GOLDEN GATE XPRESS //
STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER PROUDLY SERVING THE SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SINCE 1927.
// 04.17.13
VOLUME LXXXXVI ISSUE 11
Campus reacts to Boston bombings COMPILED BY XPRESS NEWS STAFF
TRUST: The cast and crew of ‘CockTales,’ a showcase of performances on the topic of masculinity under the theme “Reclaiming love,” gather around in a circle to practice trust exercises by tossing a ball of yarn around to create a web of appreciation and camaraderie. Photo by Frank Leal
‘CockTales’ redefines masculinity BY JONATHAN RAMOS
E
jonaramo@mail.sfsu.edu
DUARDO BENITEZ HAS always had to be silent. As a child he wasn’t allowed to cry during a sad movie. As a teenager he wasn’t allowed to show any affection toward his wounded siblings and as an adult, he wasn’t allowed to come out as a gay man. In fact, Benitez said he wasn’t allowed to show much of any emotion growing up because in the Benitez household emotions were a sign of weakness – and men should never be weak. He stayed silent. Thursday, April 18, Benitez will finally break his silence in “CockTales,” an evening of performances held at the
McKenna Theatre, which is meant to challenge and redefine how society views masculinity. Benitez is one of 11 performers who will share their stories through monologues, poetry, music and dance for the event, now in its fifth year, sponsored by the Sexual Abuse Free Environment Place, an organization that promotes healthy masculine identities and sexual violence prevention at SF State. “I didn’t know you could do this,” said Benitez, a 22-year-old senior psychology major. “For me (growing up) it’s like you’re either masculine to the extreme or you’re feminine to the extreme. There was never this in-between.” Raised in Orange County as the fourth of five boys, Benitez always emulated his older brothers Edgar, 26, and Victor, 25, as models of what a man should be. His brothers showed him being a man meant being a SEE PERFORMERS ON PAGE 11
BY BRIAN RINKER brinker@mail.sfsu.edu
S
T
HE TWO bombs that struck the finish line at the 2013 Boston Marathon Monday, April 15, killed three, injured more than 170 people and
shocked the world. The AP reported that the FBI discovered the bombs were hidden inside kitchen pressure cookers packed with explosives, nails and ball bearings. The SF State community expressed sympathy for those affected by the tragic event as the FBI continued to investigate the motives behind the attack. Along with initial feelings of sadness and terror, the unknown details overwhelmed the population. Many students and faculty await details before fully knowing how to react to the tragedy. SEE RUSHING ON PAGE 3
New map details expensive SF living locations
F STATE STUDENT Adam Millman doesn’t work during the school year, relying entirely on his financial aid to pay the bills. The mechanical engineering major said about 60 percent of that aid goes toward rent, leaving not much behind. “I have just enough money for food,” Millman said, adding that he is cheap, which allows him some perks, like buying materials needed for school or paying registration fees for a Stephanie triathlon. “On occaMay, an SF sion, I can do someState student, thing fun.” Millman lives in made a map the Outer Sunset, one that details the of the more affordmedian rent for able areas to rent in the city. The median one-bedroom for a one-bedapartments all rent room is $1,500 and throughout San the suggested income needed to live there is Francisco $55,000, according to a new map that details the median one-bedroom rental prices by neighborhood in the city. The map even includes the needed income necessary to SEE RENT ON PAGE 3 GETTING WARMER: Heat map based on more than six months worth of listings for one bedroom apartments. Listing prices were highest downtown; listing volume was greatest downtown as well.
2 CAMPUS SF STATE SPEAKS OUT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH YOUR TAX REFUND?
JONATHAN RILEY, 23 THEATER ARTS MAJOR
I did mine through Turbo Tax, there were a bunch of hidden fees so my $140 turned into $50.
JOANNA REE, 19
SOCIAL WORK MAJOR
If I did get a tax return I would buy a Cajon, it’s a Peruvian drum.
DANIEL FUNG, 22
ACCOUNTING MAJOR
I’m going to pay off my credit card.
