C URRENT Students among those arrested Thursday
03.15.19
Acoustic Cafe
Performance shows off students’ songwriting skills
American River College Sacramento, Calif.
Vol. 70 Ed. 6
The
Natural history ARC houses over 1000 taxidermied specimens
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during peaceful demonstration
Photo by Ashley Hayes-Stone | Photo and Multimedia Editor American River College UNITE members Raven Kauba (left) and Dronme Davis (right) participate in a Stephon Clark protest on March 8, 2019. The students were two of the 84 demonstrators who were arrested by Sacramento police officers during a Stephon Clark protest in East Sacramento on March 4, 2019.
By Jennah Booth jennahpage@gmail.com Martin Luther King Jr. said in 1963: “A riot is the language of the unheard.” When Sacramento police arrested 84 people in East Sacramento on March 4, however, the demonstration was far from a riot, according to Dronme Davis. Davis is an American River College student who works with the
college’s Universal Engaging Inclusive Transformative Education (UNITE) group and was one of the 84 arrested while protesting Sacramento District Attorney Ann Marie Schubert’s decision not to charge the two officers who shot and killed 22-year-old Stephon Clark in March 2018. Since the arrests, Schubert has dropped the charges against those arrested but protests have continued. On March 7, hun-
dreds of high school and college students staged a walkout and marched to the capitol in protest of Schubert’s decision and in support of Assembly Bill 392, which would redefine when the use of deadly force is justifiable, according to the bill. Davis said that the arrests on March 4 were totally unexpected, as demonstrators were moving away from police, mapping their way home and heading collec-
tively over a freeway overpass. Their chants had died down, and they believed any confrontation they were going to have with the Sacramento Police Department was over, Davis said. Within seconds chaos ignited and 84 people, three of who were members of the press, were blinded by hundreds of riot police who had corralled them onto the bridge, surrounding them on both ends.
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“It was really loud, they had the helicopter overhead and everybody was super freaked out and confused,” said Raven Kauba, who was also arrested that night. “They had bikes, they had M16 (rifles) with the rubber bullets. ... It was confusing because we couldn’t see anything.” Kauba is a pre-nursing major at ARC and works alongside Davis in UNITE Kauba said that she had expected riot police, especially during demonstrations that are smaller and have fewer non-white people, but she couldn’t imagine that everyone would be arrested. “The riot police aren’t there to protect anybody,” she said. “Me getting arrested says less about my involvement with this movement, and more about the excessive display of force on the part of Sac PD.” The ongoing protests are part of a series of demonstrations organized by Black Lives Matter Sacramento and other groups since Schubert’s March 2 announcement that there would not be any charges filed against the officers who shot and killed Clark almost a year ago. Clark’s death ignited multiple protests across Sacramento last year, adding to a nation-wide series of protests against police brutality and racial profiling against black people. Schubert declared the shooting justified after she said the DA’s investigation found that the two officers believed Clark was armed with a gun when they confronted him and chased him into a backyard last March. Investigators later discovered that the officers had mistaken an iPhone for a weapon, according to the report. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced March 6 that his office would also not be charging the officers.
Clark Protests | Page 2
ARC revamps online education By Breawna Maynard maynardbreawna@gmail.com American River College is designing a multitude of fully online certificates and degrees to help students achieve their educational, personal and career-centered goals through a new website; ARC Online 2.0. ARC Online 2.0 provides students with a centralized location for information, resources and support for the online courses that will be offered. This gives students the opportunity to finish classes faster and to do everything online without having to come to campus, according to Marsha Reske, the dean of distance education at ARC. Currently ARC offers a variety of courses that are completely online and where students can
receive certificates as well. ARC offers three different types of online courses: online, hybrid, and ‘web enhanced.’ Courses include accounting, business and early childhood education. In addition, there are some general education requirements that can be taken completely online. ARC’s website directs students to schedules of classes available online, the faculty directory and a list of the online programs offered to students. Although ARC Online 2.0 has launched, the original online version of the site is still accessible to students. ARC Online 2.0 aims to be strategic by putting courses online. “We are working on having student services online so students will not have to come to campus to sign any forms,” Reske said.
The main goal is for students to not have to come to campus at all for school, Reske said. “[We want to make] sure that our courses are high quality so it is easier for students. Students have almost 5 percent of a greater success rate from high quality courses,” Reskey said. Benjamin Barber, a web and media design specialist, said the college is still defining what it wants ARC Online 2.0 to look like. “We talked about having a shopping cart experience for picking your classes so you are able to add courses to a cart,” Barber said. According to Barber, ARC is building a success hub on the ARC Online 2.0 website, a section where students can gain information and tips on how to be successful using ARC Online 2.0. Barber also said they are working on
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Photo illustration by Breawna Maynard | Staff Writer
The American River Current Sports Editor Gabe Carlos checks out the ARC Online 2.0 website that provides students online classes on March 6, 2019.
cleaning up their search engine to make searching content more accessible for students and their “frequently asked questions” section. “We are working on digitizing signatures, currently there are forms in student services that
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TAXIDERMY ARC serves as a ANIMALS home for hundreds
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have to be filled out and actually signed as well,” Barber said. There is no established date when ARC will be finished with ARC online 2.0, but it is now available to view on ARC’s main website.
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March 15, 2019
ASB NOTEBOOK
NEWS
For weekly coverage of ARC student government, go to ARCurrent.com.
