The Collegian - Published Feb. 19, 2021 by The Collegian

TikTok recipes gain traction online

‘Blindspotting’ explores racial issues

The Collegian ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE 6

FEATURE, PAGE 5

Issue 8 • Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 •

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Delta College now a COVID-19 testing location BY HANNAH WORKMAN News Editor

Delta College is now offering COVID-19 testing to anyone from the general public, made possible through a partnership with San Joaquin County Public Health and HRSupport. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Delta College and

HRSupport states the term of the agreement began on Feb. 8 and will continue through Aug. 8. Testing, which began on Feb. 16, will be available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The tests will be conducted in the Shima 1 and Shima 2 parking lots. Drive-thru testing is in Shima 2. Walk-up testing is

in Shima 1. Both sites are near the main parking lot entrance. The service is free for those who bring a valid form of identification. Results can be expected in less than five business days. “Personally, I think it’s awesome,” student Michelle Quinones said. “Testing is a vital part in keeping this virus from spreading so quickly. I am all for as many testing sites

as possible, including at Delta College.” According to SJReady.org, there are fixed testing sites in Stockton at Chavez High School, Edison High School, Franklin High School, Stagg High School, Hong Kingston Elementary School, Eastland Plaza, Old Courthouse Plaza, SJC Human Services Agency and San Joaquin General Clinics.

Other locations pop up throughout the area as well. As of Feb. 12, there are 164 patients who have been hospitalized with COVID-19 and ICUs are at 106 percent capacity in San Joaquin County, based on data provided by the City of Stockton. In addition to providing free COVID-19 testing,

See TESTING, page 8

Spring 2021 virtual commencement ceremony planned

FILLING IN THE BLANKS?

BY HANNAH WORKMAN

COLLEGIAN PHOTOILLUSTRATION

News Editor

With UC, CSU decisions made for a return to campus in the fall semester, the California Community College chancellor puts questions of reopening to individual campuses BY DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS Editor in Chief

With San Joaquin County COVID-19 case numbers totaling 65,359 with 2,936 active cases, University of California (UC), California State University (CSU) and California Community College chancellor’s offices are making decisions regarding on-campus classes resuming in the fall semester. UC is planning to return to primarily in-person instruction systemwide in Fall 2021, according to a Jan. 11 statement from the Office of the President. UC President Michael V. Drake said as the university continues to monitor the evolution of the pandemic, the system is also carefully planning a safe return to in-person classes.

“Current forecasts give us hope that in the fall our students can enjoy a more normal on-campus experience,” Drake said. Classes at CSU campuses are also projected to be on campus. In December, CSU Chancellor Joseph I. Castro said that the system was approaching planning for the fall term with the goal of having the majority of its on-campus experiences returning. “This decision comes at a good time as high school and transfer students have until December 15 to complete their applications for fall admission,” said Castro, who officially became chancellor on Jan. 4. With admission applications now closed for CSUs and UCs, high school seniors moving on to

higher education who didn’t apply will have to either wait for Spring 2022 admission applications to open or apply to a community college, where applications are still open. The question of whether on-campus community college courses will restart in the fall remains as the Community College Chancellor’s Office monitors public health officials’ statements of safety regarding school reopenings. California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley said systemwide questions have been asked about plans for reopening. “I know this remains a very fluid situation because as you can tell over the last several months things

See RETURN, page 8

In a campus-wide email sent on Feb. 10, Delta College announced it will hold a virtual commencement ceremony for Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 graduates. The decision was made due to the high number of COVID-19 cases in the region, according to the email. “We know this probably isn’t what you were hoping to hear,” the email said. “We wish we could gather with you and your family to celebrate your accomplishments in person. But your health and safety come first.” The announcement comes as a disappointment to many students. Students in the San Joaquin Delta College public Facebook group responded to a post where the information was reiterated. “I am not ready for a virtual commencement ceremony,” student Saira Naz said. “Imagining myself walking on that stage was my encouragement all the time when I was ready to give up.” Student Lorina Sanchez-Garduño shared similar sentiments. “I kept imagining myself walking while my husband and daughters cheered me on,” Sanchez-Garduño said. “I wish they would still do one but in shifts, with very small groups over a two-week period at different days and times.” Delta College alumna Alondra Haole graduated in 2020. She attended the last virtual Commencement ceremony. “It definitely wasn’t as exciting as I would have hoped,” Haole said. “I felt like my accomplishment was under-celebrated. It was disappointing, but I tell myself that I was able to hold on in a pandemic and everything that came with it, and still graduate with honors.” Although she was disappointed, Haole said she tried to look at the bigger picture. “There are far more important things going on and I can sacrifice the ability to walk to help keep people safe and healthy,” Haole said. “That doesn’t mean it didn’t suck to not walk, but I just try to put it into perspective.” The Delta College post on Instagram informing students of the news was met with one user commenting that it’s “bittersweet.” Vivienne Aguilar, a 2020 graduate, spent her last few months at Delta College in online

See VIRTUAL, page 8

NEXT ISSUE: March 26 • CONTACT US: deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 • ONE FREE COPY

2 OPINION 021921

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/opinion

COVID dating tips Still quarantining? Want to find love? Here are some do’s and don’ts to follow BY ROBYN JONES

