CURRENT The
Wednesday 03.22.17 American River College Sacramento, Calif. Vol. 68, Ed. 9
GENDER NEUTRAL BATHROOMS SIGNS ON THE WAY TO ARC
Muslim ban instills fear By Solange Echeverria
solangerecheverria@gmail.com
Photo illustration by Lidiya Grib / Arts and Culture Editor
As of March 2017, 19 states, the District of Columbia and more than 200 municipalities have enacted anti-discrimination laws and ordinances allowing transgender people to use public facilities that correspond to their gender identity.
ARC’s new bathrooms protect transgender student’s rights By Cheyenne Drury cheyennemdrury@gmail.com Students who need to use the bathroom may have noticed something different on campus recently: Gender neutral restroom signs are currently ‘under construction’ at American River College. Once administration clarifies what the state social standards are for the signs, ARC will be out with the old and in with the new. “The signs will get up sometime next week,” Vice President of Administrative Services Administration Kuldeep Kaur said. The changes are being put into place thanks to a new bill. Bill AB 1732, also known as The Health and Safety Code 118600, “requires all single-user facilities in any business establishment, place of public accommodation, or government agency to
Lidiya Grib / Arts and Culture editor
American River College will be installing new gender neutral bathroom signs in the near future as Assembly Bill 1732. ARC President Thomas Greene, says the school fully supports the bill.
be identified as all-gender toilet facilities,” according to a press release emailed by ARC President Thomas Greene on March 1. The week prior to Greene’s email “the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice rescinded
previous guidance concerning transgender students’ use of restroom facilities,” according to Greene’s press release. Unlike the USDEJ, ARC strives to “be sensitive to the needs of our campus,” ARC’s Public Infor-
For more ARC coverage, go to www.arcurrent.com
INDEX
2 News 4 3 Scene 5
Sports Feature
@ARCurrent
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A&C Opinion
mations Officer Scott Crow said. Within the last few years, the rights of the LGBTQ community have caused a lot of controversy —controversy that’s fueled the fire on both the far-right and farleft sides. Bill HB 161, the Physical Privacy Act, was recently filed by Virginia delegate Robert G. Marshall. If enacted, the bill, would have prohibited a person’s entry into “a restroom, changing facility, or private area located in a government building unless such individual is a member of the sex designated to use such restroom, changing facility, or private area,” according to Washington Post contributor Thomas Wheatley.
The bill also defined “sex” as the physical condition of being male or femal as shown on an individual’s original birth
Gender Neutral | Page 2
@ARCurrent
FEATURE PAGE 5
Although a federal judge in Hawaii temporarily blocked President Trump’s latest travel ban preventing travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States, a sense unease and uncertainty among Muslim students still permeates throughout the campus of American River College. “It makes me feel not safe,” said Sarah Musawi, who is studying to become a Dental Hygienist at ARC. Musawi is a young mother of three children from Iraq. She says that even her children don’t feel safe anymore. “They come to me and say “Momma, Trump doesn’t like Muslims.” I tell them don’t worry about religion, what matters is what kind of person, what kind of human you are.” Musawi said she and her husband fled Iraq because their lives were in danger after having worked for a United States based media company in Northern Iraq. This travel ban, often referred to as “the Muslim Ban” by opponents and proponents alike, was scheduled to take effect March 14 before it was blocked. Trump has heatedly criticized the decision by Federal U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson, calling it “judicial overreach” and vows to continue fighting to instill a travel ban that will pass judicial muster. Ban or no ban, Muslim students on campus are navigating the uncertainty in a myriad of ways. The Muslim Student Club, along with other groups on campus that feel threatened by the current administration’s travel and immigration policies have engaged in an on campus “Know Your Rights” campaign. According a report released in 2014 in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education, the U.S. hosts over 880,000 undergraduate and graduate students in our colleges and universities. Many of these institutions have come out publicly against these executive orders and have gone to great lengths to communicate their commitment to easing the fears of their impacted students.
/ARCurrentcom
17-year-old rapper releases an EP two days after flipping his car in the mountains.
Muslim Ban | Page 2
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March 22, 2017
NEWS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
CORRECTIONS In Volume 68, Edition 7 of The Current, the following corrections are listed: In Edition 7 on page 2, a Clubs and Events Board article was mistakingly put beneath ASB notebook. In Edition 7 on the cover, it was reported that the men’s tennis team was undefeated but they lost three non-conference games during the season. In Edition 8 on page 3, Ben Uchytil was attributed to having a ‘positive attitide’ when it should have been attributed to Tom Roberts.
