The Santa Clara, 2018-05-03

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4 SCENE 6 OPINION 8 SPORTS Kendrick Lamar Bill Cosby’s The Kings’ long wins Pulitzer complex legacy playoff drought

Black Lives Still Matter Panel of professors and students reflect on the #BLM meaning Celia Martinez and Emma Pollans associate reporter

A wandering eye may have noticed the Angela Davis quote written on a whiteboard off to the side of Sobrato Commons. It read, “I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I’m changing the things I can no longer accept.” This quote set the mood for the occasion. Attentive Santa Clara community members gathered together for an evening of learning, solidarity and reflection. “#BlackLivesMatter: Where Do We Go From Here?” was held in the Sobrato Com- mons on April 24. The talk consisted of a panel of Santa Clara professors Danielle Morgan and Aldo Billingslea, as well as junior Sophia Parnell and senior Gary Vincent. To preface the event, the facilitators, sophomore Kirsten Dodre and senior Athena Nguyen briefly discussed the vandalization of a Black Lives Matter bulletin board that occured in the Casa Italiana Hall during the month of February. They said, “In light of these events, we stand with love, solidarity and critical reflection with those targeted by these incidents. THE SANTA CLARA—CESAR TESEN As members of the SCU community dedicated to being people for and with others, it EMPOWER WOMEN: Feminists for Justice and SCCAP sponsored the annual Slut Walk on April 27, a national movement against sexual assault, is especially important that we do not allow victim blaming and rape culture. There was a fair featuring student art and various resources, with student performances following the march. these acts of ignorance to go unchallenged and unquestioned.” The next phase of the event included the showing of “An Overreaction: Words On #BlackLivesMatter and MLK,” a video which focused on the struggles black individuals have Rat Goes Splat in Benson Center faced throughout history. Following these introductions, the panel- to this phenomenon and is seeing increases is removed, according to Shay. For the uni- ists were asked the first question by the fa- Rodent becomes in rodent and insect activity across campus, versity, pests include insects, small animals cilitators: “What does #BlackLivesMatter in buildings both old and new,” said Sean or vermin. mean to you?” unexpected special on Collins, Director of Environment, Health SOPs have been reissued so any person “It serves for me as sort of a reminder about and Safety in a campus-wide email. working in university facilities knows the the precarity of blackness and of black life in breakfast menu “We do live in a nat- best practices in pre- the United States,” Morgan said. “It always ural environment and vention, reaction and strikes me the fact that the phrase itself is the email that came cleanup. so innocuous. It’s just sort of a statement of Meghan McLaughlin out from us indicated “Seeing increases Because of Benson’s consideration or even a sense of caring about The Santa Clara we’re part of that en- expansion, the crews something. The fact that a phrase like Black vironment,” Associate in rodent and completing construction Lives Matter can be taken as a terroristic Earth Day is meant to be spent amongst Vice President for Op- will take the same SOP threat—it makes you have to question which the elements. First-year Edie O’Connor got erations Chris Shay said. insect activity used in this most recent of those three words has a terrorizing aspect.” a taste of nature in the comfort of Benson “Keeping pest control instance into account. Billingslea described it as a “coalescing call on April 22. at the top of our list for across campus” Keeping entrances to to action, that it brings people together as well While at breakfast, a rat fell from the protecting our buildings Benson open for a pro- as helps define who the allies are.” ceiling about a foot behind O’Connor’s chair. is incredibly important longed period of time is Billingslea also talked about an event that First year Lily Whitters, sitting across from to us.” the likely culprit of why happened on Santa Clara’s campus following O’Connor, noticed and alerted her. The most recent similar occurrence this situation occured. the Ferguson riots in 2014. He and several “That was not an experience I thought happened about four years ago in Alameda “The weakest link of any system is always other students participated in a die-in on cam- I would have in Benson,” O’Connor said. Hall when it was still the university fine arts on the people that use the buildings,” Shay pus, a form of protest in which people lie down O’Connor and Whitters watched as the building, according to Shay. said. “Everybody has a role to play.” and act as if they are dead. rat moved, but then laid motionless. The When something like this instance oc- Information Desk was notified, and Campus curs, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Contact Meghan McLaughlin at See #BLACK, Page 3 Safety officers came to the scene. goes into effect. The area is cordoned off, [email protected] or call (408) 554- “Santa Clara University is not immune decontaminated and the “unwanted guest” 4852.

Since 1922 www.thesantaclara.org @thesantaclara @thesantaclara One free copy 2 / News The Santa Clara Thursday, May 3, 2018 CAMPUS SAFETY Senate Supports Public Transportation Alcohol-Related Medical Emergency ily debated the implications of both the senator Alex Perlman, Kassa and sopho- April 28: A student was found lying on the ground ASG recommends Smart Pass as well as the tuition increase. more Emma Stinson from Santa Clara by Bellomy Field, intoxicated and unconscious. SCU Arguments against the program in- Community Action Program’s Labor Ac- EMS, SCPD and SCFD responded. He was transported that school pilots cluded the belief that many students tion Committee presented a resolution to O’Connor Hospital by paramedics. would not utilize the pass, as the current to the support the unionization rights April 28: A non-affiliate guest was reported Smart Pass program culture at Santa Clara does not encour- of non-tenure track faculty and adjunct intoxicated in a resident’s room. He was evaluated by age students to use public transportation. lectures and faculty. SCU EMS and was well enough to remain in the resident’s Many of the senators were in agree- All six proposed Registered Student room for the night. Emma Pollans ment that the current culture at Santa Organizations (RSO) that presented in Associate Reporter Clara encouraged students to drive their the previous week were approved and are Found Property own cars or using rideshare services such now officially RSOs. They include Fight to Discussions grew contentious as As- as Uber, over public transportation. End Animal Torture (F.E.A.T); SCU Tap April 24: A spear was found in the lawn area of Alumni sociated Student Government (ASG) de- In addition, many senators were wor- Club; Active Minds; CHAARG; PERIOD.; Park and turned in to the Campus Safety office. bated the merits of implementing a Smart ried about the potential tuition hike, with and Middle Eastern and North African April 26: A wallet containing a fake ID and belonging Pass program with the Valley Transporta- sophomore senator David Warne stating Club (MENA). to a student was found and turned into the Campus tion Association (VTA). that he could not vote for a resolution that Additionally, the Senate decided that Safety office. The student was notified and the fake ID Sophomore senator Helen Kassa would require an increase in tuition. they would not seek a resolution to sup- was confiscated for disposal. and first-year senatorCiara Moezidis Arguments in favor of the program port Regional Measure 3, a proposed traf- answered senators’ questions about a focused on relieving traffic and congestion fic bill they had learned about last week. Information Report resolution proposed during the previ- around Santa Clara as well as the school’s Measure 3 is a bill that aims to expand ous week’s meeting. commitment to suitability. public transportation in the Bay Area. April 26: Campus residents were found in possession The resolution would encourage the This included a reading of the Senators felt that Measure 3 did not of marijuana and an alcoholic beverage in their room. university to pilot a Smart Pass program, O’Connor Environment Standard listed have much of an effect on the university Items found were disposed of. One of the residents was which would allow Santa Clara students in ASG’s bylaws by Chief Justice Rachel and did not appear to have a fully devel- intoxicated and would not wake up when roused. He was to ride VTA buses for free. Brooke Herzog. The standard requires oped plan at the moment. evaluated by SCU EMS. The price of the passes— $13 per quar- that ASG members promote environmen- The next Senate meeting will take April 27: An unknown person had thrown dirt into ter, per student—were at the crux of the tally sustainable habits. place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 3 in the the Leavey pool and deck area. Pool services was notified debate. If Santa Clara agreed to pilot the After an hour of discussion and debate, Williman Room. for clean up. pass, the cost would be footed by an in- the resolution passed in favor of the Smart crease in all students’ tuition, regardless Pass 13 to 6. Contact Emma Pollans at epollans@scu. Medical Emergency of their use of the pass. Senators heav- Pro Tempore Sam McNeal, junior edu or call (408) 554-4852.