04.17.13 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
Bold professor battled for disability rights
F
BY JOE FITZGERALD | jfitzger@mail.sfsu.edu
him become a leader in the disability rights movement from its RIENDS, COLLEAGUES AND LOVED infancy to its adulthood. ones celebrated disability activist and SF State Many noted his theatrical bearing, but one woman said his professor Paul Longmore's life and works at performer’s spirit came from a need to constantly prove himself the University's downtown campus in a series as a human being. of speeches titled "Mischievous Entangle“Disabled children are actors from an early age,” said panelist ments: The Embodied Histories of Paul K. Victoria Lewis, a theater professor at University of the Redlands. Longmore — Scholar, Teacher, Activist." She should know, she said — she herself was in a wheelchair. The SF State history department and the Quoting Longmore on how he felt when he met new people, she Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability hosted the event April said, “In the first three minutes I have to prove I'm not emotion12 as an official part of the Organization of American Historians' ally screwed up, I'm smarter than they are and finer than they are. annual meeting, but it quickly turned into a remembrance. If anyone is going to feel pity for anyone else, it'll be me pitying Though Longmore died two years ago, the panel of mostly them.” historians spoke about him fondly, as if he was just outside the The Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability has two major door. projects in the works, according to their website, including ar"Our strongest bond was both having polio as kids," said Mary chiving Longmore’s extensive notes from his book on disability Lou Breslin, a panelist and co-founder of the Disability Rights history in the J. Paul Leonard Library's historical archive, and Education and Defense Fund. "Like a secret handshake, when forming partnerships with public K-12 schools to teach disability the conversation turned to some arcane details of how our bodies history, in their words, “beyond Helen Keller.” worked,we would raise our eyebrows, nod to each other and say SF State University Librarian Deborah Masters said the new 'It's a polio thing, you wouldn't understand.'" archive was still being processed by the institute, but that the The panel was made up of women who knew Longmore: a library was honored to have it. high school teacher who "The University made the was his student, fellow decision to retain the Longmore historians from UC collection as part of the legacy of Berkeley and SF State and a distinguished faculty member a theater professor from held in high esteem by colleagues, Southern California. To and as a component of the research some, he was a mentor material available as a part of the who never let them give (Longmore) Institute," she said. up. Others reflected on his Notably, the fight for disability keen historical insight into rights is far from over, those at the George Washington, the event said. subject of a book which A volunteer just outside the took him ten years to event, Kacey Calahane, a 24-yearwrite by tapping out keys old graduate student at SF State, on a keyboard with a pen recalled a fellow student back at in his mouth because he UCLA who was blind and half did not have use of his deaf, who would constantly be arms. pushed and shoved by crowds Longmore had polio as oblivious to his existence or his a child, binding him to a DIGNITY: SF State graduate students Sam Wanless (left), Kacey Calahan (middle) and plight. wheelchair and a ventilaMax Speare (right) hold a sign in front of the SF State downtown campus entrance for a “They are us — they deserve tor to aid him in breathpanel and reception honoring leading disabilities activist and SF State professor, Paul K. dignity, and respect,” Calahane ing. He studied colonial said. history, and as he fought Longmore, who passed away in 2010. Photo by Gabriella Gamboa Giving dignity and respect to discrimination seeking a disabled people’s lives was Longjob teaching the subject he more’s greatest talent, Luise Custer loved, eventually landed a told the audience. job teaching at Stanford University. She told the audience about her son Charlie, who suffers from In the 80s he was an activist for disability rights, notably burna rare brain disorder known as a “total agenesis of the corpus caling his own history book “The Invention of George Washington” losum,” which essentially gives him the same state of being and on the steps of the Los Angeles Federal Building to protest his understanding as an 8-year-old — but for life. social security being cut, simply because he made royalties from Over many dinners and late night conversations, she said, his writing. Longmore taught Custer and her husband that Charlie may be He wrote a book about that too. “Why I Burned My Book and different to the outside world, but to himself he was a perfectly Other Essays on Disability” looked at the history of disability realized person — as happy as a person could be, whole and rights, and argued against assisted suicide. complete. He joined the faculty at SF State in 1992, where he taught ear“I want to share with you all that Paul brought Charlie so ly American history and the history of disabilities until he passed deeply to us in that moment, in our lives. I want to thank him for away of natural causes in 2010. bringing my son home to me,” she said. He was a loud, spirited and passionate speaker, motivating There were few dry eyes in the room after she spoke. Soon those around him to rethink the conventions of disability, accordafter, the attendees disbanded for food and drink as laughter filled ing to those on the panel. the room, the love and legacy of Longmore carrying their lives Longmore didn’t view his wheelchair as a detriment, but and missions forward. simply a fact of life. His radical views and fierce passion helped
International student of the week
MARK MATA, 19
KINESIOLOGY MAJOR
I spent my return on two pairs of shoes, got some Jordan’s. Photos by: Virginia Tieman Reporting by: Ellie Loarca
Name: Yushan Fi Age: 19 Major: Mathematics Originally from: Hubei Province, China Biggest difference between home and the U.S? The culture is just so different than I thought. First thing you noticed about the U.S.? When I came here it was hard because I only knew how to say hello, it was scary especially when we were learning Shakespeare. I barely understood English and I had to understand sonnets. What do you miss the most about home? I miss the food, Chinese food here is very sweet and I prefer my food spicy, and I miss my dog. What are your future plans? I will work here until I go to school for my masters.
GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
| 04.17.13
Rushing to conclusions Following disasters, professors advise students that they should be cautious when making assumptions on who may be responsible CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE
"My roommate, when he first reacted, he said, 'Those damn Jihads.’ I don’t know if he said it in a superficial way or a meaningful way," said Christopher Weinreich, 22, an international business major. "That was my first impression, that people are going to stereotype." Phil Klasky, professor of American Indian studies and coordinator for the Student Resource Center, fears many will jump to irrational conclusions as he reflects on historical terrorist acts. "I abhor the senseless violence that occurred and encourage everybody to wait to see what the real facts are before they come to any conclusions because of some of the terrible things that happened to people of color after 9/11," Klasky said. "I encourage people to wait and use logic and common sense before coming to any conclusions." Likewise, Fred Astren, chair and professor of medieval Jewish history, said people shouldn't be quick to assume it was a foreign terrorist when, in 1995, Oklahoma City was attacked by an American citizen. "At this time, when there’s very little information, we need to be
very careful about the way we talk about this and who we might think is responsible for it," Astren said. Though the bombing struck fear among many at SF State, the general consensus has been that terror will not prevent people from participating in events like the Boston Marathon. The annual marathon in Boston is just one of hundreds of large-scale events in major cities. In San Francisco, for example, there is Bay to Breakers, the Nike Women's Marathon, and the Color Run, which all attract high concentrations of people. "If you’re scared and just stay inside, that’s the reaction that the people who placed the bomb want," said Eyal Chistik, a 24-year-old international relations major. "I think it’s important to do (the) opposite and show our unity, and defiance against that." Weinreich also said, though he felt terrified for those affected, he himself didn't feel like his safety was threatened. "I don’t know the details of exactly what happened yet. What were the intentions? What were the motives? I know there’s a lot of evil and bad in the world but, hey, you just go on," he said.