Photo by Solange Echevierra / Staff
American River College student Sarah Musawi is a Muslim who wears the traditional hijab. Musawi expressed concern regarding not knowing her rights and not knowing what protection ARC offers. The most recent ban would have included the countries, Iran, Lybia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Many of these institutions have come out publicly against these executive orders and have gone to great lengths to communicate their commitment to easing the fears of their impacted students. In a written statement released by Los Rios Chancellor Brian King after the first executive order travel ban in January King reiterated the Los Rios Community Colleges District commitment to the safety and well being of all students feeling the impact of the travel ban as well as other proposed immigration changes being proposed by The White House. “As the California Community Colleges Board of Governors clearly stated, we support the ability of all students attending our colleges to attend without fear or intimidation. My office is monitoring the situation and will continue to work
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What matters is what kind of person, what kind of human you are. -SARAH MUSAWI
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certificate,” Wheatly wrote. Equality Virginia, “a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for (LGBT) Virginians,” publicly denounced the proposal. Equality Virginia, “a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach, and seeking equality for (LGBT) Virginians,” publicly denounced the proposal. On Jan. 4, Equity Virginia’s Communications Director Joseph Papa at Equality Virginia said via press release: “[They] strongly oppose [the] bill that would cause immediate harm to our transgender community and economy.” Those who support the bill such as John Rustin, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council have made points that primarily revolve around the safety of women and children. “The bill is important because it protects the privacy and dignity of women and children,” Rustin told ABC News. He added that allowing transgender people to use whichever bathroom they wanted would “allow men and potentially predators to enter into those facilities with ill intentions. It’s a common sense privacy and safety law. Men go into men’s restrooms and women go into women’s restrooms.” Then there are the longstanding issues that are growing for the transgender community each day. According to the latest National Transgender Discrimination Survey, “six percent of trans people lost a job due to bias; 50 percent were harassed on the job; 20 percent were evicted or denied housing; and 78 percent of trans students have been harassed or assaulted.” Since the act of not allowing transgender people to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity then by default it is discriminatory. In a recent CNN article, contributors Emanuella Grinberg and Dani Stewart argued that transgender people should have the option and freedom to use the bathroom of their choosing. “As of March 2017, 19 states, the District of Columbia and more than 200 municipalities have antidiscrimination laws and ordinances allowing transgender people to use public facilities that correspond to their gender identity,” they wrote. Now that ARC is implementing more gender neutral restrooms the campus is joining 200 municipalities that support the rights of transgender people. “This is something our district endorses.” “We want to have the space welcome and inclusive for all students,” Kaur said.
with the UC, CSU and the California Department of Justice.” According to the same statement, the Los Rios Board of Trustees has also approved a resolution to “ensure the safety of all students, particularly those in targeted populations” in order to help them achieve their educational and career goals, Regardless, keeping well informed in these troubling times seems to be the best defense. “We need more information,
ASB NOTEBOOK
File photo
American River College student Burak Kocal holds a sign encouraging people to hug him. Kocal, a practicing Muslim, was protesting against the negative images widely associated with people of his faith.
we need to know our rights and keep informed” Said Mulawi as
she rushed off her her class.
For weekly coverage of ARC student government, go to ARCurrent.com.
SANCTIONS MOVEMENT LOBBY ARC SENATE FOR DIVESTMENT RESOLUTION By Current Staff At the Student Senate’s March 16 meeting, Members of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement presented their case to the board about a prospective divestment resolution. The group’s representatives said they hope that the board will draft a resolution denouncing alleged occupation and colonization of Palestinian land and divest the school’s finances, or investments from any companies that do business with Israel until they Photo by John Ennis / News Editor comply with international law. Director of Legislative Affairs Julian Lopez and Senator Laurie Jones at the Chris Yatooma was on hand to March 16, 2017 Student Senate meeting. present his point of view as well “We’ve been active in the Sacra- movement was founded a little as BDS member Amanda, who mento area in attempts, working over a decade ago. asked the Current not to use her with union groups, with student “This is what the BDS movelast name for privacy and “secu- groups to support resolutions ment is all about; our governrity” reasons. like the one before you today to ment currently funds this Israeli BDS is a Palestinian-led activ- end that occupation, putting ecooccupation and has really done ist group that believes Israel is an nomic pressure on Israel to end nothing over the last 50 years to apartheid state that denies Pales- that occupation,” Yatooma said. end this, so 10 years ago Palestintinians their rights. Yatooma explained how the ian civil society decided to step
in and ask groups, churches, student groups, union activists, others-to apply economic pressure through boycott, divestment and sanctions,” Yatooma added. Student Senate President Valencia Scott cautioned the board to inform themselves about BDS before formulating a position. “It is important to do research into this topic, we do have presenters, but please make sure you take time to do research on your own,” Scott said. “I just want to caution everyone that we are not actually able to take a stance unless we can prove that there is merit and definite need amongst our student body,” Nicholson said. Amanda countered that “this... is going to affect students of Palestinian descent, but not just those students. A recent law has been passed [in Israel] that anybody advocating for BDS will be turned away at the border.”