May 1: A student accidentally stapled her finger and was in need of medical assistance. She was assisted by SCU EMS. Student Behavior

April 27: Two campus residents were observed smoking hookah on the third floor stairwell of Graham News in Brief Residence Hall. They were admonished for campus smoking policy. April 28: A student was reported arriving at his on- campus work highly intoxicated. Campus Safety, SCU Global EMS and SCFD responded. He was verbally aggressive to everyone around him. He was taken into custody for • Cambridge Analytica, the political consulting firm accused of harvesting data from public intoxicated and for being in possession of a fake ID. millions of Facebook profiles, announced on Wednesday that it will be shutting May 1: A student was reported as being confrontational down. with a faculty member, after being dropped from a class. • Leaders from both North and South Korea agreed on Friday to remove all nuclear Suspicious Circumstance weapons from the Korean peninsula. This meeting marked the first time North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has ever visited South Korea. April 24: Cash was reported missing from the Activities Programming Board’s funds. Campus Safety • At least 29 people have been confirmed dead after two suicide bombings were is conducting an investigation. detonated in Afghanistan. Nine of the victims were journalists. May 1: SCPD notified CSS that a student went to a hospital by himself for a knife injury he sustained from wrestling with a friend. He was very uncooperative with National the hospital staff member and SCPD when questioned. CSS conducted a welfare check on the student who lives • Mobile service providers Sprint and T-Mobile proposed a merger under the on campus a few hours later, but no one was in the room. “T-Mobile” name. Together the two companies are valued at $60 billion and would serve around 100 million customers. Theft • Gas prices nationwide have hit a 3-year high. Statewide, California gas prices average May 1: A cellphone, an ATM card and an Access card over $3.00 per gallon. were reported stolen from the third floor balcony of Lucas Hall while the owner was napping. • In a recent study, the Center for Disease Control found that diseases transmitted by mosquito, tick and flea bites have tripled between 2004 to 2016. From Campus Safety reports. Email [email protected]. Santa Clara Check out the Campus Safety Report online: • Santa Clara’s Imaginarium Virtual Reality Test Fest will be held Tuesday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m in the Learning Commons. Attendees will be able participate facebook.com/scucss in VR experiences created by Santa Clara students. @SCUCampusSafety • The Stanford Blood Drive will be held on Friday, May 4 in the California Mission Room in lower Benson from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

