CURRENT The
Wednesday 10.12.16 American River College Sacramento, Calif. Vol. 68, Ed. 3
Spiritual, material and social
health NOBEL PRIZE WINNER FROM GUATEMALA SPEAKS AT ARC Story by Cheyenne Drury cheyennedrury@gmail.com
Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu spoke to students and educators in the nearly full cafeteria of American River College on Oct. 3 where she discussed the spiritual, material and social health of our species through metaphorical language and the overarching themes of social justice and liberation. Menchu, best known for her autobiographical novel, “I, Rigoberta Menchu” is a Guatemalan indigenous k’iche’ woman who has established herself at the forefront of social and political change on an international level. Before Menchu took the podium there was a special ceremony on stage as a native came out in a bearskin and a ritual was performed with song and prayer.
The bear was brought out to bless the audience members and it was also intended for them to acknowledge the bear and give them (the bears) blessing. “There is a calendar for a science that makes it possible for a human being to be complete,” Menchu said to begin her speech. “That’s why none of us is different from anyone else on the planet.” She went on to stress that the human species is the most vulnerable of all species on the planet and because of this vulnerability she said that there are three dimensions that we have to take care of, “Spiritual health, material health and social health.”
Illustration by Jordan Schauberger / Design Editor
Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu, who’s from Guatemala, spoke to students at American River College on Oct. 3 about the spiritual, material and scoial health of the human species.
“If these three dimensions are not taken care of there will be spiritual misery, material misery and social misery,” said Menchu. Menchu continued to explain how spiritual, material and social decadence is destroying us.
“We impoverish ourselves in our material life,” said Menchu. “Why ... why are human beings not happy after they remove petroleum, gold and other precious gems from the earth?” “(They are) unhappy … I don’t
want you to think the owner of the diamond is rich … he is poorer, poorer, poorer.” Beyond recognizing how we impoverish ourselves Menchu
Menchu | Page 6
ARC receives millions in grant money ROUGHLY $3.75M WILL GO TOWARDS LOCAL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL SUPPORT By Cheyenne Drury cheyennedrury@gmail.com American River College (ARC) was recently awarded three federal Talent Search grants, totaling approximately $3.75M, that will go to serving middle and high school students in our region, according to a press release from ARC Public Information Officer Joan Kudin. Each grant will serve 500 6th through 12th graders in the highest need middle and high schools
within the Natomas, San Juan and Twin Rivers school districts. The grants will provide academic, career, financial and other support services to encourage and support our region’s historically underrepresented students to aspire, prepare for and obtain a postsecondary education. “We are very excited to partner with our local school districts on this vital work of helping all students strive for and complete a fulfilling college career,” said American River College President
For more ARC coverage, go to www.arcurrent.com
INDEX
Thomas Greene. “We know that, working together, we will impact and transform people’s lives.” The grant process is highly competitive, so having been awarded three is an almost unprecedented accomplishment that speaks to the strong relationships between these secondary and postsecondary educational partners. “If anyone has a dream that they can’t reach they must feel pretty discouraged,” ARC’s Public Information Officer (PIO) Joan Kudin said. “I think it will bring hope to
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a lot of resources that they need ... hopefully everyone will agree with that.” The program provides academic, career, and financial support to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to and complete their postsecondary education. “We’re committed to preparing all students for college and career, so we’re thrilled that Talent Search
Grant | Page 2 /ARCurrentcom After an injury sidelined the first string quarterback, freshman Griffin Dahn has taken over and ran away with the starting duties.
BY THE NUMBERS 500 students will be affected by the grant
7 grade levels will be eligible for the grant
3 school districts will
take part in the program
October 12, 2016
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News
Grant: Focus is on path to college ARC HOPES TO AID YOUTH FROM DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
american river
current Editor-in-Chief Hannah Darden Managing Editor Rober t Hansen News Editor Cheyenne Drur y Opinion Editor Justina Sharp Sports Editors Mack Er vin III Mike Yun
Photo by Cheyenne Drury / News Editor
American River College was awarded 3.75 million dollars in grant money to help support middle and high schools by providing academic, career, financial and other services to encourage students to pursue postsecondary education.
sure that our students remain focused on a pathway to college,” said Twin Rivers Superintendent Dr. Steve Martinez. “At 83 percent, our graduation rate now exceeds Sacramento County and state averages. Talent Search, along with the efforts of our dedicated staff, will help us continue to make remarkable gains in many areas, especially in the number of underrepresented students applying for college and fulfilling their educational aspirations.”