Opinion Editor

oronavirus has ruined so many chances for us to get into a relationship with someone we found an interest in, by keeping us inside, limiting in-person interaction, makes it hard to trust new people - but here’s a small guide on how to date during a pandemic. First and foremost, you have to make sure the person you want to be with won’t get on your nerves after five minutes, because realistically how will that play out in the end when you’re quarantined with them? Secondly, it’s always best to meet them over the phone, so that both participating parties can build a connection via facetime, Skype, Zoom, and other social media apps at a safe and healthy distance. “I met my significant other through Tinder, and we didn’t fully start hanging out until a month later, until I genuinely knew he wasn’t going to waste my time,” said Fatima Vela. Finding someone nowadays probably seems like a task to do, but if you’re looking for a serious relationship here’s a tip to efficiently use your time wisely: “Be clear and always have a deep understanding for what you’re looking for. Although the intended purpose is to date, other people are online looking for short casual meetings which can be unsafe and unsanitary,” said student Matthew Maduli. When meeting up with another individual in a public setting please do your part

FEBRUARY kiss or miss

to keep yourself and others safe by wearing a mask, keeping space in between you and sanitizing. Although it may seem impossible please refrain from kissing until further notice. Keep those masks on as you’re working to get to know each other. In the case you do meet someone in person, always take precautionary checks to ensure you’re not meeting up with a predator or catfish. Do meet in a crowded area. Meeting in a crowded area can increase your chances of ensuring your safety and comfortability when meeting with a stranger. Do share your location with a trusted friend or family member. It is always best to share your location, so others can be aware of your whereabouts when you are out with a stranger. Don’t give out personal information online. Not sharing your personal information online ensures you your privacy and protection from any future fraudulent activity. Do be aware of your surrounding area. Being aware of your surroundings ensures your protection from any suspicious activity that could be happening around you. Don’t leave your food or beverages unattended around a stranger. Do make sure all your personal belongings are with you at all times, to avoid missing important items. If at any point you feel unsafe with the person you’re meeting, trust your gut feeling to leave the situation as soon as possible. Stay safe and stay healthy during these times.

The Collegian The Collegian is the student newspaper of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif. The paper is published six times a semester. As a First Amendment newspaper we pride ourselves on a commitment to the students of Delta College while maintaining independence. We reinvigorate the credo that the newspaper speaks for the students, checks abuses of power and stands vigilant in the protection of democracy and free speech.

The Collegian is a member of the California Newspaper Publisher’s Association and the Journalism Association of Community Colleges.

BY COLLEGIAN EDITORS

COVID-19 vaccine rollouts throughout the country

Power outages across the nation

Gorilla Glue’s effectiveness

Valentine’s Day in quarantine

COVID-19 testing site at Delta College

Former President Donald J. Trump’s acquittal by the Senate

COVID-19 rates in San Joaquin County going down Delta College’s new-found hipness on social media Dino distractions at Stockton 99 Speedway County capping surcharges on restaurant take out, benefiting local business

EDITORS

STAFF DANTE CAMACHO CAITLYNN COLEN CHLOE GAMBLE MATTHEW JANG ARIANNA JUAREZ NOAH VANDYKE

DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS Editor in Chief/Feature

HANNAH WORKMAN News

ROBYN JONES Opinion

Texas snow

Dustin Diamond’s death Virtual graduation announcement Delta not making a decision yet about Fall 2021 classes Six more weeks of winter Lackluster Super Bowl Porch pirates

MULTIMEDIA TECH MATTHEW WILSON

ADVISER TARA CUSLIDGE-STAIANO

ESPERANZA HERNANDEZ-MUNOZ Entertainment

DAVID VICTOR Sports

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shima 203/204, (209) 954-5156 or deltacollegian@gmail.com For information about advertising, letters to the editor and editorial standards visit deltacollegian.net

3 OPINION 021921

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/opinion

Black History Month important, necessary New generation embraces the celebration of being Black while pushing for more BY ROBYN JONES Opinion Editor

magine learning about the prejudiced acts done towards your ancestors, just to have it repeated in the modern day. Black History Month takes place each year in the month of February, because of two important leaders who were very beneficial to the black community; Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass whose birthday lies together within a single week. Originally Black History Month was seven days long and referred to as Negro History Week to acknowledge the leaders birthdays and all the achievements done by other black activists and important figures that came to be. As of the early 1940s communities have transformed Negro History Week into Black History Month. “I never knew that Black History Month was a week, so it’s cool to know that as a collective community we decided to make it the whole month of February,” said Jaylin Dunham. Although Black History Month is celebrated to honor Lincoln, Douglass, and all the achievements that the black community has accomplished since the emancipation proclamation was passed. It feels as if the efforts of abolitionists and the Black Lives Matter protests have not done anything at all. The Black community are still fighting prevalent ongoing battles against police brutality, systematic racism, and racism within different communities. As a black woman, learning about the history of my people and what they had to go through in order for us to have better living situations makes me proud to be who I am, and happy to have a month dedicated towards all the struggles. The month of February means a lot to the black community because it isn’t just another month. February is the month that “we get to celebrate being Black, like for real it’s an accomplishment,” said student Noah Walden.

In spite of the agonizing events leading to protests for human rights against police brutality, white supremacy groups, Trump rallies, and cyber threats highlighting the ending of Black lives in 2020, it brought everyone in the community together to watch out for each other. “Seeing unity in the black community, which is something you don’t see as often made me excited for the new generation. It made me hopeful for change and that hopefully we will be heard,” said Yanise Harris. According to The Rocky Mountain Collegian newspaper 2020 timeline events such as the death of George Floyd, The Minneapolis protests and the petition demanding justice for Elijah McClain,has led many young activists to change their outlook on things. “Black History Month is important because, without the foundations our ancestors set for us, we wouldn’t be where we are today, [we] have the power to cause such positive change in our country and our culture in society,” said Daniel Harris, a Black Lives Matter protester. Seeing how far along our ancestors have come, has brought inspiration to all new fashion stylists, activists, content creators, makeup artists, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The new generation has taken off creating clothing, makeup, and new music that we enjoy everyday leaving us with the sole fact that February isn’t just another month to fly past without acknowledging in depth. As of this February clothing departments such as Forever 21 located in the Weberstown mall and the local Stockton Targets have a section showcasing clothing, art, and makeup created by Black men and women in the scene. Overall it’s great seeing change being done in the community, and seeing more people embrace being Black. The love and support the community have for each other has brought a new level of pride back into the hearts of many.

