COVID-19 at USC Viterbi Houses James E. Ballinger Engineer of The

aily rojan DMonday, February 22, 2021 | STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF TTHE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SINCE 1912 | VOL. 202, NO. 9

COVID-19 AT USC

— February 7—13

Over the week of Feb. 7-13, the test positivity rate for PCR testing was 1.4% among students and 0.1% among employees.

CURRENT TESTING NUMBERS Between Feb. 7 and Feb. 13, PCR SURVEILLANCE TESTING USC’s Keck School of Medicine administered 11,922 PCR tests among students and employees. The results from all diagnostic tests, both surveillance and symptomatic, NEGATIVE: 8,028 NEGATIVE: 1,998 are now streamlined into one POSITIVE: 114 POSITIVE: 2 positivity rate statistic. The will report the STUDENTS Daily Trojan EMPLOYEES results every week on Sunday and can also be found on USC’s COVID-19 Dashboard.

Design by Samantha deNicola and Claire Wong | Daily Trojan Viterbi houses James E. Ballinger engineer of the year Darin Gray won the award for build props by hand. “I just had a crush on her, and his long-term work in the USC “Attracting students to engi- in my chemistry class I was the neering is not an easy thing, par- top student, even though there Viterbi K-12 STEM Center. ticularly for students who are un- were a bunch of seniors there, I derrepresented and don’t have the always outscored everybody else, By CHRISSA LOUKAS means,” Yortsos said. “[Gray is] and the fact that she thought I Staff Writer very persistent. Very understand- would be a good engineer was Darin Gray, the co-direc- ing of the environment in which good enough for me,” Gray said. tor of the USC Viterbi School of he works, [he’s] clearly an expert While Gray’s crush led him to Engineering K-12 STEM Center, in that. Very passionate about enroll in a summer engineering was recently named the James making the connection between program in Detroit, his love for E. Ballinger Engineer of the engineering and the underserved the field is what drove him above Year 2020 by the Orange County communities — in a way he is and beyond. Since then, Gray has Engineering Council — an award an ambassador of engineering to received bachelor’s degrees in which honors exceptional engi- high school kids.” biomedical and electrical engineers renowned in their fields. The OCEC commemorates en- neering and in math, and a mas- The OCEC honored Gray for gineering work yearly at a gala ter’s in teaching from USC. In his long-term work at the STEM event and honors the best en- 2018, Gray also received a doctor- Center and awarded him for his gineers, scientists, educators ate in education technology from influence on disadvantaged stu- and students. OCEC members Boise State University. dents. For the last 25 years, Gray can nominate a colleague or a Gray furthered his career has been part of the STEM edu- friend through the OCEC Annual by becoming a member of the cational outreach and has helped Awards Nomination form. In or- California State Guard, where he many Black and Indigenous stu- der to receive an award, OCEC teaches basic cyber coding. He is dents, students of color and girls sets high standards that require currently studying to receive a pursue STEM as a profession. long-term achievements and the master’s degree in cyber security Gray said his work aims to excite engineers to still be active in from California State University students about STEM and edu- their fields. San Marcos and is set to graduate cate teachers about how to teach Gray has both operational and in May 2021. them. program responsibilities at the Before becoming a teach- “I’m just really appreciative, STEM center. While in charge of er, Gray worked for the Hughes honored, that the OCEC thought diversity, equity and inclusion, Aircraft Company. At the time, enough of me and in terms of all Gray oversees a few STEM pro- he also began volunteering and the people who’ve won that award,” grams created to help elementa- teaching computer skills to dis- Gray said. “I’ve been to the ceremo- ry and high school students. He is advantaged students at an al- ny back in the pre-COVID days, responsible for the logistics of the ternative high school, where he and the people who have won that center, such as budgeting, pre- also tutored them in the evenings award are some of the top people paring youth compliance propos- in order to elevate their math Photo courtesy of Darin Gray Darin Gray in the field, and to be included in als and fundraising. During sum- knowledge. Gray said he soon re- said his goal over the next few years is to focus on mitigating that company — it was just such an mers, Gray also teaches Discover alized there wasn’t a lot of focus learning losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. honor.” Engineering at USC, which is a on getting students interested education and work center out- and middle school students gain Gray said Viterbi Dean Yannis college class for high school stu- in math, so he decided to step in reach consultant at a different STEM experience. C. Yortsos’ motto, “changing the dents. and become a teacher. school in the Los Angeles Unified Gray’s former high school stu- face of engineering,” is what he Gray said he was always good “I came from a similar neigh- School District. For 20 years, he dent from the Metropolitan Skills always strives for. He makes engi- in math and science, but his orig- borhood and it was school that would spend mornings running Center AEWC, Jecery Ninonuevo, neering fun by showing students inal plan in 10th grade was to be- helped me to change my life,” the school — working on commu- said that both her and her daugh- what geometry and math coor- come a doctor. Although placed Gray said. “And so, I went to my nity outreach, teaching, hiring ter were able to graduate because dinates can create. One example in an advanced class at the time, boss at Hughes and I said I want and budgeting. of Gray’s program. Ninonuevo, was when he taught kids about Gray changed his medical direc- to become a teacher. He didn’t be- In the afternoons, he would who’s now a nursing home ad- creating 3D computer-aided de- tion after a girl he liked told him lieve me at first, he thought I was go to USC to run the after- ministrator, almost dropped out sign for 3D printers. STEM kids he should become an engineer. just playing. He said I don’t think school programs, such as the of school when she became preg- love to have such activities, Gray Gray said he didn’t know what an so. So, I left to become a teacher.” USC Viterbi Mission Science pro- nant at the age of 15. She said said, but even drama students engineer was until then, and had As Gray continued teaching, gram, which helps elementary like it because they don’t have to to go to the library to find out. he took on the role of alternative | see AWARD, page 2 |

