumultuous onslaught the USC and South Central community, Engemann and their financial managers, troduced their ticket with an emphasis of controversy in USG brought to light where Black and Latinx students and oth- to ensure students have access to their on her and her running mate’s status as this past year — which led to the early er community members experience ra- services 24/7. “outsiders,” demanding an end to career resignation of former President Truman cial profiling and violence at the hands of Their platform also addresses the need politicians. Fritz and Vice President Rose Ritch DPS, we instead support the public safe- to expand mental health services to stu- Moreover, throughout the course of — it is all the more critical that USG’s ty agendas of the Shreya & Antonio and dents who are currently living outside of the debate, some unbecoming personal upcoming leadership is equipped with Alexis & Lucy tickets, which call for pro- California. Shreya & Antonio plan to take attacks were levied, however Chaudhary equitable policies that lead the University viding DPS with the training to become a look at policies that prevent USC from and Okeke positioned themselves the forward and have character and ethical better allies to the community and rad- serving out-of-state students. Alexandra least of the frivolous crossfire. Meanwhile, agendas that are demonstrative of the ical change within the organization, re- & Dell also emphasized the need for ac- candidates Gill and Areias went back and values held within our student body. spectively. cessibility to mental health resources. forth about the extent of their personal For these reasons, the Daily Trojan has There is a clear need at USC to improve On the issue of campus and communi- involvement in Greek life, among other decided to endorse presidential candidate resources for international students and ty sustainability, the Areias and Warren things. Chaudhary and Okeke’s behav- Shreya Chaudhary and vice presidential help them adapt to student life in the and Chaudhary and Okeke platforms ior over the course of the undoubtedly candidate Antonio Okeke. United States — especially during the contributed substantive action plans to tumultuous and sometimes-derailed de- In regards to diversity, equity and in- coronavirus pandemic. All three tickets create change within current University bate showcases their focus and genuine clusion, the Shreya & Antonio ticket had are adamant about bolstering funding practices. In support of DivestSC, both commitment to issues of substance. much to contribute, seeking to expand On a final note, over the course of upon already existing propositions of di- the endorsement interviews conducted versity and inclusion, while also offer- by the Daily Trojan with all candidates, ing new ideas. They aim to shorten the Chaudhary and Okeke offered by far the length of the USG application to make it The inevitability of the unpredictable is why most straightforward answers to our more accessible to students, emphasizing questions. While platitudes and rhetori- the importance of diversity initiatives in trust in the judgment and character of whoever cal fluff are always to be expected in pol- both staff and student pools and the ne- is elected is of the utmost importance. In this itics, they were notably absent from the cessity for establishing mandatory diver- duo’s responses. For lack of a better term, sity trainings for the campus. regard, the Chaudhary and Okeke duo offer what they stuck to the real stuff. When asked about Black and While the Daily Trojan has offi- Palestinian students, Shreya & Antonio feels like true sincerity and humility. cially made their endorsement for the spoke directly about expanding physi- Chaudhary & Okeke ticket, it remains cal spaces on campus for these commu- clear that the endorsement is not made nities. They voiced their desire to incor- in perpetuity. Our endorsement is reliant porate a Manasseh student group within for the Office of International Services tickets called for the selling of University upon candidate interviews and an analy- USG. Additionally, they spoke about their and expanding the office, but the Shreya investments in the fossil fuel industry, to- sis of their public platforms and debates, support for the Black House proposition & Antonio ticket is the only one with a taling to a staggering $277 million. Both which in no part serve to represent the from 2015. solid, tangible action plan that can serve tickets also endorsed the ban of single- actions, decisions and behaviors of can- The Alexis Areias and Lucy Warren international students from day one. use plastics campus-wide, and shared didates if they are to assume office. The ticket also supported the implementa- Their platform includes a roadmap a commitment to creating a commuter Daily Trojan pledges to continue hold- tion of the Black House, similarly empha- to make USC easier to navigate for the program to reduce student carbon emis- ing University leaders accountable for the sizing their overall desire to build upon University’s large number of internation- sions. problems and shortcomings they seek existing channels for diversity, equity al students. Integral to their plan is de- In looking at current campus sus- to tackle and the ones they may create and inclusion. veloping an international student peer tainability measures, the Chaudhary & themselves. Overall, the Shreya & Antonio and mentorship program which will help ac- Okeke ticket acknowledges the benefits While we have defended our endorse- Alexis & Lucy tickets presented a strik- climate international students to USC. of the University’s long term sustainabil- ment with research and assessment of ing contrast between their DEI initiatives Additionally, the candidates’ plan to ity plan, but aims to create more policies what we believe to be the best fit for stu- and those of candidates Alexandra Gill partner with the University’s Office of that are responsive to campus pollution dent leadership, we call upon the stu- and Dell Wood. When asked about ad- International Services in order to grow happening now. This includes the imple- dent body to conduct their own research, dressing such issues on campus, Gill and this program and provide official train- mentation of a carbon emissions offset and to critically engage and question the Wood mentioned their desire to support ing for mentors. program, taking into account University- candidates on their platforms as well. Greek life organizations and their ongo- Shreya & Antonio are also passionate sponsored travel and creating a program Undergraduate student leaders are elect- ing DEI efforts, stating they would also about helping students avoid a situation to invest an amount equivalent into com- ed to represent the interests, values and like to help them with socioeconomic di- in which they would have to choose be- munity sustainability efforts. needs of students, in which they can only versity by “giving them some money to tween their mental health and their ed- In speaking of their plans to work be held accountable through the votes ease the barrier to entry financially.” ucation. While all three tickets recog- closely with the Garden Club, Chaudhary and participation of students in the elec- Regarding security and the nized the need to improve and expand on and Okeke emphasized their commit- tion process. We are grateful to student Department of Public Safety, the plat- mental health resources at USC, Shreya ment to mobilizing USC and its sur- activists who have demonstrated the im- forms hold starkly contrasting agendas. & Antonio set themselves apart from the rounding community to create more portance of calling out our elected lead- The Alexandra & Dell ticket posits DPS other candidates through concrete steps. green spaces around campus, aiming to ers when they have failed to uphold the as a “very misunderstood organization” Specifically, their ticket proposes re- reach better practices in sustainability in interests of our community, and encour- and opposes defunding it because “that instating doctor’s notes from Engemenn the coming year and beyond. age all students to thoughtfully take in- is not practical while living in South health professionals, allowing students Ultimately, unanticipated issues are spiration from their work as we elect Central L.A.” Instead, they propose that to take time to prioritize their physical bound to face whoever wins the election. USC’s next cohort of undergraduate stu- students should be allowed to shadow and mental health without being penal- The inevitability of the unpredictable is dent leaders. DPS to establish transparency and up- ized for it academically. In addition, they why trust in the judgment and character hold accountability within the organi- aim to expand and diversify the counsel- of whoever is elected is of the utmost im- zation. The Alexandra & Dell ticket also ing services and staff at Engemann — in portance. In this regard, the Chaudhary DAILY TROJAN SPRING 2021 proposes that students should be able to alignment with their platform-wide goals and Okeke duo offer what feels like true EDITORIAL BOARD possess non-lethal weapons such as tas- to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion. sincerity and humility, according to ers on campus. Shreya & Antonio also propose an their virtual endorsement video with the