November 22, 2024 | Volume 127 Issue 5 | Santa Monica College
Corsair Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Jeremy Wolf
Managing Editor
Sophia DiDio
Photo Editor
Jake Crandall
Design Editor
Alexander Albao
Copy Editors
Phoebe Huss
Katie Easterson
Arts & Culture Editor
Liz Corona
News Editor
Eva Love Jopanda
Multimedia Editor
Tarelle Butts
Opinion Editor
Isabel Lopez Luna
Social Media Editor
Alexandra Gorgij
Sports Editor
Adriana Brady
Digital Editor
Karen Lopez
Newsletter Editor
Antionee Jones
Mary Funsten, Rebecca Villagracia, Alexander Lopez, David Rivera, Carmen Talavera, Gregory Hawthorne, Diego Kersh, Fernando Herrera, Jeffrey Berrios, Adriana Brady, Jenitcy Franco, Amelie Galzy, Jamie Garcia, Matthew Gonzalez-Valenzuela, Abiel Keli, Lilian Le, Isaac Lee, Catherine Lighton, Denisse Lopez, Brianna Minor, Jenna Tibby, Genesis Avila, Karina Movsesova, Isabel Lopez Luna, Zephira Marquez Franco, Karina Movsesova, Liam Rush, Macy Vargas, Chrissy Washington
Front: Eric Good plays the bass at rehersal on Thursday October 31, 2024. The Santa Monica College music department performed a scholarship benifit concert on Friday November 1, 2024 at The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica, Calif. The The Santa Monica Applied Music Program provides music students affordable private instruction in preparation for transfer as music majors to four-year universities or conservatories. (Mary Funsten | The Corsair)
Faculty Advisors
Sharyn Obsatz Journalism Advisor
Gerard Burkhart Photo Advisor
Samantha Nuñez Social Media Advisor
Back: Santa Monica Corsairs’ midfielder Adrian Garcia (8) throws the ball down the field on Tue., Nov. 12, 2024 at the Corsair Field in Santa Monica, Calif. Santa Monica College men’s soccer defeated Bakersfield College 3-0. (Rebecca Villagracia | The Corsair)
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Football and Family: A Simpleton’s Guide to Thanksgiving
On a crisp fall day in November 1973, a young man named Charlie Brown, together with his cartoon dog Snoopy, had a revolutionary idea. They invited their closest compadres to share a succulent meal together, in celebration of their kinship and acknowledgement of all that they were thankful for. The gathering soon became known as “Thanksgiving” and quickly became a tradition emulated by families across America.
The tale of the first Thanksgiving is a timeless classic, immortalized in a TV special aired annually to commemorate the inaugural assembly of appreciation. Although Thanksgiving is celebrated throughout the country, the holiday takes on a different meaning to each individual. Some look forward to reconnecting with out of town family members and old friends. Some loathe the prospect.
In my house, Thanksgiving has always been centered around two things: family and football. Every year, the drill is the same. Put on the matching outfits my mom got for my brother and I. Pile in the car to go to our grandparents house. Fill up on mashed potatoes and stuffing, anticipating having to put on an Oscar worthy performance pretending to enjoy Grandpa’s turkey. The slow march to the living room to watch the Detroit Lions lose.
Rinse and repeat, year in and year out. That said, if the Detroit Lions are the worst part of your Thanksgiving weekend, there’s plenty to be thankful for.
But as time goes on, the more life changes. It’s 2024 now, a magical time in which the Lions are widely considered to be the best team in the NFL, and my mom is in charge of the turkey. If flying wasn’t such a pain in the tuchus, I might finally be able to consider this a holiday.
For The Corsair, the holiday break is a time to refocus after a strenuous two months in the newsroom. Time off, for Thanksgiving in particular, lends perspective as to what is really a priority in life, and it couldn’t come at a better moment for us. The last few weeks of this semester provide an opportunity to really explore the different aspects of journalism that are enticing to each individual on staff.
Our return to the newsroom on December 3rd marks the final production day together. In light of that and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’d be remiss if I failed to mention how incredibly thankful I am to our staff for all the fantastic work they’ve done and for trusting in me as their Editor-in-Chief. It’s tremendously gratifying to be able to work with such a talented group of aspiring journalists and to see them come together, not only as colleagues, but as family.
Jeremy Wolf Editor-in-Chief
Collage of hand drawn line art sketches portraying various celebrities who were politcally active during the 2024 election cycle. From left, top row: Donald Trump, Taylor Swift. Middle row: The Dixie Chicks. Bottom row: Chappell Roan, Kamala Harris. (Jenna Tibby | The Corsair)
A Look at the Music Department's Latest Performance
The SMC student musicians highlighted their various talents and expressed love for their labor.
By Katie Easterson | Copy Editor
On Nov. 1, the Music Department of Santa Monica College (SMC) held an applied music showcase, a scholarship benefit concert at the Eli & Edythe BroadStage. The SMC Applied Music Program helps music students afford private, professional instruction to help prepare them for transferring as music majors to four-year universities
The Program started off with a piece called “Arise” (2024) by Kechaunte Johnson, conducted by Francis Abastillas. The piece was easy on the ears and was extremely alluring to listen to. From violins (Nikki Iv, Yael Mayer) to snare drum (Stoyan Stefanov), each person had an extremely important role in helping this piece come together. It was a wonderful way to start off the concert.
Next was a piece titled “Concerto for Alto Saxophone, Op. 26” (1941) by Paul Creston, with Adam Kummer on saxophone and Sang Hee Cho on piano. Following “Concerto” was a piano piece titled “Partita No. 2 in C minor BWV 826: I. Sinfonia” (1731) by Johann Sebastian Bach performed by Ryushin Sawa. Emily Gomez, soprano, with Gary Gray on piano, performed “Frere! Voyez!... Du gai soleil” from “Werther” (1892), an opera by Jules Massenet. This piece was sung in French. Gomez’ voice was clear, loud, and outstanding. The way Gomez performed “Frère! Voyez!... Du gai soleil” was rich and beautiful to experience.
In a brief interview with Gomez, she talked about how long she's been a musician, what inspired her to pursue music, and parts of the Applied Music Program that helped her improve as a musician.
Regarding how long Gomez has been a musician, she said, “Well, I started in choir about 11 years ago, in elementary school and stuff. I basically kept doing it in school. However, once COVID hit, I actually just stopped, so that was around three years I wasn’t doing music. Then I started at SMC and joined choir because I was like, oh, I haven’t done this in a while.”
