The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Category: Opinion

  • Year of the women 2.0

    Year of the women 2.0

    2018 is looking to be another year for woman in politics. Why stop now?

    1992 has often been declared as the last “Year of the Woman” for politics.

    According to the United States House of Representatives History, Arts & Archives website, “a record 71 California women were nominated to run in the fall elections for federal and state offices” in 1992.

    Now, according to Politico, a whopping 575 women “have declared their intention to run for the House, the Senate or governor.” But why stop there?

    The increase in political interest from women should encourage younger women to step forward more than ever before. Women starting college should even plan to run for government offices.

    Most government offices have age minimum requirements for candidacy.

    According to the U.S Legal website, “in the U.S., a person must be at least 35 years of age to be president or vice president, 30 years to be a senator or 25 years to be a representative, as specified in the U.S. Constitution.”

    The average age of college students is 18-24, and last fall, according to the National Center for Education statistics, an estimated 11.5 million women attended college this academic school year. That’s 11.5 million potential representatives. This doesn’t include women above the 24-year-old mark.

    For even slightly older students, opportunities as a senate, president or vice president, might already be available. Though the number of women declaring their intentions to run for office has increased since 1992, the fire needs to be fueled more.

    “Women make up only about a fifth of Congress, despite comprising half of the population,” Politico reported. “And only six states have women as governors, while 22 states have never had a female chief executive.”

    Change is coming slowly but surely as women see around the political shortcomings.

    In an article in the New York Times, several women decided to become politically involved after seeing, hearing and experiencing these shortcomings.

    “None of the women had seriously contemplated entering politics before,” the article said. “They had no money or organization. But they were dismayed with the direction of the country, they said, starting with the election of President Trump, and finally decided to act.”

    Currently, the youngest member of Congress, Elise Stefanik, is 34 years old. Though 10 years above the minimum, this should be seen as encouragement.

    Young age does not mean ignorance, and experience must start somewhere. Getting involved politically is a way to create change for anyone. Increasing women’s representation in local and federal government has never been more important.

    There’s guidance for you if you’re interested, yet hesitant. She Should Run is a non-partisan group that jump starts women on their path to running for office and directing them toward starting campaigns.

    Even if becoming involved seems a long way off, the time to start is still now, during the year of the woman 2.0.

  • Letter to the editor: We want student housing, but not the AMCAL way

    Letter to the editor: We want student housing, but not the AMCAL way

    Author Maureen J. Jules is a former HSU student and active member of Arcata Citizens for Responsible Housing.

    Dear editor:

    AMCAL, a large corporation from Southern California, wants to join the Arcata housing scene, claiming to help students find affordable, off-campus housing that is convenient for walking and biking to class. However, it is no accident that in 2012, AMCAL jumped into the profit-driven student housing market that’s worth $200 billion dollars. Since then, its luxury student housing projects have made rents even less affordable. AMCAL’s projects have exploded into college towns throughout California and Texas. Not surprisingly, similar corporations have carried this profiteering trend across the nation.

    The effect of these privatized dorms increases rent for everyone and isolates students from the larger community. In Flagstaff, Arizona, for instance, private dorms have resulted in less affordable housing for all.

    “At $700 a bedroom in most student complexes, that effectively sets the price of a three-bedroom apartment at $2,100 a month,” the editorial board of the Arizona Daily Sun said. “That means a family of four should be earning $6,500 a month to afford that rent (30 percent of income) while the median income in Flagstaff is well below that.”

    Now, AMCAL is at our doorstep, where they hope to finance the construction of a 700 to 800-bed, yet highly restrictive dorm complex off campus (think gated, enforced quiet hours, corporate residential assistants and no alcohol or legal recreational drugs). I oppose their student housing project called The Village.

    Since I love HSU students, how can I possibly oppose student housing? We are a college town and our students are cherished, valued, vibrant and intelligent community members. Students help define Arcata and they have just as much a right to live here as anyone.

    That said, Arcata is a small town hemmed in by the bay, the farmland bottoms and the forest. I also have a serious shortage of housing and buildable land.

    The property eyed for The Village is a rare, eleven-acre parcel surrounded on three sides by non-commercial residential neighborhoods. The site is not ideal for dorms, because there is no easily accessed grocery store and it is far from downtown. Plus, it is on the opposite side of Highway 101 from HSU, yet nowhere near the Northtown footbridge. This means those supposedly “convenient” walking, biking and driving routes to both classes and shopping will take The Village residents through congested and convoluted areas, like the Sunset/LK Wood intersection, several limited access trails and neighborhoods without adequate lighting or sidewalks. Furthermore, The Village plan would only provide about 300 parking spots for 700-800 beds, and residents who need cars would have to pay extra for parking.

    This project would increase student housing, but only for those who can afford to live in upscale dorms where limited parking costs extra. These new off-campus dorms would lack all the conveniences and services on campus, including access to campus police and meal plans.

    Greenway Partners is a consulting firm working on an alternative with ACRH. They are working together with over 150 ACRH members to create a pro-housing, pro-density and pro-infill alternative. I want our housing alternative to include apartments that HSU students will enjoy renting. I hope student apartments will be mixed in with other uses: light retail and single-family homes, some with mother-in-law units which HSU students might also like renting.

    When students fledge the coup, I want them to have access to more neighborhood housing where they can easily get to know the non-student community. Dorms belong on or next to campus, not plunked down in distant neighborhoods absent of food and shopping. It isn’t that I don’t want student rentals or students for neighbors; I don’t want AMCAL dorms. We can build community by living together, working side by side and getting to know one another. You, the students, are our community and Arcata should be the village, not AMCAL.

    Arcata Citizens for Responsible Housing is actively seeking student input and can be reached at: arcatacrh@gmail.com

  • 11 months and no justice for Josiah

    11 months and no justice for Josiah

    David Josiah Lawson was a victim of a hate crime and has become the poster child of the racism that exists in Humboldt County. Though the Arcata Police Department has been working through the investigation using physical evidence and witness statements, the trail remains cold in the pursuit to bring justice to Lawson.

    Lawson was a black 19-year-old criminal justice student at Humboldt State when he was stabbed to death at a house party in Arcata on April 15, 2017. The efforts of local authorities attempting to solve the case of his death fall short to this day. Those who spoke up after the incident hold little water in the eyes of the law due to conflicting reports of hearsay and lack of evidence. So much is against Lawson under these unfortunate circumstances.

    A vigil has been held for Lawson every month since his untimely death last April. The turnout of the 11th vigil on March 15 at Arcata City Hall was lower than usual due to spring break and heavy rain, but over a dozen people participated in solidarity of Lawson nonetheless.

    During the vigil, Alex Foster, a leading force in finding justice for and preserving the memory of Lawson, said mixed messages aired by the media continue to hamper with the development of the murder case.

    “There’s a lot of rumors and false narratives, especially from newspapers,” Foster said. “It’s just different perspectives.”

    McKinleyville resident Kyle Zoellner was arrested for allegedly stabbing Lawson, but was released by Judge Dale Reinholtsen for lack of evidence. During the preliminary hearings, contradicting testimonials by eyewitnesses include Zoellner’s physical condition when Lawson was murdered.

