El Paisano Newspaper Vol.64 Issue 4

Wednesday March 23, 2022

Serving The Rio Hondo Community

Vol.64 Issue 4

Starbucks Is Switching To Reusable Cups

Illustration by Jasmine Soria For El Paisano Media Kathryn S.Nunez

gram will work by,the customer ordering their preferred drink.

Then the drink will be served in a Borrow - a- Cup.The customer will have their drink wherever they please.Finally when they finish,the cup will be returned to a kiosk around the building and in the kitchen areas.Where the cup will be thoroughly washed and sanitized,ready to be used again.

The program has already been tested in five Starbucks stores located in Seattle.

Though the program is still in its early stages Starbucks Korea has announced that they plan to eliminate single use cups in all Korean stores by 2025.Starbucks has already partnered with a company called Ridwell in April of 2021.Partnering with Ridwell allowed Starbucks to offer its customers a at home pick up service for reusable and items that are harder to recycle.

This provides another option to return their borrowed cups.Ridwell provided their customers with custom reusable bags to place their cups in and Ridwell bins placed at the front door for at home pick ups.

The Borrow -a- Cup program is only part of Starbucks current areas of focus.They plan to expand their plant based menu options,shifting away from single use to reusable packaging.Investing in regenerative agriculture,reforestation,forest conservation,forest conservation and water replenishment in their supply chain.

As well as working on better ways to manage their waste and innovating with more responsible stores,operations,manufacturing and delivery.Their goal is to achieve this by 2030,so we all can expect more innovation from Starbucks in the years to come.

Roadrunners Recent Struggles Lead to a 10-4 Loss Against Mt. San Antonio

Herrera pitched the majority of the game.

Matt Herrera had a solid relief appearance pitching five innings and striking out seven.

His full line: 5 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO. The eighth inning saw the Mounties break it open after Wil Bermudez hit a two run shot to make it a 7-3 ball game.

The momentum the ‘Runners had heading to the bottom of the eighth diminished after that home run, and the Mounties kept rolling after that.

Two more runs were scored in the ninth for the Mounties and Cristian Enriquez closed it out in the ninth to end the game.

Mt. SAC moved on to 15-6 on the season and riding a five game winning streak. The two teams will continue conference play next week.

Lifestyle Editor/Reporter

kathryn.nunez6915@my.riohondo.edu

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tarbucks announces a new company aspiration to become environmentally friendly.They plan to achieve this by storing more carbon than they emit,limiting their waste,and to conserve and replenish fresh water.One of their first steps to achieve this goal is by launching the SODO 8 Reusable Cup Program.

The SODO 8 Program will be known as the Borrow-a-Cup program in Starbucks locations.

This program will change how Starbucks serves its drinks.

The cups will be changed to be completely reusable.These new cups will be used for both hot and cold drinks,so there will be no longer be a need for the cardboard sleeve.This will help to reduce waste.

The Borrow-a-Cup pro-

M atthew Medina Online Sports Editor matthew.medina7081@my.riohondo.edu

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io Hondo Baseball struggles to stay in the win column after dropping another conference series against the Mounties on Thursday.

The Roadrunners have lost five of their last six games and drop to 14-9 on the season.

Thursday afternoon did not help their cause, losing 10-4 at Rio Hondo.

A poor performance from David Medrano on the mound put the ‘Runners in a hole al-

lowing 3 runs in 1.2 innings.

A two-run home run by Mt. SAC’s Cristian Enriquez started the scoring for the Mounties and the rest continued after.

The game started off close in the first after Rafael Flores hit a solo shot for the ‘Runners.

That run would be the only run scored till the sixth inning for the ‘Runners.

Rio Hondo had life in the sixth, loading the bases and scoring on a sac fly by Daniel Ortega and a clutch walk by Oscar Herandez to make it a two run ball game.

Both squads went scoreless in the seventh inning while Matt

John Sayoc For El Paisano Media

One of the last photos of an Amazon Books storefront open in the Los Cerritos Center in Cerritos, Calif.