REPORTERS FINANCE MANAGER The Santa Clara is written, be considered for publication. ◗ Kimi Andrew James Kipper Editors and departments can edited and produced by students The Santa Clara reserves Ethan Beberness also be reached via email at once weekly, except during the right to edit letters for Since 1922 Meghan McLaughlin WEB ENGINEER [email protected] (e.g. holidays, examination periods grammar, clarity and accuracy, Bella Rios [email protected]). For and academic recesses. or to shorten letters to fit the • • • Matt Kordonsky a complete list, visit us on the The Santa Clara welcomes allocated space. Peter Schutz ◗ Volume 97, Issue 21 Sophie Pollock DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Web. letters to the editor from readers. All letter submissions Letters can be delivered to become property of The Santa • • • COPY DESK Maritza Soria TWITTER the Benson Memorial Center, Clara. @thesantaclara room 13; mailed to SCU Box ◗ The deadline for publication EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bronwyn Geyer ADVISERS 3190 or emailed to: letters@ in Thursday’s edition is the prior Jimmy Flynn Emily Mun Gordon Young INSTAGRAM thesantaclara.org. Saturday. DESIGN DESK Charles Barry, photo @thesantaclara MANAGING EDITOR Dan McSweeney, photo Our letters policy: Nothing on the opinion pages Mimi Najmabadi MAILING ADDRESS ◗ Submissions must include necessarily represents a position Perla Luna CONTACT US major and year of graduation of Santa Clara University. PHOTOGRAPHERS Center for Student Leadership EDITORS Newsroom: (408) 554-4852 and/or job title, relation to the Letters, columns and graphics Alyssa Lee Locatelli Student Activity Ctr. university and a phone number represent only the views of their Editor-in-chief: (408) 554-4849 500 El Camino Real News: Erin Kevin NgoFox Advertising: (408) 554-4445 for verification. authors. Opinion: John Brussa Spencer Raines Santa Clara, CA ◗ Letters should not exceed The Santa Clara has a Scene: Noah Sonnenburg Cesar Tesen ON THE WEB 95053-3190 250 words. Those exceeding the minimum newspaper circulation Sports: Olivia DeGraca Andrea Yun www.thesantaclara.org OUR POLICIES word limit may be considered of 2,000. Photo: Nick Kniveton as publication as an article or in One free copy. Additional Head Copy: Kali Swindell ADVERTISING MANAGER EMAIL The Santa Clara is the official some other form. copies are 25¢. Design: Mimi Najmabadi Hannah Hawkins student newspaper of Santa ◗ Anonymous letters will not [email protected] Clara University. Thursday, May 3, 2018 The Santa Clara News / 3 Civil Rights Activist Dolores Huerta Vists Campus for Film Screening and Conversation ist Chair, after the screening of her dollars annually to California’s pub- thers used to say, if you’re not part go back to Mexico?’ He said, ‘Well, Believer in the documentary, “Dolores.” lic schools. of the solution, you’re part of the we don’t have a ride,’” Huerta said. “Every moment is an organizing Bell referenced Starbucks’ inci- problem.” During the talk, Huerta pro- power of political moment. I want you all to remember dents of racial bias and asked Huerta The screened documentary in- vided a platform for other commu- that when you’re talking to your fam- how people can organize boycotts cluded clips of Huerta’s children nity leaders, which Kamau jokingly organizing to ily and friends, if they’re not organiz- beyond Twitter hashtags. talking about their limited time with called “commercial breaks.” ing, try to organize them,” Huerta “In those days we didn’t have their busy mother. She invited senior Alex Hall- instigate change said. “Every moment is a moment hashtags,” Huerta said. “It was a lot However, Huerta wanted to Rocha to the stage to speak about to change the world.” harder because farm workers had clear the record. She said that she the local ballot initiative, Measure A. Bell referred to a moment in the to go in person brought her chil- The measure, said Hall-Rocha, Bella Rios film in which an interviewer asks Ce- to talk to audi- dren with her as will redistrict Santa Clara and stop The Santa Clara sar Chavez questions about Huerta ences. We know she campaigned, the distribution of translated ballots. rather than directly asking Huerta. boycotts are involving them “We want to raise awareness of Last Monday, Mayer Theater Huerta’s response calls for dis- very effective. “Nobody has the in activism. this proposal, raise awareness of the erupted in chanting, “Si se puede,” mantling the narrative that de- It’s not enough “When I was impact on communities of color in as civil rights icon Dolores Huerta scribes women as weak. [for Starbucks] luxury of check- in jail once for our own city,” Hall-Rocha said. “You rallied the crowded room to her leg- “When we look at the animal to just apologize trespassing, I can register to vote before May 21 endary slogan. kingdom who’s the most ferocious? we need to see ing out right now. met with a group even if you’re a student who’s not Huerta, a prominent labor leader The females are the most ferocious,” remedial actions of students and local. You can register to vote in this and social justice activist, co-found- Huerta said. “In society, women are being taken. We We’ve all got to my daughter, special election using your SCU ad- ed the United Farm Workers Union taught to be victims but we have to can agree to call participate.” Angela, who was dress.” with Cesar Chavez. change so that women know they off our boycott if 13 years old, sent “It makes me feel great that the The union lobbied for farm work- can be strong and powerful in deci- such actions are a note saying she lucha, the struggle, continues.No- ers’ rights, including the right to sion making positions.” taken.” couldn’t come body has the luxury of checking out collectively bargain, decent living At eighty-eight years old, age is Huerta spoke about the need because she was knocking on doors right now. We’ve all got to partici- conditions and protection against just a number for Huerta. Her social for national healing for the racial and registering people to vote,” pate,” Huerta said, following Hall- pesticides. activism continues through her ef- injustice committed against people Huerta said. Rocha’s announcement. In 