    In a report by Mad River Union, Zoellner’s family said Lawson was stabbed to death while Kyle was unconscious due to a brutal assault. However, the Lost Coast Outpost reported Elijah Chandler, a friend of Lawson who was at the scene of the crime, witnessed Zoellner “drop something shiny on the ground” a moment after discovering someone had been stabbed. Conflicting reports such as these only muddy the waters of the case.

    What students, police officers, politicians and other community members need to understand is that the murder of Lawson brings up broader issues of social injustice and public safety.

    If people continue to downgrade the importance of this case or stay disinterested, then we are doing ourselves a huge disservice. We are allowing criminals to get away with hate crimes in a town that brings in innocent students year after year.

    Despite some of the challenges Foster and other tenacious supporters face, the search for justice carries on.

    Though the case remains open, relentless efforts are made to not only keep Lawson’s memory alive, but to spread awareness about the injustices that people of color still face in the area.

    April 15 will mark the one-year anniversary of Lawson’s death. Though details for the next vigil are in the works, tentative plans include a community gathering at the Arcata Plaza and a march to the D Street Neighborhood Center. Full details will be announced on the Justice For David Josiah Lawson Facebook page.

    In addition, the City of Arcata is supporting a safe space for a Community Dialogue on Race on March 22 at the D Street Neighborhood Center, located at 1301 D St. in Arcata. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m.

  • Restrict age limit on firearm and ammunition purchases

    Restrict age limit on firearm and ammunition purchases

    Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops should follow Dick’s and Walmart.

    In the grieving shadow of the Parkland, Florida high school shooting, sporting goods company Dick’s Sporting Goods and large retailer Walmart have changed their sales policies and limitations on firearms and ammunition.

    Soon after, Kroger, a supermarket chain, followed suit by changing policies for their Fred Meyer stores located across the U.S. Big retailers, such as Cabelas and Bass Pro Shop, should follow the lead of Dick’s, Walmart and Krogers.

    “There are a total of over 160 Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops retail stores in the U.S. and Canada,” according to a Time magazine article. “These stores sell high-capacity magazines, which allow shooters to fire a higher number of rounds without needing to reload.”

    This sort of reform and change is only powerful if everyone is on board and unified. If they don’t make efforts to change their policies, it will only be a matter of time before they become a primary seller to those who seek to use these weapons for senseless murders.

    On a state legislative level, Florida is attempting to take the lead. According to Griffords Law Center, Hawaii and Illinois are the only states that have an age minimum of 21 for long guns or rifles. Other states have a minimum age of 18, and some even have a minimum of 16 years old.

    The government on a federal and state level has continuously failed to implement change and gun reform that has a lasting improvement or effect on these massacres. Dick’s, Walmart and Krogers have done the right thing by taking it upon themselves to move things in the right direction with as much force as they can.

    According to the New York Times, Florida passed a gun reform bill on March 7 that follows the lead of these stores by raising the age limit to purchase guns to 21, create a wait period for approval on background checks of up to three days and ban bump stocks.

    In other states, some citizens are fighting back. A 20-year-old man from Oregon is suing Dick’s for raising the age limit.

    According to CNBC, the man is suing for discrimination because Dick’s refused to sell him a rifle when Oregon law says residents may purchase shotguns or rifles at the age of 18.

    Even California law dictates that residents must be 18 to purchase rifles, but must be 21 to purchase handguns. By changing their own policies, these businesses are taking change into their own hands, and the states should follow suit.

    Granted, guns of all sorts are still available to buy at shows and private shops, including the AR-15, which is what was used in the Florida shooting. However, change is possible and must start somewhere.

    If businesses make efforts to improve the way people are able to purchase guns, it will increase the possibility of better reform. All firearm retailers and states must follow suit or be part of the problem.

  • EDITORIAL: FCC aims to impose internet road blocks

    EDITORIAL: FCC aims to impose internet road blocks

    Why you need to pay attention to net neutrality regulations.

    Since its introduction to the general public in 1990, the internet became a powerful tool by placing the world at the fingertips of the average American. Information to almost anything is now a click, a Google search and a Wi-Fi connection away.

    Now, the internet is a colossal asset in the everyday life of the consumer. However, the Federal Communications Commission wants to repeal previous regulations that allow the internet to remain free and open. This will make your internet access slower, limited and expensive. Understanding net neutrality and fighting back is vital to keep the internet a free and open method of exchanging of ideas.

    What’s going on?

    When we open up our browsers on our desktops, laptops and mobile devices, we expect quick and easy access to whatever website or information we seek, and maybe a Wi-Fi hotspot. With current net neutrality regulations from the Obama-era in place, we can rely on our internet service providers to not interrupt that flow of information or require us to pay more to access faster connection and specific streaming services or sites.

    On Dec. 14, 2017 the FCC, led by chairman Ajit Pai, voted to repeal the 2015 regulations on internet. Pai was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2017 and formerly worked as a Verizon lawyer. Pai is responsible for introducing the idea that by creating internet fast lanes, the internet will thrive.

    With current net neutrality rules in place, the internet is already able to thrive as a free market. The most prominent argument against repealing this level of neutrality is that the FCC would be infringing on free speech by putting a price on access.

    What does that mean?

    According to the Washington Post, internet providers such as Verizon, AT&T and Comcast will have the ability to charge for speed without regulations in place. Streaming companies like Netflix or Hulu will most likely be asked to pay for access to these fast lanes and in turn, end up increasing their prices.

    This means not only will we as consumers pay for internet packages that allow us minimal access, but now we will also have to pay for fast and reliable connection to only parts of the internet. This also creates a similar situation to when big businesses drown out small businesses. Websites and streaming services that can not afford to pay for these faster lanes of internet connection will be drowned out by companies that can afford it.

    Shady business

    According to the Pew Research Center, in a study on the feedback the FCC collected from the public reported that results of their surveying came “inaccuracies and duplicates.”

    The report also stated that many of the submissions recorded “seemed to include false or misleading personal information,” cotinated “clear evidence of organized campaigns to flood comments with repeated messages” and “often thousands of comments were submitted at the precisely the same time.”

    This was in addition to the email validation process set up by the FCC only working about three percent of the time. The report stated that even emails such as “example@example.com” made the cut for public comment on net neutrality.

    The FCC is not only making unconstitutional steps toward limiting the flow of information and placing the power of those limits in the hands of corporations, but they are playing dirty to do it.

    How you can fight back

    The states are just beginning to take action, but you can too. On March 5, Washington became the first state to fight back against the FCC on repealing net neutrality.

    According to the New York Times, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill preventing internet providers from “blocking and slowing down content online.”

    On a smaller level, as a citizen, you can voice your opposition by visiting websites that help you locate your House of Representatives and Senate representatives. Write to them and express your opposition to what the FCC is doing and encourage them to act against these changes. In turn, getting involved locally will encourage more states to join Washington in passing state legislatures that disagree with the limitations the FCC wishes to implement.

  • Letter to the editor in response to “40-day anti-abortion protest begins in Eureka”

    Letter to the editor in response to “40-day anti-abortion protest begins in Eureka”

    Dear Editor,

    Regarding the Lumberjack article about the 40-Day Anti-Abortion Protest – HSU students need to know that not all religions or religious leaders believe that human sexuality is evil and something to be ashamed of. They need to know that some ways of faith regard sexuality as a blessing to be carefully and thoughtfully enjoyed between people as a way of communicating and sharing love – even if they aren’t married and even if they aren’t heterosexual.