For what inspired Gomez to pursue music, she said, “I think just listening to music… It's been such a big part of my life where I couldn’t help but want to be a part of it too. I actually remember, there was a little bit of a rough patch where I was just having trouble during the program and I was feeling self conscious.” She added, “Then I went to see a documentary about my favorite band, The Strokes, and it was a documentary about alt-rock in the 2000s or something. I was like, wow, it’s just inspiring to see how other people make such beautiful music and that's something I want to do too. I want to have that effect on people too.”
When it comes to parts of the Applied Music Program that help her improve, Gomez said, “Everyone in the program is super talented and also has a lot of experience. During class we
Yuri Hernandez on french horn for the performance of KeChauntè Johnson's "Arise" at the Santa Monica College Applied Music Showcase on Friday November 1, 2024 at The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica, Calif. The Santa Monica Applied Music Program provides music students affordable private instruction in preparation for transfer as music majors to four-year universities or conservatories. (Mary Funsten | The Corsair)
or
Ean Greer steps up to the piano at rehersal on Thursday October 31, 2024. The Santa Monica College music department performed a scholarship benifit concert on Friday November 1, 2024 at The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica, Calif. The The Santa Monica Applied Music Program provides music students affordable private instruction in preparation for transfer as music majors to four-year universities
conservatories. (Photos by Mary Funsten | The Corsair)
just offer each other so much with just how much we’ve worked on ourselves, so we can help others improve.” Gomez added, “Also, my professors are obviously meant to teach us, so they’re really helpful and it’s really nice to have a lot of one-on-one time with our professors.”
The next performance in the showcase was “Tenderly” (1946), with music by Walter Gross and text by Jack Lawerence. On vocals, Talaya Poindexter; Eric Good was on bass; Te’a Lucasan on trumpet; Ean Greer on piano; and Niko Karassik on drums. Poindexter’s voice combined with the smoothness of the trumpet created a warm, soothing atmosphere. Following “Tenderly” was “Sonata for Tuba and Piano II. Aria” by Bruce Broughton, performed by Morgan Jarow on tuba and Sang Hee Cho on piano.
Jarow said that “certain passages were challenging, specifically in the realm of range. The piece itself had a lot of high notes that are needed to be played delicately. Sometimes it was very difficult for me to run it in practice rooms on campus. Not being able to get that delicate sound I'm really striving for–the notes themselves are not the hard part, it’s the shape around the notes.”
As for what inspired Jarow to pursue music, he said, “It was my high school band director. He actually had a huge influence on me. He was very inspiring in the way that he handled a group of musicians that were going from amateurs to experts in a span of a couple years. The way he taught and directed a group of kids is kind of what inspired me to pursue music in the first place.”
“Everyone in the program is super talented and also has a lot of experience. During class we just offer each other so much with just how much we’ve worked on ourselves, so we can help others improve.”
Succeeding “Sonata for Tuba and Piano II” was “Sonata in E minor, Hob XVI L. 53” (1783) by Joseph Haydn with Lukas Renton on piano. The opening of this song was playful, unique, and powerful. Towards the end it was fast-paced and highspirited.
The next piece was “A Forlorn Screaming” (2024) by Vanessa Merlis, with Yuri Hernandez on french horn, Adam Kummer on saxophone, and Morgan Jarow on tuba. This piece specifically was mysterious, looming, and drew the audience in.
In an interview with Yuri Hernandez, they expressed what inspired them to pursue music and anything specifically related to the showcase that motivated them.
Regarding pursuing music, Hernandez said, “I was in a music school called Yola. I originally started on a different instrument, and even though I continued for years playing that instrument, I never fully liked it and it wasn’t until my senior year when I switched the instrument to what I have, which is a French horn. Then I started to really enjoy music. When it came time to decide what job I wanted to pursue, I thought to myself, if I'm going to struggle with something the rest of my life, I’d rather it be something I love, and that's how I chose music.”
For what motivates Hernandez regarding the showcase, they said, “I’m not the main focus per se, and for the people that are involved in a lot of the other things that are happening, just them showing up and putting all of their effort into this show and their performance, and just them as a person really inspires me to better myself as a musician (and) as their friend for next semester.”
When speaking with Adam Kummer (saxophone) and Morgan Jarow (tuba), they expressed challenges they faced during the showcase. Kummer said, “I played a solo piece and on a student composition. Both pieces were pretty long. My piece was seven and a half minutes and her piece was six minutes or something. It’s a long time to be playing, so it’s a bit of an endurance challenge.”
After “A Forlorn Screaming” was a piece titled “Amor” (1978) by Willam Bolcom, performed by Sang Hee Cho on piano and Michaela Anais, a mezzo-soprano. Anais’ voice was clear, expressive, and full. She used body language to make her singing over-the-top and drew the audience in, causing smiles and laughter. She used animated body movements and playful expressions.
“On Green Dolphin Street” (1947) by Bronislaw Kaper was performed afterwards, with Ean Greer on piano, Niko Karassik on drums, and Eric Good on bass. Then, “He’s a Tramp” (1955) by Sonny Burke and Peggy Lee was performed with Erin Castillo providing voice, Sang Hee Cho on piano, Niko Karassik on drums, and Eric Good on bass. Castillo’s voice was clear and passionate, tenderly matching the instruments and creating a beautiful performance.
The last piece in the showcase was “Happy Little Sunbeam” (1953) by Russ Freeman, performed by Aoi Kuroha on trumpet, Sang Hee Cho on piano, Niko Karassik on drums, and Eric Good on bass. The trumpet made the song feel lighthearted and a positive way to end the showcase.
The Applied Music Program is full of talented, hard working musicians who love what they do, and that is evident in their performances, which are full of consistently captivating, passionate energy that captures the eyes of each audience member. The next performance is a Jazz Series with Dave Tull, Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. For more information on upcoming events, you can go to smc.edu/music.
Left: KeChauntè Johnson, music composer hugs Francis Abastillas, conductor after the performance of Johnson’s composition “Arise” at the Santa Monica College Applied Music Showcase on Friday November 1, 2024 at The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica, Calif. The Santa Monica Applied Music Program provides music students affordable private instruction in preparation for transfer as music majors to four-year universities or conservatories. (Mary Funsten | The Corsair)
Throwback on West African Music: What Inspired Today’s Beats
Griots of West Africa are the pioneers of today's music. Hip hop, jazz, blues... is inspired by their music as they brought their history, culture and sounds across continents.
Amelie Galzy | Corsair Staff Writer
Before music was made in studios, there were the sounds of West African griots. More than creating community through music, they are the carriers of thousands of years of culture and tradition. The griot tradition comes from the Mali Empire, in which griots were the advisors to kings and their community’s informants. As African people were taken to the Americas for the slave trade, these musical traditions came with them, blended with other sounds and gave birth to the kind of music we know today: blues, jazz, and even hip hop.