Hope comes for more equitable policing BY CHLOE GAMBLE Staff Writer

s we move through the month of February which is Black History Month, I couldn’t help but look to the past, specifically George Floyd’s death last May 25, which sparked riots and protests across the United States. “I can’t breathe” and “Black Lives Matter” became calls to action worldwide. As the media covered the story, more and more people began researching and grew angry at the police. While much work remains for equity in policing, hope is coming in the form of revamped curriculum and practices. I felt an injustice and anger towards those who are supposed to protect all of us and yet there was and continues to be a bias based on skin color. I am a white female who grew up in a suburban neighborhood. I have family in law enforcement and so I grew up knowing how hard the system was for some cops and how corrupt it could be. I didn’t consider myself blind to the racism in the system, yet I didn’t know how bad it was until the protests began and I started to dig deeper.

“A national data set established by the FBI in 2019, for example, contains data from only about 40 percent of US law-enforcement officers. Data submission by officers and agencies is voluntary, which many researchers see as part of the problem,” Lynne Peeples, a writer for Nature, said. The lack of data didn’t shock me as there are flaws in each system and yet there is 60 percent of data missing, which is alarming. I can’t help but wonder what else is being hidden. It’s hard to imagine what the future could hold for those who are afraid to go out of their houses or even sleep at night based on their skin color. An interview with Delta College Basic Police Officer Training Academy Director Tammie Murrell gave me a glimmer of hope for the future of policing. Murrell said there’s a new course this summer in the academy to address these issues. There is now a Cultural Immersion Curriculum being used to “address the failed historical relation with African Americans and police, to know where they have failed and what they can do to improve and change the perspective

of the students,” said Murrell. Not only does this new curriculum add 41 hours to the overall program but the goals are to “increase cultural competence, increase awareness of personal biases and understand how they impact decision making, policing, and the community, build trust and on-going partnerships within the community, recognize and respect the complexities of cultural diversity to develop skills necessary for identifying and responding to California’s changing communities, understand how personal faiths, beliefs, morals, and values intersect with the 14th Amendment, develop interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills, and recognize that one of the most reliable strategies for successful interactions with individuals from differing cultural, racial or ethnic backgrounds are to treat all individuals and groups with dignity and respect.” As a community member, I am concerned not only for what is being implemented inside of the classrooms, but also what happens to the police after being on the scene and going through traumatic events and how they are handled. As people may know, untreated trau-

matic events can have disastrous consequences that not only affect the person but those around them. Many of those that go untreated can have an influx of stress in their life not to mention other mental and physical health problems. Murrell said “lots of police suffer from PTSD but there is officer wellness that is put in place.” In her eyes, “in order to be an effective police officer you must be physically and mentally healthy.” “Meditation and yoga are being used to help relax and treat what is being seen in the field. Plus there are people that are helping officers understand what they are feeling with PTSD. Part of the problem is people hid the fact as they thought they were crazy but it can be treated through meditation and other wellness provided to the officers to help them mentally,” said Murell. As the months and years progress, we can only hope that positive changes continue to be made around the community and those that serve us. We can’t fight hate with hate but instead, but we can learn from mistakes and admit to the crimes and mistakes in order to make a safer and calmer future for everyone in this country.

4 FEATURE 021921 Delta Political Science department works to set up success for students The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/feature

BY DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS Editor in Chief

Students in the political science department at Delta College say that the program equips them with the knowledge and the experience they need to be successful in their careers and educational goals leaving Delta. Political science major Dustin Brakebill said that he feels the political science department has led him to great accomplishments. “In the past year I got to volunteer for a state senate race in the primary. Then I got hired during the general election and was the office manager and an organizer and I got to learn so much working for Susan Talamantes Eggman,” Brakebill said before naming a number of other accomplishments he’s made since joining the program. Professor Cirian Villavicencio and Dr. Joel Blank are Delta’s two full-time tenured faculty members in the department. Delta has 10 more adjunct political science faculty members who teach mostly American government. Both Blank and Villavicencio are highly experienced in political areas. Blank has been a professor at Delta for 12 years. He went to Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, practiced law, worked in Washington D.C., was a director of legal studies field, and did pre-law advising to name just a few things. Villavicencio has taught at Delta for 9 years and has held the discipline chair position for the political science department since 2016. Villavicencio served an internship with Congressman Tom Lantos, was involved with former president Barack Obama’s campaign, was elected twice to the Democratic National Convention in support of Obama and was appointed by governor Jerry Brown to serve on the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American affairs, among others. Despite having their own political opinions, Blank and Villavicencio teach their classes objectively and focus on educating students on the political process. “I make it very clear that I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or if you’re a Republican or if you’re a Libertarian. I don’t care [about] your political orientation, in my class you’re here to learn, to understand, to discuss and debate the issues,” Blank said, adding that it’s vital for students to feel free to express themselves. Brakebill said the professors don’t take a side and that they give facts with no opinion. “They let us give our opinion and that’s great because we have liberals and conservatives in the classes and we can debate about the topics and then they tell us why the stuff we are learning is the way it is,” Brakebill said.