    Like fire, human sexuality can, of course, hurt people both emotionally and physically. As people learn how to express their sexuality and share it with others, they learn by trial and error. Some religions shame people about this reality. Other religions offer factually accurate information and encourage people to make thoughtful and caring choices in keeping with their own deep values.

    The United States is a secular nation that works to guarantee freedom of religion for all its citizens. People whose faith calls them to abstain from all sexual activity before marriage or to abstain from birth control and abortion are free to follow the dictates of their hearts. And people whose faith or whose approach to life allows them more freedom around their sexual expression are also free to do as they see fit.

    Some religious people would like to do away with respect for religious freedom when it comes to human sexuality. But they do not speak for all religious people. Clergy for Choice is a group of interfaith religious leaders who support men and women in carefully finding their own way regarding their own sexuality. Clergy for Choice supports the compassionate and highly professional work of Planned Parenthood.

    So while some religious people practice 40 days of protest to end abortion and to end religious freedom around human sexual expression, other religious people practice a lifetime of supporting Planned Parenthood and thorough and effective reproductive health care for people as they make their own choices in this vulnerable and tender aspect of their lives.

    Sincerely,

    Rev. Bryan Jessup
    The Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
    PO Box 506
    Bayside, CA 95524 – Phone: 707 822-3793

  • Wild West in Humboldt County

    Wild West in Humboldt County

    Humboldt County is known worldwide as a safe haven for hippies, liberals and gun-toting conservative cowboys.

    Gun violence is on the rise around the country, especially in regards to mass shootings, as was just seen in Florida. Gun culture is being examined everywhere, questioned in many states and threatened all together.

    “It puts gun owners in a hard position,” Humboldt resident and registered gun owner Liam Doherty said. “We get lumped in with the demonization when we’re trying to be responsible and use these tools for useful purposes.”

    Mass shootings are on the rise, however. There have already been 30 mass shootings in 2018, according to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive. Protests have erupted all around the United States in attempts to bring about gun law reform to make it harder or even impossible for American citizens to purchase firearms.

    Video by Patrick Maravelias.

    Alexis Pritchard, Humboldt State graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, said if she had the power, she would take everyone’s guns away.

    “I believe that the root of the problem comes with the National Rifle Association and the lobbyists that are paying off these politicians to keep guns like AR-15’s that should only be used in the military,” Pritchard said.

    Arcata in particular has a reputation for being a progressive college town; pro-choice, pro-gun control and proactive in fighting for human rights. Outside of Arcata, however, is a jungle full of conservatives, cannabis and lots of firearms.

    “Arcata’s the only place you don’t see it,” Doherty said. “It’s the only town in Humboldt without guns in it.”

    HSU created a small, safer and more progressive circle than the rest of Humboldt. In addition, Arcata has a reputation for hippies, potheads and other stereotypes. But the truth is the majority of the country is very conservative. Fortuna, Ferndale, Rio Dell and Scotia all have more registered conservative voters than liberals, according to an article by the Times-Standard.

    “Arcata is a bubble, even compared to Mckinleyville,” Pritchard said. “I believe that the gun culture in Humboldt is very diverse in that we have one city specifically that has completely different ideals than the rest of the county as a whole.”

    The recreational cannabis industry is booming in California, and Humboldt is at the center of it. Currently, registered cannabis growers aren’t allowed to own firearms, which has created a mecca for illegal firearm trafficking in Humboldt as well.

    Cannabis is legal to grow and use in California within certain limitations. But on the federal level, cannabis remains illegal, forcing farmers to use cash-only for business transactions, because banks are in control. This has indirectly created a community of farmers who are forced to own unregistered firearms in order to protect their assets.

    The issue of illegal gun trafficking will be discussed further in the video on The Lumberjack website.

  • Keep the dream alive

    Keep the dream alive

    Immigrants are the backbone of the United States, but anti-DACA protesters think they could do without them entirely.

    The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a polarizing immigration policy that allows certain individuals to enter or remain in the United States, was established by the Obama administration on June 15, 2012.

    Those who meet the guidelines for DACA receive a renewable deferred action, or immunity from deportation, for a period of two years and a work permit.

    According to a Sept. 4, 2017 report by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, there are approximately 690,000 active DACA recipients, or Dreamers, of which about 548,000 are from Mexico. Trump repealed the DACA policy on Sept. 5, 2017, announcing the termination of the policy on March 5.

    However, the Supreme Court announced on Monday that they refuse to take up the case, leaving the fate of Dreamers in limbo once again.

    Center of American Progress said our country is estimated to lose $434 billion annually in gross domestic product if Congress decides to put a fork in DACA. What this means is the cost of goods and services would eventually rise with the success of mass deportation of immigrants. Inflation would further burden lower and middle class Americans who make up the better part of the U.S., while wealthy elites remain virtually immune to financial setbacks. In other words, economic inequality would worsen as a result of deporting Dreamers.

    Deporting Dreamers would diminish diversity, which would favor white nationalists who wish to establish cultural dominance. Further, the lack of culture in the United States would ruin the overall character of our country, replacing our melting pot for something less palatable.

    Despite the widespread fallacy that immigrants take away jobs from American citizens, or overindulge in government benefits, the truth is immigrants contribute to economic growth.

    “Immigrants contribute mightily to the economy, by paying billions in annual taxes, by filling low-wage jobs that keep domestic industry competitive and by spurring investment and job-creation, revitalizing once-decaying communities,” Douglas P. Shuit and Patrick McDonnel of the L.A. Times said. “Many social scientists conclude that the newcomers, rather than drain government treasuries, contribute overall far more than they utilize in services.”

    But intolerance carries on as the Trump administration and anti-DACA hardliners push to bring an end to the DACA policy, which would result in the wrongful deportation of people who enhance the wellbeing of Americans. Undocumented immigrants who commit heinous crimes do exist, but that is far from the majority of law-abiding immigrants who are trying to make better lives for themselves in the land of the free.

    While the fate of Dreamers remains uncertain, pro-DACA supporters are urged to get involved. Reliable resources to protect Dreamers are available online, including American Civil Liberties Union and National Immigration Law Center. United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led network in the country. They offer tools and strategies to take action, such as launching grassroots campaigns or signing a petition to Congress that endorses DACA.

    Power in numbers can make a difference, as we recently witnessed on a local level with the removal of the McKinley statue. Educate yourselves with immigration policies, pertaining specifically to DACA, so you can stand up for what is right if you run into anti-DACA supporters.

    The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has been raiding immigrants under the dominance of federal law, including Dreamers in sanctuary cities. Another way of supporting Dreamers is assisting them in the event of a raid, such as translation or explaining their rights. Understanding immigration policies during such a confrontation could make a world of a difference.

  • Oh, your party lied to you?

    Oh, your party lied to you?

    The “opinion” piece mainstream news will never run.

    The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court memo was released by the United States government on Feb. 2.