INDEX 1 · News 3 · Opinion 4 · A & E 6 · Classifieds 5 · Sudoku 8 · Sports DAILYTROJAN.COM DAILYTROJAN PAGE 2 February 22, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM NEWS USC community gives back to Quik-Pix owner, raises funds

After facing a difficult few years, to remote learning has also caused social media quickly as students be- students donated to Akm Alam Quik-Pix to suffer from a lack of gan sharing the story amongst each business. In addition, Alam has other. to show support for his business. dealt with his fair share of personal Many students were happy to struggles. Within the past year, he help, given that those who have used By ELI MASKET was diagnosed with Motor Neuron one of Quik-Pix’s many services Staff writer Disease, which defines the group of seem to have a story about the kind- Hundreds of previously devel- diseases that reside in the same fam- ness and professionalism of Alam. oped and brightly colored disposable ily as ALS. Sipporah Negash, a senior majoring cameras piled up in a transparent While Robinson had been using in chemical engineering, described bin inside of Quik-Pix Photo Lab tell Quik-Pix’s film development ser- the first time she met Alam. a story of USC and the surrounding vices since his freshman year, he “He was really kind, and we got community. The store’s owner, Akm only began his relationship with to chat a bit about our backgrounds Alam, has a unique connection with Alam this summer, when Robinson and stuff, and he just seemed genu- the student population, having de- helped Alam out from time to time inely interested in talking with me veloped thousands of student photos in the store. This was when the pair and getting to know more about for the past few decades. “got to really know each other,” me,” Negash said. “It was also really As of Feb. 17, Alam’s business, Robinson said. It was only within great to be able to put a face to the Photo courtesy of Mason Robinson which is located a few blocks from the past few months that Alam told name.” Akm Alam has run the photography and film development store, located right campus on Vermont Avenue, has Robinson and another senior, Biata Alam even went out of his way to off of campus, and served the USC community for almost 40 years. served the local community for ex- Shem-Tov, about his struggles. give Negash a tutorial on how to bet- actly forty years. Mason Robinson, a Robinson said the exchange was ter use her camera, she said. is in addition to the $2,000 raised in Robinson and Shem-Tov surprised senior majoring in communications very emotional and left him “pretty Kiana Naderi, a senior majoring in an earlier GoFundMe campaign that Alam with the support he’d re- who frequents the store, said that much speechless”. business administration, described aimed to help Alam during corona- ceived through the GoFundMe Alam is “just one of those few people After this exchange, Robinson, Alam’s warmth as contagious. virus lockdowns this summer, orga- page. After hearing the news, Alam that you can go to his store and [he] with help from Shem-Tov, decided to “I couldn’t believe how somebody nized by alum Lauren Torres. was overwhelmed with happiness, knows your name and he’s happy to extend a helping hand and create a could have such a smile on their The funds raised will be gifted to saying that he would be grateful for see you.” GoFundMe page that would serve as face every single day, despite going Alam, to be used at his discretion the rest of his life. While Alam’s kind-heartedness a fundraiser for Alam. through so much hardship, so I knew for medical bills, financial support “Knowing that I have some mon- has always been a staple, his busi- “He could definitely appreciate a I had to share it and send it around for Quik-Pix, or otherwise, Robinson ey, mentally I’m at peace a little bit,” ness has faced difficulties over the little sign of support, even if it was on group chats, share it on all my so- said. Most importantly, Robinson Alam expressed. past few years. Quik-Pix was one just a gift or whatnot, but just know- cial media, try to help him as much as said, is that the fundraiser will alle- Alam said he loves being able to of many businesses forced to relo- ing that people care and that people possible,” Naderi said. viate some of Alam’s financial wor- interact with students, and they feel cate when the USC Village was con- don’t just mindlessly walk into the Just this past week, the ries and share the message that he the same about him. structed in 2014, according to Alam. store or view him as just a random GoFundMe page hit its goal, rais- isn’t alone. “I just feel like they’re my kids, The coronavirus pandemic and its part of their lives,” Robinson said. ing over $3,000, just shy of 100 do- And the message got across. [like] they’re my children,” Alam effect on the student population due A GoFundMe page spread across nors at the time of publication. This On Quik-Pix’s 40th anniversary, said.

AWARD | | continued from page 1 | that Gray never abandoned his students and he would make sure they would all graduate. “I don’t think there’s any teachers out there who have the same empathy and compassion that he had for kids like me,” Ninonuevo said. “[Gray] would go above and beyond to make sure that you get those credits for high school graduation, like find ways to mo- tivate you.” Today, Gray continues to mo- tivate students and focuses even more on improving diversity, equity and inclusion, because he said the pandemic is leaving kids of color and girls behind. When Gray worked in both private and public schools, he saw a big gap on what equipment kids had access to. Many students who don’t come from affluent areas either don’t have internet access or are MUST REAPPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID unable to afford a laptop, and the coronavirus has increased that gap even more, Gray said. Gray’s goal over the next few years is to be able to deal with BY MARCH 2 learning losses due to the coronavirus. The way Gray’s USC Viterbi K-12 STEM Center team is pur- suing this goal now is by making sure that everything they do, from outreach to educational programs, emphasizes equity and is accessible to everyone. “What Dean Yortsos talks Complete the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. about is ‘changing the face of engineering and making the world a better place,’ so we internal- • USC’s Federal School Code: 001328 ize that in everything that we do,” Gray said. “One of the ways • Use the FAFSA’s IRS Data Retrieval Tool to report 2019 student and parent income. you make the world a better place is by educating everybody. • Be sure to check your USC email and respond to any additional requests for You empower everybody, how you change the face of engineering, how you change the face of information within 10 days. If you do not respond in a timely manner, you may STEM, by giving access.” receive reduced financial aid. Daily REMINDER: To be considered for financial aid, you must reapply each year. To monitor the status of your application, log in to your Financial Aid Trojan d i g i ta l Summary & Tasks (FAST) page at financialaid.usc.edu/contactfao. @dailytrojan PAGE 3O | Monday,pini February 22, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM/OPINIONon Influencer culture offers democratic approach to fame

