STUDENT PRESS OF CAL POLY POMONA UNIVERSITY

TUESDAY , APRIL 6, 2021 VOL IXXVI NO. 7 WWW.THEPOLYPOST.COM CCR hate speech in Discord chatroom

GEORGIA VALDES | THE POLY POST The link to the community Discord could be found on the masthead www.cacollegegop.com. Above are a few chats that were sent to The Poly Post. By GEORGIA VALDES AND members, including members control and abortion, the Republicans switched the Baron Boghosian. KRISTY RAMIREZ from Cal Poly Pomona’s chapter. legitimizing of transgender campus’ charter from the CFCR Many of user Boghosian’s Managing Editor and A fall out between California’s people, and institutional support to CCR. posts include selfies of Baron Social Media Editor collegiate Republican Party due of Mexican and Muslim student Instagram user, “abusiveccr,” Boghosian. The same account, to differing opinions caused CCR organizations. The extremist who wished to remain under a revised name “Gorilla”, Screenshots from a chapters to de-charter and form platform claimed that members anonymous for fear of retaliation, also posted a video with the Discord server attributed to a a new organization in 2019, the of the LGBT+ community were reached out to The Poly Post accompanying comment, “watch statewide California College California Federation of College “murderous and degenerate.” on Feb. 4 with screenshots of this you Jews” to the Discord Republicans (CCR) chat exposed Republicans (CFCR). The split This bled into CPP’s own alleged messages between two server. The video shows Baron misogynistic, racist, antisemitic came after CCR published a College Republicans and in accounts alleged to belong to Boghosian and others driving comments and threats of 10-page platform that attacked Spring 2020, Aaron Santana Santana-Ruiz and fourth-year around an empty campus during violence from various CCR university funding of birth Ruiz, president of CPP’s College chemical engineering student, See SPEECH/ Page 4 COVID-19 relief funds reach CPP community By ISABELLA CANO Staff Writer Cal Poly Pomona is one of the last California State University campuses to announce its student distribution model for the federal coronavirus relief aid passed last December. On March 25, the university administration informed the student body via email of its distribution plan for $15.5 million from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II that would take effect in early April. Jessica Wagoner, senior COURTESY OF ALINA WONG associate vice president of Enrollment Management Anti-Asian attacks rise in Disunited States of America & Services, highlighted By JUAN GODINEZ wanted to eliminate.” university where around history dating back to “When bad things notable differences Staff Writer In Los Angeles there 21% of students are the 19th century when happen, many people between the policies of have been many high Asian. there were laws banning feel the need to find the HEERF I and HEERF II. Hate crimes against profile cases recently, Olivia Lee, a first-year Asian immigration and someone to blame,” “The grants this time Asian Americans, on the such as the elementary kinesiology student, during World War II when said Alex Madva, an are higher than they were rise during the pandemic, school teacher’s aide, worries about the safety Japanese Americans were associate professor of with the first CARES Act, have been a national issue Matthew Leung, who of her older relatives, a put in concentration philosophy and ethnic so with this round of affecting our country and lost the tip of his finger fear she never thought camps. politics researcher. “This stimulus we were able California. On March 16, after being beaten with she’d be subjected to. “I’m A virtually unknown impulse reflects fear and to award a little more to tragedy struck in Georgia his own cane at a bus more concerned about incident in southern closed-mindedness.” help students in need but when eight people were stop and Shelly Shen something happening California was the burning Former President the difference with this shot, including six Asian who’s neighbors watched to my grandmother than down and destruction of Donald Trump promoted one is that the legislation women; the perpetrator, as their dog attacked myself,” said Lee. “I don’t Santa Ana’s Chinatown anti-Asian sentiments specifically states that a white 21-year-old her in West Covina. want to turn on the news in 1906 after health over social media which we have to give priority male, told authorities These attacks have been some day and see her officials declared the spread like wildfire. The to those students with he viewed the massage happening in waves. picture.” neighborhood a public week after Trump tweeted exceptional need and parlors where the The impact of these Discrimination against hazard because a man about “the Chinese that’s usually defined shootings took place as events have been felt Asian Americans in the named Wong Woh Ye virus,” the number of as Pell eligible,” said “a temptation that he at Cal Poly Pomona, a United States has a long contracted leprosy. See DISUNITED / Page 3 See FUNDS / Page 2

NEWS Page 5 A&E Page 6 OPINION Page 9 SPORTS Page 11 WWW.THEPOLYPOST.COM Pop-up course DRC offers virtual Condemning anti-Asian NCAA defends trans @THEPOLYPOST explores ‘fake news’ support American hate crimes athletes NEWS 2 THE POLY POST Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Diploma break-down: CPP considers COVID-19 graduates’ thoughts on drive-thru cermony testing options ahead of fall By GUSTAVO CASTILLO Staff Writer

“I think Pomona is doing their best under the current circum- stances. However, I don’t think many people will attend. Some people may have moved out of state and would likely be unwill- ing to come back to attend a drive-thru cer- emony. I personally prefer the virtual cer- emony because I can COURTESY OF ELIZABETH RAMIREZ stay home and cele- Communication student brate with my family.”

“I think the drive through gradua- tion is better than having a fully vir- GEORGIA VALDES | THE POLY POST tual one. However, I CPP’s campus remains restricted through Spring semester. think being stuck in your car for 90 min- By DIANA VASQUEZ “You got to have a center “When the vaccination San Francisco had to pay utes doesn’t sound as Staff Writer ramp because we’ve got was approved, the millions of dollars on a great. I know the cir- to have the focus on each FDA approved it as cyberattack. cumstances limit us to student so that their family an emergency use According to Los this, but I was hoping Cal Poly Pomona we will be able to walk President Soraya Coley and their mama’s can see authorization and so by Angeles Daily News, a at least. Since that is joined ASI President Lucy their babies coming down doing that it meant we hacker was able to obtain something I have been Yu on March 25 for an that ramp and experience could not require the customer data from Cal COURTESY OF KELLY GARCIA looking forward to ever online Q&A event, Lucy all the pride that comes vaccination,” said Coley. State Northridge in May Marketing student since I started school.” for Lattes, addressing with it,” said Coley. “That’s “If we’re not being able to 2020, as Blackbaud, a topics of commencement, what we put forward to the require the vaccination, third-party company tried the upcoming fall 2021 LA County Public Health and still this is unfolding to stop the attack. and the Duo app. and now we are expecting every day, we will need to When the floor opened “A drive through grad- The last 30 minutes of their guidelines.” do testing, so were going for students to ask uation would sound interesting and def- the event was curated An anonymous attendee to need to test to make questions, the Feminist initely something I to answer anonymous asked about the opening sure that people who are Fight Club requested to would be down for. questions from students; of facilities like the library congregating don’t have meet with Coley and Yu Being able to go back the members of the and BRIC. Yu confirmed the initial presentation of to take initiative on the to and visit the campus Feminist Fight Club also that for the opening of the symptoms.” passed by ASI in support one more time would be nice. As well as used this forum to reach BRIC, they are awaiting According to Coley, the of reproductive and Trans possibly seeing my Coley and Yu. to hear back from the campus has been in touch inclusive healthcare. friends one more time “One of my favorite LA health department. with UCLA’s testing center Blanca Martinez, a third- before we graduate.” things this event The return to in-person to consider the frequency, year anthropology student, COURTESY OF AHIEZER LOPEZ classes will prioritize manner and how to obtain said this was the perfect Electrical engineering student brings is students and administration together,” labs, internships, activities the results. Coley said opportunity to have their said Yu. “I think that so and courses that use the priority is the health presence seen as a club many people usually equipment. As of now only and safety of the campus and mention its justice “Since I am the first see her and I in such a 750 sections will have an community. She added campaign that focuses person in my family to formal setting when we’re in-person component and that with so much to on reproductive justice graduate from college, courses that are over 30 be implemented for the and respecting student getting any type of giving speeches, or when graduation would have something’s going on. I people will remain online. return of students, there autonomy to further meant a lot to me and think that what this event “I know that things are will also be more career discuss implementations to my family... I’m not brings to the campus swirling around and you’d options for students on and development from the exactly sure how the community is leadership like to have one thing campus. resolution. Yu and Coley drive through gradua- that’s predictable, but “One of our major said they were more than tion is going to work, in a casual setting.” how long it’s going to Lucy for Lattes initiated for a little while longer, initiatives is called The willing to meet with the take and how tired and the conversation about we’re going to have to be Future of Work in Human club. bored we will proba- the upcoming following open to just shifting as we and Civic Engagement “For any student clubs, COURTESY OF NAELA SALAM,AH bly be throughout it.” need to be,” said Coley. and so what we’ve or student organizations Psychology student the 2021 commencement that will be held in a “We issued schedules learned is that we have that are trying to bring drive-thru format at the and they’re going to be an opportunity to really change to campus these Fairplex in Pomona in notes associated with rethink our work study are important meetings “I hoped that quaran- May. Coley explained that classes. Students need to program,” said Coley. to attend,” said Martinez. tine would have ended the event will be separated stay connected with us Yu addressed student “It’s hard to get our by the time of my grad- uation. I would have by college spanning four all through the summer concerns over the presence seen and known loved to have a normal days. The invitation because we’re going to implementation of the during the pandemic, I graduation ceremony. was also extended to need to be messaging Duo app. Coley agreed would definitely encourage However, I know the the graduating class of them as things unfold.” that there is a certain others to use this platform times are still tough. 2020. Coley reinterred When revealing how annoyance when it comes so that administration So as long as it’s not a Zoom graduation, a the importance of a a hybrid course will be to logging in, but that these and ASI can see that drive through gradua- center staging area and designed on campus, efforts were to protect even though we’re not on tion will be enough.” confirmed that walking talks of sanitation within the identity insurance of campus, we’re still putting is still pending approval campus, temperature students and staff. in the work trying to create COURTESY OF JOE SI monitors and the According to Coley, change.” Computer engineering student from the Los Angeles County Department of classroom spacing are Cal State Northridge, Cal Find Diana Vasquez on Twitter Find Gustavo Castillo on Twitter @guscpp Public Health. being planned. State San Marcos and UC @dsvasquezz CPP “Science on Tap” presents “vaccines: friends or foes?”