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We’re very excited to bring the Talent Search program to our school in collaboration with our friends in higher education. This partnership will help open up our students’ eyes to the endless possibilities ahead of them.
- Kristan Schnepp
ASB NOTEBOOK
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will supplement our academic and mentoring services to secondary students at three of our schools,” Natomas Unified Supt. Chris Evans said. “We look forward to working together to help students succeed, both inside and outside classrooms, for many years to come.” The program publicizes the availability of financial aid and assists participants with the postsecondary application process. Talent Search also encourages persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education. “We’re very excited to bring the Talent Search program to our school in collaboration with our friends in higher education,” said principal Kristan Schnepp of Sylvan Middle School in San Juan Unified, which also launched a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) curriculum this year. “This partnership will help open up our students’ eyes to the endless possibilities ahead of them.” The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education. “We applaud ARC’s commitment and support in helping us en-
For weekly coverage of ARC’s student government, go to ARCurrent.com
AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE ASB BOARDS BRAINSTORM WAYS TO CREATE CAMPUS FOOD PANTRY AND CONSIDER FUNDING FOR VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE By Robert Hansen hansenrobj@gmail.com
Photo by Robert Hansen / Managing Editor
American River College student Senate president Valencia Scott (left) with Justin Nicholson (right) gives hear opening message at the Oct. 6 meeting.
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There’s something more shameful in the fact that there’s a system that doesn’t allow students to have the food that they need in order to sustain themselves physically and mentally in order to learn.
- Valencia Scott
to have the food that they need in order to sustain themselves
“
The student senate of American River College discussed ways to create a student-led food pantry to deal with the issue of food insecurity among students on campus at Thursday’s meeting. Student hunger has become a growing concern throughout the state. Last month Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 1747 which requires that California higher education institutions apply to participate in local food assistance programs. The pantry would be funded by donations, and in order to raise interest for the project and make it sustainable, Advisor Juan Blanco offered to alter his appearance if certain donation goals are met. “I volunteered myself, let’s say if we raise $1,000, I will shave my head bald,” Blanco said. “If we reach $2,000, I will shave my beard. And if we reach $4,000 I would shave my eyebrows.” Senate President Valencia Scott and Clubs and Events Board (CAEB) President Nicholson brainstormed other donation drive ideas such as getting clubs and faculty involved, a canned food drive, a fun run and partnering with the ARC Foundation to procure funding. “There’s something more shameful in the fact that there’s a system that doesn’t allow students
physically and mentally in order to learn,” Scott said. “There’s nothing
shameful about not being able to get food and so we really need to figure out a way to combat that on campus.” Privacy for students in need of access to the pantry is expected to be addressed by the board as plans progress, although nothing has been finalized. The seven-person ARC Vocal Jazz Ensemble lobbied the Senate on Sept. 29 for funding to attend the 2017 Jazz Educators Network National Conference in New Orleans during the first week of January. ARC’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble is one of six ensemble’s selected to participate in singing in front of a national audience at the conference. Gabe Catabran, a baritone, said that the ensemble had eight albums on sale at the bookstore and cdbaby.com. The ensemble sang “Leaving Again,” originally written and performed by jazz artist Kurt Elling and it was arranged by former ARC soprano Valerie Dickenson. After the song was over the entire room applauded their performance. “I really witnessed you guys working really hard to fundraise,” Scott said. “I just want to say as a group on ARC I’m really proud that I’m sitting on ASB and representing you guys as well, so thank you so much for coming.”
