Culture - The Daily Lobo

Culture

Black Lives Matter at UNM African American Student Services

Megan Gleason | June 23

"To think about the most ideal world means that we have to unthink our own knowledge we currently have ... to try to unthink all bias, unthink all racism, unthink all 'isms' and think about what is that utopian world that we're looking at," Brandi Stone, the director of African American Student Services (AASS) at the University of New Mexico, said about the Black Lives Matter movement. Protests for the movement began anew after George Floyd's murder at the hands of a police officer on May 25. Stone said that this was a tipping point for the white community but "Black and brown bodies-- we've already experienced the tipping point."

Culture

Digital artists weave technology and fashion to transcend physical limitations

Joseph McKee / @josephdmckee / Daily Lobo | June 19

Fashion has always been a medium that allows both designers and models alike a physical outlet of expression. As we advance further into the 21st century, pairing the need for expression with the limitless bounds of digital software and the internet has become a must. In 2020, we have already entered a new space for fashion through Computer Generated Imagery (CGI). CGI allows the entire fashion industry to be revolutionized, from designers to models to advertisements. By using digital software programs like Adobe, CLO 3D and Daz, 3D artists are now able to explore the medium of fashion outside of physical limits.

Culture

Hooked on Depop: Tips and tricks to create a small business right from your phone

Cameron Ward | June 17

Decluttering during quarantine might not be a bad idea after all if you’re looking for some extra cash. Depop, an online marketplace for buying and selling used and upcycled clothing, has opened the door for local designers and entrepreneurs to start their small business with just a smartphone. Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of changing something you already own into better quality or more valuable to your liking.

Culture

Socially distanced Pride parade celebrates intersectionality and inclusion

Mike Sandoval | June 17

Despite the cancellation of the Albuquerque Pride Parade due to the coronavirus pandemic, Central Avenue became home to an “unofficial” celebration of the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Black rights on June 13. In honor of Pride Month, which spans the month of June, the parade route stretched down Central Avenue from Fifth Street to San Pedro. This was no regular parade with people marching up and down the streets: This parade was similar to the modified birthday and baby shower parades that we have become accustomed to during this pandemic.

Culture

Best Buddies Friendship Walk goes virtual

Beatrice Nisoli | June 17

In response to the continuing COVID-19 crisis, Best Buddies recently announced that its annual Walk For Inclusion would be transitioned to a virtual format on June 20. Best Buddies creates opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through a network of volunteers. This goal is accomplished through a plethora of celebratory events — the most notable being the organization's annual Walk for Inclusion — and by assigning registered members a "buddy," or an individual who lives nearby that has an IDD, to develop a friendship with.

Culture

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” creates a connection for everyone

Liam Debonis | June 11

In a media genre as expansive as children’s animation, the series “Avatar: The Last Airbender” still dominates the industry as a paragon of success. Now, after a wait longer than a great number of fans had hoped to endure, all three seasons of the Nickelodeon classic are available to stream on Netflix.

Culture

Albuquerque food pantries adapt to safety regulations

Daniel Ward | June 9

The coronavirus pandemic has starved resources across the state, but many Albuquerque-based food banks and pantries are still doing everything they can to feed the increased demands. Lisa Lindquist, director of the LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center at the University of New Mexico, said COVID-19 has made a significant impact on the food resources available to pantries and banks. However, Lindquist said the Lobo Food Pantry continues to operate with just a few changes to adapt to the circumstances.

Culture

UNM students paint BLM portraits

Cameron Ward | June 9

In response to the nationwide protests against police brutality, University of New Mexico students Julia Wagner and Savina Romero have used their artistic talents to paint over 170 portraits of those who have lost their lives at the hands of police. Wagner and Romero titled their art project “See Their Faces, Say Their Names.” Since George Floyd’s murder on May 25, people around the world have taken to the streets to protest police brutality, and Albuquerque has been no exception.

Culture

UNM joins Black cultural centers for protest and race roundtable

Megan Gleason | June 4

“Come celebrate with me that every day something has tried to kill me and has failed,” Chandra Guinn, director of Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture at Duke University, said to open up the first national cultural centers’ meeting for college campuses around the country on June 3. The virtual town hall was convened because of the worldwide protests that have been ongoing as a result of the murder of George Floyd on May 25.

Culture

Mountain Road receives new street banners from local artists

Spencer Butler | June 2

Albuquerque’s oldest road hosted a drive-by art exhibit on June 1 with new banners from local community members. The Mountain Road banners can be seen on the 26 lampposts stretching between Fifth Street and 12th Street. A drive-by grand opening for the project is scheduled for the weekend of June 5. Julianna Kirwin, a local artist and project leader, said the banners would be up for about one year.