2012, Huerta earned the Presi- forts to raise awareness about the of color including slavery for African Huerta also said that her son “We are at a critical moment dential Medal of Freedom, the high- school-to-prison pipeline and ad- Americans, Japanese internment, passed out pamphlets for Huerta in our country right now. We need est honor given to civilians. vocate for issues like immigration Native American genocide and at Safeway and responded to racist your power, we need your persons, Wearing a black and white pat- and racial justice. lynching of Chinese people. comments humorously. we need your volunteers to help us terned blazer and brightly colored Her foundation will sponsor a “People have to start realizing “He said, ‘My mom abandoned through this dark period,” Huerta earrings, Huerta emerged to the ballot measure to ensure large cor- that racism still exists,” Huerta said. us in the parking lot of the Safeway said. stage dancing. porations like Disney and Chevron “If I’m not doing something to end store with a pack of leaflets to pass She talked with W. Kamau Bell, pay their fair share in property taxes, the racism, end the misogyny, end out.’ And when they said, ‘you little Contact Bella Rios at [email protected] comedian and Frank Sinatra Art- which would divert eleven billion the homophobia, as the Blank Pan- Mexican commies, why don’t you or call (408) 554-4852. Calif. Activists Organize Sam Perez Elected Prez

direct lines of communication as collaborating with the Un- Former ASG between students, ASG and documented Student and Ally Response to Police Shootings university administration. Association to provide a sta- VP moves up Specifics include ensuring ble, financial support system Sophia Bollag tor Cat Brooks said police and commu- protests, including that students are directly in- for undocumented students Associated the network provides nities of color has several that shut in campus volved in the conversations on campus. Press a response model attracted national down major road- about changes being made, There was also an effort for communities to attention following ways and blocked politics especially as the core curricu- to establish a faculty work- SACRAMENTO, launch civilian in- the fatal shooting of fans from enter- lum is up for re-assessment. ing group to focus on diver- Calif.— Following the vestigations of police 22-year-old Stephon ing an NBA arena, Additionally, ensuring that sity and supporting Unity 4 police shooting of an shootings, organize Clark by two Sacra- Black Lives Matter Emma Pollans the results of the campus in holding Santa Clara ac- unarmed black man vigils and reach out mento police officers helped keep the Associate Reporter climate survey are released countable for promises made in California’s capital to family members in March. crowds peaceful and that changes are being in the Blue Ribbon Commis- city, activists seeking suddenly in the pub- Clark had just run and there were few In an uncontested made in accordance with the sion Report. These promises police accountability lic spotlight. into his grandpar- arrests. race, Santa Clara juniors results. include placing more faculty have formed a state- “There’s no sup- ents’ backyard when The group is Samantha Perez and Jah- Plans to improve sexual of color on tenure track and wide network to help port for them. That he was shot by officers now actively train- wala Johns will assume and mental health among stu- working with admissions to communities respond was the impetus responding to a call of ing and recruiting the positions of Associ- dents can be found through- engage prospective students to police shootings for our model,” said someone breaking car people to conduct ated Student Government out their platform. This of color. Lastly, their platform and to weaken protec- Brooks, who is a can- windows. civilian investi- (ASG) president and vice includes investing in more listed plans to enhance ASG’s tions for the officers didate for Oakland Officers said gations of police president, respectively. mental health programs, re- support in various aspects of involved. mayor. they thought he was shootings, using Elections were held forming the contraceptive Santa Clara. This includes The Justice Teams It’s also backing armed, but Clark had the Justice Teams on eCampus on April 30. distribution policy, and re- Ruff Riders, the alumni office Network, which of- bills in the Califor- only a cellphone. Network’s model, Selections were available placing “Can’t Thread a Mov- and supporting students in ficially launched nia Legislature that The Sacramento said Tanya Faison, for student body presi- ing Needle.” voter registration and con- Wednesday, includes would require police chapter of Black Lives founder of BLM dent, vice president, sen- They also wish to estab- tacting their local, state and Black Lives Matter to release more re- Matter quickly mo- Sacramento. ate chair and respective lish communication between federal representatives. Sacramento and Los cords on use of force bilized protests and “It may help us class senators. Santa Clara and Greek life in Also in an uncontested Angeles, the Anti Po- and disciplinary ac- a vigil in the wake of with the work that Their three-part plat- order to have more conversa- race, junior Alex Pearlman lice-Terror Project in tion and to signifi- the shooting, which we’re trying to ac- form “Engage, Enrich, and tions about sexual assault and will assume the position of Oakland and the Law cantly restrict when is under investigation complish,” she said. Empower,” featured mul- mental health. Their platform Senate Chair. Enforcement Ac- police can use force. by the police depart- Faison hopes tiple plans aimed toward also included promises to es- countability Network The sometimes ment and the Califor- the network can set improving the quality of tablish groups to help com- Contact Emma Pollans at in Anaheim. fraught relationship nia attorney general. an example for the student life. These includ- bat issues of diversity and [email protected] or call Executive direc- between California Through weeks of rest of the country. ed promises to open more underrepresentation, such (408) 554-4852. #BlackLivesMatter: Where Do We Go From Here?