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March 22, 2017
SCENE
Photo by Mack Ervin III / Multimedia Editor
Author and American River College English professor, Lois Ann Abraham reads a passage from her novel “Tina Goes to Heaven” during a College Hour speech on March 9, in Raef Hall. Abraham has been published twice before, both works were published by ARC’s Ad Lumen Press.
‘Prostitution is not funny’ ARC PROFESSOR READS HER NOVEL ABOUT LIFE AFTER SEX TRADE By Cheyenne Drury cheyennemdrury@gmail.com ‘Prostitution is not funny’ was the theme stressed at Thursday’s college hour with ARC professor Lois Ann Abraham’s reading of her novel “Tina Goes to Heaven,” in Raef Hall. In the book, Tina, the protagonist, tells the story with sudden shifts in point of view, which Abraham said is “a technique that most creative writing classes teach their students to avoid.” Tina has no money and no relatives so she is left to escape and fend for herself. Although the novel’s central focus is the sex trade, “it is not so much about prostitution but rather her adjustment to not being a prostitute,” Abraham said.
There were some hard hitting quotes from the book interweaved with facts Abraham read aloud. “You’re 40 times more likely to die this year than your sister who is not a whore.” It was stressed that the people in her book are meant to be funny, “I want them to take first that prostitution is not funny – that people are funny,” Abraham said. Interestingly enough “Tina Goes to Heaven,” started out as a novella. ARC English professor Christian Kiefer said “I know! Let’s all write novellas this summer and I was the only one who did,” Abraham said. Even though she was a loner in the process of following through and writing the novella Abraham said, “It was an opportunity to go back and fill in stuff.” Considering her book is about a topic
loaded with numbers and statistics, Abraham jokingly admitted that, “Well it’s fiction. I just made it up.” There were, of course, accurate facts but it was largely created by pure imagination. Her inspiration for the novel did not come from primary, secondary or even tertiary sources but instead when she was watching television, Abraham said. “You know that show ‘Wired?’ Well it got me to thinking all of these women show up and serve the gang, but what do the women do after? What about their stories?,” Abraham said. This idea branched off and gave birth to to an entirely new idea. An idea that got her published, but that process did not come easily. Abraham described what the process was like.
“Oh it was horrible. I went though over 100 agents,” and meanwhile “[Keifer] was lurking,” she said jokingly. Beyond what went into the novel there is the aftermath. ARC English major Jesse Armstrong said, “I haven’t read [Tina Goes To Heaven] yet but I really want to read it and after hearing her read to us I am even more excited.” “She has a way of taking stuff… dry stuff and making it interesting,” Armstrong said. Abraham may have just completed her first novel but she is no stranger to being published. “Circus Girl & Other Stories” was published in 2014 by ARC’s publisher Ad Lumen Press and she is also featured in, “Burning the Little Candle,” published by Ad Lumen Press in 2013.
Job opportunities for artists after ARC By T.J. Martinez teejmrtnz17@gmail.comw Jodie Hooker, art department chair and photography professor at American River College, set the tone early during the opening of her art exploration event on March 8. “Everyone told me I would starve if I went to art school, I have not been unemployed for one minute since I was 14,” Hooker said. Hooker and other faculty mem-
bers of the school’s growing art department hosted the event to showcase what opportunities reside in the real world for art hopefuls at ARC. The Art, Art History, and Photography Major & Career Exploration event was held in Room 504 of the Fine Arts Department on campus. Rebecca Arnfeld, an art historian and art history professor at ARC, explained how versatile and important her field of study is. “Critical thinking is the bread and butter of art history class,”
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“You have to let everything go; You have to have both sides. You have to let them speak.”
-LEO BADILLO Business major
Arnfeld said. “Individuals will make the best, most amazing work with new appreciation and understanding of the field.” Arnfeld also touched on what careers are available to anyone who successfully completes an art history degree. Students may work in galleries, museums or for corporations to analyze images and amass art collections for them. “You see on average 5,000 images a day,” Arnfeld said. “How often do you actually take a moment to analyze it?”
Another member of the faculty touched on gallery management operations and the certificate that ARC offers for it. Sarah Mattson, the author of the certificate, explained the importance of the certificate and what it could do for any student who achieves it. “The need is here in Sacramento,” said Mattson, “It will validate your resume.” Mattson explained that this certificate gives students the upper hand because they will have information and experience in
things that will be foreign to other students. Courses required for the certificate include Business 224, a customer service class that will enable students to talk to and persuade art consumers, along with other key courses as well. Hooker stressed that success is pssible for any art-inclined student. “They need creative thinkers, they need creative people,” said Hooker, “I’m standing here to tell you that me and my kid made it.”
How do you feel about free speech on campus? “I think that hate speech shouldn’t be tolerated on a school campus. I think people should be free their discuss their ideas, but not hate speech.”
-ALLISON RAMIREZ
Early Childhood Education major
“It’s hypocritical to say ‘oh I want my freedom of speech,’ then stopping someone else’s is hypocritical.”