Nowadays, griot lines still exist. At Santa Monica College (SMC), on Sept. 19, there was a performance-lecture by Prince Diabaté, Guinean griot; Ric Alviso, SMC professor and musician; and Ken Rosser, Canadian musician and friend of Diabaté. They brought to Santa Monica echoes of this tradition to a new audience. Diabaté, master player of the kora, a 21-string harp, shared his art and history with the audience.
As Diabaté explained it, being a griot is a part of himself. “To be a griot, you have to be born griot,” he said. He learned it from his father at the age of five, and it’s a tradition that is passed down generation after generation, keeping the history alive. Alviso, who played the kora alongside Diabaté, highlighted the importance of griots. He stated, “When a griot dies, it’s like
an ancient library burning down in flames. We lose hundreds of years of history.”
With his custom-made travel-sized kora that allows him to travel the world with his instrument, Diabaté shared his original composition “Son of a Dream,” a song that speaks to the youth of West Africa who try crossing the border in search of a better future in Europe, without even knowing if they will make it. For Diabaté, transmitting this art and history to the new generation is essential. He highlights this with his project to open a music school in Africa to share his knowledge and pass down the years of history that he carries.
Thiernot Diallo, a member of the audience and president of the Ghana Association of Southern California, introduced the spectators to the Djéliya, a West African tradition where the listeners give tips to the griot by spraying money on them to show their appreciation and respect. Influencing the crowd, the audience began dancing on African beats while “spraying” money to the griot from the beginning to the end of the show, bringing this heartwarming experience to Santa Monica.
As the show at SMC came to an end, one thing was clear: the griot tradition is far from dying. It lives in West Africa, in every griot, in our modern beats, and it carries years of history.
Prince Diabatè - a griot, or traditional storyteller, musician, and poet from Guinea, West Africa - performed Thursday, September 19, at the SMC Performing Arts Center, Santa Monica, Calif. Prince Diabatè was accompanied by Professor of Music, Ric Alviso. (Mary Funsten | Corsair)
In Memory of Dr. Angela Courtney: A Passionate and Cherished Educator
Santa Monica College (SMC) mourns the loss of Dr. Angela Courtney, a Life Sciences instructor who passed away on Oct. 6, 2024 after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 61.
Amelie Galzy | Corsair staff writer
Dr. Angela Courtney was a dedicated professor at Santa Monica College. Her journey at SMC began in the spring of 2017. Anyone who knew her saw the unwavering passion she had for teaching, and it didn’t take her long to become cherished by the SMC community.
Dr. Courtney’s colleagues remember her as a compassionate and kind person who put her students first. In her tribute for Dr. Courtney, Dr. Alexandra Tower, Life Science Professor/Department Chair, said, “(Angela) was so kind and loved teaching at SMC so much. We will miss her positive energy in the department . . . two years ago, when I was still department chair, she came to tell me that she had Stage 4 cancer. (She’d been) in remission for approximately 10 years. A miracle
happened and she bounced back . . . the first thing she wanted to do (was) come back to teach. She (loved) teaching so very much. Before she got sick, the only time I ever heard from Angela was when she was asking about resources to help students. She had a huge heart and the students loved her.”
Summer Thomas, Angela’s daughter, also recalled how much her mother was committed to her students. Thomas said, “There’s nothing in this world that my mom loved more than teaching. Even when she was really sick, she didn’t want her students to miss out on anything she had to offer. She was always trying to give 110% of herself.”
Thomas continued on saying that even when her mother was sick,
she wouldn’t want to miss a single day. Thomas would take Dr. Courtney to school herself so she could get to campus. What made Dr. Courtney special wasn’t only her devotion to her students, it was the way she was able to inspire people around her. “She always had a smile on her face, she was my everything,” Thomas shared. “She was funny, adventurous, and curious about the world. She loved learning, especially anything related to science. But no matter how busy or overwhelmed she was, she always made time for us. She was always there for me and my brother.”
Beyond teaching, Dr. Courtney had a rich life full of professional and personal achievement. She was an inventor, writer, business owner, world traveler, and
Photos courtesy by Summer Thomas
Thomas said. “She never let anything hold her back. She would always say, ‘There’s no such thing as can’t.’ It’s something that she goes by and that I’m trying to go by too. She pushed me to be the best version of myself, and I try to remember that every day.”
veterinarian. There are so many valuable qualities and professions to describe her that it was hard for her family to recall everything she did.
Teaching was the most important to her. Her career began in the U.S. Army, after which she got a doctorate in veterinary medicine, and later, a Ph.D. in Integrative Pathobiology.
Thomas shared her fondest memory of her mother to show that she had many interests and talents: “I remember when I was really little, my family would go camping by a lake. We used to weave baskets from reeds that grew along the shore, and it was my mom who taught me how to do it. There’s a picture of her making one too. It’s one of my most cherished memories.”
Dr. Courtney always lived her life the deepest, always giving back to others. “She believed in the impossible,” Thomas said. “She never let anything hold her back. She would always say, ‘There’s no such thing as can’t.’ It’s something that she goes by and that I’m trying to go by too. She pushed me to be the best version of myself, and I try to remember that every day.”
Thomas concluded, saying, “I think what she’d want people to remember most is that life is meant to do things for others. She always gave everything she had to everyone around her. She never asked for anything in return — just that people take the lessons she taught and carry them forward.” She continued, stating “I think that what she would want people to remember about her is the fun that they had together, what she taught them. To let go of any hard feelings, or sadness and to embrace the positive, the laughter they had, that’s what is important.”
Dr. Angela Courntey leaves behind her a legacy of love, curiosity, and teaching. She was a mother, a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration to all who knew her. Her memory will live in the hearts of the individuals who had the privilege to get to know her.
The Bann’d Book is Ideology
Even in the absence of books, the bookbanning craze is perpetually relevant
Opinion By Phoebe Huss | Copy Editor
To celebrate the spring equinox, 1957, United States customs agent Chester MacPhee took to San Francisco and snatched up every single printed copy - 520 total - of Allen Ginsberg’s epic provocateur poem Howl.
On the grounds of obscenity, this act of censorship was scenery bordering on the morbidly picturesque. Such a clear profession of hysteria cushioned the poem’s defensive army. When rebels at City Lights Bookstore who continued to distribute the poem were jailed, a staunch legal defense cleared them and set lengthy artistic precedent. They knew the score: the best books, the ones that survive, are the ones that trigger shock, rage and disgust.
Creativity raged and washed up its beachcombings routinely over the following decades. The same outrage, however, controlled the government and its subsidiaries, who lashed out in vicious restriction. This is, I humbly decree, the underground plague of our era.