Scene Editors Shiavon Chatman Cierra Quintana Arts & Culture Editor Luis Gael Jimenez Design Editor Jordan Schauberger Photo Editor Kyle Elsasser Staff Claire Bathor y Laodicea Broadway Solange Echeverria John Ennis Lidiya Grib Laurie Jones Mychael Jones James Saling Jared Smith Adviser Jason Peterson Photo Adviser Jill Wagner
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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. Letters must be typed and can be submitted by mail, e-mail or in person at the following addresses: The American River Current 4700 College Oak Drive Liberal Arts, Room 120 Sacramento, CA 95841 Phone: 916-484-8304 Fax: 916-484-8668 E-mail: Current@arc.losrios.edu www.ARCurrent.com
October 12, 2016
Arts & Culture
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Art gallery highlights AR writer LOCAL ACTOR READS A STUDENT’S STORY By Hannah Darden hannah.k.darden@gmail.com The Verge Center for the Arts in downtown Sacramento was standing-room only on Friday night as students, professors and members of the community gathered for the Stories on Stage Los Rios night. Local actors Jessica Laskey and Pano Roditis did live readings of four stories, each chosen from the literary journal at their respective colleges. American River College’s story, “Tradesman” by Rachel Gardner, was selected from the 2016 American River Review by Stories on Stage volunteer Laurie Rivlin Heller with help from ARR adviser and ARC English professor Michael Spurgeon. Laskey read the selections from Sacramento City College, Folsom Lake College and Cosumnes River College before a brief intermission. SCC’s Susurrus presented John Adkisson’s “How To Learn to Wrap for Christmas,” FLC’s The Machine presented Molly Stuart’s “Infant,” and the Cosumnes River Journal presented Bojana Anglin’s “Rainbow at Wounded Knee.” Roditis read “Tradesman,” the longest of the four pieces, after the intermission. Gardner said a few words on her piece before the reading, and said that the story comes from her belief that the United States is a nation of immigrants. Gardner also said her story comments on the instant gratification that Americans expect in their relationships as well as the rest of their lives. “Your value in this nation is predicated by ‘what can you do for me, at this minute,’” Gardner said. The story centered on a young man, Hector, whose blind greatuncle spent his days making unattractive trinkets, which Hector referred to as “monsterpieces.” Hector threw out the trinkets and paid his uncle out of his own pocket, pretending he sold them. The story’s overarching theme was one of the importance of honesty, even if it will hurt the ones you love. After the event, Gardner said it was “unbelievably cool” to have her piece read. Gardner said Roditis did an amazing job reading her piece. “He got the tone, the inflections right,” Gardner said. “He nailed it.” Sue Staats, host and curator of Stories on Stage, said she had the idea for a Los Rios night a year ago, but had to figure out how to coordinate it. She intends to host Los Rios night annually. She got her start as a writer at SCC and wanted to honor the programs at community colleges. She said the regular Stories on Stage attendees wouldn’t have been exposed to community college literature otherwise, and that it gives the writers the opportunity to see that Sacramento has an audience for them. “It’s a benefit to everybody,” said Staats. “Programs at community colleges make writers blossom.”
Photos courtesy of Brian Williams
(Left to right) Performers Rayana Wedge, Supatchaya Sunpanich, Kyra Britto, Emmanuel Jimenez and Alysia Samba pose for a promotional picture. The musical ‘Cabaret’ opened at ARC on Friday.
Willkommen im ‘Cabaret’ ARC’S LATEST PLAY PROVIDES SOCIAL COMMENTARY ON POLITICS
By Jared Smith sjared33@gmail.com The R-rated show “Cabaret” opened at American River College last Friday which showcased many great musical numbers accompanied by dances where the women even danced in heels. Opening night for plays is usually a sort of trial run. It’s the first time that the ensemble performs for an audience, which can lead to unexpected errors in performance. Many things can go wrong due to the stress of giving the perfect show. However, not for this opening night, not for this cast. The ensemble’s performance was flawless. Heather Daley, a regular ARC play-goer, said it was her favorite play that ARC has put on. “Every person up there was a lead,” Daley said. Elio Gutierrez, who played the master of ceremonies for the Kit Kat Klub and the play, truly stood
Photos courtesy of Brian Williams
‘Cabaret’ performers pose for a promotional picture. The musical ‘Cabaret’ opened at ARC on Friday.
out. His character was outlandish, and kept the audience laughing throughout. One should know going into “Cabaret” that it’s not your standard happy musical. While there are funny and light moments, the play focuses on a dark time in his-
CORRECTIONS In Volume 68, Editions 1 and 2 of The Current, the following corrections are listed: - In edition 1 on page 2, the article ‘Hirtzel found guilty of extortion’ said Chris Hirtzel was found guilty ‘today’ (September 14) when he was found guilty on June 14. - In edition 1 on page 3, the cutline to the article ‘Senate off to quick start’ incorrectly spelt Gary Aguilar’s name as Gray Aguilar. - In edition 1 on page 8, the article ‘Gene Wilder remembered’ said Gene Wilder died ‘yesterday’ (September 13) when he died on August 29. - In edition 2 on page 4, the pull quote in the article ‘Moving Van: Comedy on the run’ incorrectly spelt Shahera Hyatt’s name as Shahera Wyatt. - In edition 2 on page 5, the cutline in the article ‘Local band a perfect blend of everything’ incorrectly spelt Stu Sower’s name as Stu Stower.
tory — one that should not be forgotten. “Cabaret” takes place in Berlin, 1931, “when the full force of the Nazi regime was only beginning to be felt by the people of Germany,” says Nancy Silva, the play’s director.