ASB WILL VOTE ON AIR QUALITY POLICY RESOLUTION AT SSCCC By Ariel Caspar arielcaspar@gmail.com The American River College Associated Student Body met on March 8 to discuss voting possibilities for resolutions that will officially be voted on at the Student Senate for California Community Colleges spring 2019 General Assembly which will be held from April 5 to 7 at the McClennan Center. During the meeting, three General Assembly resolutions were discussed and ASB is in the process of selecting a delegate to represent ARC at the General Assembly to vote on ARC’s behalf. The first resolution discussed was an Air Quality Policy resolution introduced by Garrett Culbertson of Las Positas College. This resolution addresses the issue of
Photo by Ariel Caspar | Staff Writer
Associated Student Body senators discuss resolutions at American River College on March 8, 2019, that will be voted on at the Student Senate for California Communtity Colleges spring 2019 General Assembly.
class cancellation in the midst of poor air quality and when it is appropriate. “The main thing that a yes vote
would mean, is that classes would be cancelled if the air quality index has a measurement of 150-200,” Senator TreShawn Weatherspoon
said. “So if you are on campus and something arises of this nature we will have the resources to assist students.” Weatherspoon said the Paradise fires were an example of how the Los Rios Community College District poorly handled class cancellation. The resolution recommends that community college campuses create an emergency stockpile of respirator masks that can be distributed at health centers, and that this will prioritize student, staff and faculty health during poor air quality conditions. The resolution states that these actions are urged and not required. ASB delegation decided to vote yes on this resolution at the General Assembly. The next ASB meeting is scheduled for March 15 at 10:30 a.m.
Clark protests draw hundreds, including students
Photo by Ashley Hayes-Stone | Photo and Multimedia Editor
Demonstrators meet at the corner of 29th Street and Florin Road to protest the decision of District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert to not prosecute the two Sacramento police officers involved in the killing of Stephon Clark.
Cont. from page 1 Davis said the March 4 protest started off like many of the othersthat week. “There was tons of faith leaders there with us, and like children and elderly people. Everyone was just singing and walking and holding signs and it was the normal thing,” she said. According to a press release from the Sac PD on March 8, the protest was peaceful at first but then escalated. Protesters reportedly blocked access to a hospital area, there was an argument and assault involving a homeowner, reports of cars being keyed and police observed a person holding an object that was on fire. The demonstration was ruled an unlawful assembly at 7:20 p.m. and protesters were ordered to disperse multiple times over the next hour and 40 minutes — at which point some did. While Kauba said that there were police around most of the night, it was around 9:30 p.m. that armed riot police arrived and blocked off intersections, cornering the protesters in a Trader Joe’s parking lot in East Sacramento. According to Davis, remaining protesters formed a line facing the police and after a moment of prayer, they listed their demands to the officers, which emphasized
firing the officers responsible for Clark’s death. Officers started physically forcing protesters back, Kauba said, showing little resistance. The crowd began to head toward a freeway overpass, which was the only direction they could go through the police’s blockades, when Davis, Kauba and 82 others — journalists and faith leaders included — were detained one by one, handcuffed and sat along the sidewalk for hours. “In the interest of community safety, protection of property and after multiple requests to disperse were made, officers proceeded with an orderly arrest process,” the Sac PD press release said. Davis said that while she was was told by officers that night that the arrests were planned days in advance. “I think they had decided weeks ago that this was what their tactic was going to be. They had been preparing this for ages. We all knew that the verdict was going to be not guilty,” Davis said. Kauba said she believed that Sac PD intended to send a message, but wasn’t sure that officers had planned to arrest that many people. Kauba said the police did not have enough zip ties to detain everyone, they had no system to book everyone, and that she could hear arguments among the
officers. “I don’t know how premeditated it was because they seemed so unprepared,” Kauba said. “But it was really just to send the message that we should be afraid and we should not be doing this.”
“I think they had decided weeks ago that that was what their tactic was going to be. They had preparing this for ages.” Dronme Davis ARC Student
Both Davis and Kauba participated in the initial protests last year, which were considerably larger and had fewer arrests. In the weeks following Clark’s death, hundreds of protesters blocked Sacramento Kings ticket holders from entering the Golden 1 Center as well as blocked rush hour traffic on Interstate 5, according to the Sacramento Bee. “[N]one of those (demonstrations) were like militant or anything like that but if I were expecting to be arrested, it would have been there,” Davis said. Kauba and Davis both say they believe the police are upping their
aggression to prevent a situation like the famous 1992 Los Angeles riots, which lasted for five days after four officers were acquitted for the use of excessive force and beating of Rodney King. “I think their response to everything following the failure of DA Schubert to indict the officers who shot Stephon, has been anticipatory and they want to prevent a Rodney King situation from happening, so I think that’s why there’s this huge show of aggression and force,” Kauba said. Despite the alleged intimidation tactics from Sac PD, protests and marches have continued every day since. On March 7, a walkout and march protesting the DA’s ruling and in support of AB 392, led hundreds of protesters from Sacramento City College, to Sacramento High School and ended at the California State Capitol, according to the Bee. Quoting Martin Luther King Jr. in the Hub only three days after her arrest, Davis agreed that protests are the only way for unheard and marginalized voices to be acknowledged. “People are angry, and rightfully so, and they need something to do with that anger,” she said. “Unfortunately the way the systems are set up, the only thing that black people can really do is take to the streets. ... That’s really one of the only arenas we’re given to use our voice.” Although she says knows that firing the officers responsible for Clark’s death wouldn’t solve the larger issue, and passing AB 392 won’t always protect every person involved in police confrontation, Davis says BLM and other advocacy groups will continue to protest to draw attention to problems that have been ignored for too long. “The general statement that Black Lives Matter is making is: We’ve been suffering for a really long time at the hands of law enforcement, at the hands of the education system, the economic system,” Davis said. “And we’re done.”