3
Rent map highlights high cost of living CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE
afford the rent based on the general rule that tenants should only spend onethird of their income on rent. SF State student Stephanie May designed the map in her spare time while working on her thesis for a master’s degree in geography. The map has garnered much attention, getting tens of thousands of hits on MapBox, a website that provides map making tools and provides hosting services. ”I didn’t expect it to be so popular,” May said, adding that she’s made many maps before that weren't so popular. The Huffington Post, Gizmodo and Burrito Justice have done write-ups on May’s map. The heat map uses more than 14,000 apartment rental prices that were listed during the last half of 2012. Unlike other rent maps that use averages to represent data, May’s map uses the median prices, a method more accurate than averages when working with rental prices, May said. Averages can be misleading because really high or really low numbers can skew an average, she added. The Financial District has the highest rent at $3,250, and a yearly suggested income of $120,000. One of the neighborhoods with the cheapest rent is Visitacion Valley at $1,250 a month, with a suggested income of $45,000. May admitted the high income was added for dramatic effect and that most people spend way more than 30 percent of their income on rent. “It’s really depressing,” May said, re-
ferring to the lack of affordable housing in the city. “But it’s a reality.” May lives in the East Bay where housing is more affordable. “The majority of renters in San Francisco probably pay over 30 percent of their income in rent,” May said. Sara Shortt, executive director of the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, agrees that renters are paying much more than 30 percent of their income on rent. “Most people will tell you they’re paying maybe 40, 50 percent,” Shortt said. “But it’s not unusual for people to be paying 60 or 70 percent now, it’s crazy.” Shortt said there used to be pockets of affordable housing in the city, but not anymore. “Most people afford to stay in the city by living with roommates,” Shortt added. While creating the map, May was shocked to discover that neighborhoods around new housing developments in South of Market, Mission Bay, Potrero Hill, Bayview and Candlestick all contributed to a large jump in rent to areas that were once affordable. “When you think about it, it makes sense," May said. "But it’s still pretty dramatic.” While many people can’t afford to live in the city, there is an increasing number of people who can. “It is super split,” Shortt said. “Some people are making that much money, and a lot of people are making way less and they’re just out of luck.”
“
4 CITY
04.17.13 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
I think it’s a good opportunity to connect with the consumer. We’ve found the tie between tax day and stress, and we figured that giving out free vibrators would get people buzzing Nyla Saleh, Edelman vice president
Free tax day promotions create a buzz Tax season can may be carrying about BY ERIN DAGE | erindage@mail.sfsu.edu be a trying time for taxes." many people — a 2011 OfficeMax survey SF State students, like Amaury Perez, called "Tax it to Me" found that four in 10 a junior apparel design and merchandising people would rather give themselves a hairmajor, traveled to The Box SF in SOMA in cut than file their taxes. pursuit of a free vibrator. Tax paying citizens This is where companies like Trojan, like Perez had the choice between two a company known for its distribution of models: Pulse, which is valued at $29.99 and condoms and sex toys, comes in. April 12, Tri-Phoria, valued at $39.99. the Friday before tax filing day, hundreds of Perez, poised at the front of the line a people in San Francisco were abuzz about little after 12 p.m., came for a tax return of a promotion by Trojan that gave away free his own. vibrators to those who claimed to have filed "Clearly, I came for a free vibrator," Petheir taxes. Over a four-hour period, from 12 rez said. "It's free, so why not? My tax return to 4 p.m., 3,000 vibrators were given away wasn't that big, so I'll take free things when I to people that needed a little extra relief from see them." tax season. But Trojan isn't the only company giving According to Nyla Saleh, vice president out freebies for those who have done their at Edelman, a public relations firm, Trojan taxes — businesses such as Cinnabon, is just trying to help alleviate the stress that Arby's, and AMC Theatres gave away free comes from tax season. products on the deadline to file taxes, April In 2011, a poll from Gallup-Health15. Other businesses such as Panda Express, ways Well-Being Index found that tax day HydroMassage, Chili's and the San Francisco was the second-most stressful day of the Zoo are giving out free goods and services year, being beat out for first by a string of throughout the week as well. tornadoes in the south that year that caused But some students such as Rebecca $11 billion in damages and had over 300 Taylor, a senior nursing student at SF State, casualties. are skeptical of all the handouts happening "I think it's a good opportunity to connect this week. with the consumer," Saleh said. "We've found "The promotions are there to get people the tie between tax day and stress, and we to spend more money on big businesses," figured that giving out free vibrators would Taylor said. "I think they are aimed at getting get people buzzing." people's tax returns." Cristina Anderson, member of SF State's And for those who do not find solace in sexual health advocacy group Peer Educators free goods and services, SF State Prevention Advocating Campus Health (PEACH), feels Education Specialist Vincent Lam believes that giving out vibrators can give people that that the pathway to less stress and good menextra nudge to alleviate stress they may have tal health is self care. about taxes. "Self care is about being able to acknowl"A vibrator will definitely help ease the edge what the source of your stress is, and to stress of tax season," Anderson said. "Mastreat yourself based on that," Lam said. "Self turbation is a stress reliever that will encourcare isn't the same for everyone, because age people to ease some of that tension they everybody has a different experience."