-YEVGENIY TSYGANKOV Business major
“No I think people should speak. It’s a free country.”
-ILONA SEMENYUK
Early Childhood Education major
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March 22, 2017
SPORTS
UPDATES Men’s Tennis The men’s tennis team remain undefeated in conference play, but suffered its first loss of the season against Cerritos College in the North/South Challenge over the weekend to enter the latter part of the season with a 10-1 record. The results of yesterday’s game were not available.
Women’s Tennis The women’s tennis team continued its great run of form by knocking off Santa Rosa and Folsom Lake in conference play to improve its record to 6-1 on the season from winless last season. The results of yesterday’s game against Santa Rosa were not immediately available.
Baseball Lidiya Grib /Arts and Culture Editor
ARC Softball pitcher Haley Dosher throws the ball during a game against Sierra College on March 7. ARC lost 10-2 in five innings and its current record stands at 13-7 with 15 games remaining.
Beavers suffer tough loss to Sierra INJURIES SLOW DOWN AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE’S SOFTBALL TEAM By Solange Echeverria solangeerecheverria@gmail. com The American River College women’s softball team struggled against Sierra College, losing with a final score of 10-2 on March 7. With several injured players compelling the team to rotate positions, the ARC Beavers were not able to catch up after their first score, lagging behind Sierra College for the entire five inning game. Sierra College dominated the game with nine runners batted
in (RBI), 10 runs, 10 hits and two strikeouts with the Beavers trailing behind with two runs, one home run, six hits and two RBI’s. SC Freshman Pitcher and Infielder Sigrid Holtrop hit a sac play, a strategy by during the the ball is bunted by the hitter for the purpose of helping a runner advance. Sierra College sophomore Infielder and pitcher Kaona Hunter hit a double, with three times at bat and one RBI. ARC Infielder Sierra Cryderman struck the Beaver’s only home run.
Cryderman has been playing softball since she was eight years old .and said she hopes to use her athletic skills to receive a softball scholarship to help further her education. “I love the game, we have a great team, great coaches. The highlight of the game for me was the home run,” Cryderman said. The other top performer for the Beavers was sophomore pitcher Haley Dosher who scored with a double. According to the Beavers’ Softball Coach Lisa Delgado, the team felt good coming into the game,
but the number of injured players going into the game had an impact. “We have a lot of injured players out and I think that that affected us,” said coach Lisa Delgado. Keeping their eye on the ball is the focus for coach Delgado, who stated that the outcome of Tuesday’s game does not reflect the true talent of the players. “We’ve got great players, we tell these girls to try and improve their game by one percent every day, but they give one hundred percent every game, every time,” Delgado said.
The baseball team has continued to struggle during the middle portion of the season, only picking up one win from seven games in the month of March, leaving them with a 12-10 record. The results of their game against Sacramento City on Tuesday were not immediately available.
Photo by Lidiya Grib / Arts and Culture Editor
ARC second baseman Matt Clarke walks up to the plate during a game against Solano College on March 2. ARC lost 7-6.
Two women’s basketball players excel on court FRESHMAN TAG TEAM DUO BOTH AVERAGE 14.7 POINTS PER GAME IN 2017 SEASON
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By T.J. Martinez
I like how aggressive it is; I don’t soft sports.
The crowd stirred anxiously as the game clock wound down. Parents, photographers, referees and friends all scurried to their optimal viewing places. Both players and coaches showed that they had nerves during their warm up drills on Feb. 14 at the basketball court at American River College. The opposing team examined its competition as the carried on with their own warm ups. By all appearances, it seemed that all but two people in the gymnasium felt the pressure. Deja Samuels and Alana Myers, both freshman, were all smiles. As they playfully drained three pointers, delivered finger roll lay-ups and encouraged their teammates to get focused, it was evident they felt confident. Both Samuels, a Bella Vista High School alumni. and Myers, a Monterey Trail High School Alumni, have been playing ball for 12 years. Now, although the women share a sport and a love for the
-DEJA SAMUELS
Photo by T.J. Martinez / Scene Editor
Freshman women’s basketball players Alana Myers (left) and Deja Samuels (right) stand together during the national anthem before a game on Feb. 14.
same major, their professions of choice are different. Myers says she intends to be a personal trainer while Samuels says she has hopes of being a physical therapist. Neither athlete has decided where to pursue her four-year degree. Through time both women have built a chemistry while on the court by interchanging positions between both shooting guard and point guard. That
chemistry drives them while playing and causes them to feed off each other’s energy during games. “When she has her highs, I get high,” Samuels said. “Yeah, most definitely,” Myers replied with a grin. Samuels and Myers also share a special pregame ritual. “I listen to slow songs to calm me down, and I never match my socks,” Samuels said. “I talk to myself, hype myself up
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teejmrtnz17@gmail.com
you know? Let’s go!” Myers said. Their pre-game rituals also includes pre-game music, Myers’ go-to song before playing the game is “First Day Out” by TeeGrizzly and Samuels song is “Party” by Chris Brown. Once the game is over, Myers said she likes to eat Popeyes’ chicken, a side of red beans, and some rice or fries while Samuels said she is open to just about anything. “After a game it’s whatever I see,” Samuels said. The duo’s athletic idols are both respected in the sport of basketball. Myers’s hero is Michael Jordan, theformer Chicago Bulls player and Samuels hero is Kobe Bryant, the former Los Angeles Lakers player.