Blank and Villavicencio work to provide their students with unique opportunities for them to gain experience in politics. Blank said that his and Villavicencio’s legal and political connections give students opportunities at Delta that the students can put on their resumes to get into colleges they may not otherwise. “The overall view of what we have in the department is [not only] to create a special relationship with our students, but a special DEPARTMENT progr am SPOTLIGHT for those who don’t immediately go into a 4-year institution. They have a rewarding experience for them so it’s not like ‘oh I should’ve been at UC, I should’ve been at Cal State — I’m at San Joaquin Delta College,’” Blank said. Blank and Villavicencio have organized a travel abroad program which will allow current and alumni students to visit a country and learn their politics. “They spend two weeks in a country around the world learning about politics. Not just seeing the events, not just seeing the sights, but going and visiting lawmakers, going to visit an actual trial and seeing the politicians,” Blank said. Villavicencio added that it was intended to be like a capstone program to give students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to travel abroad. “Given the cost, given the feasibility of doing it over the summer for a two/ two-and-a-half week period is really something special for them to leave Delta college when they pursue their careers or when they transfer. It’s just a great culmination of our program that they learn about politics and now they get to actually experience politics internationally,” Villavicencio said. He said it’s important for students to have the experience of visiting another country because we live in a globalized world. “Our economy is global, we are interdependent, we face global challenges from climate change to poverty to global trade. You look at our students, we live in Stockton, the most diverse city in the United States and so here is an opportunity for them to experience not just the politics but the culture of another country,” Villavicencio said. Blank added that to create a global village and a peaceful world it is essential that students understand other countries.

San Joaquin Delta College Department of Political Science

Michael Tubbs Public Affairs Scholarship $1000 scholarship awarded to two outstanding San Joaquin Delta College Political Science students Requirements o o

o o o

o o

Transferring or continuing student attending San Joaquin Delta College Applicants must apply directly to the San Joaquin Delta College Scholarship portal: https://deltacollege.awardspring.com/  Opens: January 1, 2021  Deadline: March 2, 2021 Applicants must be a Political Science major pursuing AA-T Degree or minor Minimum GPA: 3.00 Applicants must have taken two Political Science advanced courses  POLSC 2 – Comparative Politics  POLSC 3 – Political Theory  POLSC 4 – California State Politics  POLSC 5 – International Relations  POLSC 6 – International Political Economy Demonstrate Political or Law-related extracurricular activities, i.e. campaigns, internships AND/OR Campus and/or community service, i.e. Student Government, NGO-work/internships Applicants are required to complete a supplementary Personal Statement (500-750 words)  What does civic engagement mean to you? Integrate your personal experiences with what you have done to better your campus and overall community? What do you hope to accomplish in the future regarding civic engagement/public service? Applicants are required to submit a Resume

Recipients will be notified April 2021 For further information, please contact Professor Cirian Villavicencio (Cirian.Villavicencio@deltacollege.edu) or Professor Joel Blank (Joel.Blank@deltacollege.edu)

The Political Science Department, in collaboration with former mayor Michael Tubbs, are awarding two political science majoring students per school year with a $1,000 scholarship. PHOTO COURTESY OF CIRIAN VILLAVICENCIO

“The only way you can really understand other countries is by visiting that country, by interacting with the people,” Blank said. Funding is provided to help cover some of the trip’s cost. Villavicencio said their intention is to offer the program every two years. The trip has been cancelled twice due to pandemic restrictions, but they hope to go to Florence next year. Blank and Villavencio have also created a special scholarship opportunity for students in collaboration with former mayor Michael Tubbs. Two scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded to chosen political science students every year. “Stockton Scholars has promised that this scholarship will continue for the next 5 years,” said Villavicencio, adding that Tubbs has promised to mentor the students that they select. Delta is one of the small number of community colleges that has the Pathway to Law program. Blank said that he was involved at the very beginning of Delta bringing the Pathway to Law program to California.

“It’s competitive. Out of 114 community colleges, only about 25-26 have the program,” Blank said. He added that Delta has over 350 Pathway to Law students who attend monthly seminars, have internships at the DA’s office, the public defender’s office and non-government organizations and who also get a bit of an advantage when they apply to transfer to 8 schools. More information about the program can be found at deltacollege.edu/ program/pathway-law. The program has a Politics and Law Club that meets on Zoom every Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. Blank said before COVID the club would have lunch, bring speakers and every two years they would do campaign forms for the local politicians as well as state and national. “We’re also involved in doing community-wide issues in terms of raising money for various homeless shelters and the food pantry,” Blank said. For more information about the political science department, visit their website at www.deltacollege.edu/program/political-science .

The Collegian Ask questions. Explore programs. Do more in your time at San Joaquin Delta College Be part of something bigger. WE’RE LOOKING FOR EDITORS FOR THE FALL 2021 TERM

5 FEATURE 021921

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/feature

YOUR DIET WHIPPED COFFEE Ingredients -2 tbsp instant coffee -2 tbsp sugar -2 tbsp hot water Directions Mix instant coffee, sugar, and water in bowl. Whisk until mixture has whipped consistency. Pour mixture over 3/4 full glass of milk.

BREAKFAST SANDWICH HACK Ingredients -2 eggs -2 bread slices -Optional add-ins (bacon, cheese, etc.) Directions Whisk together two eggs in bowl. Dip bread slices in egg. Set bread slices in pre-heated pan. Once egg is cooked (turns white) flip egg and two bread slices in one solid movement. Add extra toppings on one slice of bread and fold the other slice on top. Cook to desired toastiness.