    The memo details how the FBI applied for a warrant from the FISA court to electronically survey Carter Page, a campaign advisor to President Donald Trump’s 2016 election. To apply for this memo, the FBI submitted a “dossier” compiled by Christopher Steele, who was secretly bribed by the Democratic National Committee to do so. Eventually, the warrant was granted by the FISA court.

    The FBI and CIA operate in secrecy to ensure their actions will not be discovered by the “enemies of the United States,” to be effective as an intelligence agency. There is a large amount of trust placed in these organizations, because of this secrecy.

    Steele, the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee broke this trust.

    Steele was supposed to give the FBI this information as a trusted, reliable and unbiased source to use against U.S. enemies. In time, the true nature of this dossier was revealed.

    “Neither the initial application or any of the warrant removals reference the fact that Steele was on the Democratic National Committees and the Clinton Campaign’s payroll,” Devin Nunes, Chairman of House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said. “Steele was a longtime FBI source who was paid over $160,000 by the DNC and Clinton campaign to obtain derogatory information on Donald Trump’s ties to Russia.”

    Did you read that right? The person who gave the FBI “reliable” information, which indicated President Trump was connected to Russia, was on the payroll of the people who ran against Trump: the Clintons and the Democratic Party.

    Steele was proven to be a biased informant who took bribes to give “derogatory” or falsified information. Is that a conflict of interest? Apparently, not to Hillary Clinton.

    Before Steele was fired for lying, he maintained contact with former Associate Deputy Attorney General Bruce Ohr, a senior Department of Justice official. Steele admitted his biased views about Trump in 2016 when Trump was still a presidential candidate.

    “He was desperate that Donald Trump not get elected and was passionate about him not being president,” Nunes said in his private testimony.

    This clear evidence of his conflict of interest was recorded by Ohr, but not reflected in the FISA dossier that he submitted to the FISA courts under direction of the Clinton Campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

    On Feb. 20 in a political news analysis article, Stephen Collinson from CNN reported, “While the president’s constant assault on the FBI is obviously motivated by his anger at the Russia investigation and doesn’t necessarily indicate that he has something to hide, it comes with a bonus for Moscow.”

    Even though this FISA memo was released, which shows the Democrats meddled in the U.S. elections by fabricating evidence about Trump. 18 days prior to this, CNN is still hypocritically declaring Trump was the one that meddled in the election. The Democrats are condemning the exact thing they did to their political opponents. This is a great example of the Democrat’s infatuation with their own hypocrisy.

    Here is what I think this means:

    1. The FBI investigation regarding Trump’s ties to Russia was forced by his political opponents: the democrats and the Clinton Campaign.
    2. The Clinton Campaign and Democratic National Committee bought out a clearly biased source to lie about Trump to the FBI for $160,000.
    3. The Democrats funded the entire Russia-Trump conspiracy using the FBI. This level of corruption is not only common, but everywhere. Also, there are likely other sources of fake information our politicians have used to smear others.
    4. All of this information was classified. Viewing it is one of our rare opportunities to see inside the beast and witness just how corrupt our politics have become.

    The corporate news entities like CNN, MSNBC, New York Times and many people in power attempted to trick us all into thinking that President Trump has fake connections to Russia.

    Do you fear your government or political party yet? I do.

  • Screaming into deaf ears

    Screaming into deaf ears

    Take victims seriously.

    The phrase “breaking the silence” is often heard when discussing the waves of victims using the #MeToo movement to finally be heard. To victims, the phrase “breaking the silence” feels like an unwelcome pat on the back. As if someone is saying, “Wow, good job for finally learning how to communicate. If only you had used a hashtag before, none of this would have happened.”

    Breaking the silence implies there was silence all along. It also implies that it was the victim’s job to communicate better or people unaware of the violence all around them simply did not know of it, because no one told them.

    There was never silence. Victims have been expressing themselves throughout history. #MeToo is not a triumphant announcement that some bad things have been going on and they need to stop. The step forward is not in breaking the silence, but in finally screaming loud enough that the rest of the world cannot pretend the screaming does not exist.

    The most painful part of this has been to watch men come forward and say, “Wow, this is great. Now that us men know this has been going on, we can all stop. It’s now time for healing between the sexes,” as if victims just pointed a flashlight upon a great injustice lurking in the shadows that will scurry away upon noticing it has been discovered.

    Violence begins with the concerns of a group not being taken seriously, but it will not end because we can now talk about it on Twitter.

     

  • Keep your thoughts and prayers

    Keep your thoughts and prayers

    We call b.s. too.

    Your thoughts and prayers are not enough to encourage gun law reform. By getting involved in local politics and deciding what shape you want gun reform to take, you can make a difference.

    Nikolas Cruz was arrested by police as he walked through a residential street on the afternoon of Feb. 14. According to the New York Times, Cruz had ample time to visit a Walmart, buy a drink from Subway and visit a McDonalds before he was apprehended for shooting 17 high school students at a school he was expelled from. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting has placed eighth among the top 10 deadliest shootings in United States history, according to the L.A. Times.

    MSD High School student Emma Gonzalez gave a speech on Feb. 17 at a gun reform rally where she addressed lawmakers and politicians. In her speech featured on CNN, Gonzalez claims that she and her fellow students are done dealing with the government, there will be change.

    “We call b.s.,” she said.

    “And maybe the adults have gotten used to saying, ‘It is what it is,’ but if us students have learned anything, it’s that if you don’t study, you will fail,” Gonzalez said. “And in this case, if you actively do nothing, people will continually end up dead, so it’s time to start doing something.”

    We claim the individuals who commit these mass shootings are mentally ill, suffer from extenuating circumstances or troubled upbringings. We claim and discuss how easy it is to obtain guns in different areas. Then we take to social media in masses and we send out our anger, our rage, our thoughts and prayers in a Tweet, a Facebook or Instagram post. But what does sending out our thoughts and prayers do but perpetuate the problem?

    The hypocrisy in response from bystanders, politicians and lawmakers is staggering. Even the President of the United States Donald Trump has done nothing but express his sentiments and find a way to make this issue about his agenda, simply to avoid taking action. The president is also responsible for signing a bill last year that removed an Obama administration order to allow the Social Security Administration to release mental health information that would be included in background checks, prohibiting those with some mental illnesses from purchasing guns.

    The same way Gonzalez and the other children of MSD High School are furious and want results, so should you.

    The first step to promoting gun reform as a citizen is to decide what shape and direction you want your efforts to take. Understanding what kind of reform you’re looking for can shape where or how you get involved locally. Establishing some focus on reform can also come from where you end up donating your time or money.

    Start by donating or volunteering your time with organizations that advocate for gun control, such as the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence or the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Do not donate blindly, and use discretion when choosing where you want your time and effort to go.

    Next, contact those who influence legislation on gun reform. By reaching out to your state representatives or members of congress, you can voice your take on gun reform and how you wish for your representatives to make their decisions.

    The representative for Humboldt County is Jared Huffman. Go to his website for contact information and reach out. Formatting a letter is easy, especially with multiple online templates. Write your own letter, find an advocacy site or contact his office directly via phone.

    If you are not sure of who your representative is, use a simple website like whoismyrepresentative.com to find out who you should contact on a local or congressional level. Register to vote in your area and pay attention to local legislation.