Both athletes had different reasons when it came their favorite thing about basketball. “I like how aggressive it is; I don’t like soft sports like golf and tennis, it never stops,” Samuels said. “When people younger then me say that I inspire them,” Myers said. Both Myers and Samuels expressed interest when it came to playing at the next level as well. “I mean if the opportunity presents itself, I’m down,” Myers said. “I want to play overseas, then I would be in the [Women’s National Basketball Association] after that,” Samuels said. Caresse Williams, coach for the ARC women’s basketball team, thinks both women have a bright future.“ Both are very good guards and both have potential to move on past this level. Once they understand how hard they have to work: and I believe they’re starting to understand now,” Williams said. When asked about their favorite hobbies besides basketball, Myers summed up their determination and dedication to their craft. “Ball is life,” Myers said.
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March 22, 2017
FEATURE
Photo courtesy of Alex Salveson / Photo illustration by Lidiya Grib
The 1991 Mercedez-Benz 300e that Alex Salveson flipped three and a half times with lyrics from his song “Blessed.”
‘Sacramento’s least expected yet most extremely dope rapper’
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By Luis Gael Jimenez
I think he could end up being one of the biggest rappers in our region one day. I’m excited to see how good he is in 10 years.
When the editor of one of Sacramento’s biggest hip hop publications calls you “Sacramento’s least expected yet most extremely dope rapper,” a high bar has been set. That’s what Robbie Metcalf of HOFisBetter had to say about local musician Alex Salveson; the 17-year-old part-time Togo’s employee, part-time rapper and part-time American River College student. Salveson, who is working on his second EP “Bad Acid, says he has been writing rap lyrics since he was in the sixth grade and recorded his first song in the seventh grade. “I got out of class and my dad took me to his house and was like ‘Yo, I heard you’re writing raps and stuff. Here, we’re going to do this right now,’” he says. Andrew and Alex Salveson then proceeded to record an entire song right there on the spot. “What always bothers me about him [my dad], is he makes the coolest verses and he writes them in 10 minutes,” Alex Salveson said. At Salveson’s last show at the Starlite Lounge, his father, Andrew Salveson, got a chance to show the crowd just how good his lyrics were. After Alex Salveson’s set ended with the crowd chanting for an encore, he instead handed the microphone to his dad who then proceeded to rap to a room of stunned audience members. “I definitely wouldn’t be rapping if [my dad] didn’t rap,” Salveson said. It isn’t the first time Salveson has found a way to include his family into his music. During his set at the Starlite,
-ANTHONY GIOVANNI
Photo by Luis Gael Jimenez / Managing Editor
Alex Salveson performs at the Starlite Lounge Showcase in midtown on the night of March 11. Salveson immediately left the bar after his peformance since he is under 21-years old.
Photo by Luis Gael Jimenez / Managing Editor
Andrew Salveson performs as part of the Starlite Lounge Showcase in midtown on the night of March 11. Andrew Salveson was one of Alex Salveson’s earliest musical influences.
Salveson said the next song he was going to play was one that he hated performing. The song, called “Blessed,” was written two days after Salveson flipped his car three and a half
times while coming home from a camping trip in Clearlake. “Two days after I flipped, I was like I’m going to write and record this,” Salveson said. “I’ve got to do this now. ”
Salveson escaped the wreck without any serious injuries whatsoever, but to him, the true blessing came from something else. “My sister was supposed to come back with me on a camping trip,” Salveson said. “If she had been in the car,” Salveson’s said as his voice trailed off. “The passenger side of the car is just destroyed. She would be dead right now.” Salveson has made a name for himself in the short time that he has been performing his music live. His fearlessness on the stage has earned him respect in a musical genre that isn’t known for taking it easy on newcomers and his honesty on the microphone has earned him the respect of fellow rappers like Anthony Giovanni, a.k.a. Sparks Across Darkness. “I think Alex is a 30-year-old emcee trapped in a young man’s
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luisgaeljimenez@gmail.com
body. He’s got a style that is wise and sharp beyond his age. I think he could end up being one of the biggest rappers in our region one day. I’m excited to see how good he is in 10 years,” Giovanni said.” Salveson recently released a music video for his song “Fiend”. He and a friend recorded the entirety of it on Salveson’s smartphone. “I think it looks cool… I made the video and I was editing it and I’m like ‘the quality looks like crap because it’s on my phone.’ So then I threw the VHS overlay on top of it… [Well] I thought it was cool until some guy said I looked like a Domino’s delivery driver,” Salveson joked. Ever the perfectionist, Salveson says he ensures that every bit of music he puts out meets his standards. “I listened to ‘Fiend’ 50 times before I released it,” Salveson said. Salveson’s music can be found on Soundcloud, Bandcamp and Facebook. Salveson’s “Bad Acid” EP will be released online within the next week.