“(‘Cabaret’) hit me hard,” said audience member Wilma Steines Espinosa, who had a family member affected by the Holocaust. If you decide to see “Cabaret,” you will not be disappointed. The play is not only one filled with laughs and great music, but it has a deep message that is still relevant today. The orchestra is such an integral part of the play, and they did their job magnificently. Every song was beautifully orchestrated. The whole theatre nailed the show. From the dances to the songs to the acting, the play was the whole package — even when the wireless microphones cut out for a brief moment the actors made sure their voices were loud enough for the audience. “Cabaret” will be running until Oct. 24, with “The Shepard’s Play” next on the theater department’s list. Be sure to catch it while it’s still showing. For more information on tickets or pricing, visit ARCTheatre.org.
October 12, 2016
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A
Feature
stairway
to art
Illustration by Lidiya Grib / Staff
Brad Carps, whose art is being displayed in the library stairwell, feels he can communicate his experiences more clearly through art than through spoken or written communication. The other stairwell artist, Max Marchol, reused wood that was discarded by the art department to create his pieces.
ARC STUDENTS AIM TO COMMUNICATE AND BROADEN PERSPECTIVES WITH LIBRARY DISPLAY Story and Photos by Lidiya Grib griblidiya@yahoo.com American River College student artists Max Marchol and Brad Carps are showcasing their artwork in the library stairwell. “My sense of humor is pretty absurd,” Carps said of his artwork. “I come from an area that is really blunt but crude.” Brad said that “communicating one’s story” is an important element that inspired his artwork. “I found that telling people my experience doesn’t work, but drawing a picture does,” Brad said. Carps’ self-described “art therapy” piece “Erasure: Friendship,” represents an alcoholic, complicated friendship that he has. The words written on the drawing represent what his friend told him about how “self destructive and suicidal he was getting,” explained Brad. One particular sentence written across the piece reads, “I’m feeling very suicidal at the moment....I’d be dead by now if it wasn’t for your near, constant comforting presence in my life.” “That’s probably one of my favorite pieces, even though in one sense it’s ugly,” Carps said of the art. In another piece called “Attention Deficit Disorder,” Carps intended to communicate how attention deficit disorder impacts him. “It takes a chunk out of me,” Brad explained “which is really an understatement of what it does.”
American River College features art pieces by artist Max Marchol, from the left “Observation”, “Vignettes”, and “Hand Eye”. Student Kelse DePaulo-Willse observes the wood art.
Brad Carps expressed his terrifying experience in creating the string-on-a-board art piece called “If You Can’t See It You Can’t Draw It.” “Throughout the entirety of the string art, when I was pounding every single of those nails by hand, I was absolutely terrified,” he recalled. Brad explained the reason for that is “the two conflicting emo-
tions” he gets when he works with mixed media. “I get a lot of enjoyment from it, but halfway through the piece I get terrified that the piece won’t turn out.” ARC student Kelse DePauloWillse was impressed by the “realistic but animated” look of Brad Carps facial expression portrait called “What Do You Mean The Semester is Almost Over!”
Marchol explained that his art focuses more on “texture and perspective”. “A drawing, painting, photograph, sculpture, or any piece of art is a way of seeing through another person’s eyes,” Marchol went on to say. “If I can broaden someone’s perspective in some small way, then that’s a good thing,” said Marchol. Max Marchol expressed his
enjoyment in the creation of the three art pieces on the wood panels. “It’s pretty cool to take simple boards that have been discarded by the art department, and turn them into art,” Marchol explained. Marchol shared that the purpose in his self portrait was to “study the proportion of the face and identify areas where the bone structure of the face are most evident.” His piece “Disgust” identified the muscles used “when a person is expressing disgust.” “I exaggerated his expression so he looks more like he is physically repulsed by something,” Marchol said. Max Marchol is a studio art major and plans to make a sustainable living on this path as he continues creating art. “The process of making art is meditative. I feel that I am learning new things with each piece, not just about how to create art, but how to view the world,” Marchol said. Max Marchol has had his art displayed in various locations around campus. The Kaneko, the Shadowbox Gallery and the library have all featured Marchol’s work. Carp and Marchol are selling many of their art pieces. To buy or see more of their artwork, contact the Kaneko Gallery by the Fine Arts Building at American River College.
Sports
October 12, 2016
Page 5
SPORTS UPDATES Football The Football team is coming off of a bye week and is currently 4-1 after a 40-13 win against San Mateo on Oct. 1. It is ranked 6th in the state and will travel to Weed this week to take on the 3-2 College of the Siskiyous.