Despite ease of entry into type of celebrity. Social media can better job at finding what a con- celebrity world, influencers be accessed by anyone, instead of sumer finds to be amusing. needing to appeal to conventional The story of a successful in- must be held accountable. holders of power, like media fluencer is eerily comparable to executives or record labels. There’s that of an actor. Take the story of By BAYARD WALSH no barrier to entry, and those who David Dobrik, who moved to Los Staff Writer achieve fame are consistently Angeles, faced financial difficul- Celebrity culture is a continu- entertaining to some audience. In ties and eventually gained enough ally evolving and perplexing field this sense, what the path of the of a cult following to amass a net populated with unique characters modern influencer offers is both worth of $7 million. Unlike tra- who have captivated the attention democratizing and a viable career. ditional forms of media, Dobrik of the world. The path to fame is an A recent Nielsen study notes monetizes himself, his life and his arduous one, which only the lucky that “YouTube overall reaches friends as content. He isn’t the star few can ultimately achieve. What more people aged 18-49 than all of a television series, he is the se- does that path look like today? linear TV networks combined.” ries. Currently, the term “influenc- While a share of YouTube content Even though all influencers do er” is inexorably linked to celebrity is created from traditional corpo- not meet the Hollywood mold or Artem Podrez | Pexels status. Defined as “someone with rate entities, such as music videos come to prominence with the help Social media allows for “ordinary” people to achieve immense success. the power to affect the buying hab- or YouTube-produced TV shows of a network or studio, they are However, influencers should not take their influence over consumers lightly. its or quantifiable actions of others through YouTube Originals, the still responsible for the mistakes content centers around entertain- whether they’re engaging in con- by uploading some form of original vast majority of the billion hours they make. YouTuber Logan Paul ing and creative charitable activi- troversy or advertising for a prod- content,” the influencer is a prod- of video watched on YouTube ev- famously filmed a dead body in ties. One of his most memorable uct. Furthermore, as college uct of the technological age. While ery day are self-produced. Aokigahara, a Japanese forest fa- initiatives was Team Trees, a col- students and consumers of enter- more traditional celebrities — the TikTok, another influencer plat- mous for attempted suicide, and laborative fundraiser which end- tainment created by influencers, athletes, the musicians and movie form, became tremendously suc- received enormous online back- ed up planting a tree for every dol- we have an obligation to hold them stars — are still revered, they are cessful because it carefully tailors lash. Olivia Jade, a former USC stu- lar donated. He planted 20 million accountable, just as any other ce- forced to share the spotlight with its user’s feed to meet their inter- dent and beauty YouTuber famous trees and was only able to accom- lebrity. influencers. Likewise, influencers ests — taking advanced metrics for her less-than academic per- plish the feat due to his enormous Will influencers continue to be and other conventional celebrities such as watch time and user inter- spective on school, fell from grace following. problematic? Certainly. However, must continue to be held account- action to curate the best feed pos- after the Varsity Blues scandal. The influencer is not the mod- that’s the nature of a single person able for their actions. sible to their audience. With such a While many influencers have el citizen by design, even if their having a tremendous amount of Ultimately, the shift in content powerful program using immense been problematic, plenty have platform elevates them to that impact and not a problem with the consumed, or rather the explosion reserves of data to determine en- used their power for good. Take status. Influencers should be held way that celebrities are selected in of new media, has caused this new tertaining talent, it’s comical to Mr. Beast, a YouTuber with near- suggest any human could do a ly 54 million subscribers whose accountable for their influence, modern times. Nonprofits may have to bite the hands that feed them times more than the typical house- often exploit low-income people of donating a small portion of it. practices that benefit their wealthi- Sophie hold, they are not the most repre- color for the benefit of the white and I once volunteered at a gala for est donors and lose support, they sentative of society. wealthy. I understand that in the a nonprofit, working with other are not ruined. Smaller donations Roppe This disproportionate represen- short term, nonprofits’ opposition to women who were members of the are the future of fundraising. Nearly tation forces nonprofits to toe the tax loopholes may damage relation- community the nonprofit served. 50% of all GoFundMe donors are PROGRESS line between pleasing their uber- ships with the big (mostly white) The gala attendees who streamed millenials and Gen X, as social me- WITHOUT PROFIT wealthy donors and advocating for philanthropy that fuels them, but into the event were old, white and dia becomes an increasingly valu- change that hurts those same do- long-term, this opposition supports rich –– the opposite of the women able tool to build coalitions of small s the term “not-for-profit” nors. It is the ultimate example of nonprofits’ stated missions. who worked the event. The women donors for a cause. In fact, 82% of suggests, nonprofits typi- “don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” Economic conditions allowing put on smiles and politely chatted millennials report they’ve donated Acally lack independent in- Nonprofits, however, should not be tax loopholes to benefit the wealthy with the attendees to check them to a nonprofit in the last year. come, instead relying on outside afraid to call out the structures sup- also create stark income inequality. in. Once we heard attendees put- I understand that nonprofits are financiers to support their mis- porting their wealthy donors at the A full-time minimum wage work- ting thousands of dollars down for in a tough spot. I truly do. I’m sure sion. Considering I spent far too expense of the communities non- er cannot keep their family above auction items in the other room, the many want to speak out but have to long brainstorming it, hopefully profits want to help. the poverty line. Between 1978 and women finally put down the masks make the choice between advocat- the name of my column, “Progress Nonprofits are reluctant to speak 2012, a CEO’s compensation in- they’d worn all evening. They re- ing and funding. I don’t blame them Without Profit” also makes this about political issues, for fear of creased by 875%, while the average counted racist and classist com- for prioritizing funding, when the clear. If we can agree that nonprof- losing their tax-exempt status, but worker’s compensation increased by ments they’d heard in the last hour, alternative is the collapse of a life- its depend on others for funding, we maintaining tax-exempt status is only 6%. In a more relevant exam- but did not respond to in order to saving program or the firing of an must consequently ask ourselves, not mutually exclusive to advocat- ple to college students, many col- receive donations for the organiza- essential employee. who are their donors? More impor- ing and addressing root causes of lege officials earn over $1 million a tion. In a perfect world, however, tantly, does the dangling carrot of inequalities. Nonprofits can advo- year (President Carol Folt included), This disconnect between donors nonprofits wouldn’t rely on wealth promised funds incentivize non- cate and lobby for important issues, while more than 20% of their work- and clients is not an isolated event. gained from the exploitation of oth- profits to work in certain ways? provided they follow certain rules. force on campus earn poverty level Appeasing donors at the expense of ers to operate. Actually, in a perfect Not all donors are created equal Nonprofits continually shy away wages for a family of four. clients is meant to benefit the popu- world, nonprofit services wouldn’t in the eyes of nonprofits. It takes from discussing the tax system — The same system that creates the lation served in the long-term. But, be necessary to begin with. Until less energy and effort for a nonprof- specifically, bringing attention to poverty and economic issues non- does it really? then, nonprofits should not be it to receive $5 million from one how loopholes benefit the wealthy. profits aim to remedy also allows The argument against nonprof- afraid to ruffle the feathers of big wealthy donor, than to persuade People served by nonprofits don’t mega philanthropists to exist in the its speaking out against the wealthy philanthropy in order to carry out 50,000 people of average income to usually have significant capital to first place. Nonprofits hesitate to is that regulating exorbitant wealth their missions effectively, honestly each donate $100. In 2017, high net invest, nor to leave to their children; confront and call out systemic is- eliminates money that goes to phi- and purposefully. worth donors in the United States their taxes typically will be on ordi- sues because their prosperity re- lanthropy. But if nonprofits went gave an average of $29,269 to char- nary income (i.e., earned wages). lies on people who benefit from the after tax policies and spoke publicly Sophie Roppe is a junior writing ity, whereas general population Thus, it makes sense for nonprof- current system. Complicity with about income inequality, they would about nonprofit organizations and households donated an average of its to strongly oppose things like the system reinforces the flawed be creating a more just, fair system social justice. Her column, “Progress $2,514. So, while people who attend capital gains tax treatment on car- logic that mega philanthropists ne- that requires less philanthropy af- Without Profit,” runs every other fancy galas or participate in pricey ried interest, as well as estate tax- gate the harm caused by the accu- ter-the-fact. Monday. silent auctions might contribute ten es and corporate tax shelters that mulation of their money by simply If nonprofits speak out against