Continued from Page 1 phrase Black Lives Matters is not meant to be up for and with people of color. Morgan and they find the strength and courage to keep regarded as “anti-white.” Vincent emphasized the importance of using working towards justice. Vincent talked about In hopes of being as non-controversial as Parnell said, and Vincent agreed, that the one’s position of privilege to help others who history and pointed to his family as a source possible, Billingslea and the students created a phrase is not meant to diminish the struggles may not be as privileged. of hope. banner that said “Justice Matters” as opposed of other people, no matter their race. Morgan said that one of the best pieces of “My parents, my grandparents, their par- to the popular slogan of “#BlackLivesMatter.” Additionally, the panelists felt that there advice she has received in relation to the Black ents, their grandparents,” he said. “All the “I made the terrible mistake of running exists a misconception that black rage is un- Lives Matter movement is that “the frontline things they had to endure to get to where we away from the term,” Billingslea said. justified. is wherever you draw it,” meaning that activ- are right now. How can you give up right now The panelists were then asked what kinds “[This movement] is really just us saying ism on all levels is important. “Sometimes in 2018? We just can’t give up.” of misconceptions they think students may our humanity is here, it exists and our lives just standing up in your space, in your friend have about Black Lives Matter. matter,” Parnell said. group and saying no or saying enough can be Contact Celia Martinez at c4martinez@scu. The overwhelming response from the pan- The third question dealt with allyship. The a protest,” she said. edu and Emma Pollans at [email protected] elists—particularly from Parnell—was that the panelists stressed how important it is to stand The facilitators asked the panelists how or call (408) 554-4852. 4 SCENE Thursday, May 3, 2018 Kendrick Lamar Wins the Pulitzer Prize those.” Iconic Compton If you’re not already fa- miliar with his name and rapper proves the work, Lamar is an American rapper and songwriter from artistic validity Compton, California. His major label debut, “good kid, of rap music m.A.A.d city,” was released in 2012 by Top Dawg Entertain- ment. Before 2012, Lamar had Ethan Beberness also independently released The Santa Clara a number of recordings, including a full length album Kendrick Lamar shook the entitled “Section.80.” In 2015, world of arts and entertain- Lamar released “To Pimp a ment yet again when he was Butterfly,” a massively suc- awarded the coveted Pulitzer cessful album that featured Prize for his fourth studio al- heavy jazz influences. In 2016, bum, “DAMN.” Released in he was was named one of the April 2017, “DAMN.” received 100 most influential people in massive critical and popular the world by TIME Magazine. acclaim. Lamar has won 12 Gram- The Pulitzer is usually my Awards for his music and reserved for orchestral com- videos, as well as nearly 20 positions and other such “li- additional nominations. terati” music. The first tech- The popularity of his AP Kendrick Lamar’s wave-making album, “DAMN.,” was released on Apr. 14, 2017. The album was penned largely in response to comments made by nically “popular” winner was music was the foundation Geraldo Rivera in 2015. These inflamatory remarks suggested that Lamar’s work damaged African-American culture more than police brutality. jazz musician Gunther Schul- for some of the critiques the ler in 1994. Pulitzer jury received after “DAMN.” is the first hip- nominating Lamar. has mixed feelings about the “You look at every university alize that there’s other great the intent to sideline music by hop album to win a Pulitzer. One such critique came award. “On the one hand, [La- across the country: They have American music and great people of color. “This win is really big for Ken- from The New York Times mar’s Pulitzer] is bringing a an orchestra, they have a jazz American art forms besides Zanfagna considers Kend- drick, but this is also a huge classical music editor, Zach- spotlight and legitimacy to ensemble. They don’t have a what we’ve always been told rick’s Pulitzer, which—though win for hip-hop,” said NPR ary Woolfe, who voiced dis- hip-hop,” she said. However, hip-hop ensemble,” she said. is great.” not televised—was widely re- hip-hop journalist Rodney comfort with “music that has she feels frustrated because of Regina Carter, a renowned Professor Zanfagna also ported on by the press, a bit Carmichael. “Over the past achieved blockbuster com- the continued attitude some jazz violinist and member of pointed out that, historically, of “sweet redemption” after year, we’ve seen a lot of re- mercial success,” winning an in the music industry show the Pulitzer jury, also feels black artists and black music past manifestations of white ally major institutions that award that is usually reserved towards rap as a new genre some frustration at the atti- were left out of awards in fa- musicians winning awards haven’t traditionally recog- for less mainstream music. trying to establish itself. “I’m tude of some critics towards vor of white artists, many of for historically black musical nized hip-hop bestowing, “This is now officially tired of it having to be legiti- the inclusion of Lamar’s al- whom were playing musical styles, such as Macklemore’s like, these groundbreaking one fewer guaranteed plat- mized,” Zanfagna said. bum in the consideration for styles that came from black 2014 Best Rap Song Grammy honors.” form—which, yes, should be She believes that the de- the Pulitzer. culture. for “Thrift Shop.” “You know, there’s Jay-Z, open to many genres—for bate over whether rap (or “Sometimes you can get In 2013, the Grammys Perhaps the recognition of for instance, who—he became noncommercial work, which other popular music, for that folks from certain genres created a subcategory called Kendrick Lamar by the world the first rapper inducted into scrapes by on grants, fellow- matter) should be considered that can be—it’s kind of a “urban contemporary” in a of high-brow art will be the the Songwriters Hall of Fame ships, commissions and, yes, for the Pulitzer is a symptom high-brow attitude that hip- supposed effort to include a final step in the establishment last year,” Carmichael contin- awards,” he said. of wider fears about the loss hop isn’t music. But it’s an wider range of musical genres of rap as a true American art ued. “LL Cool J became the Professor Christina Za- of what some consider West- American art form. It needed and artists in the awards. form. first rapper to receive Ken- nfagna, who teaches the his- ern high culture—opera or to be included,” she said in an The urban contemporary nedy Center Honors. But in tory of hip hop among other orchestra music, for exam- interview with the Atlantic. category hasn’t been televised Contact Ethan Beberness at a lot of ways, this Pulitzer courses related to race, music ple. She thinks those fears “I felt really proud of us, since its inaugural year—a [email protected] or call win feels bigger than both of and culture at Santa Clara, are somewhat unfounded. the jurors, being able to re- fact that arguably could signal (408) 554-4852. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: A Retrospective soul in music,” is to lose something invaluable was homosexual. Homophobia, perhaps by overhead. A look at a massively from the work. way of Russian social understandings as well At the same time, this demonstrative air It is in this gray area between language, as internalization, served as another trauma has the keen ability to engender incredible influential composer, 125 subconscious and art that the groundbreaking throughout Tchaikovsky’s life. In a letter to von intimacy between the piece and the audience. compositions of Tchaikovsky dwell. Naturally, Meck, Tchaikovsky explained that the main Tchaikovsky was too Russian for the Western years after his passing the music is complex and sturdy enough to theme of his Fourth was “Fate,” with a capital critics and too Western for the Russians. How withstand rational, careful analysis—his works “F”—“that fateful force which prevents the he earned his time-tested respect, then, was by are the mulled-over product of a perfection- impulse to happiness from attaining its goal.” crafting romantic, melodic work that proved Peter Schutz ist—but the real reward of Tchaikovsky comes After a lifetime of painful suppression, it is to be as accessible as it was beautiful. The Santa Clara from listening with an empathetic heart. hardly surprising that Tchaikovsky saw this Still, the themes depicted within are un- Tchaikovsky, in writings to his friends, re- perverse “Fate” as emblematic of the human questionably melancholic; enchanted at times, Speaking the language of Pyotr Ilyich ferred to life as “an unbroken alternation of condition. yes, but ultimately ingrained with some sense Tchaikovsky goes beyond Russian. Tchai- harsh reality with fleeting dreams and visions In order to translate this existential convic- that the grace was temporal, even feeble, kovsky drew from a rich emotional vernacu- of happiness.” Despite his admiration in mu- tion in symphonic form, Tchaikovsky could no nonetheless. Tchaikovsky’s last symphony, lar that very few other artists had previously sical circles, Tchaikovsky’s personal life was longer be constrained to the traditional or- the Sixth, is darker still—one critic has called accessed, and very few have since. To speak rife with turmoil. In 1877, he embarked on a chestral structures which his peers revered as it a “symphony as suicide note.” Indeed, Tchaikovsky’s language is to feel the cannon short-lived, disastrous marriage to a former infallible. His Western contemporaries found Tchaikovsky died nine days after its first per- blasts from the “1812 Overture” jolt your seat; student that ended with Tchaikovsky find- bliss in elegant and deliberate forms, and his formance; the cause of death was said to be it is to stare in awe at how grace and tragedy, ing himself alone and emotionally destroyed. fellow Russians established a new culture of cholera, but some historians believe he took beauty and ugliness, can co-exist as seamlessly What’s more, he also started suffering from nationalistic pride by drawing from folk mu- his own life. as they do in the closing movement of “Swan writer’s block—his music and vision of hap- sic—Tchaikovsky, however, was compelled by The music of Tchaikovsky endures today Lake.” This year marks 125 years since his piness, his one escape, gone. a higher yet more ineffable cause, one that was because of this bareness. Through his impres- death, and we are still trying to decipher the Almost immediately after his failed mar- impossible to wrangle into strict symphonic sive oeuvre of symphonies, ballets and operas, musical language of Tchaikovsky. riage, he left Russia to amble abroad, pur- boundaries. If they were trying to create dis- Tchaikovsky found a way to translate his vul- In his private letters, Tchaikovsky dispar- posefully in solitude, and focus exclusively crete works of art, Tchaikovsky wanted to re- nerability into vivid movements of dance. To aged the idea of having programs at sympho- on composition. He was able to do so with the veal intimate excerpts of a man. understand the language of this work, is simply nies: “How can one put into words the intan- help of his new patroness Nadezhda von Meck, Because of this, the Fourth has a thrilling, to listen. To listen is to understand the way gible sensations which one experiences when who also served as a close confidante and the unpredictable quality. Massive swells of melo- in which music can nearly be tactile. Therein writing an instrumental work without a specif- “best friend” to whom his Fourth Symphony drama arrive in gorgeous movements; gentle lies the jaw-dropping beauty of Tchaikovsky. ic subject?” Translating into written word the is dedicated. strings melt into ominous horn, the theme of most masterful achievements of Tchaikovsky, Today, with new revelations from his pri- Fate caustically interpolated throughout the Contact Peter Schutz at [email protected] or which he considered the “unburdening of the vate writings, we now know that Tchaikovsky free-flowing sections like a sword swinging call (408) 554-4852. Thursday, May 3, 2018 The Santa Clara Scene / 5 Voices of Santa Clara: Renee Baumgartner