By MARIA FLORES who have been vaccinated speed the development said Reyes. “All these Staff Writer reported including muscle of COVID-19 vaccines. symptoms should have As more vaccinations pain, headaches, tiredness However, Mercer happened before. If you continue to be distributed and fever. referred to the haven’t had any illness or out of Cal Poly Pomona, “Most vaccines unattainable triangle: haven’t felt bad, it means Jill Adler-Moore, a stimulate the adaptive “You can either have good, something: you are taking fast or cheap (vaccines), care of yourself.” vaccinologist and immune response, but but you can never get all Currently, the professor emeritus in they also stimulate the three.” United States has no the Biological Science innate immunity. They As the vaccines produce exact statistic of the Department, hosted a protect us from disease virtual meeting “Science and produce memory T strong antibodies to fight asymptomatic population, on Tap,” to discuss and B cells,” said Adler- MARIA FLORES | THE POLY POST against infections, the however it is important to Moore. “If you have other question of how long an note not everyone shows whether vaccines are approved by the United are. It’s actually a good “friends or foe” on March diseases such as the States: mRNA-based thing,” said Mercer. individual is immune COVID-19 symptoms. plaque or typhoid, you’re 22. vaccines include Pfizer- “We want an immune to COVID-19 remains Therefore, it is possible Previously “Science going to die if you don’t BioNTech and Moderna response that is even unanswered. to spread the virus to on Tap,” an informative get vaccinated. Same goes and the viral vector more powerful than the Odalis Reyes, a another. for COVID-19. Do I want third-year business If interested to learn discussion with CPP vaccine provided by immune response we to be uncomfortable for administration student, more about the virus, professors, was held at Johnson and Johnson. launch against a natural two to three days with a follows safety COVID-19 students can listen to Innovation Brew Works. According to Mercer, infection. We want really sore arm or slight fever? guidelines such as social science podcast “This Due to the pandemic, it those who receive the high levels of antibodies Or do I want to die?” distancing, wearing a Week in Virology (TWiV),” switched to an online Johnson and Johnson that will shut out the platform, allowing more As of March 24, 15.53 vaccine, which only virus.” mask and washing where medical doctors doctors and experts million vaccines have requires one shot, do not According to the her hands for 20 or analyze COVID-19 been administered in the research. from different parts of report strong side effects. Department of Health more seconds. Despite United States, with 3.78 For further information the United States to For the mRNA vaccine, and Human Services, increasing availability, million in Los Angeles about the COVID-19 participate. In its latest which requires two shots, over $19.1 billion were she does not foresee County. receiving the vaccine. vaccines, students can installment, over 120 more people report “being allocated vaccinations, Frances K. Mercer, “I’m not planning to visit www.cdc.gov/ participants gathered to really tired and having a including $577,834,765 immunologist and take it anytime soon coronavirus/2019-ncov/ learn the purpose, types, fever and thats kind of dedicated toward LA assistant professor in because of all these vaccines/different- and development of new for vaccines,” said County. With the support the Biological Science COVID-19 vaccines. Mercer. of the government, responses from different vaccines.html Department, identified people like ‘I’m having Adler-Moore addressed “You can really see how research labs and health Find Maria Flores on Twitter the two vaccine types @MariaFl17978104 the side effects that some powerful those vaccines facilities were able to headaches, I’m sore,’ Tuesday, April 6, 2021 THE POLY POST NEWS 3

Soon Chung Park

Hyun Jung Grant

RACHEL LY | THE POLY POST Suncha Kim

Yong Yue

Delaina Ashley Yaun

Paul Andre Michels

Xiaojie Tan

Daoyou Feng

(TOP) COURTESY OF ALINA WONG; (BOTTOM) RACHEL LY | THE POLY POST Student-ran virtual club, 626 Speak Out, organized a candlelit vigil in early March in solidarity with the Atlanta shooting victums. ATTACKS: CPP condemns racism targeting Asian community

Continued from Page 1 stores of local owners. This month it was reported that the coronavirus-related tweets with anti- Oakland community have organized Asian hashtags rose according to a new street sweeps of their own, aided study from UC San Francisco. by police, armed guards and local While hate crimes in America volunteers. decreased overall, a study based on “These are good citizens, these are police department statistics across your neighbors,” said Fong. “A lot of major U.S. cities found a 150% surge Asian American retailers are feeling in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020. a lot safer because AWA folks are out The report, released by the Center there.” for the Study of Hate and Extremism Kayla Kosaki, the coordinator of at California State University, San the Asian & Pacific Islander Student Bernardino, found the first spikes rose Center, believes the rise in anti-Asian alongside COVID-19 cases. hate crimes is due to an unresolved “Evidence for hate crimes against history of racism repeating itself Asian Americans continued through within the context of the COVID-19 the early parts of the 21st century, pandemic. although there is reason to think “In order to stop these attacks, we that these incidents were often must educate ourselves and others, under-reported,” said Madva. “One build communities of solidarity, reason these incidents have been advocate for change and work together under-reported is social pressure to end all forms of violence against our on Asian Americans to act like the communities,” said Kosaki. ‘Model Minority,’ which means social CPP has several resources available expectations to not ‘complain’ against for anyone in need of a place to talk and mistreatment and instead to just ‘put to be heard. These campus resources their heads down’ and work.” include: CPP Listens, the Office of On March 11, President Joe Biden Institutional Equity and Compliance delivered a national address to condemn and Broncos Care for Broncos. the violence Asian Americans have The latter of which, provides a experienced throughout the pandemic. space where students can report Biden called it “Un-American” and bias incidents, discrimination and demanded a stop. On the day of wellbeing concerns. the president’s address, lawmakers On March 17, President Coley issued announced the introduction of the a statement that the CPP community COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to boost condemns the violence and bigotry support for law enforcement agencies targeting Asians. “We must seek hope to deal with pandemic-related hate in the face of tragedy by continuing crimes. to comfort, respect and uplift one Sociology Professor Jack Fong, is another,” said Coley. critical of the media favoring the Although Fong is hopeful for sensationalism of the violence rather tensions to dissipate, he doesn’t than portraying positive movements want to sugarcoat the realities of the like the group, “Asians With Attitude.” American experience. The group’s goal is to unite the Asian “I think right now, all Asian community and allies to stand up Americans and Americans in general, and fight back against racism and need to really ask ourselves if this hate crimes by organizing marches segregation that we’re experiencing and rallies throughout the country to informally is actually a sign that we promote social justice. cannot unite as a people,” said Fong. Since fall 2020, Asians With “If that is the case, it would break my Attitude have patrolled the streets of heart.” Chinatowns across America, keeping the community safe as well as the Find Juan Godinez on Twitter @juan_god99 NEWS 4 THE POLY POST Tuesday, April 6, 2021 FUNDS: University distributes $15.5M in student aid

Continued from Page 1 to these funds sooner it could have given them Wagoner. some sort of security while Following the they figure out how to federal guidelines of deal with their situation,” prioritizing students with said Rodriguez. “It even “exceptional need”, the compromises their university’s eligibility academic performance; model utilizes Estimated they might have failed Family Contribution, a their whole semester figure provided by filing because of it. That’s the Free Application for tragic.” Federal Student Aid, to In order to distribute the categorize students into funds efficiently, targeted five separate groups. emails containing detailed Part-time and full- instructions for acquiring time students were COURTESY OF TRAVIS ESSINGER the aid will be sent out grouped from lowest to students will receive $400. fund, it is not available not an official federal that right now.” to students based on highest Estimated Family Group four has an EFC to undocumented or relief plan for these While some students their respective groups Contribution, signifying above $12,744. Full-time international students. students, though there are relieved to receive within the coming week, most to least financial students will receive Selene Santana, a is one “in the works” for extra assistance from according to Enrollment need: $500 while part-time will fourth year plant science undocumented students the university at all, Management & Services. Group one has an EFC receive $300. NOTE: While student and DACA using institutional and Favian Rodriguez, a Given the recency of the of $0 and is considered groups one through three recipient, recounted the state funding, according third-year biochemistry allocation announcement, Pell eligible. Full-time are set to automatically bittersweet experience to Wagoner. student, believes the CPP will continue to award students will receive receive their aid, group she underwent when “We are planning the delay in aid dispersal aid to students via direct $1,200 and part-time will four must submit an opening the distribution exact same thing as last failed many struggling deposit or mailed check receive $800. application on an email from the Office of time with the CARES. We students, especially those throughout the month of Group two has an EFC upcoming CPP webpage in Student Affairs. just need time to get the experiencing food and April. range of $1-$5,711 and is order to claim their funds. “When I first read it, institutional money in housing insecurity due to More information considered Pell eligible. Group five does not have I was really glad that place and I’m hoping by the pandemic. regarding CPP’s Full-time students will an EFC due to not filing some of my friends I see early April we will be able “If you dig through distribution of both receive $1,000 and part- the FAFSA. These students struggling a lot during to communicate it to our Reddit, you will find there Higher Education time students will receive must file the FAFSA in this time will get some undocumented students,” are posts of students Emergency Relief Funds $650. order to determine their much needed help from said Wagoner. “With who are on the verge of can be found on the Safer Group three has an EFC EFC and be placed in the school,” said Santana. international students it’s becoming homeless and Return website. range of $5,712-$12,744. another group. “I just wish I was one of a little trickier...It’s much some that have actually