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USC alumna and rising star takes internet by storm With a debut album on the she’s able to translate that into larg- way, USC alumna Jensen er themes that resonate and con- nect with a universal audience.” McRae shares new projects. The larger theme of woman- hood and rape culture in her song By LYME CHO “Wolves” draws from shared yet Staff Writer concealed experiences among From releasing her first single, McRae’s audience, written from “White Boy” in 2019 to becom- her personal reflections and stories ing an internationally recognized from her friends. Her dedication singer-songwriter, Jensen McRae and determination to endow mem- is making her spot in the music in- ory and meaning into each verse dustry with her lyrical poems and validate a sense of catharsis. dusky melodies. Often strumming “Jensen’s remarkable skill is to away on her acoustic guitar, the take these very genuine, authen- 23-year-old has an unforgettable ce- tic moments and feelings and im- lestial voice. pressions and transform them into “I’m a poem,” McRae said. something that universally people “People often ask me how I write can have an emotional response to,” things [and] my inner monologue Sampson said. is narrative. I see the world in com- As a musician, McRae faced her plete sentences or lines of a verse. sophomore slump in college when I often feel like a poem inside of a she realized that an academic set- meat suit.” ting stripped away her ability to put She had a reason to feel this po- focus toward the joyful elements of etic epiphany. When an anxious making music. Although she felt 12-year-old McRae waited in line at Photo courtesy of Caity Krone restrained by the structural obli- a charity event, clutching a letter McRae’s latest single, “Immune” delivers a sound proving why she is a rising star in the music industry. gations required of academic stan- addressed to her idol Alicia Keys, Growing up in Los Angeles, tak- “She continued to do that in addi- GRAMMY camp, a summer camp dards, she soon broke free. little did she know that she would ing piano lessons and with a firm tion to self-motivation and becom- for young musicians. His songwrit- “It is optimal to learn the rules in take home more than just an em- grasp on writing, McRae experi- ing more confident with her image. ing lessons continued at USC, which order to break them,” McRae said. barrassing photo. mented with poems at an early age, I think it’s great how she started off McRae later attended. Thrilled with “I realized that I had a baseline of “It felt like a sign from the uni- which later informed her songwrit- by being genuine to herself,” Holden her progress, Sampson said he be- mastery over a lot of the more tech- verse,” McRae said. “She asked me if ing. Inspiring her brother Holden said. “I’ve seen that stuff my whole lieves she deserves to be heard. nical elements of user creation and I was a musician and I said yes, and McRae in the process, McRae began life. To see other people enjoy her “It’s important that people hear that I also had more freedom be- told me to keep doing it.” elaborately executing exquisite per- art is really nice to see.” what she has to say because she is cause I could more easily identify From then on, McRae cherished formances for her friends at school, As McRae gradually communi- one of the smartest writers I’ve ever why what I was doing was working that moment and took it as a call to family and fans on YouTube. cated to a diverse audience, a new worked with,” Sampson said. “It’s or not working.” pursue music. “Seeing her thrive in that envi- scope defined her prospects as a very gratifying to me that she has In the end, USC entrusted McRae Along her ongoing journey as an ronment, it seemed like the logical musician, advancing her insights been able to write at such a high with the confidence of a writer, per- artist, USC alumna McRae creat- choice and it seemed like a place and shaping her personality geared level.” former and musician. The swift lyr- ed folk and alternative pop-sound- that I would definitely want to be,” towards musical styles. According to Sampson, McRae ical tasks and constraints required ing music, always writing from her said Holden, a freshman majoring “She was very thoughtful, very hasn’t changed her style at all and by her classes challenged her to new heart. Personal experiences, books, in popular music performance. quiet, taking it all in, extreme- has kept true to herself, connecting depths when it came to a Phoebe television shows and stories from McRae’s proficient talent for ly thorough. She was remarkably with audience from all walks of life. Bridgers vaccination anthem. her friends inspire her songs. By songwriting was resolute in a song dedicated and had incredible work “When we are connecting with On Jan. 14, McRae tweeted about prioritizing authenticity and the written for her 7th grade English ethic,” said Chris Sampson, asso- an audience through songs, it has coronavirus prospects in an imag- significance of underrepresent- class. From there, she began pro- ciate professor of songwriting and to be authentic, it has to come from ined Phoebe Bridgers song. Little ed voices, McRae empathizes with ducing thoughtful pieces evoking founding director of the popular a place that is genuine to the writer, did she know, it would go viral and her audience through mainstream empathetic themes, connecting music program at the Thornton and Jensen is very skilled at draw- within a matter of hours, she was platforms such as YouTube, Twitter with her listeners. McRae’s music School of Music. ing upon her own experience, her an internet sensation. After estab- and TikTok. This sensitivity toward resonated with promising potential When she was in high school, own feelings, her own advantage lishing a TikTok following by writ- others developed at a young age, she and inspired those around her. Sampson first met McRae at point,” Sampson said. “But then ing songs based on random journal said. | see MCRAE, page 5 |