Men’s Soccer The men’s soccer team won against San Joaquin Delta 2-1 on Oct. 4, thanks to a brace from midfielder Bardo Gonzalez. This puts the season record at 6-6-1 through 13 games and has them ranked 4th in the Big 8 conference.
Men’s Water Polo Men’s water polo picked up their third win of the season after shutting out Santa Rosa last Wednesday 11-0. Their next game is at home today against division rivals Modesto.
Women’s Soccer ARC lost its second game in a row on Friday to Diablo Valley College by the score of 3-0. The Beavers played their most recent game on Tuesday at Santa Rosa Junior College and the results were not immediately available.
Photo by Mack Ervin III / Staff
The American River College women’s soccer team huddles up before resuming play during a game against Diablo Valley College on Oct. 7, 2016 at ARC.
UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Oct. 21 Women’s Volleyball vs. Sac City 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 28 Men’s Cross Country 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 Football vs. Sac City 6 p.m.
Oct. 28 Women’s Soccer vs. Cosumnes River 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 Women’s Soccer vs. Folsom Lake 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 28 Men’s Soccer vs. Folsom Lake 6 p.m.
Oct. 28 Women’s Cross Country 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 Men’s Soccer vs. San Joaquin Delta 6 p.m.
New quarterback makes waves GRAYSHIRT QB BECOMES STARTER AFTER GUILLEN GOES DOWN WITH INJURY By Mike Yun mikeyun19@gmail.com
Photo by Laodicea Broadway / Staff
ARC quarterback Griffin Dahn rushes on a play during a game against Modesto on Sept. 10. ARC won 47-33.
the season, stepped up again and ended up throwing for 306 yards and rushing for 22 yards, with three rushing matched with three passing touchdowns. Dahn through five games has 1,307 yards and 12 passing touchdowns, along with 201 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Osterhout commented on Dahn sudden introduction to the starting role after the game
“
We’re excited about him moving forward, and he’s been battle tested which should hold out well for us moving forward.”
-JON OSTERHOUT
against DVC. “As a backup quarterback who’s never started, and as someone who was in a QB battle throughout
“
American River College’s grayshirt freshman quarterback, Griffin Dahn, is making the most of his opportunity as the starting quarterback for the Beavers. The starting quarterback was originally sophomore Chris Guillen, who went down with an injury in the first game against Diablo Valley college. Dahn had to step up, and he said he is ready for the challenge. “I was prepared to play. I always prepare like I am going in as the starter, whether I was a second or third string it is how I was taught growing up,” said Dahn. Dahn talked about how his teammates also prepared him for the moment. “We have a great quarterback room and I felt like those guys help to prepare me for the game,” said Dahn. Dahn, who is from Columbus, Ohio, decided to transfer to ARC after he visited the college and talked with Coach Jon Osterhout. “I was pretty down on my luck in recruitment from injury and it was the environment and the coaching staff that pulled me here,” Dahn said. “It’s a great program for junior colleges so it was a no-brainer for me. It really felt like home to me here and I love playing for and with the guys.” Dahn, in the second game of
the duration of training camp, he did well,” Osterhout said. “He took a professional approach even though we told him
he wasn’t going to be the starter. We told him he was going to get in at the 4th series of the game but he got pushed into action a little earlier because of the shot that Chris took. Luckily for the team, he was prepared and came out and handled the job well.” Osterhout did say there were areas that Dahn needed to improve on. “We left 5 or 6 touchdowns with wide open shots, dropped, overthrown so we’re going to go back to the drawing board and get him cleaned up,” Osterhout said. Guillen did return in time for ARC’s fifth game against San Mateo, but only rushed twice for six yards and a touchdown and didn’t attempt a pass in the game. The coaching staff and the players are also noticing Dahn’s play the last couple of weeks. Sophomore wide receiver Damen Wheeler Jr said “he is stepping up a lot ever since our starter went down, and he is playing amazing right now.” Osterhout also commented on Dahn’s play and what he brings to the program. “He’s an excellent addition. He came to us last year, was out with a grey shirt and has continued to evolve and develop within our program,” Osterhout said. “We’re excited about him moving forward, and he’s been battle tested which should hold out well for us moving forward.”