C
The
URRENT An American River College student-run publication. Editor-in-Chief Jennah Booth Managing & Copy Editor Hannah Yates Photo & Multimedia Editor Ashley Hayes-Stone Arts & Culture Editor Patrick Hyun Wilson Opinion Editor Imani Smith Social Media Editor Alexis Warren Sports Editor Gabe Carlos Staff Anthony Barnes Ariel Caspar Thomas Cathey Katia Esguerra Irene Jacobs Breawna Maynard Emily Mello Makenna Roy Hameed Zargr y Faculty Adviser Rachel Leibrock Photo Adviser Josh Clemens Student Worker Luis Gael Jimenez
PROUD MEMBERS OF THE CNPA & JACC
PACESETTER AWARD WINNERS JACC STATE CONVENTION 2016
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 Portable Village 613A Sacramento, CA 95841 Phone: 916-484-8304 Fax: 916-484-8668 E-mail: Current@arc.losrios.edu www.ARCurrent.com
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March 15, 2019
SCENE
Songwriting classes prepare students for Acoustic Cafe By Ariel Caspar arielcaspar@gmail.com The music program at American River College, headed by the chair of the music department Eric Chun, is helping students delve deeper into their musical creativity and develop polished songwriting skills to generate all styles of music. Nine songwriters have been selected from two songwriting classes in the ARC music department to perform their original songs for the ARC Acoustic Cafe, a series of three performances. The next performance is scheduled for April 11 in the Student Center during Beaver Week, and
the last performance will be on April 26 in the Fine and Applied Arts building in Room 547. The Acoustic Cafe will feature many styles of music, including rap, R&B and country. All performances will be in the singer/ songwriter’s style with acoustic instruments, light percussion and harmonies. The performance will be in a recital format and is free to the public. Chun’s classes, MUSM 120 and 121, have a strong focus on the technicality of songwriting, and center on what makes a song sound a certain way and how it all ties into the overall musical style. The classes focus on every aspect of the song, such as scales, rhythm, keys and tempo. Many
Photo by Ariel Caspar | Staff Writer Chair of the music department Eric Chun teaches how to write chord progressions during his songwriting class on Feb. 25, 2019.
different pieces go into the creation of a song, and according to Chun, when every part is well-balanced, musicians have achieved the goal of commonality and have given the song meaning. “Songwriting can be anything,” Chun said. “Whatever the topic of expression, whether it’s romance, love, depression, suicide, negative energy, jobs, cars — there’s no limitations to the song topics.” Chun said his classes are conversational and loosely structured. Students are invited to share their input, ask questions at any time and Chun demonstrates many songwriting possibilities in his instruction. Students are in a somewhat “School of Rock”-type setting while learning with Chun. His Tuesday and Thursday class experiments with blues writing, and students generate their own ideas and verses for Chun to perform as a demonstration. “As an instructor I have to be involved with some of the songwriting process,” Chun said. “Students will come [to my office] for evaluations and even cowrite.” During class, Chun said students will learn to write songs in groups for projects and that students who find songwriting compatibility with each other will often collaborate and co-write songs together. Linda Alvarez, a music recording major, is a first semester songwriting student and a featured performer for all the Acoustic Cafe performances.
Photo by Ariel Caspar | Staff Writer Music recording major Linda Alvarez performs her original song “Berago,” for the American River College Acoustic Cafe on March 1.
According to Alvarez, she has worked on her song, “Berago,” for nearly a year now, and feels ARC’s songwriting classes have helped sculpt her song and bring it together with more precise rhythm and melody. “Berago” is a song about her Aunt Kim’s old horse, of the same name, that had to be sold. “[My aunt] loved this horse. He was so sweet and proper,” Alvarez said. According to Alvarez, “Berago” is a fun, yet sentimental song that only her and her aunt can understand. They both cherished the horse, and the song reflects the deep bond that was formed. The more she performs, the more she learns, and Alvarez said she is appreciative of all opportunities given to share her original music with people. “Every time I perform, it challenges me and I learn something,” Alvarez said. “I need all the experience I can get. That’s why I’m do-
ing this.” According to Chun, the Acoustic Cafe has been around since 2012. Chun said that this performance is not similar to an open mic night, and that all songwriters must audition and be an active student in the ARC music department, like Alvarez. This allows the Acoustic Cafe to maintain consistency and quality. Chun said he wants to achieve a talented, professional music atmosphere at ARC. Chun also said that the performance is not a part of the music department’s regular concert series and that it is a unique circumstance. “We’re supporting extra-curricular activities that students here can participate in while they’re taking music department classes,” Chun said. “It’s unique because it was a voluntary creation where I decided to formulate a way to serve the singer/songwriter talent at ARC.”
First CAPSS Suit Up Event offers free tailoring By Irene Jacobs henrisquilts@gmail.com American River College’s Career and Pathways Support Services hosted a Suit Up Event at JCPenney on Sunday, March 10, where Los Rios Community College District students and their families were able to shop career attire and other amenities at a discounted price. Sacramento-based food trucks Yolanda’s Tamales and Bubble Cone were parked outside the JCPenney store at Arden Fair Mall as early as 5:00 p.m., and it did not take long for guests to start flocking there. The event was also an opportunity to raise money toward student education, as 15 percent of the profits from each food truck will go toward scholarships provided by CAPSS. Sandra Yanez, a member of the Yolanda’s Tamales team, said she was excited to help operate the food truck for a good cause.
“We like to give back to the community and we do a lot of fundraising,” Yanez said. “We just came out with our food truck too, so we’re really excited to come here.” Fans of the food trucks gathered outside, some sitting on the curb eating soft shell tacos and sipping horchata. Doors opened around 6:15 p.m., when students and their families were greeted with a 40 percent off voucher, a shopping guide, and a raffle ticket. A large banner announcing the Suit Up Event spelled out in silver balloons was strung near the entryway, beckoning guests to venture further into the store. Men’s attire was on the first floor, where guests of all ages wandered around sifting through suit jackets with the aid of JCPenney staff. One of the guests was business major Gerald R. Chasten III. “I found out about [this event] from all the flyers that are posted around campus,” Chasten said.
CAMPUS PU
LSE
“I want that construction over with, all my classes are in between there.”