    The reality of the fallout of these shootings is that no matter how often they happen, the motivation to act is lost soon after. We must stop waiting for the next shooting.

    Action and reform must happen for change to happen. Conversations about gun reform are no longer enough.

  • Patriots dynasty a ticking time bomb

    Patriots dynasty a ticking time bomb

    The New England Patriots have established a dynasty unlike any other team in the National Football League over the past 20 years.

    However, all great things must come to and end.

    For the Patriots, the end means kicking down the door.

    We have all seen the numbers: five Super Bowl wins, seven Super Bowl appearances, 12 American Football Conference titles and 15 divisional titles.

    Dominance like this in professional football is unheard of. The Patriots got extremely lucky back in 2001 when Drew Bledsoe’s injury made way for an unknown quarterback from the University of Michigan to step onto the field.

    The NFL was changed forever.

    Tom Brady’s legacy as the best quarterback in football history cannot be mentioned without saying the name Bill Belichick, a strategic genius who always knows the perfect counter to an opponent’s game plan. Bellchick is the peanut butter to Brady’s jelly.

    Brady and Belichick hoarded wins, championships and individual honors together, including Most Valuable Player awards for Brady and Coach of the Year honors for Belichick. If you look closely, though, the Patriots’ recent loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII marks the beginning of the end of the dynasty for a number of reasons.

    Brady is getting old. According to an opinion written in the Boston Globe, quarterbacks usually peak in their 20’s. If this is correct, that was 20 years ago for Tom Brady. So the likelihood of injuries becoming a factor increases exponentially with each passing week.

    Brady has already suffered a major knee injury in 2008 to go along with the normal trauma suffered in the NFL. Seventeen years is a long time to get hit by giant humans trained in the art of sacking quarterbacks. Father Time is still undefeated, no matter how many life-changing TB12 shakes Brady drinks.

    Secondly, it seems that the equilibrium established inside the Patriots organization has been thrown out of whack. An infamously private team, the Patriots have only let two scandals distract them from putting the NFL in a sleeper-hold: Deflategate and Spygate.

    As reported by Seth Wickersham, Belichick and Brady have been in a silent power struggle for who will be the man taking the credit for their unprecedented triumphs.

    The cracks in the relationship show mostly when looking at the Jimmy Garoppolo trade. Brady went over Belichick’s head directly to owner Robert Kraft about trading his successor.

    This means that Belichick didn’t want to let go of Garoppolo and Brady was threatened by this. Kraft choosing to side with Brady shows that the tug of war between the two titans has ended in another victory for number 12. Coach Belichick doesn’t get to share this one.

    Belichick will run to the green pastures of retirement as soon as Brady stops leading the Patriots to big games in the post-season. Marking the end to a true dynasty, one unlikely to be repeated in our lifetime.

  • All journalists go to hell

    All journalists go to hell

    It’s 9 a.m. outside Gist Hall, the mecca for journalism activities at Humboldt State. All the students that typically fill the hallways are still in bed, unable to be bothered until at least 11 a.m.

    Meanwhile, the only ones awake are those who woke up to hit the bong once or twice before they stumble into their sweats and yawn their way to campus somehow.

    Yet, these are the elites. The ones who will go on to be some of the most brilliant voices in news, because, frankly, there are no brilliant voices in news anymore.

    The persona of the tortured artistic type has morphed into a really obnoxious pissing contest not only between news stations, but among individual journalists as well.

    In an era where news outlets and their worker bees are being discredited at every turn, we must face our fears and beat the elephant in the room to death… journalists are all terrible people.

    It takes a certifiably insane human being to want to write news. It’s an impossible job for a level-headed person, and to recommend such a thing to a young and prospering academic is nothing short of treason.

    The late Hunter S. Thompson, well-respected journalist and noted troublemaker, once said, “Sacrificing good men to journalism is like sending William Faulkner to work for Time magazine.”

    Thompson, William Burroughs, Ken Kesey, Tom Wolfe, Tomi Lahren and more are known far and wide for rampant drug use, domestic abuse, drunken and boorish behavior.

    All of these names belong to well-respected and famous journalists, who were all made famous not only by their work, but by the sleaze and trouble that came with it.

    “Journalists have just operated under a veil of superiority, because our role was to call out B.S. and find truth,” said Nick Garcia, Humboldt State graduate with a bachelor’s in journalism. “Now everybody wants to be a personality and has an agenda.”

    A newsroom in full swing is comparable only to the trading floor of the Wall Street Exchange.

    Fingers senselessly tap-dance across the keyboard, beads of sweat trickle off any given forehead, phones buzzing every few seconds. Everybody swears like sailors and the coffee machine heat combines with cigarette stench to create the feeling of a sweat shop in the belly of an antique whaling ship.

    If there’s a hell, journalists are going to be the first in line. They drink, they smoke, they weasel their way into stories and take photographs without asking.

    Every national tragedy to ever befall this country, journalists earned a salary by showing up to annoy the victims.

    Journalists could have ignored Donald Trump, but they wanted ratings and now there’s a tangerine with a neck running the White House.

    The hell of it all is that the only journalists worth their salt aren’t paid nearly enough to be doing what they do.

    Those who strive for objectivity even in the face of a world where small fish get hooked and transferred to a small pond with toxic runoff to slowly die while the big fish get botox and work for CNN.

    Hats off to those chosen few who toil and sweat for little to no reward.

    To be fair, it’s not like journalists would be good at their jobs if they weren’t capable of getting a little sleazy for the cause. It’s kind of a sleazy job. Writing in general is a bit greasy. It’s an inherently impossible job which might be why so many journalists find themselves at a news agency, addictive tendencies and an ego the size of a house.

     

  • Swipe right on self-love

    Swipe right on self-love

    Don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself.

    Whether you’re dating or single, you should actively practice self-love for healthy relationships and interaction with others.

    Dating is complicated. If you’re swiping, texting, snapping or sliding into the DMs, navigating the dating culture requires a lot of time, energy and self-love.

    Single and ready to mingle, sort of…

    Dating without the integration of social media was bad enough. Now you’re connected and available on multiple platforms.

    As a single individual looking for the companionship of others, apps like Tinder or Bumble can place extra pressure on your dating timeline. These apps allow access to a wide range of people with different personality types and preferences. Not everyone is kind or understanding. This often leads to strangers lashing out at you, because your interests or schedule don’t align.

    Take some time to remember that you are allowed to say, “No, I can’t hang out this day,” or “I had some obligations and was not able to respond right away.”

    Do not ever feel compelled to apologize for being busy or not responding before you’re ready, unless you mean it. Social media has created a demand for immediacy that is not always reasonable.

    Self-love can also be very physical and intimate. Masturbation, often a taboo subject, can be considered fulfilling needs and confidence. This means taking the term “self-love” literally and exploring safe options on pleasuring yourself. For the inexperienced or shy, the beginning stages of this could be a research stage for what works. As an article on This Body Is Not an Apology states, just orgasming from masturbation is like “scratching an itch.” Explore other options to pleasuring yourself, and open your mind to considering this method as a form of self-love.

    Another option to explore is exercising. Exercising can blow off steam and increase self-confidence. It is also a great way to combat depression and relieve dating frustrations. Incidentally, don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with and take it easy. After all, this is about making yourself feel better.