Athletic Director talks future of sports at Santa Clara

Gavin Cosgrave Special Correspondent

If you ask around about the strengths of Santa Clara, athletics certainly won’t be a common answer. Since the early 90’s when Steve Nash roamed the court, Santa Clara teams have remained largely under-the-radar. However, that’s starting to change thanks to Ath- letic Director Renee Baumgartner, who has headed the Division I program for the past three years. Baumgartner captained the women’s golf team at USC while in college, then played an inte- PHOTO BY GAVIN COSGRAVE gral role in starting the Oregon In her third year as Director of Athletics at Santa Clara, Renee Baumgartner has been trying to change the trajectory of sports at the school. With seventeen years of experi- women’s golf team from scratch ence working in athletic departments, her past informs her present as she begins reshaping a long-established history of underwhelming performance in Santa Clara sports. and transforming them into a nationally-acclaimed program. Now at Santa Clara, Baumgartner beyond college, but unfortunately at a school that nobody thought at Santa Clara. We put together a We’re going to catch up slowly is confident that increased buy-in I had a sister who was killed in a could be successful. plan and have the belief and cour- but surely, and we need to be pa- from university leadership, donors, car accident after my junior year GC: Moving into your time at age to do it. tient, have courage and believe coaches, athletes and the student summer. Santa Clara, what types of things I truly believe we can rise up and this can be done. We’re sensing it body will lead to success. Plans changed, I moved back to do you do on a day-to-day basis? be competitive in all our sports. It’s now. We’ve made some coaching Gavin Cosgrave: What role did Oregon, and I was fortunate to start RB: I love being an athletic going to take time, belief, energy changes and the student athletes sports play for you growing up? the golf team there. For Title IX director because all my days are and courage. In time, Santa Clara are having success. In a couple Renee Baumgartner: I grew reasons, they gave us one scholar- different. Whether it’s staff meet- will be successful in athletics. I years, their hard work is going to up in a family of five, and sports ship, and six years later I had built ings, talking to coaches or donors, I truly believe it, or I wouldn’t be pay off and the university is going played an integral part in our lives. one of the best teams in the coun- serve on a lot of committees. I try to here today. to reap the benefits. I played a variety of sports: volley- try. I really felt the call to go home get involved on campus as much as GC: Why do student athletes GC: So the size of Santa Clara ball, basketball, skiing and golf. It and to switch gears into coaching possible. The highlight of my week choose to come to Santa Clara? doesn’t compromise us in any way? helped us become better leaders and administration. is going to practices and competi- RB: Student athletes come to RB: No, I think we can be very and gave us a great work ethic. Ev- GC: What was your coaching tions. My weekends are even busier Santa Clara first for a great educa- successful in the West Coast con- ery one of my siblings played Divi- philosophy for coaching golf at since we have so many events. tion—also for Silicon Valley—but ference and successful nationally. sion I golf. Oregon, and how did you start the GC: You started at Oregon, they want to compete at the highest I feel like we’re poking the bear, GC: Why golf? team? which is a huge school that finishes level. They want to go win confer- and when the bear wakes up from RB: Especially back then, golf RB: The men’s golf coach was top nationally in many different ence and national championships. hibernation, everyone will say, was considered nerdy. My dad was focused on the men’s program, programs. We’re just putting the pieces in “Please go back, we like Santa Clara a great golfer and my brother loved and said he had five players who Now at Santa Clara, the student place to give them the opportunity the way it was.” I think the new day it as well. It was a sport that I fell couldn’t break 100, no budget and body is a little over 5,000 and we to do that. is dawning. in love with, and I would drag my that we would have to drive to Stan- don’t have a football team. Within GC: What’s the hardest part of sisters out with me. We could share ford to play. our other teams, there’s not that your job? “Voices of Santa Clara,” profiles it as a family and it gave us oppor- I had been part of one of the best national recognition. How impor- RB: The most challenging part noteworthy students and faculty. tunities with our education. programs in the country [at USC] tant is winning? is changing the culture. For 25 The Q & A is excerpted from the GC: You were captain of the and I decided I was going to find RB: Starting at Oregon, we years, Santa Clara has not invested “Voices of Santa Clara” podcast. USC women’s golf team in college. the B+ players and turn them into didn’t win. You couldn’t pay people in athletics. Father Engh and the Visit voicesofsantaclara.com or Did you plan on playing beyond A’s. We were going to work harder to go to football games. We made trustees through the Blue Ribbon search “Voices of Santa Clara” on college? than anyone else. That formula a plan and believed in that plan. Commission Report are investing, the iTunes Podcast App to hear the RB: I had aspirations of playing worked and we had great success That’s really what I’m trying to do so we have to catch up. whole interview.

Scene Spotlight: Falafel’s Drive-In

I won’t pretend like I’m the au- vorite foods. This put me in a falafel wall of the dining area. the falafel sandwich with a banana thority on all things falafel, but I drought for nearly two years. Mural you say? Yeah! The shop milkshake and fries. know what I like, and I’ll get finicky So what’s the deal, Sonnenburg? is far from your usual sit-down Airy and always fresh, the falafel if things aren’t done right. Well all I can say is thank the Lord spot. The restaurant, now only sits in a warm pita surrounded by Back home in Pasadena, there for Falafel’s Drive-In. I had heard serving dine-in or take-out, was lettuce, tomatoes and a generous were two spots you went to grab about this totem of the South Bay opened in 1966 by Anton and Zahie schmear of red sauce. Their fries falafel, or really any Mediterranean as early as my brother’s freshman Nijmeh as a functioning drive-in. are consistently crisp and satisfy- food. year in 2012. However, with times changing, ing. The first was Pita Pita down It’s reputation preceding it, I the lane for the cars was walled in To wash it all down, their fa- Noah Sonnenburg on Colorado Blvd. The second decided to go take a look a couple and turned into an open-air dining mous banana milkshake is always Scene Editor was Golden Grill Shish Kebab, the months ago with a handful of guys spot. So once you’re all settled in well-mixed, providing an intriguing smaller rival that sat indignantly who live in my hall. With sunny with your pita pocket and bever- backdrop of tropical sweetness to Falafel can be a tricky dish to across the very same street as Pita skies, we made the forty-seven age of choice, you can enjoy a nice the otherwise savory meal. make. It seems simple enough to Pita. minute walk to the restaurant in breeze and a little sun. If you’re getting hungry this throw together. Right? No matter your loyalties in this lieu of a $14 Lyft. Beyond the charm of the joint, weekend and need something more Toss some chickpeas and a cou- culinary conflict, these two spots When we got there, we were the spread is exceptional. Mediter- than the usual Benson nosh, take ple spices together, throw that son knew their stuff, and they knew very pleased with the “vibe” of the ranean classics like gyros, hummus a quick trip to Falafel’s Drive-In. of a gun in a fryer and you’re set for falafel. whole place. Despite an endorse- and tabbouleh sit happily with the Sure, it’s nothing new and not fine a good meal. Since then, both have closed ment poster from the ever-so- usual suspects of American food dining, but it’s cheap, local and But that simplicity is just the their doors; one has since been cringey prince of pomade, Guy Fi- like burgers and fries. overwhelmingly delicious. issue. After all, soufflé is just eggs, replaced with a sub-par Hawaiian eri, we found ourselves very taken. What’s important to remember butter and sugar at its most basic barbecue restaurant. The politeness of both customers at Falafel’s Drive-In is that it’s an Contact Noah Sonnenburg at level. Do it wrong and you’ll find With their demise, I also lost my and staff was welcoming, as was iconic spot with an iconic signa- [email protected] or call yourself in a world of hurt. favorite spots to find one of my fa- the eye-catching mural on the far ture order. And that, my friends, is (408) 554-4852. 6 OPINION Thursday, May 3, 2018 Perla Luna How Do You Solve a Problem Like Bill Cosby?