-SABRINA GURNER
Childhood Development major
“I told all my friends about it, because I was in desperate need of a suit — all my suits from prom got small.” Chasten picked out a deep burgundy suit jacket and a pair of velvet loafers, which he said he had been trying to get his hands on for a long time. A measurement booth was overseen by a JCPenney employee and some CAPSS volunteers, including ARC’s professor of funeral services, Nathan Skelton who described how he encouraged his students to partake in the event. “The students in the funeral services have a requirement to dress Photo by Irene Jacobs | Staff Writer professionally in class,” Skelton Engineering major Francisco Leon-Gomez tries on a suit during the first annual Suit said. “Working in the funeral home Up Event hosted by Career and Pathways Support Services on March 10, 2019. I know how expensive professional dress can be ... I tried to get for free samples and makeup tips. and current generations. a JCPenney gift card was rafCAPSS student personnel assis[my students] to come and take advantage of the sale and I just fled off and a gift bag of Sephora tant Laura Adams said she felt the wanted to be here to show that I goodies was awarded to a winner. whole event was a success. thought it was a good idea.” ARC Student Ricardo Preciado, “We’ve had a good turnout, and Meanwhile upstairs, ladies sift- a.k.a. DJ Riktor, rocked the house people are having fun,” Adams ed through professional dresses, throughout the evening with said. “I think we’ll definitely do this accessories, and shoes before stopping by the Sephora booth thumping Top 40 music from past again.”
What do you think American River College could improve on? “I feel like they need to give more students financial aid, there are way too many standards they have.”
-CHRIS BUSH Kinesiology major
“I think our cafeteria needs healthier options with more vegetables and fruits”
-LINDA AMORE Horticulture major
“I (tried) to persuade (the counselors) to help me be something I wanted to be, not what they wanted me to be.”
-ANDREAS RAMIREZ Music major
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March 15, 2019
ARTS & CULTURE
Bay artist incorporates ancient symbolism in her work By Hannah Yates hannahjycurrent@gmail.com Old and mismatching picture frames adorned the walls of the gallery; inside are paintings of different subjects on distressed paper. The subjects of these paintings are mostly children, incorporated with repeating symbols related to time. A crowd of art professors and students crowded into the Kaneko Gallery for the reception for “Piece$,” an exhibition by Fan Lee Warren, on Feb. 28. “My work explores history’s effect on contemporary black American culture,” read the artist’s statement. “Figures are arranged within layered fragments of historical memories ... steeped in symbolism that questions societal norms and behaviors.” Lee Warren shared her story behind the exhibition, which ties back to her own childhood and neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. “Art has always been part of my childhood,” she said. “I went to a lot of cultural events; I went to plays and dances, and things like that so I just thought everybody did that.” She returned to her hometown as an adult to take care of her sick mom. She said she couldn’t help constantly noticing the lack of children playing, and began to draw them out of curiosity. “[The kids] could not stand out and play ball and they couldn’t do all the things that I did as a child,” Lee Warren said. The neighborhood is part of the ‘heroin highway’ in Chicago, and in recent years has become increasingly unsafe due to the drug trade and gang activity. “This took awhile you know, I had to realize ... this is a whole different generation,” she said. “They have their whole different situations that they have to deal with and so maybe I should take my old opinion and adjust it.” In addition to the recurring theme of children in the paintings, all of them contain an important
Photo by Ashley Hayes-Stone | Photo and Multimedia Editor
Laney College art professor Fan Lee Warren speaks about her art show, “Piece$” which features her highly symbolic work in the James Kaneko Gallery at American River College on Feb. 28, 2019.
symbolic shape: a spiral. She said she learned about the symbol in 1980s Chicago, where the “art mark” was a common sight in pieces. But according to Lee Warren, the prevalence of the spiral goes far past the 1980s. “I realized that this is an ancient symbol, that you can go to every culture in the world, and you’ll find a [spiral] in their ancient art.” she said. “ ... You can see it in a tree, you can see it in the water, and this is why people have it in their various cultures.” Computer science major Jessica Higgins said that she was drawn in by the spirals. “It’s just so different. And it’s very eye catching, like from afar I see these spirals,” Higgins said. Another notable element of the paintings in “Piece$” is the actual paper; yellow-brown, with uneven burnt edges. “Some of [the papers] I just felt
like I had to burn them, I had to get rid of that rectangular edge, that hard edge, and I needed to let it go someplace else, ” Lee Warren explained. She told the crowd about a time when a fellow art student commented on her technique after observing her “having a fight with the paper” from afar. “They said, ‘You know, I saw you out there. You were burning the paper, you were burying the paper — what’s wrong with you?’” she recalled. “I said, ‘You know, it needed me to do that.’” Gallery director Patricia Woods thought “Piece$” would be a beneficial exhibition for students, in part due to these unique techniques. “I want [students] to see that when you start to really find your voice as an artist, you really start doing different things, like the burnt edges,” Woods said. “That’s
Photo by Irene Jacobs | Staff Writer
American River College student designers selected models for the upcoming “Homogany” fashion show on Feb. 22, 2019. The spring fashion show is scheduled for May 4, 2019.
Models found for spring fashion show By Irene Jacobs henrisquilts@gmail.com American River College’s fashion department held a model casting call on Friday, Feb. 22, inviting people of all genders, shapes, and sizes to audition for the annual fashion show that will be held later this spring. An estimated 86 students and nonstudents alike swarmed the Arts & Science building last week, quickly filling the building with excited contestants. The aspiring models were asked
to fill out paperwork before moving to the room down the hall to get their measurements and headshots taken. Once finished, they stood in the rapidly growing line to walk in front of the designers, who selected the models they felt best fit their designs. Dyanne Marte, fashion professor and department head chair, is one of the figures that supervises the show and advises designers. “I was telling everyone that [the fashion show] is like a scaffolding process,” Marte said. “With scaffolding you’re building on these
skills, and we’re kind of here to suggest gently like ‘Have you tried this method, or this route, or this?’” Tiffany Samson, nursing major at American River College, was one of the many women who lined up for the show. “I feel pretty good,” Samson said, while waiting in the line to walk for the designers. “This is my third year doing the show. My passion for modeling [brought me here today]. Everything fashion, beauty...anything that has to do with that, I’m gonna be there.” Tamika Huff, one of the design-
so important, distressed paper, and that’s not something we do in beginning drawing (courses).” Woods couldn’t choose a favorite single piece, instead gesturing towards a whole wall of paintings.
