Fear and loathing COVID-1984

The public is being bombarded with wall-to-wall coverage of the coronavirus crisis from most media outlets, and while the ubiquitous coverage is paralyzing critical thinking skills, major stories are being glossed over by the media or completely omitted altogether.

The intentional yo-yo style delivery of information and inconsistent messaging from government leaders and talking heads exacerbates the divisive political climate and serves to confuse the masses. The result of incomplete and contradictory reporting is chaos and civil unrest, and these are key elements that enable massive military spending and confiscation of civil liberties.

A running count of cases and deaths published daily stokes flames of fear, while irresponsible reporting fills pages of print with information that is obsolete before it is published, and irrelevant stories serve to block any meaningful exploration or discussion of topics that counter the official narrative. 

The journalism industry has been gutted in recent years by the consolidation and conglomeration of the field, and the economic shock from the coronavirus may be the final nail in the coffin for many organizations. It is now easier than ever to control narratives, as media organizations are swallowed up by huge conglomerates, and the key to narrative control is through the social media platforms.  

While the Constitution guarantees free speech, terms of service typically do not, and the use of corporate power to silence critics is the hallmark of a plutocracy.  

Billions around the globe are affected by shelter-in-place orders, and fear of coronavirus infection has led the majority of the population to willingly submit to governmental demands.  On the surface, people are acting in the interest of humanity by voluntarily complying, but a dangerous precedent is being set that jeopardizes democracy. 

Society has devolved from a time when Benjamin Franklin said, “Those willing to give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary security, deserve neither liberty nor security,” and Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s proclamation that “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself” is curiously absent from the current lexicon.

Hunter S. Thompson’s prescient observation after 9/11 remains relevant today: “We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear—fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, fear of getting downsized or fired because of the plunging economy, fear of getting evicted for bad debts or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a terrorist sympathizer.” The bogeyman has changed, but the tactics remain the same.

The comparisons of the COVID-19 pandemic and 9/11 are all over the news media now, headlines from thousands of articles seen in the likes of Business Insider, Fortune, Forbes, Vanity Fair, and others, in addition to a plethora of reports from the alphabet soup of news stations on radio and television, are all comparing the current crisis to 9/11.  

Other than the barrage of relentless propaganda, one of the few actual similarities between the two events appears to be the public’s willingness to trade a false sense of security in exchange for their civil liberties. The physical events of 9/11 were over in hours, but the rights that were taken away by the PATRIOT ACT have never been restored, with annual congressional renewals that receive minimal media attention.

With the current crisis, the First Amendment, specifically the “right to peaceably assemble,” is being circumvented by leaders declaring emergency powers, and even if a group was inclined to “petition the Government for redress of grievances,” shelter-in-place orders provide an official excuse to deny citizens their constitutional rights. 

The ability to protest and organize is a vital component of a functioning democracy, and these rights are critical in normal times, especially so given the current context, amidst an on-going emergency and in the middle of a highly contested election cycle.

The coronavirus is providing a perfect cover to pass legislation that has been long-desired by corporate elements and political leaders on both sides of the aisle. News that would be front-page headlines with in-depth journalistic investigations in a normal environment is being completely sidelined or buried in articles, and the lack of media coverage prevents the public from recognizing what is occurring while they are sheltered in their homes. 

The deregulation agenda is being implemented full-force during the crisis, and the banking industry managed to sneak language into the bail-out bill that the financial industry has long fought for.  Trump expanded Environmental Protection Act deregulation, is actively dismantling the Affordable Care Act, reducing funding for public health and infectious disease programs such as the Centers for Disease Control, and benefits provided to the neediest communities are being slashed.

The nationalization of private capital markets by the Federal Reserve can not be understated, profits have officially been privatized while all substantial losses are now subsidized and backed by taxpayer funds. If the average citizen understood exactly what is transpiring, a revolution would be well underway. 

Reducing reserve requirements to zero is an incredible shift in policy that received very little mention in the press, but this is a cataclysmic decision that can only result in a massive dollar bubble that leads to inflation at best and violent hyperinflation as a serious possibility, especially with the Fed cutting interest rates to zero and guaranteeing QE infinity to prop up the house of cards. 

The notion of a free financial market is a thing of the past, as rules designed to preserve the integrity of the markets are rewritten and seemingly long-forgotten. While the treasury is essentially being looted by financial masterminds that claim to be stabilizing the system, global equity markets are being reset by a self-induced shock and awe attack. 

Time will tell which fortunate individuals and organizations pick up the pieces after the controlled demolition of the global economic system is complete. Commercial properties and assets will be purchased at pennies on the dollar by well-capitalized firms backed by Treasury support, while small and medium businesses are likely to be wiped out in incredible numbers. The domino effects of the shutdown will trickle for years and the reverberations will be felt across industries.

Researchers will soon be left to follow the motive, and most importantly, the money, to determine who benefits from this unprecedented economic upheaval.

The efficacy of the social distancing guidelines and shelter-in-place orders, now in effect for approximately one month for most of the U.S., is an argument best left for those qualified to gather and interpret independent data, but the fact that the virus is being used by elected representatives to trample constitutionally protected rights and consolidate power is a threat to democracies around the globe.   

Power is being consolidated wholesale across the world, and governments are betting that humanity will bow down and relinquish digital and personal privacy to the state. The fact that every person that chooses to carry a smartphone is bugging themself with a tracking and listening device is an open secret, but recent announcements that Google, Facebook, and Apple are providing location data and contact tracing capabilities to government agencies is alarming.  GPS tracking combined with automatic license plate readers allows government agencies to document an individual’s whereabouts and compile information that can be used in a court of law to deny freedom and facilitate prosecutorial actions.

 Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the state will record license plate information from vehicles in parking lots on Easter Sunday so that officials can follow up about ordered 14-day self-quarantines for all that attend public events. 

Federal U.S. District Judge Justin Walker overruled Kentucky’s attempt to ban Easter services, including drive-in ceremonies that were observing social distancing guidelines.  Judge Walker wrote a scathing 20-page opinion in which he lambasted the state’s attempt to “criminalize communal Easter celebrations” and said the case is one he “never expected to see outside of a dystopian novel.”

A nation physically, as well as politically, divided and practically immobilized by fear of what Trump calls an “invisible enemy,” is easily led down an authoritarian path with a highly centralized economic and social structure.

While some argue that nobody could have envisioned a scenario like we are currently facing, the evidence suggests that not only has the U.S. and a multitude of NGO’s planned for much worse, but a scenario was simulated just months ago that eerily parallels the current situation.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, in coordination with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Economic Forum, hosted Event 201 in October of 2019, a Global Pandemic Exercise in which a virus, coincidentally named CoV-19 in the exercise, kills 65 million people. The round table simulation featured organizations that are acting and responding today precisely as they did during the exercise

At some point, blowback is inevitable, as people begin to wake up to the authoritarian course of actions that are occurring. Hunger, lack of resources, and financial hardships are prime motivators, and they are known to cause people to act unpredictably. Society is facing unprecedented levels of all three across spectrums of the population that would have thought the ideas incomprehensible just months ago.

While it is still too early to tell what exactly is going on, and it is completely understandable that people are complying with orders out of an abundance of caution to protect humanity, Albert Camus’ observation that “The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants” should be kept in mind.

Most college students have never lived in times as strange as these, and while the future may look bleak for soon-to-be graduates that will be competing with the 40 million newly unemployed looking for work, it is important to stay focused and keep a positive mindset.  Humanity will be well-served if students recognize that this is a pivotal moment in which those with the courage to stand up and lead ethically and responsibly have the opportunity to reverse the current trajectory and make monumental changes to social structures and methods of governance.

Once a Seawolf, always a Seawolf: mourning postponed graduation

For graduating seniors, this is no doubt the strangest and hardest time of their lives. It is hard to comprehend that students have worked so hard the past four years and won’t be able to cross the stage at Green Music Center this May. We have lost our senior events, time with our beloved professors and friends, and the last two months of our youth. Many individual’s minds are racing and hearts are full of sadness because we have
to let go of our schooling experiences early. When the university sent notice that classes would be held online
for the remainder of the semester, the shock and confusion did not set in for most until recently. It wasn’t Zoom courses that made this so terrible, but the fact that we might not see classmates, acquaintances, friends, and professors ever again. The connections we made the past four years are gone. We are left with no celebrations, no goodbyes, and no chances to sit in a classroom as a student for the final time. Since
move-in day freshman year, everyone has dreamed about the day they would cross the stage and make family, friends, and professors proud. Not to say they aren’t proud, but that moment of recognition is likely gone. Even though the graduation ceremony is not a crucial celebration for everyone, it is often one of the only events that all close family members will try to attend, regardless of their location and schedule. So many college graduates are excited to see long distance friends and family during this special day, and come together to celebrate their successes. College students are under an immense amount of stress and sometimes feel as if they are not getting the credit they deserve for their hard work. A commencement ceremony is exactly what many people need to round out their college experience. Although it is understandable that health concerns take priority over fond memories, it does not make it easier to accept the loss. The Covid-19 virus has taken a huge toll on our emotional health and with isolation, it seems like the world is crashing down. The worst part is, we are powerless. We can not control the spread of this virus or when it will vanish. All we can do is hope for the best, but at this point, it is hard to see the light at the end of
the tunnel. Any angry or upset feelings are valid and relatable to almost every single college senior out
there. Anyone who tries to tell us our sadness is blown out of proportion does not understand the emotional toll this has taken and will continue to take on our lives. The good news is that we are young and have our lives ahead of us. Things will get better; that is inevitable. Maybe not right away, but we will find a way to overcome this disappointment. We will succeed and make this world a better place. We will pursue our
dreams and we will get to where we ultimately want to be. At a time like this, it is important to lean on friends and family. Being isolated makes it easier to sink into depression. Making jokes, playing games, being around people is the only thing that will get us through these tough times. Of course, it is important to practice social distancing, but we have to make sure we don’t disappear into the abyss. Take time out of our days to call,
send a good morning text, and just check on each other. Spread love and positivity because that is all we can do. It is okay to mourn and be sad.. In the absence of a graduation ceremony, spreading uplifting energy to each other will help. This world needs social connection, even if it is through texts and phone calls. We will prevail and we will show this world what we are made of. There is nothing we can’t do. Keep working hard and finish the semester off strong. Once a Seawolf, always a Seawolf.

Coronavirus cases increase, along with health anxiety and isolation boredom

Back in January, it seemed like 2020 was meant to be everyone’s year, but after a turbulent start, citizens of the world are finding themselves in the midst of a global health pan- demic. The coronavirus is often being compared to a more severe form of the flu, and with reports from Italy of nearly 800 deaths in one day, resources and supplies being low and an overall feel- ing of panic, The United States is preparing for a peak of unwell patients in hospitals. For colleges, this can mean many things: most universities have shut their doors and moved to online instruction for the remainder of the semester to hopefully slow the spread of the virus. According to journal- ism website ED Source, these closures have impacted 170,000 college students thus far.

Sonoma State University first announced that classes would continue online during spring break,causing a mixed reaction from students. Regard- less, doing so is safest for every- one’s health, since coronavirus is now reported to live in the air for up to 3 hours, accord- ing to CNN. When California first went into lockdown, most residents were anxious and confused. The term social distancing was then brought up, prompting even more questions. This did not stop people from continuing their vacations, get-togethers, and most notably, their spring break.

A plethora of news sources reported on the city of Miami being flooded with college-age spring breakers with no intention of social distancing. The city is known for its over-the-top nightlife, and is a popular desti- nation for parties and vacations.

Memes spread on social media discussing low ticket prices, and suggesting that it is the best time to travel, since flights are so cheap and there are not many people in airports. Even though to some these events and posts might be lighthearted and fun- ny, young people, especially those who are healthy with no history of underlying medical conditions, might have little to no symptoms if they get sick, but will continue to spread the virus to others. As of Monday Florida has 1,000 active cases of the virus according to WSVN, with Miami being a hotspot.

Just because a young, healthy person is not visibly ill does not mean that that they can’t pass it to others who might contract a severe or even fatal case. This goes for our own larger college community, too. Many staff and students are immuno-compromised, and with such cramped classrooms even a small college like SSU could easily become a breed- ing ground for the virus. These worries have added even more stress to college students, lead- ing to anxiety surrounding their health and hygiene and dis- appointment due to canceled events like commencement.

Students and young people have also been expressing their boredom while stuck at home- -many were forced to return to their parent’s residence which can cause tension and family related stress. Many find peace in distractions like going out and seeing friends, and these things are also not suggested, there- fore leaving most people alone with little to do. Sitting around all day can lead to even more anxiety--social media and news

outlets are constantly popping out stories about the virus and its death toll. With nothing else to do, individuals might feel consumed by the madness.

Though it is frustrating that such large events are canceled or being moved back, doing so will be beneficial for all. Con- certs, festivals, shows and other affairs that involve large crowds could easily spread coronavirus. Being stuck at home is not fun for most, but has its purpose. Everyone should remember that the shelter in place exists for a reason: to keep Americans safe and isolated, and to hopefully slow the spread of the virus so that hospitals are not over- whelmed with patients. Even though things seem unreal right now, California is expecting its peak in the upcoming weeks, and what comes up must come down. People can manage their stress through things likedigital entertainment, exercise, creativity, spending time with family, and picking up new hobbies.

Turning off most social media or news notifications can be beneficial to one’s stress levels, as well as focusing on the positive and good things happening in the world. Some say that what we consume and surround ourselves with is what we become--constant news updates and clickbait articles will only worsen anxiety, and though it’s easier said than done, trying to limit stressors like the news will positively impact your quarantine experience. The world has seen sickness and seen health, and we have survived 100% of our toughest, scariest days, and will continue to do so, even with the uncertainty of the virus.

Alcohol being served on campus prevents drunk driving and other incidents

Sonoma State University has a plethora of selling points. The university’s Green Music Center is one that is brought up quite often, the small class size draws in those who actually want to get to know their professors, but one of the nicest things about Sonoma State is that we are in the heart of wine country. Sonoma County is known for its top of the line wineries and beautiful vineyards, and Seawolves, above the age of 21, are lucky enough to be on a campus that is able to actually serve them a glass.

Sonoma State is a “wet” school, meaning that students are able to purchase, consume, and store alcohol on campus. Now for some, this may cause concern. Students and parents alike fear the horror stories they are told of drunk driving accidents, alcohol poisoning on college campuses, and disastrous parties, so the fact that Sonoma State doesn’t have a hard ban on alcohol can seem as though the university promotes and encourages a culture of irresponsible drinking, however this is not the case. 

Having a “dry” campus, one that has a ban on alcohol, does not guarantee the safety of its students. In fact according to a study done by Project Know, dry campuses reported more liquor arrests on average than wet campuses, 19 per 1000 students as opposed to 16.