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March 22, 2017
Arts & Culture
Photo courtesy of American River College’s theater department The theater production department cast and crew for “Cabaret Gala” recently returned from Denver, Colorado where they competed and presented their show at the American College Theater Festival.
Cabaret returns from Colorado By Lidiya Grib griblidiya@yahoo.com
The American River College theater production department, which included the cast and crew for the show “Cabaret Gala,” returned from its trip to the top regional Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival festival in Denver that took place in February. The ARC theater production -- including those involved in the show “Cabaret Gala” and other student competitors, actors, choreographers and directors -- experienced a rough but exciting five days. During the course of the trip, the group participated in different competitions, workshops, seminars, auditions and performed its show. Every year, the theater production and students are involved in presenting and putting together shows, scenes, performances and musical pieces at ARC, although
this was the first time in nearly 30 years that a theater production was given the opportunity to attend the ACTF. The festival, however, ended with a different outcome than participants expected. In the past, national judges at the festival have selected one show production to compete nationally in Washington D.C. Unlike in previous years, however, no finalist was selected among the show productions, much to the disappointment of many participants. Itzin Alpizar, a faux orchestra performer in the show “Cabaret Gala” expressed confusion over this; she explained that for different reasons, the festival organizers said they were not able to afford selecting a winner. Tracy Shearer explained that a finalist wasn’t selected for the national competition due to the current political climate jeopardizing the arts and science funding. Nevertheless, ARC’s performance and message in“Cabaret
Gala” was still complimented. “[The national judges] said that the show was appropriate to the political climate and felt we did a great job moving from the chaos of setting the things up to a show that was very well handled,” Shearer said. Although there wasn’t a production show selected to go to the national festival, other competitions did allow winners to be selected to perform nationally and win other awards. In addition to performing the show “Cabaret,” the ARC theater production participated in a number of different activities, competitions, seminars, and observed academic and professional theater productions, according to Shearer. ARC performer and singer Jazz Supatchaya Suntanich, who presented musical pieces and performed in “Cabaret Gala,” won in the competition for the Open Jar Institute, which gave her the opportunity to take part in a special one week workshop and work one-on-one with casting direc-
tors, choreographers, agents and actors from Broadway. Suntanich said her dream is to be on the Broadway -- a dream that led her to move to America three years ago to find the opportunity to make it come true. “I’m going to go to New York for this program at the end of July, and will work with Broadway people and get closer to my dream,” Suntanich said. ARC actors Elio Gutierrez and Carmel Suchard were also selected to perform among eight other actors in 10-minute play competitions; these plays were premiered at the festival, and required Gutierrez and Suchard to become familiarized with the play, memorize their part, and perform it that day. “One of the plays was selected to compete at the national competition,” said Shearer. “It’s a huge honor.” Another competition, the Tech Olympics and Tech Expo nominated students, designs and artisans to bring a display and portfolio of their work. Competing in this
competition was Kimberleey Wilson, who brought her make-up design for the ARC production of “The Tempest.” Wilson won the regional competition in Allied Arts for make-up design and was selected to attend the national national competition at the United States Institute for Theater Technology in Missouri, which she left five days after returning from Denver. Her trip expense, including the lodging, registration and other expenses, were all paid for. By their third day there, on Wednesday, the production “Cabaret Gala” finally presented its show. That day, all the actors, tech staff, choreographers, directors, and stage staff arrived at 6 p.m. in the morning to prepare and build the show set. Overall, Shearer reported that this trip proved to be “among the hardest work the students have ever done.”
‘The old mixed with the new’ MIXED MEDIA ARTIST DISPLAYS HER WORK AT AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE
By Lidiya Grib
my process is very similar: I am not a minimalist, for me, more is better,” she said. Even as a child, Paluch says she has always been obsessed with doing something that was crative.
Janet Paluch describes her art, now on display at American River College, as a combination of “old mixed with the new.” Her work is loaded with symbolism that reflects her journey in life as an artist. Her work is on exhibit in the Arts and Science building; the wide array of art medium she used reflects the story of her journey, work that over time changed from works of 2-D to collage and assemblage. The pieces she chose to go in the display included a quilt, fiber art, a wire sculpture, art dolls, Most of her work is laden with symbolism and are inspired from her travels. “All of my pieces have some sort of personal meaning; symbolism in my work can be very overt
Photo by Lidiya Grib / Arts and Culture Editor
Art display in the Arts and Science building created by mixed media artist Janet Paluch.
or it can be hidden,” Paluch said. “Sometimes I want the secret just to be between me and the art piece, and sometimes I want to have an art piece that speaks to more than just myself. One of the ways that her use of symbolism can be seen expressed is in her use of skulls; a majority of her art is based on Mexican folk traditions like “Dia de los Muertos,” a holiday that celebrates the dead.