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Scene
October 12, 2016
Professor reevaluates Columbus COLLEGE HOUR DEBUNKS MYTHS SURROUNDING FAMOUS EXPLORER By Shiavon Chatman schatman916@gmail.com ‘Beyond Columbus,’ was presented by Professor Ricardo Caton which focused on the myths surrounding Christopher Columbus and his agenda at a college hour on Tuesday. Lately, many of the college hours at ARC have had poor turnouts, but this event seemed to grab the attention of several students. Caton referred to ‘Columbus Day’ has the former commemoration of the discovery of the Americas, but now it is beginning to be referred to as ‘Indigenous Peoples Day.’ “Columbus’ intention was gain to wealth and monopolize the western route to Asia to gain a profit,” Caton said. Caton proposed a question to the audience. “If Columbus discovered America then why aren’t we called ‘Columbians’ after Columbus?” Amerigo Vespucci discovered that America was a new landmass and he is who America is named after. Caton used a powerpoint slideshow to educate the audience on who actually discovered America.
Photo by Cierra Quintana / Scene Editor
Professor Caton presents that “Beyond Columbus,” there is far more knowledge than what we know and learn in school.
“Columbus didn’t know that America was a separate landmass from Asia,” said Professor Caton. Professor Caton tackled the idea that contrary to the myth that the Native Americans who were already living in the area that Columbus ‘discovered’ were “unruly and living without government. These people had one of the most successful working civilization in the world’s history.” Columbus brought Christianity to the Native Americans to help
educate them and give them order. “It is ironic that they are claiming to be Christians. It’s like terrorists who say they are Muslims. It goes against the teachings of Islam to kill to implement your agenda,” Caton said. The El Requerimiento, which was implemented after 1512, was given to the Americans in order to keep them obedient to the church and allow to them to make slaves of the Americans.
The Columbian Exchange was the trading of goods that Native Americans did with the Europeans. This was read to them in Spanish, a language they didn’t speak. “The idea that Columbus coming to America was harmonious is a great myth,” Caton said. The Native Americans were introduced to smallpox, a disease they were unfamiliar with, which resulted in mass murder. There is a long-going argument whether this was mass genocide or mass murder, whether it was intentional or not. “You couldn’t call on Native Americans to be slaves, so they got Africans to do their slave labor. Africans already had encounters with Europeans so they weren’t being affected by their diseases,” Caton said. Caton asked the audience how Columbus should be remembered. “He did awful things and I don’t want to celebrate him but the trading he did was obviously very essential in our history,” said Sierra Beltran, ARC student. Professor Caton closed the college hour with “history is fluid. History isn’t set in stone, it changes.”
Peace Prize winner shares wisdom ACTIVIST DISCUSSES HOW SHE MOVED PAST VIOLENCE IN HER LIFE
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
(This is) an incredible event ... this is equity.
- JESUS VALLE
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encouraged people to focus on the right things that bring them happiness and peace. “(It is) important for young people (that they) don’t study things that impoverish our human nature,” said Menchu. “Racism, discrimination ... why people are marginalized … Allow their mind to leave (from going) permanently into colonization.” Menchu said that through all the violence she has suffered, spiritual health is what has helped her through life. “I suffered violence. Firstly my dad was burned with thirty seven people. My mother was kidnapped and tortured and violated. Both of my brothers were kidnapped and tortured. My Sister-in law’s husband (Angel) was assassinated and Angel’s family ..brother.. sister.. were killed in war.” “No one can compare to a person who’s had the sacred things in their life touched,” said Menchu. “Which is why we have spiri-
said how important Menchu’s appearance meant to the awareness of native people’s. “It’s an incredible event … What we’re seeing here, this is equity,” Valle said. “Having Rigoberta Menchu here is such a tremendous step forward for our program, the Native American Resource Center, our campus. We look forward to the day when, events like this are the norm Photo by John Ennis / Staff rather that the exception.” President of the (NARC) Inessa Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu speaks at ARC on Oct. 3. Bartholomew said, “I’m in awe ... about the idea that we have intual health,” Menchu said. it was way better than I expectBefore the event, Dr. Rick digenous activists that are actued.” Ramirez, professor of human and ally, really making an effort to Menchu ended her speech by career development, stressed take care of the Earth,” Ramirez saying, “If you don’t know the anhow important it was for ARC to said. swer to any of the questions you Director of the Native Ameri- had when you came in here tohave Menchu come. “I’m excited to hear her talk can Resource Center, Jesus Valle, day… find them.”