    What’s also available on a local level are workshops designed to promote communication skills between friends and couples.

    Humboldt State Health Educator Ravin Craig, who created and runs the Peer Health Education program, said there are several workshops put on through the library that are designed to do just this.

    She said one of these is focused on relationships and communications with friends as well as sexual partners.

    Taken and confident, kind of…

    Even in a relationship, self-love is necessary and promotes positivity in a relationship. Maintaining individuality is important towards promoting self-love and a healthy relationship. This doesn’t mean isolating yourself, but it does mean knowing your boundaries.

    Craig said it’s hard to be in an effective relationship where you can give something to someone else, but can’t give it to yourself first.

    Self-love is often proven to benefit relationships. According to an article on goodthereapy.org, research has shown that practicing self-love is likely to improve well-being in the context of interpersonal relationships.

    Developing positive habits and relationship communication between you and your partner can also lead to self-love. Taking time to be your own person and understand what makes you happy can also promote self-love and in turn strengthen your relationship.

    In between and fluid, maybe…

    Maybe you’ve mastered the dating scene, but your confidence still gets low. Taking similar breaks and efforts to improve your self-love is important.

    Craig said students looking for help with self-love practices should consider Community Care Workshops on campus. During these workshops, students are encouraged to “build their board of directors.”

    Craig describes this board as the people you can trust to help guide your relationship when suffering from the dating scene or relationship blues. Finding trusted peers who are able to lift you up and think are important.

    At the end of the day, choosing healthy and positive practices of self-love is up to you. Sometimes it takes understanding that you need the help of others, a break or space. Be aware of when dating might be too much and recognize when you need to make some time for yourself.

    Utilize on campus resources or turn to your most trusted friends. More importantly, swipe right on self-love.

  • Opinion: A man’s perspective on healing between the sexes

    Opinion: A man’s perspective on healing between the sexes

    I believe love is on the horizon.

    The voice of the #MeToo movement exposes sexual predation in the workplace. This dark force of man has been preying upon and shattering the lives of innocent women for a long time.

    The testimonies of rape and sexual misconduct will hopefully encourage others who are wronged to come forward and right the wrongs inflicted upon them.

    No one has the right to disrespect anyone else.

    The act of sharing oneself intimately is sacred. The emotions and sensations that arise are spontaneous. There could be infinite uncertainties and misgivings for both mates. At no other time in our culture have we begun to consider, address and follow the requests of a mate in a sexual interaction.

    The consent movement has given us the ability to acknowledge ourselves and vocalize intimate needs.

    The intrigue and mystique of women is a form of enlightenment for some of us men. The chemical signals and euphoric feelings elicited by women linger on long after the actual encounter. Even if the encounter was brief and lacking physical contact, the wonderings and fanciful dreams playfully await a reunion with such a figure of passion.

    The time has come to look beyond the dreams and realities hinging upon the opposite sex. Now there is an opportunity of healing between the sexes. Strong support for women advancement and control of society is needed. Women’s hard work and struggle is how we all got here.

    If women are happy, then men will be happy, too. Give women the honor they deserve, always be a gentleman and respectful of others. When we move toward the greater good together, our world is a better place.

  • EDITORIAL: Lend a helping hand

    EDITORIAL: Lend a helping hand

    It’s Monday morning and you have class at 9 a.m. You get out of bed and hop in the shower, get dressed, do your hair in the bathroom and brush your teeth. You get ready in the comfort of your home and go to school, hopefully grabbing breakfast along the way.

    Whether you live on or off campus, you’re able to get to school without having to think twice about where you got ready, if you got to shower or where you woke up. For homeless students, these are luxuries that come with having a stable living situation. These students are your friends you see in class every day as a someone with a stable living situation, and there are ways to help your peers and colleagues even when you feel you don’t have too much to offer.

    President of the Humboldt State University Homeless Student Advocate Alliance, Chant’e Catt, gave some bigger picture suggestions on how students can help their fellow students.

    1. Get political

    One of the ways a student can help is by being involved with and voting for local legislature that promotes help for homelessness.

    To do this, students should update their voter registration address so they are eligible to vote in Humboldt County. To do this, you can register online at the Department of Motor Vehicles website or in person at the DMV as well.

    Catt said after changing voter addresses, students should “vote on local policies that restrain housing development and other student issues so we can create legacy for students to come.”

    Attending city council meetings and sharing opinions at these meetings is another way to influence change. Arcata city council meetings happen several times a month. You can find the next one at the city of Arcata’s website.

    2. Get involved on campus

    Homeless students are encouraged, at their own discretion, to participate in any research studies on campus by sharing their stories and experiences. Catt said by participating, suggestions based off these stories can be made to the CSU system to help others in the future.

    For example, Oh SNAP! is a student food program run by students that provides help for food insecure students. Visit their website at http://hsuohsnap.org to discover more of their resources and find out how you can help.

    Students can also spend two hours a week participating in clubs and programs like the HSAA, the Youth Educational Services or becoming a part of the Associated Students executive board to promote change and support for homeless students. Y.E.S. also facilitates a homelessness network that offers resources to homeless families in Humboldt.

    3. Get involved in the community

    Looking for local shelters and finding a way to volunteer time and support to these shelters could potentially give back to students utilizing them. You can find a list of shelters in the area at https://www.shelterlistings.org and by searching for Humboldt County.

    Catt suggested students get involved in the Raven Project Street Outreach Program. The Raven Project is put on by the Redwood Community Action Agency which owns rentals as housing options, offers connection to crisis assistance, home repair assistance, some transportation options and other resources for homeless families.

    The Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives said they work with the community on both long and short term goals to help find housing for the homeless in the area. They accept multiple forms of help and donations.

    Even if these local options don’t seem student oriented, remember that most students are above the age of 18 and are technically adults. This means local homeless adult resources might be their only option.

    4. Check in with each other

    One of the best ways a student can support other students who might be homeless is to ask them how they are doing. Checking in with each other could make a world of a difference.

    Catt said students should ask each other how they are and share resources and information more often.

    “Be more open to sharing just a few hours helping each other,” Catt said. “Absolutely every study I find on resiliency says mentors, council, friends are the key to success. Networking creates a safety net in the community.”

    In some cases, the ability to admit you need help might be the hardest thing to do. By looking out for your fellow students, you might discover someone who needs your help.

     

  • Art for students’ sake

    Art for students’ sake

    Humboldt State University must not pull funding and close the Third Street Gallery in Old Town Eureka, which has provided local art to the community for 20 years.

    As reported in the Lumberjack, by Ahmed Al-Sakkaf on Jan. 16, Humboldt State must perform budget cuts that require slashing a third of the budget used to keep the gallery open.

    The art gallery has been open and providing Humboldt State students with hands-on career experience on multiple levels. The gallery allows students the opportunity to curate exhibitions and work in professional settings, as well as organize and present art to the community.

    The space is vital to giving students an idea of the business relationship they must facilitate early in their artistic or curating careers.

    For a professional-in-training seeking to promote their works and talents into the community, galleries like Third Street Gallery are a vital stepping stone to professional work.

    As stated on the HSU Art Galleries web page, this art gallery provides “students at all levels and disciplines” the opportunity to contribute “through internships, work-study jobs, student exhibitions, and interactions with featured international, national, and regional artists.”