Full-time students will Because the HEERF II is them.” more of a challenge and become homeless at this Find Isabella Cano on Twitter receive $750 and part time a federal emergency relief As of now, there is I can’t put a timeline on time. If they had access @ikcano SPEECH: Discord server harbors threats of violence Continued from Page 1 contained student members from universities across all of Halloween 2020, shouting California and there is no record statements supportive of former of action to regulate, prevent or President Donald Trump and discipline comments that could ending with the group eating escalate to threats of violence pizza. like user Boghosian’s had. On Nov. 6, 2020, the same Shortly after Santana Ruiz’s account, posted numerous email to The Poly Post, the comments inciting violence. account “Chancellor Santana” According to the CPP changed its name to “Mad World Republicans code of conduct, Mad World” and left the CCR “Grounds for removal and/or Discord server and used the suspension of an organization same meme that the account member(s) are appropriate if and claimed to use when its chapter only if student behavior is not departed from the CFCR charter. consistent with the California This is not the first time Polytechnic University of CPP Republicans have been Pomona student conduct and accused of hate speech and discipline code.” discrimination. When asked why more In fall 2020, popular Instagram reports had not been made, user account CPP Confessions, “disenchantedccrmember” said, an account where the CPP “I don’t think anything through community can anonymously CCR would happen just because submit community news, most of these guys are in their reposted several controversial minds, at least, all on the same CPP Republican posts for its COURTESY OF ABUSIVECCR side. They all share similar followers to see. beliefs. They don’t like Jews. of Fuentes and Patrick Casey, their name and picture on at CPP under item 7, “Conduct “This chat is an echo They don’t like people of color. the leader of the United States Discord. Anyone can create a that threatens or endangers chamber for these people to They think women need to just neo-Nazi group American new account or server with any the health or safety of any have these vile, sick beliefs be at home in the kitchen, so I Identity Movement, are called name associated to it. Due to person within or related to the and they hype each other up,” think if any sort of action was “Groypers.” this design, as I understand it, University community, including “disenchantedccrmember” to come, it would come through In January 2019, Fuentes there is no way to determine the physical abuse, threats, added. “One of my biggest the schools. Probably through a compared the Holocaust to identity of the person(s) who intimidation, harassment, or concerns is that if they hype mission of conduct at the very a “cookie baking operation.” authored these posts.” sexual misconduct.” each other up enough that they least…People who have brought According to Instagram user In a Feb. 8 emailed statement In an emailed statement to will actually go out and commit up concerns have either been “disenchantedccrmember”, the to the Poly Post, Santana Ruiz The Poly Post on Feb. 9, CCR’s acts of violence.” kicked out or they’re blacklisted, icon next to Santana’s name is wrote, “While I do have an communication team wrote, As of this report, both and they basically cannot climb in reference to these statements. Instagram, I do not have a “On behalf of the organization “disenchatedccrmember” and up the ladders.” When reprimanded for the Discord. When I looked into and alleged affected members, “abusedccr” accounts have been User “abusiveccr” responded action, Santana Ruiz changed these supposed chats that were we can unequivocally say that terminated. similarly. the image to a pizza. ‘leaked’ it appears that they these alleged Discord leaks “I plan to continue until “I do want to have a career in User “disenchatedccrmember” come from some social media are either doctored, edited, or the end of the Unity election,” politics, and they wouldn’t like added that they felt the need application called Discord. I manipulated. No records of these disenchatedccrmember said. this … a lot of the people have to create the whistleblower have never used Discord and the conversations or members exist, This unity election between connections with all the offices account to shed light onto the account is obviously fraudulent. and there is no evidence they CCR and CFCR was dated for so that could spread.” controversy. The images registered to the belong to CCR or any chapter. Feb. 20, but the results have According to “abusiveccr”, on “We’ve reported them to even account are not me and it’s The alleged names/nicknames not been announced nor any Nov. 10, the user Boghosian was their advisor. We’ve reported frustrating that someone would are not even in our Discord, news on the election been removed from the server after to Michael Donahue … who use my name and an image of a and there is no evidence they disclosed. More can be found at disrespectful comments toward is their advisor at Cal Poly cookie to slander me. (I’m not ever existed. This is simply the https://www.americafirstcr.com. Arielle Spotswood, a student at Pomona and he said nothing, sure if that’s an attack on me for nature of Discord.” William Donahue is running for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and he’s done nothing,” said being mixed race).” Before Feb. 9, the Discord’s chairman. current co-chair of CCR. “disenchantedccrmember.” According to Kyle Shulz, link could be found publicly in User “abusedccr” cited that Spotswood did not respond Initially, Michael Donahue former president of CPP the CCR web page masthead and they would continue the account to The Poly Post request for agreed to meet with The Poly Republicans, during the end included the lobby of members “as long as it takes... for all of comment. Post, but on Feb. 10 rescinded of his term and under the added to the server. this to hopefully end soon.” When asked for comment, the interview in an emailed administration of Santana Ruiz, CCR pulled the link off its To see the story with more of Boghosian said he has “no statement. a mass email subject, “College website on Feb. 8 for a short the screenshots submitted to connection with CCR at all,” “Due to your inquiry, I have Republicans at Cal Poly Pomona: period of time, and then again The Poly Post, visit thepolypost. and claimed to vote for the investigated this matter with Hangout Meeting (Fri. 1/29/21 @ permanently by the morning of com. Democratic Party. He added that the concerned Cal Poly students 6-9PM)” was sent to all members Feb. 9. If students are facing he never had a Discord account and state organization. I have with links to both a private CPP Beginning as early as Feb. 5, harassment, they can reach and the profile depicting his spoken with the Cal Poly Pomona Republicans Discord as well as the Discord server was purged out to the Office of Equity and name, along with the chats, College Republicans President, the CCR Discord. of chats by moderators, until Compliance. For reports on are “completely false and Aaron, and Baron, (who is in my The CPP Republican on Feb. 7 when the server was threats of violence contact the fraudulent.” senior design class at Cal Poly). Bylaws’ article H states that completely wiped clean. University Police Department. If Additionally, sources say the As it stands, both Baron and the president, “Shall be the Members within the students need to report a breach account named “Chancellor Aaron have categorically denied official representative of this server were not informed of student conduct, the Office of Santana”, allegedly that of these allegations. Furthermore, organization at all club involved and questioned the removed Student Conduct and Integrity Santana Ruiz, frequently Baron is not a member of CPP events and activities.” The messages and chatrooms. can be found at www.cpp.edu/ posted in Discord endorsing College Republicans, nor is he bylaws have since been removed Both William Donahue, Loyola studentconduct/staff.shtml. Nick Fuentes, a 22-year-old a member of CCR,” Donahue from CPP Republican’s MyBar. CCR president and CCR state far-right podcaster known stated, “I have found no The server violates Discord chair, and Dylan Martin, Find Georgia Valdes on Twitter for pushing white nationalist evidence to support the claims community guidelines. The communications director, @ValdesGeorgia and anti-Semitic views onto that you have purported. As comments may also violate the responded to their complaints. Find Kristy Ramirez on Twitter younger listeners. Followers you know, anyone can change student code of conduct policy The CCR Discord server @kristyrramirez Tuesday, April 6, 2021 THE POLY POST NEWS 5 Fall 2021 pop-up course explores ‘fake news’ and media By JOSE HERRERA of misinformation, Stein also sees the course involved and become Staff Writer believes it is important as a rare opportunity proactive in timely for students to be for professors from issues. Cal Poly Pomona’s educated and consume different departments Megan Willison, a Office of Academic news responsibly. to collaborate. third-year psychology Innovation is introducing “We’re in a time where “Most of the problems major, is considering its third pop-up course we are surrounded by of the world today require signing up for the course for the upcoming fall misinformation as bias. multiple disciplines,” and advising her friends semester. CPU 1540, If I were to look up the Sawyerr said. “The to take it. Lies, Damned Lies and ‘COVID-19 Relief Bill’ three faculty members “There is so much Politics, will revolve right now on a search teaching the course misinformation out around understanding engine, I’d get a variety designed the course there, people will see media bias, why people of different answers from scratch. You could something on the believe misinformation depending on what site imagine how powerful internet and believe or conspiracies and the I visit,” Stein said. “The the class is going to be, to it, instead of actually division politics and goal is to teach students be in a class learning and reading into it,” Willison technology has created how to be a consumer engaging in conversation said. “This course is within society. of news but navigate it with these three experts.” good for the school The course, available intelligently.” Olukemi explained and it’s always good to to all majors and A 2020 study published that the goal of these get educated on these without prerequisites, by the Gallup and Knight pop-up courses are to topics.” will be taught by Foundation, it was educate students on The pop-up course three experts: Shonn revealed that nearly topics that are relevant will be available when Haren, coordinator three in four Americans in today’s world, such fall registration opens of instruction at the (74%) say news outlets as COVID-19, news and on April 5 and count University Library, they don’t trust are trying artificial intelligence. toward the GE area E Assistant Professor of to persuade the public Olukemi even mentioned requirement. For more Marketing Randy Stein instead of reporting COURTESY OF GRACE JOHNSON the possibility of information, students and Associate Professor fairly or accurately. there is political bias in to have at the dinner table implementing a can visit CPP’s pop-up of Political Science Neil In addition to public news coverage. but recently appointed pop-up course based course webpage. Chaturvedi. distrust, the study also Not only will the course Associate Vice President on cryptocurrency. In an age of social found that at least 46% offer preparation for for Academic Innovation The unique experience Find Jose Herrera on Twitter media and a rapid spread of Americans see believe insightful conversations Olukemi Sawyerr enables students to get @josehndrxx_ Academic Senate establishes ethnic studies implementation committee By JASMINE SMITH and expertise necessary to College of Education to teach an ethnic studies requirement but not at Currently, there is Staff Writer educate students through & Intergrative Studies, course and then nominate the cost of other jobs. no website for the a multidisciplinary lens. College of Environmental the faculty to the EWS “By bittersweet it’s Ethnic Studies Faculty In response to last year’s “We have amazing Design, and College of chair. like you’re happy, but Implementation adoption of an ethnic lecturers who also teach Letters, Arts, & Social Despite this success in you can’t celebrate Committee due to its studies general education in our department, but Sciences for area F have diversifying learning at at the same time too recent establishment requirement, Cal Poly we will also need more been approved for fall CPP, according to Alvaro much because you see during the winter Pomona’s Academic lecturers or part-time 2021. Each department Huerta, an assistant department chairs that intersession. Though Senate has established faculty,” said Sandy will determine if they professor for the Urban you know who will have to there is limited a new committee called Dixon, chair of the want to offer an ethnic & Regional Planning tell people that they can’t information, the the Ethnic Studies Department of Ethnic studies course via cross Department, it came at teach a class anymore,” graduating class of 2024- Faculty Implementation & Women’s Studies listing, where a single a cost. Area D3 in the said Huerta. 2025 will be required Committee to decide and the Ethnic Studies course is offered for GE requirements was The implementation to take an Area F class which classes meet Faculty Implementation registration under two removed and replaced committee may sound in order to graduate. the ethnic studies Committee. Dixon said or more departments. In with Area F, resulting in unfamiliar to many “Well, it sounds like the requirements. that the faculty and the most cases, the course job loss for some part- students and clubs; committee will be vital The implementation committee are working is identical for everyone faculty members. however, that doesn’t to the implementation committee will act together to implement participating. They then Huerta said that he decrease the excitement process and will make as a gatekeeper for strong ethnic studies must make a referral and disagrees with how that some have for what sure it is done properly,” determining which faculty courses for CPP students. request to the committee. the implementation the future holds for the said Bridgman. “I’d love can teach an ethnic As of Mar. 30 the While it is the process was handled committee, according to to read more about it.” studies course, ensuring 14 courses submitted department’s decision, and that advocates for Piper Bridgman, a second- that the faculty chosen from Don. B Huntley the department chair will ethnic studies wanted year art history and Find Jasmine Smith on Twitter possesses the knowledge College of Agriculture, facilitate who is qualified ethnic studies to be a anthropology student. @Jasmine36618092 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTSA&E 6 10 Tuesday, April 6, 2021