CHICKEN BACON WRAP Ingredients -Fried Chicken Strips -Bacon -Avocado -Sliced Cheese

-Tomato -Red onion -Jalapeno cream cheese

Directions Cut slit in tortilla from the middle to the outside. In one triangle, place cheese slices. In another, place avocado and bacon. In the next, spread cream cheese and put chicken on top. In the last, place tomato and onion. Fold from left to right. Put in countertop grill or stovetop skillet.

FETA TOMATO PASTA Ingredients -1 Block Feta cheese -2 Pint Cherry tomatoes -Garlic -1/2 cup olive oil

-Pasta noodles of choice -Parmesan -Basil -Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes

Directions Mix tomatoes, garlic, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt and pepper in baking dish. Place feta cheese on top, drizzle other 1/4 cup olive oil and sprinkle red pepper flakes over all ingredients. Bake at 400 for 40 minutes. Smash all ingredients together with fork. Cook noodles. Mix noodles into mixture.

WHITE CLAW SLUSHIE Ingredients -1 White Claw, flavor of choice -2 shots vodka -1/2 cup frozen berries of choice -1 cup ice Directions Add all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into glass and enjoy!

TikTok recipes and meal hacks have taken over social media as creators make short videos showing the world what we’ve been missing out on. Whether quarantine has sparked new creativity or TikTok has made itself an easy platform for creators to share their secrets, we’re just thankful that making tasty treats has become a lot easier and more fun.

6 ENTERTAINMENT 021921

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/entertainment

FILM EXPLORES RACIAL ‘BLINDSPOT’ BY ESPERANZA HERNANDEZ-MUNOZ

Entertainment Editor

ovie theaters, like many other sectors in the workforce, were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Everything came to a halt, movie releases were postponed. Others were released on entertainment platforms and select theaters. After the recent events of last year it continues to be important to learn about Black history. That is why for the month of February a movie being highlighted is “Blindspotting,” a stand-out film. It’s not exactly like every movie being recommended on a “for you” page. It is an incredible film focused on all-too-real experiences. The film stars Collin (Daveed Diggs) as a Black man trying to get through the last three days of his probation unscathed. He finds himself questioning his future or if he will even have a future after witnessing a white cop shoot down an black suspect after chasing him down right in front of Collin’s truck. Collin finds it hard to get a fresh start with his unpredictable violent friend at his side making it very difficult. Miles (Rafael Casal), who is white, struggles to find his place in Collin’s life not only there, but within their Oakland neighborhood. In the final three days of Collin’s probation, the two friends are exposed to the huge racial Daveed Diggs as Collin and Rafael Casal as Miles in a scene from “Blindspotting.” PHOTO COURTESY OF LIONSGATE and social issues between them. “Blindspotting” has its moments of comedy The film really leaves the audience thinking of The pinnacle moment for Miles is when he is but focuses on serious racial issues people face every the simple things others take for granted and what basically accused of cultural appropriation. Throughday in a realistic way. The film is eye opening, educaothers sadly go through. An especially impactful out the entire film he is trying to fit in by acting and tional and entertaining. scene is when Collin is playing with a Black young speaking like those around him especially like Collin, The power of rhymes is an incredibly important child who automatically put his hands up when they but it is completely inappropriate because Collin tool which is not greatly highlighted until the pinnawere playing cops. This was a moving moment for speaks the way he does because of his history and he cle moment in the movie. the character and audience. acts a certain way because of his experiences and the Not only is the word choice powerful, but the film The film develops Collin and Miles’ characters racism he is a victim of. takes complete advantage of the shots that can be The reason for Collin’s probation isn’t featured captured in the city of Oakland. The cinematography well. “Blindspotting” explores the mental effects Collin until near the end of the film as is the big argument is perfectly highlighted throughout the film espesuffers after he witnessed an officer kill a black man. between the friends in which it is finally pointed out cially in the opening montage when the audience is Collin also disapproves of most of Miles’ decisions that Miles may act tough and may try to act like a exposed to two different Oaklands. like the purchase of a weapon when he knows Collin Black person, but he doesn’t have to deal with their One side of Oakland is portrayed as full of colors, is trying to change. constant fears and anxieties. cultures but in a somewhat troubled area while the Miles is completely lost with his best friend trying The R-rated film came out in 2018, but recently it opposite side is portrayed as the up and coming and to change the lifestyle they once shared and with the was announced the film has led to a spin off TV series in filled with newcomers. The audience will be hanging city he knew his entire life is now changing too. which it will continue to put Oakland at the center of it all. on to every word in suspense.

Duo ‘1984’ makes political statements through music we both had the idea to start something together.” The two shared a unique viA duo of former Delta College students hope their new sion for the type of music they band will make a mark on the wanted to produce. “Bryan wanted to create vibrant art and culture scene in music about political themes, Stockton. Josh Sartain and Bryan how he was feeling. I kind of Winn formed 1984, an elec- had the same idea, but wanted tronic/alternative band, and to make something that soundreleased their first two singles, ed different from my previous “War is Peace” and “Wrong- band,” Sartain said. The band was established the speak,” on iTunes, Spotify, week after the storming of the SoundCloud and YouTube in United States Capitol on Jan. 6. late January. Winn was in Washington, Sartain and Winn met through a chance encoun- D.C. for the protests at Capitol ter when Winn appeared as Hill. He said he felt the need a guest on an episode of “The to write music addressing the Artist Hour,” a podcast Sartain current political climate after witnessing the event. hosted with his friend. Winn said the songs he Winn was a member of a wrote after returning home band named Puzzled at the time, but was looking to ex- from D.C., “War is Peace” and “Wrongspeak,” were the quickplore another genre of music. “When I went on the pod- est songs he had ever produced. “Wrongspeak” touches on cast, we clicked and we knew that we had a similar sound the First Amendment and in music and a similar style,” freedom of speech, a right Winn feels particularly pasWinn said. Sartain said he knew there sionate about. “We want to uphold these was potential for a fruitful fundamental American values partnership with Winn. that we treasure so much and “After that episode, I was with the freedom of speech, like, ‘Hey, we should link up and talk music,’” Sartain said. that’s such an important “I was doing my own thing thing and it’s very important as well, music wise, so we met for Americans,” Winn said. up, we talked, and that’s when “When the government infringes on people’s right to BY HANNAH WORKMAN News Editor

freedom of speech, they’re abusing their power.” While Winn said 1984 aims to make political statements, the band doesn’t promote conservative or liberal ideas. “It’s not about right or left,” Winn said. “It’s about individualism and liberty.” Winn said his biggest goal as an artist is to encourage his listeners to “seek out the ultimate truth.” “We want to shed light on issues, and shed light on how the media likes to manipulate stories and manipulate the public narrative,” Winn said. “We want to encourage people to open up their minds about that a little bit and to start thinking, ‘What’s the bias of this article?’” The band’s name was inspired by the classic dystopian novel “1984” by George Orwell, which explores truth and facts within politics and how truth and facts can be manipulated. Sartain said he named the band 1984 after spotting the novel on Winn’s desk. “It goes hand in hand with the political messages we’re trying to send and fits perfectly,” Sartain said. “If you’ve read the book, you understand the hidden meaning behind the name.”

Josh Sartain and Bryan Winn make up the Stockton-based band 1984. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH SARTAIN AND BRYAN WINN

Like the classic novel, Sartain said the band is planning to build a world and create a story that is told over the course of an album, which will be produced this year. “We want to get really conceptual with it,” Winn said. Sartain said he hopes that 1984’s message reaches a large

audience. “There’s so many things we can do with this project that I’m looking forward to,” Sartain said. “I just want a lot of people to hear our music. Eventually I want to go out on the road and play shows, but right now we’re trying to get our name out because we’re starting from the ground up.”

7 SPORTS 021921

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/sports

ATHLETES FACE UNCERTAIN FUTURE BY DAVID VICTOR Sports Editor

As sporting events continue to remain on hold, Delta’s student-athletes are encountering obstacles while moving ahead with their education through college athletics. The way in which the California Community College Athletics Association (CCCAA) has managed itself during the COVID-19 pandemic has brought divided opinions within Delta’s athletics program. Director of Athletics Tony Espinoza thinks the CCCAA has done e v er y-

thing it can to support the athletes and prioritize health and safety. “I think they’ve done as well as could be expected considering the circumstances. It’s been a very difficult 11 months for everyone, and I can only imagine what it’s been like for the CCCAA president and staff. They’ve done a great job of keeping us updated in regards to COVID, answering questions and communicating bylaw modifications related to eligibility,” said Espinoza. “Most importantly, they’ve kept the health and safety of our student-athletes as their main focus as we’ve transitioned through these difficult times.” Although the CCCAA is concerned about keeping the athletes healthy, others disagree with Espinoza.

Baseball Head Coach Reed Peters is outraged with the CCCAA’s response and said the current situation is negatively impacting the student-athletes. “This is an injustice,” said Peters. “Emotionally I am very bitter with the way all this is being handled. The group we serve is at very low risk, yet they have suffered more than any group. This is costing them their dreams and future.” While athletics for many schools at the community college level in California is at a complete stop, competition at four-year colleges is ongoing. Peters said this means students at community colleges are at a disadvantage in terms of development and will find it even more difficult to become a recruit at a higher education institution. “With us on hold and the D1’s [Division I universities] playing, our guys are getting further behind in the development process,” said Peters.

IMAGES FROM FREEPIK.COM

High school sports await future programs would be pushed directly Staff Writer into a five-game league action without The Sac-Joaquin Section Board Of any early contests or practices. First year Lodi High Junior VarManagers and Lead Commissionsity Defensive Backs Coach Manny ers discussed the future of high school Machado said there won’t be any presports for the remainder of the 2020season games to get the team ready. 2021 school year at a meeting on Jan. 26. “We can’t practice together as a team One of the sports increasingly discussed by many communities over right now and most of the guys are doing their own workouts just to stay in the last few weeks is football. The high school football season was shape and ready,” Machado said. Machado said the pandemic has slated to begin in fall 2020, but was taken away key aspects of team sports. postponed, like other activities, due to “Learning how to work with one the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. another and building core relationFootball was put into season two — expected to start on March 1 — ships over time with your teammates of the four-season plan developed by that turn into brothers are some of the the board of managers at the meeting. most important and special life moThe first season began on Feb. 8 ments that are being missed out on by and finishes up with season four on not playing. The social aspect of footJune 12, with each season lasting six ball is very important,” said Machado. Others in California have joined to eight weeks. According to the ofa movement called “Let Them Play,” ficial letter from the TCAL Board of Managers, “each league shall deter- which advocates for youth and high mine the season for each of its sports school sports to return as soon as possible. Brad Hensley, co-founder of the within these established parameters.” “Let Them Play CA” Facebook group San Joaquin County as a whole must enter the “moderate” or “orange” and a football father, said in a recent tier as part of the state’s Blueprint for interview with ABC that other states a Safer Economy Plan before foot- have already reopened youth sports. “35 other states have played football can take place. As of Feb. 18, the county remained in the purple tier ball. 40 other states have played youth sports. Not one reported serious inciindicating “widespread” cases. Tri City Athletic League (TCAL) dent of a child going into a hospital Commissioner Steve Lopez said they’re because of COVID, let alone suicide,” said Hensley in the interview. not sure about football resuming yet. The Facebook group has grown up “We just have to hope and see,” to 50,000 members in total since the Lopez said. organization was started by Hensley If the football season was to start according to the established dates, the and his wife in December. BY NOAH VANDYKE