AP Bill Cosby (left), who was found guilty of three counts of aggravated assault on April 29, faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison. His conviction follows last fall’s #MeToo movement in which victims of sexual assault shared their stories, leading to the firing of several high-profile men. Pictured above along with Cosby is actor Kevin Spacey (top right) and comedian Louis C.K. (bottom right), both accused of misconduct.

omedian Hannibal Buress him and why his original trial ended the symbol we wanted him to be. sion of a person to exist. The truth ma allowed by a society that hasn’t faced a Philadelphia audi- in a hung jury last year. Now that we know what was hap- is, Bill Cosby can be both a monster cared all that much about sexual Cence in October 2014 and It’s hard to let go of our heroes, pening behind closed doors, we may and someone who others looked up assault survivors. said, “You rape women, Bill Cosby, even when we know we should. It’s feel guilty about having liked him. to. Our opinions are informed by “I guess I want to just at least so turn the crazy down a couple especially difficult for us Americans Or guilty about laughing at Louis our individual interactions with make it weird for you to watch ‘Cos- notches.” Then the dam broke. who love to lionize our public fig- C.K.’s jokes. Or guilty for enjoying others and, whenever allegations by Show’ reruns,” Buress added that Slowly. ures and make them into symbols Kevin Spacey’s work. That nagging arise against someone we like or night in October. And it is at least After decades of rumors and of something more. sense of discomfort is important. It trust, we have to remember our in- “weird” to think about not just our hushed-up deals, the media start- In Cosby’s case, he was beloved means we empathize with the pain sights are limited. fallen idols, but our fallen victims ed picking up on the sexual assault for so long because of the impact their victims feel. It means we don’t We need to recognize that our too—as if what they lost somehow allegations against Bill Cosby. By he had on the black community. He want to be complicit in that pain. individual experiences are just that: matters less than what their abuser November of that year, a flood of was the first African-American to individual. Those interactions do lost. victims came forward with their star in a prime time TV drama and, not negate each other but they can stories. But it wasn’t until this past when “The Cosby Show” premiered coexist. It’s what we do after we Perla Luna is a junior English month—more than three years in 1984, he became a national father What we can do learn of other people’s experiences and sociology double major and an entire #MeToo movement figure. He is a groundbreaking man, that matters. Reconsidering the in- with a history minor. She is also later—that Cosby has officially been by all accounts. We can no more is refuse to live in stinct to forgive because they were Managing Editor for The Santa convicted on three counts of aggra- erase the legacy he built than we binaries that only good to us is more important. Clara. vated indecent assault. can erase the decades of trauma he Throughout all of this, I keep All this from a man who once inflicted. allow one version thinking about the legacies we can’t stood as an icon of American fam- That isn’t to say his accomplish- talk about because we never got to Articles in the Opinion ily values. ments should excuse his behavior. of a person to exist. see them play out. I’m referring to So how do we reconcile the im- He should have to deal with the con- all the people whose art and contri- section represent the age of Bill Huxtable with the reality sequences of his crimes. But all the butions to society we have lost as a views of the individual of Bill Cosby? What do we do with positive impact he had—when he Some may be able to separate result of people like him. the legacies of other tarnished fig- wasn’t blaming black Americans for art from its creator. Others can’t Cases like these are not just authors only and ures like Louis C.K., Kevin Spacey, causing their own mistreatment— stomach the thought of liking the about mourning the tainted art Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer, also cannot be retroactively dis- product of a person they think is of the people who’ve let us down; not the views of The George H. W. Bush and many, many missed. horrible. Either way, we can’t get it’s also about mourning the art Santa Clara or Santa more? Cosby meant something to a angry at each other for where we we could have had. The medical The easy answer is that we don’t lot of people and will always mean draw our lines. breakthroughs. The scholarship. Clara University. deal with it. That’s why it took de- something to them because of the What we can do is refuse to live The tech. Everywhere we lost great cades for Cosby’s past to catch up to moment in time when he acted like in binaries that only allow one ver- minds because of abuse and trau- Thursday, May 3, 2018 The Santa Clara 7 / Sports STANDINGS Baseball SPORTS BRIEFS Team WCC Overall Pepperdine 12-6-0 21-17-0 San Francisco 13-8-0 24-20-0 Baseball wins two of three against Gonzaga 12-9-0 22-19-0 the University of San Francisco Loyola Marymount 12-9-0 20-24-0 Saint Mary’s 10-8-0 25-18-0 SCU 4 USF 3 Brigham Young 8-10-0 19-18-0 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.—Santa San Diego 9-12-0 20-24-0 Clara opened the series with a win Portland 9-12-0 16-25-0 against the conference leader Dons Pacific 8-13-0 17-24-0 (23-19, 12-7 WCC). Sophomore Jake Santa Clara 6-12-0 18-22-0 MacNichols hit a key RBI double in the 12th inning to help secure the win. Softball Bronco starting pitcher and junior Freddie Erlandson did not give up a hit Team WCC Overall during the third through sixth innings, Brigham Young 11-1-0 29-20-1 only allowing two walks. Loyola Marymount 8-1-0 30-20-0 San Diego 7-5-0 19-26-0 SCU 12 USF 5 SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS Pacific 4-8-0 25-24-0 Santa Clara came home with an Saint Mary’s 2-10-0 7-36-0 extra-inning win against the Dons Softball drops series to Women’s Water Polo loses to Santa Clara 1-8-0 13-30-0 on Saturday. Senior Jake Brodt hit a Pacific after no-hitter in Concordia University at GCC three-run homer in the 11th inning game one Championship Men’s Tennis to break the 5-5 tie and lead to the eventual win. STOCKTON, CALIF.—Sophomore Au- LOS ANGELES, CALIF.—The Bron- Team WCC Overall The game went into extra innings bree Kim threw the fourth no-hitter in cos fell to Concordia 8-5 last week- San Diego 8-1 14-7 when the University of San Francisco Santa Clara softball history during the end in the seventh-place game of the Brigham Young 7-2 18-6 tied the score by scoring three runs in Broncos’ 2-0 game one win over the Golden Coast Conference Champi- Loyola Marymount 7-2 17-5 the 7th inning. Santa Clara took back University of the Pacific. The previous onship. Portland 6-3 13-6 the lead when junior John Cresto hit no-hitter from a Santa Clara pitcher Junior Annie Eldredge scored Santa Clara 5-4 13-9 a solo home run in the 10th inning at was on April 28, 2004, when Jamie three times and posted two assists Pacific 3-6 6-17 Benedetti Diamond. USF was able to Forman-Lau tossed a five-inning per- and two steals. Pepperdine 3-6 7-16 extend the game in the bottom half of fect game. Kim allowed just one baser- She matched her career-high in Gonzaga 3-6 10-9 the tenth after a Bronco error. unner on a walk and struck out eight. goals for the eighth time in her col- San Francisco 2-7 4-16 The second game went to Pacific, lege career. Saint Mary’s 1-8 4-17 SCU 4 USF 12 5-4 after they broke the 4-4 tie in the Santa Clara had 33 shots against In the last game of the series, 10th with the first run since the second goalkeeper Ariana Olmos, who Women’s Tennis USF routed the Broncos. Santa Clara inning. posted 17 blocks. Sophomore goalie scored the first run of the game, which The final game of the series was Lydia Dadd had five saves against the Team WCC Overall was answered by six runs from the taken by Pacific on Sunday, ending Concordia offense. Pepperdine 9-0 21-2 Dons. The Broncos scored twice more with a score of 5-1. Santa Clara got its After an early two-point deficit in Gonzaga 7-2 16-7 in the fourth to make the game 6-3 first run in the 7th from sophomore the first quarter, the Broncos closed Loyola Marymount 7-2 17-6 but USF scored two runs in each of Hannah Russell, who had two hits the gap to one on three separate oc- Brigham Young 6-3 13-8 the fourth, sixth and eighth innings. including a double against the Tigers. casions throughout the game, before Saint Mary’s 6-3 12-6 The Broncos will face the Univer- Santa Clara will begin the final se- the Eagles were able to pull ahead Santa Clara 3-6 7-13 sity of the Pacific in a three game series ries of the season against Saint Mary’s and seal the win. San Diego 2-6 11-10 this weekend beginning Friday, May on Friday, May 12. Pacific 2-6 6-12 4 at 6 p.m. Contact Sophie Pollock at spollock@ San Francisco 1-8 3-16 scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852. Portland 1-8 5-15