Chinese YA novelists are redefining the genre

was a “Hush, Hush,” “Fallen” and workshop instructor griped that my Valerie “The Mortal Instruments” kind of subject matter wasn’t what he be- girl, and I would read any book with lieved Chinese identity was about. Wu a mysterious woman in a ball gown Until that moment, I had never re- on the cover — which is to say, near- ally thought about being Chinese SOFT POWER ly half of the young adult shelves at American as a commodified experi- the local library. My greatest memo- ence for white consumption. Earlier this month, Korean ries from when I was younger stem It felt like the only time my voice American novelist Jenny Han did from sitting in that little corner as a writer was valued was when I a great interview with NBC Asian of the library, listening to Taylor was integrating my Chinese identi- America, where she spoke about the Swift’s “Fearless” album over head- ty in ways that felt artificial to who meaning of Asian American repre- phones and devouring the latest in- I was and became exploitative of sentation in her “To All the Boys” stallment of Ally Condie’s futuristic trauma. It felt like I needed to write trilogy. What resonated with me “Matched” series. about my parents’ immigrant strug- most about this interview was Han’s It was only natural, then, that gle and hardship in order to be con- words about Asian American story- I’d want to start writing young sidered significant. These were parts telling as more than about struggle. adult fiction of my own. When I of my identity, but they weren’t all of It was possible, Han said, to write first started writing, I wrote mainly it. I stopped writing for a long time Juliette Wimpfheimer | Daily Trojan about an Asian American girl falling about white protagonists in dysto- because I was always considering the elusive American Dream. To put central focus. in love, a universal process for many pian settings because I thought that whether or not I had unintentionally it plainly, I wanted to write young Moreover, “These Violent young adults, and not emphasize was the standard. boxed myself in as a Chinese writer. adult novels without necessarily in- Delights” is a retelling of “Romeo difference. It was possible to nor- As I grew older and into my iden- (Disclaimer: many Chinese writ- corporating ideas co-opted as part and Juliet,” and I think that’s what malize aspects of Asian American tity more, being a young adult felt ers do write about immigration and of a Chinese writer’s identity. makes me love it all the more for identity and culture without strug- a little different from the kinds of hardships in nuanced, illuminating Recently, I’ve dipped my toes what it represents to me: that it’s gle as the main focus. stories I read about. Instead of writ- ways. Those stories should be val- back in young adult fiction. I possible for Chinese writers to pay I don’t have much to add to Han’s ing those stories, I started focusing ued just as much as any other story. read Chloe Gong’s “These Violent homage to the works that have words; she articulated everything more on Chinese Americans in dis- I would never claim that my experi- Delights” these past few weeks and shaped us while interpreting those that I had been struggling to say. So, tinctly Chinese American settings ences are universal because they’re absolutely loved it. It was the first stories in our own ways. in true Zoom University discussion — my version of a young adult novel. not.) young adult novel I’d read that fea- There are so many other Chinese board format, I want to center Han’s Like Han, as I ventured more into In reality, I just wanted the free- tured discussions of Western im- authors that are redefining the words by responding with experi- the writing community, I began feel- dom to write about Chinese peo- perialism and Chinese history and young adult genre. Katie Zhao’s ences of my own. ing like there was pressure for my ple having supernatural powers or a protagonist implicitly struggling forthcoming young adult novel First, though, I want to preface work to be a work of struggle. Once, having forbidden romances with with Chinese and American iden- “How We Fall Apart” is described with some context: I love young in what felt like an extended hate hot fallen angels or worrying about tity without having that become the adult novels. Back in the 2000s, I comment about my writing, a white other concerns than their pursuit of | see WU, page 5 | A & E February 22, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM PAGE 5 MCRAE | Singer translates sincerity and emotions through songwriting WU