Culture

Local church assists hundreds of families in need of food

Daniel Ward | May 28

30,000 pounds of fresh produce and dairy groceries, 13,000 granola bars, 2,400 loaves of bread, 3,600 rolls of toilet paper, 60 gallons of hand sanitizer and 600 reading and coloring books were all collected in just 10 days for the Harvest Fellowship food drive on May 23. The free drive-thru food distribution was set to take place from 9-11 a.m. at the Harvest Fellowship Church parking lot, but cars were lining up as early as 6:15 a.m. to get food. The church partnered with Convoy of Hope to provide two semi-trucks full of supplies for a total of 22 food pallets to give away.

Culture

Marina Bernal found passion for activism, film at UNM

Cameron Ward | May 19

No matter the landscape, Marina Bernal remained a leader and passionate filmmaker. Behind the camera, Bernal gained professional recognition despite being a newcomer to the University. Graduating with a major in Film and Digital Arts, Bernal’s academic pilgrimage took her from Barcelona, Spain to Albuquerque — and a few stops in between — in pursuit of some of her scholarly and life goals.

Culture

Casa San Ysidro celebrates New Mexico's heritage online

Loreena Cain | May 17

Casa San Ysidro in Corrales, New Mexico has been hosting Heritage Day annually in May for more than a decade to celebrate the state’s history, art and culture. For the first time, this year’s event took place online. Casa San Ysidro has been closed since March because of COVID-19. Instead, the free event shifted online via the history museum’s website between 1-4 p.m.on May 16.

Culture

Joel Clinger graduates with biology degree, rescue pilot aspirations

Beatrice Nisoli | May 16

Supplementing the rigorous academic lessons Joel Clinger is taking away from his time at the University of New Mexico is the personal growth he’s experienced throughout the past four years. Clinger is no stranger to arduous work. During his time at UNM, he worked toward a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in military studies while carving out time to devote to his student-run extracurriculars, community work and his own faith journey. “There was plenty of community outreach, such as working at the Ronald McDonald House as a guest chef as well as volunteering to help move students in and out of dorms on the Lobo Move-In days,” Clinger said.

Culture

Mitch Marty graduates with MFA, passion for writing

Annya Loya | May 15

After a three-year long journey at the University of New Mexico, Mitch Marty is ready for his next adventure after graduation. Marty started his college years as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a major in English (Rhetoric & Writing). After settling on a field, he chose UNM for his Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) degree in creative writing. “I came to the University of New Mexico for my MFA in part because I wanted to experience a different environment/culture that I grew up in the Midwest. UNM has also a great program that’s fully funded, so I was able to teach,” Marty said.

Culture

Loreena Cain discovered passion, friendship at UNM

Justin Garcia | May 15

From the Department of English Language and Literature, to the front page of the Daily Lobo, Loreena Cain covered the University of New Mexico with her stories. Now, Cain is ready to open the next chapter of her story. Cain graduated from UNM this week with a Bachelor's Degree in English and Philosophy. It took her just three years to complete, even as she bounced from music to archeology and eventually to writing.

Culture

First-generation graduate Jazmin Castillo helps community through counseling

Megan Gleason | May 15

Jazmin Castillo turned barriers into building blocks in her time at the University of New Mexico. Castillo is a first-generation graduate from UNM with a double major in psychology and sociology. Castillo said she plans to stay at UNM for her master of arts in counselor education and eventually become an elementary or middle school counselor in New Mexico.

Culture

Gabriel Gaarden fought for fair tuition and public health

Amanda Britt | May 15

Gabriel Gaarden wore many hats during his time at the University of New Mexico. Graduating this spring with a masters in public health is just one of his many achievements. Gaarden was a notable student for both his work as a research assistant and as the president of the Public Health Student Association (PHSA), where he grew as a leader and acted as a voice for the student population in combating differential tuition.

Culture

Amanda Britt graduates UNM with love for journalism, psychology and herself

Megan Gleason | May 12

Through sun and rain, Amanda Britt made her way to graduation with a humble smile that surfaced a radiant personality. With a double major in journalism and psychology, Britt is ending her time at the Daily Lobo as the photo editor. She started at the University of New Mexico with little idea of what her passions were and came out on the other end with love — not just for journalism and psychology, but also for herself. When Britt was diagnosed with bipolar depression, she faced a new challenge that she struggled to handle throughout college. "This whole year has been a battle with my mental health, but now I feel like I’m good again," Britt said. "I am learning more about myself and being kind to myself."

Culture

Local DJs transition to online performances

Cameron Ward | May 9

As social distancing measures persist for the foreseeable future, local DJs are left questioning what will happen next for their industry paused by the coronavirus pandemic. Across the state, many DJs are left unemployed and unable to attend gigs. The health pandemic and subsequent economic crisis forced many DJs to resort to online performances that can be found on live streams. Phoebe Fox, a nursing major at the University of New Mexico, has been participating in many live streams since the transformation and has dressed up for multiple events.