Amazon Stores Permanently Closing

John Sayoc

Photo Editor

john.sayoc2436@my.riohondo.edu

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s of Sunday, March 20, most of or all Amazon Books, Amazon 4-Star, and Pop Up shops will be closed down permanently.

This means 68 stores that are located from the United States to the United Kingdom. There were 24 bookstores, over 30 other retail stores, and around 10 pop-up shops.

Amazon Books first opened in Seattle, Washington in 2015. In 2018, Amazon 4-Star first opened in SoHo, New York.

Amazon Pop Up shops were first introduced in 2014 but closed over 80 of them in 2019.

In 2020, Amazon Pop Up shops would make a return.

Amazon Books was a physical store that primarily sold books, magazines, and other knick-knacks that can be found on the website. It was also a place where customers could easily pick up items bought online or return items as well.

Amazon 4-Star was a physical retail store where you could find products such as electronics, toys, and games sold there that are rated 4 stars and above. Amazon Pop Up shops were used in malls and were kiosks that had devices like tablets in them. They were used

by Amazon as a main attempt to bring an offline experience to its customers.

While Amazon Books and Amazon 4-Star stores looked cool and had very helpful employees, the stores themselves were underperforming. This

was apparent as they weren’t performing nearly as well as Amazon online shopping even with the pursuit of discounts from publishers.

It seems employees of these stores were notified beforehand and were given a choice. The options were to leave and receive a severance package from Amazon or to stay and maybe find another job within the Amazon company. It is not clear how many employees this affects and how many people chose one or the other.

Althoughphysical stores such as Amazon Books, Amazon 4-Star, and Amazon Pop Up shops closed down, Amazon is focusing on other physical stores. Instead, Amazon has announced that it would be focusing on Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go, and Whole Foods Market. Amazon Fresh is a grocery store that is filled with smart technology. By that, the cart scans each item added and people can automatically pay as they leave the store. There also is a food court with pizza and salad.

Amazon Go is a smart convenience store that features the same technology as Amazon Fresh. Whole Foods Market is a grocery supermarket chain of over 40 years that was bought

by Amazon in 2017. It looks like Amazon is set to revolutionize shopping altogether with technology.

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"Sunshine Protection Act"

Senate votes on bill to make Daylight Savings Time Permanent

Eva Rivera

News Editor

eva.rivera2331@my.riohondo.edu

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uesday, March 13 - The senate unanimously voted to pass a bill to permanently observe daylight savings at a national level which would eliminate the need to change our clocks biannually. The “Sunshine Protection Act,” would make Daylight Savings Time the new permanent standard time if it is passed by the house of representatives and then signed into law by President Joe Biden.

Daylight Savings Time was not adopted by the United States until 1918. “An Act to preserve daylight and provide standard time for the United States,” was initiated, only

to have been observed for seven months before it was repealed. President Roosevelt reinstated a form of daylight savings time and called it “War Time,” in 1942. “War Time,” was from Feb. 1942 to Sept. 1945.

Almost two decades later, 1966 brought upon the newest form of daylight savings time the “Uniform Time Act,” where a yearly time change would start the last Sunday of April and end the last Sunday of October. The early 70’s brought yet again another try at saving time, but was again given up on and standard time was reinstated in 1974.

Daylight Savings Time finally came into its own in 1987 when the United States

observed it until 2006, it began the first weekend in April, until the last weekend in October.

In 2007 daylight savings time changed yet again to the method we currently follow, we “spring forward” at the end of March and “fall backward” at the end of November.

Albert Einstein once wrote “People like us who believe in physics know that the distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion,” the thought of time being a constant has been universally accepted but with all of the inconsistent daylight savings time changes it begs to differ.

Eva Rivera for El Paisano Media

After having "sprung forward" Sunday, March 13 a week later we welcome the first day of Spring March 20 with a sunrise at 6:56 a.m. East Los Angeles Torres Performing Arts in East Los Angeles, Calif. is greeted by the sunrise over it's field.

Yellow flower picked off the mountainside.