The Howl incident achieving legendary status is an outlier. Without that visceral flair of dramatique that beats and freaks can regard with scoffing pride, the culture of book banning has lingered like a pest, cropping up now like chigoe bites. A book’s pulled off the shelves here and there. Slaughterhouse 5 is stricken for treason, The Bluest Eye for explicitries. These events are too isolated and subtle to attract sufficient resistance. They jar in a headline, then fade into the ether. Meanwhile, Project Gutenberg, a massive database for cultural archives in the public domain, is quietly sued for copyright, overrun by hackers, and devoured from the inside.
A larger problem is explained by this dichotomy. The banned book as a concept has recently soared in newsability. These events are in magnetic alignment with the larger devourer, but the latter event occurs unnoticed.
Even with no intimations of a loving hand or a prick in the arm, books
risk the Ginsberg hurt. Restrictions are at the drop of a hat, thin, and springing from little to nothing. Often the criticisms are so basic and regurgitated they imply faulty unresearch. Santa Monica College (SMC) English professor and author Kenneth Winkler found dull repetition in bookbanning fixations.
“Oh, somebody’s a gay writer, somebody’s a queer writer, somebody’s a black nationalist, somebody’s a commie,” he panned, coldly. “They give them the label and basically they’ll pull a book off the shelves in the library.”
It appears their claims are exceedingly based on rumors. Are they verifiable?
“No, they heard from somebody else who heard from somebody else. Very few people I’ve ever met who had ideas about the evil books have read them.”
“They” - an omnipotent authority,
Santa Monica College student Shani Perez on November 20, 2024 (Gregg Hawthorne / The Corsair).
“You would have gotten a death sentence or something before, and you have it in your hands, and you’re not reading it? Like, what are you doing?”
consisting of religious organizations, hellbent school boards, and family coalitions - cannot be bothered to salvage a lemma from the wreckage. Everyone’s a snowflake - a drop of controversy is a drop of blood, instant chemical warfare. Once identified, the issues explode into headlines.
Where is the relevance at home?
The American Library Association holds Banned Books Week every year in September. SMC is often barren on this measure.
Sensing an unfilled niche, history professor Dr. Marisol Moreno recruited SMC librarians and fashioned a tasteful display of the nation’s leading literary contraband, mostly books for children.
“Censorship and book bans undermine academic freedom,” said Dr. Moreno. “It became clear to me that the featured topics largely centered on humanizing LGBTQ+ and youths of color. …It moved me to know that these powerful books exist and could mean a world of difference to some readers.”
This is a noble cause. And these are inspiring ideals. Consequently, though, the display melts into the arras. Unaffronted students pass by without processing the literary jailyard. It’s easy to agree with, and
far more difficult to enact.
Book bans are happily reduced into the weeklong celebration once a year, buoyed by library displays, some heartfelt retweets, an upscale rack for a fortnight at Barnes and Noble… and nil. Who’s excited to reclaim their stolen artifacts? Nah. Left to artifice.
What’s that got to do with love, our love? The information is stripped somewhere else, some dusty cavern. This shouldn’t affect the land of Laissez Faire, our idylla where the sunlight neuters the bitters and a computer-science yuppie in red might slink into the shadows every four years in November. But the reality is that California’s freedom “aesthetic” isn’t sufficiently conducive to a healthy literate society.
And Books are, culturally, bannedthere’s no sense in them.
In the absence of legal restrictions, we follow them all by ourselves. In the era of culture wars, aesthetic enthuse, and cordial passions that can be spun from nothing, no one takes the time to acknowledge their brothers’ residual incantate: the moonHowlers in silver tassel, burrowing into Naked Lunch; an innocent story of an Eye, battering hearts over the Jesuve; discovering their timshel; repentant
prayer over the mountain; rolled, rolling hills of Big Sur, or scratching periodic like Primo. The cultural gaps are heartache. And on a friendlier level, no one feels the extra spring of poetic reverberation when they order a beer or lemonade. Their serios long outlasts their seventeen.
Nobody seems to shoulder these firebombs they’re straight-up served. Shani Perez, student and poet, is frustrated by this contrast. “We have access right now to so many books that in the past you just couldn’t have,” she said. “But nobody’s taking advantage of it. It’s sad.
“You would have gotten a death sentence or something before, and you have it in your hands, and you’re not reading it? Like, what are you doing?”
Nobody reads, and nobody needs to be told that nobody reads.
Our economic system is anchored against leisure and leisurely intellectualism. The job is hell, and sentences are a drag - nobody wishes for something so menial after a day of metal crunch. What we want is anything to assuage risk and revive our humanity - a heart stimulant, some sprig of digitalis. Immediate carnal relief. Why bother unlocking a trove of scriptured whines and drones that only mirror our reality without offering escape? Even the
“It moved me to know that these powerful books exist and could mean a world of difference to some readers.”
“Censorship and book bans undermine academic freedom,”
brains who offer solutions are locked, the words preserved in amber. It’s a futile exchange and it must occur alone.
The college library suffers the same fate. Those who “read” must be possessed by fulsome, inexplicable, almost ravenously religious fervor for the task, or else they must have the incentive of some silk-stocking ice cream. These people are English majors. Another descriptor is the selection of the population mistaken for the only beneficiaries of aulden literature. “People in my classroom are very wellread, cause I’m an English major,” said Perez. “They definitely know what they’re doing. But in my gen-eds, it’s more rare to find them.”
The math-nimbled, physic-laden nerds have no need for literature, lest it can match the beauty of a fractal or a Julia set or row-echelon form. I, for instance, work neurologically and out of fear. Though dulled, disheartened and math-majored, I’m too much of a hypochondriac to let my reading slip. But it’s not exactly an accomplishment.
These revelations are investigations, not a dirge on the youths. This isn’t a buck-eyed lament over kids these days. How could it be? Culture erupts, strengthened over digital airways without the risk of papercuts. Books are lived without being consumed. If anything, the
mutiny of scrutiny encourages insecure youths to hyper-individualize, widening the margins of creative output. Besides, nobody cares. The dirge gets you nowhere. Every generation has claimed theirs is the illiterate one, breaking over their knuckles.
Winkler believes a shift occurred within the last decade. He noticed in “the last 10 years, there’s been a great dumbing down of education to the extent that people are willing to take sound-bite reading… or a social media post or a celebrity view of things, rather than look for information themselves.” I’d rather assert that shallowness has existed forever… perhaps it has.
As established, the bans are built on little to nothing. The banned book might appear a dead issue, only used for puppetting by traditionalists and short-term activists as a symbol. And books are irrelevant. So why is it resurfacing in the press? It’s because the banned book is an ideology, the governing ideology. It is a gruesome ideology. It is the idea that ideas die when deprived of a little oxygen.