“Figures are arranged within layered fragments of historical memories.” Fan Lee Warren Art Professor
“If I had a ton of money, I’d probably buy half the show. I love the work,” she said. “I like the old frames too, I think that’s really important ... because the old kind of stressed frames is also kind of key to the ... weathered look that her work takes on.” In addition to her personal ers for this year’s collection, kept her eyes sharp for models she felt would suit her collection best. “[My collection this year] is very ethnic,” Huff said. “It has some West African culture vibes in it — African drums, palm trees ... So I want to keep everything ethnic and relate it into the culture.” Marte, along with fashion professor Anne Dieu, are the the fashion instructors for the show. Dieu described the fashion show as an amalgamation of the designers’ knowledge from their fashion courses put into motion. “That’s what this is all about, for them to tap into everything they’ve learned and to be able to understand how to use that information and actually apply it,” Dieu said. Both Dieu and Marte said they look forward to the fashion show, since it is where students are able to showcase what they have learned from the fashion courses. “They’ve done all these class projects and done what the teachers have instructed them to do as far as projects,” Dieu said. “So now this is their chance to take all that information that they’ve learned and apply it to something that they want to do.” The fashion department’s annual show this year will be titled “Homagony: Deconstructing Borders” and will be held on May 4.
work, Lee Warren is an art professor and helps run the art gallery at Laney College in Oakland. This made her a perfect fit for the Kaneko, so Woods contacted her over a year ago. “It’s great ... if we can find a great artist that’s also a teacher,” Woods said. “They work with students and they understand what the students need to get from the show.” Lee Warren stressed that her work is constantly evolving, and she is always looking to start the next project. This is how art stays fun for her, and she told students that they should do the same. “One of the things I always tell my students is don’t fall in love with their work,” the artist said. “If you fall in love with [your] work you’ll never do anything again.”
Read more on ARCurrent.com
Arts & Culture Schedule Jazz March 14
“Tribute to Quincy Jones” ARC Theatre 7:30 p.m.
March 15 & March 16
March 18
Orchestra Aria Competition Winners Concert ARC Theatre 7:30 p.m.
Kaneko Gallery Ceramic work by Shenny Cruces Kaneko Gallery
March 19
Choir “Spring Choral Invitational” ARC Theatre
Concert & Symphonic Bands March 21
“Bees Birds & Biplanes” ARC Theatre 7:30 p.m.
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March 15, 2019
ARC houses hundreds of taxidermy animals by Patrick Hyun Wilson patrickhyunwilson@gmail.com
A typical American River College classroom may not look like much; a few desks and chairs, a whiteboard up front, and maybe some educational posters. However, behind the doors of Room 492 in the Science Building on the north side of campus, cabinets are full of yellow-billed magpies and snowy egrets. Above students’ heads there are swooping barn owls, and on top of a shelf in the corner, a river otter perches on a log above a ‘freshly caught’ fish. The room is busy with animals that are part of a collection of over a thousand taxidermy specimens, some of which date back nearly 150 years, and most of which are native to California. Kathryn Bradshaw, a biology professor at ARC, maintains the collection of taxidermy animals and skeletons in the classroom. She has been in charge of the collection since last May, following the retirement of former ARC biology professor Joan BrenchleyJackson. “It’s a big role for me to fill,” Bradshaw says. “This is a collection that has been amassed over such
a long period of time.” Brenchley-Jackson was in charge of the collection for 23 years prior to her retirement. She said the responsibility was massive for her because she had almost no experience with museum collections. “[I wasn’t sure what to do] until I really learned and appreciated both the science and the art of museum collections,” BrenchleyJackson says. “The techniques that we use at American River College ... are the same techniques used by museums all over the world.” The protocol used is extremely precise, even specifying the pen to use when tagging the specimens. Brenchley-Jackson learned the techniques during a semesterlong sabbatical at University of California, Davis, and applied the techniques she learned there to the animals at ARC. “It allows them to appreciate the different traits that an animal has,” Brenchley-Jackson says. “I have ... stories where students see these traits, like the thumb of a bird.” The animals mostly came from a donation from the American River Science Museum after it closed its doors in 1950. Five years later, ARC was founded and the museum left
FEATURE
Photo by Ashley Hayes-Stone | Photo and Multimedia Editor Biology professor Kathryn Bradshaw holds a red-shouldered hawk taxidermy mount in front of a glass case of birds in Room 492 of the Science Building at American River College on Feb. 22, 2019.
the college with an enormous collection of taxidermy animals. Maintenance is highly important to keep the animals preserved for future generations of students, according to Bradshaw. New animals continuously enter the collection as well, and though hunting animals for taxidermy is not illegal, an overwhelming majority of the animals in the collection come from salvage. One of the specimens in the
Photo by Ashley Hayes-Stone | Photo and Multimedia Editor A taxidermy river otter stands on a branch above a fish that appears to be freshly caught, on a counter in Room 492 of the Science Building on March 11, 2019.
collection is the skeleton of a great blue heron, assembled by Bradshaw and Brenchley-Jackson, which they constructed for 100 hours over the course of a year, based on photographs and Bradshaw’s understanding of anatomy. The bones were a donation from UC Davis. Two additions that Bradshaw acquired in the last year are a bison and an elk, both of which have massive horns protruding from the bone and hang on opposite ends of the classroom walls. A variety of animals hang above the students, each of which are posed in different ways that resemble actions the animals would have performed while alive. “Once in a while I’ll have a student who thinks that the coyote is watching them, so they’ll ask, ‘Can you just turn it around so I don’t feel like it’s watching me?’” Brenchley-Jackson says. Bradshaw pointed out a barn owl with its wings wrapped in front of its body. The owl’s talons glistened in the fluorescent lighting and its penetrating glass eyes seemed to stare directly towards one of the classroom’s chairs. “I’ll have students staring up at it. What does it feel like to be in that gaze?” she says with a laugh. But the animals are meant to do more than freak students out. Bradshaw uses them to teach the students about the animals that are in their own backyards.