| continued from page 4 | | continued from page 4 | Black Voices campaign has done as a mix of “Crazy Rich Asians” and entries, McRae decided to take ini- which is choosing Black artists “One of Us is Lying.” It’s about the tiative. who are all different shades, differ- “I thought that in the spirit of my ent gender identities from differ- competitive Asian American school online presence of writing songs ent countries representing different environment, but it’s also a thriller very spontaneously and improvisa- genres of music.” and a dark academia murder mys- tionally that I would just write the Music acts as a processing mech- tery. Having read Katie Zhao’s previ- song that I was talking about. I said anism for McRae to convey politi- ous work on Wattpad, I can already to seize the moment,” McRae said. cal or emotional topics. Reflecting tell it’s going to be amazing. “In 10 minutes, I wrote that first on a short conversation with pro- Xiran Jay Zhao’s young adult verse and then the next day, it blew ducer Rahki, she recited dark lyr- novel “Iron Widow” is also a sto- up a little bit and then the day af- ics of fear and anxiety universal- ry I’m incredibly excited about. As ter that, my phone was just ringing ly shared by women in her single a reimagining of Chinese empress off the hook of people saying I broke “Wolves.” Borrowing from an un- Wu Zetian that combines mythol- the internet.” easy experience at a college party, ogy with all the makings of a young she also wrote “White Boy” about Together with her team and pro- adult novel, it’s the kind of premise microaggressions in interracial re- ducer Rahki, McRae spent the night that I loved reading. It’s also the nov- lationships. finishing and recording the song. el that I think, subconsciously, I’ve “Immune” was released on Jan. Besides writing and singing for her audiences, McRae listens to been waiting for a long time. 27 as a Jensen McRae track rather Just seeing these authors rede- than a Bridgers parody. The viral their voices, carefully noting their fine what it means to be a Chinese song’s captivating lyrics serve as a concerns, addressing their ques- young adult novelist makes me post coronavirus vaccination an- tions on her YouTube channel, want to start writing again. I’m still them despite the bleak reality of so- Instagram and Twitter. She wish- cial distancing. es to establish a platform for young afraid of many things — mostly the “It’s a fictional story about two people, enabling them to feel seen hate comments that make my face burn — and I’m worried about be- friends who’ve had feelings for and heard. Photo courtesy of @jensenmcrae on Instagram each other for a while who are go- “I want to encourage people to Named in the 2021 #YouTubeBlack Voices Class, McRae is excited ing labeled as a Chinese writer. Yet, I ing to get vaccinated together,” listen more critically to music and about the prospect to develop visuals to accompany her work. think Chinese young adult novelists McRae said. “And because the line to read poetry, and to just engage are doing so much incredible work at Dodger Stadium is so long, they with language in a bigger way,” encounters and keen observations her economic privileges growing in the genre and like the Chinese end up hooking up in the car, and McRae said. “I hope my music in- helped McRae translate her strug- up, the new album is about her re- writers before them, are paving the they feel weird about it after.” spires people to write their music, gles and efforts into melodies, in- alizing the world by leaving her par- way for more Chinese stories to be After taking the lead in creat- express themselves with more in- corporating a sincere nuance and ents’ protective bubble. told. ing the visuals for previous songs, tention and clarity.” distinguishing her from other art- McRae’s unique style and mis- Most importantly, these stories “White Boy” and “Wolves,” McRae Facing coronavirus’ limitations ists. sion statement as a singer-song- make me believe that one day, the plans to also work on a music video like any other musician, McRae as- “I could actually tell instant- writer entail a mindful awareness young adult genre will be full of sto- for “Immune.” pires to reach musical milestones of ly that she was a true songwriter,” of her listeners. First impressions ries that Chinese writers want to Named one of the 21 artists of merely making her music, support- Sampson said. have never been so inspirational write about. They make me believe ing herself and traveling the world #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of Having already filled 16 journals, and dimensional. that one day, we can redefine the without any restrictions socially or 2021, McRae hopes to take this op- McRae is currently working on her Her lyrics are more than mere young adult experience and show portunity and invest in creating vi- physically. 17th, reflecting her thoughts and words, enticing room for inter- the wide range of narratives Chinese suals for her music, which will con- “I always say that I can tell a impressions of the world into diary pretation, as she introduces new writers have to offer. tinue to resonate with politics, race songwriter by their notebook and entries and lyrical rhymes. threads and nuances for her persis- That might be a little futuristic, and frankly personal stories. Jensen has one of the most amaz- In the meantime, McRae plans tent listeners. The dimensional as- “I’m excited to be a part of it being notebooks I have ever seen,” on releasing an album at the end pect of her songs offers a riddle of but it’s the kind of future I want to cause I’ve never really seen Black Sampson said. “She’s never with- of 2021. Basing it on her childhood, filling empathic memoirs, rather see. art honored so intentionally that out it. And I would see her take ev- adulthood and college experience, than catchy yet meaningless tunes. way. It really spoke to my mission ery moment that she had, that she she completed the album in mid- “With Jensen you’ve got a mul- Valerie Wu is a sophomore writ- statements as an artist, which is to could take. And she would be writ- 2019, before the pandemic broke tifaceted approach that allows you ing about the arts and pop culture show the full multi-dimensional ex- ing down her reflections, her stories out. to appreciate her writing on multi- in relation to her Chinese American perience of the Black community,” sitting on some couch in the hall- As a biracial woman from L.A., ple layers, through multiple listens, identity. Her column, “Soft Power,” McRae said. “The only way to do way.” McRae sings about all the ways she and that’s a rare quality,” Sampson runs every other Monday. that is by doing what the YouTube Notebooks entailing descriptive has come of age. Especially noting said.

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PAGE 8 February 22, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM SPORTS WBB | With only one game left, Trojans hope to move on from loss