Winkler concurs: “bookbanning is only part of it.”
One mode of exertion is through a culture of censure. This is doubled by the religiously fanatical perfectionism that controls the literal bookbans, but it roots deeply, even contorting writers by
the psyche. “There’s always that second thought you give your writing,” said Perez. “You always feel you have to satisfy an audience, no matter how individualistic you wanna be.”
The only way around it is covertness, maybe even eloquence. As rued by Perez, “You can’t really be direct. Like what Mark Twain did. I’ll give them a message, but I’m gonna mettle it down so they can consume it. Make it above their grasp.” As a result of “Banned Book Ideology,” writers are individually forced to shroud their ideas in allegory, cloak, allusion. Like the nail-onchalkboard bureaucracy of the government, Western grammar itself functions to meddle the reader, muddy the waters, delay publication, and delay interchange of ideas. Maybe the ghost writing to you now is one shiny instrument.
That’s right, I, measly copyeditor, am some dullbrained imperialist swine. Pitying fierce copyeditor, I am a profound employee of the banning system, and an illustration of its dumb. I goddamn colonize every work laid upon me with badly-lit lacerations - comma, zing, verb tense! I leave gleeful red burn marks, anything to impede the process. Pathetic. You think a pithy little spellcheck would’ve tread a noticeable threat on Thompson’s gonzo, Riis’s muckrake, or Lispector’s cronicas, who shot through your consciousness so
It’s the process of seeking words that align with you that changes you, clarifies your earthly intention, better ensures your linguistic confidence when asserting something.
fast you’re lucky in a pint of daggers? They would have laughed in my face; it would have wafted right over them and dissolved. The ideas live, they don’t die with petty censors. And in the fire of resistance they swell, incense, and implode violently as the sea comes.
I’m an agent of the system, but my imperialist cloture is insignificant. Censure is not the end. Radical ideas fuel under the fire of laceration. They transgress illictly and effortlessly.
With some lyricists, even the bendier truths deserve christening, gold emblazoning - or at the very least, the public’s indulgence, their right of review. These are spiders that light up. Resistance presses against the skin.
Even without visible caustic, we know a content appearance is little indication of interior dissent. And these tensions will turgor.
Perhaps ideas fester better without clothbound trappings.
Many authors have deprecatingly trashed the merit of their lifeblood. In a guidebook manifesto intended for writing students, George Orwell once helpfully
proclaimed “every book is a failure.” He was referring to the inadequacy of language, a universal plight unassailed by sheer coolio or gravitas. But most books suffer additionally. They are smothered from conception, largely unread, and pillaged by those who do read them. And books are constantly rewritten and reprogrammed to fill the market void, so whatever goal the author intended that would zip up humanity in peace for good is, evidently, failed. The stumblings of books prick into other spheres of influence and disrupt the current, and have for a long time. We’re all very mortal - how do we continually decide to reaffirm a culture that repeatedly fails? The future appears bleak and dismal.
But that’s where overthinking gets you - look at me in shambles, a straightlaced math major cut up by the process of deliberation. Maybe there is a danger here. I feel the contra-urge to lock them up, crux that babbling brook. With this kind of impact on me, imagine literary exposure on someone who offers even a crumb of insight upon their surrounding jurisdiction. Of course, it could be utterly
fantastic.
That’s what trips nonreaders. It’s not discovering a new form of speak, it’s not acquiring elegance. It’s the process of seeking words that align with you that changes you, clarifies your earthly intention, better ensures your linguistic confidence when asserting something. It’s the same as immersing oneself in any cultural subsidiary, or for that matter, any enclave of a speciality. For the journey to occur, there must be selections available. The library is not closed and it is not skinny. This voyage, discovery-based, may be spurred by the illicit nature of banned literature. Dr. Moreno affirms, “My hope is that the curious student would ask ‘Why are books documenting the human experience of POC and LGBTQ+ peoples considered so dangerous by the dominant society that it needs to be banned?’ Should that student want to act on their curiosity, the freedom to learn is just a book away.”
Celebrity and Politics: A Losing Battle
The internet’s response to Chappell Roan’s and Taylor Swift’s endorsements, or lack thereof, proves that celebrity and politics don’t mesh well
Musicians and politics have always been two ingredients that don’t mix. Contrary to what we see in pop culture today, it was only a couple of decades ago when musicians rarely spoke about politics, and if they were questioned about it they stayed pretty neutral. Celebrities were often scared to share a stance on politics due to the possible backlash and alienation of an audience. The Dixie Chicks are an example of this.
The Dixie Chicks were an all-female band celebrated for their country-pop crossover music. They became the best-selling female band in the United States. They accomplished multiple No. 1s, Grammy Awards, and diamond-selling albums. Despite all these accomplishments, the band is best known for a controversy that derailed their entire careers.
On March 10, 2003, controversy erupted when the Chicks’ lead vocalist, Natalie Maines, made a statement against the current President George W. Bush during their concert in London. Maines criticized Bush’s decision to go to war with Iraq following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks saying while performing, “Just so you know, we do not want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.” This comment would subsequently be the downfall of their mainstream success.
The overall consensus in the country after the 9/11 attacks was that everyone had to be pro-America before anything else. Bush’s approval numbers had skyrocketed and any valid critique of the current regime was met with an overwhelming amount of vitriol and pushback. This is why, immediately after Maines's comment, the Dixie Chicks became public enemy number one.
The Dixie Chicks were immediately met with boycotts and outrage from hardcore country fans who came
together to burn and destroy their previously purchased records. Despite Maines issuing an apology a couple of days later, their hit country song “Travelin’ Soldier” was pulled and the band was seemingly blackballed from country radio stations throughout the country. The controversy took a far darker turn when Maines received an anonymous death threat. This would lead to high security at Dixie Chicks concerts and years of fear.
A few years later the tides had officially turned on President Bush, with his approval ratings for his handling of the Iraq War being low. In a 2006 Howard Stern interview with the Dixie Chicks, the host expressed his regret for the way he treated the Band during their scandal, stating, “I was even giving you crap at the time but now I hate this Iraq war.” He continued, “You guys were absolutely right. Iraq is the wrong place to be. The president has completely blown it with this war.”
Opinion By: Jeffrey Berrios | Staff Writer
she could even leap into the pop world. This impartial posture would be linked with the singer for the majority of her career, which frequently enraged a portion of the public. This apolitical stance appeared to change in 2020. It was impossible to be a public figure and remain silent in 2020. It was an election year; the coronavirus had shut down the world; George Floyd had been murdered by a police officer, causing a chain reaction of riots and looting across the country; and women's reproductive rights were being heavily targeted. Silence was no longer an option and this directly targeted Swift’s brand.
Despite the country’s tune changing toward the band, the damage had been done, and the Dixie Chicks will always be tied to this scandal. This moment demonstrated to future music superstars that they had to play the game to succeed. Politics, on the other hand, is a separate game, and if musicians want to participate in it, they could face career-defining repercussions. That hasn’t stopped some from trying.
Taylor Swift is the country's biggest artist and the most successful female singer. With a net worth of $1.6 billion, she is the wealthiest musician. She has received numerous awards, including diamond albums, successful tours, 12 No. 1 songs, a smash film, and 14 Grammys. Taylor is more than simply a girl who writes songs and plays guitar; she is a billion-dollar corporation.
Swift and her team's strategy for accomplishing this was to avoid politics. Swift began in the country scene and was a major fan of the Dixie Chicks, so she was aware of what had happened to them and that getting involved in politics might swiftly derail her career before
The public was expecting the usual silence from Swift, but what they hadn’t realized is that the singer had already softlaunched her arrival in politics in 2018 when she endorsed former Democratic Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen in the Senate race against Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn. In her documentary film “Miss Americana,” she dove in depth about this decision to endorse Bredesen over Blackburn, stating, “She votes against fair pay for women (and) she votes against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act which is just basically protecting us from domestic abuse and stalking.” She continued, “I can’t see another commercial and see her disguising these policies behind the words Tennessee Christian values.”
On Oct. 7, 2020, Swift revealed to V Magazine that she would be voting for President Joe Biden, saying, “I will proudly vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in this year’s presidential election. Under their leadership, I believe America has a chance to start the healing process it so desperately needs.” This didn’t come as too much of a surprise because just a few months before Swift had criticized President Trump
on X (formerly known as Twitter) for his response to Americans looting after George Floyd’s murder, saying “After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence? ‘When the looting starts the shooting starts’??? We will vote you out in September. @realdonaldtrump”
After her endorsement of President Biden, Vote.org announced that nationwide, there had been 51,308 new registrations in the past day. Unlike the Dixie Chicks, speaking about politics didn’t immediately impact Taylor’s career, mostly due to how much of a force she is in the industry. However, it did set the expectation that Swift would be involved more in politics and endorse whichever democratic candidate was nominated that year.
After 2020, Swift seemingly went back to avoiding politics, and many predicted that since she hadn’t endorsed President Biden before he dropped out of the race, she wouldn’t be endorsing his vice president and the new Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. This made some question whether Taylor regretted jumping into the slippery slope of politics because an endorsement from her would be expected every four years. If one wasn’t given it, it was some sign that her politics and morals had shifted.
By September, Swift had yet to endorse Kamala, which had enraged the public. As one user on X stated, “I’ve noticed that Taylor Swift still hasn’t endorsed Kamala. It’s not because she’s rooting for Trump, it’s because she still wants to straddle the fence until the moment it benefits *her*, not when her voice is needed. Sorry Taylor, but that’s white feminism. Put up or shut up” and Daniel D'Addario for Variety wrote, “Given though how much mileage Swift got in the past out of her decision to speak out in politics, the idea that she will remain silent would seem to make her past speaking out, at a more convenient moment, appear cynical. It’d be regrettable if her engagement with the world of politics were just another of her eras, and one from which she were willing to move
voting for Kamala Harris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them.” She continued with, “I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate Tim Walz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.” Taylor Swift's post endorsement drove 405,999 users to visit the site vote.gov over the following day. Despite Swift escaping a “Dixie Chicks scandal,” the opportunity for another celebrity to have one was not off the table.
Musician Chappell Roan, who rose to fame this year for her campy and whimsical drag-queen-inspired style, was found in hot water after an article was published by The Guardian in which she commented about not endorsing Kamala Harris, stating, “I have so many issues with our government in every way…There are so many things that I would want to change. So I don’t feel pressured to endorse someone. There’s problems on both sides.”
question those in power and those making decisions over other people. And I will stand up for what’s right and what I believe in, and it’s always at the forefront of my project. And I’m sorry that you fell for the clickbait.”
This clarification did not satisfy audiences on X, who wrote many tweets calling out the musician for doubling down on her stance. It seems like Chappell Roan wants to have a nuanced discourse about the two-party system and why we, as Americans, should not settle, but if you couldn't be a mainstream figure in 2003 and not be pro-American in 2024, you can't be a mainstream figure and not be blindly liberal. The anger against Roan and her comments is especially mind-boggling because the “both parties are bad” stance isn’t something conservatives are synonymous with, so the assumption that she’s taken the red pill is absurd.
One of the tweets defending Roan said, “Just watched Chappell Roan reasonably arguing that she would like better candidates, while clearly stating she thinks Harris is the better candidate. This is cult behavior. She’s on your side why demand absolute loyalty.” Chappell continued to double down on her position, which kept the fire going, and days after, she announced she would be taking a mental health break.
On Sept. 10, Taylor Swift officially endorsed Kamala Harris in an Instagram post, stating, “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m
At the time this seemed like a reasonable take, but social media felt otherwise, with one user on X stating, “Not endorsing Kamala Harris because ‘There are problems on both sides’ is the lazy coward’s way of saying ‘I have no idea what’s happening and I don’t care to learn.’ If you can’t pick a side now, it’s because you’ve chosen ignorance.” Another post read, “Chappell Roan is an embarrassment to lesbians. You can’t borrow from drag aesthetics and embrace your sexuality and then pretend the party that would criminalize our happiness is the same as the one who protects it.”
Soon after the controversy, Roan went on TikTok to clarify her comment, stating, “I think it’s important for me to question authority and question world leaders and question myself.” She continued, “This is my third election in voting… and the world is changing so rapidly, and I want to be part of the generation that changes things for good because we need it. “So hear it from my mouth,” Roan concluded, “if you’re still wondering. No, I’m not voting for Trump, and yes, I will always
The striking contrast between the reactions to someone like Taylor entering politics and someone like Chappell was intriguing to witness since it demonstrated that, regardless of our culture changing, diving into politics could potentially wreck a career. Taylor was able to avoid much criticism because she struck at the appropriate time, and she is a solidified brand. So basically, Taylor is the family member who will always be around, but Chappell Roan is like your family member's girlfriend whose staying power at family dinner is still undetermined. We like her, but she’s not family yet.
Although this act of rebellion found her being scolded for weeks it doesn’t seem like Roan’s meteoric rise has been halted. All and All, although it’s unlikely there will ever be a cancellation of the same caliber as the Chicks, it’s safe to assume that the game of politics is still a risky one for celebrities.