“Our natural history class really focuses on California, which is so cool because ... it’s a hotspot of biodiversity here,” Bradshaw says. “ ... There’s really no substitute for seeing the actual specimen right in front of you.” In the back corner of the room, a bald eagle perches on a branch, peering out to the classroom. Though the bird recovered from its endangered status federally in 2007, according to Bradshaw, it is still considered endangered on the state level. “When we pass legislation that protects them, some of these species will rebound,” she says. “Bald eagles are being found in places they haven’t been in 30 or 40 years.” Learning from the taxidermy is not only for people in the field of biology, according to Bradshaw. The class is geared towards students who can gain a better understanding of their environments and thus gain a deeper appreciation for the ecology. “The more time that [students] see them in the classroom, then they recognize them in the field,” Bradshaw says. “I hope that’s a lifelong love they acquire starting here, and recognizing how rich this world is that we live in.”
Uber driving is a flexible option for students by Hameed Zargry hameed.zargry@gmail.com Many students must take odd jobs to support themselves, and for two American River College students, that means driving 100 miles to San Francisco three days a week to reach their educational goals by driving for Uber. Zabihullah Hashimi is full-time student majoring in computer science at ARC. When he is not doing schoolwork, he drives for Uber during his free time. “It’s a job that best suits my situation right now,” Hashimi says. “I make enough money only working for [three] days a week and the rest of the week I go to school.” The Uber application offers service to riders 24/7. According to Hashimi, his class schedule left him able to work any time he wants. Hashimi leaves Sacramento to
drive to San Francisco every Friday and spends his whole weekend there to drive for Uber. He returns on Sunday evening and prepares for his Monday classes. “ARC provides best possible educational system with a lower cost and friendly environment,” Hashimi says. Javid Jamshedzada, an accounting major and part-time student at ARC, started driving for Uber almost three years ago. “I think driving Uber helps me financially to pay all for my living costs, tuitions, and more important(ly), support my family,” Jamshedzada says. He believes driving for Uber can help him financially and support his education while he is at ARC, though he says there are some drawbacks. Driving hundreds of miles every week is not an easy job, and according to Jamshedzada, it’s also a risky job.
“Driving is one of the hardest jobs and it is risky sometime(s), you feel afraid of [getting in an] accident, and [facing] the traffic all the time,” Jamshedzada said. Hashimi and Jamshedzada migrated from Afghanistan using Special Immigrant Visas. Both have worked with the United States government. According to Hashimi, there are hundreds of immigrants who drive for Uber in San Francisco. He says they are always at risk of something bad happening while driving for Uber. Hashimi gave the example of an Uber driver who died Feb. 3 while driving a passenger. FOX KTVU reported on Feb 4. about the student. “Waheed Etimad was driving an Uber when he was hit by a wrong way driver Sunday around 2:30 a.m. Car after car sat mangled in the middle of the 101 in San Francisco in the aftermath of the
Photo by Hameed Zargry | Staff Writer Computer science major Zabihullah Hashimi stands next to his car he drives for Uber and for getting to class at American River College on Feb. 20, 2019.
crash,” FOX KTVU reported on its website. Many students, however, say they are willing to face these risks to drive for Uber, for the experience and to pay school expenses. “Uber is my ideal job, I will get the chance to meet student pas-
sengers who share their stories about their educational goals, experiences, and communicating with them is (a) good chance to learn from them,” Hashimi says. “I use this chance of the external motivation they give to set up small goals in my life.”
6
March 15, 2019
SPORTS
Men’s basketball wins in first round of playoffs By Gabe Carlos
win, we have five, six, seven. So it’s just again, the dedication, the focus and preparation for the game.” Girogi also said that his bench play helped the starting five when they needed it. “I think we just got some good bench play. Our leading scorer didn’t play very well, so hopefully we get him back on Saturday,” Girogi said. “The bench was a positive tonight.” Girogi’s son, Jase Giorgi, scored the highest from the bench, 10 points, from three for four shooting, along with four rebounds, two steals and one assist. The leading scorer for ARC was small forward Parker Haven who had himself an impressive night in an important game. He finished with 25 points, shooting 61 percent from the field with seven rebounds, two steals and three blocks.
legitgmc@gmail.com After almost losing its doubledigit lead, the American River College men’s basketball team let Merritt Community College hang around until the very end until ARC came out victorious, 79-69, in the first round of the Northern California Regional Playoffs, on Feb. 27 at ARC. Leading 10-0, it took Merritt College the first five minutes of the game to score a basket and from there it stayed fairly even until half-time. Head coach Mark Girogi said that the team had plenty of turnovers and missed opportunities in the first half and if that wasn’t the case, ARC would have been up by more at halftime. “We’ve had [turnovers] all year long really,” Girogi said. “When we
Haven discussed how important it is to continue with great defense in their next playoff game against the three seed Gavilan Community College. “Defensively we were just trying to cut the court in half, keep them on one side and don’t let them get downhill,” Haven said. “We struggled for a little bit with it, but once we started to figure it out that’s when we pulled away from them to eventually get the win.” ARC starting point guard, Jermaine Henderson, scored 15 points on 50 percent shooting and was very happy with how his team played. “Tonight was our night. We came in ready to play and knocked down some good shots,” Henderson said. “We’re riding on a two game win streak and hopefully we can get a third on Saturday.” Overall, the Beavers shot exactly 50 percent as a team from the field, making seven three’s and also shot 63.6 percent from the free throw line. ARC got 37 rebounds, but only had eight assists and 18 turnovers. Haven spoke about what the team needs to do to be able to go into the Gavilan game and get the win to advance in the playoffs. “We need to be together. Just play as a team, be together and just capitalize on our strengths. Today we didn’t have all of our people going,” Haven said. “We have more than what we showed today and we think that we should have beat them a little sooner than we did because we have so many good guys here.”
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Photo by Jennah Booth | Editor-in-Chief
American River College sophomore LJ Smith shoots the ball against Merritt Community College in the first round of the NorCal Regional Playoffs on Feb. 27, 2019 at ARC. The Beavers won the game, 79-69. ARC lost in the next round to Gavilan College, 78-69 on March 2, 2019.
Photo by Thomas Cathey | Staff Writer
Runners (from left to right) Ricky Frank, Charles Pierce and Jordan Taylor warm up for the start of practice at American River College on March 11, 2019.
Track and field aims for more after Big 8 and NorCal titles last season By Thomas Cathey tcathey1196@gmail.com After winning the Big 8 and NorCal titles last season, the men’s track and field team at American River College is now gearing up for another big season. The team officially kicked off its season on Feb. 22, at the Diablo Valley College Invitational in Pleasant Hill, California. The team has competed in six events so far. For head coach Rick Anderson, the goal this year is to not only repeat last season’s results, but to exceed them. “Our hope is always to repeat as conference champions, and to win the NorCal Championship which we have won about eight years out of the last 10,” Anderson said. Despite placing high in the in the California Community College Athletic Association Championships in 2018, with sophomore Myles Ellis earning second place in the 400 meter-dash, a CCCAA title is not as high a priority to Anderson and his athletes as a NorCal or conference title does. “We really focus more on conference and NorCal championships than state,” Anderson said. “At NorCal you can kind of move some guys around and get points in different areas. In state you do not really move guys around, you just put them in their very best event and just let them go for it and see what happens.”
Ellis’ best event last year was the 400-meter dash, winning first place in his conference in addition to earning second at CCCAA championship. Despite a stellar debut season, Ellis believes there is more to be desired. “I expect this season to be a better one for me than last season was,” Ellis said . “Last year I got off to a slow start with injuries and soreness. But this year I have think I have started off good and am on the right track.” Sophomore Brett Lombardi, a decathlon athlete who is a defending CCCAA champion in the 1500 meter run category. Although Lombardi is a champion, he admits there is still plenty to work on. “I definitely started off the season strong, I am leading California by a pretty comfortable margin, so I feel pretty comfortable coming out for this year,” Lombardi said. “I don’t feel like my first performance was not totally where it needed to be but I think that’s striving me to push a little harder to be a little better in the next performances.” Never being fully satisfied with results is known as a hallmark of a great champion. With young athletes like Ellis and Lombardi, who achieve great results but alway strive to be even better, the track and field team is likely to win even more events and championships this season.
Sports Schedule: Spring 2019 Softball
Baseball March 14 @ Sacramento City, 2:30 p.m.
March 14 @ Diablo Valley, 3:00 p.m.
March 15 vs. Sacramento City, 2:30 p.m.
March 19 vs. Santa Rosa, 3:00 p.m.
March 19 vs. Sierra, 2:30 p.m.
March 20 vs. Butte, 1:00 p.m.
March 21 @ Sierra, 2:30 p.m.
March 20 vs. Butte, 3:00 p.m.
March 23 vs. Sierra, 1:00 p.m. March 26 @ Santa Rosa, 2:30 p.m.
March 23 @ San Joaquin Delta, 12:00 p.m. March 23 @ San Joaquin Delta, 2:00 p.m.
Men’s Tennis
Women’s Tennis March 15 Conf. Playoffs Round 1, 1:00 p.m. March 17 @ Stanislaus State, 10:30 a.m.
March 14 @ Chabot, 2:00 p.m. March 15 Conf. Playoffs Round 1, 1:00 p.m. March 16 @ UC Santa Cruz, 1:00 p.m.
March 19 Conf. Playoffs Round 2, 1:00 p.m.
March 19 Conf. Playoffs Round 2, 1:00 p.m.
March 22 Conf. Playoffs Final, 1:00 p.m.
March 22 Conf. Playoffs Round 2, 1:00 p.m. March 27 vs. George Fox Univ., 2:00 p.m. @ California Technical Institute
Photo by Emily Mello | Staff Writer
American River College softball player Victoria Bojorques bats against Sacramento City College pitcher Danielle Reyes at the game on Feb. 23, 2019 at ARC. ARC lost 2-0. ARC lost later in the day, 7-1.
April 4-6 Big 8 North Conference, 9:00 a.m. April 9 NorCal Team Quarterfinal, 1:00 p.m.
7
March 15, 2019
OPINION
CURRENT EDITORIAL
Democracy needs youth participation By the Current Editorial Board current@arc.losrios.edu At almost every college campus, American River College included, political activism and activities are a part of campus life. Although politics can influence almost every aspect of our society, there are still countless young people who do not seem to care about the current political climate and how it affects their lives. There are some people who keep up with the trending news on Twitter in order to stay afloat during water cooler conversation, and there are some who completely ignore political news altogether because of how distant it can feel from day-to-day life. Although politics can be tumultuous and, at times stressful, it is important that everyone participates, including those of us who are only just entering our first few rounds of elections. The people we vote for have the power to affect the lives of millions. Regardless of which side you align with, we should all agree that voting and political participation is crucial in any democracy. There are way too many people who simply do not to vote. Although there are some acceptable reasons — ID or registration issues, illness, transportation — there are other reasons that we should question, like a lack of political interest or the common belief that a single vote has no impact. According to the Civic Youth, a website for information and research on civic learning and engagement, approximately 46 percent of young people, ages 18 to 29, voted in the 2016 presidential election. 50 percent under 30 years old voted in the 2012 election. Voting should be considered a habit, and habits are best formed when a person is young. However, too few universities have allocated solid resources ensuring that all
Photo illustration by Ashley Hayes-Stone | Photo and Multimedia Editor
Historically, young people have had the lowest voter turnout, but creating the habit early and getting involved politically can leave long-term effects. new voters understand just how powerful their vote can be. Instead, many colleges treat it as an optional activity. Math and English classes aren’t taught by volunteers at tables in the hallways between classes, so the importance of voting shouldn’t be either. Colleges need to integrate more civic education into their core activities and classrooms. Professors and faculty are vital in solidifying the idea that students should always use their voice and vote. If more professors support the goals of political education, they are more likely to push students to vote and possibly welcome visitors into classrooms to talk more about the importance of being politically involved. Students can also do more to educate themselves and stay updated on current political affairs. One of the easiest ways
to do this is by using social media. Twitter is not only great for entertainment but it is also one way to keep up with breaking news. Many politicians, including new presidential candidates such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sen. Kamala Harris (DCA), are active on Twitter and use the app to educate and connect with all possible voters. Social media pages for news coverage, like the New York Times, Washington Post and Sacramento Bee, are also reliable sources that students can read to learn more about everyday politics. Sure, the amount of young people who read the newspaper isn’t high, nor is the number who watch the news on TV, but that shouldn’t stop young people from caring about politics. According to the American Press Insti-
tute, an educational non-profit organization, 85 percent of millennials say that keeping up with the news is important to them. With a plethora of information at their fingertips, why are younger people still not getting to the polls — even when they may have the ability to directly impact the issues that directly affect them? For example, on Feb. 22, the Trump administration announced it would bar organizations that provide abortion referrals from receiving federal family planning money. This could potentially defund Planned Parenthood by millions of dollars. Electing new politicians who understand the importance of Planned Parenthood, which provides comprehensive family planning and accessible reproductive healthcare could change the lives of millions. Harmful immigration policies can make citizenship even more challenging, while queer erasure and racially charged policies can lead to further criminalization of all people, and harmful policies that take away accessible medical care could greatly affect the lives of the impoverished and disabled communities. According to a study conducted by Harvard University, 34 percent of people aged 18 to 24 said they were “extremely likely” to vote in 2020 because Donald Trump won in 2016. Simply not caring about politics is not only selfish, but it is a huge privilege. The ability to turn a blind eye to political policies and decisions that don’t adversely affect you but directly affect the lives of millions around you is an example of this privilege. College students should use their voice to bring about the changes they want to see and college campuses should do more to help them stay educated and vote. Every vote counts.
Journalism is part of the answer, not the problem UNDERSTANDING THE NEWS IS VITAL TO BETTERING SOCIETY By Katia Esguerra Katiaesguerra@gmail.com From the moment we wake up, we are faced with an overload of information competing for our attention — every second, every minute and every hour of the day. However, with the ease of access on the internet and overload of information, I have to constantly remind myself that this is a distraction; a source of entertainment, and to live my daily life ignoring everything else. So we judge with skepticism and find the world isn’t rainbows and butterflies. What we see in the news isn’t always positive, and then we may ignore what is happening and scroll along to the next event. Social media contributes to this problem as we are constantly drawn in to the endless feed. Twitter constantly updates us by the second and before we know it, we have spent 20 or 30 minutes without adding any value to our day. An American River College counselor once talked to me about the negativity in the media, the bias in journalism, the missing coverage, unnecessary “creative” writing, and the media coverage in politics. I would agree with him, but he doesn’t really understand what goes
on behind the scenes, the purpose of the news, and why we need to know what is going on around us. But the role of journalists is to observe, listen, and uncover the truth. After all, we’re humans and we make mistakes and so we continually practice to fill in the role as a good journalist. Good journalists observe, listen, and ask questions to share the events and stories for the world to see. Alan Miller, a professor in ARC’s journalism program who teaches the course Race and Gender in the Media, shared his idea of journalists in the field today.
“A free and unfettered press is the cornerstone of democracy, not ‘the enemy of the public.” Alan Miller
Journalism Professor “I’m worried about the current state of journalism because so many media companies are downsizing by cutting staff,” Miller wrote. “Most local newspapers, the [Sacramento] Bee for example, are shedding staff and shrinking coverage. Even larger
Photo by Ashley Hayes-Stone | Photo and Multimedia Editor Sacramento Bee visual journalist Hector Amezuca reports on one of the Stephon Clark protests on March 8, 2019. Journalists should be recognized by their hard work and dedication to bringing the news to inform the people.
papers don’t have the investigative staff to root out public corruption and other scandals.” Journalism plays a vital role in watching for government corruption, monopolies, and uncovering facts. I view my role as a journalist is to root out and inform the masses on current events that have an impact on us, and allow us to become aware of the community and people around us. The Washington Post aired a commercial during the Super Bowl in February. The words that flashed was a message that acknowledged
what journalism is about; “Knowing empowers us, knowing helps us decide, and knowing keeps us free.” “A free and unfettered press is the cornerstone of democracy, not ‘the enemy of the public,’” Miller said. The current presidential administration fails to acknowledge the work journalists do out in the field. But with so much negativity in our world today, it’s difficult to mention what is right for our country. If we don’t know what is going on, then how can we choose to act and change? However, it’s important to not
recognize just the negativity, the bias, and the constant distrust in the media. Our main goal is to recognize journalists that help feature the stories on campus, events, and facts of what is happening. That is all. I believe journalists are misjudged by what is shown “in the media.” It’s important to realize journalists aren’t perfect, we don’t always find the answers that we need, and sometimes there’s more to the story that hasn’t been told yet.
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March 15, 2019
BACKPAGE
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“The Twilight Zone” By: Ashley HayesStone | ashgstone@ gmail.com Patrick Hyun Wilson | patrickhyunwilson @gmail.com
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The American Riv er College theate brought the audi r department ence through a do or that led to another dimension . A dimension of sound. A dimensi sight. A dimension on of of thought. Director and prof essor Jason Sinc production of “T lair Long’s he Twilight Zone ” closed on March Inspired by Rod 10. Serling’s hit TV sh ow, Long brough six episodes from t the TV show to th e stage, each wit their own unique h twists and turns. Keeping with the retro theme, the set was painted grey, to be evocat of the black and ive white aesthetic of the classic 1950 TV show. s Between episodes , Serling — played different actors — by three spoke about the idea behind “The Twilight Zone” an d how he wanted to create an anth ogy show dealin olg with cautionary tales and philoso cal dialogues. Lo ph ing felt that Serlin g was ahead of hi time in bringing s controversial subj ects to the screen “[The show] is ju . st as re le vant today if not so,” Long said. “H m or e e was doing a sh ow that people un derstood on one level back then bu t now we can un stand them on a derdeeper level.”
Photo by Patrick Hyun Wilson | Arts & Culture Editor
Vincent Schwede warms up as Rod Serling before a rehearsal of “The Twilight Zone” on the American River College Main Stage on Feb. 26, 2019.
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ligh , 201 ntrols the on Feb. 26 McClurg co “The Twilight Zone” ie n la e M n of Stagehand productio partment theater de