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www.broncoss.com 8 SPORTS Thursday, May 3, 2018 All Fail the Kings Sacramento’s ball club remains an NBA punchline

Jimmy Flynn Editor-In-Chief

The Sacramento Kings last made the NBA playoffs in 2006. Two thou- sand and six. Back then, the iPhone did not exist, George W. Bush ran the country and Miley Cyrus was still Hannah Montana. The Kings now hold the disap- pointing distinction of being the NBA team with the longest playoff drought—12 seasons and counting. The record was formerly held by the Minnesota Timberwolves, whose eighth place finish in the mighty Western Conference this year recently ended their streak at 13 seasons. Sure, the T-Wolves got picked AP apart by the Rockets in five games, The Sacramento Kings have the longest current playoff drought in the NBA, suffering 12 straight years without a post-season appearance. Despite optimistic promises from man- but they still made the postseason. agement, the Kings have failed to show much progress as a franchise. (Above) Kings forward Zach Randolph gets blocked by Thunder players Steven Adams and Corey Brewer. For small-market NBA teams that don’t have a lot to hope for, that’s about as good as it gets. At the time, the trade was in- What I am asking for is the pos- the Sacramento Kings finally reach apart in five games or less. Outside of basketball, only three defensible due to Cousins’ level sibility of competing for an eighth the playoffs once again, I will happily other professional sports teams have of talent, but hindsight has prov- seed. That’s all. tune in—Mike Bibby jersey on, tears Contact Jimmy Flynn at jflynn@ longer active playoff droughts than en it to be a calculated culture And when the day comes when in my eyes—and watch us get picked scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852. the Kings: the Seattle Mariners (16 change (many former teammates seasons), the Cleveland Browns (15 and coaches testify that Cousins seasons) and the Miami Marlins (14 is a toxic locker room presence). seasons). But it’s more than a lack of Why does any of this matter? talent that decimates the Kings. Because I am a lifelong Kings fan. The head coach position has Having grown up in Sacramento been a rotating door since the and tuned in to every game, I bleed legendary Rick Adelman left in purple and black (out of fandom, not 2006. some sort of rare blood disorder). I call it the “Adelman Curse”— I’ve waited my entire pre-pubes- nine coaches in 12 years, none of cent, adolescent and young adult whom have held the position for lives to see the Kings show any signs more than two-and-a-half sea- of promise. And up to and including sons (not that they would want this past season (27 wins, 55 losses), to). they have not. In addition, the front office This offseason, like each of the decision-making—outside of past 12 offseasons, Kings fans are go- securing a downtown arena and ing to hear ownership and manage- preventing the Kings from mov- ment sing the same tune: “This year ing to Seattle—has been at times will be different.” “Our young talent uninspiring and at other times is beginning to develop.” “We’re only baffling. They make questionable one free agent away.” draft picks, overpay free agents It won’t. They aren’t. And we’re and deliver odd promises. not. For instance, following the The best player currently on Cousins trade, general manager the Kings’ roster is either Bogdan and former King Vlade Divac told Bogdanović or Buddy Hield. Oh, reporters that if the Kings aren’t what’s that? You’re an avid NBA fan better in two years, he will resign. but haven’t heard of either player? One down, one to go—but I’m not That’s because on any other team holding my breath. they’d probably be a sixth man or, Despite ridding themselves more realistically, a role player. of the conniving and corrupt Enough cannot be said about Maloof family ownership a the Kings’ lack of talent over the few years ago, the Sacramento past decade-plus. It’s been a cruel Kings have yet to display any cocktail of washed-up veterans real hope as a franchise. And, as (Chuck Hayes, Andre Miller and “The Shawshank Redemption” Zach Randolph, to name a few) and teaches us, hope is a good thing. failure to launch first-round picks Without it, sports fans have (Thomas Robinson, Nik Stauskas, nothing to root for. Ben McLemore and half-a-dozen We do finally have a solid others). coach in Dave Joerger and a Looking at former rosters of couple players who suggest se- Kings players is as embarrassing rious potential. and cringeworthy as looking at my But outside of that, there’s not old text messages from high school. much to say. Success seems light To both the Kings’ front office years away. and my former self, I ask: “What the Rooting for the Kings all these hell were you thinking?” years has taught me to manage The one bright spot the past my expectations. I’m not asking few years was All-Star DeMarcus for a dynasty like our Nor-Cal Cousins, who the Kings traded to neighbors, the Golden State War- the Pelicans a little over a year ago. riors.