Jasmine Soria For El Paisano Media

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Wednesday March 23, 2022

The Rio Hondo College Division of Arts and Cultural Programs Honors All Things Tongva with Speaker Samantha Johnson Eva Rivera

News Editor

eva.rivera2331@my.riohondo.edu

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rtist and speaker Samantha Johnson of the Tongva tribe spoke at the Rio Hondo Campus Inn Thursday, March 17. Thursday’s program was made possible by the Rio Hondo College Division of Arts and Cultural Programs. The Division of Arts and Cultural Programs focuses on providing opportunities for

community.

Johnson shared an oral history presentation that her mother Kimberly Morales Johnson, a current tribal secretary had initially created.

Along with her mother’s presentation Johnson added art and environmental activism points that she has done as a marine biologist and environmentalist. Johnson shares a love of ethnobotany with her mother and attributes her knowledge of ethnobotany to

Eva Rivera for El Paisano Media

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel was founded in 1771 making it the fourth mission to be established. Unfortunately, for the local Tongva Tribe the mission also started the colonization that would mean the Tongva would belong to the mission.

its students by giving them the opportunity to become educated and responsible contributors in the global arts

her tribe’s ancestor Barbara Drake. According to the United States Department of Agriculture ethnobotany is the study

of how people of a particular culture and region make use of indigenous (native) plants.

Prior to colonization in California the Gabrielino Tongva tribe primarily hunted, gathered, traded, and traveled as far as Alaska. The Tongva tribe used the stars to guide them on their nautical journeys as they searched for the endless trade opportunities they had. Many natives looked at the natural world (environment) as their grocery store, pharmacy, church, and hardware store which is justified by the rough English translation of Tongva as “people of the earth,” loyal to their roots they use their natural resources respectfully.

The Tongva way of life was disrupted when the San Gabriel Mission began the colonization of the tribe. The Tongva were no longer free and belonged to the mission.

The Tongva were used as slaves for the mission and were forced to learn catholicism as well as having their culture stripped. Throughout history tribes have fought for the return of their lands and their voices. Much of the history that tribes have held onto is through their shared art, written word, foods, and music.

After sharing slides of Tongva influenced art that included pieces Johnson had created she discussed envi-

Eva Rivera for El Paisano Media

The first day of spring makes for the perfect photo opportunity for the structure of San Gabriel Arcángel. The mission was built of stone, brick, and mortar making it one of the well preserved of all the missions.

ronmental activism. Johnson shared that tribes consider plants as their ancestors and relatives ”it would be wrong of me not to include plant people that are under the most distress.” Currently a plant that we all know as “white sage” is considered a sacred plant and is constantly being poached affecting the sensitive ecosystem of the plant's home.

White sage is commonly used in bundle form as a “smudge stick” to rid any space of “bad vibes.” Little do most of us know, the sage we are using to clean a room is not essentially coming from a good place being stripped from its roots without permission. By sharing this information Johnson hopes that the more of us that

Sidney Sweeney is Madam Web Beatriz A. Martinez Reporter

beatriz.martinez0021@my.riohondo.edu

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he star of HBO Max's hit series "Euphoria"w and The White Lotus, Sydney Sweeney is now part of Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters. On March 16, it was confirmed that Sweeney will join the new Spider-Man movie "Madame Web." The news that the American actress will make her Marvel debut joining Dakota Johnson, who has been chosen for the main role, Madame Web, has been trending all over social media. The same day, Sweeney shared a Deadline post on her Instagram confirming her role in the new Madame Web movie. Currently, that post has over 1 million likes.

Sweeney was born on Sept. 27, 1997. She debuted in 2009 and since then, she has had a rise in her career. Sweeney is the second actor to be confirmed to join the film and

although it is not yet known what role she is starring in, it is rumored that it will be a leading role, as Gwen Stacy or the fourth Spider-Woman, granddaughter of Madame Webb. Sony's Spider-Verse hasn't revealed the rest of the cast or any plot details yet, as it's still in development, however, it is already known that S.J. Clarkson will direct the film.

But who is Madame Web? Madame Web first appeared in 1981’s Amazing Spider-Man #210 created by Dennis O'Neil and John Romita Jr. In the comics, Cassandra Web is her original name.

She is shown as a blind woman who helps Spider-Man with his clairvoyant visions.

Madame Web suffered from a degenerative disease that caused her central nervous system to collapse. This made it difficult for her to move and breathe on her own, so she was connected to a vital sys-

Graphic by Beatriz Martinez for El Paisano Media

It should be noted that Madame Web will be Sony's first Marvel superhero movie with a female lead. It's also too early to have a release date, but more updates on this long-awaited movie are expected to be released soon.

are informed the more we can continue to share with others.

Although the Tongva are acknowledged and thriving more in our society they continue to fight for their land back. Now more than ever the Native American voice is being heard, you can find Native American influenced work in books, art, shows like “Reservation Dogs,” and movies.

Johnson hopes to honor her ancestors through her art as well as her knowledge. The livestream of Johnson’s presentation is available at the Rio Hondo College Division of Arts and Cultural Programs Youtube page for anyone who would like to learn more about what she discussed.

tem created by her husband, Jonathan Web. In Madame Web's images, she appears evil or creepy because this life support system she was connected to looks like a giant spider’s web, however, Madame Web is on the side of good.

However, Madame Web never fought any villians so there are speculations about what exactly the movie will be about. Many have compared Madame Web's background to Doctor Strange for the reason.

The decision to cast Johnson as Madame Web has Marvel fans anxious to know if the movie will take a different tack than the comics. Johnson could play the second Madame Web, Julia Carpenter instead of the original. Carpenter was Spider-Woman who debuted in the first Secret Wars limited series in 1984.

Before Madame Web died, she transferred her powers to Carpenter, making her the second Madame Web. There are many theories about this movie so fans will have to wait for more updates to know exactly everything about this movie.

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The James Webb Telescope:

The Future views of our Universe's History Jonathon Carmona

Science and Tech Editor

jonathon.carmona9046@my.riohondo.edu

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he answers of our questionable existence might actually be within our reach. The birth of our universe, the first light in the universe itself, how rare life is, these questions could be answered thanks to the James Webb Telescope.

On Dec. 25, 2021, The James Webb Telescope was launched from Kourou, French Guiana. Launched by an Ariane-5 rocket near the equator, the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope began its journey.

On Wednesday, Mar. 16, 2022, a test image was released

by NASA giving us a taste of what's to come. The image was one a star one million miles away from Earth. The star, shining bright, even with a red tint

on the image. The real beauty lies with the ancient galaxies surrounding the star, glimmering as only space dust can.

Since launch, the mission has been making the largest and most expensive spacebased observatory operational.

This includes fine tuning the telescope’s 6.5m-wide primary mirror. The primary mirror is made up of 18 gold plated segments, this is the source of the red tint on the latest test image.

The mirror is actually so big it had to be folded to fit within the telescope. The 18 segments are tuned and adjusted by small motors. This design allows the segments to act as one singular indivisible surface.

It took 25 years of development for the Webb Telescope to come to fruition. In those 25 years, engineers invented 10 new technologies. The telescope has 18-gold plated mir-

Graphic by Jonathon Carmona for El Paisano Media

The James Webb Telescope, launched Christmas Day 2021, captured a stunning test image this past Wednesday, marking a successful telescope alignment test. This means the $10 billion telescope is closer to being used at maximum capacity, getting closer to answering life-long questions.

rors and ultrasensitive infrared sensors. These infrared sensors give the gift of infrared sight to the telescope. This will allow it to view the universe through a fresh new vision never before seen. The scope also has advanced temperature controllers.

This makes sure the scope’s heat doesn’t surpass the stars it's looking at. The primary mirror is three times larger and seven times more sensitive than the Hubble Space Telescope.

The 32-year old Hubble Telescope and the new Webb telescope will be working together for the Webb Telescope's first few years.

A series of calibration tests

and boot ups have been taking place to essentially turn the telescope on and get it functioning. These tests included sunshield deployment, telescope deployment, instrument turn-on, and telescope alignment. The telescope’s sunshield is made up of five layers of Kapton. The idea behind the design is that the sun shield will help keep the telescope cool enough to not overheat. This heat could potentially become hotter than the stars it is searching for.

With the test image that came out on Wednesday, NASA confirmed the success of telescope alignment. The process of reaching maximum capability

is making great process. The telescope’s mission is four parts.

One part is to see the first light in the universe. Another is to view the assembly of galaxies in the early age of the universe. To also view the birth of stars and protoplanetary systems as well as discovering planets, especially those sustaining life. This would lead to discovering the origins of life as well. Thanks to the collaborations of NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency, the answers to our universe have become closer to reach. That is shooting for the stars.

Wednesday March 23, 2022

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Double Standards with Afghan and Ukrainian Refugees Leslie Tovar Reporter

leslie.tovar2034@my.riohondo.edu

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n Aug. 2021 in Afghanistan, news broke that the Taliban had taken over the capital City of Kabul. Since the Taliban has taken over, Afghans have been living in a world where men are in control of women's rights, and people are desperate for help as the economy crashes rapidly.

The world watched the Taliban take over Kabul month after month, but for many Afghans who have stayed behind, they live in fear under the rules of the Taliban.

In Feb. of this year, Russia invaded Ukraine as we witnessed the bombing of cities, we also saw countries open their borders, as hundreds of people seek sanctuary.

Nearby countries like Greece, Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Denmark have opened their borders to Ukraine refugees.

But many of those countries reacted differently when refugees from Eastern European countries, in the past years, have tried to seek asylum.

Which raises a question, why are there double standards for certain refugees seeking asylum when they are in need of assistance?

European countries have been helping Ukraine refugees, giving them a warm welcome into their cities. But they also haven’t shown much solidarity towards refugees from other countries in the past.

Ryan Leon

Leslie Tovar for El Paisano Media Ukraine and Afghanistan, two countries currently struggling politically in different ways, are both in need of aid and resources.

In a recent article, the New York Times explains how “Other European leaders have also described Ukrainian refugees as less of a threat and more deserving of help than others.”

It’s not that hard to understand that these “leaders” are only willing to assist people who have similar appearances as they do.

In Afghanistan, women struggle adjusting under the rules of the Taliban and are afraid to stand up for women's

rights as they fear it can lead to violence or even death.

Many have lost their jobs, and money has been limited due to banks being frozen.

The humanitarian crisis is still happening and is only getting worse as Afghans struggle to feed their families.

In the City of Herat, some Afghans are selling their kidneys in exchange for money to survive. Many families are left with no choice but to sell their children for money as they can’t

afford to feed their own child or even themselves.

“By mid-2022, the U.N. Development Program estimates that 97% of Afghanistan's population will ‘plunge’ into poverty,” ABC News Reported. “ Up to 1 million children under 5 could die by the end of the year due to the country's food crisis and the lack of water and sanitation services, according to UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund).”

While in Ukraine, martial

Journalism Still Matters

Digital Editor-in-Chief ryan.leon7365@my.riohondo.edu

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he Associated College Press held a conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel March 4, 2022 in Long Beach, Calif. This is where keynote speaker Rick Green shared an important story about a terrible issue in education. That is, the issue of students being sexually harassed by professors. As executive editor and chief content officer of the Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, Calif., Green is a key figure in the journalism industry. So, the fact that he brought up this issue further proves its importance.

Sexual harassment under any circumstance is an atrocity. However, a professor who preys on their students that way is outright diabolical. In June 2021, a woman who was a graduate of Sonoma Academy, a private college preparatory high school in Santa Rosa Calif., sent an email to Green explaining her experience with a humanities professor who did awful things to her twenty years prior.

Green then explained the details contained in the email,

Graphic by Ryan Leon for El Paisano Media The field of Journalism is essential because it allows important issues to be brought to the attention of others. There always needs to be someone who is ready and able to share unknown information to the public. which were very horrific to hear. He told the audience that this woman had suffered from sexual grooming and sexual harassment by this professor. “[He] would make young

girls in his classes read very erotic literature, had them keep diaries about their sexual thoughts, physical acts. Delved into the relationships with boyfriends,” says Green.

The woman tried to tell the school what had happened to her, but they dismissed her.

That was because the professor who did these actions was very renowned and popular.

law is in place, banning men ages 18-60 year-olds from leaving the country to fight off Russian troops entering Ukraine.

As others take the long journey to nearby countries, some citizens of Ukraine have also made the decision to stay in the country and protect their homes, as Russian troops make their way into Ukraine.

Over 2 million refugees have fled Ukraine in less than 2 weeks according to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). The number of refugees has since grown.

Afghanistan refugees on the other hand have a much difficult time seeking asylum.

Many Afghans have fled towards Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Germany, and India. But in Iran there has been abuse towards Afghan refugees by denying them education, being limited to certain areas, and even deportation.

“At some points in the past, Afghans in Iran and Pakistan were recognized as prima facie refugees,” reported Human Watch Rights. “But, due to inconsistent policy towards recognizing their status, most displaced Afghans in both countries today are not recognized as refugees.”

The situations that are happening with Ukraine and Afghanistan may be different, but it also has shed a light on how certain countries prioritize certain refugees by where they come from and not by the danger that they are forced to face back home.

A professor who has a certain level of prestige should never be excluded from the consequences of performing sexual harassment. While it is unfortunate that Sonoma Academy refused to listen to the woman’s story, something positive was able to happen as a result of their unwise decision. Green and his team were able to run her story about this professor and got justice for his crimes.

In addition, it was determined that 34 other students at Sonoma Academy during the time had also been victims of the reported professor. If journalism had not been an outlet for the woman who was a victim of sexual harassment, then the professor might never have been caught.

“Journalism matters.

It makes a difference,” says Green.

Without journalism pushing these issues forward, it is very possible that countless other victims would never find closure. The world needs journalists to help bring issues like this to light. That is why journalism still matters.

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Mexican American and Chicano Movies of the First-Half of the 1990s: From American Me to Mi Vida Loca Jeffrey Barragan Opinion Editor

jeffrey.barraganramos6969@my.riohondo.edu

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In the 1990s, Mexican American movies captured a far more comprehensive cultural experience than movies of the 1980s.

In the decade after movies like “Zoot Suit,” “Stand and Deliver,” and “Born in East L.A.,” Mexican American and Chicano films continued to touch on similar themes. But they also told more complex stories at times.

Two of the era's most recognized Mexican American movies, “American Me” and “Blood In Blood Out,” were released between 1992 and 1993.

While “American Me” and “Blood In Blood Out” stay in East Los Angeles. The lesser-known “Mi Vida Loca” captures cholo culture in Echo Park from a female perspective.

All three movies explore Mexican American and Latinx gang culture in the 1970s and 1990s. However, they all dive even deeper into the subculture than previous Mexican American movies had.

American Me (1992) Edward James Olmos released his dictatorial debut film “American Me'' in 1992. In “American Me,” Olmos stars as the main character Montoya Santana. The majority of the film is set in prison, following Santana’s rise and fall as a gang leader.

Over a decade earlier, in 1981, Olmos played the narrator, El Pachuco, in the musical “Zoot Suit,” the first Mexican American film of the 1980s.

“American Me” even features the Zoot Suit Riots at the begin-

ning of the movie; the event is also captured in “Zoot Suit.”

Besides Olmos, who appears in several more 1990s Mexican American movies, “American Me” is also the first to feature Jacob Vargas. Olmos, Danny Trejo, Seidy López, and Lupe Ontiveros are the only actors to appear in three 1990s Mexican American movies. But Vargas is the only one to appear in four movies through the decade.

Still, Olmos’ “American Me” wasn’t entirely the first Mexican American movie released in the decade. However, the movie was one of the first of the 1990s.

The movie “El Mariachi” was released just over two weeks before “American Me” in Feb. 1992. But, “El Mariachi” isn’t exactly a Mexican American movie, as the title hints. Although it is set in Mexico and is a pretty good movie, the movie doesn't focus on the Mexican American experience. In addition, the star of the movie, Antonio Banderas, is of Spanish descent. Not Mexican.

Blood In Blood Out and Mi Vida Loca (1993) In April 1993, “Blood In Blood Out” was released. The movie is a lengthy watch at three hours. “Blood In Blood Out” touches on several similar themes as “American Me.” “Blood In Blood Out” explores the cholo culture of the 1970s and early 1980s, inside and outside of prison. The movie also spends a lot of time exploring the family experience.

The Mexican American nuclear family is further explored later in the decade with “My Family” in 1995.

That same year in 1993,

Jeffrey Barragan for El Paisano Media All three early 1990s movies, "American Me," "Blood In Blood Out" and "Mi Vida Loca" are set in Los Angeles, Calif., including in the communities of East Los Angeles and Echo Park.

“Mi Vida Loca” was released.

The movie came out just three months after “Blood In Blood Out” but didn’t get a national US release until 1994. Yet, the film is drastically different from the previous two.

“Mi Vida Loca” is the only Mexican American movie of the 1980s and 1990s that almost solely follows the female experience in Los Angeles. The main characters are friend’s, and esas, Sad Girl (Angel Aviles) and Mousie (Seidy López). Salma Hayek also makes a few brief appearces as Gata.

More familiar actors appear in “Mi Vida Loca'' like Jesse Borrego as El Duran and Trejo as Frank. Borrego and Trejo also appear in “Blood In Blood Out.”

In addition, Vargas appears as Ernesto in “Mi Vida Loca.” Others like López appear in later Mexican American films.

Despite making over 3 million at the box office, “Mi Vida Loca” is probably the least known of all three movies. It conjures the question, is the Mexican American female focus of the movie something that has affected its appeal? Is it something that has resulted in the film being overlooked since its release 29 years ago?

Both movies are currently available on Youtube. The quality isn't great, but it adds to the visceral quality of the films and the authenticity of the stories the films tell.

When watching back three

decades later, all three early 1990s Mexican American movies, "American Me," “Blood In Blood Out,” and "Mi Vida Loca," give off a sort of nostalgic and simultaneously tragic feeling.

They are all heavy stories with heavy implications and endings that you'll be replaying in your head for at least a few days.

Mexican American and Latinx Movies Mentioned in this Story 1.

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4.

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Zoot Suit (1981) Born in East L.A. (1987) Stand and Deliver (1988 Blood In Blood Out (1993) Mi Vida Loca (1993) My Family (1995)

Wednesday March 23, 2022

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Freeman Heads to Los Angeles Molly McCormick Sports Editor

molly.mccormick3682@my.riohondo.edu

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couple of days ago World Champion Freddie Freeman signed a six-year, 162 million dollar contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He ahad decided to leave the Atlanta Braves after a great 15 years and a World Championship later.

This could not have been an easy decision because back in 2007 the Atlanta Braves selected Freeman in the second round of the 2007 MLB draft.

Then later on in 2010, Freeman was called up to the Braves on September 1, 2010, as part of the team's September call-ups, and made his MLB debut that same day.

Freeman began the 2011 season as the starting first baseman for the Atlanta Braves.

After a slow start at the beginning of the season, his performance improved and he was even mentioned as a strong candidate for rookie of the year. On July 4, 2011, Freeman hit two home runs against the Colorado Rockies, for his first multi-home run game. Freeman

was the first Braves rookie to reach 50 RBIs by July 18 since Hank accomplished this feat in 1954. Sadly Freeman came in second to his teammate Craig Kimbrel in the 2011 NL Rookie of the Year balloting.

On February 4, 2014, Freeman agreed to an eight-year, $135 million extension with the Atlanta Braves. Freeman was also then named an All-Star for the second time in 2014, and he played the last three innings of the game.

At the beginning of the 2016 season, Freeman was expected

Courtesy of @NumbersMLB

Freddie Freeman is 5× All-Star, World Series champion, NL MVP in 2020, 2× All-MLB Second Team, 3× Silver Slugger Award, NL Hank Aaron Award, and 2× Hit for the cycle.

Rio Hondo's Women’s Tennis Tries to Rally Toward the End of the Season

Noah Segovia Reporter

noah.segovia5186@my.riohondo.edu

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his young mighty team of first and second year prayers are making a difference not only in the tennis program but as a team individually. Furthermore this collective unit is dominating the court due to 5 out of 6 players on the roster based on Coach Unger’s player ranking system are in the top five for single matches for Rio Hondo. In addition, two of the top teams at Rio Hondo in double matches are the No. 1 team of Daisy Haro and Nichole Lule and the No. 2 team of Ocean Velasquez and Nadia Santoyo are part of the tennis program.

Besides most of the roster only being six players, they are trying to fight through the adversity of the season and try to

Noah Segovia for El Pasiano Media

Coach Uunger is hands-on during practice on March 17 when teaching the newcomers Ocean Velasquez and NadiaSantoyo.

finish with their heads up high in confidence. Therefore, they are in third place behind undefeated front runners El Camino College in the SCC with an overall record of 4-6-1, conference record of 3-3, away record

Noah Segovia for El Pasiano Media

Isabel Luna is in the zone as she is straing down her her opponent on the other side of the net at practice on March 17.

of 3-3, and a home record of 1-3. Nevertheless, here are the four out of eleven conference victories for the roadrunners: February 3 against Cypress in a nail biting score of 5-4, February 15 against Mt. San Jacinto with a dominating score of 6-0, March 8 against Mt. Sac with a score of 6-3, and March 10 against Mt. San Jacinto with a score of 7-2.

However, Rio Hondo Tennis' most recent conference game was a home game vs.

Desert College on March 15 as they were defeated 7-2 ending their recent two match winning streak. Despite their recent match, the #1 doubles team of Nichole lule and Daisy Haro have won most of their matches as one of the dominant teams for the tennis program. As well as, the top five single match

to lead the team on the field, despite the wrist injury last year adversely affecting his off-season preparations. Freeman had a difficult start to the season, although began hitting well in June. On June 15, Freeman hit his first career cycle against the Cincinnati Reds. He was named National League Player of the Week.

Freeman had great ride with the Atlanta Braves. It's now time for him to open a new chapter in life. He may be moving to Los Angeles but he will always have a home in Atlanta.

players which are Nichole Lule, Daisy Haro, Ocean Velasquez, Nadia Santoyo, and Isabel Luna, also have been winning most of their matches this season. In addition, I had an opportunity to catch up with Coach Unger ( on the team’s pace of play and prepare to finish the season) at

the recent practice.

"We are completing our matches but we are down by two to nine points at the start of every match due to players being absent from most of the games, also we need to increase the intensity by 10 to 20%.”

Overall, the tennis program has been on hiatus due to Covid like every other program at Rio but for players like Daisy Haro practice does make a perfect transition when it comes to gametime. I have the chance to talk to Daisy at their recent practice.

“So we have been practicing a lot and we always work on our mistakes that occurred during the season and just try to eliminate those bad habits.”

In contrast, hopefully the tennis program can bounce back with only two home games left against SCC front runners El Camino on March 22 at 2pm then on March 24 against Mt. Sac at 2pm in order to finish the season‘s run and to be game ready for the SCC tournament at the end of the month.

Noah Segovia for El Pasiano Media

Teamwork during practice on March 17 for Ocean Velasquez and Nadia Santoyo as Coach Unger is hitting balls their way.

El Paisano Newspaper Staff Jasmine Soria Editor-In-Chief

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Madeline Torres A & E Co-Editor Lorenzo Arce Copy Editor Ryan Leon Digital Editor-In-Chief

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Matthew Medina Digital Sports Editor

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Beatriz Martinez Fernando Ramos Leslie Tovar Noah Segovia Carlos Jimenez Angel Nevarez Reporters

Poem of the Week Miedo

Written by WAA

Hoy tengo miedo, Miedo de amor Siento pavor, Pavor de ser rechazado Tengo temor Temor de no ser amado 3600 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601

Mas mi miedos desaparésen, Desaparesen cuando te tengo a mi lado.

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