CAMPUS PU
LSE
Students intrigued by math PROFESSOR USES MATH IN REAL LIFE By Shiavon Chatman schatman916@gmail.com Anthony Barcellos, who works as a professor in the American River College mathematics department, gave a presentation during the Oct. 6 college hour to get students interested in math. Amanda Corcoran, an English professor at ARC, introduced Barcellos as her “talented and interested colleague.” Barcellos began his presentation by introducing the crowd to Galileo and the great work he did for science and mathematics. The math professor used simple math, such as finding the area of a rectangle or distance equations to show students that they actually are “math geniuses.” Barcellos said he wishes students were interested in math because we can use math equations to make our lives easier by finding how much gas we need to get from point A to point B or how long it will take to get to our destination. “I liked the examples he used. He made it really easy to understand Galileo’s plan and his equations,” said ARC student Brenda Mitchell. Barcellos used several examples to show Galileo’s equations for distance and time. These equations were used to measure “falling from earth.” The ARC professor used humor and jokes about math to keep the crowd of students and faculty members engaged and the crowd participated throughout the presentation. “I’ve never really liked math but his use of examples like the ‘falling from earth’ like the hammer and the feather, really helped me understand it all.” said ARC student Danielle Peterson. The point of Barcellos’ college hour presentation was to teach students that they actually are math geniuses regardless of their feelings about mathematics or their previous grades. “I liked how (Barcellos) was trying to teach us that we are good at math. The resources to be great at math are right at our fingertips, we just need to do the work to find them,” said ARC student Richard Edwards. “Thank you all for listening and being math geniuses with me for 40 minutes,” Barcellos said.
What changes have you made from last semester to this semester?
”I dedicate more time to outside sources, not just always focusing on the lectures. Especially for chemistry.”
“This semester I actually bought the books, compared to other semesters.”
-MYKAELA WYNTER Kinesiology
-JEREMY CLODFELTEL Business
“Following more of my educational plan, to improve myself.”
-AHMAD BILAL-ASDAQ Undeclared
“I bought my books before class has started, and I spend more time on campus.”
-AMY NEVINS English
October 12, 2016
Opinion
Page 7
Why can’t we be friends? THERE’S PLENTY OF FISH IN THIS SEA - YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK FOR THEM By Justina Sharp justinasharparc@gmail.com You can make new friends anywhere - a grocery store, the library, a party. There’s no real reason “school” can’t be on that list, just because “school” is a community college. It’s a bigger pond, to be sure, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other fish, or that they aren’t as easy to come by. “When you’re out of high school, you’re out of that little friend zone, where everyone has their own cliques,” says Anna Kolsenik, an English major. “In college, those cliques kind of disintegrate.” The cliques may have disappeared, but a lot of students usually find themselves naturally grouping by interest, formally or informally. Kevin Yamagata, a computer sciences major, believes that it can seem harder to form the kind of life-long friendships one associates with college on American River College’s campus because there’s such a diversity of educational experience. But that can mean that once a student finds other students with the same kind of courseload, it’s easier to fall in together. “The more units you take, the
File Photo
There’s a multitude of social experiences available to community college students - including a good conversation on the lawn
more you’re here, the more you desire a sense of kinship.” said Yamagata. “Because people have a mentality of ‘I have to be here all the damn time’, and you want
someone to drink coffee with. (When) you’re on your third five hour energy, you want to feel that kinship.” In traditional four-year colleges,
you have a lot of built in social experiences. Some are more obvious like extracurricular clubs, and the greek system, while others are less immediate, like school spirit.
“I think there’s an extra pressure when you’re in a university setting, to join a fraternity, join some clubs, root for your football team, wear the shirts, you know.” said Yamagata. “Sort of perpetuating the pride that comes with the more ‘big boy’ colleges. I think just from that stems a social pressure to meet others.” Some students just aren’t feeling that pressure at all - they feel like it’s not worth the effort of pursuing and maintaining relationships, because community college is more of an anonymous experience than a four-year. “I just don’t really see the point,” said Jacob Angleman, a physical education major. “We’re all going to leave in one or two years so it doesn’t really matter if I make friends or anything.” Yamagata feels like this line of thinking isn’t entirely wrong - a positive college experience can’t just happen, it has to be worked on. “I feel like the population of people who take it all seriously, at a community college, is so much smaller,” said Yamagata. So maybe it’s not about finding more fish in this school - but looking for ones swimming on your current.
No, the boys still aren’t alright MENTAL HEALTH IS STILL A TABOO IN BLACK COMMUNITIES AND IT’S STARTING TO SHOW By Shiavon Chatman schatman916@gmail.com In the black community, mental health is something that is hardly ever addressed. It’s is primarily ignored, often simply treated with a “man up” or those are “white people problems.” “I remember coming up and being told I was too young to be depressed and I needed to shake it off” said Daniel Robinson, an Economics major. “My family often (told me) anxiety and depression were white people problems and I needed to work twice as hard to be half as good as them, so I didn’t have time to be depressed and
anxious.” The idea that black men can’t be upfront and honest with their mental illnesses stems from hypermasculinity. Hypermasculinity is the male stereotype of super strength, both physically and emotionally,. “I always feel like I have to be the tough guy. I was depressed in high school but I didn’t talk about it with anyone because that’s not what people do where I’m from,” said ARC student Isaiah Bishop. Rapper and actor Kid Cudi recently admitted himself to rehab to treat his depression and suicidal urges. He penned a nearly 400 word statement on his choice, which he then published to his Facebook page.