Illustrations of The Dixie Chicks, Taylor Swift, Kamala Harris, Chappell Roan and Donald Trump by Jenna Tibby
The Undefeated Run
Danilo Perez | Photographer
The Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair men’s soccer team began their 2024 Western State Conference season on October 18, where they faced Citrus College, which jumpstarted their triumphant conference run.
In 2023, SMC Corsair men’s soccer team had an overall Western State Conference (WSC) record of (9-01), almost having a perfect win record. Although still going undefeated, SMC fell short one win after their 2-2 tie against Oxnard, who had an undefeated run the previous year with a record of (10-0).
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Corsairs played their first home conference match at the Corsair Field against the Marauders from Antelope Valley, coming out on top with a 1-0. With two victories, the men’s soccer team had a 2-0 lead in conference and at the time were second in the WSC table Southern Division.
In the first half against the Marauders, Corsairs’ forward Jay’ce Jones scored the only goal of the game with an assist from midfielder Adrian Garcia in the twentieth minute. With several shots attempted above the crossbar, the Corsairs were unable to find the net in the second half.
The team continued conference play with a match against the Bakersfield College Renegades on Oct. 25 who were first in WSC at the time. In an intense game of defense coming from the Corsairs side, the Corsairs came out on top with a score of 1-0. The only goal coming from Corsairs’ forward Philip Hephzibah, who currently leads the WSC in assists and second overall in goals, points, and shots. After the match, the Corsairs were able to move up to first place in conference standings.
The Corsairs continued dominating their conference games. They were getting wins against the College of the Canyons, Glendale, Citrus and Antelope Valley. Their win against Glendale on Sunday, Nov. 10, officially named the Corsairs Western State Conference -South Conference Champions.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Renegades, who are second in the WSC standings, faced off the Corsairs for the second time after being dethroned early in the conference. Although no chance of
SMC Corsairs men’s soccer team State Conference with a perfect
Bakersfield Renegades’ forward Jordee Magana (20) kicks the ball away from Santa Monica Corsairs’ forward Jefferson Parada (16) on Tue., Nov. 12, 2024 at the Corsair Field in Santa Monica, Calif. Santa Monica College men’s soccer defeated Bakersfield College 3-0.
team went undefeated in back to back Western perfect (10-0) record in their 2024 conference run.
Left: Bakersfield Renegades’ forward Jordee Magana (20) kicks the ball away from Santa Monica Corsairs’ forward Jefferson Parada (16) on Tue., Nov. 12, 2024 at the Corsair Field in Santa Monica, Calif. Santa Monica College men’s soccer defeated Bakersfield College 3-0. (Photos by Rebecca Villagracia | The Corsair)
stripping the champion title from SMC, the Renegades fought hard to disrupt their win streak.
In the first half of their match, both sides fought hard with the Renegades playing slightly more dominant, however were unable to get past against the Corsairs defense. Later in the twentieth minute, the Corsairs were able to break through after being awarded a penalty which was taken by Corsairs’ forward Javier Mendoza and getting the lead 1-0.
However, having the lead, tragedy struck when the Corsairs were faced with another chance not too long after the goal when they were awarded a free kick. When the ball was centered, Corsair midfielder Josh McCowan ran to keep the ball in play where he was seen jumping for the ball but unfortunately was injured during the landing. McCowan was subbed off immediately after.
Below: Santa Monica Corsairs’ forward Jefferson Parada (16) and forward Edan Lazorovich (7) hug forward Danny Spindler (18) to celebrate Spindler’s debut goal on Tue., Nov. 12, 2024 at the Corsair Field in Santa Monica, Calif. Santa Monica College men’s soccer defeated Bakersfield College 3-0. (Rebecca Villagracia | The Corsair)
In the thirtieth minute, Mendoza found the back of the net once again to extend their lead. Later on in the second half, where the Renegades continued to fight, still looking for their opportunity to turn the table, Corsair forward Danny Spindler extended their lead once again making the score 3-0.
SMC ended the match victorious with a final score of 3-0 against the Renegades. With one game left in conference against College of the Canyons and a record of (9-0), the Corsairs were faced with almost achieving the perfect undefeated conference run.
On Friday night, Nov. 15, the Corsairs came out as winners with a score of 4-1 against the Cougars from College of the Canyons with goals scored by SMC Philip Hephzibah, Justin Martinez and two from Javier Mendoza.
“I feel like we worked really hard together, we went undefeated 10-0,” said Corsairs’ captain Philip Hephzibah, on the team working together during conference play. “Of course there’s games where we get frustrated with each other but that’s what comes to the locker room talks, we have to calm down, compose ourselves and recuperate…teamwork-wise, I think we really worked, built up the season to get to where we are right now…”
The Corsairs ended their conference run with a total of 27 goals, with the top offensive players Javier Mendoza, Philip Hephzibah, and Gabe Mejia sharing the top three positions in the WSC individual leaders for goals, assists, and points.
“The conference title is what you’re playing for in that portion of the season and you always want to win some sort of trophies, and being able to accomplish that was a team goal of ours…” said head coach Tim Pierce, in regards to securing the conference title and moving to playoffs with a bye. “...there was an added exclamation point on that, given that we’re 10-0…you get rewarded with a high seed in the top 8 teams in the power point system; we get a home game and a bye, so that’s a big advantage too.”
“I think it’s a real big thing because we went back-toback last season and doing it this season, and a lot of us need that rest,” said Hephzibah. “...going against these teams is very difficult…so this bye week is really going to give us time to rejuvenate, you know rest, stretch, and just be ready mentally and physically for Saturday.”
With a conference record of (10-0-0) and an overall record of (17-2-3), the Corsairs ended their conference run undefeated and are officially back to back WSC-Southern Division Champs. The Corsairs have earned a bye for playoffs, moving them to the second round, and will face Cuyamaca College after they defeated Palomar College 2-1 in the first round.
CORSAIRS SHUTOUT THE MARAUDERS ON SOPHOMORE NIGHT
Santa Monica College (SMC) women’s soccer secured the Conference title and shutout the Antelope Valley College Marauders completely on their sophomore night.
Karen Lopez | Digital Editor
Santa Monica, Calif. — On Thursday, Nov. 15, the Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs women’s soccer team played against the Antelope Valley College Marauders at Corsair Stadium.
After the game ended, the whole Corsairs women’s soccer players were left in jubilation as they celebrated over winning the Conference title. The Corsairs women’s soccer players sprayed their water on each other and hugged one another.
Their conference standing leaves them with impressive achievements, having won 10 conference matches, tied three games, and lost one. The team celebrated sophomore night with their families, who greeted them with flowers.
