The Express 30.2

A FIRST AMENDMENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF LAS POSITAS COLLEGE OCTOBER 10, 2018

VOL. 30 ISSUE NO. 2

FIRST COPY FREE; ADDITIONAL COPIES 50 CENTS EACH

Increase in crime rates reported on campus PAGE 2

Photo Illustration by Victoria Lachnit and Jennifer Snook

The Express endorses California propositions Page 4

Women's soccer ranked 8 in the state Page 6

2 NEWS Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Emily Forschen Managing Editor Kirstie Burgess News Editor Trevor Gregory Campus Life Editor Yesenia Medina Sports Editor Devin Bradshaw Photo Editor Victoria Lachnit Copy Editor Les Mahler Web Editor Jennifer Snook Editorial and Production Staff Arion Armeniakos Thiha Naing Rebecca Robison Giovanna Seabra Adam Vanderhoofven Adviser Melissa Korber Business Manager Marcus Thompson II Technology Manager Manager Jeff Bennett Lead Design Mentor Brianna Guillory Design Mentor Julia Coty Student Assistant Jose Garcia

© 2018 Express.* Reproduction in any form is strictly prohibited.

The Express is a First Amendment publication of the students of Las Positas College. It is published most Fridays during the academic year. The students who staff the Express run an editorially independent newsroom. Unsigned editorials reflect the collective opinion of the editorial board. Other opinions express the views of individual writers and artists are not to be considered the views of the publication’s staff, editorial board, advisors, the associated students, the college administration or the board of trustees. *Students retain copyright ownership of the content they create, including words, photographs, graphics, illustrations, cartoons and other work. The Express retains copyright ownership to advertisements the Express creates. The Express retains the right to use all material in all forms in perpetuity.

lpcexpressnews.com

Violent crimes are on the rise at LPC

By Les Mahler JOURNALIST925@GMAIL.COM

iolent sex crimes against V women are on the rise at Las Positas College, according

to campus security 2015-2017 Annual Security Report (ASR).

The federally mandated report stated that there were six cases of forcible sex acts on campus in 2017. The year before, there were three acts of dating violence reported: two on campus and one off campus.

Director of PR, Marketing and Government Relations for the District, Guiselle Nunez, said the reported on-campus crimes are being investigated by local law enforcement to verify the accuracy, and investigate if a crime occurred. The only way to know if a crime occurred is to verify the information with the local police department, she said.

The ASR was released as part of the Jeanne Clery Act under the Higher Education Act of 1965. It requires all colleges and universities to disclose “certain timely and annual information about campus crime and security policies.”

It was born out of the rape and murder of Jeanne Clery at Lehigh University in 1986.

At LPC, the eight crimes against students are considered criminal offenses under the Clery Act. The reality is the statistics don’t always tell the whole story, and there is no safety in numbers — even low ones, according to the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

According to an AAUW study, the numbers don’t tell the full story on sexual assaults on women on college campuses. In fact, colleges often under report

sexual violations by not reporting any assaults at all, the AAUW study said.

While the AAUW report cites a low number of sexual assaults reported across campuses nationwide, another report in a 2014 Forbes magazine article says that the Clery Act has forced campuses to be extra vigilant in reporting on-campus crimes, or face a $54,789 fine by the U.S. Department of Education.

“To avoid such fines, colleges go to considerable lengths to remain on the good side of federal bureaucrats, but that entails extra expense,” according to the Forbes article.

The Clery Act has come under criticism, from some, including the University of California, San Diego. The Triton, the studentrun newspaper, ran “UCSD’s Clery report misrepresents sexual violence” in June. The Triton details how sex crimes on campus are underreported and that the “annual security and fire safety report is not an accurate representation of sexual assault and harassment on campus.”

The story goes on to say that most victims of sexual attacks do not report the attacks because they “felt powerless at institutions that do nothing to protect their students.” At LPC, when the Express asked if the assailants in the reported attacks were arrested, the district responded that under federal guidelines, such information is available only through local law enforcement.

A recent article in the Washington Post backs the ‘protect the institution’ philosophy.

According to the Post article, of all the rape cases reported over the year, less than one percent

Victoria Lachnit/Express Officer Mike Sugi and Dispatcher Frankie Danner at the Health and Safety Committee on Oct. 8, 2018.

are prosecuted, leaving victims without justice.

While the safety of every LPC student is paramount, the Clery report does not detail how students can stay safe, other than to be aware of their surroundings and give a list of numbers to call, including campus security, local law enforcement and 9-1-1.

As for sexual violence or abuse, the Clery report says, “Awareness is the best tool for avoidance of sexual assault.

Student and employee orientations, announcements, staff meetings, classroom discussions, and other means will be utilized periodically to inform students and staff of this issue.”

Nunez said cooperation and involvement from students is essential for crime prevention.

According to the 2015-16 ASR, students and employees must assume responsibility for their personal safety and the security of their personal belongings, only listing some common sense precautions as prevention tactics.

YOURSELF

Do you feel safe while on campus?

Letters to the Editor The Express is a public forum newspaper that seeks to encourage robust discussion among members of the college community. Letters to the editor, editorial and opinion pieces, freelance articles and photographs may be sent via e-mail or U.S. mail. Pieces must be typed and signed and include contact information, including a daytime phone number. Anonymous submissions will not be printed. All submissions are edited for space and clarity, and upon publication become the property of the Express.

Yes, I do. We have a lot of safety precautions put into place... I’ve never been in an unsafe positon here but I think everyone is securer and there are evacuation plans.”

Yeah, totally. The people on campus are super friendly and if you have a question they’ll answer nicely.

I do feel safe on campus most of the time. However, Friday evenings when I teach, I don’t feel as safe. It’s isolated, a lot of the buildings are locked... there aren’t many people around.

– Shay Simmons, Dental Hygiene

– Alden Lo, Psychology

– Leslie Payne, ESL Faculty

Las Positas and Chabot both offer escort security services year-round, according to Nunez, and they also encourage the buddy system. However, students at Las Positas are seemingly not taking advantage of the service.

Nunez stated that Chabot provided 77 escorts last year and 25 escorts so far this academic year.

LPC generally averages five to ten requests per month. Both campus safety offices promote the service during College Day, on posters around campus, meeting student groups and events.

At the same time, Chabot offers annual training in the form of “Denim Day, sexual assault prevention training, bystander intervention, and more,” Nunez said.

You can report incidents anonymously online through the college’s website or visit the campus safety office in room 1725.

To request an escort to your car or for any other questions, you can call campus security at (925) 424-1690.

Corrections The Express would like to amend an error in the last issue in order to maintain accuracy.

Original photos on the cover and page 7 should be credited to Victoria Lachnit.

In the article “Suicide is a leading cause of death for college students,” the suicide prevention barrier is not finished being installed on the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Express regrets these errors and apologizes for any inconveniences.

NEWS 3

October 10,2018

Street gangs hack the Bay Area

By Trevor Gregory @TREVBOT97

The threat of street gangs brings to mind thugs with switchblades and violent disputes over territory, but that isn’t the only danger they present. Over the past two years, 32 members of the Bully Boys and CoCo Boys have been arrested. They weren’t charged with assault, armed robbery, or even vandalism – it was for 1 million dollars of credit card fraud.

Allegedly, the gangs stole card readers from credit card machines in East Bay dentist and doctor offices used to charge customers. The card readers illegally scanned credit card information and stored it for gang members to use later.

As digital currency becomes more prevalent, cyber crime is becoming more popular. California is especially vulnerable with the highest cyber crime rates in America.

A study by software company OpenVPN found that Californians lost $255 million to internet crime. In 2016, more than 47,000 people fell victim to cyber crime in California.

People often don’t think twice about where they swipe their card or shop online.

This behavior could potentially incite preventable crime. Digital security requires increased diligence now.

Investigators say that the suspects stole information in 11 counties all along the East Bay area. The charges made on the

gangs include: conspiracy to commit grand theft, grand theft, burglary, identity theft, hacking, computer access and fraud. The 32 members of the combined group have been charged and will face the Sacramento County Superior Court.

Their alleged crimes took place in medical and dental offices in the East Bay. Attorney General Xavier Becerra said to KQED, “It may not be as physically harmful and dangerous as being accosted on the street, but I can guarantee you, it hurts just as much.” Becerra went on to say, “These guys were actually networking and doing this in ways that went just beyond just their hood.”

With how closely society intertwines with technology, it was only a matter of time until typical street gang crime became so sophisticated.

California is now becoming a large target for cyber crime, most likely because of the large amount of tech companies and technological integrations in cities. A study done by the Website Builder Expert, a web design consulting company, stated, “California will lose more than $329 million from cybercrime and is most at risk due to nearly 56,000 cybercrime complaints expected to come from within the state this year.” This should be enough evidence that cyber crime is becoming more prevalent and awareness of the crimes should be raised.

Society is seeing a rise of cyber crime

Overdosing kills Livermore teenagers Livermore Police Department released a statement last Tuesday regarding the deaths of two teens. Investigators say that the likely cause of death was opioid overdose. The deaths occurred separately, but investigators are looking into possible connections. In the nation, drugs being infused with fentanyl have become a massive problem, with death rates by these substances rising. If you have any information regarding these two deaths, Livermore P.D. asks that you contact them at 925371-4777.

Flu Vaccines on Campus Influenza vaccines are now available at the Student Health & Wellness Center. They are free for students and $25 for faculty and staff. The vaccines will be administered by an on campus nurse practitioner in room 1701. They are open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Philippe Huguen

Cyber crimes are on the rise, especially in California. Victims of cyber crime lost a collective $255 million in California in 2016 alone.

pulled off by many different people on different levels. Measures must be taken to protect citizens from crimes like the one committed by the Bay Area gangs. Many police departments now have an advanced technological advisor to stay updated and informed about crimes involving the internet and technology.

Cyber crime can be prevented with simple behavior changes. When using an ATM or credit card terminal with an external reader, tug on the reader to see if a loose

casing comes off. Protect yourself further by checking with your bank on what their policies are for fraudulent spending and attempted unauthorized use of a card.

The FBI has released a statement in May instructing people that have been subject to a cyber crime to report the crime to www.ic3.gov.

For more information on how to protect yourself from cyber crime, visit www. fbi.gov/investigate/cyber or ask your local police department for tips on staying safe.

FEAT

4 lpcexpressnews.com Proposition 7

lection season is coming up E which means it is time for change.

California is facing an interesting pro-

posed changed. Proposition 7 is on the ballot this year which if voted into action will repeal the change from standard time to daylight savings time.

Prop 7 states that the California State Legislature would allow to enact daylight saving time year round, which is the time California is on from the second sunday of March and the first Sunday of November, or what many people refer to as “spring forward.”

A yes vote on Prop 7 would allow the legislature to change to DST, daylight saving time, year round. It would have to be approved by a vote of two-thirds of the California State Legislature.

Those in favor argue that changing the clocks twice a year is bad for people’s health because their internal clock and sleep schedule gets messed up. It has also been argued that extra daylight during the afternoons from November to March would allow for more productivity and allow people to do more things during the day.

A no vote would not allow for the state legislature to change the daylight saving time schedule. California would continue to switch between DST and standard time.

Those opposed argue that being that being on a seperate clock from most of the country half the year would be confusing and frustrating. It has also been argued that the dark mornings in the winter cause more car accidents when people are commuting to work and children are going to school.

While most states in the US acknowl-

GAVIN NEWSOM

Jennifer Snook/Express edge both DST and standard time there are a few states that do not, including Hawaii and Arizona.

Staying on one time zone year round works for Hawaii, but it is a huge point of controversy in California. Hawaii is much closer to the equator so the days do not get much longer in the summer or much shorter in the winter.

Some people believe that permanent DST would not make sense in California since there is a big difference between the length of sunshine on summer days compared to winter days. Although permanent DST has been enacted before during WWII. President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted DST nationwide in an effort to save energy, so it has been proven to work in California. Although, this was repealed a little while after the war ended.

The Express Editorial Board endorses a “no” vote on Proposition 7.

ELECTION 20

Proposition 10

roposition 10 is finds itself P between a rock and a hard place.

Rent in California is high. So high that it

has become a joke, with popular memes trending on twitter showing spaces with terrible living conditions and putting an abnormally high price tag on them.

California is enduring a housing crisis and there is no end on the horizon.

A shortage of housing has raised prices for rent. Proposition 10 plans to have local governments adopt rent control ordinances.

The cost of rent in the Bay Area is over $1,800 a month for a two bedroom apartment, that is nearly double the national average of $1,000 a month.

For college students looking to move out, once a price tag is seen, any hope is stomped out. And that is just one of the financial problems students have to deal with. Proposition 10 aims to fix the housing problem, but is it the correct answer?

The proposition plans to add rent control to the state. Real estate website RadPad puts the idea of rent control simply: “rent control laws determine when, why and by how much a landlord can increase rent.”

So, the solution is simple right? Vote yes on prop 10, rent prices go down.

Plenty argue that the problem is more complicated than that. The argument against prop 10 is that the solution to the housing crisis, is to build more places for people to live. If rent control is added, local governments may have to increase costs. Up to tens of millions of dollars per year, which could affect money given to schools and construc-

Jennifer Snook/Express tion jobs. Candidates in the 2018 election for governor both oppose prop 10, stating that adding rent control is not the answer to the housing problem.

Supporters of prop 10 believe that it will be a good way to lower living costs and protect tenants from crazy rent prices. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti stated: “I’ve always believed that those who live closest to a given block or a street know what’s best. Local government should have control over their own city.”

Is the addition of rent control the best for California? No one can say for sure. Proposition 10 should not go unnoticed. It is one of the most important propositions on the ballot, especially affecting college students looking to move out and establish independence.

The Express Editorial Board endorses a “yes” vote on Proposition 10,

Gavin Newsom is the Democratic candidate for governor. Newsom was the mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2010 before being elected Lieutenant Governor of California, a position he still holds. According to Ballotpedia, three of his top campaign messages are single payer universal healthcare, state-funded preschooling, and building 3.5 million homes while raising tax credits for affordable housing in effort to battle homelessness.

GOVERNOR 2018 John Cox is the Republican candidate for governor. He has previously attempted election to the presidency, U.S. Senate, and the House of Representatives. He, like Newsom, worked previously in real estate and law. According to Ballotpedia, three of his top campaign points are repealing the gas tax and increasing vehicle state registration, blocking single payer healthcare to avoid giving politicians power over pricing, and adjusting environmental protection law in order to lower cost of living in California.

JOHN

COX

TURE

OCTOBER, 10,2018

018 FAST FACTS I

5

Proposition 12

n 2008, voters approved Proposition 2 which banned pregnant animals that were being raised to be slaughtered to be confined in small spaces where they could not “turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs,” according to ballotpedia.org.

It went into effect in 2015.

Proposition 12 is an extension of Proposition 2 and would not go into effect until 2020. Voting yes on this proposition will ban the sale of meat and egg-laying animals that are being confined in a small space.

In 2013, the California Department of Food and Agriculture issued a requirement that stated eggs sold in or to California must have a 116 square inch cage per bird.

A vote yes would ban a calf from being confined in area less than 43 square feet, a pig in less than 24 square feet and egg-laying animals to be confined in anything less than one square foot.

If this proposition does get passed, starting in 2021, egg-laying animals would be able to live cage-free. Additionally, by the end of 2021, all farmers would have to be fully compliant.

If a farmer were to violate these requirements, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Department of Public Health can give fines up to $1,000.

Voting yes, will also amend California’s Health and Safety Code to add these new requirements. Prevent Cruelty California and The Humane Society are some of the main supporters of passing this propositision.A vote no, would oppose the ban and leave the requirements as is.

Some of the opponents of this proposition argued that a vote yes would “increase food prices and create meat

Jennifer Snook/Express and egg shortages,” according to ballotpedia.org According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “Since Prop. 2’s passage, California egg production has dropped significantly and egg prices have risen by 33 percent.”

A spokesman for the National Pork Producers Council, Jim Monroe said, “Livestock production practices should be left to those who are most informed about animal care — farmers — and not animal rights activists.”

Just like in 2008, farmers would have to get rid of their current cages to purchase new ones just to comply with this new law. Humane Farming Association (HFA) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are some of the main opponents for this proposition.

The Express Editorial Board endorses a vote “no” on Proposition 12 and leave the requirements as is.

Victoria LachnitExpress

Several stations have been available on campus to register students to vote. Voting registration ends on October 22.

Prop 9 taken off ballet by California courts

his election, your vote is going to T count on every candidate and proposition. That is, all of them except one.

Proposition 9 was removed from the ballot in July by a unanimous vote in the California Supreme Court. Prop 9, known as “Cal 3” by its author, proposes California be split into 3 separate states: NorCal, California, and Southern California. The court pushed it to the 2020 ballot, stating “that the potential harm in permitting the measure to remain on the ballot outweighs the potential harm in delaying the proposition to a future election,” according to court documents.

The controversial decision puts Californians in limbo. Although every guideline was met to put the issue to the vote, in less than ten days, the Court had determined its fate. As one of the few examples of true direct democracy in America,

some are taking this vote offensively.

A “yes” vote on proposition 9 would have sent a request to U.S. Congress to split California into three states. NorCal would have contained of most of the Bay Area as well as the area north of it, with San Jose being the largest city. California, the smallest of the proposed states, would be a strip along the coast between Monterey and Los Angeles. Southern California, the largest by population, would have consisted primarily of agricultural lands, with San Diego, Fresno and Riverside counties, among others.

A “no” vote would have struck down the new borders, something Tim Draper is familiar with.

Draper, a Silicon Valley investor and billionaire, proposed the three-way split. This is not the first time he has, either. In 2013, Draper proposed “Six Californias,” a similar measure to Cal 3. The venture capitalist was

able to garner over 400 valid thousand signatures statewide in support of his proposal.

He claims it will make California “more governable” and allow more Senate seats in representation. Opponents say it is a personal plot to break apart the more liberal areas of California and gain more Republican representation in the Senate.

No matter where you fall on the issue itself, the decision to remove it from the ballot raises questions. The Supreme Court of seven successfully used their voices to overpower a significant number of their constituents, a power used in 2013 as well.

It’s a complicated issue and it’s important to know where you stand.

The Express Editorial Board does not believe the state senate should have taken the proposition off the ballot. Although, if it had been on the ballot we would have endorsed a “no” vote.

Jennifer Snook/Express

6 Campus Life

lpcexpressnews.com

LPC student directed film takes home 3 awards

By Giovanna Seabra @GIOVANNAEXPRESS

Two days, a strict 48 hours, to create an idea and bring it to life on the silver screen. The 48 Hour Film Project tests the resolve of Bay Area filmmakers, pitting them against one another for a trophy and a spot at the Filmapalooza Film Festival. And that is just what five LPC students earned.

Four students from Las Positas College took home top prizes at the 48 Hour Film Project in San Francisco, one of them being a screening at Filmapolooza next year.

“Special,” produced by Awocan Productions, is a sci-fi film mockumentary made to capture the life of a scientifically created boy born from synthetic DNA. “Special” took home first place for best film of 2018. The team also won best writing and audience favorite. “Special” was directed by Sami Cowan and produced by Geneva May Colcol who make the team of Awocan Productions.

The 48 Hour Film Project has 36 teams across the Bay Area complete and turn in a short film in only 48 hours. These teams are given a specific line, character, and prop at the time of the assignment. After they are given the elements, teams have to write the script of the film, go through production, post production and finally submit the film before the 48 hour deadline.

The Las Positas students involved in the film were Sami Cowan who directed the film, Alynn Lima as production assistant, Celia Reddoch as one of the actresses, Seth Benton as the script supervisor and Geneva

What’s Happening This Month?

OCTOBER

10

Photo courtesy of Geneva May Colcol Cast of film “Special” poses for picture on their first day of filming.

May Colcol as the producer. All of the students are members of theatre and are passionate about the arts.

The theatre department at LPC does not focus on film, but that doesn’t mean that theatre professor Titian Lish and her students aren’t passionate about it.

“It was really exciting and wonderful to see them take what they knew here and be able to translate it into another medium, it just felt like the world is going to open up to all of them” Lish said.

Geneva May Colcol, a 21-yearold studying theatre arts at Las

Positas College and producer of “Special” stated, “They have definitely used the skill sets of being proactive and initiative for this project.”

Colcol became producer because of her committed and determined mindset to reach out for other people to be actors and be apart of this project along with her.

From working as a Starbucks barista Monday through Thursday from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. and being a theatre student at Las Positas, Geneva is on a rough path to pursue her dream in the

film industry. She pushes forward with a positive and strong mindset, “As long as you stay focused and as long as you have a passion, don’t let anybody or anything sway you. If it’s something the makes you happy, you should do it,” Colcol said.

The reward for winning first place for best film of 2018, “Special” took home a trophy, free software for screenwriting and a screening at a film festival representing San Francisco against other films around the world at the Filmapalooza festival in Orlando Florida in March 2019.

Who is someone you admire?

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13 Reasons Why Not Workshop #2 Room 2420, 4-7:30 p.m.

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HOUSING RESOURCES WORKSHOP Room 1602, 12-2 p.m.

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ARCADIA OPENING NIGHT Black Box Theater, 8 p.m.

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Flex Day No classes before 4 p.m.

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Campus Campfire Tutorial center, 7 p.m.

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Health and Wellness Fair Quad, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

NOSY NICKEL

What do you do during your free time?

Hariel Colcol, LPCSG Vice President

THE COMING OUT PANEL Room 2420, 4-7:30 p.m.

Lately, I have not had free time, I have 3 jobs and I’m a full time student. But when I do have free time I sing, play the ukulele, take photos and attend concerts.

Five questions. Five answers.

What is one of your favorite features at LPC?

One of my favorite features is the environment of LPC. While many teachers and individuals know you are taking classes to transfer to a higher education, it helps narrating your goals.

If you could choose to have one super- Would you rather live without arms or power, what would it be? legs?

I admire my sister, Geneva who is currently attending LPC as well. She is one of the most ambitious people I The power to read minds. I would like to know one’s I’d rather live without legs because there is more know. She is the one that taught me to pursue a passion point of view. It would help with communication, un- equipment suitable for that such as wheelchairs. derstanding, and connecting. and turning it into an actual career.

october 10, 2018

Sapsford turns LPC into a soccer powerhouse Devin Bradshaw @DEVINBRADSHAW_

She tried to envision herself with no hair.

Would her sandy brown eyebrows really pop if her curly locks weren’t flowing from her head?

She tried to visualize it, imagine how pale her scalp would be, what shape would her head reveal if no longer hidden. She couldn’t do it. Couldn’t bring herself to cut it off.

That’s why she plays soccer for Las Positas.

“There’s no way in heck I am shaving my head,” said Raena Juarez, a freshman midfielder for the Hawks.

Juarez thought the offer from The Citadel, a respected military college, was appealing. An 80 percent scholarship almost landed her in South Carolina playing for the Bulldogs. But the school’s shaved hair requirement was a deal breaker.

San Jose State was also in the picture but didn’t offer her enough scholarship money. So to spare her parents the financial burden, she decided on community college. But not just any community college. She decided to go to the best soccer program in the area.

Yes, she is talking about the Hawks.

“It’s like the Stanford,” she said, “but of the junior colleges.”

That Juarez, who graduated from James Logan High School in Union City, views the Hawks with such high regard is a testament to the growth of the program.

In 2014, Paul Sapsford was hired as head of the women’s soccer program. In his first season, the Hawks went 6-12. Since then, they’ve increased their win totals each season. They won 12 games in 2015-16 and made the NorCal playoffs. The following year, 13 wins and another trip to the playoffs. This time, they won their first-round match.

Last season, they went 15-1-2 and earned the No. 4 seed in the NorCal playoffs. They were upset 1-0 in the first round by No. 13

Photo courtesy of Alan Lewis

seed San Joaquin Delta. But the heartbreak hasn’t seemed to slow the program.

“Hard work.” Sapsford said “Lots of 80 hour weeks by coaches (made this possible)” The Hawks are currently 9-1-2.

They were ranked as high as No. 7 in the nation, per the United Soccer Coaches Division III poll.

The latest rankings, released Oct. 2, had the Hawks at No. 13.

Sapsford has been around the proverbial block. He was an assistant coach for Stanford and St. Mary’s College before becoming head coach there at St. Mary’s.

His experience is helping him with building up the Las Positas program into a powerhouse.

Sapsford’s reputation had reached Juarez. He didn’t know her but she knew his resume.

She had learned of his reputation for being supportive of players, especially helping them advance to the next level after Las Positas.

“His background in college soccer at the Division I level has translated into creating an extremely competitive environment for us at LPC,” sophomore midfielder Meghan Giamona said.

“This is exactly what the athletes who want to continue playing at a four-year school need. Tactically he’s very wise and knows exactly what’s needed to break down an opponent.”

Sapsford likes to run a tight ship. He has standards that he sets and expects the team to reach them.

“Me, personally defensive.”

Sapsford said when asked about his style. “But the girls would say offensive.”

Sapsford likes his teams to have more of a free flowing and creative offense. But he shines on the defensive end.

“As a coach you have more influence when you don’t have the ball. On offense it’s more about the players ability and the players decision making capabilities.” Sapsford said. “I don’t want to take the creativity away from the players, you play what you see. Defensively in terms of organization, I tell them what to do.”

Meghan Giamona fights for the ball against Ventura on Sept. 6.

SPORTS 7 HawkSquawk Soccer WOMENS Monterey Peninsula 0, LPC 11: 2 goals each by Jocelyn Hernandez, Alexis Xaysana, and Paola Samaniego.

Chabot 0, LPC 3: 3 saves each by Eme Espinoza and Marisol Camargo.

MENS Canada 0, LPC 1: 5 saves

by Kyle Rudd.

Gavilan 0, LPC 5: Goals

by Arnaud Mantuidi, Osca Munoz, Ian Slominski, Leonard Barajas, and Anthony Kumar.

Victoria Lachnit/Express After missing the start of the season with an ankle imjury Raena Juarez joined the team for their game against Ohlone on Oct. 5 scoring a goal in her first game with the Hawks.

Very reminiscent to Jose Mourinho, he values tactical defensive teams and the players make the offense go.

“He’s definitely strict when he needs to be,” Giamona said, “but never in a negative way. We still have fun.”

The team this year welcomes young new players like Jocelyn Hernandez, Araceli Hinojosa, Gabriella Polizzi, Alexis Xaysana, Paola Barren and Jasmine Loaiza.

But have returning players Paola Samaniego, Lauren Sisneros, Sofia Escalante and Giamona to lead them.

Despite losing nearly everyone from last season’s historic team, the Hawks still have sights on a deep run in the playoffs.

Making the playoffs is expected.

The Hawks have never missed the postseason under Sapsford.

Before him, they made the playoffs 3 times in ten years.

“I don’t really see any weaknesses,” Giamona said “I have faith in my team that we will accomplish what we need to one way or another.”

One of those new players expected to produce right away is Juarez. She is still dealing with a severely sprained ankle she suffered during a drill in which a

teammate inadvertently slid into her ankle. She was expected to be out at least 2 weeks. She returned in time for the game against Ohlone. A game she explicitly said there was no way she would miss, and scored a goal her first game back. Juarez has to get her ankle taped before every game and practice, after games she deals with soreness so she must ice it.

The Hawks missed her all around abilities. They have been really good on that side but she adds a new element, a defender who’s a great passer able to set up her team to keep the offense going.

“She’s a screen for the back four.

Offensively she switches the ball when it’s appropriate,” Sapsford said. “She’s like a point guard. But a point guard who stays back.”

In the meantime, the offense has kept them afloat. They are top 10 in goals, goals scored a game and points and top 5 in assists in the state. Giamona is leading their potent offense, she is number 4 in the state in scoring This balance has become a feature of the Hawks. That plus the culture Sapsford has created has put the Las Positas program on the map. It also allowed Juarez to keep her hair.

Water Polo WOMENS De Anza 6, LPC 14: 4 assists each by Brooke Spring and Mikayla Theide.

Laney 4, LPC 20: 7 goals

by Nikki White.

MENS Merced 24, LPC 5: 3 goals

by Marco Macchiavello.

Merced 7, LPC 16: 8 goals

by Cameron Naas.

Volleyball WOMENS Ohlone 3, LPC 1 De Anza 3, LPC 0

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Nicki Minaj’s newest rap battle: ‘Queen’ vs. the industry

By Arion Armeniakos @ARIONARMENIAKOS

scuffle with Cardi B and failure to A secure the top spot in the charts with her new album has had Nicki Minaj

express her outrage in all the wrong ways and all of the wrong places. Is she right to throw out sexism accusations and dish out the blame on others? Or is she struggling to accept the fact that maybe her album just wasn’t as good as she expected?

Minaj is not losing because the industry is working against her, but because the hiphop culture is changing, and whether we like it or not, the trademark rappers such as Minaj may struggle to stay relevant if they fail to adapt to the direction in which the hip-hop industry is heading. That, and a series of bad decisions has Minaj on the receiving end of a downpour of criticism from the social media world.

To sum it up, Minaj experienced a sloppy rollout of her new album “Queen” that debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts, behind Travis Scott’s “Astroworld” which was set for its second week on the summit.

Minaj then accused Scott of “cheating” during a lengthy Twitter rant, as the Houston artist used bundle packages along with the help of his influential partner Kylie Jenner to promote and boost the

Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons Nicki Minaj in 2011 as she was approaching superstar status. Her album “Pink Friday” was released Nov. 22, 2010 which originally launched her to fame.

sales of his new album.

She did that without considering the fact that in today’s day and age you have to use all of your weapons to get ahead.

For example, Kanye West, who upon the release of his new album in June, went on a number of controversial Twitter rants in order to attract the attention of the public eye. As a result, he will most likely boost the sales of his newest project.

Scott using the help of Jenner and additional products to boost his numbers is just a clever business move and not cheating the market.

During her Twitter rant last month, Minaj blamed Spotify for releasing her album later than scheduled after Spotify allegedly said it was “punishment” for Minaj making the “Queen” release an Apple Music exclusive.

lowest-selling costumes should be the ones that turn other people’s rich and important culture into a punchline.

Although this problem exists on a very wide spectrum, college campuses have always been problematic. In 2017, five universities in Maryland faced scrutiny for students all dressed as African Americans in prison. Yale University released a detailed guide for students to decide if their costume was appropriate. James Ramsey, the president of the University of Louisville, came under fire in 2015 for handing out sombreros and fake mustaches to his staff for their Halloween party.

Every year, it seems, countless fraternities and sororities host ignorantly themed Halloween parties that encourage these types of costumes.

Yandy, a lingerie store that doubles as a “sexy costume” outlet during the Halloween season, capitalizes strongly on cultural appropriation. This year, their line for women includes costumes titled “Shot Glass Geisha Girl,” “Queen of deNile” and “Native American Mistress,” among others.

The eye-catching costumes are a slap in the face to history, sacrificing what is considered sacred clothing to some for increased sex appeal and cheap polyester materials. These costumes are clearly marketed towards those not of the demographic they mock, using white models and creating wordplay out of the traditional titles.

If you haven’t been directly affected by the belittling of your own culture, it can be difficult to comprehend its impact. Maisha Z. Johnson, a writer who focuses on social change, defines cultural appropriation as

someone who takes a “power dynamic in which members of a dominant culture take elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominant group.” Halloween costumes that imitate and disgrace traditional symbols are part of this somehow commonly overlooked situation.

I know that at 7, I just wanted to dress like my favorite character. There’s no harm in allowing a child to be their favorite princess or book character or superhero.

However, I know if I were to make the same decision 12 years later, the effects would ripple throughout my community. I have no business pretending to be part of a culture that I don’t belong to, especially over something as trivial as a Halloween costume. Choosing a culturally-based costume doesn’t celebrate a society, rather, it can promote the privilege of the one wearing it, mocking historical oppression.

Some credit hypersensitivity to this issue or claim that American society is becoming too politically correct. But perhaps it’s not hypersensitivity, but rather a raised awareness. Any increased sensitivity will feel like too much for those who started with none.

Choosing to decorate yourself in symbols stains their reputation and encourages the ignorance of their meaning. There are plenty of ways to be creative, excite and make people laugh with your Halloween costume this year.

The price tag doesn’t need to include the cost of some of the richest histories in the world.

Spotify denied those claims, in an official statement, saying that they gave Minaj fair promotion of her album “with a Times Square billboard, a host of the largest playlists, New Music Friday, and the new music release shelf.” The service added that her single, “Bed,” had more streams after their promotions began. They stated also that Spotify “continues to be big fans of Nicki.”

During her Twitter antics, Minaj also accused the media of being sexist and inconsistent as they criticized her for the recent collaboration with the controversial artist 6ix9ine after making a song with the New York rapper. To add insult to injury, her VMA performance with 6ix9ine was cancelled because of the accusations against him.

In reality though, every other artist that has a major media presence would have received the same backlash for collaborating with someone who is a hot controversial topic. The backlash was not because Minaj is a woman.

Upon the release of her new album, Minaj was also involved in a bust up with Cardi B during the New York Fashion Week, according to reports from TMZ. FOR THE REST OF THIS STORY VISIT: LPCEXPRESSNEWS.COM

It’s a culture, not a costume­— the fight against appropriation

By Emily Forschen @EMILYSCHEN

meant no harm.

I At 7, I wanted to dress up like my favorite American Girl doll. I borrowed a

costume from a friend and got my mom to braid my hair just like the doll. Her name was Kaya, and she was a Nez Perce Native American character in a series of books.

She was my hero, and I wanted to be her.

Nobody batted an eye.

They should have. Though I was 7, with the most innocent of intentions, I was taking part in a systemic issue. The opportunity to teach was missed about how such behavior inflicts damage.

Scan any costume catalog or walk through a Halloween store. It is highly likely to have a geisha robe, Native American headdress or a poncho-and-sombrero ensemble. These might be deemed creative costumes, a great gag, or a celebration of the culture. But they are demeaning stereotypes that disrespect some of the very closely held traditions of other cultures and propagate misguided notions about them.

Halloween is supposed to be about fun and candy and make believe. It should not be a permission slip for disrespect.

Especially in this divisive political climate, there will certainly be companies all-toohappy to make costumes that continue culturally insensitive imagery and feed the bigotry of people looking to defame another culture.

The responsibility lies on each person to actively choose not to participate. The

Courtesy: Emily Forschen

Emily Forschen, 7, carries the American Girl doll that she chose to dress up as.

The character Kaya is of the Nez Perce Native American tribe.