“BUZZ” LIGHTYEAR: Chris “Six” Nguyen from San Francisco attended the free vibrator event hosted by Trojan at The Box SF in SOMA. VIBE TIME: Trojan came to San Francisco handing out free vibrators to men and women in SOMA at The Box SF. Trojan said they had 3,000 vibrators ready for the taking. Photos by Erica Marquez
Tobacco retailers may be smoked out
C
IGARETTES MIGHT BE more difficult to buy in some neighborhoods if a youth influence organization gets their way. Youth Leadership Institute, an organization in the field of youth development which works to build communities that invest in youth, presented their initiative to several city supervisors that would put a limit on the number of tobacco sale permits — eventually reducing the number of tobacco retailers in certain neighborhoods, specifically the Tenderloin, Mission, South of Market and Bayview. Malaysia Sanders, 19, is one of seven youth advocates for the Tobacco Use Reduction Force (TURF) that is working to alleviate the saturation of tobacco retailers. She said having so many places that sell tobacco gives the wrong message. “It shows smoking cigarettes is normal. Smoking is not okay for anybody, especially people of color. We want to change that image,” Sanders said. YLI conducted its own research counting the
BY GUADALUPE GONZALEZ | ggonzale@mail.sfsu.edu
number of tobacco retailers in San Francisco and found a disproportionate amount in low-income neighborhoods. The Tenderloin, for example, has 270 stores and the Marina District 51. “I think it’s unfair to people of color and youth,” Sanders said. “For me, it’s setting up the image of killing themselves.” According to the California Adult Smoking Prevalence 2008 survey, 13.5 percent of San Franciscans smoke. The Center for Disease Control estimates 45.3 million people smoke nationwide. Azni Desai, YLI’s program coordinator, said low-income communities are vulnerable to smoking because they are targeted by tobacco companies who offer retailers in their neighborhoods. She said the practice is socially unjust. TURF’s proposal, which has been presented to the Board of Supervisors, does not try to eliminate any existing retailers, but prohibits the issuance of any new licenses. That includes the transferring of licenses if the business is sold. San Francisco has already passed many anti-smoking laws, like prohibiting tobacco sales in pharmacies in 2012, and a ban on smoking in public places in January of this year.
South of Market liquor store owner, Joseph Al, said the plan can benefit him by reducing competition, but he will lose profit if he tries to sell his business. “When you are selling your store, you’re selling your license,” he explained. If he wanted to sell his store, he would have to sell it at a lower price because that profit will no longer be available. SF State art education student Hillari Marchesini, 20, said this new plan is a good idea, but will not be very effective. She has been smoking for five years and said if similar actions were taken when she were younger, it would not have impeded her desire to smoke. “I think it’s a good idea as in the long run,” Marchesini said. “I understand their reason to not cultivate new smokers, that makes sense, but I don’t think it is going to stop people." Marchesini said a better approach would be to offer education on the dangers of smoking and resources for smokers wanting to quit. The proposal has been presented to the Board of Supervisors but has yet to be considered for vote.
GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
| 04.17.13
5
Hybrid vehicles, say farewell to a sustainable industry
A WEEKLY ENVIRONMENTAL COLUMN BY ELISSA TORRES elissat@mail.sfsu.edu
S
F STATE IS A COMMUTER campus, which means many students use public transportation or drive to campus to attend classes. Some students find themselves feeling particularly "green" while driving to school in their hybrid electric vehicles because it uses less fossil fuel than a standard vehicle. Unfortunately, hybrid electric vehicle owners aren't asking questions regarding the true impact their car has on the environment. Many people don't realize that hybrids can cause more harm to the planet than good. Hybrid vehicles are automobiles that use two or more distinct power sources that allow the vehicle to function. The term hybrid vehicle most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles that combine an internal combustion engine, which uses gas, with one or more electric motors. These vehicles were built to recharge by capturing energy and reusing it or storing it. By using less crude oil to power the car, the auto industry thought they were doing a great service for the environment. However, batteries are toxic and are not environmentally friendly. The Toyota Prius made its U.S. debut in July 2000. Out of all the hybrid cars sold, the Toyota Prius holds the top spot. According to the National Center for Policy Analysis, the Toyota Prius is the
source for some of the worst pollution in North America. The nickel found in the battery of a Prius is mined and smelted at a plant in Sudbury, Canada, which has had a profound effect on the surrounding habitat. So much so that NASA has labeled the area as a 'dead zone.' The area surrounding the plant isn’t habitable to any living thing. According to NASA, the area is used to test moon rovers. Another environmentally detrimental result is that the toxic and pungent gas, sulfur dioxide, has spread When Elissa Torres isn’t rescuing wounded marine mammals or hugging trees, the environmental studies minor spends her time writing this column. It’s based on equal parts opinion, statistics and life experiences. If you don’t like it, read and recycle.
outside the town to the whole northern part of the province. The acid rain was so bad it destroyed all plants and soil in the area as well, according to NASA. The production that is needed to make a hybrid battery is as environmentally unfriendly as it gets.