Each sophomore player received a white flower as their name was mentioned. They walked together with their families and friends in a straight line in front while being surrounded by both players and other families in two lines between the sophomores. The sophomores thanked and hugged their coaches.
“It was really rewarding,” said Corsair captain and defender Jessica Narez. “I thought about all the times that we had 8 a.m. training and all the times that we had (to) sacrifice thing(s) so it just felt like it was all worth it.”
“I feel amazing,” said Corsair captain and defender Izzy Turner. “I feel so happy and like all the work that we put in since June has really just paid off. And to add it on top to sophomore night, I think that it was honestly the best night that it could have been. And I feel super happy and super excited heading into the playoffs.”
The first half of the game opened with the Corsairs maintaining possession of the ball. Corsairs’ defender Carmen Talavera passed to Turner as the Marauders got a turnover from their midfielder Brianna Montes De Oca. However, the Marauders lost possession of the ball.
The Corsairs were able to take control of the field. The Corsairs lost possession of the ball for a moment but gained it again with Talavera passing to Corsairs’ forward Zuleyka Ortiz. However, the Marauders were able to turnover the ball, shutting out the Corsairs’ chance of passing.
Marauders’ defender Brooklyn Berger kicked a lofted ball that left the Marauders in control of the game. However, Narez intercepted and stopped the opponent’s ball.
The Corsairs successfully scored their first goal thanks to Ortiz. After the Corsairs gained possession from the Marauders, Corsair forward Valeria Romo and Marauder defender Abigail Halter brawled for the ball. The Corsairs succeeded in taking the ball, ending the second half with another score by Corsairs’
Carmen Talavera (23) and Izzy Turner (3) on Thursday, Nov. 15, at Santa Monica College. (Robert Batmunkh WWWWW| Photographer)
Izzy Turner (3) and Lillian Rodriguez (13) on Thursday, Nov. 15, at Santa Monica College. (Robert Batmunkh | Photographer)
midfielder Jacibe Martinez (2-0).
In the second half, Ortiz started off with possession. The Corsairs had the ball but it went out of bounds, giving the Marauders control of the game.
However, this didn’t stop the Corsairs, as their forward Jacky Hernandez passed to Ortiz, allowing her to score another goal. The Corsairs kept the lead, leaving the score 3-0.
Later on, Romo tussled it out with Halter leading her to shoot and score (4-0). In the last minutes, a penalty kick was given to Hernandez which led to another Corsair goal, ending the match (5-0).
“I think I feel really good because I had an injury last year and it took me so much to recover. So I think confidence was a really big show for me, and just playing with this team and the momentum they had and everything,” said Hernandez. “I think I just stepped up to the occasion and it felt good to score in that moment now.”
With this win, the Corsairs will be moving on to playoffs. “I think our team is ready,” said Hernandez. “Like, this is what we were here for. We wanted that back-to-back conference and I think our work is not done here. So we’re gonna keep pushing ourselves to our limit and we’re gonna give it our all in playoffs.”
“Yeah, it was really amazing. I’m so proud of all the girls and we’ve come a long way this season,” said Corsair goalie Jacinda Hevesy-Rodriguez. “So I’m just really proud of all of us. And it was super exciting to get a shoutout on our sophomore night to really honor our sophomores, because they really deserve it. They’ve worked so hard and a lot of them are their back-to-back champions now, so conference champions. So I’m super proud of them and I’m so happy.”
The Corsairs defeated the Marauders 5-1 in the first round of the 3C2A playoffs. The Corsairs travel to Chula Vista on Saturday, Nov. 23 to take on Southwestern College.
Corsair team celebrates during the game on Thursday, Nov. 15, at Santa Monica College. (Batmunkh Robert | Photographer)
Another Win for the Corsairs
On Saturday, Nov. 16, the Santa Monica College Corsairs, football team, played their last conference home game against the Los Angeles Pierce College Brahma Bulls at the Corsair Stadium.
Corsairs’ quarterback Michael Cruz gave his thoughts on the game. Cruz said, “It was a great last game here at home. A nice way for (the seniors) and the sophomores to have a send-off, so it was a good game.”
He also hinted that Corsairs are ready to go against Compton on Nov. 23, saying, “definitely, we'll be ready. We'll be prepared. No, we just got to stay focused. It's the last game, so just stay focused. Be prepared like it was the first game.”
In the first minutes of the first half, the Bulls lost possession of the ball. Cruz threw a forward pass to Corsairs’ wide receiver Darren Tenner-Taylor, who ran all the way to the end zone. The extra point from Corsair kicker Jaiden Espadas made the score 7-0. The first quarter ended with the Corsairs in the lead (17-7).
The second quarter ended with Corsairs still in the lead (34-21), and in the third quarter they widened the gap (51-27). Finally, the last quarter ended with Corsair winning (61-27).
Corsairs’ defensive lineman, Jordan Grant, is an international student from Queensland, Australia. He shared his thoughts on the game, saying, “I think, defensively, we started slow. The offense, especially the O-line, were doing very dirty moves. There was a lot of slapping, a lot of facemasks that the referee didn’t pull. If this was us a month ago, we would have played into that and we would’ve reacted badly and gotten flags thrown against us. But we held out and we played our game and it showed. It was solid.”
Grant also commented on the upcoming game, saying “big time big time, I think if we just continue to play our football (and) not react to what they might be doing… Compton's had a very hard year in terms of (being) short of players and, you know, just big score lines put against them. So I suspect they're gonna come out and try and do dirty stuff against us, but if we just play our style of football and not react to it like we did today, we'll have a great win.”
Santa Monica College Corsairs, football team, won against the Los Angeles Pierce College Brahma Bulls.
Karen Lopez | Digital Editor
Sat., Nov.
Above: Santa Monica College Corsairs’ quarterback Michael Cruz (13) runs the ball as Pierce College Brahmas’ defensive back Roman Broussard (20) defends on
16, 2024 at the Corsair Field in Santa Monica, Calif. Santa Monica College football defeated Pierce College 61-27. (Rebecca Villagracia | The Corsair)
Right: Pierce College wide receiver Tenorris Merket(16) gets tackled on the foot by Santa Monica College(SMC) player to stop the run during their game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 at SMC’s Corsair Field in Santa Monica, Calif. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)
Left: Santa Monica College Corsairs’ wide receiver Cody Lambert (10) tackles Pierce College Brahmas’ Dom Cureton (4) as he carries the ball on Sat., Nov. 16, 2024 at the Corsair Field in Santa Monica, Calif. Santa Monica College football defeated Pierce College 61-27. (Rebecca Villagracia | The Corsair)