“On top of that, the D1’s cannot recruit until probably July now. So even if we can go it’s unlikely they will be able to be seen. Our only hope is video, and we are not able to get with them to do that either.” In an attempt to continue helping their players with development, the Big 8 Conference baseball coaches are trying to waive 2.12B, a bylaw prohibiting coaches to train more than one player outside their college. “Schools that cannot afford to test [players for COVID-19] could opt out and still get some coaching and help moving on to the next level. Unfortunately, the CCCAA is not listening to common sense,” said Peters. Common sense would be to open it up for schools who can test, and allow schools who cannot afford testing to still get help from their coaches. Definitely a disparity. We didn’t get to play last year, and the state, county and CCCAA don’t seem to care if we play this year.” The CCCAA has also been criticized for its lack of clarity during the pandemic. Women’s Soccer Head Coach Adrienne Sorenson said the organization

hasn’t helped Delta or other colleges proceed with its contingency plan. “Not enough guidance on how to execute a season or help in doing so, which is why so many programs and conferences were forced to opt out,” said Sorenson. “Very poorly managed from the top of the CCCAA.” Keeping students to continue participating in athletics has been another challenge. Golf Head Coach Tony Troncale said with no competition taking place, players are tempted to leave his team and focus completely on their education. “The most challenging thing is to keep players interested in playing golf,” said Troncale. “If they aren’t playing, they’re losing interest and moving on to other things. Many of them want to graduate and move on to four-year colleges.” Delta, along with the rest of the Big 8 Conference, have already opted out of the Spring I season, and will decide on whether or not to opt in for Spring II later this month. Track and field, swimming and diving, baseball, softball, beach volleyball and men’s golf are the sports awaiting the decision to know if they can participate in competition.

Coaches share pandemic experiences BY DAVID VICTOR Sports Editor

Sudden changes to routines. Transition to online training. Uncertainty about what might happen next. Much like everyone else, Delta College’s coaches have struggled with adjusting to changes which the COVID-19 pandemic has forced upon them. PREPAREDNESS AND ADAPTATION When the pandemic began in March, coaches reacted differently to the situation. Women’s soccer head coach Adrienne Sorenson was anxious about what might happen and continues dealing with uncertainty. “There was so much unknown that it breeds anxiety,” said Sorenson. “As coaches, we love being in control and feeling in control of situations. This has been the opposite of that, so it’s for sure been a new challenge and the toughest of my career so far.” Baseball head coach Reed Peters says he thought the situation was only going to be a short setback and wasn’t expecting COVID-19 to have a significant impact on athletics. “When it first happened I thought it would be a two-week delay,” said Peters. “Now here we are, a year later, and still haven’t been on our field.” Adapting to remote training online has been a major challenge for the coaches. For Peters, adjusting to online training was a hard task. “It’s been extremely frustrating,” said Peters. “We have tried to send guys workouts to do on their own, find plac-

es for them to workout on their own if they choose to do so, and mix in a few Zoom calls. So, needless to say, the adjustment has been difficult for the coaches and players.” Apart from conditioning, remote training has also affected the way Peters communicates with his players. “There is no comparison between human interaction and virtual. We are all born to be social. Not only is it harder to coach remotely, but you lack the emotional support these kids need at this age,” said Peters. Golf head coach Tony Troncale struggles to address the needs of his players from a distance. “We can’t get together and work on their individual problems,” said Troncale. “It’s hard to communicate exactly what they need.” Unlike other coaches who also serve as professors at Delta, Troncale coaches part-time and has needed help with remote training. “I’m an athlete myself other than a coach. I am not a professor,” said Troncale. “I’m a PGA golf professional. I’ve turned to becoming a school teacher and I’ve needed assistance.” Despite the difficulties of holding online training sessions, other coaches have managed to adjust fine to the change and continue supporting their players. Sorenson said she and her players adapted well, and sees training remotely as another test for her coaching ability rather than an obstacle. READ THE FULL STORY AT DELTACOLLEGIAN.NET

8 NEWS 021921

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/news

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manipulation’ even though it’s exactly what the hedge fund managers do to make profit,” Alvarez said. Some involved believe that this was a definite win for the little guy. “I think it is kind o f humorous. The common person was able to get a leg up in a sense, it created a new sense of opportunity. Social media has made these events far easier to organize. All of this to say that the whole ‘David vs Goliath’ story doesn’t have to be a once in a lifetime story,” Kirk said. OM F

In late January and into early February the stock price for American video game, consumer electronics, and gaming merchandise retailer GameStop skyrocketed. The 1,700 percent surge came mostly from the social media platform Reddit and, more specifically, the subreddit r/WallStreetBets. A younger investing audience is now taking note. Investors are part of a youth movement with the information to buy not only being talked about on r/ WallStreetBets and shared as memes on Reddit but on other social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. The youth movement mostly started through stock trading and investing apps like Robinhood, which tried to get a younger audience through lowering minimum deposit and commissions and, when originally launched in 2015, had an average age of 26 years old. Isaiah Kirk, a former Delta College student, said he has considered investing, but with pause. “I have always viewed the stock market as very emotionally driven and volatile. The recent events have only reinforced that thought process,” Kirk said. “There is always an inherent risk. I love being involved, but

only put money that I am willing to lose after thorough research.” The sudden surge in Gamestop “did make me think more about investing,” said Las Positas College student Rachael Lucas. “But despite what I’ve learned about the stock market I still think it is an unpredictable way to make money I’d like to continue learning more about before I am willing to jump head in to head on,” she said. As well as being about a stock boom some saw this as something that goes beyond the money. “It exposed some injustices that would usually go unnoticed. It made me more interested in supporting politicians that would regulate the markets in favor of everyday Americans,” said Lucas. Justin Alvarez, a student at University of California Berkeley, also got more interested after seeing the reaction of companies to the rise in Gamestop stocks. “Especially after learning a bit about “shorts” and how the companies like Robinhood screwed over the Reddit community by calling what they did ‘market