“For me, [skulls] are not frightening; they are sort of an homage to what we all have to face, that’s ultimately death.” Paluch talked about her enjoyment in working with all types of different art mediums, although she leans towards favoring creating works that involve collage and assemblage the most. “Whether I’m working in fabric or fiber or a paint or found objects,
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Whether I’m working in fabric or fiber or a paint or found objects, my process is very similar: I am not a minimalist, for me, more is better. -JANET PALUCH
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griblidiya@yahoo.com
Her first venues of craft were sewing, wearable art and traditional quilting; from there, she went on to include making art quilts and garments. Paluch learned to sew in high school and continued this craft for 55 years. Paluch’s journey led her from being a public school teacher for 34 years to retiring and coming to ARC where she is now an art student as well as an instructionalist aid in the Fine Arts Department. Paluch is self-taught in many areas of her artistry; attending workshops and traveling art shows exposed her to adopt forms of art journaling, handmade books, and paper art, things that are “different from mainstream fine art.” In her artist statement, Paluch writes: “I am a mixed media artist who views everything with a potential to become art. Re-purposing, altering and combining unusual material are the hallmark of my work.”
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March 22, 2017
OPINION
CURRENT EDITORIAL
Free speech is not hate speech “Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. ”- Benjamin Franklin.
These are interesting, if not turbulent times. In the wake of a difficult election where political pundits jockeyed for what’s best in ratings instead of what is best for the country, we the citizenry are arguably the most polarized as a nation as we have ever been. From family dinners to college campuses, we are all struggling to navigate this complicated landscape. When the UC Davis College Republicans Club canceled an event this past February featuring right wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos and corporate greed poster child Martin Shkreli, the group cited safety concerns after campus police advised them that the safety of the event could not be guaranteed. While many that oppose the speakers lauded the decision to cancel the event, the fact of the matter is that it should send chills up the spines of anyone who truly supports freedom of speech. U.C. Davis Interim Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter went so far as to empanel a special group to ensure that controversial speakers get a chance to speak on campus “...a university is at its best when it listens to and critically
of man or law can take them from us. That;s what inalienable means. If we just move past that given fact that the First Amendment gives us that inalienable right to speak our minds, we can step off that hamster wheel and stop digging our heels deeper into the proverbial sand. Talking to each other is what gets us somewhere, what moves us along is dialogue, Dialogue promotes understanding. College and university campuses shouldn’t be in the business of vetting speakers or stifling speech on the basis of security and safety. By definition they should be in the business of fostering discussion and the understanding Photo by Mack Ervin III / Multimedia Editor of ideas but it takes work on all A student’s mental health is just as important as any other part of his or her educational success, if not more. sides. Controversial public figures, engages opposing views, espe- double-edged sword and a fends white supremacy or a neocially ones that many of us find sharp one at that. It requires Nazi group? How can anyone especially those inclined to support something so abhor- speak their minds provocatively, upsetting or even offensive.” said care and vigilance on all sides. Controversial provocateurs rent? How can any institution of should understand that while Hexter in a public statement. Truly defending the First should understand that histri- higher learning permit it? our constitutionally protected Because as uncomfortable First Amendment rights protect Amendment is not for the faint onic rhetoric is sometimes akin of heart. It not only requires that to yelling “fire!” in a crowded of a truth as it is, the old adage is you from the government, it you employ a basic understand- movie theater is very likely (and as true today as it was years ago doesn’t protect you from public ing of our Constitution and our very often intended) to incite a — an injury to one is an injury wrath. to all. Bill of Rights, but also the willing- crowd. The public needs to underThe hamster wheel debate of It also requires some deep ness to defend the freedom of stand that offensive, hateful “you don’t have the right to say speech you vehemently oppose soul searching from those ofspeech is just as constitutionally or find hateful. Sometimes it fended or those that paint that” versus “yes I do” is a useprotected as any other kind of less one. No one ever steps off gets messy. Feelings are strong; themselves with a progressive, the wheel. speech and censoring it in the discussing our beliefs hits at our open-minded brush. It’s easy to We need to remember that name safety makes us less safe, core because it’s about our val- support freedom of speech if ues, and no one likes it when our that speech defends love, anti- the Bill of Rights are inalienable not more so. rights. We are not given them, war, or peace. values are questioned. we are born with them. No act But freedom of speech is a But what if that speech de-
Gender neutral restrooms to the rescue By Cheyenne Drury cheyennemdrury@gmail.com If you take a closer look around American River College’s campus you might notice restroom signs that are currently ‘under construction.’ Gender neutral signs will spread across ARC in the near future. This change cannot come fast enough. As Bob Dylan once said “The Times They Are A-Changin’” and it shouldn’t take a Dylan connoisseur to understand that. The social justice warrior movement has become as commonplace as the newest iPhone for many millennials and beliefs and attitudes about gender are changing. “In a 2015 Fusion poll, the network found that half of young people no longer believe in a binary concept of gender. For a new generation radically thinking gender boundaries, the status quo isn’t enough,” said Nico Lang, a contributing writer for Daily Dot. But this attitude is not limited to those born in the 1990s.