In response to his admission via social media, black men began to share their experiences with depression and suicidal thoughts using the hashtag #YouGoodMan. The hashtag was created to give black men a space where they could connect with each other and share their experiences with mental illnesses. Using the hashtag, men began sharing what they used to help treat their mental illnesses and also what people do that is often counterproductive. Some said hearing “what can I do to help you?” was very helpful, while hearing “just calm down or get over it” didn’t help at all. “Smoking (marijuana) helps me cope with the pain sometimes. I
just hate hearing “just get over it’” said black ARC student Damien Russell. Anxiety is something that consumes your life, often making minor things most people take for granted very difficult. Hearing “just calm down” or “you’ll be fine” often makes the situation much worse. “Sometimes I feel like nobody cares. I look up to Kid Cudi for seeking treatment but when you keep that stuff bottled in it can result in a suicide or you could just lose your mind,” said ARC student Noah Wells. When an individual living with mental illness feels as if their problems are being belittled they often
escalate. “I think race plays a huge factor in it. My parents are black and white and they look at mental illness much differently. My dad is black and he always taught me to be tough and my mom is white and she always taught me to say something when I need help. So, sometimes I feel really torn. I really look up to (Kid Cudi) but even more now because now he’s a role model for people who suffer from depression,” said Wells. Addressing mental health in the black community is important because it holds people accountable and can possibly supply assistance to the systemically and culturally silenced.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR ‘COLORBLINDNESS’ ONLY DIVIDES Hello ARC Editors, I am writing in response to a recently published article. The article in question is “Colorblindness isn’t real” seems to not just point out the racial divide, but seemly reinforces the problem by only showing one side of the color issue. I would not qualify as a person of color. My background is as such that I am primarily identified as white. By only pointing out the
issue with no counter perspective you do little more than to simply point and say “look at this isn’t this ugly”. Now as a person that identifies as white I have never paid much attention to the issue of race as it effects my daily routine. Some might call this indifference “White privilege” I however think that this indifference is the very colorblindness the people quoted in the article are alleging doesn’t exist. I personally think it’s both counterproductive to exclusively point out examples of “minorities” and by doing so you do nothing to ad-
dress the issue. As a school paper should we not strive to show both sides of the issue. Given that from what I’ve read seems to be that these students were raised with the ugly stigma that people are and always be judged by the white community according to the color of their skin. It is I think this very stigma that is the issue at hand and we as a community should strive to eliminate it. I ask you where are the quotes from the non-ethnic students saying perhaps the very same thing. Would not showing that both
sides seem to be making the same snap judgment of the other lead some to question if that perhaps both are wrong in doing so? Could this not lead to people questioning those long driven racial stigmas that you are judged? While I understand that the mentality is deep rooted on both sides to simply leave one side unaccounted for seems more to the point of adding fuel to the fire in a manner of speaking. Brad Hallmark ARC Student Business Major
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Have something that you want published in the Current? Submit a letter to the editor. Mail or deliver letters to 4700 College Oak Drive, Liberal Arts Room 120, Sacramento, California 95841, or email to current@arc.losrios.edu
Fans watch as the Sacramento Kings warm up before a friendly scrimmage at “Fan Fest” in the Golden 1 Center. The arena didn’t fill to capacity as only a few thousand tickets were released for the event.
An arena fit for a
king
Fans make their way down K Street to the newly opened Golden 1 Center on Oct. 1.
Photo essay by Luis Gael Jimenez luisgaeljimenez@gmail.com The Sacramento Kings held their first team event in the newly built Golden 1 Center by opening their doors to fans for an open practice event on Oct. 1. “Fan Fest” was a free event with the only barrier to entry being a downloadable ticket. Fans were able to explore the Golden 1 Center and see the dozens of new eateries and concessions that it has to offer while participating in contests and giveaways. The $557 million Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento officially opened on Oct. 4 .
Sacramento Kings player Demarcus Cousins hands a t-shirt to a courtside fan at “Fan Fest.”
A crowd crosses the street at 8th and K Streets in downtown Sacramento. With no new parking built for the arena, officials recommended that locals take public transportation to the Golden 1 Center.