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BY MATTHEW JANG

Young investors utilize Reddit to push Gamestop shares

Hate crimes against Asian-American community on the rise BY ESPERANZA HERNANDEZ-MUNOZ Entertainment Editor

The pandemic has been difficult for many people across the world, but the Asian-American community has been hit hard with a different crisis: an alarming rise in hate crimes. It has been an incredible hard time for Asian-American in America since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hate crimes against the AsianAmerican community have risen since the start of the pandemic With the start of Lunar New Year a time meant for celebration has been dimmed by the fear of being the next target of racism in the cities they call home. Hate crimes have become incredibly prevalent, especially in big areas such as the Bay Area and New York City. It has been reported by CBS News and Yahoo News that in New York City there was a 867 percent rise in Asian hate crime victims in 2020 compared to the year prior. There have been many videos

showing the violence against the AsianAmerican community. One of the most known videos released in early February shows a 91-year-old man being violently pushed to the ground in Oakland by a man who continues walking down the street as if nothing had happened. According to CBS News, it was only one of three attacks that occurred that day. Many communities are frightened and more recently the elderly have been the victims. The recent wave of violence has led to Alameda County’s district attorney’s office to set up a new division called Victim-Witness Assistance. This new division, “was the first of its kind in the state of California,” according to the Office of the Alameda County District Attorney. According to the website, the division “provides a variety of services for crime victims, witnesses, and their families, as they work through the emotional trauma of their victimization.” For

more information, visit alcoda.org/ victim_witness. At the start of his term President Joe Biden signed an executive order to help report anti-Asian crimes. He also condemned the recent violence in a brief. “During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, inflammatory and xenophobic rhetoric has put Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) persons, families, communities, and businesses at risk,” read the brief. The brief further recognised the part the federal government and national leaders played in inciting the racism and violence against the Asian American community. “The Federal Government must recognize that it has played a role in furthering these xenophobic sentiments through the actions of political leaders, including references to the COVID-19 pandemic by the geographic location of its origin. Such statements have stoked unfounded fears and perpetuated stigma

about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and have contributed to increasing rates of bullying, harassment, and hate crimes against AAPI persons.” There are groups working to prevent the tide of hate crimes. One group located in Oakland includes Compassion in Oakland. This particular organization gives people the option to volunteer to become chaperones to help the Asian elderly while they are walking through Oakland. Through the organization’s website those who want a chaperone can sign up to get one. According to their website, they promote a safer Oakland. “We strive to provide the Oakland Chinatown Community with a resource for promoting safety and community. We aim to embrace the often forgotten, underserved, and vulnerable. We promote compassion not indifference, unity as opposed to divisiveness. Fostering a more caring and safer Oakland for all.”

TESTING: Public vaccinations may soon be offered at Delta College continued from PAGE 1

Delta College is in talks with San Joaquin County to become a vaccination site. The MOU with HRSupport said the two Shima lots and the adjacent Athletics parking lot could be used for COVID-19 vaccinations Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is no expected date for public vaccinations yet. “Once a vaccine is readily available, we intend to also offer vaccinations to employees and members of the public who qualify under current public health tiers,” Director of Marketing,

Communications and Outreach Alex Breitler said in a campuswide email sent out regarding Delta College’s establishment as a testing site. Students like Joe Flores are appreciative of the institution’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. “To me, it’s another example of how Delta shows they care and are constantly thinking of the students,” Flores said. For more information on testing and vaccination in San Joaquin County, visit SJReady.org. To register for COVID-19 testing on the Delta College campus, visit https://avellinocov2. com/patient/register or scan the adjacent QR code.

RETURN: Decision to reopen individual colleges to be localized continued from PAGE 1 continue to change rapidly and we are paying very close attention to our public health officials in California to help us figure out how and when to reopen,” said Oakley in a Jan. 26 meeting with members of student media. Oakley said that the decision will be localized with

individual colleges working with local and regional public health officials. “That planning has begun and we are very hopeful that with the vaccine rolling out and with the right precautions in place we can begin to see some in person instruction as early as summer and hopefully no later than fall,” Oakley said, adding that even if community college courses are back in fall, physical

distancing guidelines and interventions will still be in place. “It won’t be what you expect to see as a normal semester but it will be the beginning of getting back to some sort of normalcy in our system. We will continue to have increased numbers of courses online well beyond this pandemic because we know how important this is to our students,” Oakley said.

State University, Monterey Bay. “I was already tired of being on Zoom when it happened. I felt it would make the celebration tedious instead of enjoyable since my grandparents couldn’t attend online.” Aguilar said she “bought the cap and gown, and got stoles” but stopped there. “I want the chance to wear them while celebrating,”

she said. The virtual commencement ceremony is scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 15. Students must apply for graduation by the March 5 deadline. As more information becomes available, updates can be found at deltacollege.edu/commencement.

VIRTUAL: Students express dissatisfaction with commencement plans continued from PAGE 1 classes after the campus closed at the beginning of the pandemic. She opted not to participate in the virtual ceremony. “I’m waiting till they have walking ceremonies again,” said Aguilar, who transferred to California