C URRENT The
An American River College student-run publication. 4700 College Oak Drive Liberal Arts, Room 120, Sacramento, Calif. phone: 916-484-8304 email: current@arc.losrios.edu
Photo by Lidiya Grib / Arts and Culture Editor
American River College will install new gender neutral bathroom signs as part of Assembly Bill 1732.
Although those in favor of gender neutral restrooms tend to have a fervent passion on the subject, that doesn’t mean there haven’t been or continue to be many challenges and roadblocks. So to speak, the wave that is crashing is hitting hard and the ones riding it are as passionate as ever. Those who wish to stay on shore oppose this integration for not only personal beliefs but ones they say are sensible. “One practical reason we can’t change to unsegregated bath-
rooms overnight is that municipal, state, and federal legal codes, many with origins in the 19th century, mandate that there be separate facilities for each sex, in businesses and places of work,” Jeannie Suk Gersen, a contributing writer for The New Yorker and a professor at Harvard Law School said. Meanwhile, the opposite end of the shore is crowded with transphobic people who believe putting this change into effect will increase crime rates, primarily sexual assault cases.
EDITORIAL BOARD Cheyenne Drury Luis Gael Jimenez John Ennis Jared Smith Joel Whited T.J. Martinez
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor Scene Editor
Lidiya Grib Mack Ervin III
Arts & Culture Editor Multimedia Editor
“It shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to see that telling men they can suddenly decide they ‘feel’ like a woman and thereby use women’s bathrooms is a slippery slope to more of all types of these sexual crimes,” says Elizabeth Lee Viliet, a practicing physician with specialty training from the Johns Hopkins Sexual Medicine Consultation team. The history behind restrooms is more complex than some may think. Gender-segregated restrooms “arose in the Victorian era, along with widespread plumbing, meaning they’ve been around almost as long as the modern bathroom itself,” according to Stephanie Pappas, a contributor to Livescience, a science news website. During this time, the belief was born from, “the growth of women’s presence in public life,” which in turn “led to the desire to protect women from the crude dangers of the male world,” Gersen said. Today that old “tradition”is being challenged and ARC is making strides to protect rights, specifically those of the transgender community.
STAFF
ADVISERS
Solange Echeverria Mychael Jones James Saling
Rachel Leibrock Jill Wagner
It is important to understand that “transgender people challenge the notion that a person’s gender and their biological sex at birth are one and the same in all cases,” said Harvey Molotch, a sociologist at New York University. A logo change may seem trivial and unimportant to some, but it is clearly more complex than just switching out signs. For those who aren’t transgender, there are still many viable reasons to campaign for the endorsement of gender-neutral and all inclusive restrooms. The endless lines at the women’s room will shorten, there won’t be any confusion as to where the male or female restrooms are and, from a more humanistic approach, non binary and transgender people will feel comfortable. The White House has gender neutral restrooms--which means ARC is following a good precedent.
POLICY The Current is produced by the students of College Media Production, J410-413. All opinions are signed and not necessarily endorsed by the Current staff. All letters and articles appearing in the Editorial, Opinion or Forum sections are not necessarily representative of the Current staff or American River College policy. All articles are the property of the Current.
PACESETTER AWARD WINNERS JACC STATE CONVENTION 2016
March 22, 2017
PHOTO ESSAY
Celebrating
“Palatine,” is an oil on canvas piece created by American River College student Jordan K. Siangco. “In my painting I wanted to convey a woman with a strong presence,” Siangco said.
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women through
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Photo essay by Luis Gael Jimenez | luisgaeljimenez@gmail.com
The American River College art club hosted an exhibition of its art on March 11 at the Sacramento Poetry Center in celebration of Women’s History Month. Each artist displayed in the gallery was left to interpret the meaning of Women’s History Month in whatever manner he or she decided. “We left the interpretation of the theme up to the artists,” said art club vice president Erica Campbell. “I’m really pleased [with] how diverse the turn out was and how well it all came together.” The show will run the length of March at the Sacramento Poetry Center at 1719 25th Street.
Erica Campbell said of her “Ova an Unda,” piece: “water is traditionally symbolic of female energy. I modified the title Over and Under to Ova and Unda from the Latin for eggs [ovaries] and waves.”
Max Marchol’s “Pablo,” was drawn with white charcoal on black paper.
“Face of Creation,” by Miguel Miranda, is on display at the Sacramento Poetry Center. The piece was one of the few pieces of art not listed for sale.
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