“The top five schools for liquor related arrests arrests included three dry campuses,” said Project Know’s website.

A dry campus clearly isn’t a solution to alcohol related issues and could actually even amplify the situation. Students who would just sit in their dorm and have a beer are instead forced to go outside of the campus to bars or parties where binge drinking is prevalent. Just because they can’t get it on campus doesn’t mean students won’t be able to find a way— one that could be even more dangerous than they were intentionally planning.

George Koob, director of the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse told TIME magazine, “That’s the whack-a-mole concern, and it’s a real one if other prevention programs are not implemented.”

At Sonoma State, if a 21 year old student decides they want to have a glass of wine in their room or go out to eat on campus and grab a beer, they have that option. Now, this is not just some lawless land where the alcohol freely flows at every venue for anyone who is lined up. The university has put in place several rules that keep its student body safe while also letting them enjoy alcohol is a safe space.

Food venues on campus like Lobos, the Wine Spectator building, and even the Green Music Center all serve alcohol, however there are drink limits in place to ensure that patrons drink responsibly. Workers in orientation are taught about the “stoplight” method. When a student first walks in they are green, meaning they are totally unimpaired and can start drinking. At the yellow stage, employees are encouraged to offer food to the patron and suggest they switch to water. Finally at the red stage, the student is cut off from alcohol to prevent anything dangerous from going on. With a wary staff, it is nearly impossible to binge drink but responsible students can get a drink before safely walking back to their dorm.

Another measure Culinary Services has put in place to prevent students from taking advantage of their privilege is by having employees at venues that serve alcohol attend a mandatory training on how to catch fake ID’s, lead by Detective Jon Kempf of Rohnert Park Public Safety. It is no secret that some underage students want to get their hands on alcohol, but Sonoma State puts in the effort to ensure this doesn’t happen on campus. These trainings, paired with the drink limits help protect students from the dangers of binge drinking while allowing them the freedom to enjoy a drink on the school’s beautiful campus.

Sonoma State also allows students over the age of 21 to keep alcohol in their dorms. These students now don’t have to worry about driving out, drinking, and then driving home. Instead, they can relax and not worry about possibly driving while impaired, hurting themselves or others. Of course, there are rules when it comes to from, which is for the best. According to Sonoma State’s website dorms should have “..one drink serving open for every person living over the age of 21 in the dorm.” It should also not be in view from outside of the apartment. This keeps underaged students from taking advantage of the system by getting drinks from older students, since only one drink can be open at a time within the dorm, and keeps the campus looking beautiful for visitors.

With enrollment dropping, Sonoma State needs every edge it can to entice students to come. Being able to serve alcohol on campus, especially on a campus situated so close to some of the greatest wine in the United States, is certainly a big plus. Students are grateful to be able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage on campus and the safety of being able to walk back to their dorm.

Active shooter drills can cause distress in college students

Teachers’ unions are calling for an end to active shooter drills at schools that involve students, especially those that are unannounced and contain role-playing exercises that lead participants to believe the situation is real. These drills come in response to a series of mass shootings perpetrated over the last several years, and fears that persist, whether real or imaginary, are causing districts to overreact and allow the security industry to escalate the use of live drills, at a great cost to participants, taxpayers, and private institutions.

TheTrace.org reported that “a 2018 contract for Alisal Union County School District showed a total cost of $32,100 for three years of services” associated with live-action drills. According to NPR, the school security industry is worth $3 billion a year, so there are clear financial incentives to continue and expand active shooter drills, but the cost to students’ mental health must be considered.

The drills, while possibly offering the advantage of preparedness, are similar to the abundance of TSA agents at airports and uniformed security personnel at public events, merely an illusion of security more than actual defense, and the negative impacts, including lost instruction time, emotional distress to participants, and the price paid for the activity, far outweigh the gains.

Most school shooters are students, and the unions’ complaint accurately notes that performing drills where future potential perpetrators are participating is essentially defeating the purpose.

Statistically, based on numbers provided by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, the odds of being involved in an active shooter situation at a school are approximately one in 4.8 million. The National Safety Council reports that a person is more than 1,300 times more likely to die from choking on food, yet there are no choking preparedness drills, and one is seven times more likely to be struck by lightning, but there is no widespread concern, as the chance is so remotely slim. 

Media hype and the use of fear as a motivating tactic helped create an environment where school districts are pressured to minimize liability by including expensive drills that definitely benefit the industry providing them, however, there are serious doubts from participants about the efficacy of the exercises.

If government officials and school administrators really want to tackle the issue of school shootings, the root causes of these instances must be addressed. Gun control is an omnipresent hot topic, and there is no easy solution, but suffice it to say something must be done. There are, however, other issues that must be dealt with, or the weapon will change and the pattern of violence will remain the same.

Following the economic meltdown of 2008, the perception of an unjust, broken society that favors the rich at the expense of all others has led to increased levels of frustration, depression, and associated mental health issues. 

Healthcare is the leading cause of financial ruin in the United States, and approximately 530,000 families are forced into bankruptcy by medical bills each year, as reported by the American Journal of Public Health. The US ranks last in healthcare quality and access among comparable nations, according to the Kaiser Foundation, and disease burden is substantially higher than all other developed nations.   

The opioid epidemic and the ubiquitous over-prescribing of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs, only exacerbate the mental health problems society is facing. The American Psychological Association, APA, reports that 12.7% of the population over age 12 take anti-depressants, equating to more than 41.5 million people. More than 191 million opioid prescriptions were written in 2017, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These combine to destabilize the population while masking the real issues and unwittingly contributing to the nation’s addiction epidemic.

One of the elephants in the room that must be dealt with is the War on Drugs that incarcerates mental health patients suffering from addiction, removes non-violent criminal offenders from their families and enslaves them in privately-owned corporate prisons, and takes away grant and student loan money from all college students convicted of a drug charge. These actions are patently designed to jeopardize democracy by restricting access to higher education and disenfranchising millions in the process.

The cannibalistic capitalist financial system that demands mathematically impossible perpetual growth from a finite planet is destroying the ecosystem, altering the climate, and prohibiting many from providing a liveable income for their families. The erratic economic landscape leaves high school and college graduates in the position of competing with their parents for a limited supply of sustainable, good-paying jobs. Financial frustration, loss of hope, and the stress of not knowing what to do can feel like insurmountable obstacles for the emotionally vulnerable.

A cursory glance at the newly proposed federal budget highlights the ideological struggles dividing the country and illustrates the nation’s priorities. President Trump’s proposal for 2020 includes a 10% reduction in education spending, dropping the total to $64 billion, all the while proposing that the military budget be increased $22 billion to a gargantuan $738 billion, equalling more than the next seven nations combined. The message being sent to U.S. citizens and the rest of the world is that war and violence are superior to intellect and education. 

The Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs at Brown University found that “U.S. federal spending on the current wars would have led to at least 1.4 million more jobs had the money been invested instead in education, health care, and clean energy.” The study concluded that war spending increased interest rates for consumers and homeowners because it was financed by debt.

It is not surprising that an economy built on war and the security industry demands that all school districts pay thousands of dollars for drills into the corporate war machine to keep the house of cards intact, but the teachers’ unions coming together demanding change could alter the narrative. A cooperative effort that recognizes the importance of common sense, compassion, dignity, and respect becoming integral aspects of our national character is the first step in overcoming senseless violence and the divide and conquer strategy that politicians and the corporate media have successfully waged against the people. Together, we can achieve peace and prosperity, but it will take courage to look past the misdirection, distractions, and propaganda. 

Meme Culture: the global infectant we should actually be concerned about

In the last 20 years alone, the establishment of contemporary global culture has seen dramatic acceleration in an ever digitized, technologically entrenched world. Yet, while culture on a global scale has certainly thrived alongside widespread internet use, the value of borderless interconnectivity that the internet brings to the table has, in reality, enabled countless users to starve others, and themselves, of the necessary attention--and appropriate response--toward people enduring ongoing crises and tragedies worldwide. Indeed, the inherent free-to-roam aspect of the internet has seen users blindly portion-controlling treatment of an issue that they deem fit, also identifiable as everything wrong with the internet mainstay at work: “meme culture.” 

Kara Rogers, a member of the National Association of Science Writers since 2009 and writer for Encyclopedia Britannica, says that, “Within a culture, memes can take a variety of forms, such as an idea, a skill, a behaviour, a phrase, or a particular fashion. The replication and transmission of a meme occurs when one person copies a unit of cultural information compromising a meme from another person,” Rogers continued, “and those memes that are most successful in being copied and transmitted become the most prevalent within a culture,” according to her article for Britannica.

Within precisely what Rogers discerns to be the “successful” catalyst behind memes, internet users--college students included--prioritizing the ability to copy and transmit cultural aspects of memes often brutally undermines the realities facing people on a daily basis within said crises and tragedies. This aspect is still ingrained well across meme culture to this day. In fact, the most prime, recent example arises in the case of the Wuhan coronavirus. 

Reaching initial outbreak in mainland China on Dec. 1, 2019, the coronavirus--and those infected, especially those of Chinese ancestry or descent--has received comparable treatment online as Ebola and the people of Africa enduring the outbreak therein just several years ago.  

Yet, as parodying the suffering endured by any cultural group is never ‘okay’ nor excusable, the looming activity of meme culture--with no direct blame attributed to any one group, thread, or person due to the ‘masked’ value of the internet--has egregiously assigned self-excusal to these issues. 

To make matters even worse, the rising scope of the coronavirus outbreak has injected an even broader sense of hysteria as it is, as Ben Westcott, Adam Renton and Angela Dewan of CNN report, “Another 89 people died in mainland China on Saturday (Feb. 8), bringing the total death toll around the world to at least 813.” 

Now, while the scope of the coronavirus has well surpassed that of the Ebola outbreak (enough to be considered a pandemic), heightened hysteria around the virus is also readily puppeteered by the circus-like showcase of meme culture online. And, in what has carried equally egregious implications: for those who are -actually- affected by the virus at this stage, especially at its source in China, an onslaught of xenophobia at the hands of meme culture has been on careless display. 

One example arises in a Spongebob Squarepants meme that has surfaced since the turn of the year. While the meme is broken up into four pictures, scenes from the beloved Nickelodeon show are pulled to individually reflect major issues around the world. Spongebob and Patrick are depicted in two of the four boxes; One of which showcases the two drowning in a bed of water, with the caption “Venice:” underneath (referencing the floods) and, in the other, posing in a military-esque fort with a machine gun, captioned “Iran and USA.” While the third shows Spongebob on fire, captioned by “Australia:” the fourth and final box reigns as an up-close shot of Spongebob appearing deathly ill and nearly zombified, captioned with “China,” clearly, in reference to the coronavirus. 

Importantly, meme culture operates and thrives in a seemingly boundaryless comedic realm, and for those who view comedy, much like comedians themselves, as rightfully ‘blind’ to sensitive issues, tragedies and crises alike, indifference leads--and leads well. Yet, regardless of whether or not one is suffocatingly indifferent to an issue simply because it does not pose an immediate threat to him or her, it is beyond worthwhile--no matter who you are, or what your social location is--to harness values of one’s own subjective culture. While myriads of memes have surfaced across the internet satirizing the coronavirus, people affected and even an entire ethnic group, those who are “replicating” and “transmitting” the memes, in Rogers words, would undoubtedly act differently if it was on a basis of subjective culture, or inner-culture, like one’s moral codes.  

Instead, as meme culture exists as objective culture, or surface culture, millions of people around the world deem its activity as inherently acceptable, without question, no matter the case. Ultimately, people must begin to question why they do the things they do, especially on the internet--and for whom? 

Meme culture is just as pervasive across high school and college demographics and students alike must stop and ask themselves, ‘at what point am I going to draw the line on mindlessly conforming to a moral-less showcase of disregard for other people?’ And, for that matter, other cultures?

Noise violation fines to be raised, impacting off campus students

Last week, the Rohnert Park Police Department proposed that the infamous 120 ordinance, a noise violation, be raised from $500 to $1000.

     When a household has 10 or more people occupying it and is playing loud music, they are vulnerable to receiving a 120 citation. A 120 citation forces the residence to be silent for 120 days. If the 120-day rule is broken, violators must pay, what was once  $500, a $1000 fee. The residence is also given a sign that must be visible from street view stating that they were summoned to the 120-day rule. If caught without the sign, a fine of $100 can be issued. 

    When choosing a college to attend as a high school senior, it is important to most that the school has a reputation for fun. Most young, wide-eyed 18-year-olds are eager to let loose and party, something they have never been able to do before. The increase in the cost of the violation has caused outrage in current students as the fun party environment, that most people look for while applying to schools, will be compromised.

The city claims that the movement will not prohibit parties or social gatherings and that “they are not necessarily targeting students”. However, in a college town where house parties are the norm, it seems unlikely. Many students spoke on their experiences with prejudice neighbors, saying that there is a preconceived judgment of them before they even move in.  

    Sonoma State is a small community of just 9,201 students. As fraternities and other organizations begin to be fined $1000, the number of parties will decrease, ultimately damaging the reputation of Sonoma State. Punishing young undergraduates for having fun on their weekends will cause a significant decrease in enrolments. Over the next few years, because of the drop in enrolments, campus involvement will incinerate along with budget.    

    The mayor of Rohnert Park made it clear that he does not think the price will make any difference because parents usually pay the bill. He went on to say that there needs to be better communication methods between the students and the city community in order to form respect and understanding. 

    Many students understand that there are surrounding neighbors who do not appreciate the noise, but they do not want to give up their college experience because of it. There is a difficult dilemma between residents and students due to the differences in their agendas.

    As SSU advocates spoke at the council meeting, some brought up the idea of having a housing area strictly for students so that they can have the normal “college experience” without disturbing Rohnert Park residents.

 Seawolves have brought forth the idea of creating a Greek Row previously but were rejected. Creating a neighborhood for students would make the lives of RPPD, Rohnert Park residences, and Sonoma State students a whole lot easier. The police department would have an easier time patrolling student life, fewer drunk driving incidents would occur, and the community of Rohnert Park would be at peace knowing they have a quiet neighborhood to come home to. 

An increase in the 120 will decrease the number of parties hosted by students, however, it will not stop them altogether. The city previously raised the fine hoping to stop the constant noise violations, but they did not stop. In 2011, Rohnert Park attempted to stop the gatherings by raising the punishment from 60 days to 120. This just led students to move their parties to different houses. 

Raising the fine will not solve the problem, but tarnish the reputation of SSU by losing the interest of incoming freshman. Current students are not happy about the fine and are actively voicing their thoughts to both the city of Rohnert Park, and potential seawolves. Raising the fine will not solve the problem, but tarnish the reputation of SSU by losing the interest of incoming freshman.

A murky reality: The beauty of the campus lakes falls under a tainted representation

The University website, the prime space for all things SSU, is very successful in highlighting a multitude of attributes that make the campus such a worthwhile experience for its students and visitors alike--as it often does time and time again. But, when reality reveals a different picture of one key university selling point, one cannot help but question how long “treatment complacency” and false advertising of the current state of the lake will continue to take hold, especially at the expense of student perception.

“We hear it time and again from first-time visitors to Sonoma State University: ‘I had no idea how beautiful the campus is!’ But seeing is believing, and we encourage visitors to come experience SSU’s stunning natural beauty,” says the University website.

Whether a member of the surrounding community or a Sonoma State student directly involved in weekly campus life, visitors alike surely cannot go without noticing the well accentuated, natural beauty of the Sonoma State campus. Yet, the words of the University staff are exactly right: seeing is believing; so, when such attractions, like the lakes, show an ongoing, alternative state of affairs than what is advertised, concerning implications are sure to arise.                                   

For prospective incoming students as well as those already enrolled at the university, students alike look to university media outlets, Sonoma.edu, especially, to receive the most up-to-date, accurate information on campus staples: whether events, or attractions. The latter in particular seems to be the most investigated aspect by incoming students, as they look to gain a glimpse into what the University boasts outside of its thriving academic environment; it is thereby expected that what is being “sold” to intrigue students and future students alike is, indeed, accurately represented.

As is not-so thriving, however: the existing state of the largest of the University lakes (of pond variety in reality) is situated just behind the newly built, stunning Wine Center on the northern side of the campus. 

In fact, the area is so large that it technically boasts two of the three lakes--the pair, riddled with deeply murky, greenish-grey water. The lakes, with one situated in Beaujolais Village, each certainly see myriads of students passing by. However, with as much area as they cover, the two lakes aforementioned are by far the most visited and praised by the University, raising rightful concern over their unchanged lack of upkeep and overall appearance. 

As students cross along the path behind the Wine Center, naturally passing by the vast lakescape in the process of coming to and from their cars parked at the GMC--a continuously common parking space for hundreds of students daily--it is clear that the unchanged, murky scene at the campus lakes, as witnessed, surely does not match up with its overall portrayal as a beautified selling point online and in person to hundreds of students year-in and year-out.

“Murky water can be caused by a number of factors including unbalanced pH levels, excessive amounts of plant and animal waste in the water, lack of pond bacteria and high levels of nitrates and phosphates from fertilizer runoff,” says pondbiosolutions.com, a team of pond solution experts. 

Since the issue facing the University “lakes” points to careless disregard for its appearance and odor, evidenced by the royally murky water, it has been investigated that the disregard specifically surrounds the University’s rare-if-ever removal of ducks and their large dump of organic waste. Such adamant non-removal by the University is oddly enough explained by a 49-year-old Sonoma State University press release, officially written by the once-Dean of Student Personnel, John Palmer. Dated Spring of 1970, the press release documents Palmer’s highlighting of the reported “skinny dipping” popularization in the same campus lakes by students during a rock concert. Allegedlly, the university later decided to solve the issue by intentionally making the lakes unappealing through the employment of ducks and their inherent duck waste. Palmer’s press release can be found in the database of the University Digital Library.

To solve the problem, the University can simply look to the advice of the team at pond biosolutions, as they say, “by applying Super’s Pond Choice Bacteria to your pond, the organic waste will essentially decay the organic waste. The decay of the waste will not only give you clean and clear water, but it will also reduce sludge at the pond bottom while eliminating unpleasant odors.” 

Nevertheless, as the natural beauty of the Sonoma State campus is repeatedly at the focal point of advertising and outside attraction, new measures must be taken to truly align its existing reality with its well regarded praise by thousands of visitors annually.

Sonoma State shows support with coming out week

Sonoma State University is home to a variety of different students and it is important that the school creates an environment where everyone feels valued. The university has taken great steps to ensure members of the LGBTQ+ community feel included, evident not only in the planning of last week’s events, but also the care put in throughout the entire school year.

Oct. 11 was National Coming Out Day, so Sonoma State planned a week full of LGBTQ+ targeted events. Queers with Careers was the first of these. Students were given the chance to visit the Student Center, gain insight into the working world from queer and trans professionals from acrosss Sonoma County, and find specific LGBTQ+ resources on campus. Events like these are informative and provide an important niche view for LGBTQ+ students.

This was only the beginning of the festivities that were thought of during this week, unfortunately, the PG&E power outage resulted in some of these being cancelled. The HUB and the Confidential Victims Advocate organized the Hookup Culture and Queer Community Dialogue, which was set to discusss hookup culture for members of the LGBTQ+ community and how to safely navigate ambiguity and keep sex safe and consentual. Students would have had the chance to attend Out of the Closet, Into the Bedroom: Queer and Trans Informative Sex Education and become more aware of safe sexual practices for an array of different sexualities and identities.

An event like this is extremely valuable as standard sexual education typically does not cover or even mention homosexual sex or different gender identities. There aren’t many spaces where LGBTQ+ students can learn about sexual health specific to them so it is encouraging to see Sonoma State give its students a chance to explore this topic. Kevin Rose, a physician’s assistant that specializes in trans health, would have led the workshop and shared her new curriculum on queer and trans inclusive sexual education.

Finally, the week’s fun was supposed to come to a head in the form of a National Coming Out Day Photoshoot. Students could head down to the Seawolf Plaza and listen to Afro-Latin Funk band Sang Matiz while enjoying a photo booth along with a mountain of rainbow gear. This event would have been an excellent chance for LGBTQ+ students to meet and bond over a fun shared experience. It is a shame to see the outage affected some of these fun plans, but hopefully Seawolves see events like these return in the future.

Luckily, Sonoma State is always celebrating its LGBTQ+ students, not just this past week. There are a handful of ways the university includes the LGBTQ+ community. Our school has a Queer Student Alliance, that creates a safe space for queer students to find support from each other and plan various events meant to empower LGBTQ+ students. Whether they are putting on an event like “Welcome Gaybies” or promoting a show like “Kinsey Sicks: Naked Drag Queens Singing” the group is always working on making campus a more inclusive and exciting environment.

The Safe Zone program is put on every month on the 7th and is meant to educate Sonoma State students, faculty, and staff about the LGBTQ+ community. Safe Zone, attempts to foster an environment where everyone is respected regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The program provides “ally training” to those who wish to better understand and help LGBTQ+ students along with a comfortable space for LGBTQ+ students to talk about whatever may be troubling them.

We also can see visible evidence of Sonoma State’s efforts to be inclusive in the art exhibit in the library. Queeries: Queer Artist and Identity is an art gallery that features various LGBTQ+ artists. The library has planned to show this from Aug. 19 all the way until Dec. 13 and is meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. On Oct. 3 the library hosted a reception where students had the opportunity to meet the artists who created the works displayed.

One does not have to look far to see Sonoma State’s efforts in making the campus a fun, accepting space that caters to all its students, rather than a select few. Whether it’s a fun get-together, an informational meeting, or an art exhibit, Sonoma State continuously puts on events that show love and support toward the LGBTQ+ community. Hopefully, we continue to see the university put on fun events that make our LGBTQ+ students feel comfortable.

How Sonoma State is combatting rape culture

As reported rapes have been increasing exponentially across the United States, new programs have been started to raise awareness as well as teach women and men what to do to avoid being sexually preyed on. According to a new study, more than 3.3 million American women between the ages 18 and 44 reported being raped the first time they had sex. That is an insane number that screams for something to be done. 

Sonoma State University has done their best in bringing awareness with programs such as “It’s a Guy Thing,” “March for Consent” and there always is the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, formally known as Title IX. “It’s a Guy Thing” is a new approach at preventing sexual assault where all genders are welcome and casual conversation about what it is like to be a man. There has only been one meeting thus far for the group, but it was a success. Junior Oscar Urbina said, “I want to make sure all guys, including myself, are held accountable for all of our actions and follow through with our responsibilities, this event seems like a perfect place to talk about it.” The “March for Consent” is similar to the other ways to spread awareness about sexual assault, but is the first time it has happened here at Sonoma State. 

Measures are being taken to improve this campus-wide issue, but much more work is still ahead.

As the Sonoma State administration is doing a good job trying to keep the campus as safe as possible, one aspect the school that has continually neglected is the lack of proper lighting around the entire campus. Around the most populated parts of campus lighting is not an issue, but near the lakes and by the athletic fields there is a complete absence of illumination. The lighting problem has already come back to bite the university early in this semester, as there was a reported rape by the lakes late at night on Sept. 5. Lighting does not always stop crime, but having a well-lit area causes people to worry more about getting caught and may persuade them to not commit the crime.

Another seemingly easy solution is to increase the number of Emergency Call boxes. Sonoma State has some around campus in the main areas, but there are few in the fringe areas surrounding the campus . When using the Emergency Call Boxes, the call will go directly to the camps Police Station and will give the police the location of where the call came from. Some universities have upwards of 100 while Sonoma State has 35. Adding more Emergency call boxes would be a little expensive, but everybody would agree losing the 600 dollars it costs to install one in is less important than allowing another person to be sexually assaulted. 

“I CAN HELP” is another new program, but the school is planning on many more over the next two years. Campus-wide bystander intervention training will begin in the coming years, along with a revamped health center. 

During next semester there will be enhanced safety training for members in greek life. Numerous studies have shown that men are three times more likely to rape if they are in a fraternity and women in sororities are 74 percent more likely to be raped. Developing new and improved training for greek life members is a great way to try and prevent sexual assaults from occurring. Sonoma State also plans on sending out a Safety Service Newsletter every week or so. 

Plans are in place for the future, but people who have been sexually assaulted will say the plans should have been in place years ago. 

A former Sonoma State student who had been sexually assaulted said, “Consent is nothing.” She hopes universities not only teach women how to defend themselves but go to the root of the problem and show the men not to rape. That does not seem entirely possible, but getting to the heart of the problem is always the best way to prevent it from happening again.