The nickel produced by the Canadian plant is shipped to the largest nickel refinery in Europe. From there, the nickel goes to China to produce ‘nickel foam.’ From there, it goes to Japan. Finally, the completed batteries are shipped to the United States. The carbon footprint attached to the making of a hybrid battery is extremely high, as can be seen by the frequent flier miles the hybrid battery racks up. According to a study called Dust to Dust, by CNW Marketing Research, Inc., the total combined energy needed to produce a Prius is greater than what it takes to make a Hummer. On average, a Prius costs $3.25 per mile driven over a lifetime of 100,000 miles, which is the expected lifespan of a hybrid. A Hummer costs $1.95 per mile over its lifetime of 300,000 miles, which means a Hummer will last three times longer than a Prius and it uses almost 50 percent less combined energy, according to the NCPA. It’s important to do some research when it comes to picking out any product that may sound environmentally friendly. The product you end up purchasing could end up doing more harm than good. An alternative to a hybrid car, or any car, is to take public transportation or ride a bike. The less carbon emissions you put out, the smaller your carbon footprint will be and in turn the better you will feel about trying to lessen the contribution of fossil fuels in the atmosphere.
6 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
04.17.13 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
PRACTICING: Nyssa Zinn is assisted while installing a piece of her panoramic collage for the Masters of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition at the Fine Arts gallery on campus. Photo by Gabriella Gamboa
Students MASTER their ART BY LOVELIE FAUSTINO | faustino@mail.sfsu.edu
T
be able to step into the wilderness-inspired room filled Vtorian hair jewelry for their ability to bring us closer to HE PROFESSOR SITS IN someone or some knowledge that is lost or at a distance, front of his art students and discuss- with stones, woodchips and a water fixture that displays and their power to reprioritize our perspective on the es the status of their upcoming exhi- projected images of downtown San Francisco. “People can come inside and explore and once interpersonal relationships of daily life,” Prieto said. bition. As soon as he dismisses them you’re in, you’re embedded into the piece,” Vargas said. The art department encourages people to support from their meeting, they disperse “You get to change the piece based off of the way you this particular exhibition and recognize the hard work into sections of the room. There behave inside.” students have put in to complete their MFA thesis works. are students placing frames of large Printmaking MFA student Laurel Prieto has moved “It’s the most professional exhibition of our student photographs on a wall, a student from her usual printmaking style to present a shrine-like work on the campus. You get to see students right before standing on wood chips tinkering with a projector, stuinstillation she entitled “Maybe We Are Safe Here.” they launch professional careers as artists,” Johnson dents moving a ladder back and forth and other students Prieto has been working on this installation for nearly said. “Hopefully students will see it and ask themselves, going in every which direction with a task in mind. a year and used a variety of mediums including screen ‘Hey, can I do something that strong?’ and are inspired The annual Masters of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition print, cut paper, hand-stitched fabric, pine tables, nails, to do something.” is still a work in progress, but students hope to present ink, wall painting and thread. The Masters of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition opens some memorable, innovative modern artwork from a “I was inspired by spaces and objects such as Saturday, April 27 at 1 to 3 p.m. in the Fine Arts Gallery few of the Bay Area's up-and-coming artists. and is open until Saturday, May 25. Every year the SF State Fine Arts Gallery showcases ossuaries, reclining effigies, post-modern portraits and third year MFA student’s final projects in the Masters of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition. This year, eight students will display their work, and premiering April 27, the exhibition will include contemporary photography, sculpture, painting, printmaking and other new creative practices. Unlike most exhibitions that focus on a singular theme, the MFA thesis exhibition gives students the chance to showcase their specific style of art and display their new, contemporary artistic works. “All of these people in the graduate program developed their body of work by completely original thinking on their part,” Fine Arts Gallery Director Mark Johnson said. “They were given feedback by professors on how to make that thesis stronger, or present it in a different way that hopefully shows the work off as strongly as possible.” The artists have been working on these contemporary pieces for the past six months. MFA features artists including photographer Rebecca M. Andrews showcasing her collection of photographs entitled "105 W. 5th St.," and Nyssa Zinn who will display a massive collage inspired by a surfer’s spiritual and physical relationship to waves. MFA student Elia Vargas, a 28-year-old conceptual and information art student will be presenting an original multi-component piece called MAKE IT EVEN: Rebecca Andrews (center) readjusts a frame while aligning her photographic series for the Masters of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition at the “System Ritual.” Once complete, visitors will Fine Arts gallery on campus. Photo by Gabriella Gamboa
GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
| 04.17.13
7
PHOTO OF THE WEEK : The Golden Gate Xpress will feature a photo every week in print and online from SF State students — and it could be yours! email your photos: xpressnewsstaff@gmail.com
High winds blow sand across the Great Highway by Ocean Beach Monday, April 8, 2013, resulting in the closure of the highway to traffic. Photo by Jessica Roberts / Special to Xpress
GET
@XpressNews
/GoXpress
SWAMP
social with
XPRESS
theswampsf.org
8 OPINION
04.17.13 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
STAFF EDITORIAL
KALE WILLIAMS
Finding hope amidst tragedy
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF kale@mail.sfsu.edu
BRAD WILSON
PRINT MANAGING EDITOR bradw949@mail.sfsu.edu
ADRIAN RODRIGUEZ
ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR arrodrig@mail.sfsu.edu
ELISSA TORRES
ART DIRECTOR elissat@mail.sfsu.edu
WYATT McCALL
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR wmccall@mail.sfsu.edu
NENA FARRELL
PRINT COPY CHIEF haydee@mail.sfsu.edu
SAM MOLMUD
ONLINE COPY CHIEF smolmud@mail.sfsu.edu
VIRGINIA TIEMAN