| continued from page 10 | behind the arc. Of Oregon’s first 14 our defense was decent, not great, but Trakh after the game. “I just see her points, 12 came from behind the arc. it improved,” Trakh said. “We got one working harder everyday in practi- Pili started off hot to counter the more game, and then we got the confe- ce, and I see her with a gleam in her Duck’s early barrage, scoring the rence tournament and then we got the eye and a spring in her step, and I just Trojan’s first seven points, but by the WNIT or hopefully the NCAA depen- think she’s going to be really really half, Oregons’ 3-point shooting suc- ding on how we finish. I still have faith good moving forward.” cess had overwhelmed USC and led to in the kids, and I know this is far from Jackson discussed the energy she a 39-25 lead. Much of the Ducks’ lead over and we just got to go and keep brought to the matchup after the was built by continued success from working hard and keep improving.” game. 3-point range during the second quar- With only one game left on the “I don’t like it when people are ter where they shot 50%. schedule, Jackson emphasized the im- down,” Jackson said. “My team — they USC continued to struggle in the portance of maintaining focus hea- know that about me so they just trust third quarter, shooting 26.7% from the ding into the postseason. in me. They are always there to hype field and missing their only 3-point “We know we have to work harder. me up and I’m there to hype them up.” attempt of the quarter. Oregon’s play We’re getting it together, but we al- For Oregon, freshman guard during the quarter wasn’t exceptional ways know there is more room to im- Sydney Parrish led the Ducks with a — the Ducks managed to shoot 37.5% prove,” Jackson said. “So we’re going to team high 17 points and four steals. from the field and and an unimpres- buckle down, practice, buckle down Three other Ducks — senior forward sive 22.2% from 3-point range — but on these last games we have, and we’re Erin Boley and redshirt sophomo- was still enough to expand their lead going to come out and fight, just fight.” re forwards Sedona Prince and Nyara to 19 points by the end of the quarter. The loss was USC’s last game at Sabally — scored in the double di- Despite his team’s blowout loss, Galen this season. The Trojans will gits, contributing 13, 11 and 11 points, Trakh expressed continued confiden- head to Westwood next weekend to respectively. ce in his team’s play and emphasized face off against crosstown-rival No. 8 Andrew Kerner | Daily Trojan The game started with the Ducks the need to continue getting better. UCLA. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. Sophomore forward Angel Jackson received significant praise finding immediate success from “We ran our offenses well; I thought from USC head coach Mark Trakh after the Trojans lost Sunday. MATTICE | Surfers must consider the environmental impact of sport

| continued from page 10 | the subject when he won the 2015 shaping, to some, San Clemente’s million surfboards sold globally in buy-a-board-plant-a-tree sales are of Hawaii and Polynesia have Rip Curl Pro event in Bells Beach Matt Biolos, is skeptical of the a year, who knows how many more increasing. Labs like the Center been and are arguably the most on an Ecoboard. The board has a reception of these boards, which is from quarantine-inspired activity for Surf Research are encouraging environmentally conscious certification from the nonprofit understandable coming from the and the surfing equipment industry people to think of their passion surfers out there, beginning on Sustainable Surf that verifies the owner of Lost Entreprises, which valued at $3.1 billion in 2018, it’s for surfing in terms of a career heavy boards made out of trees. board has one of the following: boasts over 30 former champions, hard to overstate the impact that and purpose. Some surfers are at Since then, most surfboards have “a measurably reduced carbon current world tour trotters and up- a once-daily activity for locals of the forefront of environmental been made out of a few different footprint, renewable, recycled and-comers on its brand team. Polynesia in the 4th century, since activism and ocean conservation yet similarly toxic materials: and/or up-cycled material inputs,” “Surfers are not going to transformed and colonized by around the world. blanks made with petroleum- or “uses materials and processes sacrifice the performance of a light domineering global capitalism, has But in a world with maybe 36 based polyurethane sealed with that reduce toxicity during board for being green,” Biolos told had on the environment. million surfers, the individual carcinogenic polyester resin to manufacturing.” the New York Times in 2009. There are some good moves shouldn’t have to be reminded that boards starting from expanded However, attempts to make Yes, that quote is older than happening right now to address their contribution to helping the polystyrene (Styrofoam). While surfboards almost completely some of the current surfers on this issue: Apparel and footwear environment doesn’t start and end the average surfer’s quiver is sure sustainable, including one Lost’s team, but it still speaks to company Globe launched its at the beach parking lot. to last decently long, a professional made out of an invasive species an important choice. During that Low Velocity program last year surfer can go through one of these of seaweed in the British Isles, time, Southern California was to “put environmental priorities Lauren Mattice is a senior writing boards almost every week. have not proved successful in putting out around 800 boards and products of quality and about surfing. She is also the digital The GOAT of surfing, 11-time making low-volume and strongly a day, with 40% of the blanks longevity ahead of fast fashion managing editor at the Daily Trojan. world champion Kelly Slater, made constructed boards. they were coming from going sales of disposable items.” Her column, “Spring Swell,” runs ev- a more meaningful statement on The GOAT of surfboard to landfills. With around 13-24 Biodegradable traction pads and ery other Monday. SPORTS February 22, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM PAGE 9

VS.

BASKETBALL SPORTS EXTRA FRIDAY MARCH 5

The Trojans face the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, March 6, and then March Madness really begins! The Daily Trojan will look back at the team’s 2020-21 hoops season, and preview the prospects for the Pac-12 and NCAA Tournaments. Discount off normal display ad rates Ad Order Deadline Tues. March 2 DAILY TROJAN ADVERTISING [email protected] PAGE 10S | Monday,port February 22, 2021 | WWW.DAILYTROJAN.COM/SPORTSs Trojan baseball falls short of series sweep against LMU Surf scene USC won their first series holds stake in of the regular season over LMU at Dedeaux Field. climate crisis

By TAYLOR MILLS Sports Editor Lauren After almost a year-long coronavirus-induced hiatus, USC Mattice baseball opened its season this SPRING SWELL weekend with a 2-1 series win over LMU. The young squad’s sol- id pitching and defensive agili- n light of recent years where ty allowed the Trojans’ to pitch a rampant fires turned the West shutout in game two of the series ICoast’s skies into a “Blade but ultimately wasn’t enough in Runner 2049” blood orange hue, Sunday’s 11-inning nailbiter. tens of thousands of people dying During the series opener on in Delhi due to preventable air Friday the Trojans experienced a pollution, Texas frozen in place rough start at bat with no hits and and communities in Southeast Asia only two walks over the first five facing the threat of extinction from innings of the game. Meanwhile, rising sea levels and storm surges, on the mound, redshirt-junior it is naive to separate one’s own pitcher Isaac Esqueda allowed a participation from the events that single and double in the first in- have decimated the Earth to a point ning, leading to two runs for the of no return. Lions. Whether it be reducing Redshirt freshman fielder emissions, pollution or waste from Tyresse Turner broke the ice offen- home life, your career endeavors sively for USC with a sixth inning or elsewhere, some companies are home run to right field. Redshirt inching toward the realization junior right fielder Jamal O’Guinn that sustainability in its most made it a tie game the next inning. basic and buzzword-y terms is very USC’s relief pitchers shut down lucrative, but not so much for the LMU’s chances to respond in the environment. final two innings, and LMU’s Surfing, encompassing more of a sophomore pitcher Alex Burge al- Charlie McCollum | Daily Trojan lifestyle than most other sports and lowed a single in the ninth and a Redshirt freshman outfielder Rhylan Thomas picked up an RBI in the sixth inning during Sunday’s game. activities out there, is pushing its pair of subsequent walks that ce- endorsers and suppliers to take the he left off last season, striking out resulting in USC burning through junior centerfielder Kenny Oyama mented the 3-2 walk-off victory for lead in areas of ocean conservation six batters while walking zero. six pitchers. In the ninth inning to seal the deal with a pinch run- USC. USC converted exactly three and the reduction of emissions With the help of redshirt another fielding error allowed ner scoring. hits to three runs by the end of the from the garment industry. But sophomore first baseman Clay Lions’ freshman pinch hitter Evan Despite failing to close out the game. the impact surfing has on global Owens and some outfield hus- Leibl to advance the runner on series sweep, several new Trojans “[It] took us a while to settle in anthropogenic CO2 and energy use tle from O’Guinn, only one LMU third and tie the game 8-8. stepped up and proved themselves and then to get a victory. To start far exceeds these broad categories. player advanced to third during “Offensively, I wouldn’t have in the team’s first outing. Clow, who the season no matter what year it In 2009, according to the Champlain’s six innings. Redshirt changed a thing,” Owens said. “We logged his first RBI Saturday, also is, it’s always good to be 1-0,” head Intergovernmental Panel on junior pitcher Brian Gursky made put our team in the position to win clinched a homerun on Sunday coach Jason Gill said. “You don’t Climate Change, the textile and quick business of LMU’s batters the game multiple times, but it just in his debut as a freshman pitch- ever want to be chasing .500, you leather industry consumed 2.15 during the final innings, striking didn’t work out for us in the end.” er and shortstop. Behind the want to be ahead of it.” exajoules of energy across the out four of his 10 batters to pick up USC looked like it could secure plate, freshman catcher Garrett While Saturday’s fences didn’t world, most of it powered by coal the save. a win in the first extra inning with Guillemette led the defense with see any action from USC’s bats and electricity. If you’re curious or “They are trusting their defense redshirt freshman second-baseman 18 total putouts and one as- the Trojans still managed to pull don’t understand energy units like and I think our defense played ex- Connor Cirillo advancing to third. sist with a second-base stealing off a dominant 5-0 win. Turner, me, one exajoule is 1018 joules, and cellent behind them,” Gill said. Unfortunately for USC, Cirillo was caught on Sunday. The freshman Clay and O’Guinn picked up RBI’s the earthquake and tsunami that “Zero errors and a lot of balls put left stranded after redshirt junior also logged two hits and a run alongside freshman shortstop struck Japan in 2011 off the coast of in play, and so, that’s kind of a rec- shortstop Ben Ramirez grounded over the course of the series. Nate Clow whose single in the first Thoku had about 1.41 EJ behind it. ipe for success.” out to LMU’s pitcher. The Trojans now look for- jump-started the offense. After the fast fashion boom On Sunday, The Trojans let a 6-5 The game came down to the ward to a home series against Cal On the defensive side, redshirt out of the UK from 2000-2005, third inning lead slip away. For the bottom of the 11th inning when Poly next weekend. First pitch is sophomore pitcher Chandler clothing consumption increased next six innings the teams battled USC redshirt junior pitcher Jason Friday at 5 p.m. Champlain picked up from where to the buying of about a third more back-and-forth on the scoreboard, Starrels allowed a single from garments per year, per person. The advent of “sustainable” fashion has pushed people to buy more clothing, not out of need, but out of interest. In 2018, according to USC pummeled in 72-48 loss against No. 11 Oregon data from the “Fashion on Climate” report, the garment and footwear Shooting and rebounding industry created more greenhouse gas than the countries of France, troubles contributed to the Germany and the UK combined. Trojans defeat in the game. Tourism, a particularly difficult sector for international climate By GEORGINA KREGORIAN change agencies to balance, is Staff Writer projected at what is called a “business-as-usual” scenario (no USC fell to No. 13 Oregon 72- significant mitigation techniques) 48 Sunday at Galen Center. The to increase its emissions by 130% Trojans are now 10-10 overall and up until 2035, with that from 8-9 in Pac-12 play. flights and accommodations Sophomore forward Alissa Pili tripling. Travellers who frequent led USC in scoring and was the only long-distance journeys to — I don’t Trojan to break double digit points on know — surfing hot spots such as Sunday, scoring 14 points on 42.9 % San Clemente to Bali, contribute shooting from the field. Pilli also con- most to these emissions. tributed with six rebounds, two as- Am I saying every single person sists and one block. in the world is a surfer or that surfers USC sophomore center Angel are the reason for accelerated Jackson was second on the team in climate change? Average reading scoring, chipping in nine points for comprehension would say no. But the Trojans over 18 minutes played. it’s important to note the different Jackson also chipped in one rebound players that provide what you need and a steal. for surfing, or any other activity, and USC head coach Mark Trakh hi- how they interact with the ocean ghlighted Jackson’s aggressiveness and greater climate. in the tough matchup after the game. Consider the tool of the trade “Angel did a really good job,” said Andrew Kerner | Daily Trojan — surfboards. Indigenous peoples Sophomore forward Alissa Pili led the team with 14 points and six rebounds against Oregon. | see WBB, page 8 | | see MATTICE, page 8 |