SARAH HAN | THE POLY POST Disability Resource Center offers virtual support for students on the spectrum By GRACE JOHNSON the series this semester to help students bit more diversity of communication.” a space and kind of event where students Staff Writer who identify with autism unite, confide According to Loomis and Abson, on the spectrum can come together to in one another and learn about campus there are not many places on campus socialize and bond.” As spring blossoms and the end of resources. for students who identify with autism to Abson hosted the first Spring Fling in the semester draws nearer, Cal Poly “This event was really to create a sense congregate, so this online event series February and explained that students Pomona’s Disability Resource Center of belonging for students who identify — made especially for them and closed who attended expressed that they would launched the Spring Fling event series with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” said to the press — has extended measures of appreciate another event to reconnect last month to support and motivate DRC Associate Director Ann Loomis. support that the DRC hopes to continue, with peers with similar struggles, fears, students on the autism spectrum. The “Autism Spectrum Disorder is a disability especially when the campus reopens. dreams and aspirations. center’s most recent event on March that people very commonly consider part “This was my first event ever doing The event evolved into a safe space 19 allowed students the opportunity of their identity and also really varies in something that was exclusive to students for students who identify with autism to build community in the virtual how it presents itself in different people. on the spectrum,” said Abson. “Usually, to no longer feel alone or overlooked environment. But for many, it does come with a lot of I’m thinking more on the inclusive side, amid life’s many obstacles. The center worked in partnership with heightened social anxiety so, in some wanting to impact students who are “My college experience has been Christian Abson, an autism specialist ways, joining an event online can be less DRC-related as a whole. But this is my difficult,” said first-year computer and care services coordinator, to launch anxiety-inducing and gives for a little first time being intentional in providing See DRC / Page 8 CPP student musician strives to Student spread positivity through song proves By SHEM RIVERA education Staff Writer Through her musical talent, is not age- Alyssa Walker, a fourth-year California sociology student minoring limiting in music, strives to encourage By JESSICA CUEVAS reopens others to use music as a method Staff Writer to help understand their amusement feelings. In the pursuit of education, Walker aims to share her 72-year-old Cal Poly parks amid experiences with anxiety Pomona student Roy Pippin, through her music for others a third-year psychology to relate to. After struggling student, is proving that pandemic with her mental health, Walker age and background do turned to music as a way to not matter. Despite his By JESSICA CUEVAS age, he is working toward Staff Writer escape reality. Writing lyrics about her emotions has helped his bachelor’s degree to After being closed for her cope with the challenges. graduate next year after almost a year, California “I want my music to have spending “all his life doing announced last week its a positive impact on people,” different things.” plan to allow amusement Walker said. “The first song I With his degree, Pippin parks to reopen amid ever wrote was called ‘No One.’ strives to counsel children the ongoing pandemic It was about my anxiety disorder, and families after graduating — a familiar territory as he beginning April 1. The how no one can understand me offers counseling services at COURTESY OF ALYSSA WALKER parks hope to offer a and why I started songwriting in his church. fun and safe return for the first place.” Alyssa Walker, a fourth-year sociology student minoring in music, hopes to inspire students to overcome mental slumps through music. After serving in the staff and guests through One of her favorite Air Force for 23 years, implementations of safety compositions is called “Anxiety,” rough time in your life,” she said. The owner of the restaurant he managed an air regulations, including released in 2018. The song Walkers’ musical journey offered Walker her first paid conditioning, plumbing social distancing and mask personifies anxiety and began when her grandmother gig there and introduced her and construction company requirements. expresses her feelings in having bought her first guitar and to other people to perform in with his family for 14 years. Cal Poly Pomona students to face it every day. taught her how to play when the San Diego Area. One of her Now, Pippin works at the can soon experience the The song was well-received she was 6 years old. Her singing favorite places she performed at Franchise Tax Board while parks again and reignite by her fans with numerous ability was self-taught while was at the San Diego Fair. attending CPP. the excitement of visiting comments showering praise growing, but it developed when When she first started After spending his first their favorite attractions, on the high-quality production she joined a choir in high school performing, she was nervous, two college years at Norco dining and shopping at and the raw emotion she in San Diego and briefly received but the adrenaline gave her a College as a philosophy locations like Disneyland, displayed. The track showcased lessons after entering college. rush like nothing else. student, he dedicated time Six Flags, Universal Studios her songwriting ability and She began writing music when “I love performing so much, and effort to researching Hollywood and Knott’s was complemented with her she was 13 and began performing said Walker. “It allows me to job opportunities with a Berry Farm. However, comforting vocals. professionally at 15. share my music and hopefully philosophy degree and felt Disneyland, Universal “A lot of people can connect She performed her first her influence an audience in a that it was “really limited,” Studios, and Knott’s will with this song — whether it’s first open mic at a restaurant positive way. Nothing is better which led him to pursue not be introducing rides anxiety, another mental illness called Company Pub & Kitchen than having an engaging psychology. See PARKS / Page 7 or if you are just going through a through one of her family friends. See MUSIC / Page 8 See EDUCATION / Page 7 Tuesday, April 6, 2021 THE POLY POST A&E 7 EDUCATION: CPP-themed Zoom backgrounds 72-year-old ignite Bronco pride in meetings student tackles allows users to display an image or video as their background during a meeting. university life This brings a unique characteristic Continued from Page 6 to online meetings as it can often set the tone of a conversation. If users His interest in pursuing psychology choose to take a more conservative professionally piqued while working as approach, they may display something an engineer for 13 years at the California that represents their organization or Medical Facility and the California State club. Users wanting a lighthearted Prison in Vacaville, California. approach may opt for a more colorful Pippin often engaged with the inmates or fun background. — especially with five convicted killers — to learn about them and their behaviors. “When people are cut off from their learning environment, it can For eight hours a day, Pippin visited be hard for them to practice that and interacted with them by engaging in self-expression that’s so important conversation and offering advice, hoping ZACHARY CHEN | THE POLY POST to them,” said Christian Nunez, a to help them become better individuals. Students, faculty and staff are reigniting Bronco pride using stylized, campus- fourth-year plant science student. “A Surrounding himself in many different themed Zoom backgrounds in online meetings and classrooms. lot of self-expression is done through cultures, Pippin dedicated his time to By ZACHARY CHEN College of Business Administration campus life. Many people are in clubs. listen and understand the inmates’ Staff Writer building and the University Library. They interact with students, and they backgrounds and perspectives — The stylized versions of the themed have all these opportunities to bounce especially when no one else did. As the campus community backgrounds were shortly released off their own personal passions and “It was a learning experience for me to approaches nearly a full year of virtual after, providing an uplifting life goals.” see where they came from,” said Pippin. instruction, the struggles that student alternative for students with a more Although something like Zoom “I saw their lack of ability to interact face when expressing themselves artistic side. backgrounds may seem small to some, with other people as a problem to continue to be a challenge. Self- Markarian originally designed her it may benefit others struggling with communicate socially.” expression can vary for many in a first CPP-themed background for the monotony of an online learning He also allowed the inmates to work socially distanced world, but the Cal personal use, but when asked by other environment. for him to stay out of trouble in the Poly Pomona community is using staff to share it with them, it came as “If we can be an anchor to the prison with various tasks, including themed Zoom backgrounds to liven a welcome surprise to her. campus for people, we’re all for it,” assisting with engineering work and up their online meetings. “When my boss, Amon Rappaport, said Zasadzinski. “You could be 10 helping with the cleaning process, Last May, University Photographer asked me to share my background minutes away or 10 hours away, if while showering them with positive Tom Zasadzinski and Senior Graphic with him, I was shocked,” Markarian you’re not on campus, then you’re reinforcement. Artist Ani Markarian released various said. “The background was vibrant and still a whole world away.” Like other Broncos, even though official Cal Poly Pomona-themed pink, and it was to match my hair at Currently, there are 27 CPP- Pippin is not physically on campus due to Zoom backgrounds for students, the time. It was really a form of artistic themed Zoom backgrounds available the pandemic, he sees virtual instruction faculty and staff to use. expression for me.” — consisting of 17 photography as a benefit for him, especially when it “We want students of CPP to gain Markarian, who was responsible backgrounds, nine stylized comes to parking and not having to walk a sense of pride and belonging on for designing the stylized versions backgrounds and one seasonal all over campus. campus even though they’re attending of the CPP-themed backgrounds, background. Zasadzinski and Now, as a university student, Pippin remotely,” Markarian said. used the landscape photos taken by Markarian both plan on releasing advises students to never give up despite The initial release of the themed Zasadzinski and edited them with an additional Zoom backgrounds in the the obstacles they encounter. backgrounds displayed different artistic approach. near future. Find Jessica Cuevas on Twitter @jessycbby locations around campus including the Zoom’s virtual background feature Find Zachary Chen on Twitter @zach_comm PARKS: Southern California theme parks reopen doors Continued from Page 6 visiting the park, including social opening in a limited capacity, creating return to full operations until after anytime soon but instead will host distancing, sanitizing, temperature sanitation stations and requiring completing the previously scheduled food festivals. checks and opening at a limited health screening before entering. special events. To reattract guests, Disneyland capacity. Although California theme parks For updates on discounted park plans to host a food event called “A “Since it is late into the pandemic, are granted permission to reopen tickets, visit ASI game room’s website. Touch of Disney” where guests will vaccines are out and there are testing on April 1, major parks, including be invited to experience the magic measures and it would be good Disneyland and Universal, may not Find Jessica Cuevas on Twitter @jessycbby from March 18 to April 19. The new for people to get their minds off of food festival offers a $25-worth dining everything and make people happy,” card and access to Disney California said Donoyan. “I am mostly outdoors Adventure for $75. Guests must wear so I am fine with it being open and it Cal Poly Pomona a mask at all times, and Disneyland being in a large open space.” FARM FRESH employees will check temperatures Six Flags plans to reopen all rides FARM STORE PRODUCE at entrances. and restaurants this spring. According Available Daily In anticipations of reopening plans, to ABC News, Six Flags will reopen with students expressed their excitement limited guest capacity and sanitation in revisiting the parks. after rides while maintaining social “I am happy to hear they are opening; distancing protocols all around the it is bound to happen sooner or later,” park. said fourth-year political science While some may be excited to revisit Shop Online & student the amusement Christopher parks, other Donoyan. “It students Pick up Curbside! may not be disagree with the same but the reopening as long as they plans. WWW.ORDERFARMSTORE.COM play it safe. I “I don’t think enjoy Disney it’s a smart and would move; it is more love to go.” of a money Disneyland move to me,” also plans said fourth- to introduce year applied a new anthropology membership student Tammy program for a Pham. “We It’s limited time to are still in a offer a wider pandemic and STRAWBERRY range in ticket you don’t have pricing due to to go. People the temporary should put the SEASON! hold on annual COURTESY OF AMY HUMPHRIES...... needs of others Locally Grown & pass sales. CPP’s Bronco Student ahead of themselves.” Center and the Games Room is not Pham explained that everyone selling any tickets at the moment and deserves to have fun, but she feels it DELICIOUS will be closed until further notice, would be a lot safer for everyone if according to ASI Commercial Service amusement parks remain closed. $4/basket, $11/3-pack Coordinator Sandra Solano. “I would love for amusement parks or $20/half flat, $40/flat Along with Disneyland, other parks to open up, but I think it isn’t the time like Universal Studios Hollywood are yet,” said third-year early childhood planning to manage crowds with education student Erika Gallardo, limited capacity. expressing similar concerns. The Farm Store is OPEN DAILY from 10am-6pm Universal Studios Hollywood also At Knott’s Berry Farm, the theme introduced an event called “Taste of park is looking to hire 1,700 associates Universal” that will open March 12 and for the 2021 season as part of its We accept: run through selected weekends from reopening plans, according to ABC cash noon to 7 p.m. Through the event, News. credit cards guests can enjoy outdoor dining and Although it has not announced a set checks Bronco Bucks experience all kinds of food inspired date on when the park will reopen with and by their favorite attractions. rides, Knotts plans to also host a food Meal Points Guests can also access the CityWalk festival called “Taste of Boysenberry to dine and shop at no entry cost but Festival” from March 5 through May when going inside the park, they will 2. This event will offer more than 65 4102 S. University Dr., Pomona, CA For specials and Events, be required to purchase their tickets infused boysenberry dishes as well (909) 869-4906 • Open Daily 10am-6pm Sign up for our email list online and wear a mask at all times. as drinks for students to enjoy while Universal plans to follow similar safety remaining socially distanced. Visit us at: www.cppfarmstore.com regulations as Disneyland for guests Knott’s plans to ensure safety by A&E 8 THE POLY POST Tuesday, April 6, 2021 DRC: Campus center connects students in virtual gathering Continued from Page 6 when transitioning to the heavy, college-level courses. science student Hope Markley, a “Registering with the DRC and participant in the latest virtual event. “It getting accommodations has really was really great to find other students helped me,” said Markley. “The extra who share my specific experience with time on tests and being able to record both school and relationships. There all of my lectures have saved me on are even plans for all of us to meet up numerous occasions.” over Zoom during spring break.” The Spring Fling event series is Throughout the event, Abson was curated to provide guidance for able to connect with each of the 11 students socially and academically. students who attended by speaking with The ultimate goal is to address their them about various topics, including struggles and find the most reliable trending issues on Twitter and some solution, according to Abson. of the students’ favorite movies. Abson “It was a really fun time,” said Abson. was also encouraged to discover that “I was very excited to see that not only COURTESY OF ANGEL DIANE the students created a Discord channel did they come to the event seeking to continue communicating after the that social support, but they were also meeting adjourned. open to seeing these new relationships CPP alumnus mixes it up in According to Autism Speaks, continue to develop. Eventually, we approximately 50,000 Americans who will get back to campus and I feel like are on the spectrum enter adulthood I could get a lot of students to come bar and restaurant industry each year, but only one-third end together in a physical space to engage By ALLEN VALDEZ Poly, but it’s not driven toward alcohol or up attending college, with rates for and build a greater community of Staff Writer managing alcohol and bar management,” finishing coursework being low while support and genuine friendship.” Barriga said. “I honestly think that we dropout rates remain high. DRC’s upcoming Spring Fling event Cal Poly Pomona alumnus Pedro lack in our industry so much with people Before entering college, Markley is scheduled to be held on April 19 via Barriga (‘06, international business and who understand functionality and cost explained that school was easier to Zoom. marketing) is a local bar manager at analysis.” O’Donovan’s and mixologist at multiple After the year-long closure of bars, navigate with lighter coursework. Find Grace Johnson on Twitter bars featured in various publications, Barriga explained that the majority of the However, this became more difficult @gracepolypost including Angeleno Magazine, for his challenges in the field are COVID-related cocktail crafting expertise. with businesses unable to afford the staff, Unlike many of his competitors in the leading to employees not returning to MUSIC: Student musician bar and restaurant management industry, work. Barriga, a Huntington Beach native, broke “Our industry has completely changed tackles mental health topics into the scene in an unconventional way forever,” Barriga said. “I don’t think we about a decade ago. even understand extensively how much it Continued from Page 6 “I had a very career-driven job as soon has changed, and I don’t think we’ll know audience and knowing you are as I got out of school and I was working for the next couple of years.” helping people have a good time!” for a pharmaceutical company,” Barriga According to Barriga, another concern Although her main musical style recalled. “I just wasn’t happy doing it, so within the industry is that establishments is pop country, Walker does not that’s why I went back to the bar business. are being required to offer food when consider herself to play just one I pretty much created my job, and I’ve reopening, resulting in them operating genre since each of her songs has been doing that for the last 10 years.” without sufficient knowledge of proper a different taste to it. One of her While studying at CPP, Barriga built food safety protocols. In the upcoming inspirations is Taylor Swift, and she his experience as a bartender through a months, he predicts that many restaurants strives to be like the singer while COURTESY OF ALYSSA WALKER part-time job at The District in Fullerton. may have issues with foodborne illnesses maintaining her own unique sound. past year. Nonetheless, Walker shared The social aspect, like engaging with because of this. “Taylor Swift is an amazing how she overcame these moments customers, is one of the main charms Looking ahead, Barriga hopes to play songwriter,” Walker said. “Growing before by listening to other artists’ that led him back to the field. a part and help set the new standard up, she was someone who I found music or messing around with her Now, Barriga enjoys a multitude of for the post-pandemic world of dining super relatable because of her song guitar until something sparks her. successes, from bartending to curating and drinking experiences in bars and lyrics and how they connected to me. Despite her slump, she is working cocktails for various restaurants. restaurants. Even now, many of her songs still on releasing a new song by summer. “Since I’ve left the other industry, I’ve, “We’re at the pinnacle of rewriting what apply to me as an adult.” Although she has been working on in some way, shape or form, touched 174 it means to go and have a drink, have food Unfortunately, Walker has not the new production for nearly a different bars now — whether it was and what we have to do to do it,” Barriga performed live for over a year year, the release was delayed until consulting, writing a menu, retraining said. “That goes for anyone involved in a due to the pandemic and deeply the pandemic settled down. After staff, bringing in booze, formulating costs restaurant to opening a restaurant, being misses it. Before the pandemic, she graduating in spring, Walker hopes or getting certain analysis done,” Barriga a bartender, cocktail waitress, server and performed at least once a week. to continue working toward her said. host.” While performing, she had to balance music career. As a former CPP track and field athlete, Barriga advises students aspiring to be other obligations as well. “Hopefully, I can start writing Barriga credited being in a competitive work in the bar business industry to be “Doing school and being part of songs again and post more musical team environment as one of the many outgoing and bold, crucial characteristics sorority was something I had to content after I graduate,” Walker attributes that helped him thrive and when working in the field. manage,” Walker said. “With gigging, said. “I want to continue to create move forward with his career in the niche “This industry is not for the thin- it was not too bad since it was only a music that inspires others and has a industry. With a minor in sociology, he skinned and weak-hearted. It takes a few hours a week and it was basically positive impact on them.” also acknowledged that developing a lot of grit but there is a lot of money to my job, but I loved doing it. Being To stream for free or to stay strong foundation in public speaking be made,” Barriga said. “People will eat able to get paid to do something that updated with Walkers’ music, comes as an advantage. and drink for the rest of their lives but I enjoyed made it easier.” visit her Spotify and Instagram @ Barriga hopes that there will be more right now, more than ever, is the most With the decrease in gigs, she alyssawalkermusic, or visit her opportunities for people to be educated important opportunity for people to get is experiencing a creative slump website for more information. when it comes to running bars or involved because we are about to rewrite because she has not been able to restaurants. the food culture.” perform or write much within the Reach Shem Rivera at [email protected] “We have a hospitality option at Cal Find Allen Valdez on Twitter @AllenJV1099 Student entrepreneurs promote secondhand fashion by selling her clothes, she expanded to an apparel business on Instagram, where offering her favorite thrift finds when she she sells various items including party saw a push for secondhand items, which dresses and bra tops that she designs and she attributes to the growing interest in creates herself. social media. She started her business after interning Especially among young adults, for Guess, where she learned a lot about Akubuilo explained that fast fashion, the harms of fast fashion. She explained which she describes as “mass-produced that while buying from big-name replicated fashion show and runway brands is “inevitable,” supporting small styles,” are more frowned upon. businesses is important. “Usually, you see these types of With a small budget, like many other styles in Forever 21 or H&M or even small businesses, Flores depends on word Zara,” Akubuilo said. “It’s bad for of mouth and loyal customers to keep her the environment because so much business running. material and resources go into clothing Along with sellers, the secondhand production. And also, people are fashion trend is popular among criminally underpaid and overworked consumers as well. in sweatshops to produce this clothing.” Elisabeth Echevarria, a third-year She explained that when consumers geology student, found themself purchase items from fast fashion shopping more than usual during the COURTESY OF COTTONBRO companies, they are more likely to go pandemic since they had “nothing better By AMANDA COSCARELLI Workers are typically underpaid in the through clothing and continue buying to do” at home. Staff Writer factories that these items come out new items because trends quickly come Echevarria explained that while it is of, and the items are unsustainable, and go. During the pandemic, with more more difficult to support local and small As online shopping booms during the Akubuilo added. people at home, online consumerism has sellers during the pandemic, Depop and pandemic, Cal Poly Pomona students are Akubuilo believes her business is increased among college students. online thrift stores make it possible to taking part in the secondhand fashion essential in the fight against major According to Forbes, a Bazaarvoice stay away from major retailers. vogue to promote recycling unwanted retailers. statistic found that 62% of U.S. shoppers While fast fashion is difficult to clothing through thrifting. “I think my business has helped said they shop online more than they did avoid, there are numerous ways to get This trend, which gained speed in the combat fast fashion by selling items before the pandemic. involved with sustainability on campus. past year, has become part of a larger that are preloved. I think of it kind of “(Fast fashion) items are oftentimes For tips on promoting an eco-friendly agenda to combat fast fashion. like recycling,” Akubuilo said. not built to last,” Akubuilo added. “When lifestyle, students can visit CPP’s Office Theresa Akubuilo, a second-year early Akubuilo started her business last you shop secondhand, like with my or of Sustainability. childhood studies student, sells thrifted summer as a way to earn extra income. any other secondhand business, you’re Find Amanda Coscarelli on Twitter women’s apparel — from strappy tanks She shortly realized that there was getting an item that is more likely to stay @uhhhmandaaa to patterned pants — on her Instagram a growing market for thrifted and in your closet longer and also help the and Depop accounts. secondhand clothing, noting that environment and save resources.” She explained that fast fashion styles purchases on resale sites such as Depop Like Akubuilo, third-year apparel are usually based on designer pieces and have grown “exponentially.” merchandising and management student, are inexpensive and easy to produce. Although Akubuilo started her business Stephania Flores, manages Bad Lil Hyna, OPINION

SPORTSSPORTSTuesday, 10 April10 6, 2021 OPINION 9 My body is Not a model minority, china not for your doll, nor punching bag blackfish By JASMINE SMITH By AMBER LI obtuse they are if they hear me, Staff Writer Staff Writer my family, or my friends speak in our native Cantonese. I can’t Growing up, when I would Every single day I’m terrified. even speak my mother tongue look in the mirror, I didn’t I’m terrified for my family, for fluently, and yet just knowing like what I saw. Staring back my friends and their families, it is enough of an offense to at me was a young, insecure for myself. I’m terrified of convince them that I am not fully girl who hated her curves, her strangers on the street, of racist American. nose and even her skin. Flash slurs and ignorance on social I do not have to prove my forward over a decade, and media, of police who justify and citizenship to anyone. I should the features that I wished I humanize hate crimes against not have to defend my culture. could change are now a trend. people who look just like me. I’m infuriated at how society My problem with this is that With the exuberant 150% constantly appropriates my the same society that made increase in Anti-Asian hate culture and degrades, fetishizes me feel ugly for my features crimes in the United States this and exoticizes my people. SHARON WU | THE POLY POST now praises women who alter past year, I’m terrified, and above America loves Asian culture, being treated with, right? our Congress and justice system themselves to have them. all, I’m furious. I’m furious at how clothes, cuisine, but it sure as By pitting Asian Americans would rather offer condolences I’m not against people American society will never allow hell does not love Asian people. against Black Americans, our than actually take proactive enhancing themselves; Asian Americans to simply be In recent times, ignorance country is exacerbating racist measures to prevent hate crimes however, when it gets to the Americans. How we will always has been weaponized and stereotypes and enforcing Anti- and systemic injustices against point where your extreme tan be “othered” by the media and by intertwined with hate. From Black hate, exploiting one group minorities. causes you to blackfish, we this society that loves to oppress “Wow, your English is very of minorities to dehumanize and If the American government have a problem. Blackfishing people of color. good,” to, “Go back to China and antagonize the other. won’t take action against these is when a person no longer I’m so tired of drowning in take your Kung Flu back with But what can I expect from hate crimes, I sure as hell will. resembles their natural my family’s grief around the you.” From offensive words to a country that has been doing We should not have to endure appearance and can be dinner table each night when senseless violence. this to people of color and my racism in any form, whether mistaken as Black, like we discuss the disgusting hate Asian Americans are forced into family for generations. From that be violence, vandalism, Rachel Dolezal. I understand crimes against our grandparents, the “model minority” stereotype, the Chinese Exclusion Act, ignorance, punchlines, or silence. people want to look healthy our parents and our siblings. I’m being depicted as quiet, obedient, to Japanese internment I have no tolerance for racism, no and have a glow, but I find it exhausted from being on high hardworking, high-achieving camps, to U.S. occupation in matter what it looks like. ironic that being dark only alert walking in public, terrified and well-educated. Like many the Philippines and Cambodia. People don’t get to decide seems acceptable if you’re to trust that a stranger would just stereotypes, these forced traits Invading our countries, killing whether their own actions and not a person of color. walk by peacefully. are extremely dangerous and us and raping our cultures and behaviors are racist. Those Trolls will say it’s the Justifying the murder of six ignorant, homogenizing all Asian people while simultaneously around them do. I will educate same as Black women Asian women and the brutal Americans into one perfectly barring us from American society myself and others on how to straightening their hair and attacks of Asian elderly in oppressed group. and treating us as less than. It hold racists accountable for their wearing weaves, but it’s not. broad daylight is undoubtedly God forbid we start to protest doesn’t matter that Asia is the bigotry and ignorance. What will Black women for centuries racist and ignorant. Justifying and act against our stereotype largest continent with 48 distinct you do? have had their looks ridiculed and asking questions like: “But otherwise we’ll be treated worse and unique countries, because in Here are some resources by a Eurocentric society that where are you really from?” than other people of color are. America, you won’t matter unless to help take action against wanted them to feel bad about and “Do you really eat dogs?” is The “model minority” suggests you’re white. Anti-Asian violence: https:// who they are — nitpicking unquestionably racist. that we should be happy with our I’m frustrated that the anti-asianviolenceresources. every characteristic from “You’re in America, speak oppression, because, hey, at least government in these past four carrd.co/ their hair to their ‘immoral’ English.” For a country that we aren’t being treated with the years has done nothing but curvaceous body. A body has no official language, its outright and blatant institutional inflame this bigotry to turn bitter Find Amber Li on Twitter citizens sure love to share how racism that Black Americans are and physical. I’m frustrated that @amberli543 See BLACKFISH / Page 10 Spanish language music pushes boundaries for a global takeover EDITOR IN CHIEF Some even speak a new Daniela Avila tongue when collaborating with international artists of this genre. MANAGING EDITOR Georgia Valdes Sarah Han Puerto Rican superstar, Bad ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR Amber Li Bunny, was able to convince COPY EDITOR Nicolas Hernandez acclaimed hip-hop artist Drake to PHOTO EDITOR Peter McLean sing in another language for their VIDEO EDITOR Catherine Myers 2018 release “MIA.“ WEB EDITOR Jovian Lin The song saw Drake take on the BUSINESS & MARKETING Linda Perez challenge of performing this hit DIRECTOR in Spanish, a language previously MARKETING ASSISTANT Jovian Lin unheard in his discography. ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Valerie Sarkis The featured collaboration Tovin Schwartz earned worldwide attention placing GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Grace Johnson the song in the Top 100 Billboard Esteban Villanueva for 28 weeks straight amongst Sharon Wu COCO CHICA | THE POLY POST other hits such as “I Like It” and FACULTY ADVISOR Jason Turcotte By COCO CHICA the globe are dancing and moving “Despacito“. PUBLISHER Nell Horowitz Staff Writer to the diverse rhythm and upbeat You can’t help but sing these sounds provided by these Spanish songs in your head as you read DISTRIBUTOR Giovani Carretto You get in your car and turn on artists. those names. ADVERTISING OFFICE (909) 869-3528 the stereo. Suddenly, “Gasolina” by Surrounding this new and The rapid success in (909) 869-3533 Daddy Yankee starts playing. popular genre across the world, collaborations between cross-genre BUSINESS OFFICE (909) 869-5483 You don’t know what the words it’s important to know its origins artists is now more common than BUSINESS FAX NUMBER (909) 869-5179 mean or what they’re saying, but and what makes it, according ever. EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT (909) 869-3530 you’re moved by the melody and to Billboard, today’s third most The Weeknd’s hit “Blinding beat that carry the song. You now listened genre in the world — Lights” racked up a total of 1.6 EDITOR [email protected] MANAGING EDITOR [email protected] have an interest for something new, surpassing industry giants such as billion streams in 2020, making it ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR [email protected] unknown and filled with a culture one of the most streamed songs of country and EDM. SPORTS EDITOR [email protected] breaking boundaries in the music Perhaps it’s the growing the past year. COPY EDITOR [email protected] industry. immigrant population or because Spanish artist Rosalia quickly PHOTO EDITOR [email protected] Before blowing up globally, it of its semblance to American pop jumped on the remix, bringing VIDEO EDITOR [email protected] was uncommon to see any of my music, but this genre is here to stay. her voice to push the boundaries WEB EDITOR [email protected] friends or anyone who did not speak Originating in Latin America, to Latin cultures of the already ADVERTISING [email protected] Spanish or belong to the Hispanic reggaeton is a crucial form of established hit and expanded the FACULTY ADVISOR [email protected] community listen to a song of this expression for the Latin culture’s streamed numbers by almost half. genre on their own, let alone show identity and pride. Its extensive J Balvin’s “Mi Gente” took Signed articles, letters and artwork printed in The Poly Post reflect the any interest to something they audiences in its own continent, the world by storm when it was opinion of the authors and not the Cal Poly Pomona Communication didn’t understand. the Caribbean, and the United released in 2017. The song earned Department, administration, student body, Associated Students, Inc. As more Spanish-language artists States’ predominantly Hispanic enormous streaming numbers and or the California State University system. Unsigned editorials are the top the charts and are featured in states have helped the genre grow views on YouTube sitting at 2.8 expressed opinions of a majority of the editorial board. The Poly Post today’s popular media and society billion views today. The hit grasped is printed every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, except exponentially. for holidays and final exam weeks. through billboards, nightclubs Starting by making a name for the attention of the queen of pop and the radio, their music started themselves in their respective herself, Beyonce, who jumped on grabbing the attention of those country, the recognition and buzz the remix bringing in a new set of unfamiliar with it. Spanish artists have created has fans to the genre. Reggaeton has managed to appeal given them a solid fan base to push With a growing Hispanic to much of the young American boundaries past their continent and population in the country, these LETTERS TO THE EDITOR population as it shares many make their sound heard across the artists are bound to become integral Letters should run between 250 and 500 words and stylistic elements with American world. parts of the American music scene. may be edited for accuracy, clarity, length, style pop music: auto tune, rapping and It’s almost impossible to have The genre’s audience continues and libel. Cartoons should only be drawn on white similar beats. Today, we see big a conversation in today’s age of to stretch with its powerful sound paper, not lined paper. All submissions should not artists like J Balvin, Bad Bunny, that is capturing the attention of music without mentioning the exceed 8 by 10 inches and must include the author’s Maluma and more winning awards, popularity of this genre across the music fans everywhere — a genre full name, telephone number and other relevant topping charts, collaborating United States. that can be heard everywhere and with American artists, selling out Everywhere you go, the sound of anywhere and its takeover across information, such as class standing, major and place shows, and influencing the fashion today’s biggest names can be heard the globe has only just begun. of residence. industry. collaborating with a Spanish artist. Although the language and Many seek to expand their fanbase culture are unknown to a large by doing so and show try new out FInd Coco Chica on Twitter Visit www.thepolypost.com for more submission details. majority of listeners, people around of their comfort zone. @cocogonzx OPINION 10 THE POLY POST Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Political correctness is pure flimflam, I do not like it Sam I am! By CADEN MERRILL myself in his books solely because right, and it is something that Staff Writer of his beautiful and colorful Americans should never take for illustrations and his insightful granted. Being the Gen-Zer that I am, it and dare I say it, life-changing Political correctness is a hotly should come as no surprise that messages. contested issue that has both I surf the Internet (yes, I still find “Green Eggs and Ham” taught benefits and detriments. It can that phrase relevant) multiple me that it is good to try new prevent hurtful and derogatory times daily. Not to stream movies things, even if they may seem ideas from reaching people, but and TV, but I also do it to obtain strange or scary; “Horton Hears it can also prevent beneficial information, to see what issues a Who” taught me that a person messages and I’d argue teachable are on everyone’s minds and to is a person, no matter how small, moments from reaching people. see what is happening in the and that everybody deserves to If there is not enough political world. As expected, much of have their voice heard; “How the correctness, those hurtful and the news that I see is not news Grinch Stole Christmas!” taught derogatory ideas could influence that I would consider “good,” me that Christmas cannot be too many people to act immorally, but overall, it rarely infuriates found on a price tag; “The Lorax” but if there is too much of it, artists me. I could let it get to me, but taught me that protecting and GRACE JOHNSON | THE POLY POST and entertainers would be unable I choose not to not dampen my preserving the planet is vital to works that contain significant what is generally accepted to be to fully express themselves, inner optimist. humanity’s survival; and finally, merit. Considered to be one of “right,” which in turn diminishes being forced to shy away from Once in a blue moon however, “The Cat in the Hat” taught me the greatest films ever made, the First Amendment’s potency. subjects that need to be discussed I see a news headline that boils that embracing my silly and “Gone with the Wind,” an epic While I do understand why but would be considered “too my blood, and that blue moon spontaneous side is one of the Civil War period piece about people may want offensive triggering.” A balance must be was fully in sight a few days ago best things I can do for myself. coping with change, is being content to be banned, it is met and maintained, and should when I saw that Dr. Seuss was a As a kid, I had better things shunned into oblivion because important to note when that that balance sway toward one trending Google search. I clicked to do regarding Dr. Seuss than of its glorification of slavery content was published and to direction, it will soon lean into it, and sure enough, I saw that researching his imperfections instead of being celebrated for its consider the cultural norms an extreme, and when something cancel culture had struck once (newsflash - everybody has uplifting story of a young woman and common depictions of goes to extremes, you get extreme again, now claiming Dr. Seuss’ those). I relished his imaginative conquering adversity. certain peoples at the time. The consequences. books to be racist, politically environments and characters and Mark Twain’s “The Adventures moral and logical alternative to On the surface, Dr. Seuss may incorrect publications decimating his nonsensical rhymes. When I of Huckleberry Finn,” declared just erasing material deemed have written simple children’s children’s innocence with had inevitably outgrown my Dr. by many literary scholars to be politically incorrect would be to books, but dig deeper and there copious illustrations besotted Seuss books, I boxed them up the Great American Novel, is show it to current generations as is a myriad of messages in his with racial stereotypes and and stored them in my attic. I frequently banned from schools sort of an artifact in a museum to works that guide people on how offensive depictions of certain was not going to surrender them because of its usage of the n-word teach them to discern between to live a good life, second only to demographics. to my family’s next yard sale or instead of being widely read right and wrong. To repeat the Bible. After I read several articles to my local Goodwill. Instead, I and revered as a moving tale of Winston Churchill’s wise words, To make a long story short, concerning the controversy, all was going to save them for when compassion and individualism. “Those who fail to learn from overlook the bad things about from different news outlets and I would read bedtime stories to All human beings are flawed, history are condemned to repeat Dr. Seuss and appreciate the biases, I reflected on why I had my children, showcasing them to therefore everything produced by it.” good things. Read and retain read Dr. Seuss religiously as a the wondrous world and ideas of human beings are flawed, bearing The First Amendment every valuable thing, because, kid. Was it because I found his arguably the greatest children’s both negative and positive guarantees freedom of speech, as he once said, “The more that degrading caricatures funny? Was author of all time. attributes. By prioritizing the which entails speech that you read, the more things you will it because I sympathized with his Sadly, the recent backlash negative over the positive, people everybody may not always know. The more that you learn, supposedly racist undertones in toward Dr. Seuss’ books is will never be introduced to agree with. While America is the more places you will go.” his books? yet another example of how thought-provoking and insightful not a utopia, it is one of the few Of course not. Just like any political correctness is gradually ideas; instead, they will only countries in the world to have FInd Caden Merrill on Twitter other ordinary kid, I immersed shrouding so many artistic be shown ideas that adhere to the gift of having this utopian @CadenMerrill Blackfish: My body is not a trend for people to try on as they please Continued from Page 9 you up, and it’s hard to pull yourself out Years later, when I see people who want unless we dim our light so that others can that thousands of women pay to mimic of the hole especially when everywhere my melanin but not what comes with it, shine. It might seem petty on the outside because having a butt and curves is the you look there’s another beautiful face. I get upset. looking in, but I am tired of Black women trend. Celebrities pave the wave for what is For so long, I have felt like I was being looked down on for their appearance What baffles me is that there is a part popular and it’s hard not to want to join not worthy of compliments unless when so many women want what we have. of our society that believes that using a the bandwagon because we all want to be I morphed myself into what society I love that Black women are now getting person of colors’ features and making them one of the cool ones. deemed acceptable. From straightening the praise they deserve, but people need popular is okay and has no repercussions. I can speak from experience because I my hair to losing weight, I tried to obtain to remember that glowing melanin, full I say this because so many Black women have a specific memory from elementary a standard that’s been against me from beautiful lips, and curvy bodies are not a and other women of color have tried to school that stuck with me forever. A the start. Black women and Black beauty trend. My body is not a trend for people to change themselves to fit a mold that group of children played a story game, have always been put down by society as try on as they please then toss away. My was made to ostracize them, only for the and one boy looked at me and said that I a form of control so that we don’t grow body, like all women’s bodies, is precious trend to change again. Now their beauty was a slave because I was Black. I didn’t too confident in ourselves. and deserving of love, not judgement. is welcomed; however, they’re not praised know what to feel because up until that When we are confident, we’re called but the individuals who replicate them moment, the color of my skin and what promiscuous, easy, or intimidating. There FInd Jasmine Smith on Twitter are. The beauty standard game can mess it represented never crossed my mind. seems to be no winning for Black women @Jazziecake77 SPORTS

SPORTSSPORTSTuesday, 10 April10 6, 2021 SPORTS 11 State bills may threaten NCAA guidelines for transgender student-athletes By JACKSON PHAM being reviewed. or transsexualism” may compete in the According to the Montana Free Press, Staff Writer “Since we are not competing, we will women’s team after one year of treatment. proponents of the bill claimed that a person be working with a few different areas of A transgender man student-athlete, who assigned male at birth are acquired with a With Republican-controlled state campus for this review and I would expect has been diagnosed with “gender identity “biological athletic advantage” compared to legislatures introducing more anti- this to take most of the semester or longer,” disorder or gender dysphoria and/or a cisgender woman even after participating transgender bills regarding student-athletes Swanson stated. “We need a full vetting of transsexualism” and has received testosterone in testosterone suppression. in the last months, it raises questions on our policy.” treatment may participate in a men’s team, Three coaches from the CPP Athletics how institutions – including those within NCAA policy recommendations on but will no longer qualify for a women’s Department declined, while one did not the California State University system – transgender team, according respond to interview inquiries made by The are upholding inclusivity while complying student-athletes, “I think that it’s not about to the policy. Post regarding this matter. to NCAA guidelines on transgender first adopted in However, CPP Pride Center Coordinator Bri Serrano student-athletes. 2011, states that trans athletes, it’s about cis- diverging believes the Montana bill may not provide CPP competes at the NCAA Division any advantages from NCAA an “inclusive feeling” to institutions and II level and participates in the CCAA “arguably” a gender folks who are making guidelines, could impact students’ sense of belonging. conference, offering 10 competitive transgender lawmakers in “I think it is the issue of the larger sports teams. In an emailed statement to woman may policy and laws in order Montana passed conversation, right? What is causing this The Poly Post, Brian Swanson, director have due to House Bill 112 attack on trans folks? And it really is just of Intercollegiate Athletics, said the CPP testosterone to control trans people.” with a 61-38 vote hate,” said Serrano. “I think that it’s not Athletics Department follows guidelines levels compared to cisgender women would in January, requiring all public institutions about trans athletes, it’s about cisgender from the NCAA and the CSU system “dissipate” after a full year of undergoing in the state to halt transgender student- folks who are making policy and laws in regarding transgender student-athletes. estrogen or testosterone-suppression therapy. athletes from competing in public schools order to control trans people.” Swanson was unable to schedule an According to the policy, a transgender or collegiate sports unless they compete According to an NCAA statement, the interview with The Post prior to deadline, woman student-athlete who is taking with their gender assigned at birth. The bill association will “closely monitor” the but Swanson noted that CPP policy regarding testosterone-suppressants for “gender is currently in the state Senate Judiciary transgender student-athletes is currently identity disorder or gender dysphoria and/ Committee. See POLICIES/ Page 12 US Soccer Federation repeals no-kneel policy By BRYNN SHERBERT decisions.” of protest that causes no harm and shows Staff Writer The U.S. women’s soccer team has a strong statement.” built a reputation as one of the most More than 70% of the members of the The United States Soccer Federation social justice-oriented sports groups in U.S. Soccer’s Federation ruling body voted last month to end a ban on players the country by kneeling for the national voted to revoke the policy requiring protesting racial inequality and police anthem. The rule ordering players to stand players to stand during the national brutality by kneeling during the national respectfully during the national anthem anthem and about 30% voted to keep the anthem late last month. The decision was introduced in 2017 by the U.S. Soccer policy in place. was made after the Black Lives Matter Federation shortly after US women’s star The policy was initially repealed in movement that swelled following the forward, Megan Rapinoe, kneeled for the June 2020 by the federations’ board of death of George Floyd last year. anthem in solidarity with former NFL star directors after nationwide protests and CPP men’s and women’s soccer team quarterback Colin Kaepernick. needed approval from the national council will also have the choice to peacefully Kaepernick started kneeling on one for it to be official. stand or kneel during the national anthem knee during the national anthem in August Kevin McCarthy, the men’s assistant

COCO CHICA| THE POLY POST under the NCAA rules when competition 2016 to draw attention to racial injustice coach, wants his players to have freedom returns to campus. and police brutality. This protest became of choice in their decisions and will Men’s Head Coach Matt O’Sullivan an emblematic expression of solidarity provide moral support. CPP campus emphasized the importance of the with the Black Lives Matter movement. “Our team has had a lot of team diversity of his team and respects his Senior Tori Morton, defensive player for meetings about this topic over the last players choices in what makes them the CPP women’s soccer team, strongly year and we are all in an agreement ramps up comfortable. believes in peacefully protesting social that we will support one another in our “I want my players to have their own injustices during the national anthem. decisions,” McCarthy said. “Our players opinions and decisions on whether they “As an athlete, showing your support respect each other on and off the field and recognition want to stand or kneel during the national for a cause or movement in front of the that is why we have so much success as anthem,” O’Sullivan said. “We all come public can be difficult for players with a team.” from different backgrounds and cultures receiving judgement from fans,” Morton from skaters and I will support my players in their said. “However, I think kneeling is a form Find Brynn Sherbert on Twitter @BrynnSherbert By COCO CHICA Staff Writer

CPP’s unique architecture has been garnering the attention of professional skaters who have been visiting the campus for exciting rides. Most recently, Ishod Wair, a professional skater with over 844,000 followers on Instagram, was seen skating in the CLA Building. The location, as seen in the clip, consists of a ledge followed by a runway leading up to a set of staircases in which Wair showcased a set of tricks on the course. The video was reposted by The Berrics, a skateboard-media platform with over 2.7 million followers on Instagram, and gathered nearly 500,000 views since being published, capturing the attention of the national skateboarding community. Other professional skaters such as Paul Rodriguez, Luan Oliveria and Olympic athlete Nyjah Huston also stopped by to take on the challenge in 2019 and skate on campus. COURTESY OF RICK BOWMWER After CPP’s recognition from skaters such as Players for the Utah Royals FC take a knee for the national anthem prior to their game against the Houston Dash during NWSL Wair and others, more student skaters are eager Challenge Cup at Zions Bank Stadium. to visit the campus to explore these locations for themselves and see what the campus has to offer. Ryan Paja, a first-year biology student, has been using his free time during the pandemic to explore 8 wheels are better than none for the campus he has yet to attend for in-person courses to skate through some of the university’s trendy skating spots. Prison City Roller Derby league “We have a group chat with skaters that attend By DIANA VASQUEZ steam despite the COVID-19 pandemic and routinary schedules. the school,” Paja said. “We’re just all over the place Staff Writer taking a toll on most sports. Robyn Brewer, the team’s marketing and can’t wait to all be able to skate together on Roller skating and roller derby, a coordinator, helps organize events like campus and go to all these popular spots.” The Prison City Roller Derby league roller-skating contact sport played by two charities and fundraisers for the team. Ryan picked up his first skateboard six years in nearby Chino Hills inspires women teams on a roller rink, allow the Prison Brewer said derby nicknames play a ago while attending IPoly High School, CPP’s to give back to their community and City team and the CPP community to large role in their identity outside of See CAMPUS/ Page 12 provides a space for them to roll off express their identity outside their homes See DERBY/ Page 12 SPORTS 12 THE POLY POST Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Becoming Billy Bronco: Your friendly Neigh-borhood mascot By ANEL CEBALLOS When CPP reopened in 1945 after Promotions Mike Farrell is in charge of added Farrell. “He’s Staff Writer closing down in 1942 due to declining most decisions regarding Billy including a representative war-time enrollment, students selecting which students become Billy. of the Athletics Before the COVID-19 pandemic, CPP wanted to change their nickname to Applicants must apply online and go Department.” mascot Billy Bronco was often seen at differentiate the two schools. In 1947, through an interview process with Despite campus campus events, club fairs and sports students voted to become the Broncos Farrell. Various students are usually events being halted games. Through nonverbal cues, Billy’s and introduced their number one cast as Billy to allow flexibility in each due to the pandemic, job is to stirrup crowds and cheer on supporter: Billy Bronco. student’s schedule. Billy continues to saddle the Broncos; but behind the Jazminn Parrish, a “I’m looking for someone who wants up on social media with scenes and stables, it takes a lot sophomore outside hitter to embody what the mascot is,” said academic departments, of time and practice to become on the volleyball team, Farrell. “We don’t want someone who’s making frequent appearances the best possible Billy. recognizes Billy’s support just kind of sitting in the back and not in announcements and other According to the Athletics for the team and interactions doing anything, someone who’s not media sent to the community. Department, CPP athletics with the crowd. afraid to be in front of a crowd.” Junior setter Kira dates back to 1939 when the “The fans really enjoy According to Farrell, obtaining the Zimmerman believes Billy university was known having Billy as role of Billy is a serious responsibility is essential to campus life. as the Voorhis Unit, something to look due to the strict regulations that comes “Billy is special because a southern satellite forward to while with playing CPP’s mascot. Protocols there’s only one Billy and campus for Cal Poly we’re in timeouts,” list that Billy should never talk, should he’s a cross-over between San Luis Obispo. said Parrish. “And refrain from physical handling of fans student-athletes and our Before CPP was he always cheers and never be seen drinking any alcoholic school mascot in general,” represented by us on and after beverages or taking photos with fans in said Zimmerman. “He the Broncos, the the game.” inappropriate attire. Billy’s top priority brings us all together and campus went by the Assistant is athletic events but is allowed to reinstates the Broncos’ pride.” same mascot as San Luis Athletics Director participate in other university events. Find Anel Ceballos on Twitter @anelcceballos Obispo: Cal Poly Mustangs. of Marketing and “Billy’s our brand, our identity,” COURTESY OF CPP ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT POLICIES: CAMPUS: NCAA rules CPP skating support community trans athletes gains traction Continued from Page 11 Continued from Page 11 Montana bill and other state legislation that may affect neighboring high school campus, where he transgender student-athletes. and his friend would ride between classes Dana Recio, a fifth- to skate. year liberal studies student Thanks to CPP’s recognized infrastructure, and Pride Center social the campus has provided Paja and his friends justice leader, believes that with a place to exhibit their skills and institutions should promote practice their discipline in the many spots an inclusive environment the community deems worthy of trying. for all students, but with this COURTESY OF TOUGH GIRLS ON EIGHT WHEELS With the sport ramping up in popularity, legislation, it could allow T-Bone Jones, Cheapshot Peggy, Balrog, Brewsin Barbie and Hell Chapo. the recognition from professional skaters on bullying to occur. campus brings a sense of inclusion to the There have been similar skating world that motivates student skaters DERBY: Ready to hit the cases, such as Idaho’s HB to continue to improve their discipline in the 500, which was made into campus they are a part of. law but was placed on “Popular spots everyone should know rink, skating and bruising “preliminary injunction” about on campus are the stage right in front Continued from Page 11 The Prison City Roller Derby league has by a U.S District judge, of the theatre department which are great for built community both on and off the rink according to the Human air tricks, a hidden rail behind Ursa Major, since its founding in 2007, aiming not only to Rights Campaign. the stairs and ledges outside of the Parking strengthen team bonds, but to strengthen the Similarly, in North Structure 1 and most recently the CLA where communal bonds in its hometown of Chino Dakota, HB 1298, which Ishod completely ripped,” Paja said. Hills. The team has volunteered at animal halts transgender student- Unlike Paja, many other student skaters rescues, collected essentials for the homeless athletes from competing on are unable to physically visit the campus as and is working to adopt a highway, a program teams coinciding with their they live farther away and cannot return to that allows volunteers to conduct litter pick-ups. gender identity, is now also experience it due to the pandemic. These In October 2020, the team donated toiletries to heading to its state Senate. students, including first-year graphic design Life Bear Necessities, a non-profit organization There has not been any student Kai Leeper-Sale, who resides in in Pomona. The team is currently working to bill passed in the California Point Arena, California, have been looking become a non-profit. legislature that would restrict for other ways to explore campus virtually. COURTESY OF CHUCK GAY Maria Free, Prison City’s head coach and transgender student-athletes Temperd Steel in action. “I’ve been looking at the spots on campus original founder, meets with the team once from competing in line with through Google Earth since I first applied,” home. Brewer, nicknamed Brewsin Barbie a week on Zoom and is initiating in-person their gender identity. said Leeper-Sale. “They look so fun to skate.” for wearing a Barbie t-shirt on her first day of practice at an outdoor rink. Lara Killick, an assistant As an enthusiast of skating culture, Leeper- practice, joined without knowing how to skate. “We average five to eight people at a practice, professor in the Kinesiology Sale expressed the surreal feeling of knowing Yet despite difficulty learning, Brewer found a out of a potential 20 to 30,” said Free “The & Health Promotion that professional skaters are skating in an community among the team that inspired her to facilities are unavailable, and still closed due Department who studies untapped area in the skating community. be more confident in herself. to COVID-19, so we’re finding cement surfaces transphobia in sports, “I think it’s really sick that our school gets “We have nurses, stay-at-home moms, full- that have lights where we can go practice at.” believes anti-transgender recognition by professionals like this when time students on the team, but then they come Free is teaching single skills that could be bills on student-athletes there are other schools that are bigger and to practice and they’re this completely different accomplished in a small surface area through will “contribute to a hostile may have more to offer for skating,” Leeper- person that nobody would ever think that’s what instructional videos recorded on Zoom; there environment” and can cause Sale said. they did for their day job,” said Brewer. “When are members who skate in their kitchen while students to question where Last semester, Leeper-Sale posted an people choose their own names, it’s like, well, others in the backyard. Their bond continues they belong at an institution. announcement on his Instagram account who do I want to be here? Because I have the to grow strong even in an online setting as they “For many trans athletes, and virtual classrooms for those interested ability to write my own path right now. It’s an clean their gear together and catch up on life. sport is their safe space,” in creating a group chat for student skaters, interesting thing seeing how members get to Free said teaching roller derby differs from Killick said. “Sport is in which Paja participated. become their own name and identity on the other sports because no other sport teaches its the space where they are His desire to build a community of students track.” players how to run. In the game roller derby, the competent, competitive and who all share the same passion for skating Fionna Espana, a former CPP kitchen objective is for a player of the team called the gaining a huge amount of led him to start an initiative that he would operations supervisor, chose the roller derby jammer to overlap as many opposing skaters as self-efficacy and self-worth like to implement once in-person instruction name Betty Clock-Her, inspired by her profession they can; the jammer is prevented from scoring from their achievements on resumes. as a pastry chef, but with a twist of roughness for by being blocked. With the sport requiring the sports field.” “I would like to start a skate club on campus what the sport represents. Espana played seven such contact, members learn to skate and fall In a statement last where we could all focus on improving, years for the Los Angeles Renegades Rollergirls appropriately before learning how to play the summer, the NCAA also recording footage and pushing movies out,” league and said her experience was disciplinary, game. denounced the Idaho bill said Leeper-Sale. physically and mentally challenging but made The team is composed of 30 members with describing it to be “harmful” With more students trying to find a group her feel stronger after learning how to play and seven members joining in 2020 through a Zoom for the transgender student- of people with similar interests like skating finding a family within the team. recruit night held in August. athletes. It reiterated the during the pandemic, many are excited a “We were all coming from different aspects of “There are a lot of teams that have just gone NCAA’s values, and stated club on campus could be a door to unite the life, some moms, single people and even older, on pause and are not doing anything right now that all NCAA student- student skaters. but a lot of people I thought I would never talk because the world is just too crazy. All of us athletes are “welcomed, “It would give me a way to meet more to in my regular life setting,” said Espana. “We just weren’t ready to give that up yet because treated with respect, and people with similar majors and similar would have barbecues, do escape rooms, dinners roller skating is that kind of glue that keeps us have nondiscriminatory interests — a perfect balance for my and come together with our family and spouses. together,” said Brewer. participation wherever they academics and my hobby,” said James It became a very empowering community to be compete.” Murphy, a third-year electro-mechanical a part of.” Find Diana Vasquez on Twitter @dsvasquezz “I hope they (NCAA) engineering student. Melvin Gutierrez, a first-year landscape continue to push back against Murphy is aware of the extensive number architecture student, has been skating for almost statewide policies, but I also of skaters on campus and emphasized the a year with his friends and father. His experience hope they continue to do the importance of professional skaters bringing learning was an intimidating process for him, real on the groundwork to credibility to the school by skating through it. one which brought a lot of bruising but also joy. ensure that trans athletes “It would be great to know that campus “I really wanted to try roller derby but by the are welcomed, and not just officials could notice what we’re doing, and time I learned about roller skating, there was survive, but thrive within we don’t have to fear that we’ll be kicked no way I could join it,” said Gutierrez. “Roller the collegiate workspace,” out. Either way, I’m going to skate the spots,” skating is an escape especially with school and Killick added. Murphy said. life stress and because I found out I might be COURTESY OF CHUCK GAY bipolar. It’s my way to get out in the world and Find Jackson Pham on Twitter Find Coco Chica on Twitter @cocogonzx breathe.” Cheapshot Peggy trying to dodge the pack. @jacksonppham