    Finishing school leaves students searching for jobs that hire based off previously acquired experience.

    Unfortunately, studying for the career you want is almost never considered to meet the required experience standards. Without these opportunities, the budding Third Street Gallery art and exhibition curators must work even harder to land their first job or show.

    According to The Working Artist, promoting art in a gallery is about who you know. Developing a relationship with a gallery is important to getting your foot in the door as an artist. Allowing the gallery to be lost as a resource to students would be the equivalent of ending a 20-year relationship with the community.

    The university should explore and strongly consider other options on how to cut funds or seek budget cuts in other places. Even cutting back on what is provided on campus and putting more resources toward the Third Street Gallery would be more beneficial to aspiring artists and curators.

    It can be argued that removing this gallery will just move the opportunity on campus, and there is no loss of hands-on work. However, removing student work from a venue accessible to the local community instead of the college community would be a giant disservice to artists and curators.

    Subjecting this important, career-motivating venue to budget cuts and its inevitable closure is unacceptable.

    As gallery director Jack Bentley said to the Lumberjack newspaper, the proposal to close the gallery would be “very short-sighted.”

  • Justice isn’t complete with Nassar

    Justice isn’t complete with Nassar

    The Michigan State University board of trustees must follow suit of the USA Gymnastics Board and all resign.

    Investigations into how Larry Nassar was allowed to prey on women at MSU for so long are being discussed.

    In an epic and strong gesture of disregard for a sexual predator, the nation watched as Judge Rosemarie Aquilina looked Nassar in the eyes and tossed his letter to the side.

    “And I want you to know, as much as it was my honor and privilege to hear the survivors, it is my honor and privilege to sentence you,” Aquilina said to Nassar at his hearing on Jan. 24.

    However, Nassar is not the only perpetrator in this disgusting story.

    Not soon after Nassar’s sentencing, MSU President Lou Anna Simon resigned. In her resignation letter on MSU’s website, she addresses the public’s need to find blame and knew the public would come for her. Though this is a small step, it is not enough.

    In the hours following Simon’s resignation, U.S. senator from Michigan, Gary Peters, released a press release calling on Congress to start a formal investigation into MSU. On a state level, an investigation has begun. Bill Schuette is the attorney general for Michigan. In the NPR article, Schuette promised no individual at MSU is “off-limits.”

    According to an NPR article discussing a MSU investigation, two days after Simon’s resignation, “the school’s athletic director announced his retirement. That same day, the entire board of USA Gymnastics said they too would resign.”

    It should not matter if the board was not aware of his sexual harassment beforehand. Those responsible for running the college allowed this man to traumatize women for so long. The school’s Title IX complaint processes and procedures need to be re-evaluated. Those responsible for allowing this predator to exist and prey for so long should be weeded out from the school system, and Schuette must not stop until every one of those weeds are pulled.

    Without further action against the school and those responsible, absolute justice for these 160 or more women is not fulfilled. Having full justice should come in two parts: lock up the predator and then go after his accessories to the crime.

    MSU has done their students a great disservice and should be made an example of. There are likely students at other colleges suffering from rape culture that promotes silence and fear. An example should be made of MSU so other colleges follow suit in fixing a system that favors the predator and not the victim.

  • Alternative road to recovery

    Alternative road to recovery

    Humboldt County should reconsider establishing supervised injection facilities (SIFs).

    The subject matter is polarizing. The simplified idea of a SIF is to administer drugs with clean needles and controlled dosages. Counseling and other services are offered throughout the process. The objective is to wean users off drugs. You’re essentially fighting fire with fire, but under careful supervision.

    Philadelphia is becoming the first in the nation to open facilities that will allow drug users to inject under supervision. City officials approved the controversial proposition on Jan. 23, but supporters face further challenges to turn the idea into a reality. These include ordinance approvals, carefully selected operating sites and funding. Seattle and San Francisco are among other cities in the United States striving to open safe spaces.

    There are approximately 100 sanctioned SIFs located around the world, including countries in Europe. Concluding from more than a decade of studies, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) said SIFs reduced the rate of addiction, overdose deaths and HIV transmission caused by sharing needles.

    The agency references an evaluation study in Barcelona, Spain.

    “A fourfold reduction was reported in the number of unsafely disposed syringes being collected in the vicinity from a monthly average of over 13,000 in 2004 to around 3,000 in 2012.”

    Contrary to years of quantitative research, naysayers argue that opening SIFs will lure more addicts into cities, normalize drug usage and increase crime. Further, some opponents of the idea perceive drug addiction as an immoral weakness, rather than a pervasive medical issue.

    We can’t begin to eradicate the problem unless a shift in perspective is made about the complexities of addiction, including outside factors such as economic inequality.

    It does not take long for new Humboldt residents to realize there is a drug problem in this area. On the other hand, locals are very much aware.

    Treatment centers and services help to a degree, but the truth is the rate of overdose deaths in Humboldt is still above average in California.

    “Of the nearly 340 accidental deaths recorded by the county between 2010 and 2015,” Will Houston of Eureka Times-Standard said, “nearly two-thirds were caused by overdoses, according to [Humboldt County] Coroner’s Office data.”

    A reevaluation of the costs and benefits of supervised injection sites may prove to be a worthwhile investment for the future of Humboldt.

  • Letter to the editor from the family of Erin Henry

    Letter to the editor from the family of Erin Henry

    To the people of Humboldt County,

    The family of Erin Henry would like to relay our thanks to all who assisted in the search for Erin. To the Arcata Police Department and all assisting law enforcement agencies, the faculty and students of HSU, local media, The Lost Coast Trackers, the people of Arcata, Eureka and all surrounding communities who mobilized and helped search for our precious Erin, we would like to express our deepest gratitude.

    Although Erin was found deceased, she was at least found. This was as a result of the information shared by thousands in Humboldt County. Thank you to the Caltrans employee who diligently reported finding a knee scooter, after being made aware of Erin’s disappearance and description.

    We would also like to encourage others suffering from depression, or related ailments, to seek help. Please help to eliminate any stigma associated with needing medication or treatment in order to function as a happy, healthy human being.

    National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.

    A very deep, heartfelt THANK YOU!

    From the family of Erin Henry.

  • OPINION: Invest in your work so it stays yours

    OPINION: Invest in your work so it stays yours

    Filing for copyrights as a student

    Creative brains in colleges have it easy. Musicians, photographers, artists and writers are reaping the benefits of infringing on copyright laws. They’re also at risk of being taken advantage of because of it.

    Famous creators making money off their works have bigger fish to fry than college students, but this does not make infringing on copyright laws okay.

    Through federal law, copyright allows protection for authors and users of original pieces of intellectual property. Creative students of any sort must understand copyright laws to respect their inspiration, as well as protecting themselves.

    According to the U.S. Copyright Office, copyright infringement happens when “a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.”

    Even if it doesn’t mean much in the way of following this rule, it is important to at least clarify when sharing or using creative work that is not your property. Understanding why should also encourage students to protect their own work.

    The second an idea is created in a tangible form, it is protected by copyright law. However, anyone hoping to start a lawsuit must have their work registered with the the government in order to enforce or fight for that protection.

    In the age of social media where anything can be instantly reproduced, distributed, perform or be publicly displayed, copyright protection is vital. Protecting intellectual property could be in the best interest of students. The catch is that it costs money.

    The good news is, to copyright one piece of original work costs as much as a week of coffee, a full tank of gas or a good night out.

    Intellectual property lawyer Nicholas Wells, who lays out the price of registering your work with Congress, said to register one piece of work should cost a simple filing fee of $35 dollars. This fee applies to one piece of original works, as opposed to a collection of works. As easy as that sounds, filling out the paperwork may require research and can be difficult if attempted for the first time. In this case, hiring help from a lawyer could cost way more than a college student budget will allow.

    More good news is, resources like a school library or willing professors are easily accessible to a college student. With some proper research or help from an experienced professor or advisor, the cost of a lawyer can be avoided.

    Students wondering why they should go through the trouble should take a look at how easy it can be for someone to rip off someone else.

    Take the issues forming between Radiohead and Lana Del Rey. The music industry makes a lot of money through owning the rights to intellectual property. At first listen of Del Rey’s song “Get Free,” it appears she has clearly taken a heavy melody influence from Radiohead’s “Creep.” Legal conversations between Del Rey’s people and Radiohead’s people are centered around giving credit to the writers of “Creep,” rather than suing for profit. Though Del Rey tweeted otherwise, as reported in the Guardian, a lawsuit has still not been initiated.

    Upon further investigation to the song “Creep,” Radiohead had to pay for the rights to their own song after being sued by a band from the 1960s known as The Hollies. The similarities between melodies in “Creep” and The Hollies song, “The Air That I Breathe,” granted The Hollies grounds to suit.

    There are plenty of other examples of copyright lawsuits of music, art, photography and more. This proves that it can be increasingly difficult to fight for these rights without taking the proper legal actions to protect them. The earlier you start, the better, and possibly richer, you will be as a professional.

    There is arguably room to be inspired from others and their works, but social media makes it difficult to keep track of how much something is shared or re-purposed.

    Protecting the work created during this time of learning could benefit a student’s actual career. Understanding the legal limitations of the platform is equally as important.

    Further, understanding copyright protection means maintaining ownership of intellectual property. The creative foundation any artist, author or creator who needs to make something of themselves is worth protecting.

  • EDITORIAL: Understanding consent first

    EDITORIAL: Understanding consent first

    Sexual harassment can be difficult to understand and process on any level: as a victim, as an offender and even as a bystander. Treating sexual harassment allegations with discretion and well-researched judgment is vital. However, they must begin with an understanding that there is no clear interpretation for what defines consent.

    Movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp that highlight sexual assault, misconduct and harassment in the entertainment industry are proving that awful behavior does not just happen to private citizens, but to public figures as well.

    What these movements should do is make conversations about sexual harassment and assault easier, as well as give victims the confidence and empowerment to speak up.

    What these movements should not do is create an opportunity for the media or the general public to interpret the definition of the word consent. Full consent is one big, sober y-e-s. The second any hesitation, discomfort or change of mind occurs, consent is lost. This should be the only way consent is observed in the face of any story, no matter how large or small. The most important thing to consider when assessing these situations at any level is that affirmative consent is not up for debate.

    After grasping this point, we can attempt to break down a situation and understand what happened. In the instance of comedian Aziz Ansari and his encounter with a woman anonymized as Grace, this is extremely important to understand. The feminist site Babe.net reported on Grace’s date with Ansari in a way that lumped him in with repeat offenders such as Harvey Weinstein and Roy Moore. Though his behavior was wrong, it is still worth noting that this man, unlike that of Weinstein or Moore, was allegedly unaware of his aggressive behavior. Ansari was not fully aware of his alleged wrongdoings after she had expressed it via text the next day. Readers can hate him, believe him, not believe him or react how they please. What they should not do is attack Grace for her decision to speak up. Her decision to speak up was warranted, because she felt that the date was terrible and therefore changed her mind. Nothing can change her firsthand experience that night.

    What can be done after understanding consent is to process Ansari’s decisions and pay attention to what he decides to do next as a self-proclaimed male feminist. What can also be done as a bystander is to know the difference between assault and harassment without believing that one is more okay than the other. Instead, try to find ways to minimize the opportunities of both offenses.

    Understanding the problem with Ansari’s behavior towards Grace involves his disregard for his celebrity status and the kind of influence he may have on others. The problem was that he needed a better understanding of affirmative consent. This is where there are clear differences between Ansari and Weinstein.

    Most of us are bystanders to these movements and celebrity allegations. As such, we have an obligation to seek out and recognize affirmative consent. Further, we need to intervene when others fail to acknowledge it. Practice good judgment when examining these situations only after understanding consent.

  • Smoker discretion advised

    Smoker discretion advised

    Smoking marijuana recreationally is now legal in California. However, before you take your stash with you as you head out the door, take caution. Changes to marijuana legislature is happening on a state level, not a federal level. When it comes to which laws carry more weight, federal trumps state.

    California voters passed Proposition 64, also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, to begin the process of governing the drug on Nov. 9, 2016. The legal sale and taxation of recreational weed took effect on Jan. 1, 2018.

    Smokers who believe they can just light up wherever they please should slow down and consider legal limitations.

    Smoking At School

    Public colleges are state-funded and federally funded. This means you’ll get into trouble if you bring your legal weed with you to school grounds, according to USA Today. In fact, most students are receiving frantic e-Memos from their school’s administration ensuring students who come back from winter break that weed is still not allowed on campus. How diligent campus safety is is another story. Try not to be to angry with your college campus as it needs money to function and runs the risk of having federal funding pulled completely. This is especially true if they allow their students to smoke marijuana freely and not abide by federal law.

    Smoking at Work

    In a nutshell, if you can’t show up to work drunk, you also can’t show up to work high. Whether one is safer than the other is not the question here. Both are considered the same level of being under the influence. Your boss still has every right to fire you if you show up under the influence, even if it is for medicinal purposes. A company can still deny you employment if you decide to fail their mandatory drug test, because you did not want to stop smoking. There is no legislation stating businesses should follow suit with state law and federal jobs will definitely not allow recreational use of marijuana.

    Smoking in Public Places or While Driving

    This is a similar story to work and school. Medical marijuana cards may have granted some freedom here, but smoking in public or while driving has always been a risk weed smokers take when they travel. Even though weed is open to all to smoke recreationally, not just those with a medical marijuana card, it should be kept at home for recreational use. According to Politifact, taking it on the road under the new law is like having an open bottle in your car. If you can’t drink in public, you shouldn’t be high in public. Both are disturbances of the peace or driving under the influence, violations that warrant a police citation. Just like driving with an open container, you’ll face probably face some trouble if you get pulled over if your weed is not sealed. Legal weed must be in a sealed container. If that container is not sealed, it must be locked away somewhere, such as the trunk of your car. With the legalization of marijuana comes extra attention. Law enforcement will be looking for marijuana violations to a greater extent, especially when it comes to driving under the influence, according to Shouse Law Group and California Vehicle Code.

    The law itself will change and adapt as the state and federal law differences sort themselves out over time. Practice smoking discretion before smoking as you please.