PRINT PHOTO EDITOR tieman@mail.sfsu.edu
JESSICA WORTHINGTON
ONLINE PHOTO EDITOR jlwphoto@mail.sfsu.edu
ELLIE LOARCA
CAMPUS EDITOR emloarca@mail.sfsu.edu
ERIN DAGE
CITY EDITOR erindage@mail.sfsu.edu
MATT SAINCOME
A&E EDITOR saincome@mail.sfsu.edu
LINDSAY ODA
OPINION EDITOR loda@mail.sfsu.edu
DAN NELSON
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR danelson@mail.sfsu.edu
JONATHAN RAMOS
ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR jonaramo@mail.sfsu.edu
HOLLY NALL
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR hnall@mail.sfsu.edu
ART BY KIRSTIE HARUTA
kharuta@mail.sfsu.edu
W
E AWOKE TUESDAY to yet another tragic morning-after. As was the case Sept. 12, 2001, many of us woke up wondering how anybody — whether a lone deranged individual or some demented group of sociopaths — could carry out a plan to hurt and kill so many innocent civilians. These types of events test our faith in humanity and the capacity for goodwill. As has become the norm, social media sites became a sounding board Monday for people to release the anger and sadness that accompanies tragic events of this magnitude. A quick scroll through Twitter or Facebook revealed the entire spectrum of human emotion. Misplaced rage at groups assumed to be responsible. Despair at the thought that another member of our species could so callously target unsuspecting bystanders with the intent to wound, maim and kill. But there was also hope. There were stories of runners who finished the race and kept running directly to the Red Cross to donate blood. There were videos of people who, immediately following the twin blasts, chose to run toward the danger instead of away just so they could tend to the wounded. Within hours of the attack, a Google document sprung up with hundreds upon hundreds of listings from the brave people of Boston offering beds for displaced runners and rides for those who needed them.
And then there is the story of 78-year-old Bill Iffrig, who was only feet from the finish line when the bomb blasts went off. He was knocked to the ground and sat dazed for a moment before getting up and finishing the race, telling ABC News “I thought it was my last trip.” Numerous mini-movements have been born out of this tragedy, among them a group encouraging runners across the country to run 2.62 miles, in honor of the 26.2 miles run by the marathoners. Another group is planning to wear blue and yellow, the unofficial colors of the Boston marathon, in an effort to support those affected by the disaster. One of the most popular things tweeted, liked and shared on social media was a quote from the late Fred Rogers, of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" fame, saying “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people helping.’” The city of Boston, and the nation as a whole, still needs time to mourn, both for those killed and wounded and also for our fragile sense of security that was shattered Monday. But we can find solace in the fact that no matter how horrific an event like this may seem, the aftermath is always filled with stories of hope and redemption. Comedian Patton Oswalt put it best in a Facebook post from Monday afternoon, saying, “When you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, ‘The good outnumber you, and we always will.’”
RACHELE KANIGEL
FACULTY ADVISER kanigel@mail.sfsu.edu
KEN KOBRE
PHOTO ADVISER ken@kobre.com
JESSE GARNIER
ONLINE ADVISER jgarnier@sfsu.edu
JUSTIN OROZCO
CIRCULATION jaorozo@mail.sfsu.edu
ARUN UNNIKRASHNAN I.T. CONSULTANT arun@mail.sfsu.edu
EVA CHARLES
ADVERTISING & BUSINESS echarles@mail.sfsu.edu
SADIE CROFTS
STUDENT GRAPHIC DESIGNER sgcrofts@mail.sfsu.edu
WRITE US A LETTER
Naptime: Not just for kids anymore
The Golden Gate Xpress accepts letters no longer than 200 words. Letters are subject to editing. Send letters to Lindsay Oda at: loda@mail.sfsu.edu
ABOUT XPRESS The Golden Gate Xpress is a student-produced publication of the journalism department at San Francisco State University. For more information or comments, please contact Kale Williams at: kale@mail.sfsu.edu
BY KRISTEN MARTZ kmartz@mail.sfsu.edu
I
PLANNED TO HAVE THIS piece done earlier, but rather than writing it on time, I napped instead. You may say that I’m lazy or sick, but I say it’s for my health. Regardless of what your boss or professor says, naps are good for you. In kindergarten, you never wanted to nap, but you were forced to. Then you get to high school and college, where you wish you could nap all the time, but you’re not allowed to. I’m here to say: we need our naps. At acceptable times, at least — I’m not advocating naps in class, just maybe classes at different times. About 85 percent of mammals are polyphasic sleepers, meaning they sleep throughout the day. Humans, however, have turned into monophasic sleepers, meaning we have a defined sleep period and wakeful period throughout our days. Mammalian bodies, including humans, tend to be programmed for periods of excessive sleepiness, between 2 and 4 a.m. and between 1 and 3 p.m. While we may have tried to become a monophasic sleeping species, it’s not in our physiological “code.” Many have frowned upon napping for these very reasons, but in the last few years, hundreds of studies have proven that naps are actually beneficial. According to researchers at Harvard Health, even napping for a few minutes can help improve mood, alertness and performance. Both short naps and longer dozes are good
for brain productivity. According to a study done by the research journal Sleep, quick “power naps” that are less than 30 minutes enhance concentration, elevate mood and sharpen motor skills. The average full human sleep cycle takes about 90 minutes for you to get the most out of your nap. You will probably suffer from sleep inertia (grogginess) for up to 30 minutes after a longer nap but, according to a study at UC Berkeley, you will have significantly higher learning ability and brain function than if you hadn’t napped. Naps are healing for both your brain and body, giving muscles and bones time to repair from everyday trauma. The brain is given a break to empty its short-term memory bank and convert information to long-term. NASA has even caught on to this napping science. A study at NASA showed that allowing military pilots and astronauts a 26 minute nap improved their performance by 34 percent and their alertness by 54 percent. If NASA isn’t enough for you, big name companies like Nike and Google have designated nap-friendly quiet rooms and “pods” for their employees, which are encouraged to be used. In a survey done by the National Sleep Foundation, 34 percent of adults said that their employers allow them to nap on the job. Many corporations (and whole countries) have acknowledged the need for a siesta, so why not the United States? Why not SF State? I say we start a revolution, but first — another nap.
GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
| 04.17.13
9 PART TWO IN A THREE-PART SERIES
A WEEKLY COLUMN BY BRIAN RINKER brinker@mail.sfsu.edu
A
S A DRUG ADDICT, I spent most of my time engaged in some type of inappropriate behavior. Lying, stealing and abusing drugs were some of my favorites. Occasionally, I would get caught pulling some pathetic drug addict move and would end up always feeling humiliated. It was a crushing defeat. A moment of clarity that threatened to brush away the intricate webs of denial I had created around my drug use. Every fiber of my being shriveled up when this happened. My heart sank into my stomach. I wanted to die. I hoped to never feel like that again. Unfortunately, forgetfulness is the cornerstone of addiction. The humiliating memories of my past would slip away. The obsession to use heroin would propel me through the fear, and I would do it all over again. Within an hour after being released from jail, my parents had already dropped me off at a drug treatment center. I moped around like a defeated soldier during my first day. Another patient said I looked like a scraggly puppet from “Fraggle Rock.” At first I hated it there. The other patients were chummy with one another and already knew the ropes of the place. My first reaction was to run away. I tried to figure out a way I could escape and get loaded, but still be able to live with my parents.
Sobering details: the guilt of going back
There was no way. I stayed put. I didn’t know how to socialize sober. Sometimes I would sit near a group of people and not say anything. Just being near them was comforting. Within days, however, I was making friends, laughing and having fun. I was shocked. I had believed for years that I was unlikable. Yet in the back of my mind, heroin still lurked. I daydreamed about finally getting the opportunity to score dope. It made me giddy fantasizing about my dealer handing me a dime-size wad of black tar heroin twisted up in plastic. The best part about getting sober for the heroin addict is getting high again once the incredible tolerance has been reduced. The insanity told me that the high, the rush of heroin would be like it was when I first started shooting dope. If I waited long enough, perhaps my veins would heal and plump up, too. One day an old druggie buddy walked in to the treatment center. He said he was defeated too. It only took a few days though before he asked me if I wanted to get high. He would sneak it in, if I could front the bill. He
Journalism student Brian Rinker takes the ideals of full disclosure and transparency to an exteme level when he reflects on his days as a heroin junkie.
said he could even pay me back. It was the worst plan. I was doing so well here. I liked being sober. I said OK and gave him the money. One last time, I told myself. No one would find out. A couple days later I tested positive for opiates and was kicked out. Caught again. I had only made it two weeks of a 28-day program. A counselor escorted me through the treatment center with my suitcase in hand, past all my new friends. None of them would even look at me. They couldn’t. Most of them wouldn’t last long either. Out of the 30 or so people I met there, only two I know of stayed sober. Once again I was drenched in shame. Once again I saw the disappointment in the eyes of people around me. I vowed to keep sober. It was just a one-day relapse. I could persevere. Even though the counselors kicked me out, they helped smooth things over with my parents. I went directly to a sober living house. It was a ranch, with pigs, horses and chickens. Sober living houses are meant to help recovering addicts and alcoholics stay sober by providing a structured environment that includes daily house chores, mandatory 12–step recovery meetings and nightly curfews. After about 30 days sober, for no real reason, I said, “Fuck it,” called my dealer and went to get heroin. My dealer made me wait for an hour in my car outside his place before he arrived with the dope. For a whole hour I said, “Fuck it” over and over again. It was the only excuse I could muster up.
10 S P O R T S
04.17.13 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
PLAYER
MIGUEL FLORES
WEEK
BASEBALL
of the
Senior Miguel Flores posted a .429/.579/.500 line during the Gators’ fourgame series against Cal State Dominguez Hills. The shortstop went 6-for-14 including the game-winning RBI in Saturday’s 6-5 win.
PHOTO BY TYLER DENISTON/SF STATE SPORTS
SP OR T S SCHEDUL E FRIDAY (4.19) SOFTBALL
SF STATE VS. CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO (DH) 1 AND 3 P.M. (SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.)
BASEBALL
SF STATE VS. CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO 3 P.M. (SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF.) DOWNWARD SLIDE: SF State Gators’ AJ Almaraz (3) drops the ball while trying to tag out Fernando Gallegos (12) of Cal State Dominguez Hills as he slides into third base. Cal State Dominguez Hills won the game 14-2. Photo by Andy Sweet
SATURDAY (4.20) SOFTBALL
SF STATE VS. CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO (DH) 11 AND 2 P.M. (SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.)
SWEEP ESCAPE
GOOSE EGG: SF State Gators’ Dillion Meyer (4) bunts the ball during a game against Cal State Dominguez Hills. Meyer went 0-for-4 in the game. Cal State Dominguez Hills won the game 14-2. Photo by Andy Sweet
BY DAN NELSON | danelson@mail.sfsu.edu
BASEBALL
SF STATE VS. CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO (DH) 11 A.M. AND 2 P.M. (SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF.)
WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD WOODY WILSON INVITATIONAL TBD (DAVIS, CALIF.)
TOUGH OUTING: SF State Gators’ Trevor Diskin (21) pitches during a game against Cal State Dominguez Hills. Diskin gave up four earned runs in one inning. The Gators lost the game 2-14. Photo by Andy Sweet
SUNDAY (4.21) BASEBALL
SF STATE VS. CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO 11 A.M. (SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF.)
S C O R E
SCORES FROM THE LAST WEEK OF GATOR SPORTS
B O A R D
WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD APRIL 13 CHICO TWILIGHTS THREE FIRST-PLACE FINISHES APRIL 12 CHICO DISTANCE CARNIVAL ONE FIRST-PLACE FINISHES
Cal State Dominguez Hills took three of four games against SF State over the weekend. The Gators avoided the four-game sweep in the 11th inning of Game 2 with a two-out, walk-off double by senior shortstop Miguel Flores to win 6-5. Flores finished the series 6-for-14. SF State had a 3-1 lead going into the eighth inning of Game 1. Starting pitcher Ryan DeJesus hit the first batter in the inning before striking out the next and giving up a single. Peter Reyes came in to relieve DeJesus and promptly gave up two singles that charged DeJesus with two runs. The Gators went on to lose 3-8. In Game 3, Cal State Dominguez Hills scored four unanswered runs through three innings. The Gators battled back to within two runs, but couldn’t keep the Toros off the board. The Gators went on to lose 4-7. The Gators were routed in the series finale 2-14. SF State took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning off one earned and one unearned run. Cal State Dominguez Hills put up 14 unanswered runs after that to take the weekend series 3-1.
BASEBALL
L L W
APRIL 14 SF STATE VS. CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS 2-14 APRIL 13 SF STATE VS. CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS 4-7 APRIL 13 SF STATE VS. CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS 6-5
SOFTBALL
L W
APRIL 13 SF STATE VS. CAL STATE MONTEREY BAY 1-5 APRIL 13 SF STATE VS. CAL STATE MONTEREY BAY 3-0
04.17.13 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
11
Performers erect stage for self expression
BREAKING STEREOTYPES: Angel Patino, captain of San Francisco dance company Project M, graces the stage with his own piece “Release,” using dance in an effort to shatter the stigmas of masculinity. Photo by Frank Leal
clothes, a short temper and plenty didn’t feel natural to him either. CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE of swag. Benitez admits that it’s a Knowing that his family cliché and a stereotypical image, wouldn’t suspect his motives, but it’s all he knew at the time. Benitez transferred to SF State in “I’d been growing up being taught that this is what a an attempt to connect with his sexuality. man is and yet, I didn’t want to be that,” he said. During this time his mother was deported back to His father was of no help in the matter. He encourMexico, and it was her encouragement that kept him in aged such attitudes and his mother had little to say, school. although it was her strength in dealing with a house full His father visits her in Tijuana every other weekend of men that Benitez respected most. and it wasn’t until this past Thanksgiving break that Street fights were an almost daily ritual for his two Benitez took the opportunity to come out. older brothers and whenever they’d come home bloodIt was not long after that when Ismael de Guzman, ied and bruised, Benitez always felt the need to take the founder and director of “CockTales” encouraged care of them, but couldn’t out of fear that he would be Benitez to share his story at this year’s event. viewed as too sensitive. For de Guzman, who is also a prevention education Instead, his brothers would stage fights in the backspecialist for the SAFE Place, Benitez’s story is a peryard between Benitez and his younger cousin Juan. fect example of the show’s message. At age 14, Benitez stood five-feet-one inch and “The worst thing that we could tell our sons and our weighed no more than 115 pounds. His brothers were little brothers is to not cry because we do a disservice substantially bigger and his cousin was significantly for that child to not allow them to experience that natusmaller. Benitez was caught dead center in a situation ral emotion,” de Guzman said. he would’ve rather liked to avoid. He created “CockTales” because he felt the need for “We would usually fight with gloves, but this time a men’s program in addressing violence. my brothers didn’t allow it,” he said. “I’m highly invested in working with men and The emotional pain of hitting his cousin was too creating a space for men because I think it’s important much for Benitez to bear so he stopped. Not one to give for men to have a space to talk about their experiences,” up a bragging opportunity, his cousin took it as a chance he said. to show face and continued to punch a willing Benitez Although de Guzman has yet to share his own story over and over again. at “CockTales,” he feels a connection with the work “After a while, my brothers saw that I wasn’t doing that he helps nourish as a director. anything and so they broke it up,” he said. “I suspect that some of my story is intertwined in It was the last time Benitez ever fought and the first the many dozens of stories that have been told the last time he began to take ownership of his own identity. couple of years,” he said. “That just changed everything,” he said. Aristel de la Cruz, 28, is an SF State alumnus who His disappointed brothers backed off and Benitez has been involved as a performer with “CockTales” spent his high school years in search of himself. It since the beginning. wasn’t until his senior year that he even began to enter“I look forward to ‘CockTales’ in that it reminds me tain the idea that he might be gay. to continue examining male identity and to continue “My perception of gay men was just these feminine challenging myself in becoming a better ally, son, partflamboyant people,” he said. ner, teacher, student and human being,” de la Cruz said. Once again, Benitez found himself pressured to “CockTales” runs one night only, April 18 at 7 p.m. have to fit the mold of another type of masculinity that at the McKenna Theatre in the Creative Arts Building.
12
04.17.13 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG